Q: What is different between Wireless-B and Wireless-G?
A: G is faster.
B is 11mps, G is 54mps, IIRC. If it's for broadband Internet, it's
likely to be moot. Both are faster than most ISPs will upload to your
system. If you plan on sharing files locally, faster is better.
Another side
benefit is that G equipment is backwards compatible with B equipment
- so, if you have a laptop with a G card, you'll still be able to
connect to both G and B networks should you ever roam.
Q: Powered Or Non-Powered USB Hub
A user asks: Can anyone tell me when it might be more advisable to use
a AC powered USB hub?
A: If you're using much more than a mouse and one or two USB RAMsticks,
then a powered hub would be the better choice. USB is limited to 500m.
A load on any cable - and a lot of devices (cameras, scanners, etc)
unless self-powered, will use all of that for themselves. Personally,
except for mobile use, I'd go for a powered hub every time.
How do Personal Computers work?
Have you ever wondered what makes the Personal Computer a.k.a. Microcomputer
tick?
The main brain of the computer is usually contained on one solid state
"chip" called the microprocessor, also known as the CPU, or
Central Processing Unit, the microprocessor performs mathematical and
logical operations such as sorting, comparing, and manipulating information.
A computer doesn't think; it's more of a "high-speed idiot"
that uses complex sets of instructions or programs to perform everyday
business tasks. Your program loads into the computer's memory, where
the microprocessor then pulls out specific chunks of instructions in
response to your typed commands. Among them Pentium III, Pentium IV
and 'K6' or '686' systems, which contains over 5.1 million transistors.
Random Access Memory, or RAM, which is located on a bank of chips
inside the computer, stores a program's instructions and your data while
the microprocessor performs the tasks the program demands. Think of
RAM as the work place the CPU uses. The information you place into the
program stays in memory until you store your work in a file. File storage
is normally accomplished with a magnetic disk. A computer includes both
a "micro floppy disk" drive and a "hard disk" drive.
With a micro floppy drive, information is written into and read from
a 3.5 disk. A hard disk drive contains one or more enclosed hard metal
disks, which hold as much as five hundred or more times the information
of a micro floppy and can access information much more rapidly.
Stored information and RAM memory are measured in units called bytes
(a byte equals one character and can be a number or letter or other
symbol on the keyboard). It is usually more convenient to refer to thousands
or millions of bytes and to adopt the term kilobytes (or K) for thousands
and megabytes (or M) for millions of bytes.
Every computer uses an operating system to organize certain internal
functions, especially communication among components. The operating
system acts as an internal housekeeper in your system. The Disk Operating
System, or DOS, organizes the internal workings of the personal computer
and is normally referred to as IBM DOS or MS/DOS (after the system's
developer, Microsoft). DOS translates commands you type at the keyboard
into instructions the CPU understands. DOS also manages your program
and data files. When you load your program DOS translates the instructions
and assists the BIOS in moving information in and out of the system.
The BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, takes the characters you type
and interprets them for the microprocessor. The BIOS resides on a chip
known as the ROM (Read Only Memory) or ROM-BIOS.
When you turn your computer on, the BIOS runs diagnostic checks to confirm
that the system is working properly then prompts you to load or "boot"
DOS. DOS then assumes control and prompts you to load your software
program.
Personal computers use internal fans to keep temperatures within safe
operating ranges, especially if a power-consuming hard drive is in use.
If you open the top of the system unit (the main box of the computer)
you'll notice a series of slots. These slots let you expand your system
by installing specially designed "cards" in the slots. PC
options include modems for communicating with remote PCs, memory boards
for increasing total RAM memory, boards for increasing storage, game
port options, etc. A PC may or may not come equipped with internal clock,
a parallel port to connect to a printer, or a serial port to connect
to a modem or printer.
What is an operating
system?
The program that runs programs for the computer is known as its operating
system. Currently, the most popular operating systems for PC's is Windows
XP. The latest is Windows Vista.
Storage Media: Among other things, an operating system handles the job
of transferring information to and from the disk drives. When you save
data, DOS transfers it to the disk for storage.
Currently the most common type of drives are (1) the USB Flash or Jump drive, (2) the micro floppy disk,
and (3) the hard (or fix) disk.
