Study Opportunities Computers, part of your life – Grade 11, 2nd Edition
Module 2.3 Online lifestyle
Written module activity
1. Discuss two limitations of using fixed internet access such as ADSL or fibre.
1. Any two of:
Lack of portability
Can be expensive (depending on the package chosen)
ADSL or fibre may not be available in your area
2. What are the two most important factors that influence the cost of a specific internet access package?
2. The amount of bandwidth (‘speed’) of the connections
The size of the cap selected in the package
3. The terms FTTH and FFTB have become commonplace. Explain what each of these terms refer to.
3. FTTH (Fibre to the Home) and FTTB (Fibre to the Business) refer to the installation and use of fibre
cables to homes and businesses to provide high-speed internet access.
4. Briefly describe WiFi, WiMAX and 3G/4G.
4. Short descriptions:
WiFi is a wireless networking technology using radio waves to provide internet and network access
between computers and other devices such as smartphones and cell phones.
WiMAX is an upgrade on WiFi and is a more secure wireless networking technology that allows
wireless devices to communicate with one another over a wider area than WiFi.
3G and 4G are generations of mobile (cellular) phone technology.
5. If you were travelling overseas, you could make use of a hotspot to communicate with family and
friends at home. Explain how you would go about this by referring to the function of a hotspot.
5. A hotspot is an area in which access to a wireless network can be established using WiFi technology
using mobile computers and other mobile devices with built-in wireless capabilities. This network you
connect to wirelessly is then normally connected to the internet via a fixed line. Hotspots are found in
locations such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, convention centres, shopping malls and
hotels.
6. How can everyone in your home get internet access if only your dad has an ADSL connection to his
computer?
6. Wireless internet access can also be made available to all devices in a home by means of a router. The
router will connect a computer to the ADSL line. All other devices in the house can then connect
wirelessly to the router.
7. You have a 4G enabled smartphone. Can you still use this phone if you are in an area with no 4G
reception?
7. Yes, if you are in an area which does not have good 4G coverage, you phone will revert to a slower
service such as 3G or Edge.
Study Opportunities Computers, part of your life – Grade 11, 2nd Edition
8. Previously web designers had to design special ‘mobi’ versions of websites. Explain what a ‘mobi’ site
is and why there is less of a need to design them these days.
8. Previously special ‘mobi’ versions of websites were designed so users could view them on mobile
devices. Modern websites are designed in such a way that the device being used – desktop or mobile –
is recognised and the website automatically adjusted for that particular device.
9. Discuss two advantages and two potential disadvantages of using a social networking site.
9. Any two advantages of social networking sites:
An easy and cost-effective method to stay in touch and communicate with friends and family all
over the world.
Allows you to send and receive messages, update your ‘status‘ and upload photos and videos.
Allows collaboration and interaction to take place.
Allows people who would normally not meet to interact and form communities.
You are not bound by any geographical and cultural differences.
Can be used as a tool to market a business, service, product, or website.
Any two potential disadvantages of social networking sites:
Increased risk of identity theft, fraud, cyber-stalking and harassment.
Many people have false information on their profiles and are not always who they say they are.
Increased risk of loss in productivity if employees spend too much time online.
Social networks may increase the quantity of communication at the expense of the quality.
10. Your younger sister has joined Facebook.
a) What are some of the dangers she might be exposed to by using a social networking site?
a) She might meet people who are not who they say they are or exposed to inappropriate material.
b) Give her some common-sense guidelines to help her protect herself while using a site such as
Facebook.
b) Common sense guidelines for using Facebook:
Restrict who can have access different types of information on your profile and who can
comment or post on your profile.
Only enter or give out the information you are forced to.
Be aware of potentially spreading ‘false news’ or gossip.
Think carefully about who you allow to become a ‘friend’. Block anyone you feel
uncomfortable with.
Don’t post damaging, insulting or provocative content about yourself, friends, your school or
your company.
Restrict the amount of time you spend on social networking sites.
Report any offensive posts or incidents of cyberstalking or cyberbullying.
11. a) What is Skype and what is it used for?
a) Skype is (application) software that allows one to make a phone/video call using an internet
connection.
b) Why would Skype be worthwhile to use?
b) It allows one to contact people at a lower cost than using a normal phone or cell phone.
12. Why can video conferencing via Skype be expensive if the voice (phone) calls are so cheap?
Study Opportunities Computers, part of your life – Grade 11, 2nd Edition
12. You can use up a lot of your data cap when using video as it consumes large amounts of data
compared to voice calls.
13. Explain how you can receive an RSS feed.
13. One way to receive these feeds is to click on the RSS logo on a website with such a feed. This will
subscribe you to the feed and will be added to the RSS tab of your web browser. You can check
regularly to see if new information is available, and read the full article by clicking a link in the feed.
14. Explain what is the main benefit of using an RSS feed is.
14. The main benefit of RSS is that it saves time in that you do not have to access multiple websites that
you follow to check for new or updated content.
15. Discuss two advantages of internet banking compared to conventional banking.
15. Any two advantages:
Banking can be done 24/7 from anywhere via the internet.
The transactions are normally faster and often cost less than if you had to queue for a teller in the
bank itself.
Safer in that you do not have to carry large amounts of cash on you.
16. Discuss two advantages of shopping online from both a customer and business perspective.
16. Any two advantages:
It is convenient (can shop/conduct business anywhere there is internet access).
You can more easily compare prices more easily.
Prices can be cheaper.
The business can reduce its overhead costs in terms of wages and shop rentals and trade world-
wide.
The business does not have to carry huge quantities of stock.
Two disadvantages:
It is often better to see the goods physically.
There are sometimes delivery costs and import taxes if the article comes from overseas.
17. Describe the two general ways in which malware is detected by anti-malware software.
17. Most malware leaves a ‘trace’ on files on the computer. This is known as a signature or definition – this
pattern uniquely identifies the malware.
Suspicious actions such as ‘unknown’ software trying to make changes to settings can also be detected
as a sign of malware activity.
18. Why does one need to update anti-virus software?
18. As new viruses come out daily, virus definitions need to be updated often.
19. Briefly explain what firewall software is.
19. Firewall software is software that allows you to control which programs can access the internet and
protects your computer or network from unauthorised access by other computers outside your
network/on the internet.
Study Opportunities Computers, part of your life – Grade 11, 2nd Edition
20. Discuss two ways in which you can protect yourself when shopping online.
20. Any two of:
Make sure that that you have the organisation’s contact information.
Look for security guarantees as well as a return policy on the site.
Be aware of terms and conditions (the fine-print).
Check payment and delivery details.
Keep full records of what you order or reserve.
Be aware that when you purchase goods outside of South Africa you may be liable for import
duties.
Only give your credit card details and never your PIN details or other banking details.
Make sure the site is secure.
21. What does the term office automation refer to?
21. Office automation refers to centralising and automating or ‘computerising’ all tasks and systems in the
office.
22. Some modern trends include ‘mobile offices’. Briefly discuss this term.
22. If you have a laptop or tablet and a smartphone, as well as internet access, then you have an office!
The cell phone means you are reachable anywhere. The laptop contains all the software and
documents you need. You work wherever you are.
23. Computer technology had led to an increase in the outsourcing or decentralising of labour.
Briefly explain what this means by referring to a suitable example.
23. The speed and efficiency of working online means that companies are no longer limited to the pool of
workers in the city that their main office is based in – or even in the same country. It is possible to
employ workers from anywhere in the world without it having an impact on the efficiency of the
business. For example, most American technology companies have help desks that are actually staffed
and operated from India.
