Computer Fundamentals

Computer Fundamentals
Copyright 1997 Sean Walton

1HARDWARE: WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO BUY A COMPUTER?.................................... 5
1.1WHAT PIECES AE F!"#$ I# A C!%P"TE&........................................................................................................7
1.'PES!#A( C!%P"TE HIST!)....................................................................................................................... 1*
1.2.1Microprocessor Revolution/Evolution.............................................................................................. 11
1.'.1.1Pro+essor Families.................................................................................................................................... 11
1.'.1.'Clo+, Speeds............................................................................................................................................. 11
1.'.1.-Faster is .etter.......................................................................................................................................... 1'
1.2.2Displays............................................................................................................................................. 14
1.'.'.1%onitor !peration.................................................................................................................................... 1/
1.'.'.'Health Con+erns........................................................................................................................................ 10
1.2.3Storage Leaps.................................................................................................................................... 16
1.2.4Memory Dumps................................................................................................................................. 19
1.-WHAT $! I #EE$&....................................................................................................................................... '*
1.3.1Depens on !se................................................................................................................................. 21
1.3.2System "on#igurations.......................................................................................................................21
1.1WHAT CA# I A$$ (ATE&............................................................................................................................ '-
1.4.1Easy !pgraes.................................................................................................................................. 2$
1.4.2Di##icult !pgraes %&vance'..........................................................................................................26
1.4.3Most Di##icult !pates %E(pert'........................................................................................................ 2)
1.4.4*ar+are Sources............................................................................................................................. 29
1./H!W $! I SET "P %) C!%P"TE& .............................................................................................................. -1
1.$.1,ut o# t-e .o(....................................................................................................................................31
1./.1.1$o you ha2e to install +omputer +ards&..................................................................................................... -'
1./.1.'Ca3ling...................................................................................................................................................... -'
1./.1.-emo2e any inserts 4or 4loppy5C$6!% dri2es....................................................................................... --
1.$.2/iece0Meal %.uiling 1our ,+n "omputer' %E(pert only'...............................................................33
1./.'.1In2entory7 ma,e sure you ha2e e2erything8............................................................................................... --
1./.'.'CP" +onstru+tion...................................................................................................................................... -1
1./.'.-Con4iguration............................................................................................................................................ -1
1.$.3So#t+are 2nstallation 3#unctioning "D0R,M re4uire5................................................................... 3$
1.0P!PE CAE !F C!%P"TE 9CP": %!#IT!: F(!PPIES: ETC.;......................................................................... -0
1.6.1*eat/Moisture/Dirt............................................................................................................................ 36
1.6.2/o+er.................................................................................................................................................36
1.0.'.1(ea2ing Computer <on=............................................................................................................................ -7
1.0.'.'Turning o445on........................................................................................................................................... -7
1.0.'.-Storms....................................................................................................................................................... ->
1.6.36iruses............................................................................................................................................... 39
1.6.4System Maintenance.......................................................................................................................... 47
1.0.1.1$is, 2eri4i+ation5de4rag............................................................................................................................. 1*
1.0.1.'Cleaning temporary 4iles 9Windo?s: #ets+ape: A!(...;............................................................................ 11
1.0.1.-$is, +ompression...................................................................................................................................... 1'
1.0.1.1Empty Trash+an........................................................................................................................................ 1'
1.6.$8-en Do 2 !pgrae9........................................................................................................................ 42
1.7IF S!%ETHI#@ @!ES W!#@: WH! CA# I TA(A T!&....................................................................................... 11
2OPERATING SYSTEMS: HOW DO I WORK WITH THE COMPUTER?.................................. 46
'.1.!!T "P SEB"E#CE....................................................................................................................................... 17
'.'I#TEACTI#@ WITH THE C!%P"TE................................................................................................................... 19
2.2.16arious 2nput/,utput Devices........................................................................................................... 49
2.2.2Moti#s %2nter#aces'............................................................................................................................. $7
2.2.3:iles/:ilesystems/Drives....................................................................................................................$7
2.2.4.ac;ups............................................................................................................................................. $1
1
2.2.$8-at is "ompression9 %&vance'................................................................................................... $2
'.-.ASIC T)PES !F !PEATI#@ S)STE%S ACAI(A.(E............................................................................................. /1
'.1W!AI#@ WITH $!S.................................................................................................................................... /0
2.4.1"ommans/comman0line................................................................................................................. $6
2.4.2Running a program........................................................................................................................... $)
'./W!AI#@ WITH WI#$!WS5WI#9/.................................................................................................................. />
2.$.1Des;top < tools................................................................................................................................. $=
2.$.2.asic < common icons> t-eir #unction.............................................................................................. $9
2.$.3Setting0up printer/moem/monitor.................................................................................................... $9
'./.-.1Setting6up Printer...................................................................................................................................... /9
'./.-.'Setting6up %odem..................................................................................................................................... /9
'./.-.-e+on4iguring %onitor.............................................................................................................................. /9
2.$.4!sing +ino+s...................................................................................................................................67
'./.1.1Short+uts 2s. real....................................................................................................................................... 01
'./.1.'File%anager5EDplorer............................................................................................................................... 01
'./.1.-Tas, 3ar5list............................................................................................................................................... 0'
2.$.$Ma;ing your *ar+are "on#iguration List...................................................................................... 62
2.$.6?-e 8ino+s 9$ Registry %E(pert ,nly'........................................................................................... 63
2.$.)S-utting0Do+n %?urning ,##' "omputer........................................................................................... 63
3WINDOWS APPICATIONS: HOW DO I ??? ON THE COMPUTER?.......................................65
-.1C!%%!# !PEATI!#S F! A(( APP(ICATI!#S................................................................................................... 00
3.1.1Menus//opups/?ool@ars/Dialogs...................................................................................................... 66
3.1.2Saving/retrieving #iles .......................................................................................................................6)
3.1.3*elp su@system.................................................................................................................................. 6=
3.1.4/rinting .............................................................................................................................................)7
3.1.$SelectingA "utting an /asting ......................................................................................................... )1
3.1.6!no/Reo ........................................................................................................................................)1
-.'W!$ P!CESS!S7 <WITE (ETTES: ETC.=................................................................................................... 7-
3.2.1Selecting/"-anging :onts ................................................................................................................ )4
3.2.2"-anging &lignments ....................................................................................................................... )$
3.2.3&Busting margins/ta@s...................................................................................................................... )6
-.'.-.1%argins..................................................................................................................................................... 70
-.'.-.'Ta3s.......................................................................................................................................................... 70
3.2.4Summary < ?ool .ar.........................................................................................................................))
3.2.$E(ercise> 8rite a letter......................................................................................................................)=
-.-SPEA$ SHEET7 <%A#A@E #"%.ES=............................................................................................................. 79
3.3.18-at is a spreas-eet9 a cell9.......................................................................................................... )9
3.3.2Entering Data.................................................................................................................................... =7
3.3.3Spreas-eet ,rganiCation................................................................................................................. =7
3.3.4"omputing a "olumn.........................................................................................................................=7
-.-.1.1Cell Addresses........................................................................................................................................... >1
-.-.1.'Column Sum ............................................................................................................................................ >1
-.-.1.-o?5Column %agi+.................................................................................................................................. >1
-.-.1.1%ore Sums................................................................................................................................................ >'
-.-.1./Errors........................................................................................................................................................ >'
3.3.$,t-er ?ools........................................................................................................................................ =2
3.3.6E(ercise> "onstruct a Simple "-ec;@oo; .alancer.......................................................................... =3
-.1$ATA.ASE7 <%A#A@E $ATA.ASES=.................................................................................................................>1
3.4.18-at can 2 o +it- ata@ases9..........................................................................................................=$
3.4.2*o+ are t-ey organiCe9.................................................................................................................. =$
3.4.3*o+ o 2 @uil a ata@ase9.............................................................................................................. =6
3.4.4*o+ o 2 4uery9................................................................................................................................ =)
3.4.$*o+ Do 2 "reate an 2nput :orm9..................................................................................................... ==
3.4.6E(ercise> "onstruct a -ome0storage ata@ase..................................................................................=9
-./PESE#TATI!#S7 <CEATE PESE#TATI!#S=...................................................................................................... 9*
3.$.1Descri@e purpose...............................................................................................................................97
3.$.2E(ercise> Ma;e a sales pitc- presentation........................................................................................ 91
'
-.0@APHICS7 <PAI#T PICT"ES=......................................................................................................................... 9'
3.6.18-at are /i(el/6ector Drap-ics9..................................................................................................... 93
3.6.2*o+ o 2 ra+/+rite/eit/cut9...........................................................................................................93
-.0.'.1$ra?ing (ines: .oDes and Cir+les............................................................................................................ 91
-.0.'.'Typing Some Words.................................................................................................................................. 91
-.0.'.-Eooming and Editing PiDels...................................................................................................................... 91
-.0.'.1Cutting and Pasting................................................................................................................................... 9/
3.6.38-at o 2 nee to print/isplay/s-are my pictures9..........................................................................9$
-.0.-.1Sharing Pi+tures........................................................................................................................................ 90
-.0.-.'Printing Pi+tures........................................................................................................................................ 90
3.6.4E(ercise> Ma;e a poster.................................................................................................................... 9)
-.7I#TE#ET7 <WE. S"F=.................................................................................................................................9>
3.).18-at 2s t-e 2nternet9 t-e 8e@9 a *omepage9..................................................................................99
3.).28-at Does 2t *ave #or Me9.............................................................................................................177
3.).38-at Eins o# ?-ings "an 2 Do9.................................................................................................... 177
3.).4*o+ Do 2 FSur# t-e 8e@G9 Searc- on ?opics9.............................................................................. 171
3.).$8-at a@out FSmut /agesG9 *o+ to /rotect My :amily9............................................................. 171
3.).68-at &@out Security9 "an /eople Do ?-ings to Me9.................................................................... 171
-.7.0.1Pass?ords................................................................................................................................................ 1*1
-.7.0.'Credit Cards............................................................................................................................................ 1*1
-.7.0.-Ina+ti2e A++ounts.................................................................................................................................... 1*'
-.7.0.1Any !ther Suspi+ious A+ti2ities............................................................................................................. 1*'
3.).)8-at Services &re &vaila@le on t-e 2nternet9.................................................................................172
-.7.7.1Ele+troni+ %ail 9E%ail;.......................................................................................................................... 1*'
-.7.7.'Chat......................................................................................................................................................... 1*'
-.7.7.-Internet elay Chat 9IC;....................................................................................................................... 1*-
-.7.7.1"senet..................................................................................................................................................... 1*-
-.7.7./Internet Phone 9EPhone;......................................................................................................................... 1*-
-.7.7.0Cy3er6ooms.......................................................................................................................................... 1*1
3.).=Sources9 %:reenet 3te(t only5A "ompuServeA &,LA ...'................................................................... 174
3.).9E(ercise> :in some pictures o# Saturn.......................................................................................... 174
4APPENDI! A: "ONTS............................................................................................................................ 1#6
5APPENDI! B: STANDARD WINDOWS ICONS................................................................................ 1#$
6ISTING O" "IGURES.......................................................................................................................... 111
$ISTING O" TABES............................................................................................................................ 112
%GOSSARY.............................................................................................................................................. 113
&INDE!....................................................................................................................................................... 122
-
N'()* +,'-( (./* 0+1-+2:
It ?as my intent to ma,e this use4ul and easy to use 3y everyoneFyes: e2en 4rom
those ?ho ha2e used a +omputer to those ?ho ha2e ne2er tou+hed one. Please
note that it ?as ?ritten 4or those ?ho ha2e ne2er tou+hed a +omputer.
O34+1/5+(/'1. This teDt tries to 3uild on itsel4. I ?as 2ery +on+erned a3out
<o2erload= 9too mu+h in4ormation ?hi+h leads to 4rustration; and e2en
<underload= 9too littleF?hi+h leads to +on4usion;. E2erything in the teDtual parts
?hi+h are not 4lagged as <Ad2an+ed= or <EDpert= are important to understand ?hy
the +omputer does +ertain things and ?hy it +anGt do other things. Please 3e
patient and read through all o4 it. It is also intended to 3e a re4eren+e on+e youGre
done ?ith the +ourse. So: there are se2eral Ta3les and Indi+es at the end o4 the
teDt.
N'(+(/'1. )ou may see some interesting notations in this teDt. To help you: this
notation tries to 3e +onsistent ?ith +omputer manuals. For eDample: you may see
HEnterI. This means 9and all other angle63ra+,eted notes; a parti+ular ,ey on the
,ey3oard 9in this +ase: it means the Enter ,ey to the right o4 the alpha3eti+ ,eys;.
I4 you see HCtrl6FI or HAlt6F1I: that means holding the HCtrlI: HAltI or HShi4tI
,ey then pressing the other ,ey 9e.g. HCtrl6F1I means pressing the HF1I ,ey
?hile holding the HCtrlI ,ey;. Also: EditJCut means <under menu KEditG sele+t
option KCutG.=
S-44)*(/'1*. Suggestions are al?ays ?el+ome. I didnGt design this +ourse 4or me
3ut 4or you. I4 there is anything that I +an do to help you ?or, ?ith +omputers:
please let me ,no?.
1 HARDWARE: WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO BUY A COMPUTER?
What is a +omputer& I guess the easiest ?ay I +an eDplain it is as a little ma+hine that
4ollo?s 2ery spe+i4i+ instru+tions o2er and o2er. A +omputer +annot learn and: unless
told to do so: ?onGt respond to anything. Thin, o4 it as a 2ery dum3 dog that you ha2e to
tea+h to +at+h a 3all e2ery day and e2ery time you ?ant to play.
1
Computers do 2ery +ompleD math. %ind you: it is al?ays related to the 3asi+s7 add:
su3tra+t: multiply and di2ide. .ut as anyone ?ho has had alge3ra and +al+ulus ?ill tell
you7 i4 you do enough o4 these 3asi+s: you +an get approDimations o4 more sophisti+ated
math that are pretty +lose to reality. Computers do this math 2ery Lui+,ly. !4ten these
+al+ulations are done in millions per se+ond. Imagine multiplying 1* million pairs o4
multi6digit num3ers per se+ond. I ha2e a hard enough time mysel4 doing a -6digit
multipli+ation in less than a minute.
Computers +an store a 2ast amount o4 in4ormation and retrie2e it at eDtraordinary speeds.
When e2erything ?or,s +orre+tly: this data is as 4resh and un3lemished 3y time as ?hen
it ?as 4irst stored. It +an re+ord in4ormation a3out everyt-ing 9gi2en it has su44i+ient
storage +apa+ity;. While this may not seem to 3e a great a+hie2ement: thin, a3out this7
?hen you last ?ent to the store: ho? mu+h did you pay 4or ea+h item you 3ought&
Computers +an store this ,ind o4 in4ormation a lot 3etter than ?e +an re+all it. Also: one
o4 those C$6!%s that ?e see so 4reLuently +an store the entire Encyclopeia .rittanica
along ?ith photos. 9Please note that i4 you 3uy their C$6!% set: it has more than Must
teDt and photos. So: the set has se2eral C$6!%s.;
What ha2e +omputers done 4or us& Consider the 4ollo?ing7
1. %ade the ?orld in+redi3ly smaller 3y 4a+ilitating +ommuni+ations.
'. Ad2an+ed s+ien+e and medi+al dis+o2ery more in 1* years than in +enturies o4
history.
-. $esigned +ars: roads: +ities: +lothing: et+.
1. Tested transportation long 3e4ore the prototypes e2er le4t their studios.
/. EDploded our imaginations ?ith +olor and 2irtual reality.
0. Controlled our mar,et6pla+e and +aused the <.la+, %onday= +rash.
7. Hinted that a passenger air+ra4t o2er Saudi Ara3ia ?as an enemy and
re+ommended 4iring on it.
>. !pened 4reedom o4 spee+h to areas all o2er the ?orld 2ia the Internet.
9. A3etted 4raud: laundering and gam3ling.
1*.
1
Today 91'51590;: I read plans to ma,e ma+hines <more intelligent=. A Luote 4rom .ill @ates: %i+roso4t
CE!7 <I4 a human assistant ?or,s 4or you o2er a period o4 years: your e44i+ien+y in ?or,ing ?ith him gets
dramati+ally 3etter and he +an anti+ipate your interests and you +an use shorthand ?ays o4 +ommuni+ating.
With a +omputer today: e2en i4 you use it 4or a +ouple o4 years: you are 3asi+ally ?or,ing ?ith it the eDa+t
same ?ay. ItNs not learning in the ?ay a human assistant ?ould. !n the simplest le2el: the neDt generation
o4 +omputers ?ould learn the ,ind o4 in4ormation you li,e to see. TheyNre going to ,no? ho? you are
rea+ting to things: and essentially put together: 4or eDample: the ,ind o4 ne?spaper that meets your
interests.= 9In2estorNs .usiness $aily - $e+ 90 A>;
The list goes on and on. The +omputer has done a lot to shape the modern ?orldFsome
good and some 3ad. In all: it has 3een a great 3lessing ?hen properly used. What +an
+omputers do 4or you& Well: hope4ully: this teDt ?ill sho? you.
1.1WHAT PIECES ARE FOUND IN A COMPUTER?
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Adapter %ost o4 the time it re4ers to a +ard that plugs into the mother3oard
adding spe+ial +apa3ilities not originally 4ound on the +omputer. !ther
times it re4ers to tools to +on2ert one +onne+tor type to another.
Ca3les A thi+, ?ire that +onne+ts the +omputer to the eDternal de2i+e or po?er.
Ca+he An inter4a+e 3et?een the CP" and the memory 9A% and !%;. It
helps the CP" ,eep running e2en though the A% may 3e too slo?. It
does this 3y ,eeping a +opy o4 ?hat the pro+essor has read5?ritten.
Card Slot The slots 4ound on the PC mother3oard may 3e one o4 4i2e types7 ISA:
EISA: %CA: CESA O PCI.. Slo?er adapters 9li,e I5! 3oards; +an 3e
ISA. .ut 4or the 3est per4orman+e: use CESA or PCI 4or harddri2es:
C$6!%s or Cideo adapters.
Cards An option 9adapter; ?hi+h is a printed +ir+uit 3oard that plugs into the
mother3oard.
C$6!% A dis, made o4 plasti+ and aluminum ?hi+h +an store up to 0/*%. o4
data. "sually these dis,s +annot 3e ?ritten to: instead they o4ten are
used to distri3ute so4t?are 4rom +ompanies.
CP" Central Pro+essing "nit. The <3rain= o4 the +omputer. It eDe+utes
+ommands ?hi+h: e2entually: ?e see as a response to our input.
Without the CP": the +omputer is nothing.
$is, A storage medium to ,eep data ?hile the +omputer is turned o44.
$A% A% that uses a de2i+e +alled a <+apa+itor= to store ea+h 3it. The
pro3lem ?ith this is the +apa+itor loses the +harge 2ery Lui+,ly.
There4ore: the $A% has to 3e <re4reshed= to ,eep the data 2alid. This
is thus 4ar the +heapest A%.
$C$ The neDt generation C$6!% ?hi+h ?ill store 1*6'*D the +urrent
+apa+ity.
Floppy A dis, that has 4leDi3le media 9the a+tual material onto ?hi+h the data is
re+orded;. The material and 4leDi3ility is a lot li,e that o4 a +assette tape.
@lidepoint A mouse6repla+ement that has a little pad that you +an use to mo2e the
mouse pointer. Simply glide your 4inger o2er the sur4a+e and the pointer
?ill mo2e. To <+li+,=: tap the pad. To <dou3le6+li+,= dou3le6tap the
pad.
Harddis, A medium to store data 4or the +omputer ?hile the po?er is out. It uses
a hard material 9typi+ally aluminum;.
Aey3oard A type?riter6li,e tool that has ,eys. Sends letters or +ommands to the
+omputer.
%i+ro6
pro+essor
A CP" that +omposes only one +hip. Some CP"s may a+tually 3e
se2eral sLuare 4eet is siPeQ 3ut: the mi+ropro+essor is designed to 3e
1**R sel46+ontained in a single +hip.
%odem A de2i+e that ?ill let your +omputer tal, to other +omputers through the
telephone line.
Jargon
%onitor The CT or display that sho?s the ?ords: graphi+s: et+.: to the user. It
is a +riti+al part o4 a userGs inter4a+e.
%other3oard A printed +ir+uit 3oard that has 9at least; slots to +onne+t +ards into.
!4ten: they also in+lude a CP" and memory.
%ouse An input de2i+e ?hi+h has one to three 3uttons and ?hen you mo2e it: it
+auses the arro? in a Windo?s display to mo2e.
!pen
Ar+hite+ture
The original +omputer +ompanies hid their se+rets 4rom +ompetitors 3y
,eeping their ar+hite+ture +losed 9proprietary;. I.% made the I.% PC
an open ar+hite+ture: allo?ing anyone to ma,e options 4or it.
Parallel A type o4 port ?hi+h transmits and re+ei2es se2eral 3its o4 data at a time
9typi+ally > 3its;. Typi+ally used to +onne+t to printers.
Ports Conne+tors 9usually in the 3a+, o4 the +omputer; ?hi+h +onne+t to
eDternal de2i+es 9e.g. mouse: ,ey3oard: modem: printer: display: et+.;
Po?er supply A 3asi+ +omponent in the +omputer that +on2erts the outlet po?er into
po?er that the +omputer +an use.
Printer An eDternal de2i+e that ta,es +ommands and data 4rom the +omputer to
pla+e on paper. There are se2eral types o4 printers7 daisy6?heel: matriD:
laser: thermal: in,Met: and plotter.
A% <andom A++ess %emory<. A pool o4 storage 4or the CP". It +an 3e
?ritten to5read 4rom in any order 9unli,e a CC tape ?hi+h is serialF
you ha2e to ?ind to the pla+e you ?ant;. There are se2eral types o4
A%7 SA%: $A%: E$!6A%.
!% <ead !nly %emory<. %emory that has imprinted in it data and
programs 4or the CP" ?hi+h +annot 3e erased or ?ritten to.
S+anner An eDternal de2i+e that is a3le to opti+ally read in printed materialF,ind
o4 li,e a +opier: 3ut it stores the image on the +omputer instead.
Serial A type o4 port that transmits only one 3it at a time. In order to send a
3yte o4 data: the data has to 3e <turned on its side= and send out 3it 3y
3it.
SA% A% that does not <lose its mind= i4 not re4reshed. This is typi+ally
used in +a+hes. It tends to 3e mu+h more +ompli+ated than $A% and
thus mu+h more +ostly.
Surge
prote+tor
A de2i+e that ?ill isolate your +omputer 4rom outlet po?er pro3lems
9spi,es and noise;.
Tra+,3all A mouse repla+ement that is a small 3oD ?ith a 3all in the +enter. )ou
roll the 3all in the dire+tion you ?ant the pointer to go.
Tra+,point A mouse repla+ement ?ith a little ru33er post 3et?een the <g= and <h=
,eys on some laptop +omputers. @ently push the post in the dire+tion
you ?ant the mouse pointer to go.
"PS <"ninterrupta3le Po?er Supply=. This is a 3oD that is li,e a surge
prote+tor 3ut ?ill ,eep you going e2en i4 you lose po?er. )ou +an plug
your +omputer into. I4 you ha2e a 3ro?n6 or 3la+,6out: this unit ?ill
,eep you running 4or - minutes to an hour 9+ertainly enough time to sa2e
your ?or, and shutdo?n the +omputer;.
There are many pie+es to a +omputer: as you +an see 3y the Margon list. The +omputers ?e
use today are many times more +ompleD than those 4rom t?enty years ago. We ?ant our
ma+hines to do so mu+h that the industry is al?ays stri2ing to rea+h these seemingly
endless 9and nearly unattaina3le; goals.
1.2PERSONAL COMPUTER HISTORY
In order to properly understand and appre+iate the progress ?e ha2e made and to
anti+ipate the +ontinued e2olution o4 the industry: letNs loo, at the progress o4 the
+omputer. What pre+isely is a +omputer& %a+hines that helped people do +omputation
ha2e 3een around 4or almost 1/* years 9.righam )oung in2ented a de2i+e to +al+ulate the
num3er o4 miles a ?agon tra2eled 3y +ounting the num3er o4 ?heel rotations;. There
ha2e 3een all types o4 ma+hines 3uilt to +ompute or measure 2arious things 9thereGs e2en
one that ?ill +ompute a logarithm;.
%ost o4 these ma+hines are <analog= or 2alue63ased. So they +an represent any 2alue
3et?een Pero to one eLually as ?ell as Pero to a million. An eDample o4 an analog de2i+e
is the odometer on your +ar 9please note that these may not 3e true analog: 3ut the +on+ept
still holds;. Whether you mo2e the +ar one in+h 2s. one thousand miles: it ma,es little
di44eren+eFyour +ar still retains the distan+e: thus 4urther depre+iating itGs 2alue.
There ?as another type o4 ma+hine ?hi+h used a magnet6po?ered s?it+h ?hi+h ?ould
+lose the s?it+h ?hen the ele+tromagnet ?as turned on 9this ,ind o4 s?it+h is a <relay=;.
Telegraph used +rude relays. The ad2antage o4 using s?it+hes 9either <on= or <o44=F
+alled <digital=;: the results ?ould al?ays 3e predi+ta3le 9the 2alue ?ill al?ays 3e Pero or
one;. Analog de2i+es al?ays ha2e to 3e tuned 9Must try to put a di44erent siPed tire on your
+ar;. The pro3lem ?ith relays is the po?er reLuired and delay eDperien+ed ?as too great
to ma,e them into a +omputational de2i+e. Early +omputers ?ent a di44erent route 3y
using ele+tron 9or 2a+uum; tu3es.
Ca+uum tu3es ha2e 3een used 4or po?er ampli4iers: 3ut they +ould also 3e used as
s?it+hes as ?ell and ?ould 4un+tion many times 4aster than the relays ?ould. The idea
?as pretty simple7 the tu3e had three plates. The 4irst plate ?as the sour+e po?er: the
se+ond ?as the destination: and the third ?as the <s?it+h.= The ele+trons ?ould at the
sour+e ?ould gather 3ut ?ould not 3e a3le to get to the destination unless po?er ?as
applied to the <s?it+h6plate.= Thin, o4 it li,e ha2ing s+u44ed your 4eet on the 4loor to
generate stati+ ele+tri+ity then getting +lose to something 9or someone; you ?ant to PapF
still theyGre too 4ar a?ay. )ou need something to +lose the gap. ThatGs something li,e
?hat the <s?it+h plate= does.
%emories and +al+ulations ?ere held and +ompleted 3y turning on and o44 thousands o4
these s?it+hes.
Ho?e2er: 2a+uum tu3es still reLuired tons o4 eLuipment and mega?atts o4 po?er. The
pro2er3ial add5su3tra+t5multiply5di2ide +al+ulator on your ?rist used to ta,e up an entire
3uilding 4loor and reLuire many mega?atts.
In the mid 19/*s: a spe+ial little s?it+h ?as in2ented that has thus reshaped our history7
the transistor. The po?er 9no pun: honestly8; in this little thing ?as itGs siPe 9less than .
1=F+ompared to -61= 4or a 2a+uum tu3e; and its po?er 9mu+h less than a ?attF
+ompared to /61* ?atts;.
%odern +omputers are +omposed o4 millions and millions o4 these transistors s?it+hes.
(i,e the 2a+uum tu3es: the transistors are arranged in arrays to a++omplish ?hat ?e as,
o4 them. )our +omputer memory alone has millions o4 transistorsFone mega3yte has
one million 3ytes or eight million 3its. ThatGs more than >:***:*** transistors8
Personal +omputers ha2e 3een around as early as the mid6197*s. The +ompanies
in2ol2ed in+lude Apple: Commodore: Atari: Syn+lair: to name a 4e?. The 4irst +hips 4or
these +omputers only had 1*6/* thousand transistors. At the time personal +omputers
?ere not ta,en seriously and ?ere in4reLuently 4ound in the ?or,pla+e.