(2) The Micro floppy disk, is 31/2” in diameter, and because of
their unique size, micro floppy disks require a different size disk
drive. Micro floppy disks are much more durable than the standard 5¼”inch
floppy. (2) The Hard or Fix disks, unlike floppy disk drives, hard disks
(also called "fix" disks in the IBM manuals) do not have removable
media. This means that you can never remove a hard disk from a hard
disk drive. They are permanently installed. Most hard disks can hold
at least 200 million characters of data, almost 600 times as much as
a floppy disk. They also operate faster than a floppy.
Files and file Naming: One of the functions of a computer's operating
system is keeping track of files. A file is a collection of related
information that can be referred to by name. The file might consist
of data or a program.
You can't have two files on a disk that have the same name, which would
make it impossible for the operating system to distinguish between them.
DOS gives you considerable leeway in naming your files, but there are
some restrictions. You have a maximum of 11 characters to use in naming
your files, but you don't have to use them all. And there can be no
spaces in your filenames. If you use more than eight characters in a
filename, you must put a period (.) before the ninth. You can only put
a maximum of three letters after the period, even if you have fewer
than eight before. The letters after the period (if any) are called
the file extension. Many people use extensions to identify the type
of file they are creating, such as .mem for memo or .let for letter.
Program files usually have standard extensions.
Long File Names: Windows 95 introduced many new and exciting features
form earlier versions of DOS or windows 3.1 among them the ability to
use long file names. Windows 95/98 now supports long file names to make
for files easier to organized and find.
Understanding
software:
Buying the right business software for a personal computer is the key
to maximizing performance from your system. With so many packages to
choose from, it's easy to get confused.
Here is a quick overview of the most popular types of business software.
Electronic Spreadsheet: Electronic spreadsheet
programs handle your accounting and forecasting tasks quickly without
the need to recreate entire worksheets for different jobs. You can create
a ledger, enter all necessary formulas and entries just once, then whenever
new entries are made you can recalculate the entire worksheet by pressing
one button. For periodic sales reports you can design your own format,
combine graphs of your findings with selected spreadsheet results, then
send the completed report to your printer while you move to your next
task.
The electronic spreadsheet has all mathematical operations and several
financial statistical functions built-in. In a home office or small
business a spreadsheet program could be use to create a yearly budget,
analyze sales figures, project income and profit figures, compute interest
payments at variable rates, and simplify taxes, among other applications.
Word Processing: Word processing programs give personal
computers the powerful editing and formatting capabilities of dedicated
word processors. Type in your document just once and don't worry about
mistakes because you can delete, insert, or move letters, words, even
whole paragraphs whenever you want. You can use these "cut and
paste" techniques to individualize frequently used reports and
letters or update older versions with just a few keystrokes. Most of
these programs include spelling checkers which identity misspellings
and typos by checking your text against built-in dictionaries of up
to 100,000 words or more.
More advanced programs have thesaurus for suggesting alternate word
choices, making your writing clearer and more precise. Some can treat
your files as chapters of a book and print them as one long document
while automatically inserting page numbers and all specified headings
and footers such as footnotes.
Database Managers: A database management system is
a powerful tool for organizing, storing, and retrieving information.
Many database programs let you select functions from easy-to-use menus.
However, these programs may also include an easy-to-learn programming
language that provides even faster and more powerful methods of retrieving
the needed information. With simple commands you can tailor your own
inventory control system, customize order-entry screens, generate reports
base on sales by region, transactions per client, commission reports
by salesperson, or receivables and payable per business location. The
list goes on and on. Once information in entered in can be retrieved
whenever needed in practically any form needed.
Other Software: Other forms of software include specialty utility programs
that may explore and check your files or diagnose hardware problems.
Some utility programs simplify access to your programs by presenting
window screens to choose from. Graphics software let you paint or draw
images on the screen then incorporate them into existing documents or
spreadsheets. Many of the latest programs can be used with a "mouse,"
a mechanical or optical device that substitutes for your cursor keys.
Using a mouse will help even inexperience users operate complex programs
with "point-and-click" speed and convenience.
A Word about Shareware:
Shareware is a marketing plan that was pioneered by Jim Button, among
others, and has now been adopted by the ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS
(ASP), an organization of shareware authors. It is a "try before
you buy" marketing concept whereby the consumer can, for a few
dollars per disk, acquire a commercial computer program for evaluation.
