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Mr Jones, who is one of the teachers at the school, started a video-editing club at the school - NSC Information Technology - Question 6 - 2024 - Paper 2
Question 6
Mr Jones, who is one of the teachers at the school, started a video-editing club at the school. The purpose of the club is to create videos of events such as the mat... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Mr Jones, who is one of the teachers at the school, started a video-editing club at the school - NSC Information Technology - Question 6 - 2024 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe TWO functions of an operating system.
Answer
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User Interface Management: The operating system provides a user interface that allows users to interact with the computer effectively. It can be graphical (GUI) or command-line based, facilitating user commands and operations.
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Process Management: It manages processes by scheduling them for execution, handling multi-tasking, and ensuring efficient resource allocation among running programs.
Step 2
Define the following terms:
Answer
6.2.1 (a) Cores: Cores are processing units within a CPU that can execute instructions independently. Each core is capable of handling tasks simultaneously, which enhances the overall performance of the computer.
(b) Threads: A thread is a smaller sequence of programmed instructions that can be managed independently by the operating system. It allows a single program to perform multiple operations concurrently.
Step 3
When a computer with eight cores is used, which processing technique would deliver the best results? Motivate your answer.
Answer
The best technique would be multiprocessing. This method allows for multiple threads or processes to be executed simultaneously across the eight cores, leading to faster processing of tasks related to video editing. This parallel processing capability significantly improves performance by maximizing the utilization of available CPU resources.
Step 4
A GPU will improve the performance of the computer. Justify this statement by explaining why the GPU improves the performance of a computer.
Answer
The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) enhances performance by offloading graphical tasks from the CPU. It is optimized for handling parallel processing tasks, making it ideal for rendering high-quality graphics and video. This results in smoother playback and faster processing times during video editing.
Step 5
Justify the use of virtual machines in this context.
Answer
Using virtual machines allows the club members to test software on different operating systems without affecting their primary system. Advantages include:
- Testing Compatibility: They can evaluate software across various environments.
- Resource Isolation: Each virtual machine operates independently, reducing the risk of software conflicts.
- Cost-effective: Virtual environments limit the need for purchasing multiple hardware setups.
Step 6
Explain the concept of virtual memory and what needs to be done to solve the problem mentioned above.
Answer
Virtual memory is a memory management capability that allows the operating system to use hardware and software to permit a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring data from RAM to disk storage. To resolve excessive virtual memory use, one can:
- Add More RAM: Increasing the physical memory will reduce the reliance on virtual memory.
- Optimize Usage: Close unused applications to free up RAM.
Step 7
Explain what SaaS is.
Answer
SaaS (Software as a Service) is a cloud computing model that allows users to access software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. Users do not need to install or maintain the software on their local devices; instead, they use it via a web browser.
Step 8
Explain at least THREE benefits of SaaS by analysing how it can be used in the video-editing club.
Answer
- Cost Efficiency: The club does not need to invest heavily in software licenses upfront, as SaaS operates on a subscription model.
- Automatic Updates: Users always have access to the latest version of the software without needing manual installations.
- Collaboration: SaaS allows multiple club members to work on video projects simultaneously from different locations.
Step 9
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Step 11
Discuss TWO criteria that may be used to evaluate the reliability of the contents of a website.
Answer
- Authority: Check the author’s credentials and their affiliation to determine the trustworthiness of the information.
- Currency: Ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant by verifying the date of publication.
Step 12
Step 13
Discuss the ethics of this action.
Answer
- Permission: The club member should ensure that they have permission from the original video creator before uploading to avoid copyright infringement.
- Attribution: It’s important to give credit to the original producers, which helps maintain ethical standards in content sharing.
Step 14
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Step 16
Explain the difference between compression techniques and propose the best technique to use for the webinar.
Answer
Compression techniques can be either lossless, which preserves all data without losing any quality, or lossy, which reduces file size at the cost of quality. The best technique for the webinar would be lossless compression to ensure high-quality video transmission while minimizing buffering and enhancing the viewer experience.