The 4irst attempt to ma,e a 3usiness6dire+ted personal +omputer ?as 3y Apple ?hen they
introdu+ed the (isa +omputer. That ?as a 4ailureFmostly do due to the S7*** pri+e
tag. The neDt ?as the %a+intosh ?hi+h ?as 3etter re+ei2ed. The gro?th o4 personal
+omputers did not really ta,e o44 until I.% entered the mar,et. From their open
ar+hite+ture: hundreds and thousands o4 +omputer +ompanies sprang up. All the ?hile
te+hnology ad2an+ed at a tremendous rate. Also: due to ad2an+es in +hip manu4a+turing:
the pri+es plummeted.
1.2.1MICROPROCESSOR REVOLUTION/EVOLUTION
The mi+ropro+essor: 4rom the onset o4 personal +omputers: has 3een the dri2ing 4or+e o4
hard?are and so4t?are te+hnology. There a +ouple primary +laims to the 4irst
mi+ropro+essor: 3ut the +on+ept o4 pla+ing all the +omputing po?er on a single literally
?as re2olutionary. In 4a+t: many o4 the 4irst mi+ropro+essors 9as old as '/ years8; are still
3eing manu4a+tured and used as simple +ontrol units in 2arious applian+es and ma+hines.
As the pro+essor 3e+ame more po?er4ul: the supporting hard?are and so4t?are 3e+ame
more po?er4ul and +ompleD. Simply: a pro+essor ta,es +ommands 4rom memory and
does things ?ith them. Thin, o4 it li,e your math tea+her telling you ea+h step to sol2e a
pro3lem. These steps are repeated o2er and o2erFthe +omputer does not learn: rather
has to 4ollo? ea+h +ommand issued to it the same as the day 3e4ore. Here ?e need to
+lari4y a 4e? things7 pro+essor 4amilies and +lo+, speeds.
1.2.1.1/rocessor :amilies
Thin, o4 some ,ind o4 3lender in the ,it+hen. It originally had a dial to sele+t the speed7
either 3lend or liLue4yQ then: a ne? model o4 the same 3lender +ame out ?ith 3uttons.
#o?: the modern model has <4lash= or <+hop= modes that only run ?hile you are holding
the 3utton. These eDtra +apa3ilities ?hi+h may not seem all that signi4i+ant are +alled
<4eatures.= The seLuen+e o4 3lenders 4rom the original design is +alled a <produ+t
4amily.= %i+ropro+essors ha2e these 4amilies as ?ellFin 4a+t: they are 4ar more +ru+ial to
the industry than that o4 the 3lendersN. .e+ause so4t?are ?as ?ritten 4or an old pro+essor:
the industry does not ?ant to re?rite the so4t?are 4or the ne? one. This is +alled
<3a+,?ards +ompati3ility.=
1.2.1.2"loc; Spees
The +lo+, is li,e the rhythm to a song7 ea+h ?ord is sung to ea+h 3eatQ the 4aster the 3eat:
the 4aster ?e +an +omplete the song. @enerally: the pro+essor o3eys 9+alled <eDe+utes=;
ea+h +ommand in a +ertain num3er o4 +lo+, 3eats 9+alled <+lo+, ti+,s=;. The 4aster the
+lo+, the 4aster things get done.
<Wait a minute: ?hy is the neDt 4amily mem3er 4aster than the 4irst at the same +lo+,
rate&= you might hear 9e.g. the Pentium500 is t?i+e as 4ast as a 1>0500;. It is the aim o4
ea+h pro+essor generation to do things 4aster and 3etter than the generation 3e4ore. The
>*'>0 pro+essor reLuired a3out /* +lo+, ti+,s to +omplete a multipli+ation. The neDt
generation 9>*->0; only too, 1* +lo+, ti+,s8 Again: the more you +an do ?ithin a +lo+,
ti+, and the 4aster the +lo+,: more +an 3e done in less time.
)ou may thin, that naming pro+essors ?ith num3ers might 3e rather sterile and 3oring.
Well: they are. In 4a+t: until re+ently pro+essors and +hips ?ere gi2en num3ers 4or names
9e.g. E>*: 0/*': 0>***: et+.;. #o? ?e ha2e the Pentium and the Pentium Pro 9this last
one ?as <Luite original=;. %ost o4 the time: the num3ers 4ollo? a seLuen+e7 the 3igger
the num3er ?ithin a 4amily: the 4aster53etter5more +ompleD it is. Then as time passed
indi2idual pro+essors +ould go 2arying speeds 9the >*->0 entered the mar,et running a
daPPling 10%HPQ a3out siD months later Intel introdu+ed the '* and '/%HP 2ersions:
'/R and /0R 4aster: respe+ti2ely;.
1.2.1.3:aster is .etter
In 19>/: the primary +ompeting pro+essors ?ere >*>>5>*>0: 0>*** and E>* 9these only
had '*6/* thousand transistors;. These pro+essors ?ere +onsidered <state o4 the art=.
Ho?e2er: i4 you thin, a3out the sheer speed pro+essing ?e +an do no?: these ?ere plain:
dog slo?. For eDample: the Pentium51** is easily '**D 4aster than the 4irst I.% PC.
That means that the Pentium pro+essor +an run the same so4t?are as the 4irst I.% PC 3ut
?ill 3e 3laPingly 4aster. The latest pro+essor 9Pentium Pro; has /./ million transistors 4or
the CP" alone.
(astly: pro+essor pri+es ha2e +ontinued to drop. To 4ully appre+iate this: +onsider7 ?hen
the Pentium50* 90*%HP 2ersion o4 the Pentium; ?as introdu+ed to the mar,et it retailed
4or a3out S>** per +hip. #o? 9i4 you +an 4ind them;: they are less than S/* per +hip. So
getting the <latest and greatest= does not al?ays ma,e sense. SometimesFnoFo4ten:
one6 to t?o6year old te+hnology is the 3est pri+ed: most reasona3le and all that ?e really
need Tthis is my opinion: o4 +ourseU.
A78+19)77
The instru+tions used on a pro+essor are +alled <op+odes= 9short 4or <operation +odes=;.
These op+odes intera+t ?ith the pro+essorGs registers: temporary storage lo+ations 4or
intermediate results. At nearly e2ery +lo+, time: the pro+essor pla+es an address on the
address 3us. The memory responds 3y pla+ing data on the data 3us.
)ou may ha2e learned something a3out 1063it or -'63it pro+essors. The 3it siPe re4ers
to the nati2e register siPe o4 the pro+essor. I4 there is a dis+repan+y: it then re4ers to the
largest data ?ord siPe. The >*>0 ?as a 1063it pro+essorFea+h data +hun, ?as 1063its
F 9e2en though it +ould address '*63its o4 address spa+e;. The >*>> 9a sister to the
>*>0; is still 1063it e2en though it gets >63its o4 data at a time. This is +alled a >51063it
pro+essor 9?hi+h means internally itGs 1063it 3ut it gra3s >63its at a time;.
In the Intel pro+essor line: a >*->0$V is a true -'63it pro+essor 9the 4irst in the 4amily;.
.ut Intel +reated the >*->0SV ?hi+h ?as 105-'63it pro+essor.
The neDt pro+essor: >*1>0: ?as the 4irst in the produ+t 4amily to in+lude the 4loating
point pro+essor. .ut: then they had to muddy the ?ater a little ?ith the >*1>0SV
?hi+h ?as a true -'63it pro+essor ?ithout the 4loating point pro+essor. @o 4igure.
The Pentium had a nasty little 4loating point 3ug ?hi+h Intel has 4iDed. In a nutshell:
part o4 the needed data in the pro+essor ?as not in+luded ?ith the +hip 94orget4ul: I
guess;. When a spe+ial +ondition o++urs 9?hi+h happens pretty 4reLuently;: your 176
digit num3er 3e+omes a 76digit num3er.
The Pentium ProGs design eDpe+ted that 1063it programming ?ould ha2e 3een dropped
3y no?. Well: they ?ere ?rong. So thatGs ?hy your old $!S and Windo?s programs
may a+tually run slo?er than a Pentium. To a++elerate support 4or this ne? +hip:
%i+roso4t is 4or+ing all programmers to use the ne? -'63it programming style. I4 you
see the Windo?s 9/ logo on the pa+,age: you +an 3e sure that it ?ill not stall on your
Pentium Pro.
1.2.2DISPLAYS
$isplays are CTs 9+athode6ray tu3esFthe same te+hnology as most tele2ision sets;.
When the 4irst personal +omputers +ame out: the mono+hrome 9a green6lettered or 3la+,
and ?hite display; ?as ?hat you typi+ally got. @raphi+s ?ere eDpensi2e and +olor ?as
mu+h ?orse. The 4irst +olor display I used +ould only sho? 1 +olors at a time and these
?ere 2ery <user6hostile= 9li,e <lime6green=: <orange6red=: <dull6yello?= and 3la+,Fyes:
3la+, is a +olor in +omputers;. First a 4e? more pie+es o4 Margon7
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
$ots5PiDels The smallest +hangea3le point on the s+reen. A dot +an ha2e any +olor
4rom the palette.
E:;)3(7
There are a3out 4i2e di44erent types o4 pro+essors7
CISC 9CompleD Instru+tion Set Computer;. A +lassi+ CISC ?ill ha2e all
instru+tions 3uilt into !%Ged mi+ro+ode and that ta,es se2eral +lo+, +y+les to
eDe+ute. They ha2e up to t?o thirds unused instru+tions 3y standard pro+essors.
.e+ause o4 their +ompleDity: they reLuire 1D the num3er o4 transistors to do the
same pro+essing as ISC. They generate more heat: reLuire more po?er: and tend
to 3e slo?er than ISC at the same +lo+, speed.
ISC 9edu+ed Instru+tion Set Computer;. A +lassi+ ISC hard6?ires e2ery
instru+tion and only has instru+tions typi+ally used 3y +ompilers. Also more
+ompleD instru+tions 9li,e <di2ide=; are split into at least t?o op+odes. %ost o4 the
time: programs +on2erted 4rom CISC to ISC ?ill gro? 3y a3out --R.
#e2ertheless: they are still 4aster: +ooler and +heaper to ma,e than eLui2alent CISC.
%i+ro+ontroller. This is a spe+ialiPed mi+ropro+essor that does spe+ialiPed
operations. For eDample: most +al+ulators or alarm systems use mi+ro+ontrollers.
Ce+tor Pro+essor. These are 2ery 4ast pro+essors that paralleliPe pro+essing so that
many a+tions +an 3e a++omplished at the same time. The use o4 these pro+essors
ha2e diminished ?ith the introdu+tion o4 more po?er4ul ISC5CISC pro+essors.
.it Sli+e. These are ar+hai+: lin,a3le pro+essors. Ea+h pro+essor ?ould ?or, on a
+ertain num3er o4 3its 9e.g. a 163it pro+essor;. With the addition o4 ea+h pro+essor:
the +omputation ?ord gets 3igger 9e.g. / 163it pro+essors +an ?or, ?ith a '*63it
?ord;.
Jargon
Pallet A sele+tion o4 +olors 4rom a possi3le range. Thin, o4 it li,e the paint on
an artistNs pallet: 3ut the +olors +annot 3e miDed. I4 he ?ants a di44erent
+olor: not on his pallet: he has to repla+e one he is not using. There are
se2eral display modes ?ith +urrent graphi+s adapters supporting 10: '/0:
0//-0 or 10 million +olors. @enerally more is 3etter: 3ut the eye +an
only per+ei2e a3out 1*67* thousand +olors.
esolution e4ers to t?o things7 the +larity and the num3er o4 dots appearing on the
s+reen. !32iously: e2eryone ?ants to get more on the s+reen7 as the dots
get smaller: thereNs less <graininess= in pi+tures: you +an sho? more on
the display and get more done. Ho?e2er: i4 you ha2e a small 2isi3le area
9typi+al is 11= or 1/= diagonal;: the teDt ?ill get smaller and smaller. A
resolution is usually des+ri3ed ?ith t?o num3ers7 num3er o4 dots a+ross
the display 9D6aDis; and the num3er o4 dots up and do?n 9y6aDis;. For
eDample: 01*D1>* is 01* possi3le dots le4t and rightQ and 1>* possi3le
dots up and do?n.
@. Simply: ed6@reen6.lue. The +omputer miDes these +olors to yield all
the 2isi3le +olors. To see ?hat I am tal,ing a3out: ta,e a loo, at <?hite=
on your +olor tele2ision 2ery +loselyFyou ?ill see the red: green and
3lue +omponents.
SC@A <Super C@A< eDtends C@A standards to support resolutions up to
10**D1'** and support up to 10 million +olors. At this resolution: you
?ill need a '/= monitor to read the teDt.
C@A <Cideo @raphi+s Adapter= is a standard ?hi+h supports minimally
01*D1>* ?ith 10 +olors.
There are t?o parts o4 the display7 the monitor 9the 2ie?a3le de2i+e; and the graphi+s
+ard. They are usually interdependent. I4 you ?ant SC@A: you ?ill need to get an
SC@A +ard and a monitor to support it. "nless you are 1**R +om4orta3le ?ith 4inding
+ompati3ilities: al?ays 3uy a monitor ?ith a ne? +ard. !4 +ourse as ?ith e2erything else:
the pri+e o4 displays has dropped dramati+ally. This ?ill +ontinue as ne? standards are
introdu+ed and +ompanies +ontinue to +ompete 4or mar,et share.
1.2.2.1Monitor ,peration
Ho? do they ?or,& The +omputer reser2es a se+tion o4 memory 92ideo memory; to store
the +olor and intensity o4 ea+h dot. This in4ormation gets sent to the monitor 0*67* times
per se+ond 9+alled the <re4resh rate=;. The monitor ta,es this in4ormation and: using three
3eams o4 ele+trons 9red: green and 3lue; eD+ites the phosphor inside the tu3e. The higher
the num3er 4or a parti+ular +olor: the more ele+trons get sent to that dot: the 3righter the
+olor. Please note that thereGs no su+h thing as a <green ele+tron=. The inner lining o4 the
tu3e has has thousands 9millions&; o4 indi2idual red: green and 3lue dots. And: the three
ele+tron <guns= point to their assigned dots.
!lder monitors eDpe+ted a spe+i4i+ rate o4 in+oming data. So: i4 you tried to display
1*'1D70> on an old monitor: you may not see anything at all 9sin+e they ?ere 01*D1>* or
>**D0** only;. A <multisyn+ monitor=: on the other hand: automati+ally senses the
4reLuen+y and adapts to display it. So: i4 you heard a <+li+,= or some other strange noise
?hen you s?it+h 4rom plain teDt to graphi+s: donGt ?orry7 itGs li,ely Must adusting to meet
your needs. 9Ho?e2er: i4 you hear this sound again and again or the monitor a+ts
errati+ally: Lui+,ly re3oot or turn o44 your +omputer8;
1.2.2.2*ealt- "oncerns
Some ha2e ?ondered a3out 3eing so +lose to a monitor and 3eing eDposed to radiation.
In truth: CTs use a stream o4 ele+trons to eD+ite the +olored phosphor +ausing it to glo?.
The original CTs emitted other radiation that in+luded V6rays. %odern monitors ha2e
mu+h less radiation and ha2e to +omply ?ith 2ery stri+t go2ernment regulations.
Still there are other health ris,s that are still 3eing resear+hed. %onitors and po?er
supplies use 2ery po?er4ul magnets and ele+tri+ 4ields7 3oth o4 ?hi+h ha2e 3een suspe+t
o4 +an+er. A minor pro3lem is the eyes. I4 you stare at something +losely day6in and day6
out: your eye sight ?ill degradeFas, any opthamalogist. I4 you get heada+hes a4ter
?or,ing ?ith a +omputer 4or a ?hile: +onsider +hanging am3ient light: getting a larger
display: in+rease the distan+e 3et?een your eyes and the display: in+rease the display 4ont
siPe 93igger type;: or 4ollo? the <ad2an+ed= se+tion: 3elo?.
1.2.3STORAGE LEAPS
E2ery letter o4 a do+ument and e2ery dot on a pi+ture reLuires a pla+e to store it. There
are se2eral ,inds o4 storage: and there are many storage media. Ea+h has its ad2antages
and disad2antages. !4ten media are +ompared ?ith 4our +riteria7 +ost5%. 9million6
3ytes;: permanen+e: +apa+ity: a++ess and li4e.
A78+19)77
The +larity in a monitor is the <dot pit+h= or the siPe o4 the +ontrolla3le dot siPe 9.-1 is
the ?orst: .'> typi+al and .'0 is the 3est;. The larger the dot: the more un+lear the
display ?ill 3e. %ost o4 the time: the smaller dot siPes ?ill 3e more eDpensi2e.
Ho?e2er: i4 you ,no? you ha2e a good dot pit+h: you may ha2e pro3lems ?ith a 4aulty
adapter.
Also: i4 you see 4li+,er 4rom the s+reen it may 3e +aused 3y either o4 t?o things. The
4irst may 3e +aused 3y inter4eren+e +aused 3y 4lores+ent tu3es ?hi+h 3lin, at -*HP. I4
this is the +ase 9and you ha2e 4lores+ent tu3es;: try a di44erent re4resh rate 9li,e 7'HP;.
I4 this doesnGt sol2e the pro3lem: loo, +are4ully at single horiPontal lines 9you may
ha2e to loo, a?ay 3y a3out 1*6'*W;. I4 the line loo,s li,e itGs Mumping up and do?n:
then you are in interla+e mode 9mega6nasty to the eyes;. Try a lo?er resolution or
di44erent dri2ers.
A78+19)77
I only mentioned a +ouple harddis, 4ormats 9EI$E and SCSI;. There are 9as you might
eDpe+t; so many di44erent 4ormats that I +anGt e2en numerate them. All the rest really
are not that important. Ho?e2er: i4 you get the mis4ortune o4 getting one o4 the older
,inds 9they are 2ery slo? and small +apa+ity;: you +an pro3a3ly 4ind adapters 4or them.
.ut you may ha2e trou3le 4inding dri2ers 4or them.
The older standard o4 EI$E 9I$E; had trou3les maintaining speeds +ompara3le to SCSI
and itGs +apa+ity ?as lo+,ed in at no more than /1*%.. Again i4 you ha2e an older
+omputer 9li,e pre619>9;: you may ha2e trou3le adding the ne? EI$E dri2es ?ithout
spe+ial dri2ers. Fortunately: most EI$E dri2es in+lude these dri2ers.
T+,2) 1: M'7)31 +17 H/*('3/9+2 C'0;-()3 S('3+4) M)7/+
M)7/+ D)*93/;(/'1 C'*( <=>MB? P)30+1)19) /6) C+;+9/(@ A99)**
2
Card An+ient paper storage 9&&&; Write6on+e /61* years >* 3ytes SeLuential
Paper Tape An+ient paper storage 9&&&; Write6on+e /61* years 9&&&; SeLuential
Floppy %agneti+ material on 4leDi3le plasti+ dis,s .1*6.'* ead5?rita3le '61 years 16**%. andom
$is, %agneti+ material on metal dis,s .'/6.-/ ead5?rita3le -60 years 1*69***%. andom
Tape %agneti+ material on 4leDi3le plasti+ tape .*16.*/ ead5?rita3le '6- years 9&&&; SeLuential
C$6!% (aser6te+hnology .****' Write6on+e
-
9inde4inite; 0/*%. andom
$C$ $igital Cideo $is, 9li,e C$6!%; 9&&&; Write6on+e 9inde4inite; 061'@. andom
A% Computer +hip memory 1*.** !nly ?hile
po?ered
1*6'* years 1601%. andom
!% Computer +hip memory /*.** "n?rita3le 1*6'* years 161%. andom
'
A++ess re4ers to ho? the data is retrie2ed. SeLuential means that the +omputer has to start at the 3eginning and sear+h until 4ound 9li,e trying to 4ind your
re+orded sho? on a re?ound CC tape;. andom means that the +omputer +an s,ip dire+tly to the starting point o4 the data 9li,e a +ard +atalog;.
-
#ot li,ely ?rita3le at all. %ost o4 the time: these are already 4illed ?hen deli2ered. There are 2ersions that +an store data: 3ut the tools are 2ery eDpensi2e.
1.2.4MEMORY DUMPS
!ne thing that is +ertain7 memory is a +ru+ial part o4 getting per4orman+e 9maDimum
pro+essor speed; 4rom your system. E2eryone ?ants more memoryQ and e2ery memory
+hip manu4a+turer ?ants to in+rease or +ontrol mar,et share. Se2eral +ompanies
9typi+ally 4oreign; ha2e resorted in <memory dumping=Fselling memory 3elo? the
a+tual +ost o4 manu4a+ture. This does three things7 1; ma,es memory +heaper so that ?e
+an <soup6up= our +omputers: '; 4or+es other memory pri+es do?n: and -; ,ills
+ompetitors ?ho +anNt +ompete.
%emory pri+es: in general: ha2e dropped in+redi3ly 4ast. E2en the predi+tions ha2e 3een
+onsidered +onser2ati2e +ompared to the a+tual trend. As o4 Sept. 1990: one +ould 3uy
memory 4or as lo? as S/5%.. #aturally: this ?ill li,ely 4lu+tuate ?ildly. The 3est time
to 3uy memory is middle to late summer. $onNt 3uy memory !+t. to Xan7 these are the
?orst months due to the holiday seasons.
A78+19)77
There are se2eral things you need to 3e a?are o4 3e4ore 3uying memory. First: you
+anGt go ?rong ?ith 4aster A% 9rated in nanose+ondsFlo?er num3ers are 3etter;.
)ou +an ha2e 3ig pro3lems i4 you get too slo? A%. A good rule o4 thum3 is
Pentium59* and less +an use 7*ns A%: 3ut any 4aster pro+essor should use 0*ns A%
or less.
Parity A% 2s. non6parity has long 3een a heated dis+ussion. IGll lea2e this up to you7
$!S and Windo?s ?ill halt the pro+essor i4 you get a A% parity error. #on6parity
?ill not generate this error. So: I as, i4 you ha2e an error and +rash 3y the error or the
halt: ?hat di44eren+e does it ma,e&
E$! A% only gains a -61*R per4orman+e in+rease on the a2erage 3ut +osts 1*R
more.
E:;)3(7
Ca+he A% is typi+ally '/0A.. .ut due the ?ay the >*1>0 and Pentium +a+he the
ram: you ?ill ha2e pro3lems ?hen you in+rease your A% to 01%.. In order to use
01%. o4 A% on these systems: you ?ill need to repla+e your +a+he A% to /1'A..
The Pentium Pro in+orporates the +a+he on the +hip: and there are some that ha2e only
'/0A. +a+he A%. I ha2e as,ed on the Internet and ha2e 3een assured that the
pro3lem ?ith the +a+hing algorithm ?as 4iDed ma,ing '/0A. su44i+ient 4or 01%..
1.3WHAT DO I NEED?
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
A3: A.
%3: %.
@3: @.
T3: T.
%ostly: they ha2e the same meaning as the normal s+ienti4i+ pre4iDes:
3ut +omputer people had to +hange things slightly. Here is ?hat the
indi2idual letters mean7
A 9,ilo: thousand; in +omputerese it means 1*'1 or '
1*
% 9mega: million; in +omputerese 1:*1>:/70 or '
'*
@ 9giga: 3illion; in +omputerese 1:*7-:711:>'1 or '
-*
T 9tera: trillion; in +omputerese 1:*99:/11:0'7:770 or '
1*
3 3it: the smallest unit o4 storage either has a 2alue o4 Pero or one
. 3yte: a group o4 > 3its. Sin+e ea+h 3it +an 3e Pero or one: a 3yte
+an ha2e a range o4 * T****:****U to '// T1111:1111U.
Typi+ally: a letter on the ,ey3oard is stored in a 3yte.
With that 3ehind us7
A3 9,ilo3it; one thousand 3its
A. 9,ilo3yte; one thousand 3ytes To4ten re4erred to as <A=U
%3 9mega3it; one million 3its
%. 9mega3yte; one million 3ytes To4ten re4erred to as <meg=U
@3 9giga3it; one 3illion 3its
@. 9giga3yte; one 3illion 3ytes To4ten re4erred to as <gig=U
T3 9tera3it; one trillion 3its
T. 9tera3yte; one trillion 3ytes
C <Cirtual eality<. A simulated -$ ?orld in ?hi+h you +an mo2e around
and intera+t ?ith things. The mo2ie <Toy Story= is a +omputer6
generated C en2ironment.
!4ten: I am as,ed7 <I ?ant to 3uy a +omputer. What should I get&= Tal, a3out a loaded
Luestion. ItNs li,e my ?i4e as,ing: ?hile turning her head 4ashiona3ly loo,ing at ne?
hats: <Whi+h do you li,e: dear&=. AlaDons go o44Q people s+urry 4or the nearest eDitQ our
dog +o?ers and hides its head. While I simply 93lithely&; 3lunder into the <danger6Pone=
3y ans?ering 3ased on the pri+e tag.
For all the ad2i+e I ha2e gi2en to people a3out ?hat they should getFthis ad2i+e has
ne2er 3een heeded. !h: ?ell. There honestly is no <right= or <?rong= +hoi+e7 itNs really
the di44eren+e 3et?een ?hat you ?ant 2s. ?hat you are ?illing to pay.
1
1
I need to amend this slightly. The truth is7 you ?ill pay either no? or later. There are some +ompanies
that should a3solutely 3e a2oided at all +osts. !ther?ise: you ?ill either 3e paying 4or 4iDes that ?ould
ne2er ha2e 3een ne+essary: ha2e a lot o4 <do?n6time= 9no +omputer ?or, 3eing done due to a 3ro,en
+omputer;: or ha2e in+essant support line +alls 9?hi+h most o4 the time theyGre 3usy or on in4inite hold;:
3e+ause <this: that or the other thing= doesnGt ?or, 2ery ?ell. I ?onGt list the 3ad6guys: instead I ?ould
#e2ertheless: there is a general rule o4 thum3. As, yoursel47 <What am I going to do ?ith
it&=
1.3.1DEPENDS ON USE
%ost +omputer appli+ations are +ategoriPed into 4i2e or siD groups. The ta3le: 3elo?:
sho?s the appli+ation: the asso+iated +omputer setup name and the pri+e range.
T+,2) 2: C'0;-()3 C+()4'3/)* +17 P3/9)*
A;;2/9+(/'1
5
E:+0;2)* C'0;-()3 C+()4'3@ P3/9) R+14)
.asi+ typing: data3ase: email .asi+5%iddle S7**61'**
#etsur4ing ?e3 3ro?sing5design: gen.
3usiness
%iddle5Ad2an+ed S1***61/**
Programming C5CYY: Xa2a: s+hool Ad2an+ed S'***6-***
%ultimedia5C
0
mo2ing graphi+s: rendering Ad2an+ed5Ad2an+edY S'/**61/**
#et?or, Ser2er ser2i+e to other +omputers Ser2er S-***67***
1.3.2SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS
When loo,ing at system +on4igurations 9see ta3le 3elo?;: se2eral things are <gimmeNs=
9typi+ally part o4 the pa+,age;. First: I promise that they ?ill gi2e you a ,ey3oard8 !ther
things li,e a mouse: graphi+s +ard5monitor: po?er supply: +ase: et+.: are part o4 the
pa+,age. "sually you donNt ha2e to ?orry a3out the num3er o4 ?atts the po?er6supply
o44ers or the ,ind o4 ,ey3oardFunless you ?ant something spe+ial.
The Ser2er +on4iguration may not loo, as <souped6up= as you might eDpe+t. emem3er
that the ser2er is not intended to assist the user dire+tly7 it is meant to ser2e other
+omputers on a net?or,. )ou pro3a3ly ?ill not e2er need a ser2er 4or your home. I only
mention it here 9along ?ith the <minimum= +on4iguration; 4or a point o4 re4eren+e.
(astly: a real pro3lem ?ith +reating something li,e thisFit 3e+omes out o4 date 2ery
Lui+,ly. Please note that I ?rote this in Sept. 1990. It 3e+ame dated 3y !+t. 1990. 9)es:
I am serious8; This only 4or a guideQ please s+ale a++ordingly or go as, someone7 <IGd
li,e to 3uy a +omputer. What should I get&=
re+ommend getting a Computer Shopper Summary or Consumer eports. HereGs another little tri+,7 3e4ore
3uying: +all the support lines and Must tal, to them a3out they +omputerFas, them anyt-ing a3out it. I4 you
li,e them: 3uy it.