With this type of programs you can: 1. Try the program in your own personal
computer to confirm that it does indeed work with your particular brand
and configuration of computer, and 2. try the program at your own leisure
to see if it meets your own particular needs. This is a great and inexpensive
way of evaluating software.
This type of software can be purchased at computer swaps or at any user
group. If you are interested, let me know and I'll be happy to help
in you obtain some. Please understand that once you have determined
that the software is in fact what you are looking for and that it does
meet your needs, then you have a moral and legal obligation to register
the program with the author. After paying the required fee, the author
usually sends a printed and bound manual for the program, and in some
cases offers telephone support.
Software
Use & The Law:
With each passing year, software evolves into faster, more sophisticated
versatile and easy-to-use technology. Business software allows companies
to save time, effort and money. Home software includes a wide array
of programs that enhance the users productivity and creativity. The
industry is thriving and users stand to benefit along with publishers.
Along the way,
however, the problem of software theft has developed and threatens to
impede the development of new software products. 'Piracy,' the unauthorized
duplication of software is a Federal offense that affects everyone.
Large and small publishers and legitimate users. Even the users of unlawful
copies suffer from their own illegal actions. They received no documentation,
no customer support and no information about product updates.
The Law: The copyright law is clear. The copyright holder is given certain
exclusive rights, including the right to make and distribute copies.
Title 17 of the U.S. Code states the "it is illegal to make or
distribute copies of copyrighted material without authorization"
(section 106). The only exception is the users right to make a copy
for archival purposes (Section 117).
Corporate Users: In the corporate workplace, "softlifting"
is characterized by two common incidents: extra copies of software are
made for employees to take home, and extra copies are made for the office.
Both situations mean a greater number of computers can run more copies
of the software than were originally purchased. Unless a special arrangement
has been made between the corporate user and the publisher, the user
should follow the one software package/one computer rule. This means
that the equivalent number of software packages should be purchased
for every piece of hardware in use.
Bits & Bites:
What is a Byte? The layperson's definition of a byte is a character.
Why don't we just call it a character?
Because computers don't really speak English, they speak binary, which
is a kind of code you have to use with computers because they are so
dumb.
Dumb? I thought they were intelligent.
Hardly. It is the programmers who are intelligent. Remember that
the computer is just a clump of silicon and steel. On its own, the computer
can only count to 1, but it does so very quickly. Computers are dumb
but very fast.
But what good does it do to count to 1, and why only 1?
Actually, the computer's operations are not all that different from
our counting system. Human beings have a built-in bias toward counting
to 10. (Maybe it is because we have 10 fingers.) After we get to 9,
we put a 0 in the 1's place and the 1 in the 10's place: Binary Counting:
A computer works much the same way. Since it can only count to 1, after
it gets to 1, it puts a 0 in the 1's place and a 1 in the 2's place:
Which means, of course, that to a computer, 10 (pronounced "one
oh") is the same as 2 in our standard decimal notation. Similarly,
11 base 2 is equal to 3 base 10 because there is a 1 in the 1's place
and a 1 in the 2's place (1+2=3). And that, inexorably means that 4
base 10 equals 100 base 2, 1 in the 4's place plus 0 in the 1's place.
Although we might see this as inefficient because of our peculiar human
bias, it is a valid form of arithmetic, and today's microprocessors
are blindingly fast at it.
Bits
But what does base 2 arithmetic have to do with bytes?
Plenty. A byte is made up of eight binary bits. Each binary bit
is either 0 or 1. With eight of them, the biggest number you can express
is 11111111, base 2.
Which equals 1 in the 1's place plus 1 in the 2's place, plus 1 in the
4's place plus 1 in the 8's place, plus 1 in the 16's place, plus 1
in the 32's place, plus 1 in the 64's place, plus 1 in the 128's place.
Which in decimal equals: 1+2+4+8+16+32+64+128 = 255 base 10
This means that
you can express 256 (0 plus 255) different numbers in 8 binary bits.
ASCII:
256 codes are enough to cover all 26 letters of the alphabet both upper
case and lower case), all 10 decimal numbers and special characters
such as the period (.) and the (,).
A group of scientist sat down and agreed on what character to assign
to what code and came up with the American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII).
Shutting down your
computer:
If all else fails, when and if the computer misbehaves, turn it off.
