2005 HSC Paper - Section III

Section III of the 2005 HSC Paper consists of 4 option topic questions with sub-questions a, b and c, with a and b divided into sub-questions i and ii. Only two of these questions must be answered, the option topics covered here being Transaction Processing Systems and Multimedia Systems. This page provides answers to each question and a reference that can justify each answer (some questions do not have reference as references have not been located). As such, this page is best used in conjunction with the paper open in a separate window or tab.

References follow the following format:
 * [source] page number/url


 * [1] Refers to 'Information Processes and Technology HSC Course' by Peter Ware + Paul Cheleski + Bill Chivers
 * [2] Refers to 'Information Processes and Technology HSC Course' (2007), by Sam Davis
 * [3] Refers to 'Information Processes and Technology The Preliminary Course' (2004), by Sam Davis
 * [4] Refers to non-textbook resources such as websites.

Question 21a
A communication protocol is the set of rules that control a communication link, which also enable devices on a network to communicate with peripheral devices. Its purposes include the language type to be used, methods of error checking and resolutions towards detected errors. An example of a communication protocol is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http), it is a set of instructions in which a website/webpage would be displayed.

Question 21b
Assuming that the search engine being used is Google, the methods that the student may use will include:


 * 1) Typing "site:boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au" in the search engine, without the quotation marks. This would allow the search engine to only search for results which originate from the site;
 * 2) Google allows an advanced search in which file types may be searched for. The user may select Google Advanced Search to search for pdf type files only; and
 * 3) "IPT Syllabus" can be placed into input.

Question 25a(i)
Batch processing refers to the gathering of a group of transactions, over a period of time, and then processing these transactions at a designated time. Each transaction undergoes the same processing procedure with minimal user intervention. An example is the processing of cheques gathered during a normal days banking OR the collection of hours worked by the employees of a company in order to determine their fortnightly pay.

[1] p142

Question 25a(ii)
MICR - Magnetic Ink Character Recognition is a collection system enabling the scanning of characters printed in magnetic ink in order to read and identify the objects being processed. An example is the computer identification of the magnetic characters that appear on the bottom of cheques.

[1] p170

Question 25b(i)


[1] p172

Question 25b(ii)

 * 1) As the movie date is selected the Cinema's Servers are contacted to update the pull down menus with the movies showing for the selected date. Also once the movie is chosen the session times are updated from the Cinema's Servers as well.
 * 2) Once all details have been entered and the Submit button has been clicked the data is sent to the Cinema Servers and tentatively stored on the Cinema database.
 * 3) The Cinema Booking system contacts the Credit Card Agency to confirm whether the purchase can go ahead.
 * 4) The Credit Card Agency sends an approval or negative approval back to the Cinema's Booking System.
 * 5) With a positive acknowledgment the Cinema will update its databases to reflect the purchase, including the lodgement of the purchase with the Credit Card Agency.
 * 6) The Cinemas Booking System then issues a softcopy ticket to the purchaser.

Hardware:
 * At Home
 * Computer, Browser software, Internet connection, Printer
 * At Cinemas
 * Web server, DBMS, Database server, Broadband Internet connection
 * At Credit Agency
 * Web server, DBMS, Database server, Broadband Internet connection

[1] p168-169

Question 25c
Advantages with Mobile phone system

The mobile phone system offers another avenue for purchasing tickets without physically going to the Cinema. This would be an advantage especially if you were late, or you if you knew it may be booked out. Also payment could be placed on the phone bill alleviating the need for a credit card. The booking can be made from anywhere at any time.

Disadvantages with Mobile phone system

Only Mobile phones with suitable LCD screens will be able to be scanned. The resolution of the screen or the condition of the surface of the screen may not allow the ticket to be successfully scanned. The ticket could be sent to others causing confusion or be deleted accidentally. If the phone battery fails during the transaction, or the phone link drops out, the person may be incorrectly charged. Session times and information on current movies showing may not be available via the service. Pre-paid phone accounts may not allow purchases to go ahead.

Advantages with Web Browser

Allows the user to access Movie and Booking details before making a purchase. The user may be able to view movie previews. It is convenient to book from the home or the office. This method places the cost of the purchase on a credit card account rather than filling up the phone account.

Disadvantages with Web Browser

Credit details transmitted over the Internet may be stolen if the connection is not secure. A printer, computer and Internet connection are required. Some people may not have the computer skills to book online.

Advantages with Conventional system

This system has minimal technology involved. The person can purchase a ticket with cash or credit without requiring an Internet connection or a mobile phone. You are assured the ticket you have purchased will gain you entry.

Disadvantages with Conventional system

You need to physically go to the cinema to pick up the tickets. The movie you wish to see may be booked out or you may have to queue up.

Question 28a(i)
Morphing is a special affect in motion pictures and animations that changes (or morphs) one image into another through a seamless transition.

[1] p279, [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphing#Early_examples_of_morphing, modified on 14 November 2010 at 01:38.

Question 28a(ii)
The sampling rate, sample rate, or sampling frequency defines the number of samples per second (or per other unit) taken from a continuous signal to make a discrete signal. The measured samples describe the shape of the waveform and contain both amplitude and wavelength information, thus allowing each column in the figure to represent one sound measurement. The most accurately digitized sounds will be created by using the highest possible sampling rate.

[1] p291

Question 28b(i)

 * Text
 * Still Images
 * Video
 * Hyperlink
 * Audio

Question 28b(ii)

 * Microsoft office Front Page – This software may be used as it allows the freedom of design without the knowledge of intense HTML coding language to do so.
 * Dream weaver – Aids those do who have HTML knowledge on how to create the basis of a website and build on it. Furthermore it allows you to take another step into the design process and enhance the coding that is already there and present.

[4] http://website-creation-software-review.toptenreviews.com/, modified on 19 November 2008 at 01:32.

Question 28c
Computer software, or just software, is the collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions telling a computer what to do. We can also say software refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of the computer for some purposes. Program software performs the function of the program it implements, either by directly providing instructions to the computer hardware or by serving as input to another piece of software. The term was coined to contrast to the old term hardware (meaning physical devices). In contrast to hardware, software is intangible, meaning it "cannot be touched". Software is also sometimes used in a more narrow sense, meaning application software only. Sometimes the term includes data that has not traditionally been associated with computers, such as film, tapes, and records.

[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_software, modified on 28 November 2010 at 14:40.