/
Please note7 <appli+ations= here mean <uses=. Whereas: in +omputer Margon: an <appli+ation= typi+ally
re4ers to a large program li,e a ?ord pro+essor or spreadsheet.
0
C 9i4 you ha2enNt 3een introdu+ed to it through all the media6hype; stands 4or <Cirtual eality=. Cirtual
eality is an intera+ti2e three6dimensional 2ie? o4 the +omputer <?orld=. Typi+ally it is used 4or games:
+omputer aided design 9CA$;: et+. I4 you ?ant to eDperien+e C: go to a +omputer store and as, them 4or
a demonstration 9or try out any o4 the ne? games;.
T+,2) 3: T@;/9+2 C'0;-()3 C'16/4-3+(/'1*A ,@ C2+**/6/9+(/'1
C'16/4-3+(/'1 CPU
$
C+9.) M)0. HD3/8) G3+;./9* M'1/('3 CDBROM S'-17
%
M'7)0 P3/1()3 T+;)
%inimum ->05 '/ 6 1%.
9
'**%. C@A /1'A 11= 9yes; 6 6 6 6
.asi+ 1>05 1** '/0A 10%.
1*
1@. C@A 1%. 1/= 1V >3it '>.>A 6 6
%iddle Pentium5
1**
'/0A 10%. 16'@. SC@A
'%.
1/= 160V 103it '>.>A In,Met 6
Ad2an+ed Pentium5
10*
'/0A -'%. '6-@. ED.
11
'%. 17= >V 103it
Wa2e
1'
--.0A In,Met 161@.
Ad2an+edY Pentium5
'**
/1'A -'%. '61@. ED.'61%. 17= >V -'3it
Wa2e
--.0A5
IS$#
(aser '60@.
Ser2er Pentium
Pro5'**
/1'A 01%. 169@. SC@A 1/617= C$ To?er
>V
6 IS$#5
T1
(aser '6
10@.
7
The 4irst num3er re4ers to the pro+essor <name= and the se+ond num3er is the +lo+,. For eDample 1>0500 is a >*1>0 9+ompati3le; pro+essor at 00%HP.
>
A sound +ard +on4iguration typi+ally in+ludes the spea,ers.
9
In order to run Win9/: you need a minimum o4 >%. o4 A%.
1*
)ou +an get Must >%. o4 A%: 3ut Win9/ ?ill not run 2ery ?ell.
11
<ED.= means SC@A ED+ellerator +ard.
1'
<Wa2e= means <?a2eta3le=. Sound +ards ?ith ?a2eta3les ha2e the 3est sound ?hen generating sounds li,e a piano: drum: et+.
1.4WHAT CAN I ADD LATER?
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
C%!S A% There are se2eral parts o4 the +omputerGs memory ?hi+h +annot 3e
4orgotten and +annot 3e retrie2ed 4rom the dis,7 these are stored in a
spe+ial 3attery6po?ered A%: +alled C%!S A%. C%!S is a spe+ial
type o4 +hip pro+essing that yields 2ery lo?6po?er memory 9et.al.;. So a
3attery +an help retain C%!S A% 4or se2eral years.
The in4ormation stored in this memory is so +riti+al that you +annot e2en
3egin running 9<3oot6up=; the +omputer ?ithout it. A 4riendGs
+omputerGs 3attery died: and it too, me a3out -61 hours 3e4ore I got it
?or,ing again8
Conne+tor A physi+al re+epta+le 4or data trans4er. "sually has se2eral pins or holes.
)ou ?ill 4ind either pins 9male; or holes 94emale;.
$%A <$ire+t %emory A++ess.= A spe+ial me+hanism ?ith the +omputer
hard?are to speed up data trans4er. When sending data to54rom a dis,:
the pro+essor ?ould ha2e to stop all pro+essing i4 it had to transmit ea+h
3yte. With $%A: the pro+essor tells another +ontroller to ship the data
4or it. When the trans4er is +omplete: the +ontroller signals the pro+essor
that it is ready 4or another trans4er reLuest.
IB <Interrupt eBuest.= The programs run on their merry ?ay until
something happens eDternally. For eDample: ?hen you type something
or mo2e the mouse: the +ontrollers ?hi+h handle those intera+tions ?ill
signal the pro+essor indi+ating that data is ?aiting to 3e pi+,ed up. Ea+h
de2i+e is assigned an IB num3er.
IRQ D!"#
0 Timer
1 Keyboard
2 (specialnever use!)
3 COM2, COM
COM1, COM3
! "
# $loppy (on ne%er compu&ers)
' (parallel por&, may be s(ared)
) *ys&em CMO*, +eal&ime cloc,
- "
10 "
11 "
12 "
13 .umeric da&a processor
1 /01 Con&roller
1! /01 Con&roller (ne%er compu&ers %i&( 1/01)
Through a glit+h in most operating systems on the PC: no t?o de2i+es
+an share an IB num3er.
Jargon
%emory
Address
Thin, o4 a mi+ropro+essor li,e a <master indeDer= and the memory as
the indeD. E2ery 3yte o4 memory is assigned a numeri+ indeD. The
mi+ropro+essor sends a memory address 9an indeD num3er; and then
?aits 4or the data. The memory +hips re+ei2e the address and send the
data. The delay 3et?een sending and re+ei2ing ?ill play an integral part
in your +omputerGs per4orman+e.
Within the last 4e? years: pro+essors reLuest data mu+h 4aster than the
A% +an respond.
1-
So: 4ast +a+hes ?ere introdu+ed. Ca+hes gra3 the
data in 3lo+,s so that 9/R 9or 3etter; o4 memory a++esses are 4ound in
the +a+he.
Port A port is a +onne+tor usually in the 3a+, o4 the +omputer. There are
se2eral ports through ?hi+h the +omputer intera+ts ?ith the outside or
the user. Some ports in+lude7 ,ey3oard: monitor: serial: parallel:
telephone: et+.
Port Address E2ery de2i+e that is +onne+ted to the +omputer has to send and5or re+ei2e
data through a spe+ial part o4 the +omputer memory +alled a <port=. Port
addresses 93e+ause they are +onne+ted to de2i+es; are 2ery sensiti2eF
e2en loo,ing at the data may +hange the de2i+e. So ports are not in the
same address spa+e as regular +omputer memory.
It is 2ery important to understand that no t?o de2i+es +an share port
addressesFe2er8 For eDample: i4 you ha2e a pro3lem getting your
net?or, +ard and mouse to ?or, together 9?hen you ta,e out the
net?or, +ard: the mouse 3egins 4un+tioning again;: you li,ely ha2e a
port +on4li+t. "sually: de2i+es +an 3e +on4igured to ha2e di44erent
addresses7 simply turn o44 the +omputer and sele+t a di44erent address.
<Plug O Play= is supposed to +on4igure your ports and interrupts 4or you.
A4ter a ?hile: you pro3a3ly ?ill ?ant to add 2arious options or repla+e some +omponents
to 3ring your ma+hine more up to date. (etNs 4a+e it7 ?e all li,e toys8 Computers are 3ig:
eDpensi2e: use4ul toys. Aeep in mind that unless you ha2e a lot o4 eDperien+e ?ith
playing ?ith the +omputer +omponents: you pro3a3ly donNt ?ant to open your +omputer.
.e?are: all 3are +omponents are 2ery sensiti2e to stati+ ele+tri+ityFe2en imper+ei2a3le
Paps +an nu,e memory: pro+essor or +ards. .e 2ery +are4ul.
1-
A little math7 a '** %HP Pentium typi+ally uses 0*ns A%. I4 the pro+essor ?ere to reLuest data as
Lui+,ly as it uses it 9assuming one data a++ess per +lo+, ti+,;: 4aster than /ns A%s ?ould 3e needed.
ThatGs 1'D 4aster than the typi+ally +on4igured system8 The reason 4aster A% is not used is 3e+ause 2ery
4ast A% is CE) EVPE#SICE.
That 3ehind us: letNs loo, at ?hat ?e +an do. I ha2e separated the upgrades 3y di44i+ulty
and ha2e in+luded suggestions as to ?here to get your ne? eLuipment.
1.4.1EASY UPGRADES
Those things that are easy to add are
essentially +onne+ted 2ia a +a3le. I4
you ha2e the spare port or you ?ant
to repla+e a ,ey3oard: all you ha2e
to do is plug in the ne? printer:
monitor: et+. %ost +omputers ha2e
,ey3oards and monitors: so 3uying
a ne? one ?ill o32iously mean
dis+onne+ting the old and plugging
in the ne?.
Some o4 the things you +an add or repla+e are 1; printer9s;: '; eDternal modem: -;
,ey3oard: 1; serial mouse and /; monitor. I4 you ?ant to add a printer or eDternal
modem: you ?ill ha2e to ma,e sure that you ha2e a spare port. (oo, on the 3a+, o4 the
+omputer7 i4 you see a '/6pin 4emale +onne+tor 9you donNt see pins; that is li,ely a parallel
port to ?hi+h you +an +onne+t a printer. A serial port is a nine6 or '/6pin male 9you +an
see the metal pins; +onne+tor. %ost modems do not ?or, on nine6pin serial portsQ and
most serial mi+e pre4er nine6pin serial ports. I4 you need to get more ports see the %ore
$i44i+ult se+tion: 3elo?: 4or installing I5! 3oards.
When adding an eDternal modem or printer: you ?ill li,ely ha2e to 3uy a +a3le as ?ell.
As, the salesman i4 you need one. (astly: a4ter plugging6in the ne? printer: modem or
monitor: you ?ill ha2e to <tell= Windo?s 9/ that there is ne? hard?are. e4er to the
<Setting6up printer5modem5monitor< 9page /9; on ho? to do this.
A78+19)77
When ?or,ing ?ith ES$ 9Ele+trostati+ally6Sensiti2e $e2i+e;: ma,e sure you are ?ell
grounded. Here are a 4e? tips to ensure proper grounding7
1. @et a grounding strap 9you +an get them 4rom most ele+troni+s shops 4or S/6S1*;
and +onne+t it to the +hassis o4 the +omputer.
'. I4 you are standing on a rug: ta,e o44 your shoes and either ?al, around 3are64oot
or in sto+,ings 9this may sound 4unnyF3ut it ?or,s8;.
-. .e4ore you tou+h any ES$: tou+h a grounding point7 9i4 the +omputer is still
plugged6inFnot a good idea; the +omputer +hassis: the s+re? on a light s?it+h or
outlet: or a +old ?ater pipe.
1. %a,e sure that ES$s are shipped or +arried in antistati+ +ontainers 9all 3usinesses
?ill do this 4or you;. I4 you are +arrying some ES$s: you +an ma,e6shi4t an
antistati+ +ontainer 3y ?rapping the parts in aluminum 4oil.
"/4-3) 1: 25B;/1 S)3/+2 P'3(
"/4-3) 2: Parallel O 96pin Serial Ports
1.4.2DIFFICULT UPGRADES (ADVANCED)
The neDt le2el o4 di44i+ulty reLuires opening the +omputer. What is more di44i+ult is 1;
3eing +are4ul that nothing gets <4ried=: '; +on4iguring the ne? +ard: and -; sometimes
rearranging other +ardsN positions and5or +on4iguration. Anytime you need to open your
+omputer and mo2e around or add +ards or memory: 3e 2ery: 2ery +are4ul. It ta,es 2ery
little e44ort to <3urn= ?ith stati+ ele+tri+ity the +omponent youGre tou+hing. Start 3y
unplugging the +omputer. I4 you ha2e any apprehension: hire someone to re+on4igure
your +omputer.
Windo?s 9/ has made some o4 this easier ?ith <Plug O Play=. With Plug O Play
+ompati3le +ards 9?hi+h most are not;: you simply should 3e a3le to plug in the +ard and
let Windo?s 9/ de+ide ho? to +on4igure it. "n4ortunately: you +anGt al?ays +ount on
this. Ho?e2er: i4 the hard?are is +on4igured +orre+tly: Windo?s 9/ ?ill automati+ally
dete+t 9unli,e adding an eDternal printer: modem or monitor; and re+on4igure itsel4.
Some o4 the things you +an add are7 s+anner: internal modem: ne? C@A +ard: A%:
<!2erdri2e= CP": I5! +ards: and C$6!% dri2e. Adding A% or adding an !2erdri2e
CP" reLuires no additional +on4iguration. (i,e?ise: repla+ing 9you +anNt ha2e more than
one; the C@A +ard is as simple as 1; unplugging the monitor and +omputer 93oth the
+a3le 3et?een the +omputer and monitor and their po?er;: '; opening the +omputer: -;
remo2ing the old C@A +ard: 1; plugging in the ne?: /; +losing the +omputer housing:
and 0; plugging in the +omputer and monitor.
First ma,e sure that your Hard?are Con4iguration (ist is up to date 9see page 0';. )ou
?ill use it to sele+t the a2aila3le port address: $%A and IB. ead thoroughly the
installation instru+tions that +ome ?ith the ne? +ard. Find out ?hat the +ard needs in
order to 3e properly +on4igured. See the ta3le: 3elo? 4or li,ely needs and +on4igurations7
T+,2) 4: C'0;'1)1( C'16/4-3+(/'1
C'0;'1)1( N))7* /C)2@ C'16/4-3+(/'1
S+anner
11
I5! Port: $%A: IB I5! Port Z T$epends on manu4a+turerU
$%AZ'67
IBZ'61/
%odem I5! Port: IB I5!
Com1
Com'
Com-
Com1
Port
-F>
-7>
'F>
'7>
IB
1
-5/
1
-5/
Sound Card I5! Port: IB: $%A
I5! Cards I5! Port: IB T: $%AU
9Follo? in+luded instru+tions;
C$6!% I5! Port: IB: $%A
11
Please note that Windo?s 9/ has had no end o4 pro3lems ?ith s+anners. %a,e sure that ?hen 9and i4;
you get one it is 1**R +ompati3le ?ith Windo?s 9/. Then install it as soon as you get home and try it out.
!ne o4 the pro3lems I ha2e o3ser2ed is that it may ?or, the 4irst time: 3ut a4ter turning o44 then on the
+omputer: the s+anner no longer ?or,s. (astly: get a 2ery reputa3le 3randname.
1.4.3MOST DIFFICULT UPDATES (EXPERT)
The most di44i+ult re+on4igurations reLuire +hanging a lot more than the +ard or
+omponent youNre adding. Some o4 these things are a3out as +ompleD as <$i44i+ult
"pgrades 9Ad2an+ed;< 9page '0; se+tion in terms o4 adding the hard?are: 3ut you may
ha2e to install spe+ial hard?are dri2ers to use the ne? hard?are. E2en some hard?are
reLuires you to +hange the C%!S: a +riti+al pie+e o4 memory that allo?s you to run your
+omputer. An o2er2ie? o4 instru+tions +an 3e 4ound in the ta3le: 3elo?.
T+,2) 5: M'3) D/66/9-2( H+37D+3) C'16/4-3+(/'1*
C'0;'1)1( H'D (' /1*(+22
Harddri2e To repla+e a harddri2e: you should 3a+,up all pri2ate in4ormation onto
4loppies 9or tape;. "sually you ?ill not need to 3a+,up the program
appli+ations 9e.g. Windo?s: Word: et+.; 3e+ause you should ha2e
original dis,s 4or those. Ho?e2er: i4 you ha2e the time and 4loppies: go
ahead and 3a+,up e2erything. Also you must ha2e a 4loppy 4rom ?hi+h
you +an 3oot to install Windo?s again.
e3oot +omputer. When the +omputer displays anything a3out +hanging
.I!S or C%!S: press the appropriate ,eys 9typi+ally: H$E(I:HESCI or
HF1I;. @o into 3asi+ +omputer +on4iguration 9or ?here2er the harddis,
in4ormation isFyou may ha2e to sear+h around a 3it; and +opy do?n the
num3ers asso+iated ?ith your +urrent dri2e 9Heads: Cylinders: Se+tors:
et+.; onto a pie+e o4 tape ?hi+h you ?ill sti+, to your old dri2e.
Turn o44 +omputer and open. emo2e old dri2e and plug in ne? one.
Turn on +omputer and go 3a+, into C%!S +on4iguration. "sing the
num3ers supplied 3y the manu4a+turer o4 the ne? dri2e: repla+e the old
num3ers. EDit and sa2e ne? C%!S settings. Some +omputers ha2e an
<auto6harddri2e dete+tion=: use that instead.
e3oot the +omputer ?ith the Windo?s 9/ installation 4loppy in the A7
dri2e. The +omputer should as, you i4 you ?ant to partition your dri2e.
eply NyesN. Follo? the dire+tions 4rom there.
#ote7 I4 you ha2e an old +ontroller +ard 9pre61991;: you ?ill li,ely ha2e
to repla+e this as ?ell in order to use ne? dri2es ?ith +apa+ities greater
than /1*%.. They may 4iD the pro3lem that an old mother3oard has
?ith reading these large dri2es. I4 it doesnNt ?or,: a4ter 4ollo?ing
dire+tions: ta,e it 3a+, immediately.
C'0;'1)1( H'D (' /1*(+22
Se+ond
Harddri2e
I4 you ?ant to add a se+ond harddri2e: you must ha2e setup
do+umentation o4 your primary dri2e. From this do+umentation: you
need to ,no? ho? to ma,e it a master dri2e. The ne?: se+ondary dri2e
?ill 3e the sla2e dri2e. The ne? harddri2e ?ill ha2e ?ith its
do+umentation in4ormation on ho? to ma,e it a sla2e.
A4ter +on4iguring the t?o dri2es: +onne+t the ne? sla2e dri2e to the same
ri33on +a3le as the masterFuse the middle plaster +onne+tor. Conne+t
po?er to dri2e and turn on +omputer.
When the C%!S +on4iguration appears: press the ,eys needed to enter
+on4iguration. I4 your menu in+ludes an <auto harddri2e dete+tion=:
sele+t that and sa2e and eDit. !ther?ise: go to the se+tion ?here the
harddri2e +on4iguration is and +hange the se+ond dri2e to read Type [17
and set the other num3ers as de4ined in the do+umentation. Sa2e and
eDit.
e3oot +omputer. Partition the ne? dis, and 4ormat.
%other3oard Turn on +omputer and go into C%!S +on4iguration. Copy do?n
harddri2es num3ers. Turn o44 and unplug.
!pen your +omputer and remo2e all the +ards. )ou may ha2e to remo2e
the harddri2es as ?ell. emo2e other +a3les 9li,e ,ey3oard: spea,er:
reset: (E$s: et+.;. $is+onne+t the mother3oard 4rom po?erFthis is hard
to do: 3e patient and sLueePe the +onne+tors ?ith your 4ingers. emo2e
the mother3oardNs mounting posts 9either plasti+ or metal;. emo2e old
mother3oard.
%o2e or install your A% into the ne? mother3oard.
Insert ne? mother3oard 9and hope that the mounting posts and slots line
upFo4ten they donNt;. Conne+t posts: po?er: display +ard and monitor.
Turn on +omputer Must long enough to 2eri4y that the ne? mother3oard
?or,s 9you should get lots o4 errors;. Turn o44. e+onne+t and repla+e
all the +ards.
Turn on. @o into C%!S +on4iguration and either sele+t auto harddri2e
dete+tion or manually add the harddri2e +on4iguration that you had
+opied do?n. Sa2e. e3oot.
C'0;'1)1( H'D (' /1*(+22
Pro+essor I4 you ha2e a <EIFF= so+,et on your mother3oard 9it ?ill ha2e a le2er
?hi+h ?ill easily release the pro+essor: repla+ing the old ?ith the ne?
one is 2ery easy. There are a 4e? things you need to ,eep in mind7
11. Some pro+essors use a di44erent 2oltageFma,e sure you get the right
one.
1'. %a,e sure that the ne? pro+essor is <pin6+ompati3le= ?ith the older
2ersion.
1-. I4 you are plugging in a mi+ropro+essor <module= 9a 3oard ?ith the
pro+essor on it;: you may ha2e pro3lems ?ith the EIFF le2er.
11. )ou may ha2e to +hange some o4 the A% timings 4ound in C%!S.
Ethernet
Card
The ethernet +ard usually installs ?ith no more di44i+ulty than installing a
sound +ard. Ho?e2er: some ha2e A% on the +ard. Follo? the
dire+tions 4or installation.
SCSI
$e2i+es
SCSI is 2ery ni+e 4or adding ne? dri2es and impro2ed per4orman+e. A
SCSI uses a <daisy6+hain= inter+onne+tion o4 +omponentsFthe +omputer
is +onne+ted to the dis,: the dis, is +onne+ted to a s+anner: and the
s+anner is +onne+ted to another dis,. Ho?e2er: not only do you ha2e to
?orry a3out the Port address: $%A and IB: you ?ill ha2e to 3e a?are
o4 SCSI I$s.
There are eight <a2aila3le= I$s on a typi+al SCSI. Ho?e2er: t?o
num3ers are spe+ial7 Pero 93oot de2i+eFal?ays a dis,; and se2en 9+ard
de2i+e;. )ou +an ha2e all the de2i+es on any other I$.
1.4.4HARDWARE SOURCES
The neDt 3ig Luestion is ?here do I get ne? hard?are& There are many: many sour+es
you +an pursueQ they all 4all into 4our groups7 mail6order: original supplier: retail and
used.
T+,2) 6: H+37D+3) S'-39)*
S'-39) A78+1(+4)* D/*+78+1(+4)*
%ail !rder
Cheapist
Tons o4 sour+es
<Easy= returns
$eli2ery ?ithin '6- days
@et re+ommendations 9lots o4
<3ad apples=;
CanGt see5read a3out the produ+t
$oesnGt ,no? your +omputer or
its +on4iguration
)ouGre on your o?n
eturns o4ten +harged 1*61/R
resto+,ing 4ee
Tri+,y 3usiness o4 interstate
+ommer+e
S'-39) A78+1(+4)* D/*+78+1(+4)*
!riginal
Supplier
.etter ser2i+e i4 things go
?rong
Ano? your +omputer
Can help you install 2ia
phone
Cery easy returns
!4ten more eDpensi2e
I4 not lo+al: deli2ery5returns ta,e
time
etail
See and read a3out produ+t
See ?or,ing eDamples
Easy returns 9usually;
Immediate pur+hase
Salesmen usually donGt ,no?
?hat theyGre tal,ing a3out
%ost eDpensi2e
I4 you ha2e any dou3ts a3out
+ompati3ility: tal, to a 4riend not
a salesman
"sed
ELuipment
Can get pretty +urrent
eLuipment
Seller may help you ?ith
installation5setup tips
Pri2ate sellers tend to o2erpri+e
itemsF+ompare ?ith ne?
Ca2eat emptor
(ittle idea ho? mu+h longer part
?ill last
1.$HOW DO I SET UP MY COMPUTER?
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
%anuals A set o4 te+hni+al teDts that des+ri3e setup and maintenan+e o4
eLuipment. I4 anything goes ?rong: re4er to the manualsFat least you
+an get the support telephone num3er.
When you get your 4irst +omputer: it is not eDa+tly o32ious ?hat gets +onne+ted to ?hat.
In 4a+t: this is ?hat intimidates most 4irst6time users. I ha2e to admit it: I 4eel li,e a little
,id sitting on the 4loor reading the manuals as all the +ard3oard and plasti+ lays all o2er
the pla+e. .ut: hey8 INm a nerd8 I relish in this stu44FMust as, my ?i4e8
Any?ay: 3a+, to <reality=. There are 3asi+ally t?o ?ays to assem3le your +omputer7 out
o4 the 3oD and <pie+e meal=. %ost ?ould pre4er the <out o4 the 3oD:= 3e+ause it is less
prone to pro3lems.
1.5.1OUT OF THE OX
When your +omputer is deli2ered: the 4irst thing you should do is ta,e in2entory. Ha2e
the list o4 4eatures that you are supposed to get and +he+, them o44. #o matter ho? good
a pro2ider is: they ?ill ma,e some mista,es. What ma,es a good pro2ider is a Lui+, and
positi2e response to your pro3lems.
Here is a list that e2ery +omputer should +ome ?ith7
I4 you ha2e pur+hased some options: you should get these7
T+,2) $: O;(/'1*E R)F-/3)0)1(*
O;(/'1 W.+( @'- *.'-27 4)(
Printer Printer: po?er +a3le: parallel +a3le: dri2ers on 4loppy
EDternal %odem %odem: po?er adapter: telephone line: serial +a3le: dri2ers on
4loppy
Internal %odem Telephone line 9you should see the t?o telephone Ma+, ports in 3a+,
o4 your +omputer;: dri2ers on 4loppy
1. So4t?are7 ma,e +ertain you ha2e C$s or 4loppies o4 all so4t?are 9in+luding
Windo?s and $!S8;
'. Ca3ling7 you should ha2e t?o po?er +a3les and may ha2e a C@A +a3le 9has a
metalli+ +onne+tor ?ith -6ro?s o4 4i2e pins;
-. Computer 9either to?er or des,top;: monitor: ,ey3oard: mouse
1. %anuals 9a must8;
"/4-3) 3: U1;+9C/14 C.)9C2/*(
O;(/'1 W.+( @'- *.'-27 4)(
S+anner S+anner: po?er +a3le: SCSI +a3le: dri2ers on 4loppy 9the pro2ider
may not ha2e installed your SCSI +ard: so you may see it in spe+ial
pa+,aging;
EDternal Tape Tape dri2e: po?er +a3le: data +a3le: dri2ers on 4loppy
Internal Tape $ri2ers on 4loppy
1.$.1.1Do you -ave to install computer cars9
See <$i44i+ult "pgrades 9Ad2an+ed;= 9page '0; 4or in4ormation a3out ho? to install
+omputer +ards.
1.$.1.2"a@ling
This se+tion ?ill help you +onne+t your +omputer.
T+,2) %: C'0;-()3 I1*(+22+(/'1
C'0;'1)1( I1*(3-9(/'1*
Computer
Plug po?er +a3le into 3a+, o4 +omputer.
Plug po?er +a3le into po?er strip or ?all outlet.
%onitor
Plug po?er +a3le into 3a+, o4 monitor.
Plug data 91/6 or 96pin; into 3a+, o4 +omputer 9ma,e sure that it is
2ideo;.
Aey3oard
Plug data +a3le into 3a+, o4 +omputer.
)ou ?ill 4ind a +ir+ular +onne+tor that ?ill mateFdonNt 4or+e it.
%ouse
I4 the data +a3le has a +ir+ular +onne+tor: 4ind the mating +onne+tor on
the 3a+, o4 the +omputer.
I4 the data +a3le is 96pin and re+tangular6shaped: plug into a 96pin
4emale +onne+tor on 3a+, o4 +omputer.
Printer
Conne+t po?er +a3le or adapter.
Conne+t ?ide end 9/*6pin; o4 data +a3le into printer.
Conne+t narro? end 9'/6pin; o4 data +a3le into 4emale +onne+tor in
3a+, o4 +omputer.
%odem
9EDternal;
Conne+t po?er adapter.
Plug po?er adapter into po?er strip or ?all outlet.
Conne+t male6end o4 data +a3le into modem.
Conne+t 4emale6end o4 data +a3le into male '/6pin +onne+tor in 3a+,
o4 +omputer.
Plug telephone +a3le 9X611; into <(ine= Ma+, on 3a+, o4 modem.
Plug other end o4 X611 +a3ling ?all outlet.
I4 you share 2oi+e5data on your telephone: plug your telephone into
<Telephone= Ma+, in 3a+, o4 modem.
C'0;'1)1( I1*(3-9(/'1*
%odem
9Internal;
Plug telephone +a3le 9X611; into <(ine= Ma+, on 3a+, o4 your
+omputer.
Plug other end o4 X611 +a3ling ?all outlet.
I4 you share 2oi+e5data on your telephone: plug your telephone into
<Telephone= Ma+, in 3a+, o4 modem.
1.$.1.3Remove any inserts #or #loppy/"D0R,M rives
Sometimes: +omputers are shipped ?ith a +ard3oard insert in the C$6!% or 4loppy
dri2es. Che+, to see i4 you got one o4 these inserts. emo2e themF3ut: donNt thro?
them a?ay8 These ?ill prote+t the deli+ate me+hanisms 4rom 2i3rationQ you ?ill ?ant to
use them later.
