Questions from Grover – p.150

1. What are the main components of a database?

 

The main components of a database are records, fields, tables, primary keys, queries, forms and wizards

2. What is the difference between a record and a field?

A record is a set of data and a field is the information in one column of a list or database.

3. What are primary keys? What are they used for?

The primary key of a relational table uniquely identifies each record in the table and is used to uniquely identify each row in a table

4. Draw up a table which could be used for data about students who borrow books from a library. Identify and label a record, a field and the primary key.

5. Why would we not put the students’ data in the same file as the books?

They wouldn’t because the information would get mixed up?

6. If data is repeated unnecessarily in a table, it is called redundant. Why do you think that databases should be designed to minimise data redundancy?

duplicate field remover

Questions from Grover – p.148

1. What is a database? 

A database is an organised collection of data.

2. What is the most important function of a database?

The most important function of a database is to find and search data.

3. What are the advantages of using a database?

• Easy and fast to sort information
• Easy and fast to find information
• Easy and fast to store information
• Keeps records of information in a easy to use format

4. The table below contains data about some books in a library. What other data might be included in a library’s database about its books?

• Date the booked published
• Number of copies available
• Number of copies out on borrowing

  5. What items of data would be relevant for a database in a supermarket?

• bar-code
•  number of products left
• number of products bought
• type of product (groups such as fruit and dairy)
• price of each of product 

6. You would expect a video hire shop to have a computerized database. What is the advantage of this from the owner’s viewpoint? How would it benefit the customer?

It would be a lot easier than to go and find each copy of the movie, but with a database you can find the exact amount out on the shelves. The owned would also be able to find if there is any copies lost or not - returned or over-due and a list of the contact details will appear up. It would benefit the customer because if they wanted to know if there was any copies left of a popular movie they would be able to find out instantly

7. How would you find out about available flights to Europe for the next school holidays?

You will be able to check the net on sites such as webjet and flight centre. This information is coming from the companies database.

 

#5 Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality or VR is technology which allows us to interact with a computer simulated environment.

Virtual Realities was founded in 1995 and is the leading supplier of 3D peripheral devices, input/output, bundled software, integrated systems, industrial, entrainment and military in the world. There aim to is provide customers integrated turnkey solutions that deal with Virtual Reality.

Some of their clients include

Educational

University of Arkansas
Purdue University
University of California
University of Texas at Austin Biomedical Engineering
University of Texas at Houston Cancer Center
Univerity of Texas at Galveston
University of Ohio
University of Kansas
University of Colorado
University of Calabira
University of Oklahoma
Victoria University of Wellington
Dartmouth University

Medical

Duke University Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Purdue University
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Davis Medical Center
UNC Hospital
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
The Virtual Reality Medical Center
St. Luke’s Hospital
Levi Hospital
University Hospital of Arkansas
St. Vincent Medical Center
Good Samaritan Hospital

Corporate/Government

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Microsoft Inc.
GlaxoSmithKline
Procter & Gamble
BAE Systems
Cambridge Research Systems
Insight Visual Systems
Intel
Xerox
Philips Electronics
Sharp Laboratories
Immersion Optima Distribution

#4 Simulations

For simulation i chose to research train simulator mainly because i already have the game installed on the computer and is one of the first things that comes to my mind. A simulation is basically a program which basically is the same thing as real life except it is a game.

1. Why is the simulation used / necessary?

Simulation is necessary to reduce the number of accidents and for training before attempting the real thing. It is real life in a way because the detail in the game is the same as of the real world. Train Simulator is like the exact of real life because you are learning the knowledge needed to learn how to drive a train in a step by step guide (tutorials) where it doesn’t matter if you do something wrong cause then you learn for your mistakes and try it again

2 and 3. What hardware and software is needed for the simulation?

For Train Simulator it just basically depends, my opinion is that you have an average computer meaning:

- 1gb ram at least

-128mb graphics

- at least 2.2 quad or 2.4 duo CPU

- XP service pack 2. etc

For advanced people and who use it everyday you would need:

-2gb ram at least

- decent video/graphics card (around 512mb)

- good CPU (2.4 quad, 2.6 duo)

- Control panel which looks like this:

4. Where do you think this type of simulation might go in the future?

Microsoft Train Simulator can go a tad more forward improving there graphics every couple of years to keep up with technology but other than that it is fairly life like when played.

#3 Forward and Backward Chaining

Forward Chaining:

It is basically where you are given a rule and we produce data to basically find the answer or problem.

Examples are:

If X = big and is able to swim therefore X=  Whale

If X= yellow and round therefore X= Tennis ball

If X= willow and handle therefore X= Cricket bat

Backward Chaining

Backward chaining starts with a list of goals and works backwards to find the solution

Example

x+5=12

therefore x = 7

#2 The Turing Test

1. The turing test is a proposal for a test of a machine’s ability to demonstrate intelligence.

2. Well i think that the turing test can basically determine whether or not the machine can actually make decisions by itself. Basically you can program a machine extremely well but it wont be able to determine intelligence

3. Five questions are

- what country to do live in?

- How old are you?

- Are male or female?

- Who is smarter me or you?

- Are you an fun?

4.

5. The Chatbot which i found for msn was alright. It basically only knew basic sentences and basically if it didn’t know the answer it would basically say that it doesn’t know or next question. I admire the hard work but it is not that good in regarding to how many times it couldn’t answer my questions

#1 AI

1. What is AI?

AI stands for artificial intelligence, and is the intelligence of machines.

2. Is AI achievable?

My opinion is that AI (artificial intelligence) is achievable because at the rate of technology it will not be too far away.

3. How has AI being represented in the film? (refer to at least 2 films)

AI has being represented into many films. The only two which i have watched is Transformers and Bicentennial Man where both have clear evidence of AI.

4. Which film do you think represents AI in the most plausible way?

I think that the Bicentennial Man would be as he adapts to the society and environment

notes

mintMovesleft = mintDice

picDaffy.left = picDaffy.left + cSquare

MintMoves = mintMoves -1

Loop Until mintMoves = 0 or picDaffy.left + csquare > (picboard.left+picboard.width)

If mintMoves > 0 then

picDaffy.top = picDaffy.top – clip

If mintMoves >0

p moveleft

End If

End If

End Sub

Notes

lintDiceRoll – set to random

lintmoves = lintdice roll

Repeat

           Move piece lintSquare

          lintmoves = lintmoves -1

Until lintMoves = 0 or (piece + lintSquare) > picBoard left + picBoard.width

VB NOTES

object.property=value

-> From left to right: picCharacter.Left = picCharacter.Left +25

<- From right to left picCharacter.Left = picCharacter.Left -25

^ From down to up picCharacter.Top = picCharacter.Top -25

v From up to down picCharacter.Top = picCharacter.Top +25