(a) Identify one input and one output device used in robotic surgery.
One input device can be a joystick that the doctor can use to control the robot and one output device can be a screen to display the different types of operations that the doctor is performing.
(b) Describe one capability and one limitation of the robot when used in surgery.
One capability of the robot can be that robots, unlike many humans, can work for a long period of time which greatly decreases the probability that it would make a mistake whereas with an actual doctor who might be getting tired after performing a long operation might mess up by accident. One limitation of the robot when being used in surgery is that robots,unlike many humans, cannot display a sense of judgement which means that even though that particular robot has been used for hundreds of surgeries, it cannot remember what happened during any of them and cannot properly make a judgement call in a time of utter emergency.
(d) Discuss one economic concern, one reliability concern and one other concern for patients undergoing robotic surgery. Evaluate the significance of these concerns.
For one, patients might become worried about where their information happens to be going considering that all of their information is being stored digitally. Thusly, another concern that is being raised in one of security because where is the information being sent to and who has authorization over it? So in order to make sure that security within the digital database stays secure, the hospital would have to set up policies that would make sure all patient information was secured in a particular area.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Definitions for Models and Simulations
Sorry! This was in my drafs for some reason
Model
- representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale)
- create a representation or model of; "The pilots are trained in conditions simulating high-altitude flights"
- a small object, usually built to scale, that represents in detail another, often larger object.
Simulation
a. Imitation or representation, as of a potential situation or in experimental testing.
b. Representation of the operation or features of one process or system through the use of another: computer simulation of an in-flight emergency.
feedback loop
- the section of a control system that allows for feedback and self-correction and that adjusts its operation according to differences between the actual output and the desired output.
tutorial software
- Computer programs that give instruction in how to use the software program or system that they support. These programs simulate the capabilities of the system.
training software
- Computer programs that training, usually job related, e.g., how to perform tasks, about company procedures or policies. Training programs may also be used to teach basic knowledge and skills. They permit users to learn at a pace determined by the user, easy repetition of material, and some give information in response to answers or choices made by the users.
wizards and assistants
- A program that guides users through a sequence of choices and helpful information, leading to the completion of specific tasks such as software installation, mail merges, or computer configuration. An assistant is able to answer specific questions.
help menu and help features
- Almost similar to the wizards and assistance this feature is designed to provide the user with help and is generally provided in most software’s such as the tutorial software, training software and most word processors. This feature generally provides the user with a search in which the user can type to what he wants a solution to.
“Read Me” files
- A “read me” file contains data relating to other files which are in a directory or an archive. It is very commonly distributed with most computer software these days. These files are called text files and are usually under these types of names TXT, README.1ST, READ.ME, or simply README.
Model
- representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale)
- create a representation or model of; "The pilots are trained in conditions simulating high-altitude flights"
- a small object, usually built to scale, that represents in detail another, often larger object.
Simulation
a. Imitation or representation, as of a potential situation or in experimental testing.
b. Representation of the operation or features of one process or system through the use of another: computer simulation of an in-flight emergency.
feedback loop
- the section of a control system that allows for feedback and self-correction and that adjusts its operation according to differences between the actual output and the desired output.
tutorial software
- Computer programs that give instruction in how to use the software program or system that they support. These programs simulate the capabilities of the system.
training software
- Computer programs that training, usually job related, e.g., how to perform tasks, about company procedures or policies. Training programs may also be used to teach basic knowledge and skills. They permit users to learn at a pace determined by the user, easy repetition of material, and some give information in response to answers or choices made by the users.
wizards and assistants
- A program that guides users through a sequence of choices and helpful information, leading to the completion of specific tasks such as software installation, mail merges, or computer configuration. An assistant is able to answer specific questions.
help menu and help features
- Almost similar to the wizards and assistance this feature is designed to provide the user with help and is generally provided in most software’s such as the tutorial software, training software and most word processors. This feature generally provides the user with a search in which the user can type to what he wants a solution to.
“Read Me” files
- A “read me” file contains data relating to other files which are in a directory or an archive. It is very commonly distributed with most computer software these days. These files are called text files and are usually under these types of names TXT, README.1ST, READ.ME, or simply README.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
ITGS Class Work - Models and Simulations
ITGS SL1/HL2
Modeling/Simulations Practice
1. When customers visit a supermarket, they do not expect to wait in checkout queues for too long, however the supermarket manager cannot afford to have all the checkouts open all of the time. In an attempt to solve the problem the supermarket manager may decide to make a computer model using a spreadsheet to calculate the optimum number of checkouts that should be open at any time. N07P1
(a) Define the term computer model. (2)
Computer model is a computer program, or network of computers, that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system. Computer simulations vary from computer programs that run a few minutes, to network-based groups of computers running for hours, to ongoing simulations that run for days. A computer model would and could be used here at this supermarket in order to help management decide how many cashiers to have open throughout the day because they would be able to predict how many cashiers would be necessary to make checkout queues as short as possible.