I4 you didnNt get one o4 these: donNt ?orry7 most ne?er dri2es donNt need them no?.
1.5.2PIECE!MEAL (UILDING YOUR OWN COMPUTER) (EXPERT ONLY)
For those that really ?ant an ad2enture: 3uilding your o?n +omputer +an 3e 2ery... um...
<in2igorating=. There really isnNt a need to 3uild a +ustom ne? +omputer 4rom s+rat+h:
sin+e most manu4a+turers ?ill 3e mu+h +heaper than any single personNs pie+e6meal
attempt.
Ho?e2er: you +ould pie+e together a used ma+hine 4or 2ery +heap. There4ore: you ?ill
ha2e to 4ollo? 2ery spe+i4i+ steps in order to get things to ?or,.
1.$.2.12nventory> ma;e sure you -ave everyt-ingH
Ta,e in2entory o4 all that you should ha2e. In+luding the list o4 items 4or an !ut o4 .oD
installation: you ?ill ha2e to ?orry a3out the 2arious +ards5inter4a+es you ?ill need.
Sometimes: these inter4a+es ?ill +ome 4rom the mother3oard 9%.;7
T+,2) &: I1*(+22+(/'1 63'0 G3'-17BU;
C+37* D)*93/;(/'1 O1 MB?
Cideo @raphi+s or display +ard. Typi+ally C@A. %ay3e
I5! %ay ha2e I$E5EI$E: serial: parallel: game ports. Some get
+onne+ted using ri33on +a3les mounted to +onne+tor plates.
I4 you ha2e no other I5! on the mother3oard 9or modem or
else?here;: you pro3a3ly ?ill not ha2e to +on4igure this +ard. See
the %ore $i44i+ult se+tion in What Can I Add (ater&
%ay3e
%emory T?o ,inds7 $A% and +a+he. The $A% ?ill typi+ally 3e -*6
or 7'6pin SI%%s and the +a+he ?ill 3e $IP +hips. I4 you install
+a+he A%: you ?ill li,ely ha2e to +on4igure your mother3oard
Fread the instru+tions supplied.
)es
C+37* D)*93/;(/'1 O1 MB?
#et?or, )ou ?ill ha2e to +on4igure this +ardNs $%A O IB. The A%
on the +ard ?ill not li,ely need +hanging. See the $i44i+ult
se+tion in What Can I Add (ater&
%ay3e
%odem )ou ?ill li,ely ha2e to +on4igure the serial port on this +ard. See
the %ore $i44i+ult se+tion in What Can I Add (ater&
#o
SCSI )ou ?ill ha2e to +on4igure this +ardNs $%A O IB. See the
$i44i+ult se+tion in What Can I Add (ater&
%ay3e
%ouse A 3us mouse is ni+e 3e+ause it does not reLuire any o4 your
pre+ious serial ports. "sually: these do not reLuire +on4iguring.
%ay3e
1.$.2.2"/! construction
In4reLuently: some a+tually ?ant to +onstru+t their o?n +omputers. I really donNt ,no?
?hy sin+e most +omputer pro2iders are mu+h +heaper than 3uying the +omponents
yoursel4. These pro2iders 3uy hundreds 9i4 not thousands; o4 +omponents: so they get
su3stantial dis+ounts.
Any?ay: i4 you ?ant to 3uild your o?n +omputer: hereNs a 3rie4 list o4 instru+tions7
.e ?arned these instru+tions are 2ery terseQ they are only meant 4or instru+tion. I4 you
?ould li,e to learn more a3out +omputer +onstru+tion ta,e the ad2an+ed +ourse.
1.$.2.3"on#iguration
A4ter you ha2e 3uilt your +omputer: you ?ill need to do some system +on4iguration. !ut
o4 the .oD +omputers ?ill already ha2e all these things done.
This should only get you to 3ooting 4rom the harddis,. )es: this is a lot o4 ?or,. The
neDt tas, is to install Windo?s and your so4t?are appli+ations.
1. Install mother3oard O +onne+t to po?er supply.
'. Plug in memory SI%%s.
-. Install +a3ling 4or on6mother3oard ports. These in+lude ports and po?er.
1. Con4igure +ards and plug into mother3oard.
/. Set in 4loppy O harddri2es: +onne+t +a3ling O s+re? in.
0. Conne+t monitor and CP" po?er O po?er6on test. Po?er o44.
7. epla+e CP" housing.
>. Conne+t ,ey3oard.
9. Po?er on again. Set up C%!S parameters 4or date: 4loppies and harddri2es.
"/4-3) 4: CPU C'1*(3-9(/'1 S();*
1. Po?er on and enter C%!S +on4iguration.
'. Change dri2es settings 94loppy O harddri2e; O date.
-. Sa2e settings and re3oot 9?ith 3oot 4loppy in dri2e;.
1. un 4dis,. Partition harddri2e.
"/4-3) 5: S@*()0 C'16/4-3+(/'1 S();*
1.5.3SOFTWARE INSTALLATION "FUNCTIONING CD!ROM RE#UIRED$
Some !ut o4 the .oD +omputers already ha2e Windo?s and their so4t?are installed.
Ho?e2er: i4 you e2er need to start all o2er again 3y 4ormatting your harddis,: you ?ill
ha2e to 4ollo? these steps.
T+,2) 1#: 'DB)8)2 I1*(+22+(/'1
E:)39/*) I1*(3-9(/'1*
To 4ormat harddis,7 1/. Insert system 4loppy. e3oot.
10. un \4ormat +7 5sN
17. Copy \+on4ig.sysN and \autoeDe+.3atN to dri2e.
1>. Copy all ne+essary dri2ers to dri2e 9espe+ially the C$6!%
dri2ers: 4or C$6!% installation;.
19. emo2e 3oot 4loppy O re3oot.
To install Windo?s
94rom C$6!%;7
'*. Insert Windo?s C$6!% and type7 <dir d7=
1/
. )ou should
see the C$6!% light go on. I4 you donNt: get the dri2ers 4or
the C$6!% and install them.
'1. Type <d7setup=
''. Follo? the dire+tions.
To install Windo?s
94rom 4loppies;7
'-. Insert the Windo?s Setup 4loppy. Type <a7setup=
'1. Follo? the dire+tions.
To install Windo?s
Appli+ations7
'/. Insert the installation C$6!% or 4loppy 4or that appli+ation.
'0. Cli+, <Start= 3utton.
'7. Cli+, <Control Panel=
'>. Cli+, <Add5emo2e Programs=
'9. It may as, you the sour+e 9C$6!% or 4loppy;.
-*. Follo? the dire+tions.
To install $!S
Appli+ations7
-1. Insert the installation C$6!% or 4loppy 4or that appli+ation.
-'. Follo? dire+tions as outlined 3y the appli+ationNs instru+tion
manual.
I4 you ma,e a mista,e in the instru+tions a3o2e: sometimes you +an go 3a+, to the
pre2ious step. !ther?ise: you ha2e to start all o2er ?ith re64ormatting your harddis,.
$!S appli+ations 2ary ?idely as to ho? they are installed. Windo?s impro2ed this 3y
reLuiring all installation5de6installation programs to 3e +alled <setup.eDe=. The ne?
Windo?s 9/6+ompliant appli+ations ha2e to in+lude a <de6install=Fa ?ay to remo2e the
appli+ation and its +omponents.
1/
Those ?ho ha2e t?o harddri2es: you ?ill need to do a <dir e7= or ?hate2er dri2e letter your C$6!%
?as assigned.
1.%PROPER CARE OF COMPUTER &CPU' MONITOR' FLOPPIES' ETC.(
In order to maintain your +omputer 4or a long time: you ?ill need to ta,e +are o4 it. There
are se2eral things that ?ill Tirrepara3lyU damage the sensiti2e +omponents. This se+tion
?ill des+ri3e se2eral sour+es o4 danger.
1.%.1HEAT/MOISTURE/DIRT
Some o4 the most damaging things happen to a +omputer ?hen it gets too hot: ?ater
+ondenses on it or dirt gets in it.
Heat has sent many: many +omputers to an early gra2e. )ou might ?onder7 there arenNt
2ery many mo2ing parts in a +omputer: so ho? +ould heat damage it& The +omputer
+omponents use +hips ?hi+h are little pie+es o4 sili+on 9not sili+one8; +rystal. These
things are li,e shards o4 glass. As the +hips heat up and +ool: they eDpand and +ontra+t
li,e metal. Ea+h time they eDpand and +ontra+t: the +rystal ?ea,ens and e2entually
4ragments. With adeLuate +ooling: the eDpansion5+ontra+tion is redu+ed to tolera3le
le2els.
To help proper +ooling: ensure the 4ollo?ing7
"nli,e a lot o4 me+hani+al eLuipment: +omputers are 2ery sensiti2e to dirt and moisture
F e2en a little 3it +an do Luite a 3it o4 damage. There are se2eral +omputer +o2ers ?hi+h
?ill help you prote+t your +omputer ?hen not in use. Ho?e2er: 9?ith the eD+eption o4
,ey3oard +o2ers; you ?ill ?ant to 3e sure to +ompletely remo2e the +o2er ?hile po?ered
Fother?ise: your +omputer ?ill o2erheat.
The +omputer +an 3e eDposed to moisture 4rom 2arious sour+es. The o32ious sour+es are
spills: rain: et+. The not so o32ious is 3ringing in a +old +omputer 4rom outside. All
manu4a+turers re+ommend that the +omputer remain in the pa+,aging and turned o44 until
it is room temperature.
1.%.2POWER
!ne o4 the o32ious pro3lems ?ith +omputers and their sensiti2ity to ele+tri+ity ?ould 3e
<Ho? do I prote+t my +omputerNs po?er&= In 4a+t there are se2eral additional issues here.
ThereNs a 1'= spa+e 4rom the 3a+, o4 the +omputer to any sur4a+e.
#othing o3stru+ts air4lo? out o4 the rear 4an.
#othing o3stru+ts air4lo? into the +omputer.
The 2ents on the top o4 the monitor are un3lo+,ed.
The air 3lo?n out o4 the 3a+, is +ool.
The +omputer housing should not get ?armQ the monitor ?ill get ?arm 3ut
not hot.
%a,e sure that the inside o4 the +omputer is +leaned e2ery 16' years.
"/4-3) 6: P3';)3 C''2/14 R)9'00)17+(/'1*
1.6.2.1Leaving "omputer FonG
Some pro4essionals argue that i4 you are going to use a +omputer 4or lengthy periods o4
time and e2eryday: the o?ner5user should lea2e the +omputer po?ered <on=. A++ording
to them: this redu+es the heat eDpansion5+ontra+tion +y+les on the deli+ate sili+on +hips.
Also monitors ?ill <remem3er= the pla+es ?here the ele+tron gun points i4 eDposed o2er
and o2er. IGm sure you ha2e seen those AT% ma+hines ?hi+h ha2e an a4ter6image o4 the
?ords on the monitor. The phosphor 9the su3stan+e on the inside o4 the tu3e ?hi+h glo?s
red: green or 3lue; ?ill: o2er time: 3egin to degrade due to the +onstant eDposure to
radiation. 9.y the ?ay: this is ?hy <s+reen sa2ers= ?ere in2ented.;
Histori+ally: this +ould 3e Luite a 3urden on po?er: and the CP" and monitor ?ill age
more Lui+,ly. Ho?e2er: ?ith the arri2al o4 <green ma+hines= 9+omputers and
+omponents that turn themsel2es o44 or go into lo?6po?er mode;: this is not that 3ig o4
adeal. Still i4 you do not plan on using the +omputer 4or a3out a day or t?o: turn it o44.
All ne? +omputers ha2e to support either a <@reen= or a <$eep @reen= 4eature 9others are
+alled <EnergyStar=; ?hi+h ?ill pla+e the +omputer in a stand3y mode i4 unused 4or a
long time. In order 4or these ma+hines to +omply ?ith <@reen= and <$eep @reen=: they
ha2e to +onsume no more than a 4e? ?atts.
!ne last note7 a 3ig disad2antage to lea2ing your +omputer running is that a po?er6
outtage may o++ur. When this happens: your system may not ha2e 3een properly
shutdo?n 9see <Shutting6$o?n 9Turning !44; Computer= page 0-;. I4 you ha2e any
dou3ts a3out the integrity o4 you po?er 9you may not e2en noti+e it until you ha2e a
+omputer;: either get a "PS 9see <Storms=: page ->; or turn o44 the +omputer ?hen not in
use.
I4 the +omputer doesnGt get 4ried 3y the po?er surges: the po?er drops ?ill +ause the
+omputer to go do?n ?ithout a proper system shutdo?n. This ?ill lead to 4ile loss:
system insta3ility and an e2entual system +rash 9you ?ill lose )8)3@(./14;.
1.6.2.2?urning o##/on
Turning <o44= then <on= the +omputer should 3e done +are4ully. This is +alled <po?er6
+y+ling=. Po?er6+y+ling +an 3e damaging to the po?er s?it+h 9in ?hi+h +ase you ?ill
ha2e to repla+e the ?hole po?er6supply unit;: po?er supply and possi3ly the
mother3oard: i4 you donNt ?ait a 4e? se+onds 3et?een <o44= and <on=.
A good rule o4 thum3 is to +ount to ten 9-6/ se+onds; 3e4ore turning the +omputer 3a+,
<on=. The delay helps the eD+ess energy to dissipate and e2erything 9li,e the harddri2e;
to 3e Luies+ent 3e4ore po?ering up again.
Also: some ad2ertisers say that using a po?er strip ?ill sa2e the po?er supply on the
+omputer. They +laim that most +omputersG po?er s?it+h +an only handle 3eing
pressed5s?it+hed a +ertain num3er o4 times. In this area: I ?ould say a +ouple things7 1;
3uying a surge6suppressor5po?er strip is a 2ery good ideaFit prote+ts a great in2estment
and '; out o4 all the +omputers I ha2e o?ned5?or,ed ?ith: only one has had minor
pro3lems ?ith the po?er s?it+h. %oral7 <3etter to 3e sa4e: 3ut thereGs no rush=.
1.6.2.3Storms
Ele+tri+al storms and po?er surges are 2ery damaging to +omputers. In one storm you
+ould lose e2erything in your +omputer. E2en storms that donNt pass o2erhead +an stri,e
else?here and sear the po?er lines to your house. Additionally the po?er that +omes into
the house is 2ery <dirty=Fit has a lot o4 2arian+e in po?er: po?er surges and spi,es.
Ho? do you redu+e pro3a3ility o4 damage through po?er 2arian+es& There are a 4e?
things that you +an do7
T+,2) 11: O;(/'1* 6'3 P3'()9(/14 C'0;-()3 63'0 /4.(1/14
O;(/'1 D)*93/;(/'1 R)2/+,/2/(@>E+*)
"nplug the
Computer
When not in use or
during a storm: lea2e
the +omputer
unplugged.
1**R relia3le.
Can 3e a pain.
Should 3e done during 2a+ations.
Surge
Suppressors
A po?er distri3ution
3oD that has outlets 4or
+omputer: monitor:
printer: et+.
!4ten the
manu4a+turers +laim a
+ertain range o4
suppression or <+lean6
up=.
)ou get ?hat you pay 4or7 eDpe+t to pay S/*
minimum.
(ess than S/* are simply po?er strips.
#o surge suppressor ?arrants against
lightning 1**R.
%ore relia3le than ?ithout suppressor. #o
maintenan+e.
O;(/'1 D)*93/;(/'1 R)2/+,/2/(@>E+*)
"ninterrupt6
a3le Po?er
Supply
9"PS;
There are many "PS
3rands and they are all
pretty relia3le.
They +lean up the input po?er 4rom the
outlet.
They maintain a +onstant 2oltage and +y+le:
eDtending the li4e o4 your +omputerNs po?er
supply.
They ha2e a large +apa+ity 3attery 9typi+ally
lead6a+id gel;.
I4 you ha2e a <3ro?n out= or <3la+, out=: the
supply immediately ,i+,s6in 4or as long as
ne+essary to sa2e your ?or,.
Ea+h supply is rated 4or a +ertain num3er o4
?atts. This ?ill determine the amount o4
time you ha2e to sa2e your ?or,.
Some ha2e a port in the 3a+, that +an 3e
+onne+ted to the +omputer ?hi+h tells the
+omputer a3out the po?er and ?hether the
+omputer should shutdo?n.
Ha2ing a "PS is 3e+oming more and more
reasona3le. Considering the in2estment: this
is 2ery attra+ti2e.
Cery relia3le.
@etting +heaper 9S1**6 1**;.
elati2ely lo? maintenan+e.
Some "PSs isolate the +omputer 4rom the
outletNs po?er: thus ensuring po?erNs Luality.
1.%.3VIRUSES
%ore and more +omputer 2iruses are 3e+oming a serious pro3lemFespe+ially 4or those
?ho get so4t?are 4rom 3ulletin 3oards 9..Ss: a modem6+onne+ted ser2i+e ?hi+h shares
programs: tools and noti+es; and the Internet 9a ?orld6?ide net?or, that a2ails us to more
in4ormation than e2er 3e4ore;.
What are 2iruses& Ciruses are +omputer programs that 2indi+ti2e people ?rite as a <Mo,e=
or 4or re2enge. What do they do& %ost o4 the time: they are intended to harm other
so4t?are and sometimes your +omputerNs hard?are. It used to 3e impossi3le to harm
+omputer hard?are ?ith so4t?are: 3ut ?ith the ne? +ompleD +omputers ?e ha2e no?: it
not only +an happenFit does happen.
Ho? do they get <transmitted=& Here are 4e? ?ays7 do?nloading programs 4rom ..Ss or
the Internet: using an un,no?n 4loppy 94rom a 4riend or +ompany;: email: et+. E2en
normal +ompanies ha2e a++identally transmitted some in their so4t?are releases.
Ciruses ta,e many 4orms: 3ut the intent is +learFrepli+ate and destroy. There are many
programs on the Internet 94or 4ree; and 4or pur+hase. They range in relia3ility 4rom 2ery
good to 2ery poor. %ost ?ill a+tually disin4e+t 9or remo2e; the 2iruses i4 they +an 4rom
your system.
T+,2) 12: G/3-* C.)9C)3*
G/3-* C.)9C)3 R)2/+,/2/(@ C'*(
%i+roso4t Poor 9Part o4 Plus8 Pa+,;
#orton AdeLuate S/*61**
In2ir+i3le C. @ood 9reLuires eDpert; 94ree;
%+A4ee CirusS+an Cery @ood S/*61**
9others&&;
!ne pie+e o4 ad2i+e I ?ould li,e to pass on here7 al?ays ma,e sure that the 2irus
+he+,ing so4t?are is in original pa+,aging. This means that you should ma,e sure that
the plasti+ ?rap is inta+t and that you ha2e so4t?are that is inta+t. There ha2e 3een
o++asions ?hen people ha2e 3ought an in4e+ted 9or ?hat they thought ?as; 2irus +he+,er
Fonly to hate the day they got the ma+hine. I4 you +annot 3e assured that the so4t?are is
inta+t: onIt @uy it8
1.%.4SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
In order to ,eep your +omputer running e44i+iently there are se2eral maintenan+e things
that need to 3e done periodi+ally. "nless you ha2e spe+i4i+ so4t?are to do this: you ?ill
ha2e to do it manually. !2er time: i4 not properly maintained: you ?ill noti+e lost dri2e
spa+e: slo?er per4orman+e: or e2en lost data.
First o4 all: plan ?here you ?ill store your pri2ate data: and ma,e sure that it gets there.
In Windo?s 9/: there is one dire+tory 9a 4older o4 in4ormation; ?hi+h is +alled <%y
$o+uments=. %i+roso4t: 3y de4ault: ?ill pla+e your Word: ED+el: et+. 4iles in there. I4
there are se2eral people using the +omputer: you may ?ant to +reate dire+tories 94olders;
under <%y $o+uments= ?ith ea+h userNs name. This ?ay: ?hen you 3a+,up your
+omputer: you ,no? ?hat to 3a+,up and ?hat not to 3a+,up 9you donNt need to 3a+,up
program 4iles or Windo?s appli+ations;.
1.6.4.1Dis; veri#ication/e#rag
As you use the +omputer: things are ine2ita3ly going to get a little out o4 ?ha+,7 4iles
donNt +losed properly: programs +rash: 4iles get splashed all o2er the dis,. $onNt ?orry
this is a+tually normal 4or $!S and Windo?s8 ItNs not great or the ?ay things should
?or,: see: Must normal. There are t?o tools that help ,eep the dis, 4ile system ?or,ing
e44i+iently7 <S+andis,= 9or <+h,ds,=; and <$e4rag=.
S+andis, 9?as +alled <+h,ds,=: short 4or <+he+, dis,=: an+iently; goes through all the
4iles and dire+tories and ma,es sure that e2erything <ma,es sense=. Typi+ally you +an
run this on <autopilot= 9no prompting; i4 you ?ish. Please note that you ?ill ?ant to turn
o44 s+reen sa2ers and po?er +ontrol 9i4 you ha2e any;. They ?ill 4or+e S+andis, to start
all o2er again ea+h time a s+reen sa2er is +alled up or po?er sa2ing is engaged.
$e4rag is a tool that loo,s at your 4iles and dire+tories 4or <splattering=. Thin, o4 it li,e
this7
As you add and delete 4iles: the dis, gets <spotty= and has holes ?here no data resides.
#aturally: the operating system Must 4ills in the holes ?ith 4iles. !4ten the 4iles donNt 4it
eDa+tly: so hal4 the 4ile may 3e in one part o4 the dis, and the remainder else?here.
Fortunately: ho? the 4iles are stored on the dis, is hidden 4rom you: so you donGt ha2e to
?orry a3out losing your data. The only thing you ?ill noti+e is that the +omputer ?ill
ta,e longer and longer to do simple tas,s. What ?ould help is to periodi+ally <rearrange=
the dis,.
This is ?hat $e4rag does7 it 4inds the 4iles and dire+tories that are splattered and ma,es
room enough to store them in one pie+e on the dis,.
1.6.4.2"leaning temporary #iles %8ino+sA JetscapeA &,L...'
As you are ?or,ing ?ith Windo?s Appli+ations: these programs use a lot o4 <s+rat+h6
pad= 4iles +alled temporary 4iles. There are lots o4 reasons to ha2e temporary 4ilesF most
o4 the time itNs 4or speeding up pro+essing so you donNt ha2e to ?ait. "n4ortunately: these
4iles donNt al?ays get erased. Se2eral programs use these 4iles: 3ut some o4 the 3iggest
hogs are Word: ED+el: Po?erPoint: #etS+ape: A!( and CompuSer2e.
So: e2ery so o4ten: loo, in all <temp=: <tmp= or <+a+he= dire+tories. !4ten you +an
simply erase them: as long as you are not running any other appli+ation. Ho?e2er: ,eep
in mind that ?hile #etS+ape and A!( 9and other Internet so4t?are; store these 4iles: it
helps speed up loo,ing at images.
Imagine a large egg +arton that has 1*D1* +ups. )ou ha2e a hen house that
produ+es -61* eggs per day and you ?ant to ,eep the eggs in the +arton: 3ut you
ha2e to 4ill the +ups le4t6to6right and top6to63ottom: 4illing in empty slots ?ith
ne? eggs. !4 +ourse: you ?ant to ,no? ho? old ea+h egg is: so you stamp the
date on ea+h one.
Suppose in the +ourse o4 a ?ee, you get the 4ollo?ing 3at+hes o4 eggs7 $ay [17 /
eggs: $ay ['7 - eggs: $ay [-7 7 eggs: $ay [17 0 eggs: $ay [/7 1 eggs: $ay [07 >
eggs and $ay [77 1 eggs. Also 3eginning ?ith $ay [': you eat 4our eggs per day:
pi+,ing the eggs randomly.
.e4ore long: eggs ?ith the same date are not neDt to ea+h other. The logi+al thing
to do is periodi+ally rearrange the eggs so that all li,e6date eggs are together.
"/4-3) $: E44 A22'9+(/'1 E:+0;2)
1.6.4.3Dis; compression
I4 you start running out o4 dis, spa+e: you +an get another harddis, or use the dis,
+ompression toolsFthat o4ten helps dou3le the amount o4 a2aila3le dis, spa+e 9e.g. a
'**%. 4ree harddis, loo,s li,e 1**%.;. %i+roso4t in+ludes one in their <Plus Pa+,=
+alled <$ri2eSpa+e=.
Ho? it ?or,s is7 ea+h 4ile isFas it is sa2edFrun through a spe+ial program that
<sLueePes out= the redundan+y in the data. Pi+tures: teDts: e2en programs ha2e a lot o4
redundan+y. The ne? 4ile is a 4ra+tion o4 the original siPe 3ut does not reLuire as mu+h
spa+e on the dis,. !4ten: the a2erage ne? 4ile siPe is one hal4 o4 the original. There4ore:
the dri2e appears to ha2e almost dou3led in siPe.
Ho?e2er: there is a noti+ea3le +ost. )ou system ?ill run slo?er. Some +laim that using
dis, +ompression ?ill in+rease per4orman+eQ this may ha2e 3een true a +ouple years 3a+,
3ut not any more. Also: i4 you ha2e any pro3lems ?ith your dis,: your +ompressed data
?ill li,ely 3e 1**R lost. In order to un+ompress the data a4ter it has 3een +ompressed:
there are spe+ial pie+es o4 data pla+ed in the 4ile ?hi+h are li,e ,eys to unlo+, and
un+ompress the data. I4 anything goes ?rong: these ,eys ?ill li,ely get damaged and
e2erything is lost.
!n+e you ha2e de+ided to +ompress your dis,: you ?ill in+lude running the +ompression
utilities as part o4 your maintenan+e +y+le. !4 the maintenan+e items: this is perhaps the
slo?est and most time6+onsuming.
1.6.4.4Empty ?ras-can
Windo?s 9/ has a little sa4ety 4eature that ensures that all harddis, 4iles donGt get thro?n
a?ay immediately ?hen you delete them. Instead they get mo2ed into the <trash+an=.
E2ery so o4ten: you ?ill need to empty this +an 3y right6mouse63utton +li+,ing the
trash+an i+on and sele+ting <Empty trash= menu item.
To 2ie? ?hatGs in the trash+an: dou3le6+li+, the i+on. )ou +an also delete items 94or real
this time; 3y sele+ting ?hat you ?ant to toss and pressing H$eleteI. Again: anything
tossed 4rom the trash+an is destroyed 4or real.
Anytime you delete something on a 4loppy or net?or,: it ?ill not 3e sa2ed in a trash+an.
ather: itGs gone 4or good.
10
1.%.5WHEN DO I UPGRADE&
!n one hand you +ould ?ait and get the 3est +omputerQ on the other: you get the 3est
a2aila3le no?Q and lastly: you +ould add ?hat you need to ?hat you already ha2e. The
pro3lem ?ith the 4irst approa+h is that you ?ill 3e ?aiting 4ore2erFea+h generation
3ettering the pre2ious. The pro3lem ?ith the se+ond is you ?ill 3e paying premium SNs
that ?ill 3e o3solete that day a4ter you order it. And: the pro3lem ?ith the third is that the
10
There are re+o2ery programs that ?ill 4ind and repair $!S 4iles. Windo?s 9/ 4iles also +an 3e re+o2ered
this ?ay: 3ut net?or, 4iles are al?ays lost ?hen you delete them. This is a good reason to sa2e 3a+,ups o4
all 4iles.
programs +urrently ?ritten ?ill al?ays need the 3est or latest hard?are. What do you do&
I thin, I ?ill let you de+ide that one.
#o? that ?e ha2e a +omputer: ?hen do ?e upgrade& In reality: you not may need to
update at all. All programs ?ritten on the PC are +ommitted to 3eing 1**R +ompati3le
?ith the earlier 2ersions 9up to the >*->0;. Will this +hange& 9Please note that as o4 the
Pentium: the >*>>50 and >*'>0 ?ere no longer supported.; )es: 3ut 2ery slo?ly. I ?ould
re+ommend upgrading 3ased on need.
