BIT 2103 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION 2013/2014
FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 2103: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
th
Date: Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
INSTRUCTIONS
ANSWER QUESTION ONE AND ANY OTHER TWO QUESTIONS
Question One
f. Distinguish between the following terms:
i.
Operating systems and Utility programs
(2mks)
ii.
In house developed applications and packages
(2mks)
g. (i) Outline three advantages of using the print preview feature
(3mks)
(ii) Explain the reason for defragmenting the hard disk and describe the defragmentation
process.
(6mks)
h. As an IT manager, advice the management of Kibii public library on appropriate
information storage media for their catalogues. Give reasons for your answer (4mks)
i. (i) Explain four areas in which ergonomic addresses in an organization in relation to
computers and human health.
(8mks)
(ii) Musa a marketer has been given Microsoft power point to assist him in his work.
List five ways he can use the software in his field.
Question Two
(5mks)
a. When entering data in a spreadsheet there are occasions where you need to apply a
constant value to several cells in different locations.
i.
ii.
Describe a process you would adopt in order to avoid repeating the same value in
each cell
(3mks)
Outline the benefits of the process in 2a(i) above
(2mks)
b. In a certain worksheet, cell G40 shows the total cost of a list of items whose prices are
stored in the range of cells G15:G35. If the current total is greater than Ksh500, then a
10% discount stored in cell A10 is applied. Otherwise the total remains unaltered. Write
a formula that would be entered in cell G42 to satisfy the above condition.
c. (i) Differentiate between the use of cell referencing & actual numbers.
(5mks)
(2mks)
(ii) The formula B $ + $CS in cell D5 is to be copied to cell J10. Write the formula as it
will appear in J10.
(2mks)
d. Explain the likely causes of the following spreadsheet displays
i.
# Value!
ii.
#######
iii.
Div/O
(6mks)
Question Three
a. Describe three differences between DOS & windows as PC operating systems(6mks)
b. While using a word processor, Wafula noticed that pressing the insert key enabled him to
toggle between two modes. Explain each of these.
(4mks)
c. Kajiko has been asked to invite the shareholders of Kitabu Building Society to an annual
general meeting. The members’ information is kept in a file known as Jisaidie.
i.
Identify the feature in word processor that Kijiko should use to prepare the letter.
(2mks)
ii.
Explain the process of the feature in 3c (i) above.
(5mks)
d. Outline three measures that should be taken to avoid loss of a document during a power
blackout.
(3mks)
Question Four
a. Mutiso would like to buy a television, a radio and a video machine. He has been advised
that a computer can be used for all these functions.
(1mk)
i.
Suggest a suitable name for this technology
ii.
Suggest devices that are required on the computer to be able to watch movies,
listen to radio & watch T.V
(4mks)
b. List six hardware devices that a supermarket would use for an electronic point of sale
terminal.
(6mks)
c. (i) A lecturer is about to create a database of students details. She needs to store
information about the following fields. First name, last name, Age, Gender, Date of
enrolment, Address.
For each field propose
i)
The most suitable data type
(2mks)
ii)
The most suitable field size
(2mks)
iii)
Explain why the field “Date of birth” would be more suitable than ‘Age’ (2mks)
(ii) State any three features of a computerized database
(3mks)
Question Five
a. For each of the following, identify a suitable feature to use on the internet
i)
A discussion among a group of people on a specific topic
(1mk)
ii)
Copying files
(1mk)
iii)
Looking for a particular website
(1mk)
iv)
Opening recently accessed sites
(1mk)
b. (i) Define macro
(ii) Describe three components of a virtual reality suit
(2mks)
(6mks)
c. Explain each of the following
i)
Artificial intelligence
(2mks)
ii)
Information superhighway
(2mks)
iii)
Work groups
(2mks)
iv)
Information communication technology
(2mks)