(b) Describe two inputs into the model that would be needed in order to calculate the best number of checkout operators. (4)
Two inputs into the model that would be needed in order to calculate the best number of checkout operators could be the busiest times of the day in which grocery sales are very high (i.e. morning, afternoon, nighttime) and on what particular days that sales may be higher than others (i.e. weekend sales compared to weekday sales). With these two inputs, management can see at what times of the day grocery sales are high which can help them to decide how many cashiers to have open at the time. For example, if grocery sales are higher in the afternoon than they are in the morning then management can have more checkout lines open then and less in the morning. Also, with computing what days are the busiest, management can see what days they need to have more cashiers open all the time rather than one particular time period. For example, if the weekend is busier than the weekday, in regards to sales, then more checkout lines would have to be open on Saturday and Sunday because that is what the computer model has calculated and predicted.
(c) Explain why this or any other computer model may not give accurate results. (4)
However, even with the input of very distinct information, a computer model can never be a hundred percent accurate in reality. This is due to the fact that with information being entered into the computer model system, other information that deals with that certain specific area is sometimes added or left out, leaving the possibility of inaccuracy very high. For example, if the management had the input of specific times during the day when grocery sales where high compared to times when they were low, consistently changes from day to day, month to month, year to year, and so one. So with the input of specific times and days when grocery sales are higher than normal, the probability that something in that given data is going to change or has already changed is nearly 100%. To say that everything in the world maintains consistency we’d be telling lies. Everything in the world is changing – even the little things such as days with higher grocery sales profit – and this is why no matter what computer model someone uses to find out something, it can never be completely accurate.
2. Computer models and computer simulations are often used by businesses to test and train staff. One situation where a computer simulation is used is in the training of airline pilots. M07P1
(a) Define the term computer simulation. (2)
- It is based on a mathematical model
- It is computer software
- The technique of trying to represent the real world in an artificial fashion
(b) Describe two input devices that would be used in a pilot training computer simulation. (4)
A joystick and a microphone would be used in a pilot training computer simulation. This is because the joystick would allow the pilot to maneuver the plane and allow him/herself to make the plane go where it needed to go and avoid obstacles, etc. A microphone would allow the pilot to talk to base control and receive information that would be help the pilot with where the plane was going or if there was a problem, he can report it and explain where he is or what is going on.
(c) Explain one benefit and one problem associated with training pilots on simulators instead of using real planes. (4)
One benefit associated with training pilots on simulators instead of using real planes is that the plane is not actually flying which reduces both the fuel cost and the risk of injury. If the simulation is used, less money has to be spent on aviation fuel and also the pilot won’t be in any physical danger. A problem associated with training pilots on simulators instead of using real planes is that if the model is incomplete or inaccurate, the simulation will not create a perfectly crafted artificial representation of flying conditions. If the simulation is wrong then the information distributed by the model is also wrong. Also, with using a simulation, not every type of physical weather condition or other conditions can be taken account for, so therefore one can say that a simulation is not the best thing to use due to the chance that the pilot is not receiving proper training and should be put out in an actual plane instead.
Modeling/Simulations Practice
1. When customers visit a supermarket, they do not expect to wait in checkout queues for too long, however the supermarket manager cannot afford to have all the checkouts open all of the time. In an attempt to solve the problem the supermarket manager may decide to make a computer model using a spreadsheet to calculate the optimum number of checkouts that should be open at any time. N07P1
(a) Define the term computer model. (2)
Computer model is a computer program, or network of computers, that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system. Computer simulations vary from computer programs that run a few minutes, to network-based groups of computers running for hours, to ongoing simulations that run for days. A computer model would and could be used here at this supermarket in order to help management decide how many cashiers to have open throughout the day because they would be able to predict how many cashiers would be necessary to make checkout queues as short as possible.
(b) Describe two inputs into the model that would be needed in order to calculate the best number of checkout operators. (4)
Two inputs into the model that would be needed in order to calculate the best number of checkout operators could be the busiest times of the day in which grocery sales are very high (i.e. morning, afternoon, nighttime) and on what particular days that sales may be higher than others (i.e. weekend sales compared to weekday sales). With these two inputs, management can see at what times of the day grocery sales are high which can help them to decide how many cashiers to have open at the time. For example, if grocery sales are higher in the afternoon than they are in the morning then management can have more checkout lines open then and less in the morning. Also, with computing what days are the busiest, management can see what days they need to have more cashiers open all the time rather than one particular time period. For example, if the weekend is busier than the weekday, in regards to sales, then more checkout lines would have to be open on Saturday and Sunday because that is what the computer model has calculated and predicted.