There are se2eral 4a+tors you ?ill need to +onsider 3e4ore upgrading7
.e4ore upgrading: I strongly re+ommend that you tal, to a Luali4ied te+hni+ian and he5she
?ill 3e a3le to help you ?ith the options.
I4 the ne? +omponent reLuires a port: do you ha2e any spare ports& A ne?
I$E harddis, ?ill reLuire its o?n port7 i4 you already ha2e t?o harddis,s: you
might not 3e a3le to add another.
The ne? I$E harddis,s 9EI$E; reLuire a later 2ersion o4 mother3oard .I!S7
adding one may reLuire ne? dri2ers or a ne? mother3oard and +ontroller
+ard.
All +ards ha2e an edge that plugs into the mother3oard: do you ha2e one o4
those +onne+tors a2aila3le&
$o you ha2e any IBs or $%As a2aila3le&
Is there room in the 3oD 4or proper air64lo?&
Are you going to eD+eed the po?er rating 4or your po?er supply 9as, i4
unsure;&
I**-)* P3/'3 (' U;43+7/14
1.)IF SOMETHIN* *OES WRON*' WHO CAN I TALK TO?
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
%anu4a+turer The +ompany that +onstru+ted the +omputer: printer: et+. It o4ten
applies spe+i4i+ally to the +ompany that put together your +omputer. I4
you 3uy eDtras later: you ?ill ha2e to ?or, ?ith the manu4a+turer or
reseller o4 that produ+t.
As ?ith e2erything 9Must as, %urphy; else: somethingNs 3ound to go really: really ?rong.
When this o++urs: ?here do you go& I +anGt emphasiPe more the same +on+ept as
automo3ile repairs7 get lots o4 re+ommendations. There are a lot o4 Lua+,s out there: and
those that really ,no? ?onNt ha2e the time to help you or you ?onGt 3e a3le to a44ord
them. There is hope: though.
In the ta3le: 3elo?: I list the possi3le sour+es o4 help. E2erything should 3e pretty +lear:
eD+epting <elia3ility=. What I mean 3y <relia3ility= is <Can he5she5it5they 4iD the
pro3lem +orre+tly&= TThatGs a pretty tall order 4or some o4 those listed8U
T+,2) 13: C'0;-()3 S)38/9) P3'8/7)3*
'9+(/'1 R)2/+,/2/(@ R)+*'1 C'*(
%anu4a+turer High I4 in ?arrantee: a3solutely +onta+t them.
While you may thin, that a +omputer is a one6
time pur+hase: any +ompany that is ?orth
anything ?ill try to ma,e its +lient 2ery happy
FthatNs ho? it gets ne? +lients. .elie2e me:
thatNs ?hy @ate?ay and %i+ron ha2e 3een
2oted time and again the 3est mail6order
+ompanies. E2en i4 it is out o4 ?arrantee: they
?ill 3e 4amiliar ?ith your +omputer. Also
they ?ill o44er other options in +onne+tion
?ith the repair that may ma,e sense 93e
+are4ul though;.
S1/*6
7/5hr.
epair
Spe+ialists
%edium Companies 3ased on +omputer repair and
ser2i+ing ?hi+h ha2e 3een around 4or a ?hile
?ill li,ely ,no? ?hat they are doing 9or they
?ould 3e out o4 3usiness;.
S1/*6
1**5hr.
Computer
Companies
%edium6
(o?
Computer +ompanies ?ill ?ant your 3usiness:
and i4 they ha2e repair 4a+ilities: they ?ill try
to get you as a +lient. They ha2e had
eDperien+e +onstru+ting: installing:
+on4iguring and repairing their +lientsN
ma+hines: there4ore they ha2e the ,no?6ho?
to help you.
S1/*6
7/5hr.
'9+(/'1 R)2/+,/2/(@ R)+*'1 C'*(
etail (o? I ha2e not e2er 3een impressed ?ith those in
retail. I ha2e ?or,ed ?ith them and e2en
spo,en to them pri2ately. !4ten they are
te+hni+ally uns+hooled 9literally; and donGt
?ant to 3e in sales.
S1**6
/*5hr.
Friends High to
(o?
I +anGt go ?ithout mentioning this here. .e
2ery +are4ul ?ith as,ing 4riends to help you
4iD your ma+hine8 I4 they donGt ,no? ?hat
they are doing: you +an o4ten 3e in ?orse
shape than 3e4ore the 4iD.
&&
2 OPERATIN* SYSTEMS: HOW DO I WORK WITH THE COMPUTER?
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
.I!S .asi+ Input5!utput System. A 2ery nuts6and63olts set o4 programs that
+ontrol hard?are 9+alled <dri2ers=;. There are t?o .I!Ss7 one 4ound in
!% and one that is 4ound in the operating system. As dri2ers impro2e:
itGs impossi3le to +hange e2ery3odyGs +omputer !%. So: the operating
system .I!S simply does the ?or, 4or the !% .I!S.
$ri2er A spe+ial program that +ontrols a +omputer +omponent.
!perating
System
A +riti+al program that inter4a+es all hard?are ?ith the userGs programs.
All +omputers ha2e an operating system o4 some ,ind.
Program A set o4 instru+tions to a++omplish a spe+i4i+ tas,.
In order 4or the +omputer to 4un+tion +orre+tly: it has to <tal,= to all the +omponents you
ha2e atta+hed. %ost o4 the time: you may not e2en 3e a?are o4 all that goes on 3et?een
a++epting a ,eystro,e 4rom the ,ey3oard and a letter appearing on the display. To us it
ma,es per4e+t sense that a letter <a= 4rom the ,ey3oard ?ill sho? as letter <a= on the
s+reen.
E2erything in the +omputer is +ontrolled 3y some <program=. !ne +ru+ial program is the
<operating system=. (oo,ing at the name: you +an thin, o4 it as a program that is
+omposed o4 a <system= o4 +ontrols ?hi+h <operate= on the hard?are. This is true7 there
are se2eral indi2idual +ontrols that manipulate the display: ,ey3oard: harddis,: 4loppy
dri2e: et+. Without these +ontrols: you ?ould not 3e a3le to do anything ?ith the
+omputer.
There are se2eral intrinsi+ +ontrols that help the +omputer <+ome6ali2e= 9or <3oot6up=;.
These +ontrols are 4ound in the +omputerGs .I!S 9.asi+ Input5!utput System;. The
.I!S a+tually is in !% 9part o4 the +omputerGs persistent memory; and des+ri3es to the
+omputer ho? to intera+t ?ith the display: ,ey3oard: harddis,: 4loppy: +lo+,: parallel port
and serial port.
)ou ?ill note that I did not mention C$6!% and s+anner. This is ?here de2i+e dri2ers
+ome in. $e2i+e dri2ers are spe+ial +ontrol programs that help the operating system
,no? ho? to ?or, ?ith <eDoti+= de2i+es or ?or, ?ith parti+ular de2i+es 3etter. The
support programs 4or PC hard?are +ame out earlier than C$6!% and s+anner
te+hnology. $ri2ers not only impro2e de2i+e +ontrol 3ut also add support 4or ne?
standards. I4 you do not ha2e a de2i+e dri2er 4or some +omponent: you ?ill not 3e a3le to
?or, ?ith it.
2.1BOOT UP SEQUENCE
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
.oot Comes 4rom <3ootstrap= 9as in <in order to get the 3oot on my 4oot I
ha2e to use the 3ootstrap=Fseriously: thatGs ?here it +omes 4rom8;.
There are t?o de4initions7 the pro+ess o4 3ringing the +omputer up 92er3;
and the program that starts the ?hile pro+ess 9noun;.
.oot: 2.7 To load up operating system and dri2ers to 3ring the +omputer
up to a ?or,a3le state.
.oot: n.7 The program that iterati2ely loads pie+es o4 the operating
system. This program is 4ound in the 2ery 4ront o4 the dis,.
%aster .oot
e+ord
A spe+ial program 4ound at the 3eginning o4 ea+h dis, ?hi+h tries to
load the operating system 9i4 a2aila3le;.
When the +omputer 3egins to po?er6up: it has to per4orm se2eral +he+,s to ma,e sure
that the hard?are is ?or,ing +orre+tly. Sometimes you ?ill hear the spea,er +li+, as it
+he+,s memoryQ o4ten you ?ill hear the 4loppy dri2e grunt as itGs +he+,ed. A4ter e2ery
+riti+al +omponent is +he+,ed: the +omputer 3egins to <3oot6up=.
.elie2e it or not: the pro+ess 3ringing the +omputer up to a usa3le state has many: many
stepsFas you ?ill see. The .I!S has the most 3asi+ +ode to do really simple stu44.
Assuming ?e are 3ooting 4rom a 4loppy: the +omputer 4ollo?s these steps7
When your +omputer is ?or,ing +orre+tly: this 9seemingly endless; pro+ess only ta,es a
4e? minutes. Ho?e2er: Windo?s 9/ has to do a lot o4 other +he+,ing so you +an eDpe+t
a 4e? minutes more.
ROM BIOS
1. %o2e dri2e head to 4irst tra+,.
'. ead the 4irst tra+, 9<3oot6loader=; into memory.
-. .egin running <3oot6loader=.
B''( '+7)3
1. %o2e dri2e head to spe+ial lo+ation on the dis,.
/. ead in $!S .I!S 9+ontrolling programs that handle the hard?are 3etter;
0. .egin running $!S .I!S.
DOS BIOS
7. un initialiPation and set up.
>. Find the +urrent position o4 <$!S=.
9. (oad <$!S=.
1*. un <$!S=.
DOS
11. $o 4inal initialiPation and set up.
1'. Find <+ommand.+om=.
1-. (oad it.
11. un it.
"/4-3) %: C'0;-()3 B''( P3'9)7-3)
A78+19)77
I4 you need to repla+e the 3oot program 9+alled the %.: <%aster .oot e+ord=; on
your dri2e: you +an run7 <4ormat +7 5m3r=
E:;)3(7
E2erything a3out the harddis, is stored in the %.. )ou +an ha2e up to 4our primary
partitions 9three o4 ?hi+h may 3e su36partitioned 4or a total o4 1- partitions on one
dri2e;. Some operating systems 9li,e $!S; donGt support more than one primary
partition. I4 you ha2e more than one: donGt ?orryF$!S simply ?onGt see them.
I4 you lose your %.: your dis, is hosed8 )es: thatGs 3ad. Still: there are pre2entati2e
programs that ?ill sa2e your %. 4or you 9e.g. #orton has one;.
2.2INTERACTIN* WITH THE COMPUTER
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
.oota3le A 4loppy or dri2e that is a3le to load up the operating system.
$e2i+e A +omponent or part o4 the +omputer. Ea+h de2i+e is assigned a tas, to
per4orm under the dire+tion o4 the mi+ropro+essor.
File A 3lo+, o4 data ?hi+h +an 3e in4ormation or a program.
Filesystem A ?ay 4iles are stored on the +omputer. These are organiPed in groups
and: more o4ten: in hierar+hies.
%oti4 A simple: repeata3le idea. Computers use <moti4s= 4or inter4a+es ?ith
the user.
oot The 2ery top o4 the 4ilesystem hierar+hy.
Consider this7 the +omputer really needs the userGs help to get things done. E2en at the
most simplisti+ le2el: e2ery a+tion that the +omputer ta,es is in dire+t or indire+t response
to the userGs a+tions. #o? this may seem a little strange: 3ut I +anGt say this enough7 the
+omputer does something 3e+ause you ha2e done something.
Well: ho? does the +omputer get the a+tions 9or stimulus;& And ho? does it respond&
IGm glad you as,ed.
2.2.1VARIOUS INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES
Ea+h +omputing de2i+e 93e it a +omputer: printer: +al+ulator: et+.; has ?hat are +alled
<input and output de2i+es=. An input de2i+e sends in4ormation 9or stimulus; to the
+omputer: and the output de2i+e retrie2es in4ormation 9or response; 4rom the +omputer.
There are se2eral input and output de2i+es. We use these to +ommuni+ate ?ith the
+omputer so that ?e +an get ?hat ?e need to do done.
Input and output de2i+es used to 3e eD+lusi2ely input or output. Ho?e2er: in order to
ma,e your li4e a little easier: a lot o4 them re+ei2e and send data to the +omputer. See the
ta3le: 3elo?: to illustrate ?hat I mean7
T+,2) 14: G+3/'-* D)8/9)* C'11)9()7 (' C'0;-()3
D)8/9) I1;-( <(' 9'0;-()3? O-(;-( <63'0 9'0;-()3?
Aey3oard Aeystro,es you typed. #um (o+,: Caps (o+, and S+roll
(o+, (E$s
%onitor esolution support: tou+h
+oordinates 9i4 tou+h s+reen;.
TeDt and graphi+s.
%ouse V: ) mouse mo2ement +hanges. 6 9some initialiPation +ommands;
S+anner S+anned image in grays or +olors. esolution 9dots6per6in+h;: num3er o4
+olors or grays and s+an region.
Printer eadiness: error +onditions: et+. $o+ument to 3e printed: display
messages.
D)8/9) I1;-( <(' 9'0;-()3? O-(;-( <63'0 9'0;-()3?
%odem $ata 4rom telephone line. $ata to telephone line.
Sound Card %i+rophone or <(ine '= signals. Spea,er signals.
Ta3let Stylus mo2ements: tou+hes. egion lo+,ing 9only se+tions o4 the
ta3let ?ill emit stylus mo2ements;
Xoysti+, Xoysti+, mo2ements: 3utton
presses.
6
C Headset Head: hand mo2ement. .i4o+al display.
With all these de2i+es 9there are many: many more;: you ?ould 4ind it di44i+ult to learn
ho? to ?or, ?ith ea+h: unless they had some +ommon inter4a+e 9or ?ay o4
+ommuni+ating;.
2.2.2MOTIFS (INTERFACES)
A <moti4= is a ?ay o4 +ommuni+ating. (i,e as in a musi+al seLuen+e o4 tones that is
repeated throughout a per4orman+e: a +omputer moti4 is a simple seLuen+e that is
repeated 3et?een program5appli+ations. This ma,es it easier on the user: sin+e he5she
does not ha2e to relearn ho? to retrie2e or sa2e a 4ile ea+h time he5she s?it+hes
appli+ations.
Some eDamples o4 moti4s are as 4ollo?s 9in: o4 +ourse: another ta3le;7
T+,2) 15: M'(/6* H H'D U*)3 I1()3+9(*
E18/3'10)1( M'(/6
$!S The user types +ommands to manipulate 4iles or run programs.
Windo?s The mouse runs programs or manipulates 4iles. The user types teDt
in4ormation: as needed: 4rom the ,ey3oard.
@ames The player uses the ,ey3oard: mouse or Moysti+, to mo2e around or
per4orm a+tions.
2.2.3FILES/FILESYSTEMS/DRIVES
As you 3e+ome a?are o4 the 2arious systems ?ithin the +omputer: you ?ill 3e Lui+,ly
introdu+ed to the method 3y ?hi+h the +omputer stores data. !4 +ourse: the +omputerGs
primary memory does not retain its 2ia3ility ?hile not po?eredF?hen turned o44: the
+omputer 4orgets e2erything. That is ?hy sa2ing your ?or, is so important.
Thin, o4 it this ?ay7 ?hen you spea,: the sounds you ma,e ?ill only eDist 4or a
short time7 sounds get a3sor3ed 3y ?alls and dissipate in the air. )ou +an recor
or save ?hat you say on audio tape. The a+tual ?ords are gone: 3ut a memory o4
them remains. In order 4or you to re+all ?hat ?as said you ha2e to play 3a+, the
tape.
Computer memory is 2ery similar7 ?hile po?ered the +omputer retains the in4ormation it
has. .ut: in order to re+all the in4ormation 3et?een 3eing po?ered o44 then on: it has to
sa2e it to some medium that doesnGt need po?er7 dis,s. (i,e?ise: in order 4or the
+omputer to use or ?or, ?ith the data: it has to retrie2e it 9or play it @ac;; into its primary
memory.
Typi+ally: a PC +omputer has at least t?o dri2es7 a 4loppy or remo2a3le storage and a
harddri2e. $!S and Windo?s assign <dri2e letters= to ea+h a2aila3le dri2e. Typi+ally:
A7 and .7 are assigned to 4loppy dri2es. C7 is al?ays the 3oota3le harddri2e.
A 4ile is a pla+e o4 storage on dis,. It may
3e 2ery small or 2ery large. !4 +ourse: it is
as use4ul as its +ontents 9i4 it +ontains
unreada3le or <gar3age= data: it is o4ten
unusa3le;. Files are stored in 4ilesystems.
%ost +omputers use a hierar+hi+al
approa+h to store in4ormation. A +ontainer
o4 4iles is +alled a <dire+tory=. The top o4
the hierar+hy is +alled the <root=. For
eDample see the diagram: to the right. In
this eDample: there are 4our dire+tories
2isi3le 4rom the root. "nder the
$o+uments dire+tory you see three more
dire+tories +alled <?or,=: <4amily= and
<s+hool=. Within ea+h o4 these dire+tories +an 3e any num3er o4 4iles
17
related to the
dire+tory name.
The dire+tory6style o4 organiPing 4iles helps the user +ategoriPe the data and organiPe it
into groups o4 li,e64iles. )ou +an also 2ie? it as an upside6do?n tree ?ith the trun,
3eing the root: 3ran+hes as dire+tories and lea2es as 4iles.
2.2.4AC'UPS
(i,e ?ith all +ompli+ated systems: a +omputer is prone to <lose its mind= or cras-. When
this o++urs 9yes: it happens to )8)3@'1);: you may lose some or all your data. The ?ay to
a2oid this e2entuality: is to do <3a+,ups=. .a+,ing6up your +omputer merely +opies the
4iles and ?here they ?ere stored onto remo2a3le media li,e 4loppies or tape.
17
This is a+tually not 1**R true. Ea+h dire+tory reLuires spa+e to store in4ormation a3out the 4ile.
There4ore: you +an literally 4ill you dri2e ?ith Must 4ile names. Also it is not a good idea to pla+e too many
4iles ?ithin the same dire+tory. The system ?ill slo? do?n 3e+ause it has to sear+h through a long list o4
4ile names. "sing S+an$is, ?ill help 3ut ?ill not 4iD an unmanagea3ly huge dire+tory. (astly: the root
dire+tory +an only store 11' 4ile names.
A78+19)77
The harddri2e +an 3e <di2ided= into di44erent partitions using +,"-.. Ea+h partition
$!S or ?indo?s re+ogniPes ?ill 3e assigned a di44erent dri2e letter. !4ten harddri2es
ha2e only one partition7 the primary one.
$os Windo?s $o+uments "tils
Wor, Family S+hool
9root dir;
"/4-3) &: $ire+tory Tree
$oing 3a+,ups regularly ?ill help you re+o2er Lui+,ly 4rom a +rash and may e2en ar+hi2e
4iles that got a++identally 9or unintentionally; deleted. $epending on use: 3a+,ing6up
your +omputer should 3e done 4rom monthly to ?ee,ly.
2.2.5WHAT IS COMPRESSION& (ADVANCED)
$ata stored inside o4 a +omputer has a lot o4 <4lu44=. For eDample: loo, at the display. It
may ha2e large regions o4 ?hite or 3lue or some other +olor. It also has a lot o4 repeated
letters. The data is stored this ?ay to help us read it. Without the spa+e and repetition:
?e ?ould 3e una3le to read the display. The +omputer doesnGt need to see it that ?ayF
all they are are num3ers. So ?hat i4 ?e had a se+tion on the s+reen ?e ?anted to store in
memory: ?hat ?ould ?e store&
For one ?e +ould store ea+h 3yte in memory. .ut: sin+e there is so mu+h redundant
in4ormation: that ?ould reLuire a lot o4 unne+essary memory usage. Well: ?hat i4 ?e
,ne? there ?as going to 3e a lot o4 repeated dataFespe+ially large regions o4 the same
+olor& !ne 4orm o4 +ompression simply +ounts the repeated 3ytes and only ,eeps the
+olor and the +ount. This is +alled <run6length= +ompression 9store only the length o4 the
run o4 3ytes;. !4ten the +ompression ratio 9a+tual siPe 2s. ne? +ompressed siPe; is pretty
good ?ith <run6length= +ompression. Still there are lots o4 di44erent algorithms that 4o+us
on di44erent data6+ompressing aspe+ts 9teDt: graphi+s: 2oi+e: mo2ie: et+.: all ha2e di44erent
+hara+teristi+s ?hi+h are eDploited;.
)ou might thin, that i4 ?eGre going to +ompress the data do?n: you should 3e a3le to
restore it to 3a+, 1**R. Well: that ma,es sense: 3ut there are some things 9li,e pi+tures
and audio; 4or ?hi+h a little loss is still o,ay. For eDample: the 2oi+e +an produ+e a 4ull
range o4 soundQ 3ut the telephone +uts out more than 7/R o4 it: yet ?e still +an
understand the spea,er. There are algorithms that ?ill <lose= some o4 the data in 4a2or o4
a 3etter +ompression ratio 9e.g. XPeg: a pi+ture 4ormat: +an get 9*69/R +ompression ?hile
still loo,ing 2ery good;. These +ompression algorithms are +alled <lossy=. Those that
donGt lose in4ormation are +alled <loss6less=.
There are lots o4 ,inds o4 +ompression. $ata that has to 3e a++urate +an 3e +ompressed
using a loss6less algorithm 9PAEip is loss6less;. Again pi+tures and audio donGt ha2e to
3e 1**R 3e+ause our eyes and ears ?ill 4ill6in the parts that are lost.
There is a pro3lem ?ith +ompression algorithmsFi4 they get +orrupted: usually all the
data is gone8 Whereas: the un+ompressed data may 3e re+o2era3le. For instan+e:
+onsider the senten+e7 <Th6 6oy h6t the 3a6l=. I4 you loo, at this long enough: you +ould
pro3a3ly dedu+e ?hat the senten+e is supposed to read.
1>
)et: there are only 10 out o4 '*
letters that are 2alid 9?eGre +ounting the spa+es as ?ell;FthatGs a ?hole '/R loss8
19
Compression algorithms are not as 4orgi2ing7 e2en less than 1R loss +an mean
+ompletely lost data.
So i4 you ha2e +riti+al data: donGt ,eep the original in a +ompressed 4ormat.
1>
Corre+tly read7 <The 3oy hit the 3all=.
19
)ou +ould e2en sound li,e TarPan and lea2e out the arti+les7 <666 3oy hit 666 3all.= That has e2en less data
9-*R loss; and is still +learer.
2.3BASIC TYPES OF OPERATIN* SYSTEMS A/AILABLE
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Client5Ser2er An old te+hnology that lets you send a reLuest to a data ser2er 9some
+omputer on a net?or, ?ith 2ast data stores; ?hi+h pro+esses the
reLuest and returns the result. This helps you sin+e your ma+hine does
not ha2e to store the data or pro+ess the reLuest: and it helps others get
a++ess to the data as ?ell.
$!S $is, !perating System. A spe+ial program that inter4a+es your hard?are
to your appli+ations or user programs.
@"I <@raphi+al "ser Inter4a+e= As you might guess: Windo?s uses a @"I.
@"Is reLuire some pointing de2i+e li,e a mouse to help the user get
things done. 9Pronoun+ed <gooey=.;
I+on A spe+ial graphi+ that represents some a+tion 9e.g. +alls6up your ?ord
pro+essing appli+ation;.
"#IV A po?er4ul operating system that has 3een usedFuntil ten years agoF
mostly 3y uni2ersities. While 2ery po?er4ul: it is not 4or the 4aint o4
heart.
Widget A tool on the display that lets you input in4ormation or do something
9e.g. 3uttons: s+roll3ars: panels: list3oDes: et+.;
There are se2eral 3rands o4 operating systems a2aila3le 4or the PC. They range in
+ompleDity and po?er 4rom the 2ery simple and ?ea, 9li,e $!S; to 2ery +ompleD and
po?er4ul 9li,e "#IV;. They all ha2e di44erent moti4s or inter4a+es 4or the user. The
inter4a+e +ompleDity oes not imply +ea;ness or po+er.
$!S and "#IV use the teDt 9,ey3oard6dire+ted; inter4a+e. They re+ei2e +ommands 4rom
the ,ey3oard. Windo?s uses the @raphi+ "ser Inter4a+e 9@"I; to intera+t ?ith the user.
Within $!S and "#IV e2erything you type is a <+ommand= 9or something it must do;.
"#IV has a @"I as ?ell +alled V Windo?s.
A @"I is easier to use and learn. !4ten it employs little pi+tures to represent a+tions to
per4ormQ these pi+tures are +alled <i+ons= or <?idgets=. For eDample: a small pi+ture o4 a
+al+ulator in Windo?sG A++essories ?ill 3ring up a +al+ulator.
%ost ?indo?s63ased @"I ha2e three 3asi+ things to help the user7 a ?indo? 9into ?hi+h
2isi3le stu44 gets pla+ed;: an i+on 9a graphi+ that ?ill do or run something;: and a ?idget
9a tool ?hi+h you +an intera+t ?ith;.
There is another type o4 +omputer inter4a+e ?hi+h you may not intera+t ?ith at all: rather
your +omputer may 92ia modem;. This is +alled a ser2er. The sole purpose o4 a ser2er is
to pro2ide in4ormation to you t-roug- your computer. EDamples o4 ser2ers might 3e
CompuSer2e: A!(: main4rames: other dial6up +onne+tions: et+.
)ou might ha2e heard o4 Client5Ser2er. Well that is Must a 3uPP ?ord that des+ri3es an
old te+hnology 9yes: it really is not as ne? as others ?ould li,e to thin, it is; that sends
a+tions or reLuests to a host +omputer. The host then pro+esses the +ommand or reLuest
9e.g. <Find all Surname KXonesG in Eip6+ode K>10*1G and report #ame: Address:
Telephone=; and spe?s 3a+, the result. It also +an run programs 4or you o## your
mac-ine 9in other ?ords: the host runs the program: thus 4reeing up your +omputer 4or
other ?or,;.
2.4WORKIN* WITH DOS
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Command A term used to get the +omputer to do something. !4ten these
+ommands are simply programs that the operating system +alls6up and
runs.
$ire+tory The stru+ture on your dis, that stores your 4iles ?hi+h graphi+ally loo,s
li,e an upsidedo?n tree.
Path The sear+h path 4or programs. When the operating system re+ei2es a
+ommand: it 4irst sear+hes its o?n internal list o4 +ommands. I4 not
4ound: it sear+hes the dire+tory youGre +urrently in 4or a +ommand ?ith
the same name. I4 still not 4ound: the operating system ?ill sear+h this
list o4 dire+tory names 4or the +ommand.
In order to understand ho? to ?or, in $!S: you ?ill need to understand a 4e? +on+epts.
$o you remem3er the analogy o4 the dire+tory tree: ?here the trun, is the root or top
dire+tory: 3ran+hes are li,e su3dire+tories and lea2es are 4iles& As you <?ander a3out= in
the 4ilesystem to loo, at the +ontents o4 ea+h dire+tory: you ?ill 3e <sitting= in some
dire+tory. This is +alled your <+urrent ?or,ing dire+tory=. When you run the +ommand
<dir=: you ?ill see the +ontents o4 your +urrent dire+tory. )ou +an also learn ?hat your
+urrent ?or,ing dire+tory is 3y typing <+d=.
This is important to understand. )ou ?ill 3e ?or,ing ?ithin a +ertain se+tion o4 the
dire+tory tree and all your a+tions ?ill ha2e an a44e+t through that point. Comparing ?ith
the tree analogy: it is li,e +lim3ing the tree and going 4rom lim3 to lim3. !4 +ourse you
+anGt reside on a lea4 94ile;: 3ut you +an mo2e to the lim3 ?hi+h has the lea4 atta+hed to it.
)ou may not e2er need to run anything through $!S: as most systems no? use
Windo?s. Ho?e2er: here are a 4e? things that may help you.
2.4.1COMMANDS/COMMAND!LINE
There are many +ommands in $!S 4or manipulating 4iles and +hanging 2arious settings.
The ta3le: 3elo?: lists a 4e? +ommands and their a+tions.
