TUESDAY: 18 May 2021. Time Allowed: 3 hours.
ALL questions carry equal marks. Answer any FIVE questions.
QUESTION ONE
1. List two technological trends of each of the following computer generations:
Second generation. (2 marks)
Third generation. (2 marks)
Fourth generation. (2 marks)
2. Highlight seven components of a computer’s motherboard. (7 marks)
3. Outline four functions of uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device in a computer system. (4 marks)
4. Identify three ways in which information communication technology (ICT) could be used in the efficient running of a hospital. (3 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION TWO
1. Describe the following types of information systems:
Transaction processing system. (I mark)
Management information system. (I mark)
Decision support system. (I mark)
Executive support system. (I mark)
2. State five functions of an operating system. (5 marks)
3. Analyse five benefits of using accounting software packages in an organisation. (5 marks)
4. Summarise six features of an ideal word processing software. (6 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION THREE
1. Citing an example in each case, explain the following types of computer files:
Report file. (2 marks)
Reference file. (2 marks)
Backup file. (2 marks)
Sort file. (2 marks)
2. Ujuzi Limited is a large manufacturing company with over 30 branches spread countrywide. The company employs a total of 1,000 casual employees who are paid weekly wages based on the actual number of hours worked and the employee job grade level. The company uses a centralised computer system in the processing of its payroll.
Required:
List six types of data that you expect to find in the employee record stored in the payroll’s master file. (6 marks)
Suggest three validation controls that should be applied to the input data of the payroll system. (3 marks)
3. A medium sized company is in the process of acquiring a computer software for use by one of its employees who is visually impaired. Advise the company on three factors to consider in selecting the appropriate software. (3 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
1. Describe the following components of a computer network:
Node. (1 mark)
Packet. (1 mark)
Network operating system. (1 mark)
2. Define a “mesh network topology”. (I mark)
Outline two advantages and two disadvantages of a mesh network topology. (4 marks)
3. The world has become one global village through the use of the internet and increased adoption of social networking sites.
Discuss four ethical challenges posed by the increased adoption of social networking sites. (4 marks)
4. State four advantages and four disadvantages of online banking. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION FIVE
1. Define the following terms as used in data security:
Hacking. (I mark)
Fraud. (I mark)
Piracy. (1 mark)
Computer virus. (I mark)
2. Identify five signs of a computer infected with a virus. (5 marks)
3. Evaluate five ways in which an organisation could protect its computer systems from hacking. (5 marks)
4. Joyce Mwamba owns and runs an auditing firm whose operations are manually based. Most of the related businesses in the neighbourhood as well as her business associates have adopted computer based platforms for their operations. However, Joyce Mwamba is hesitant to follow suit in the adoption of computerisation.
Justify six reasons for Joyce Mwamba’s fears. (6 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION SIX
1. Describe the following data transmission media, stating an advantage and a disadvantage of each. (3 marks)
Twisted pair cables. (3 marks)
Coaxial cables. (3 marks)
Optical fibre cable. (3 marks)
2. An international airline company is in the process of introducing an information system for its operations. The management of the company is eager to enhance the efficiency of operations through adoption of the system.
Required:
Discuss four factors that the management of the company should consider in selecting the appropriate information system for its operations. (4 marks)
Highlight four operations of the company that could be undertaken by the information system. (4 marks)
Suggest three security measures that the company should put in place during implementation of the information system. (3 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION SEVEN
1. List four storage media that could be used as auxiliary storage. (4 marks)
2. Outline four services that users can access from a smartphone. (4 marks)
3. The recent surge of Covid-l9 pandemic globally has forced many organisations to adopt a work-from-home policy for their employees, in a bid to curb the spread of the disease and also as one of the organisation’s continuity measures. This has availed numerous benefits and posed a number of challenges to both the employees and the organisation.
Required:
Summarise three advantages and three disadvantages of a work-from home policy to:
The employees. (6 marks)
The organisation. (6 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