(c) Explain why this or any other computer model may not give accurate results. (4)
However, even with the input of very distinct information, a computer model can never be a hundred percent accurate in reality. This is due to the fact that with information being entered into the computer model system, other information that deals with that certain specific area is sometimes added or left out, leaving the possibility of inaccuracy very high. For example, if the management had the input of specific times during the day when grocery sales where high compared to times when they were low, consistently changes from day to day, month to month, year to year, and so one. So with the input of specific times and days when grocery sales are higher than normal, the probability that something in that given data is going to change or has already changed is nearly 100%. To say that everything in the world maintains consistency we’d be telling lies. Everything in the world is changing – even the little things such as days with higher grocery sales profit – and this is why no matter what computer model someone uses to find out something, it can never be completely accurate.
2. Computer models and computer simulations are often used by businesses to test and train staff. One situation where a computer simulation is used is in the training of airline pilots. M07P1
(a) Define the term computer simulation. (2)
- It is based on a mathematical model
- It is computer software
- The technique of trying to represent the real world in an artificial fashion
(b) Describe two input devices that would be used in a pilot training computer simulation. (4)
A joystick and a microphone would be used in a pilot training computer simulation. This is because the joystick would allow the pilot to maneuver the plane and allow him/herself to make the plane go where it needed to go and avoid obstacles, etc. A microphone would allow the pilot to talk to base control and receive information that would be help the pilot with where the plane was going or if there was a problem, he can report it and explain where he is or what is going on.
(c) Explain one benefit and one problem associated with training pilots on simulators instead of using real planes. (4)
One benefit associated with training pilots on simulators instead of using real planes is that the plane is not actually flying which reduces both the fuel cost and the risk of injury. If the simulation is used, less money has to be spent on aviation fuel and also the pilot won’t be in any physical danger. A problem associated with training pilots on simulators instead of using real planes is that if the model is incomplete or inaccurate, the simulation will not create a perfectly crafted artificial representation of flying conditions. If the simulation is wrong then the information distributed by the model is also wrong. Also, with using a simulation, not every type of physical weather condition or other conditions can be taken account for, so therefore one can say that a simulation is not the best thing to use due to the chance that the pilot is not receiving proper training and should be put out in an actual plane instead.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Part E
Bibliography
Lowe, Judy. 12/31/2009. "Video games can be energy hogs. Three tips to cut your power bill."<http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Bright-Green/2009/1221/Video-games-. > (01/14/2010).
Powers, Jenny. 11/19/2009. "New Report: Video Games are Energy Drains." < http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/081119.asp > (01/14/2010).
Clark. Christina. 12/27/2009. "Video Game Systems Use as Much Energy as San Diego." <http://www.greendaily.com/2009/01/07/video-game-systems-use-as-much-energy-as-san-diego/ > (01/14/2010).
Source for Diagram 1: < http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/grn/gr/arts/nrdc_price_of_play_350x.jpg >
News Item Extract
Even When Idle, Gaming Consoles Cost Consumers More than $1 Billion Worth of Wasted Energy
NEW YORK (November 19, 2008) – Video game consoles nationwide use about as much electricity in a year as every home in San Diego combined, and can significantly add to consumers’ electric bills, according to a new report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) today. Much of this energy use is consumed by machines that are left on, but not in use.
“If you leave your Xbox 360 or Sony Play Station 3 on all the time, you can cut your electric bill by as much as $100 a year simply by turning it off when you are finished playing,” said NRDC Senior Scientist Noah Horowitz. “With so many struggling in today’s economy – it’s important to realize there are simple steps gamers can take to lower their energy costs. And if manufacturers make future systems more energy efficient, they’ll be doing the right thing for consumers’ pockets, for our clean energy future, and for the environment.”
Lowe, Judy. 12/31/2009. "Video games can be energy hogs. Three tips to cut your power bill."<http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Bright-Green/2009/1221/Video-games-. > (01/14/2010).
Powers, Jenny. 11/19/2009. "New Report: Video Games are Energy Drains." < http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/081119.asp > (01/14/2010).
Clark. Christina. 12/27/2009. "Video Game Systems Use as Much Energy as San Diego." <http://www.greendaily.com/2009/01/07/video-game-systems-use-as-much-energy-as-san-diego/ > (01/14/2010).