T+,2) 16: C'00'1 C'00+17* /1 DOS
C'00+17 A9(/'1 E:+0;2)
dir (ist +ontents o4 dire+tory dir +7
+opy Copy 4ile to destination +opy 4ile1.tDt dest4ile.tDt
md or m,dir Create a ne? dire+tory md myne?dir
+d %o2e into ne? dire+tory +d myne?dir
rd or rmdir emo2e 9empty; dire+tory rd myne?dir
mo2e %o2e 4ile to ne? lo+ation mo2e 4ile1.tDt ]temp
D+opy EDtended +opy
C'00+17 A9(/'1 E:+0;2)
del $elete 4ile del dest4ile.tDt
deltree $elete dire+tory O 4iles ?ithin deltree ]temp
4ormat Prepare a dis, 4or data 4ormat a7
2.4.2RUNNING A PROGRAM
A program or appli+ation in $!S has either <.+om= or <.eDe= as the 4ile name su44iD.
Some o4 the 2ery old programs may ha2e <.3in= su44iD. In order to run these programs: I
ha2e to eDplain ?hat a <path= is.
Path. In +omputer terminology: a path is a list o4 dire+tories the +omputer ?ill sear+h 4or
a +ommand. I4 the +ommand or program is not lo+ated in your +urrent ?or,ing dire+tory:
the +omputer ?ill sear+h through the path. )ou +an see ?hat the +urrent path is 3y typing
<path= at the +ommand prompt.
To run these programs: simply type the name o4 the program ?ithout the su44iD.
2.$WORKIN* WITH WINDOWS0WIN1$
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Attri3utes Carious +hara+teristi+s in 2ie?ing and organiPing your data.
$es,top The 3a+,drop o4 the ?indo? inter4a+e. "sually it is some solid +olor
9li,e light 3lue6green;. )ou +an +hange it 3y opening the properties
sheet.
Properties
Sheet
A spe+ial ?indo? that sho?s the +on4iguration 4or a spe+i4i+ item on the
s+reen. #early e2erything has a properties sheet. )ou +an get to it 3y
+li+,ing the right mouse 3utton on an o3Me+t and sele+ting <Properties=.
E2erything in %S Windo?s is graphi+ally63ased7 you mo2e the mouse pointer: dou3le
+li+, to do one tas,: +li+, and drag an o3Me+t to do another. Sometimes: I try di44erent
things to see i4 ?hat I eDpe+t happens. !4ten I am right. Sometimes I am ?rong. So: the
idea is to tryQ you +an al?ays undo ?hat you ha2e done i4 itGs not to your li,ing.
Also get used to using your mouse. In Windo?s 9and most @"Is;: e2erything is done
?ith the mouse. Xust use the mouse pointer to +ontrol or sele+t ?hat you ?ant.
2.5.1DES'TOP ( TOOLS
The $es,top is the starting point and is o4ten 3ehind all the ?indo?s. In Windo?s 9/:
you ?ill see se2eral i+ons that gi2e you a++ess to the +omputer 9see AppendiD .7
Standard Windo?s I+ons: page 1*7;.
Along the 3ottom o4 the s+reen: you ?ill see a ?idget that loo,s li,e a 3utton +alled
<Start=. This 3utton ?ill 3e+ome your #rien. Within it you ?ill a++ess all your
appli+ations: tools: utilities: +ontrols: et+. .asi+ally you +an a++ess nearly e2erything
through this 3utton.
Tips7 E2erything in Win 9/ has <attri3utes= 92arious +hara+teristi+s in 2ie?ing and
organiPing your data;. I4 you ?ant to +hange and see the attri3ute: +li+, on the right
mouse 3utton ?hile pointing at the ?idget. E2en the des,top has attri3utes. When you
+li+, on the right mouse 3utton: a menu ?ill pop up 9this is a +alled a <popup menu=:
hmm... 2ery original8; and display ?hat you +an do. Cli+, on <properties=. .ro?se
around the Properties SheetFnot all property sheets are the same.
A78+19)77
ight +li+, on the startup 3ar and +li+, on <autohide=. When you mo2e the mouse o44
the 3ar: the 3ar ?ill slide o44 the s+reen. When you mo2e the mouse to the s+reen
3ottom: the startup 3ar ?ill reappear.
2.5.2ASIC ( COMMON ICONS) THEIR FUNCTION
9Please see AppendiD .7 Standard Windo?s I+ons: page 1*7;
2.5.3SETTING!UP PRINTER/MODEM/MONITOR
!ne o4 the more +ommon re+on4igurations is repla+ing a monitor or adding a modem or
printer. Sin+e the pro+ess to +on4igure Windo?s 9/ 4or the ne? hard?are is s+attered in
2arious parts: I de+ided to pla+e the pro+edure in its o?n se+tion.
2.$.3.1Setting0up /rinter
The printer template 9a +oo,ie6+utter method 4or +reating ne? o3Me+ts; +an 3e 4ound in
the <%y Computer= i+on. $ou3le6+li+, on that: and then loo, 4or the <Printers= 4older.
!pen the 4older. Within you ?ill 4ind an i+on +alled <Add Printer=: open that and 4ollo?
the dire+tions. 9)ou may ha2e to ha2e your Windo?s 9/ C$ installed.; When you are
done 9you press the 3utton <Finish=;: you ?ill return to the printers 4older. There you ?ill
4ind a ne? printer i+on ?ith the name you had gi2en it.
2.$.3.2Setting0up Moem
The i+on to set up your modem is in the Control Panel. Either through the Start menu or
through the <%y Computer= i+on: 4ind and open the Control Panel. (oo, 4or the
<%odems= i+onQ open it. Follo? the dire+tions. From that point on: you should 3e a3le
to a++ess the ne? modem.
2.$.3.3Recon#iguring Monitor
ight6mouse +li+, on the des,top. Sele+t properties menu item. A ?indo? ?ill pop6up.
Sele+t the ta3 la3eled <Settings= at the top o4 the ?indo?. )ou ?ill see se2eral options
9li,e sele+ting the s+reen resolution: num3er o4 +olors: and monitor +on4iguration;. Sele+t
the 3utton 4or monitor +on4iguration. )ou ?ill 3e presented ?ith a list o4 monitor ma,es
and models. Sele+t the one you ha2e 9o4ten that in4ormation is 4ound on the 3a+, o4 the
monitor;. A4ter +li+,ing <Close=: you may 3e as,ed ?hether you ?ant to re3oot the
ma+hine. (et it7 +hanging these ,inds o4 system de4aults sometimes reLuires starting
Windo?s 9/ all o2er again.
E:;)3(7
.ring up the properties sheet 4or the Start 3utton. From there: you +an add: delete or
rearrange items that appear in the Startup %enus. !4ten those appli+ations you use
4reLuently: you may ?ant to pla+e in the primary menu. This +an 3e done simply 3y
+li+,ing and dragging the i+on to the destination.
A78+19)77
I4 you ?ant to print to a plain teDt 4ile: +reate a <generi+ printer=. )es: it is 2ery easy.
Follo? the dire+tions: a3o2e. When it displays the manu4a+turers: sele+t <@eneri+=.
Cli+, <#eDt= and sele+t <File= under <A2aila3le Ports=. Continue and 4inish up the
+on4iguration. )ou should no? see a printer +alled <@eneri+5TeDt=.
I4 you +hange the resolution: Windo?s ?ill try to do ?hat you as, immediately 9?ithout
re3ooting;. A ?indo? ?ill popup a4ter +hanging resolutions as,ing ?hether the +hange
?as o,ay. Please note7 the +omputer ?onGt ,no? i4 itGs o,ay7 you ha2e to tell itFi4 you
?ait too long: Windo?s ?ill re2ert 3a+, to the original resolution.
"/4-3) 1#: .asi+ Windo?
2.5.4USING WINDOWS
There are some 2ery 3asi+ things you +an do ?ith ?indo?s. The ta3le: 3elo?: lists ea+h
a+tion and ho? to a++omplish it 9also see Figure 1*;.
T+,2) 1$: T./14* Y'- C+1 D' D/(. W/17'D*
A9(/'1 H'D (' 7' /(
esiPing To +hange the ?idth and height o4 the ?indo?: mo2e the +ursor to the
sides and +orners o4 the ?indo?. When you see dou3le arro?s: that is an
indi+ation that you +an +li+, and hold the le4t mouse 3utton 9this is +alled
<dragging=; to +hange the ?indo?Gs shape.
%o2ing To mo2e the ?indo? around the s+reen: ?ith the le4t mouse 3utton
depressed on the title 3ar 9the re+tangle at the top o4 the ?indo? ?ith the
name in it;: drag the ?indo? around.
HoriP
ontal
S+roll
3ar
Certi+al
S+roll3ar
esiPing
<thum3=
<Thum3s=
EDit5B
uit
System
%enu
%
en
us
%
in
i
m
iP
e
%a
Dim
iPe
A9(/'1 H'D (' 7' /(
I+oni4ying There are t?o ?ays you +an i+oni4y 9redu+e the running program into a
single: small pi+tureFused in 4reeing up s+reen spa+e; a ?indo?. First:
you ?ill noti+e an up arro?6 and do?n arro? head in the upper right +orner
o4 the ?indo?. Cli+, on the do?n arro?. To restore the ?indo?: simply
dou3le +li+, on the i+on.
The other method is to use the <+ontrol menu=. Cli+, on the upper le4t
+orner o4 the ?indo? ?here there appears to 3e a shado?ed dash. )ou see
?ill see all the a+tions mentioned here. Xust +li+, on the option you ?ant.
%agni4ying )ou 4ill the entire s+reen ?ith ?indo? 3y +li+,ing the up arro? head in the
upper right +orner o4 the ?indo? or dou3le6+li+,ing the title3ar.
Closing To +lose the ?indo?: you +an press the <2= 3utton in the upper right
+orner: dou3le +li+, on the upper le4t +orner 9the +ontrol menu;.
2.$.4.1S-ortcuts vs. real
!ne o4 the things that o4ten +on4uses people is the relationship 3et?een items on the
des,top and a+tual storage. Programs are usually not stored on the des,top: rather they
are stored in a parti+ular pla+e on the 4ilesystem ?ith a lin; to it on the des,top. A lin, is
a re4eren+e: ,ind o4 li,e a string that one end is tied to the a+tual 4ile and the other end is
its appearan+e. I4 you +ut the string 9delete the lin,; the 4ile does not really disappear: the
lin, only does. Ho?e2er: you +an delete the 4ile and lea2e the lin, pointing to nothing.
In this +ase: i4 you dou3le +li+, on that 4ile: Windo?s ?ill try 9and o4ten 4ail; to 4ind the
real 4ile. This lin,: in Windo?s Margon: is +alled a <short+ut= and itGs i+on ?ill ha2e a
little arro? in the lo?er le4t +orner.
2.$.4.2:ileManager/E(plorer
For those ?ho ha2e used earlier 2ersions o4 ?indo?s: the 4ile manager in Windo?s 9/ is
a little +on4using7 itGs no?here to 3e 4ound8 Well: a+tually: itGs em3edded in the system.
Furthermore: EDplorer 9a ?e363ro?ser; has repla+ed the 4ile manager no?. ather than
going into these e++entri+ities: letGs tal, a3out ?hat you +an do ?ith
File%anager5EDplorer.
First o4 all: File%anager is em3edded into the system. So dou3le6+li+, on <%y
Computer=. Then dou3le6+li+, on a dis, dri2e 9?ill ha2e a dri2e sym3ol and something
des+ripti2e li,e <A7= or <C7=;. )ou are no? in File%anager. Here are a 4e? things you
+an do7
T+,2) 1%: "/2)M+1+4)3>E:;2'3)3 A9(/'1*
A9(/'1 H'D (' 7' /(
$i44erent Cie?s .y de4ault 9unless you ha2e lots o4 4iles;: you ?ill see all 4iles ?ith
large i+ons ?ith names underneath: sorted 3y name. Also: you +an
see some or all the 4ile details 3y trying the di44erent options under
Cie?. )ou +an see them sorted 3y name: date: type: siPe: et+.: 3y
+li+,ing on <Cie?JSort 3y=.
A9(/'1 H'D (' 7' /(
!pen File .y de4ault: dou3le6+li+,ing the 4ile i+on ?ill open the 4ile using the
asso+iated appli+ation 9a .$!C 4ile ?ill pull up %S Word: a .TVT
?ill run #otePad: et+.;.
Copy File This is a little un+lear. I4 you +li+, and drag a 4ile 4rom one dri2e to
another: the 4ile ?ill 3e +opied. Ho?e2er: i4 you +li+, and drag to a
di44erent dire+tory on the same dri2e: it is move. To ensure you
al?ays get a +opy ?hen you reLuest it: +li+, the right mouse 3utton
and drag the 4ile to the destination. At that point: a menu ?ill list
your optionsFsele+t <Copy File=.
%o2e File Again li,e <Copy File=: it depends on the sour+e and destination.
So: al?ays +li+, and drag ?ith the right mouse 3utton. And then:
sele+t <%o2e File= 4rom the options.
(in,ing File !ne option 4ound in the right6+li+,6and6drag is to +reate a <lin,ed
4ile.=
Creating File ight mouse +li+, on the des,top or in a dire+tory and sele+t <#e?=.
From there you +an opt 4or se2eral di44erent registered 4ile 4ormats.
Formatting $is, ight mouse +li+, on the dri2e. )ou ?ill 4ind an option to 4ormat
the dri2e. B) 9+3)6-2 D/(. (./*I
2.$.4.3?as; @ar/list
The 3ar 4ound on the 3ottom o4 the s+reen ser2es other purposes7 it ?ill ,eep a list o4 all
the ?indo?s you ha2e open. I4 you get lost in the pile o4 ?indo?s and you ?ant to pull
one up 4rom the 3ottom: Must +li+, on the 3utton ?ith its name on the startup 3ar. This is
a+tually +alled the <Tas, .ar= 4or that reason.
Ad2an+ed7 (i,e?ise: you +an press HCtrl6Es+I together and get a ?indo? listing all the
programs +urrently running. )ou +li+, on the item in the list you ?ant 2isi3le. This is
+all the <Tas, (ist=. HAlt6Ta3I ?ill s?it+h 4rom program to program.
EDpert7 The Tas, (ist lets you +ontrol these programs as ?ell. I4 you need to eliminate
one program ?hi+h is not responding to you +ommands: simply pull up the tas, list:
sele+t the program you ?ant ,illed and then press <End Tas,=.
2.5.5MA'ING YOUR HARDWARE CONFIGURATION LIST
The hard?are +on4iguration list is a printed listing o4 all that you ha2e on the +omputer
and ho? ea+h +omponent is +on4igured. There are t?o 4ormats you +an +hoose7 the
<system summary= and the <all de2i+es O system summary= 9eDtended listing;. While
you ?ill ?ant to print the eDtended listing and ,eep that in a sa4e pla+e: most
re+on4igurations or hard?are additions ?ill only reLuire the <system summary=.
In order to +reate this list: you ?ill need to ha2e a printer +onne+ted
'*
and +on4igured 9this
means that you can print things 4rom Windo?s;. The summary ?ill 3e a3out '6- pagesQ
and the eDtended listing is a3out >61* pages.
'*
I4 you donGt ha2e a printer: you +an print to a 4ile 3y 4ollo?ing the dire+tions in Printing 9page 7*;.
2.5.%THE WINDOWS *5 REGISTRY (EXPERT ONLY)
Windo?s needs to maintain a great deal o4 in4ormation a3out your +omputer.
In4ormation a3out your hard?are: appearan+e pre4eren+es: so4t?are settings: and so on
needs to 3e ,ept 4or use 3y the operating system and 3y other programs. To maintain this
in4ormation: Windo?s uses a data3ase +alled the <registry.=
.e4ore Windo?s 9/: Windo?s did use an early 4orm o4 the registry to maintain
in4ormation a3out ho? to <autolaun+h= programs. .ut most o4 the system in4ormation
?as stored in initialiPation 9.I#I; 4iles. In Windo?s 9/: the registry +ontains all o4 the
system in4ormation: and the initialiPation 4iles are only ,ept 4or +ompati3ility ?ith older
Windo?s programs.
The registry is ,ept in t?o 4iles in the Windo?s dire+tory7 "SE.$AT and
S)STE%.$AT. Ea+h time Windo?s starts: 3a+,ups o4 these 4iles are +reated +alled
"SE.$A* and S)STE%.$A*. I4 you e2er do something that damages the registry:
immediately +lose Windo?s: restart in %S6$!S mode and +opy the 3a+,up 4iles o2er the
master 4iles.
Why does Windo?s no? use the registry instead o4 I#I 4iles& First: I#I 4iles ha2e se2eral
limitations. These 4iles are limited to 01 A in siPe and they only +an store in4ormation in
se+tions and one le2el o4 ,eys. I#I 4iles: ho?e2er: ha2e the ad2antage o4 3eing teDt and
+an 3e edited ?ith any teDt editor. The registry has no siPe limit and the registry +an ha2e
multiple le2els o4 ,eys to segment in4ormation.
The registry +an 3e 2ie?ed ?ith a program +alled E@E$IT.EVE. Starting E@E$IT
?ill present you ?ith an EDplorer6li,e 2ie? o4 the ,eys in the le4t pane and the ,ey 2alues
in the le4t pane. In the right pane the a+tual 2alues o4 the ,eys are displayed. To see ho?
in4ormation is stored a3out Windo?s itsel4: dou3le +li+, on
HAE)^(!CA(^%ACHI#E: then So4t?are: then %i+roso4t: then Windo?s: and 4inally
CurrentCersion. "nder CurrentCersion all the in4ormation a3out Windo?s is stored.
8arning> do not ma,e +hanges to the registry unless you are a3solutely: positi2ely sure
you ,no? ?hat you are doing. )ou ha2e 3een ?arned.
2.5.+SHUTTING!DOWN (TURNING OFF) COMPUTER
!lder operating systems 9li,e $!S; did not ,eep that mu+h in4ormation ?ithin memory
that it hasnGt sent to the dis, 9hen+e it ?as slo?;. #e?er operating systems 9li,e "niD
and %S Windo?s; tries to hold the in4ormation ?ritten to the dis, and then ?rites it in a
3urst. ItGs li,e +he+,ing out 3oo,s 4rom the li3rary a 4e? at a time: and then: returning
1. Cli+, the <Start= 3utton.
'. Sele+t <Settings=
-. Sele+t the Control Panel
1. Find the i+on o4 a +omputer ?ith the name <System= and dou3le6+li+, it.
/. Cli+, the top ta3 la3eled <$e2i+e %anager=.
0. 9optional; Cli+, <All de2i+es O system summary=.
7. Cli+, !A.
"/4-3) 11: H+37D+3) C'16/4-3+(/'1 /*( S();*
them all at on+e. Turning o44 the +omputer ?ithout a proper shutdo?n is li,e going on
2a+ation or mo2ing ?ithout returning the 3oo,s.
I4 the +omputer is not shutdo?n properly: it may lose data: 4ilesFe2en the ?hole dis,
9this is 2ery unli,ely 3ut is still possi3le;8 To shutdo?n Windo?s: +li+, the <Start=
3utton and sele+t <Shutdo?n=. It has many optionsQ you simply ?ant to <Shutdo?n=: so
+li+, <)es=. Windo?s ?ill pro+eed to sa2e the +a+hed data: and ?hen it is ready to 3e
turned6o44: it ?ill tell you.
Windo?s Appli+ations
3 WINDOWS APPLICATIONS: HOW DO I ??? ON THE COMPUTER?
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Clip3oard A temporary storage 4or items that are +opied or +ut ?ithin appli+ations.
)ou +an use this to +opy5mo2e data 4rom one appli+ation to another. I4
you ?ant to see ?hatGs in a +lip3oard: run the Clip3oo, Cie?er. Please
note that only one thing +an 3e held in the +lip3oardFea+h time you +ut
or +opy something: the pre2ious item is lost.
Copyright A de+laration that o?nership is retained 3y an indi2idual or organiPation.
It details the degrees o4 distri3ution and legality o4 +opy and use.
(i+ense An agreement that use o4 the produ+t ?ill 3e in a++ordan+e ?ith
+opyright.
egistry The Windo?s repository o4 initialiPations 4or itsel4 and appli+ations.
Consider them li,e <3oo,mar,s= or spe+ial settings that +ustomiPe your
system to meet your needs.
#o? ?e +an get to the real meat o4 using a Windo?s63ased +omputer. All the other stu44
?as merely there to help you understand the 4undamentals. While you may ?onder ?hy
spend all that time and e44ort to eDplain ?hat you may not really need to ,no?: ?ithout it
you may ?onder ?hy the +omputer does things and ?hy doesnGt do others.
The real po?er o4 the +omputer is its a3ility to help you get your Mo3 done. There are
many appli+ations 9programs; that ?ill help you do this. P2)+*) C)); /1 0/17 (.+( 1'(
)8)3@'1) .+* (.) *+0) (''2* +* @'- 0+@ .+8). What this means to you is7 i4 you ?ant
to do the same ?or, on your ma+hine as another: you ha2e to ha2e the same tools. Also:
it means that i4 you plan on doing ?or, on one ma+hine and then +arrying the data to
another on 4loppy dis,s: you ?ill either ha2e to install your tools on that ma+hine 9please
+onsider <so4t?are +opyrights=; or store the data in a 4ormat that +an 3e read 3y 3oth
ma+hines.
3.1COMMON OPERATIONS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
$ialog A spe+ial ?indo? ?hi+h reLuires input 4rom the user 3e4ore pro+eeding.
For instan+e: the program opens a <!pen File= dialog ?hen you sele+t
FileJ!pen 93e+ause it needs you to tell it ?hi+h 4ile to open;.
%enu A list o4 sele+ta3le options or a+tions. All menus ha2e a heading name
li,e <File= or <Help=
Popup A menu or dialog that appears in the middle o4 the s+reen or near the
mouse pointer to either in4orm you o4 soemthing that happened or
present you ?ith options. 9E.g. i4 you right mouse +li+, on an i+on or the
des,top: a popup menu ?ill appear ?hi+h ?ill sho? you ?hat you +an
do at that point.;
Short+ut A ,eystro,e that represents a parti+ular a+tion 9e.g. most appli+ations
HCtrl6!I 4or FileJ!pen: HCtrl6CI 4or EditJCopy: HCtrl6VI 4or EditJCut;
Tool3ar A string o4 3uttons that represent +ommon a+tions 9e.g. openning5sa2ing
4iles: printing: +utting5+opying5pasting sele+tions: et+.;
All ?indo?s appli+ations that hold their ?eight in the mar,et ?ill ha2e the 4ollo?ing
intrinsi+ elements7 4ile sa2ing O retrie2ing: helps: menus5popups5tool3ars5dialogs and
printing. This se+tion ?ill +o2er the 3asi+s o4 these elements. Where there are
de2iations: they ?ill 3e noted in the spe+i4i+ appli+ation later in the +ourse.
.e+ause o4 the +ommon inter4a+e ?ithin Windo?s: users +an +ome up to speed relati2ely
Lui+,ly ?ith a ne? appli+ation 3y eDtrapolating their understanding 4rom another
program.
3.1.1MENUS/POPUPS/TOOLARS/DIALOGS
In addition to i+ons 9little pi+tures representing a+tions you +an do; and ?idgets 9?ays o4
intera+ting ?ith the +omputer in a <logi+al= graphi+ ?ay;: there are other things used
primarily ?ithin appli+ations. )ou may already 3e 4amiliar ?ith some: so 3ear ?ith me.
T+,2) 1&: P/)9)* H P+3(* '6 M/93'*'6( W/17'D*
T''2* O;)3+(/'1
%enus A menu is a list o4 items that you +an +li+, on and ha2e things happen.
T''2* O;)3+(/'1
S+roll .ars Suppose you had a ?indo? 2ie?ing out o2er a lands+ape. The ?indo?
is too small to see the ?hole lands+ape: so you ha2e to turn your head
le4t and right to see more. S+roll 3ars are the things that let you mo2e
le4t5right and up5do?n in a 2ie?ing area thatGs too small to see the
?hole pi+ture.
There three parts to a s+roll3ar7 arro? 3uttons: the 3ar and the <thum3=.
The arro? 3uttons: ?hen +li+,ed: ?ill mo2e the 2ie?a3le region the
smallest degree. I4 you +li+, the 3ar itsel4: you ?ill see the neDt <page=
9,ind o4 li,e seeing the neDt grid se+tion on a +ity map;. The <thum3=
is the sLuare 3utton that indi+ates ?here you are in the 2ie?a3le area
9again li,e the letters O num3ers indi+ating grid points on the +ity
map;. )ou +an +li+, and drag the thum3 4or more speedy mo2ement.
Popups "sually a menu is atta+hed to something 9li,e under the <File= ?ord in
an appli+ation;. Popups are menus that are 4ree64loating and usually
appear neDt to the mouse point. They essentially do things to the item
sele+ted.
Tool3ars These are i+ons in ?hat appear to 3e 3uttons 9usually dire+tly 3elo? the
menu 3ar;. They are Lui+,6a++ess <helps= 9li,e opening5+losing 4iles or
4ormatting5spell6+he+,ing a ?ord;. They almost al?ays ha2e an
eLui2alent in a menu. They are there to help you do things more
Lui+,ly.
$ialogs These are ?indo?s that appear due to some a+tion 4rom ?ithin the
main ?indo? 94or eDample: opening: +losing or printing a 4ile;. All
a+ti2ity stops in the main ?indo? until you are done ?ith the dialog.
!4ten you input data and then either +li+, <!,ay= to +omplete the
a+tion or <Can+el= to a3ort.
Some dialogs ?ill stop all a+ti2ity 4rom Windo?s. These are +alled
<System $ialogs< and o4ten report errors li,e net?or, has ina++essi3le
or dis, dri2e not ready. When these o++ur: try +li+,ing <!,ay= or
<A3ort=. I4 the error returns: you may ha2e to re3oot your +omputer.
3.1.2SAVING/RETRIEVING FILES
The 2ery 3asi+ part o4 all appli+ations is the a3ility to sa2e and retrie2e your ?or,. %ost
o4 the time you +an do this through the menu +alled <File= 9see Figure 1';: 4ound in the
upper le4t +orner o4 the ?indo?. Within that menu: you ?ill see se2eral additional
options 9li,e printing and eDiting the program;.
In order 4or you retain the ?or,
you ha2e done: you ?ill ha2e
to store it some?here. The
+omputer ?ill not do that 4or
you. Also: li,e I said 3e4ore:
you ?ill ?ant to pla+e those
4iles in a dire+tory ?here 1;
you +an 4ind again and '; you
+an easily 3a+,up. Windo?s
9/ has de4ined a standard pla+e
4or do+uments +alled 9a lot o4
originality ?ent into this; <%y
$o+uments=. "se it. I4 a
program tries to pla+e your
?or, some?here else 3y
de4ault: Must +hange the
dire+tory o2er to that pla+e.
Within the sa2ing5opening dialogs: you ?ill 4ind a ?idget to sele+t dis, dri2es: dire+tories
and 4iles. I4 you try to sa2e your do+ument and sele+t an eDisting 4ile: the sa2e dialog ?ill
open another dialog as,ing you to +on4irm repla+ing that 4ile.
!4ten you ?ill ha2e the option to <Sa2e As=. What this means is you +an sa2e the +urrent
?or, to a di44erent 4ile than the original name. (i,e?ise: <#e?= means <+reate a ne?
do+ument=. Sometimes: the program +an only manage one do+ument at a time and i4 you
ha2e +hanged ?hat ?ere originally loo,ing at: the appli+ation may as, you i4 you ?ant to
sa2e those +hanges. I4 it doesnGt as,: donGt ?orry that parti+ular appli+ation then supports
multiple do+uments.
For eDample: #otePad and WordPad only supports one do+ument at a time. Whereas:
%S Word +an manage se2eral at a time. ItGs ,ind o4 li,e going to a li3rary and reLuesting
a 3oo,: and 3e4ore you +an loo, at another: you must return the 4irst. !n the other hand:
most unrestri+ted li3raries allo? you to loo, at se2eral 3oo,s at the same time.
3.1.3HELP SUSYSTEM
Windo?s help su3system 9a su3system is a system ?ithin a system7 in this +ase:
Windo?s has Help as a primary part o4 it; is an important part o4 an appli+ation.