If you have not saved your data recently you will lose what you have
added during the current work session, but you cannot hurt the computer.
The only thing you must remember is to give the machine a few seconds
before you turn it on again.
The proper way of shutting down your computer is to shut down Windows
before you turn off or restart your computer. That way, you can be sure
your work is saved to your hard disk.
To quit Windows and shut down your computer, 1.Click the Start button,
and then click Shut Down. 2.Click Yes. If you forget to saved changes
to documents, Windows will prompt you to save changes. 3. The computer
will shut itself down automatically, or a screen message will let you
know when you can safely turn off your computer.
Glossary:
Battery-backed real time clock- Many personal computers
are internally equipped with a clock circuit that marks time and date.
If power is disconnected from the system an internal battery maintains
accurate time.
BIOS (ROM-BIOS or RIOS)- A character typed at the keyboard
of a computer "travels" inward to the memory and the CPU,
then travels back out for display on a screen or printer. The Basic
Input/Output System, or BIOS, is the program that directs this travel
between your computer's components. Much of the BIOS resides in a memory
chip called the ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM-BIOS or RIOS contains
routines for communicating within the system.
CPU- The Central Processing Unit, or microprocessor,
is responsible for controlling the computer. All logic and mathematic
operations occur in the microprocessor. It's power, combined with the
total memory capacity, determines overall computing power.
LCD- Or Liquid Crystal Display, a screen or monitor
that produces characters or numbers from electrically charge crystals
suspended in a liquid matrix. One variety, the supertwist LCD actually
displays slightly distorted or twisted crystals to provide wider angles
of view for the user. The Blacklit LCD employs a lighting system behind
the matrix to increase screen contrast.
Math Co-processor- The CPU of any computer performs several functions
which could be handle by simpler "assistant" processors. In
a PC many of the mathematical operations can be diverted into a specialized
math processor, freeing the CPU to tackle other chores. Adding a math
co-processor can speed up the recalculation time of a spreadsheet or
a database program by fifty times or more!.
Modem- A convenient abbreviation for Modulator/Demodulator,
the modem transmits data from one computer to another over the telephone
line. The data is converted from digital to analog for travel over the
telephone lines, then back to digital for the receiving computer. Modems
must follow certain transmission standards and rates in order for two
computers to talk to each other.
Monitor - The display screen that allows you to view
your work and the computer's responses to your instructions. A monitor
may use a monochrome (single color) or cathode ray tube like a television,
or if size and weight are critical, an LCD panel. The many CRT and LCD
monitors available offer varying levels of resolution and compatibility
with different video display standards.
Mouse- This is a mechanical or optical device that
can be used with certain software programs to simplify using the program.
The mouse may contain a small ball on the base, which, when rolled,
controls the position of the screen pointer. The two or three buttons
let you "point and click," that is, execute functions with
one touch.
RAM- If the CPU is the computer's system supervisor
the RAM (Random Access Memory) is the supervisor's worksheet. RAM holds
a program loaded into the computer while the CPU performs the tasks
you request. As a general rule, more RAM space helps your computer run
more complex programs and run them faster.
PC Repair (FAQ)
What do I do if my PC is broken?
First, you should check and make sure it is a hardware problem. Check
all connections make sure you have power. If a hardware problem is confirmed,
take it to the place where you purchased it of give me a call.
My PC is not fixable
and not under warrantee. What are my options?
I will try to find you an equivalent machine. If one is not available,
it may be time to purchase a new one.
What is the turnaround
time?
I will make a best effort to fix your equipment in 48 hours; however,
a lack of available parts, or vendor response may increase the repair
time.
If you repair my
computer, will I loose my data?
While I will make every effort to preserve your data, I recommend that
you back up key files before any repair request. I will notify you if
the hard drive must be replaced before any action is taken.
Virus Scan and Security Check:
You should already have an anti-virus program guarding your computer,
but if you don't and you suspect that you may have a virus, there are
several Web sites that will scan your computer for viruses for free.
These virus scanners will not remove a virus, but they will tell you
if your computer is infected.
Symantec's
Security and Virus Check
Trend
Micro Free Scan:
This is not a replacement for having a good anti-virus program that
is updated regularly, but in a pinch it's a great way to check your
computer for viruses.