Source for Diagram 1: < http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/grn/gr/arts/nrdc_price_of_play_350x.jpg >
News Item Extract
Even When Idle, Gaming Consoles Cost Consumers More than $1 Billion Worth of Wasted Energy
NEW YORK (November 19, 2008) – Video game consoles nationwide use about as much electricity in a year as every home in San Diego combined, and can significantly add to consumers’ electric bills, according to a new report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) today. Much of this energy use is consumed by machines that are left on, but not in use.
“If you leave your Xbox 360 or Sony Play Station 3 on all the time, you can cut your electric bill by as much as $100 a year simply by turning it off when you are finished playing,” said NRDC Senior Scientist Noah Horowitz. “With so many struggling in today’s economy – it’s important to realize there are simple steps gamers can take to lower their energy costs. And if manufacturers make future systems more energy efficient, they’ll be doing the right thing for consumers’ pockets, for our clean energy future, and for the environment.”
Part D
Solutions to Problems
There are many possible solutions to the problems that arise in the issue. Both problems that arise deal with the amount of energy used and how we may cut down on this figure. The recent studies and also some pure common sense guidelines for energy saving allow one to see just how much they can save by doing the simplest things. For example, one may do the following to lower the amount of energy their system uses:
1. If you don't have a gaming console yet, go for the Nintendo Wii. It uses around 1/10 of the energy as the other guys.
2. If you have an Xbox 360, you can set it to use a power save mode.
3. Like many appliances, turn it off when you aren't using it.
4. If your system can play movies, using it for that purpose probably uses more energy than just using the DVD or Blu-Ray player.
5. Always recycle used systems properly. They contain toxic chemicals and should definitely not be thrown in the trash (Clark, 2009).
The amount of power generated with each individual console differs from 100 - 200 watts to 20-50 watts. It all depends on what the paricular console does. The possible solutions to the problems arisen in this issue are very easily feasible with the hardest one being recycling your used systems properly. The amount of energy that one may save by buying the cheaper console, turing off their console when not in use, putting their console in power saver mode (much like a labtop), not using your console to play movies, and recycling used systems all allow for the amount of energy to be used as far less than it would be if one does not follow those energy saving guidelines when playing with a videogame console (Lowe, 2009).
There are many possible solutions to the problems that arise in the issue. Both problems that arise deal with the amount of energy used and how we may cut down on this figure. The recent studies and also some pure common sense guidelines for energy saving allow one to see just how much they can save by doing the simplest things. For example, one may do the following to lower the amount of energy their system uses:
1. If you don't have a gaming console yet, go for the Nintendo Wii. It uses around 1/10 of the energy as the other guys.
2. If you have an Xbox 360, you can set it to use a power save mode.
3. Like many appliances, turn it off when you aren't using it.
4. If your system can play movies, using it for that purpose probably uses more energy than just using the DVD or Blu-Ray player.
5. Always recycle used systems properly. They contain toxic chemicals and should definitely not be thrown in the trash (Clark, 2009).
The amount of power generated with each individual console differs from 100 - 200 watts to 20-50 watts. It all depends on what the paricular console does. The possible solutions to the problems arisen in this issue are very easily feasible with the hardest one being recycling your used systems properly. The amount of energy that one may save by buying the cheaper console, turing off their console when not in use, putting their console in power saver mode (much like a labtop), not using your console to play movies, and recycling used systems all allow for the amount of energy to be used as far less than it would be if one does not follow those energy saving guidelines when playing with a videogame console (Lowe, 2009).
Part C
Impact of the Issue
There are two problems that can be seen when looking at the the issue developing over whether or not video games produce too much energy, and if they do should it continue. Mant pro-earth people claim that video games, as well as video game systems, use up far too much of the earth's energy resources and thus should be stopped or at least slowed down in production and distribution. However, the other side of the argument is that the companies that produce these games feel like video games are for one purpose only and that is to have fun. Gaming companies do not make games to hurt the environment. The social issue that is arised when one dicusses the problems associated within video game production, usage, and earth's resources dwindling, is that should video games and video game consoles be continued and if so, at what rate?
The social problem arisen in this issue is very vague because everyone knows that videogames are never going to grow old and thus the quantities of videogames and consoles is always going to increase leveling the amount of the earth's energy resources. However, the ethical issue is one of more importance in the sense that, how do we know whether or not videogames are good or bad? There have been plenty of studies which have proven videogames to actually be good for someone. However, not for the environment.