Ho?e2er: it is 1'( the responsi3ility o4 Windo?s to pro2ide the help 4or e2ery
appli+ation7 e2ery program or appli+ation you 3uy must supply their o?n helps.
"/4-3) 12: File %enu
%ost o4 the time: the help
menu ?ill ha2e at least the
items sho?n in Figure 1-7
<Help Topi+s= and <A3out
Tprogram nameU=. The ta3le:
3elo?: lists all the +ustomary
menu items and their
de4initions.
T+,2) 2#: Help %enu Items
M)1- I()0 D)*93/;(/'1
Help Topi+ $isplays a ?indo? sho?ing Contents 9in indi2idual <3oo,s=;: an
IndeD and a Find page.
A3out TnameU Sho?s a simple ?indo? indi+ating 2ersion num3ers and +opyright
o?nership.
Contents The <Contents= page is li,e the ta3le o4 +ontents o4 a 3oo,. It ?ill
lead you to the maMor parts o4 the help do+uments.
Sear+h 4or Help on <Sear+h 4or Help on...= ?ill display a dialog that allo?s you to 4ind
,ey6?ords ?ithin the help do+uments. It is similar to a 3oo, indeD.
Ho? to "se Help <Ho? to "se Help= gi2es you 2ery general instru+tions on ho? to
intera+t ?ith the help su3system.
Ans?er WiPard A use4ul tool that ?ill let you as, a Luestion. The program ?ill try
to 4igure out the related topi+s: 3ut itGs not 2ery a++urate. $onGt 3e
surprised i4 you see some rather <o44 the ?all= results.
"/4-3) 13: Help %enu
"/4-3) 14: P3/1(/14 D/+2'4
3.1.4PRINTING
!ne o4 the +omplete ironies o4 ?or,ing ?ith
+omputers is the +ompleDity o4 printing ?hat you ha2e
done. )ouGd honestly thin, <All I did ?as a simple
letter to my parentsFho? hard is to print&8=. In
reality: itGs supposed to 3e that simple: 3ut there are so
many things you +an do ?ith a printer today that the appli+ation de2elopers ha2e
<o2erloaded= the user. Xust as an eDample: loo, at Figure 11.
Fortunately: you +an usually +li+, <o,ay= and ?ill 3e happy ?ith the result 9unless you
?ant to print se2eral +opies: or you ?ant to only print the +urrent page: or... oops: I guess
I am a de2eloper too;. All the options a2aila3le help 2arious users ?ho ha2e a 4ull range
o4 needs. Xust 4or 4un 9and to ?aste paper; try out 2arious things. There are many things
you +an do here. )ou +an print 3y either sele+ting FileJPrint or pressing the Print 3utton
on the tool3ar.
I4 you ?ould li,e to pre2ie? the do+ument: there is a FileJPrint Pre2ie? menu item 9or
you +an press the Pre2ie? 3utton on the tool 3ar;.
In order to print out your do+ument +orre+tly: you ?ill ha2e had to sele+t and set up you
printer. Windo?s 9/ has made that relati2ely simple 9see Setting6up
printer5modem5monitor: page /9;.
Printer
name
Part
to
prin
t
#um3er
o4 +opies
Se+ti
on5ra
nge
to
print
Prin
t
odd
:
e2e
n or
all
pag
es
Print all pages
together 6or6
print all page
[Gs together.
Send print Mo3
to a 4ile.
Con4igure printer
Prin
t it8
A3o
rt
print
.
Sele+t5+hange Mo3
options.
3.1.5SELECTING, CUTTING AND PASTING
)ou +an use the mouse to sele+t di44erent
se+tions o4 your ?or,: +opy or +ut them
and paste them some?here else. ItGs li,e
+utting up a ne?spaper to ma,e a ransom
note 9i4 you get into that ,ind o4 stu44...;.
Typi+ally to sele+t something:
you +li+, it ?ith the mouse.
When +li+,ed it ?ill +hange
+olor 9o4ten 3la+, to ?hite;. I4
you ?ant to sele+t teDt: mo2e
your mouse to Must ahead o4 the
teDt you ?ant: then 9?hile
holding the le4t mouse 3utton;
drag to the last letter you ?ant.
)ou +an also use Hshi4tI and
arro? ,eys to sele+t letters
?ithout the mouse. 9)ou ?ill
noti+e 2ery Lui+,ly that you
+anGt Luite do 2ery mu+h
?ithout the mouse. %i+roso4t
has tried to pro2ide alternati2e
,ey3oard +ommand: 3ut they
are o3s+ure and unmanagea3le.;
!n+e you ha2e the item9s; sele+ted: either +li+, on the Edit menu and sele+t Cut or Copy
6or6 press HCtrl6VI or HCtrl6CI 94or +ut and +opy: respe+ti2ely;. The item gets so+,ed
a?ay into the <+lip3oard<. From there: you +an <paste= the item any?here else in
Windo?s using HCtrl6CI or EditJPaste.
3.1.%UNDO/REDO
Another part o4 the standard Windo?s inter4a+e is the +apa3ility to <un6do= ?hat you did
and 9sometimes; <re6do= an un6done. Suppose you ha2e deleted a large se+tion o4 data:
A78+19)77
I4 you do not ha2e a printer: you +an print the do+ument to a 4ile. )ou +an then +opy
this 4ile to a 4loppy and print it some?here else. %a,e sure: ho?e2er: that you ha2e the
+orre+t printer dri2ers. For instan+e: i4 you donGt ha2e a printer and your neigh3or has a
HP (aserXet 1P: ma,e sure that the printer dri2ers you use are intended 4or the (aserXet
1P.
I4 you Must ?ant a listing in a 4ile: +reate a generi+ printer 9see page /9; ma,ing it sa2e
to a 4ile 3y de4ault. I4 you donGt ma,e it generi+: you ?ill li,ely get unreada3le +ontrol
+odes in the 4ile.
"/4-3) 15: Edit %enu
then you suddenly thin,7 <!ops: I needed part o4 that8=. I4 you ha2e done nothing else:
you +an press undo to 3ring it 3a+,. Then i4 you realiPe7 <Well: o,ay:
that delete ?as 4ine:= you +an press redo and the appli+ation ?ill delete
the data again. Some appli+ations +an only undo ?hat you most
re+ently did. !thers 9li,e Word; ?ill remem3er se2eral edits 3a+, and
?ill let you undo to your heartGs +ontent.
Please note that those appli+ations that allo? you to undo5redo se2eral +hanges ?ill not
allo? you to pi+, and +hoose the undoGs5redoGsFall edits pre2ious to the one you ?ant
?ill 3e done as ?ell. For eDample: suppose you 1; type in a paragraph: '; insert a
graphi+: -; +hanged a ?ord in the paragraph. !n those appli+ations that allo? you to do
multiple undoGs: i4 you ?ant to undo inserting the graphi+ 9[';: you ?ill also get [- also
undone.
Those appli+ations that donGt ha2e the undo5redo tool3ar 3uttons ?ill ha2e them in the
Edit menu 9see page 71;. Some older appli+ations donGt ha2e redo: so you ?ill ha2e to 3e
+are4ul ?hat you undo.
3.2WORD PROCESSORS: WRITE LETTERS' ETC.
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Font A parti+ular ?ay the letters are displayed on the s+reen or printed on the
page. Ea+h 4ont +arries a +ertain 2isual interpretation7 the 4ont +an
re4le+t the 4eeling that is to a++ompany the reading.
Font E44e+t Spe+ial e44e+ts you +an do to a 4ont7 stri,e6out: underline:
super5su3s+ript: et+.
Font Style Ho? the 4ont is to 3e displayed. A thi+,ened style is +alled 3old. An
angled: leaning 4or?ard 4ont is +all itali+.
Point 157' o4 an in+h. %ost pro4essional printshops and ne?spapers re4er to
teDt siPe and pla+ement this ?ay. Please note that you +an sele+t de+imal
2alues 4or <TrueType= 4onts 9a sym3ol neDt to it;.
Sti+,y
Windo?
A ?indo? that remains up and helps you intera+t ?ith the main ?indo?.
For eDample: InsertJSym3ol ?ill popup a ?indo? that allo?s you to
insert spe+ial sym3ols into your teDtQ it ?ill remain 2isi3le until you
press <+an+el=.
When you 4irst run %S Word: it ?ill display a ?indo? ?ith a ?hite s+reen. $onGt 3e
alarmed7 thin, o4 it as a 3lan, page 4or you 3egin typing. There are a 4e? notes that I
need to mention here a3out proper <?ord pro+essing=. These are some things I ha2e
noti+ed people typi+ally do 9and regret it later; ?hen they Must 3egin to type7
With these tips I 3elie2e ?e +an mo2e on. The 4irst item is simply to type a senten+e. @o
ahead and type something. "sing this senten+e: ?e ?ill play around ?ith di44erent things
you +an do ?ith it.
3.2.1SELECTING/CHANGING FONTS
The 4irst item is to try di44erent 4onts: 4ont styles and point siPes. @o ahead and sele+t
some teDt. )ou ?ill noti+e a 3oD at the top o4 the %S Word ?indo? that says <Times
#e? oman=: <Arial= or
<Courier=. @o up and +li+, the
do?n arro?. There you ?ill 4ind
se2eral 4ont type names.
A 4ont is a ?ay to display the
letters that you type. )ou ?ill note
that some ?ill loo, 2ery <3lo+,y=:
others loo, <+lassy= and others
appear <Must plain ?eird=. Ho? the letters loo, on the page ?ill o4ten set the tone o4 your
do+ument7 Aweddingannouncementwillhavesmoothscrollingletters : ?hereas a repor& may loo, s&oc,y
and 2ma&&er o3 3ac&4. A 4ont style is a +hange to ho? the 4ont loo,s. @o to <AppendiD
A7 Fonts=: page 1*0: to see a list o4 a2aila3le 4onts.
)ou pro3a3ly noti+ed a lot o4 strange sym3ols in the appendiD 9in +omputers all sym3oli+
representations are +alled <+hara+ters= or <glyphs=;. I4 you ?ould li,e to use these
sym3ols 3ut are ?orried that you ?onGt remem3er ?here they are: Must go into InsertJ
Sym3ol. A <sti+,y= dialog 9one that stays around until you dismiss itQ you +an type in
your do+ument ?hile still 2ie?ing the dialog ?indo?; ?ill appear. To pla+e the glyph in
the do+ument: 4irst sele+t the 4ont: then +li+, on the glyph: and 4inally: +li+, on the
<Insert= 3utton.
Points. The 4ont siPe 9point; is the num3er to the right o4 the 4ont name on the +ontrol
3ar. A <point= is
1
5
7'
o4 an in+h. The 3igger the num3er: the larger the letters. Try
di44erent num3ers 3y +li+,ing on the arro? to its right.
When you ?ant to end a paragraph: press <Enter= on the right hand side o4 the
alpha3eti+ ,ey3oard. 9I remem3er someone Must pressing the spa+e63ar until
the +ursor mo2ed to the neDt line. When the 4ormatting 3e+ame all messed
up: I had to go in and 4iD all those things.;
The ?ord pro+essor ?ill automati+ally <?rap= the ?ords to the neDt line o4 a
paragraph. What <?rap= means is it ?ill mo2e your ?ords to the neDt line
?hen the +urrent line gets too long.
I4 you ?ant to line up items or do paragraph indentation: use ta3s or the ruler
at the top o4 the do+ument ?indo?. $onGt use spa+es.
"/4-3) 16: P3';)3 W'37 P3'9)**/14
There are three styles you +an pla+e on the 4ont7 2talic: B'27: and -./ I01.23. The
3uttons to the right o4 point siPes allo? you to sele+t 3old: itali+ and underlines.
#o? you ?ill note that I did not mention underlines in the list o4 4ont styles. There are
se2eral ,inds o4 underlines7 simple underline: dou3le underlines: Must under ?ords and
dot ted Fall o4 ?hi+h are a++essa3le 3y +li+,ing FormatJFont.
There are also se2eral <e44e+ts=Fa di44erent ?ay to loo, at the teDt. There are siD e44e+ts
?hi+h you +an a++ess in the FormatJFont menu item
'1
. There are Stri,ethrough:
SuperS+ript
:
Su3s+ript
: 9Hidden;: S%A(( CAPS and A(( CAPS.
For 2ariety: you +an miD all these things and ma,e some 2ery <interesting= reading.
3.2.2CHANGING ALIGNMENTS
Changing the le4t6right alignments o4 the
teDt 9or o3Me+ts; is pretty simple. What is
an alignment& It is ho? the item ?ill
line6up. So 4ar this do+ument has used
le4t and +enter alignments. This
paragraph is le4t6aligned. Here are some
eDamples o4 the rest 9I inserted the
2erti+al lines 4or margin emphasis;7
This is a right6aligned senten+e. While it 4lo?s le4t6to6
right: the ?ords hug the right side. It is o4ten used to
represent num3ers: 4an+y or poeti+ teDt: dates: et+.
This is a le4t6right aligned senten+e. )ou ?ill noti+e that is
does not ha2e the Magged edge at the end and that the ?ords
are une2enly spa+ed. !4ten 3oo,s and +olumns are ?ritten
?ith le4t6right alignments. Sometimes you may see ?ords
that are ?idely spread out on a single line. This means that
you either need to add an HEnterI at the end o4 the senten+e
or you ha2e a ?ord that is 2ery long in the pre+eding line.
This is +enter aligned.
Typi+ally: this is used 4or titles.
)ou sele+t alignments 3y using the 4our 3uttons to the right o4 the underline 3utton.
'1
.e sure to ha2e teDt sele+ted 3e4ore doing any o4 these eDer+ises: other?ise you ?ill not see the +hanges.
Without sele+ted teDt: Word ?ill simply assume you ?ant these +hanges <4rom that point on?ard=. In 4a+t:
i4 you ha2e no teDt sele+ted: +hange the 4ont and then mo2e the +ursor: Word ?ill 4orget your 4ont +hange.
Try it out8
3.2.3AD4USTING MARGINS/TAS
!ther adMustments you may ma,e in2ol2e margins and ta3s. %argins allo? you to mo2e
teDt 3lo+,s around the page gi2ing an empty spa+e 4or 3inder pun+hing: et+. Ta3s let you
line things up in +rude +olumns.
3.2.3.1Margins
Within %S Word you +an +hange all 4our margins7 top: le4t: right and 3ottom. )ou may
ha2e noti+ed that %S Word sets the le4t and right margins at 1.'/=. To someone: li,e
mysel4 ?ho is used to 1= margins all the ?ay around: this doesnGt loo, right. To +hange
this go into FileJPage Setup. "nder the %argins ta3: you ?ill see the de4ined margins.
)ou +an +hange them 3y +li+,ing on the teDt and typing the ne? de+imal 2alue: or you
+an use the up5do?n arro? 3uttons to their right 9this are +alled <spin 3uttons=;.
)ou +an also +hange Must the +urrent line ?ithout a44e+ting the rest o4 the teDt. (oo, up
Must a3o2e the do+ument ?indo?7 you ?ill see a ruler 9i4 you donGt see it +li+, Cie?Juler
and it ?ill appear.; !n that ruler you ?ill see t?o sets o4 arro?sQ under the le4t up6
pointed arro?: you ?ill see a little re+tangle. This is +alled the <insertion pointer=. The
ta3le: 3elo?: lists the 4un+tion o4 ea+h7
M+3C)3 O;)3+(/'1 E:+0;2)
(e4t do?n6arro? Aligns 4irst line to this point. (ets you indent or margin release the
4irst line: li,e this margin release.
(e4t up6arro? Aligns remaining lines.
Insertion pointer %o2es le4t margin. Permits indenting the ?hole
paragraph.
ight up6arro? %o2es right margin. SLueePes or insets paragraph.
T+,2) 21: M+34/1* H T+,*
3.2.3.2?a@s
There are t?o ?ays to +reate ta3s7 either 3y +li+,ing on the ruler 9?hi+h then de4aults to a
le4t6aligned ta3; or 3y using FormatJTa3s. %S Word 7 lets you use the right mouse
3utton to +on4igure these ta3s more easily.
I 4ound that the simplest ?ay to +reate the ta3s in %S Word 0 ?as to +li+, on the ruler:
pla+ing the ta3s ?here I ?anted them: then going into FormatJTa3s and +hanging their
style. #ot only +an you ha2e le4t6aligned ta3s: 3ut there are also se2eral other styles you
+an ?or, ?ith7
"/4-3) 1$: D'9-0)1( R-2)3
T+, S(@2) R)*-2(
(e4t6align (i,e the le4t align tool.
ight6align (i,e the right align tool.
Center6align (i,e the +enter align tool.
$e+imal6align (ine6up num3ers 3ased on de+imal point.
.ar Pla+e a 2erti+al 3ar through line at spe+i4ied point.
T+,2) 22: T+, S(@2)*
The ad2antage to using ta3s is ?hen you ?ant to ha2e something le4t6aligned and right6
aligned on the same line. For eDample: I used +enter: le4t: right and 3ar ta3s. )ou +an
also pla+e <leaders= or dotted lines: as in an indeD: all 3y using FormatJTa3s7
3.2.4SUMMARY ( TOOL AR
As you +an see: there are many tools that are a2aila3le to you Must 4rom the tool3ar. )ou
+an add and remo2e these tools 3y sele+ting ToolsJCustomiPe. )ou ?ill see 0+1@ little
3uttons under ea+h +ategory. To sele+t them: +li+, and drag them onto your tool3ar. In
this mode: you +an mo2e around the tools as ?ell. Try out ea+h one7 thatGs literally the
3est ?ay to learn ho? to use them and ma,e the most o4 your +omputer.
SEA# WA(T!# +1*5M1 #o2em3er 0: 1990
0116/'96117'
"/4-3) 1%: T+, H)+7)3 E:+0;2)
Chapter 17 The Present Past Page 61*
Chapter '7 The Present Present................................................................................ Page *
Chapter -7 The Present Future666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666Page 1*
Chapter 17 The Future Future^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Page
"/4-3) 1&: T+, )+7)3 E:+0;2)*
"/4-3) 2#: MS W'37 T''2,+3
3.2.5EXERCISE) WRITE A LETTER
Write a letter to the ".S. President using the ne? s,ills you ha2e learned.
3.3SPREAD SHEET: MANA*E NUMBERS
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Cell A pla+e6holder 4or data o4 any type.
Cell Address A letter representing the +olumn and a num3er representing the ro?. For
eDample: $'/ is +olumn <$= and ro? <'/=.
Cell Cursor The pla+e ?here you are +urrently lo+ated on the spreadsheet. I4 you
type anything: it ?ill re2ise the +ontents o4 that +ell. The +ell +ursor is
indi+ated 3y an eDtra thi+, 3order around the +ell.
Formula A numeri+al eDpression that uses data 4rom the sheet to yield a single
displaya3le 2alue.
Imagine 3eing a3le to 3alan+e your +he+,3oo,: +al+ulate mortgage rates and payments:
graph data points: 4ore+ast trends: et+. A spreadsheet introdu+es you to this po?er and
more.
3.3.1WHAT IS A SPREADSHEET& A CELL&
A spreadsheet is li,e an a++ountantGs ledger only that the smarts are 3uilt in the sheet
itsel4. The sheet is a large ta3le that has ro?s and +olumns o4 data. For eDample: a
+he+,3oo, spreadsheet ?ould ha2e the 4ollo?ing entries7
C.)9C J D+() T' W.'0 D),/( B+2+19)
9starting 3alan+e; 61**.** 1**.**
1-/* '510 Aroger -/.1- 01./7
1-/1 '517 %eiMers 1/.7> 1>.79
!rdinal
Calue
$a
te
A
l
p
h
a
3
e
t
i
+
For
mul
a
C.)9C J D+() T' W.'0 D),/( B+2+19)
9$ep; '517 9Trans4er 4rom sa2ings; 6'**.** '1>.79
9Card; '519 %arathon 9./0 '-9.'-
"/4-3) 21: E:+0;2) S;3)+7*.))(: C.)9C,''C B+2+19)3
In the eDample: a3o2e: you see se2eral 4ields 9+alled <+ells=; ?ith 2arying types o4 data.
A +ell holds all types o4 data. %ost data are automati+ally dete+ted: so you only ha2e to
type it in 9e.g. Alpha3eti+: !rdinal: Formula: $ate and $e+imal;Q others you may ha2e to
indi+ate their signi4i+an+e 9e.g. Curren+y;.
The real po?er o4 spreadsheets is in the 4ormula 4ields. These arenGt typed in7 they are
+al+ulated 4rom the de3it +olumn. I4 you +hange one o4 the num3ers in the de3it +olumn:
the 3alan+e ?ill automati+ally update to re4le+t the ne? sum.
3.3.2ENTERING DATA
There are t?o modes in ?or,ing ?ith spreadsheets7 e2aluation mode and input mode. In
reality: there is no need 4or this distin+tion7 it simply is a +arry6o2er 4rom (otus 16'6-. To
input data: either use the arro? ,eys to mo2e o2er to or +li+, on the +ell you ?ant to put
data into. Type the ne? 2alue. Whate2er ?as there pre2iously ?ill 3e o2er?ritten.
TeDt: num3ers and dates ?ill 3e automati+ally re+ogniPed and ?ill display +orre+tly 9in
earlier 2ersions: this ?as not al?ays the +ase;. I4 you ?ant to ma,e a num3er a dollar
4igure: pla+e a <S= at the 3eginning o4 the num3er. Complete the transa+tion 9and re2ert
to e2aluation mode; either press HEnterI or mo2e to another +ell.
3.3.3SPREADSHEET ORGANI5ATION
Ea+h +ell has an <address= 9a letter 4ollo?ed 3y a num3er: e.g.: C' means the data in the
+ell 3et?een Column <C= and o? <'=;. This is important to understand 3e+ause that is
ho? you use data in one +ell to get a result in another.
3.3.4COMPUTING A COLUMN
!ne 4undamental po?er o4 ?or,ing ?ith spreadsheets is +olumn6arithmeti+. #o: it really
is not that hard. .ut 4irst: I ?ant to tea+h you a3out using the +ell addresses. @o into
%i+roso4t ED+el type a3out /60 num3ers in a +olumn 9e.g. C' gets S/0.1': C- Z S--.90:
C1 Z S1*.**: C/ Z S1**./1: C0 Z S71.'-;. To enter the data +li+, in the starting +ell
under +olumn <C= at ro? <'=. The 3oD ?ill get a dar,er 3order 9this is the <+ell +ursor=;.
C
u
rr
e
n
+
y
3.3.4.1"ell &resses
)ou should see in the upper le4t +orner in the tool3ar 93elo? the Font Sele+tor; a 3oD that
no? says <C'=. I4 you use your arro? ,eys: you ?ill noti+e that this 3oD ?ill +hange its
2alue.
Cli+, on +ell $1. Type in <ZC'=. At 4irst the +ell ?ill re4le+t ?hat you typed in. Press
HEnterI. The +ell ?ill no? ha2e S/0.1'. Cli+, on +ell $1 again. #o?: loo, up at the
tool3ar to the right o4 the +urrent +ell address. )ou ?ill see that <ZC'= 9?hat you typed;
is still there. This is the Formula .ar. )ou +an +li+, on this 3oD and edit the 2alue or
4ormula.
Cli+, again on +ell C'. Change the 2alue to S1/0.1' and press HEnterI. As soon as you
press HEnterI: you ?ill see that $1 no? sho?s the ne? 2alue. This ?ill 3e 2ery use4ul to
us in the 4uture.
3.3.4.2"olumn Sum
)ou +an sele+t more than one +ell 3y +li+,ing and dragging o2er the region you desire.
WeGre going to do that no?. Sele+t +ells C' through C7. )es: I entended to sele+t the
+ell dire+tly 3elo? your 2alid data. Trust me8
(oo, at the top o4 the tool3ar 4or summation 3utton. Cli+, it. Suddenly: C7 ?ill +ontain
the sum o4 C' to C0. This is ho? you do a running sum. Cli+, on C7 and then loo, at
the Formula .ar. It has some ?ierd notation7 <ZS"%9C'7C0;=. What this means is <the
result o4 this 4ield is had 3y adding +ells C' through C0.= The +olon here is the same
thing as <through=. )ou +an type this 4ormula 3y hand 9note7 a +olon <7= or an elipsis <..=
are eLui2alent notations;.
3.3.4.3Ro+/"olumn Magic
emem3er ?hat ?e did a3o2e 9-.-.1.1 Cell Addresses; ?here ?e put some data in $1&
What ?ould happen i4 you ?ere to +opy this +ell and paste it in se2eral other +ells&
)ouGd eDpe+t that <ZC'= ?ould 3e +opied o2er and o2er. Try it8 Sele+t $1 and +li+,
EditJCopy. #o? sele+t $' through $0. Cli+, EditJPaste.
Wait6a6minute8 We no? ha2e the data in C' to C7 +opied dire+tly into $1 to $08 Well
this is one o4 the many magi+s in spreadsheetsFitGs smart enough to ,no? that you really
?ould li,e to ha2e the relative position +opied instead. So: i4 you +opy <ZC'= 4rom $1:
that means that you ?ant to see one +ell up and one +ell to the right 9<$= is right o4 <C=
and <1= is one up 4rom <'=;.
Xust to illustrate 4urther: again +opy $1. #o? sele+t F7 to @11 9Must +li+, and drag 4rom
F7 do?n to @11;. #o? paste. )ou ?ill see a 3un+h o4 Peros appear. Cli+, on F7 and
loo, at the Formula .ar. It says <ZE>=. #o?: i4 you +onsider the relati2e position o4 $1
to C': F7 is one up and one right o4 E>.
)ou ?ill shortly see ho? this ?ill 3e use4ul.
3.3.4.4More Sums
@o 3a+, to +ell $1. Type in it S1***.** 9repla+ing the <ZC'=;. #o? ?hat ?e ?ant to do
is su3tra+t C' 4rom $1 and pla+e the result in $'. I4 you re+all: you +an ?rite 4ormulas in
the +ell. !perators add 9Y;: su3tra+t 96;: multiply 9_; and di2ide 95; are used ?ith others to
get our desired results.
Type <Z$16C'= in $' and press enter. )ou should see S>1-.>> 9the result o4 1***6
1/0.1';. !ur +urrent 3alan+e8 Hey: this is great8 .ut ho? do I do this 4or ea+h +ell
3elo? it& $o I ha2e to type this +um3ersome 4ormula in 4or ea+h: +hanging ea+h ro?
2alue& NOI
emem3er the <magi+=& Ta,e $' and +opy it. #o? sele+t $- to $7. Cli+, EditJPaste.
Coila8 )ou ha2e a running 3alan+e8 Ta,e a loo, at ea+h ne?ly +reated +ell in Column
$. Ea+h one has the +orre+t relati2e position: su3tra+ting 4rom the +orre+t sour+e.
For 4un: +hange $1 to S'*** and ?at+h the running 3alan+e8
3.3.4.$Errors
I4 you see a [[[[[ in a 4ield a4ter typing it in. $onGt ?orry: the spreadsheet is Must telling
you that the 2alue is too narro? to sho? the data. To see the data: simply mo2e the
mouse pointer up to the lettered +olumns. At the 2erti+al line: the mouse pointer ?ill
+hange to a 3ar ?ith t?o arro?s: pointing le4t and right. Cli+, and drag le4t or right to
+ontra+t or eDpand the +olumn.
I4 you see <CA("E8=: that means that in the +ell range you ha2e data ?hi+h +anGt do
arithmeti+. For instan+e: ?hat does T<Hello ?orld= Y S/0.**U mean& Ta,e a loo, at your
+al+ulation and ma,e sure that the +ell re4eren+es ha2e +al+ula3le data.
3.3.5OTHER TOOLS
(i,e the appli+ations +o2ered in this teDt: ?eGll only 3e a3le to gloss o2er the super4i+ial
4eatures. This is un4ortunate: 3e+ause there are so many things you +an do. Still here are
a 4e? additional 4eatures.
