Computer Hardware

Dot matrix printer advantages and disadvantages

A dot matrix printer is an old printing technology that adopts its name from how it prints characters onto paper. It is made up of a matrix of tiny pins that create a character on paper by striking an inked ribbon against the paper. It is categorized under impact printer since the paper makes contact with the printing mechanism to make characters.

The most common industry that uses dot matrix printer today are a financial institution or other that requires to keep a copy of the data produced. 

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Multi-core processor CPU
Computer Hardware

Types, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Multi-core CPU

A CPU core is an individual processing unit within a device processor for the computer that supports multi-core. The CPUs have more than one core which is capable of executing instructions independently of the others. Current types of computer system that are multitasking and multi-user use of many cores improves overall system performance and execution speed.

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General articles

Difference between 2.4 GHz vs 5ghz frequencies

The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are wireless radio frequencies that transmit and receive signals in wireless devices. Most modern routers can support both frequencies and they are set to auto-select the best for each device. For the best WiFi experience, 5GHz is the best for homes and even offices within the same room.

The main difference between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies is the range they cover, number of devices using the frequency, and the data transmission speeds.

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Pointing devices, mouse, trackball, stylus pointing stick
Computer Hardware

Pointing devices types, functions, and advantages

A computer-pointing device is an input device that is used to move the cursor or pointer on the screen. They are mostly used to click, select, drag, point, and other user movements on the computer screen.

The main types of pointing devices are a mouse, trackpad, trackball, touchscreen, lightpen, stylus pen, and pointing stick. They are used mostly in GUI systems for moving the cursor on the screen. Their main advantage is they are user-friendly, versatile, and can be used for dimensional movements.

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Computer tips

Types, advantages, and functions of buffers in os

A buffer is a storage location that is used to store data temporarily as it transits from one device or process to the next. While buffering is the process of using buffers to increase the performance and efficiency of the system using buffers. In an operating system, buffers are used during input and output operations.

The 3 types of buffers in the operating system are single, double, and circular. They are used as temporary storage locations within the system. Their main advantage is to smoothen I/O device operations.

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uses of mobile phone in daily life
General articles

Uses of Mobile Phones in daily life

Mobile phones and smartphones have become part of human life and most people cannot imagine a life without a phone. This is because mobile phones are used in almost all aspects of our life today.

According to BankMyCell, there are approximately 6.99 Billion smartphone users in the world as of 2023. This means 86% of the world’s population has a smartphone. The number may be slightly lower considering that some people may own more than one phone.

The same source indicates that those who own mobile phones, this include smartphones and simple feature phones are 7.33 Billion which is 91% of the world population. From these statistics, you can see how mobile phones are shaping human life.

In this article, we will discuss what these 7 Billion people are using their mobile phones for and how they are shaping their life.

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Computer generations and their characteristics
Computer Hardware

Computer generations and their characteristics

Computers have been evolving as the human need for more complex computations has increased. They are classified into generations depending on when they were in use and their characteristics.

The first machine that tried to automate calculation and storage was in use around the 1940s. Computers have evolved from then up to what we have today in our pockets as smartphones.

In this article, we discuss computer generation and what is changing from one generation to the next, and how they are changing. Characteristics such as processor speed and technology, storage, physical size, power consumption, and input/output devices used among others discussed in the article.

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Microsoft XPS printing
Computer tips

How to create a Microsoft XPS document and its advantages.

Microsoft XPS document writer is a virtual printer driver that helps create an XML Paper Specification document. XPS document is a type of document that preserves the formatting and the layout of the document when printed just like a PDF. The document can be created using any application that can support printing and the device as the XPS printer driver.

The XPS software can be used to create, print, convert, view, and annotate documents mostly in the Windows platform.

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Coaxial cable
Computer Hardware

Coaxial cable uses, parts, advantages, and disadvantages

A coaxial cable also known as coax is a type of electrical wire that is used for the transmission of radio, TV, and internet signal. It is made up of a core central copper cable and insulators that protect it from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and other environmental factors.

Coax cable’s main advantages are it has high data transmission speed and is more resistant to EMI compared to twisted pair. However, they are bulky to work with and they are easy to tap hence susceptible to security breaches.

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General articles

Components, mode, and characteristics of data communication

Data communication is a technique of transferring data between a sender and receiver device over a channel using specific protocols. It goes hand in hand with networking. Data can be exchanged in different modes, and the quality of its transmission can be affected by factors such as attenuation, interference, and noise among others.

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