For gaming companies to produce the amount of consoles and games that they do, it is understandable why there is a very large amount of gamers throughout the world. The many people that fight to keep earth's resources from depleting are going to lose the battle because our world is contstantly being changed through technology. Almost everyday there are new technological advances that allow us to reinvent ourselves and our culture. If this means using alittle bit more energy, so be it. “Energy efficiency saves people money, reduces global warming pollution, and is an essential part of our clean energy future,” said Horowitz. “Electronics manufacturers can help by making smarter products. NRDC is working to make sure this happens" (Clark, 2009).
There are two problems that can be seen when looking at the the issue developing over whether or not video games produce too much energy, and if they do should it continue. Mant pro-earth people claim that video games, as well as video game systems, use up far too much of the earth's energy resources and thus should be stopped or at least slowed down in production and distribution. However, the other side of the argument is that the companies that produce these games feel like video games are for one purpose only and that is to have fun. Gaming companies do not make games to hurt the environment. The social issue that is arised when one dicusses the problems associated within video game production, usage, and earth's resources dwindling, is that should video games and video game consoles be continued and if so, at what rate?
The social problem arisen in this issue is very vague because everyone knows that videogames are never going to grow old and thus the quantities of videogames and consoles is always going to increase leveling the amount of the earth's energy resources. However, the ethical issue is one of more importance in the sense that, how do we know whether or not videogames are good or bad? There have been plenty of studies which have proven videogames to actually be good for someone. However, not for the environment.
For gaming companies to produce the amount of consoles and games that they do, it is understandable why there is a very large amount of gamers throughout the world. The many people that fight to keep earth's resources from depleting are going to lose the battle because our world is contstantly being changed through technology. Almost everyday there are new technological advances that allow us to reinvent ourselves and our culture. If this means using alittle bit more energy, so be it. “Energy efficiency saves people money, reduces global warming pollution, and is an essential part of our clean energy future,” said Horowitz. “Electronics manufacturers can help by making smarter products. NRDC is working to make sure this happens" (Clark, 2009).
Part B
IT Background of the Issue
The ever ongoing battle between IT companies and pro-earth people has led to many articles and experiments to be conducted which focus primarily on the amount of energy used by said IT systems and equipment. Many people want to see just how much energy video game consoles use up and when they see the figures they are shocked. “If you leave your Xbox 360 or Sony Play Station 3 on all the time, you can cut your electric bill by as much as $100 a year simply by turning it off when you are finished playing,” said NRDC Senior Scientist Noah Horowitz (Powers, 2009). Thus there have been many articles written trying to urge the general people that are into gaming to cut the amount of time that they game to the amount of time that they game and no more.
However, the gaming companies see it otherwise. A report recently conducted by the National Resources Defense Council said, "These these systems use nearly the same amount of power when you are playing them as they do when you leave them on and walk away. With more efficient devices and by utilizing existing power-saving features, consumers could save more than $1 billion a year on utility bills and reduce as much global warming pollution per year as the tailpipe emissions from all the cars in San Jose" (Clark, 2009). The recent developements in scientific advancement allows scientists to prove the claims that video games are bad for the environment but they should not get as much bad reputation as they do for there are many other IT equipment, such as computers, cars, stadiums, that use far more energy than video game consoles do.
Diagram 1: Energy amounts used by consoles
The ever ongoing battle between IT companies and pro-earth people has led to many articles and experiments to be conducted which focus primarily on the amount of energy used by said IT systems and equipment. Many people want to see just how much energy video game consoles use up and when they see the figures they are shocked. “If you leave your Xbox 360 or Sony Play Station 3 on all the time, you can cut your electric bill by as much as $100 a year simply by turning it off when you are finished playing,” said NRDC Senior Scientist Noah Horowitz (Powers, 2009). Thus there have been many articles written trying to urge the general people that are into gaming to cut the amount of time that they game to the amount of time that they game and no more.
However, the gaming companies see it otherwise. A report recently conducted by the National Resources Defense Council said, "These these systems use nearly the same amount of power when you are playing them as they do when you leave them on and walk away. With more efficient devices and by utilizing existing power-saving features, consumers could save more than $1 billion a year on utility bills and reduce as much global warming pollution per year as the tailpipe emissions from all the cars in San Jose" (Clark, 2009). The recent developements in scientific advancement allows scientists to prove the claims that video games are bad for the environment but they should not get as much bad reputation as they do for there are many other IT equipment, such as computers, cars, stadiums, that use far more energy than video game consoles do.
Diagram 1: Energy amounts used by consoles
The diagram chart above represents the amount of energy used by every popular console. Many charts like these have been made through scientist's research that try to prove that video games and video game consoles are bad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)