Su
mm
atio
n
Fun+t
ion
WiPa
rd
Sorters
C
en
te
r6
sp
an
+o
lu
m
ns
Cell data styles7
+urren+y: per+ent:
+omma
9<1*:***=;: sho?
and hide de+imal
.or
ders
9lin
es
3et
?ee
n
+ell
s;
E
o
o
m
Inse
rt
dra
?in
g
Inse
rt
teDt
@ra
ph
Wi
Par
d
.a+,ground
+olor
T
eD
t
+o
lo
r
T+,2) 23: E:9)2E* T''2*
T''2 D)*93/;(/'1
Fun+tion WiPard A tool to help you +reate 4un+tions in +ells 9EDpert;.
Sorters )ou +an sort sele+ted ro?s 9as+ending5des+ending; 3y 4irst
sele+ted +olumn.
@raph WiPard Helps you +reate a 4loating graph o4 sele+ted data 9Ad2an+ed;.
Insert teDt Creates a 4loating teDt 3oD 9li,e %S Word;.
Insert dra?ing @i2es you tools to dra? 9li,e %S Word;.
Eoom Eoom in5out to see data detail or <?hole pi+ture=.
Center6span +olumns (etGs you +reate titles that span se2eral +olumns.
.orders Pla+es lines 3et?een +ells 9li,e this ta3le is lined;.
Curren+y style For+es the +urrent or sele+ted +ells to 3e +urren+y.
Per+ent style For+es the +urrent or sele+ted +ells to 3e per+entages.
Comma style I4 2alues eD+eed 999: +omma notation is used 9e.g. 19:***;.
Sho? de+imal style In+reases 2ie? o4 de+imal 2alues 9e.g. -.1 ZZI -.11;
Hide de+imal style Without loss: hides de+imal 2alues 9e.g. -.111/ ZZI -.11';
.a+,ground +olor Sets 3a+,ground +olor 4or +urrent or sele+ted +ells.
TeDt +olor Sets teDt +olor 4or +urrent or sele+ted +ells.
3.3.%EXERCISE) CONSTRUCT A SIMPLE CHEC'OO' ALANCER
Create a +he+,3oo, 3alan+er that has the 4ields sho?n in Figure '17 EDample
Spreadsheet7 Che+,3oo, .alan+er. "se +olumn +al+ulations 4or the running sum.
3.4DATABASE: MANA*E DATABASES
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Field An entry in a re+ord. For eDample: <Person #ame= +an 3e a 4ield in a
ta3le +alled <Person=.
Form A spe+ial ?indo? to 4a+ilitate input and re2ie? o4 data3ase data.
Aey A 4ield that ?ill al?ays ha2e data uniLue to ea+h re+ord 9e.g. a produ+t
num3er;.
Buery An eDpression ?hi+h is designed to 4ind re+ords and 4ields that ha2e
spe+i4i+ +hara+teristi+s.
eport A displaya3le teDt o4 your data3ase. Typi+ally: the user de4ines a report
?hen he5she ?ants to lay out the data in presenta3le 4ashion.
SB( Standard Buery (anguage. A spe+ial +omputer language 4or sear+hing
and getting data 4rom the data3ase.
Ta3le A group o4 in4ormation organiPed in re+ords and 4ields.
$ata3ases are o4ten 2ery large repositories o4 <+hun,ed= data. !4ten they are used to
store in4ormation a3out things. For eDample: the IS has 9at least; the 4ollo?ing pie+es
o4 data a3out you7
So+ial Se+urity [ #ame Address Telephone #um3er o4 $ependents
1'-61/607>9 Xoe Here '''6'''6'''' -
T+,2) 24: D+(+,+*) E+31)3 E:+0;2)
Ea+h dependent has this in4ormation stored a3out them7
OD1 S'9/+2 S)9-3/(@ J N+0) R)2+(/'1*./; E+31)3 S'9/+2 S)9-3/(@ J A4)
---6--6---- Xanet Wi4e 1'-61/607>9 &&
11161161111 Xim Son 1'-61/607>9 1-
///6//6//// Xean $aughter 1'-61/607>9 -
T+,2) 25: D+(+,+*) D);)17)1( E:+0;2)
So: i4 you merge these t?o ta3les o4 in4ormation together: you ?ill get the ?hole 4amily.
The %i+roso4t !44i+e Pro4essional in+ludes A++ess: ?hi+h is a data3ase manager.
3.4.1WHAT CAN I DO WITH DATAASES&
)ou ?ill note that data3ases loo, li,e ta3les or spreadsheets. So: ?hy not use
spreadsheets instead& When the data is small and you donGt ha2e to 4uery: using
spreadsheets ma,es a lot o4 sense. .ut i4 you are trying to manage your 4ood storage:
rotating old stu44: trying to 4ind out ?hat you need: data3ases ma,e li4e mu+h easier.
HereGs list o4 things that +ompanies5indi2iduals use data3ases 4or7
T+,2) 26: D+(+,+*) U*)*
G3'-; D+(+,+*) U*)
etail Companies Clients: Suppliers: Employees
Insuran+e Companies Clients: AdMustment S+hedules: Client History
.an,s A++ount Transa+tions: In2estment Pro4iles
Clu3s %em3ers: A+ti2ities: Supplies
Programmers So4t?are $e4e+ts 93ugs;
I4 you noti+ed: e2en the data3ase uses is a ta3le or data3ase itsel4. $ata3ases are 2ery
use4ulFespe+ially ?hen there is a lot o4 in4ormation to maintain.
3.4.2HOW ARE THEY ORGANI5ED&
Sometimes data3ases are presented as lin,sFli,e a spider?e3F?here ea+h related item
is lin,ed together. Ho?e2er: most o4 the time data3ases are organiPed in ta3le stru+tures7
Ea+h +olumn represents a <4ield= o4 in4ormation. This 4ield is o4ten re4erred to as an
<attri3ute= 9data a3out the primary +on+ept7 e.g.: Primary +on+ept7 <Person=Q Attri3ute7
<HairZ.ro?n=;. Ea+h ro? represents a <re+ord= or a +ontiguous: related 3lo+, o4 data.
Either ?ay: data3ases sho? relationships 3et?een data.
Se2eral ta3les usually share +ommon 4ields 3y ?hi+h they are indeDed. This is +alled a
<,ey=. A ,ey is a 2alue that uniLuely identi4ies the re+ord. For eDample: your +he+,ing
a++ount num3er uniLuely identi4ies the repository 4or your money. I4 there ?ere another
a++ount ?ith the same num3er: depositing to or dra?ing 4rom ?ould +ause maMor
heada+hes 9and a 4e? irate +ustomers;. Sometimes a single 4ield is not enough to
uniLuely identi4y a re+ord. For eDample so+ial se+urity num3ers used to represent a
single person. Well: there are many do+umented +ases o4 t?o or more people ha2ing the
same num3er. There4ore: ?e no? pro2ide three pie+es o4 in4ormation to 3e uniLuely
identi4ied7 So+ial Se+urity #um3er: Full #ame and .irthdate. These are +alled
<Compound Aeys=F,eys that reLuire more than one 4ield 4or uniLue resolution.
These ta3les are stored on your +omputer in a single 4ile: sorted on the primary ,ey. #o?:
you ha2e a data3ase o4 all the items 4ound in a store. The ta3le might loo, li,e this7
I()0 ID N+0) D)*93/;(/'1 B+*) C'*( R)(+/2 C'*(
-1'>9A %ighty %utant %i+e Toy S1./* S'9.9/
-'>-'C Alpha Xones .its Cereal S'./* S-.19
-'>--A Cho+olate Sugar .om3s Cereal S'.'/ S-.'9
/*9'>B True @rip Pliers S-.** S/.99
T+,2) 2$: D+(+,+*) S('3) E:+0;2)
)ou ?ill note that the list is sorted on <Item I$= ?hi+h is the primary ,ey. Suppose you
?anted to see the list sorted 3y <#ame= or 3y <$es+ription=. These are +alled <se+ondary
,eys=. Se+ondary Aeys allo? you to loo, at the data in any order you ?ant. In 4a+t:
se+ondary ,eys do not ha2e to 3e uniLue.
When you +reate a se+ondary ,ey: you ?ill noti+e a ne? 4ile +alled an <indeD=. In order
to redu+e the amount o4 redundant data on your +omputer: ?hene2er you re4eren+e the
data that already eDists 9only in a di44erent ?ay;: the re4eren+es are stored instead o4 the
original data. For eDample: letGs alpha3eti+ally sort the ta3le 3y <$es+ription=. The
original data ?ill remain in the original order: 3ut a ne? ta3le ?ill 3e +reated +alled the
<indeD=7
I()0 ID
-'>-'C
-'>--A
/*9'>B
-1'>9A
T+,2) 2%: D+(+,+*) I17): E:+0;2)
This is li,ely ?hat the +omputer ?ill store in the indeD 4ile7 the list o4 primary ,eys in the
order that they ?ould appear i4 they ?ere stored 3y the <$es+ription= 4ield.
3.4.3HOW DO I UILD A DATAASE&
It ta,es se2eral steps to +reate a data3ase. .y the ?ay: a data3ase has at least one ta3le.
Ta3les are o4ten used in tandem 9+alled <Moin=;. For instan+e: see Ta3le '1 and Ta3le '/.
Alone: they may not 3e as meaning4ul. .ut together they paint a +learer pi+ture a3out the
entries.
)ou +an no? add data to the ta3le 3y simply dou3le +li+,ing on the ta3le you
+reated. It ?ill +reate a ?indo? ?ith a ta3le in it. Simply ta3 o2er to the +olumn
you ?ish and type in the data. When you are done: +lose the ?indo?.
3.4.4HOW DO I #UERY&
What good is a data3ase unless you +an 4ind in4ormation in it. This is +alled
<Luerying=. There are a 4e? 3asi+ parts o4 a Luery7 the 4ield9s; you ?ant to test:
the 4ields you ?ant to sho? and the +onditions. For eDample: the Luery <(ist all
eDpired a++ounts= may ha2e the 4ollo?ing parts7
T+,2) 2&: K-)3@ P+3(*
K-)3@ P+3( I16'30+(/'1 E:;2+1+(/'1
Test Field7 <EDpiration $ate= The 4ield to test.
Sho? Field7 <A++ount #um3er=: <!?ner= $isplay a++ount num3er O o?ner.
Condition7 H 115151990 Is date 3e4ore 115151990&
.eing a3le to sort on the 4ields is a ni+e added 4eature.
A 4e? 4undamental +onditions in+lude +omparitors7 I 9greater than: e.g. Field1 I
0/**;: H 9less than: e.g. Field' H 15159*;: Z 9eLual to;: H I 9not eLual;: IZ 9greater
than or eLual to;: and HZ 9less than or eLual to;. ThereGs a lot more you +an doF
ta,e a loo, at the help.
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3.4.5HOW DO I CREATE AN INPUT FORM&
A++ess gi2es you a spe+ial treat to +reate 4orms 9input ?indo?s to 4a+ilitate data entry and
editing;. Steps7
--.
1. Cli+, on the Buery ta3 at le4t.
'. Cli+, #e?.
-. 9A dialog ?ill appear ?hi+h has <Buery WiPard= and <#e? Buery= 3uttons.;
Cli+, the <#e? Buery= 3utton.
1. 9Windo? appears.;
/. 9Another dialog ?ill sho? you the a2aila3le ta3les.; $ou3le +li+, on <Food
Storage=.
0. 9A ta3le ?ill appear in the ?indo? 4rom Step [1.; Cli+, <Close=.
7. 9Windo? in Step [1 3e+omes a2aila3le.; The ?indo? is split in hal4Q the
lo?er hal4 has <Field=: <Sort=: <Sho?= and <Criteria=. Cli+, the do?n6arro?
in the <Field= 3oD.
>. 9A list o4 a2aila3le 4ields is displayed.; Sele+t <EDpiration $ate=.
9. Cli+, 3oD neDt to <Sort=.
1*. Cli+, the do?n6arro? that appears.
11. Sele+t <As+ending=.
1'. Cli+, 3oD neDt to Criteria.
1-. Type <I 151590=.
11. 9WeGre no? going to ?or, on the neDt +olumn.; Cli+, on Field ro? in se+ond
+olumn.
1/. Sele+t <Food Item=.
10. In +olumn [-: sele+t <Buantity=.
17. In +olumn [1: sele+t <"nit=.
1>. Close ?indo? and name Luery.
19. $ou3le +li+, on ne? Luery.
"/4-3) 23: C3)+(/14 K-)3@ S();*
1. To use this +li+, on the Form ta3.
'. 9A dialog ?ill as, you to sele+t a ta3le or a Luery.; "se the dropdo?n list3oD
and sele+t either a ta3le or a Luery.
-. Cli+, on the WiPard.
1. 9)ou ?ill see se2eral options7 Single Column: Ta3ular: @raph: %ain5Su34orm
and Auto4orm.; Choose Single Column.
/. 9)ou should see a dialog that lists your 4ield names on the le4t and an empty
3oD on the right. This is ho? you sele+t ?hi+h 4ields ?ill go into your 4orm.;
Cli+, on the <II< 3utton.
0. Cli+, on Finish.
7. To sa2e this 4orm: +lose the ?indo? 9responding <)es= to dialog; and enter
the 4ormGs name. )ou ?ill see this ne? 4orm appear in your 4orm list.
"/4-3) 24: C3)+() D+(+,+*) "'30 S();*
Try other options and displays. )ou may note that the <9+ounter;= may appear in your
4orm. )ou +an edit your 4orm 3y +li+,ing the 4orm name and +li+,ing the <$esign=
3utton. To delete the <9+ounter;=: +li+, the shado?ed 3oD ?ith <I$= in it and press
H$eleteI on the ,ey3oard. This editor ?ill allo? you to mo2e around: add and delete
4ields. )ou +an e2en delete the la3els 3ut lea2e the data entry 3oD remaining.
3.4.%EXERCISE) CONSTRUCT A HOME!STORAGE DATAASE.
Create a data3ase o4 your 4ood storage 9or ?hat you ?ould li,e to ha2e in your 4ood
storage;. Thin, a3out the ,inds o4 in4ormation you ?ould store as attri3utes. Here are a
4e? ideas7 #ame: "se: Amount: EDpiration $ate: et+. A4ter +reating the ta3le: add some
data to it. Then: sort 3y <"se= and determine ?hether you ha2e a ?ell 3alan+ed storage.
Ad2an+ed7 4ind out ?hi+h items you ?ill ha2e to repla+e 4irst and last.
3.$PRESENTATIONS: CREATE PRESENTATIONS
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
%ultimedia "se o4 se2eral types o4 media 3esides teDt 9graphi+s: sound: 2ideo: et+.;
A presentation appli+ation is a graphi+s63ased program that is designed to get a point
a+ross to a listener. %i+roso4t in+ludes <PointPoint= 9a ni+e O po?er4ul appli+ation; in
their o44i+e suite.
3.5.1DESCRIE PURPOSE
A presentation designer helps you +reate a <,i+,6in6the64a+e= pro4essional presentation
?ith teDt: graphi+s: sound and animation. This is usually used 3y those ?ho need to
ma,e a high6po?ered sale pit+h to +lients. When done right and +learly: the impressions
+an 3e pro4ound.
The 4ormat is +ustomarily a seLuen+e o4 displays that the presenter +an +ontrol7
T.) C'1()1(7 Clearly you ?ill ?ant to pla+e your o?n material in the s+reen
shots: 3ut you +an in+lude lots o4 e44e+ts.
T.) T3+1*/(/'17 %o2ing 4rom one s+reen shot to the neDt is important ?hen
ma,ing a presentation. Ho? the transitions are made and ?hi+h order the s+reen
shots ?ill appear are t?o primary 2isual a44e+ts that ,eep the audien+e interested.
!4ten in order to ans?er Luestions regarding one issue or another: you may ha2e
to de2iate 4rom your planGs order. A good presentation designer gi2es you the
4leDi3ility to Lui+,ly s?it+h to ?hi+he2er s+reen shot you ?ish then resume the
planGs order at any time.
T.) D/*;2+@7 Ho? things appear on the display 9all at on+e: a 4e? at a time:
ordering: et+.; ma,es the display more pleasing and adds 2ariety to the
presentation. These are automati+ in presentation designers.
T.) E66)9(*7 There are tons you +an pla+e in a display 9the only thing la+,ing so
4ar is the a3ility to run another appli+ationFli,e ED+elF?ithin the presentation;.
Here are a 4e? things7 TeDt ?ith 2arious 4onts: @raphi+s: Animations 9mo2ing
graphi+s;: Sound: %o2ie +lips: et+. The possi3ilities are endless.
Presentation designers are almost too easy to use. In 4a+t: some people ha2e seen the
+anned 2ersions 3e4ore: so you ?ill ha2e to 3e +reati2e to get your +lientGs attention. The
program ?ill step you through helping you present the right amount o4 in4ormation. The
only ?ay to learn this appli+ation is to try it yoursel4. )ou ?ill ,no? ?hen it is getting
trite.
3.5.2EXERCISE) MA'E A SALES PITCH PRESENTATION.
Start up %i+roso4t Po?erPoint and 4ollo? the dire+tions. )ou +an plug in lots o4
graphi+s and teDtFho? e2er you li,e.
3.%*RAPHICS: PAINT PICTURES
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
.rush The teDture and +olor you ?ill use 4or 4illing.
Can2as The area o4 the appli+ation you +an dra? on.
Format The ?ay the image is stored on you harddis,. There are many di44erent
4ormats a2aila3leQ ea+h has itGs o?n ad2antages and disad2antages.
PiDel5dot The smallest o3Me+t you +an +hange in an image. It al?ays has a +olor.
Tools I+ons that represent +ertain operations7 dra?ing: 4illing: erasing: et+.
There are se2eral appli+ations that spe+i4i+ally ?or, ?ith graphi+s7 Corel $ra? 9the 3est
in my opinion;: Paint Shop Pro: and lastly Paint.rush 9one o4 the ?orst;. Paint.rush
+omes ?ith Windo?s: and sin+e it is the <least +ommon denominator= that is ?hat ?e
?ill 3e using.
Paint Shop Pro is share?are 9and 2ery good at that; ?hi+h reLuests a S09 payment 4or
their produ+t: i4 you 4ind it use4ul. Corel $ra? sells three 2ersions o4 their produ+t 4rom
S'/* up to S7/*. It is the 3est: in my opinion: 3ut I +anGt a44ord it.
3.%.1WHAT ARE PIXEL/VECTOR GRAPHICS&
There are 3asi+ally t?o 2ie?s ?ith regard to <+omputer painting=. I guess the easiest ?ay
to des+ri3e it is 3y +omparing ea+h to other things. The ?ay you lay out the +olors on the
s+reen ?ill a44e+t ho? ?ell it ?ill appear on the display 2s. ho? easy it is to re2ise.
PiDel graphi+s is li,e <painting 3y num3ers=. In painting 3y num3ers you are not
eDpe+ted to +hange the +olors sin+e the pallet has already 3een +hosen 4or you. So ?hat
you get is a mosai+ o4 solid +olors. Ho?e2er: these +olors are 2ery small: and i4 you
re+all: o4ten paint63y6num3ers paintings loo, really good ?hen loo,ed at 4rom a distan+e.
What happens is the 3rain and eye 3lends these +olors together. !n the other hand: i4 you
get to +loser: it might loo, a little <+heap=.
PiDel graphi+s 3rea,s the image up into little sLuare +ells and pla+es a +olor in ea+h +ell.
An ad2antage is these indi2idual +olors 3lend together to 4orm a uniLue +olor that appears
3righter than the original +olors. With more and more +olors you add: you ?ill e2entually
yield ?hite. The is +alled <+olor6adding=. 9Color su3tra+ting is ?hen you ta,e 3lue dye
and miD it ?ith red dye yielding purple. I4 you add more +olors this ?ay: e2entually you
?ill get dar, 3ro?n or 3la+,Fsu3tra+ting light 4rom the area.;
The pro3lem ?ith piDel graphi+s is ?hen you enlarge or redu+e the image. Try +olor
enlarging a ne?spaper. )ou ?ill e2entually see the 3lo+,y: indi2idual dots. .elie2e it or
not: many other man6made printing produ+ts use these dotsFe2en photographs. Try
enlarging an ASA 1** 4ilm to >D1*FyouGll de4initely see the dots8
Ce+tor graphi+s use a di44erent te+hniLue. In a sense: you may +onsider it <3etter=: 3ut it
does ha2e its limitations. Ce+tors are lines ?ith dire+tion and magnitude. !,ay: so ho?
does this apply& Thin, o4 2e+tor graphi+s li,e a paint 3rush that you +an +ontrol the
?idth and length o4 ea+h stro,e. Furthermore: ?eGre going to use num3ers to des+ri3e
this line. These num3ers ?ill des+ri3e ho? to layout the lines. The only thing that the
+omputer has to remem3er is the start: end and t?o s,e?ing 3et?een points.
WhatGs ni+e a3out this is as you enlarge or redu+e the 2e+torsFthey al?ays loo, good.
They donGt get 3lo+,yQ they al?ays loo, proportional. !ne o4 the most +ommon
eDamples ?ould 3e the letters you are reading. When the 4ont is +reated in the +omputer:
it 4ollo?s these points and lays out the 4ont.
Ce+tor graphi+s has their limitations too. For one: they +an only deal ?ith one +olor at a
time. Also: they +anGt do photos. Still they are 2ery use4ul 4or line and solid shapes.
3.%.2HOW DO I DRAW/WRITE/EDIT/CUT&
E2ery graphi+s program has a set o4 tools that let you do di44erent things. Some tools a+t
li,e a spray +an: others let you dra? lines: 3oDes: +ir+les: et+.: and others let you sele+t
se+tions o4 your image ?hi+h you +an then mo2e: +opy and +ut. To sele+t the tool 4or
your use: +li+, on it. The mouse pointer ?ill +hange to the tool you ?ant.
Sele+t
Free64orm
Sele+t
3.6.2.1Dra+ing LinesA .o(es an "ircles
Cli+, on either the 4ree dra?: line dra?: 3oD outline54illed or +ir+le. Cli+, and drag the
mouse on the +an2as. When you release the mouse 3utton that graphi+ that you Must did
?ill <sti+,=. I4 you ?ant to undo you last edit: +li+, EditJ"ndo. Paint.rush only +an
remem3er on +hange at a time: so you +anGt undo more than on+e.
)ou +an sele+t line thi+,ness: tool style or +olor prior to dra?ing 3y sele+ting one o4 the
tool attri3utes or +li+,ing on the +olor pallet.
3.6.2.2?yping Some 8ors
To type some ?ords and5or letters: +li+, on the teDt tool . Simply +li+, on the +an2as:
a 3lin,ing 3ar ?ill appear ?ithin a 4aded 3oD along ?ith a ?indo? ?ith 4ont name and
siPe. )ou +an +hange the shape o4 the 3oD to 4or+e the ?ords to <?rap= to the neDt line.
)ou +an type nearly anything and use the 3a+,spa+e until you +li+, a di44erent lo+ation or
press HEnterI. To +hanged pre2iously typed teDt: you ?ill ha2e to erase the letters and
type the letters all o2er again.
3.6.2.3Kooming an Eiting /i(els
)ou +an also enlarge the 2ie?a3le region and edit the indi2idual piDels 3y +li+,ing .
The mouse pointer ?ill +hange to a re+tangle ?hi+h you +an mo2e o2er the region you
?ant to enlarge. The tool attri3utes permit you to sele+t the Poom po?er 91V 6 >V;.
Cli+, that region and the piDels ?ill enlarge to 4ill the ?indo?. The region 9in real s+ale;
Erase
Fill
Eoom
.rush
Typing
Cur2e
Polygon
ounded
e+tangle
Copy
Color
Single6piDel
$ra?
Spray
Paint
(ine
e+tangle
Ellipse
Tool
Attri3utes
(e4t5right mouse 3utton +olor
Colo
r
palle
t
?ill appear in its o?n ?indo?
''
. )ou use all the tools in the Poomed6in mode. To return
to normal 2ie?ing +li+, the 3utton again and then the +an2as.
3.6.2.4"utting an /asting
I4 you ?ant to +opy or +ut a se+tion o4 the +an2as and mo2e it else?here: you ?ill need to
sele+t a region to +ut. )ou +an also paste images 4rom other appli+ations 4rom the
+lip3oard: 3y using paste.
3.%.3WHAT DO I NEED TO PRINT/DISPLAY/SHARE MY PICTURES&
Pi+tures are one o4 the hardest things to <+ome out right=Fespe+ially printing. .ut e2ent
displaying and sharing pi+tures +an 3e a pro3lem. It has to do ?ith 4ile 4ormats. There
are so many 4ile 4ormats 9more '* types; a2aila3le that there are spe+ial programs you +an
get to +on2ert one to another. There are a 4e? 3asi+ types7
T+,2) 3#: P/9(-3) "/2) "'30+(*
"'30+( S-66/: M)+1/14 <6/2) */5) 6'3 *+0) /0+4)?
.%P .3mp .itmap 4ile 9largest 3y 4ar;
TIFF .ti4 Tag Image Format File 93etter than .%P: 3ut not 3y mu+h;
XPeg .Mpg "sed in s+anned photos 93est 4ile siPe;
PCV .p+D An ar+hai+ 4ormat 3y PC Paint 9a3out same as TIFF;
@IFF .gi4 @raphi+s Inter+hange Format File 93etter than TIFF;
''
I4 the <thum3nail= doesnGt appear: +li+, Cie?JEoomJSho? Thum3nail ?hile Poomed6in.
A78+19)77
Sometimes i4 you use this mode to pla+e light and dar, +olors together: ?hen you 2ie?
the result it ?ill stand out more. For eDample: i4 you ha2e a light red edge: 3y pla+ing a
dar, red line 3eside it: it ?ill loo, li,e a shado?. )ou +an also <miD +olors= 3y
alternating to di44erent +olors 9e.g. alternating red and yello? piDels ?ill yield an
orange;. I4 you loo, at some o4 the i+ons: you ?ill see this ,ind o4 3lending and miDing
to enhan+e the pi+tures.
To sele+t a region7
1. Sele+t either the Clip egion or Clip e+tangle tool.
'. Cli+, and the mouse o2er the area you ?ant.
-. elease the mouse 3utton 9Clip egion ?ill +lose the +ut6line 4or you;.
1. Cli+, EditJCopy or EditJCut.
To paste7
/. Cli+, EditJPaste.
0. %o2e the region to the desired lo+ation. 9The image ?ill not <sti+,= until you
do something else.
"/4-3) 25: C-((/14 H P+*(/14 I0+4)*
When trying to share: import: print: et+. pi+ture 4ormats: ma,e sure that the re+ipient +an
read the 4ormat your gi2ing him5her.
3.6.3.1S-aring /ictures
ule o4 thum37 E2eryone and e2erything +an read a .%P. !4 +ourse: this is 4ar 4rom the
3est: 3e+ause a XPeg 4ile o4 the same image o4ten is /R o4 the original siPe. Case in
point7 I ?as sending pi+tures o4 my daughter to my dad. The original 4iles 9.%P; ?ere
'/'A.. When I +on2erted it to XPeg: the ne? 4ile siPes ?ere 3et?een 1*619A.. A rather
signi4i+ant di44eren+e8
%ost programs today read @IFF and XPeg. So: youGre pretty sa4e ?ith those. Also most
?ord pro+essors +an read a3out '*6'/ image 4ormats. The pro3lems arise ?hen either
your 4riend to ?hom you ?ant to gi2e a pi+ture doesnGt ha2e a ?ord pro+essor or you are
trying to in+orporate the images in a program.
3.6.3.2/rinting /ictures
I4 you are printing a pi+ture: 3e prepared to play around ?ith di44erent resolutions. !4ten
you ?ill ha2e to enlarge the pi+ture 9using the printing appli+ation; to 1D the original siPe.
This is espe+ially true 4or +olor prints. Sometimes: the appli+ation ?ill do it right the 4irst
time. I4 you ?ant help on ho? to enlarge the pi+ture: do a sear+h in the appli+ationGs help
4or <pi+ture=: <enlarge=: or <res+an=.
!n 3la+, O ?hite printers: your +olors ?ill 3e +on2erted into a gray6dithering 9gray
approDimation using dot saturation;. I4 you loo, at a ne?spaper: you ?ill noti+e
indi2idual dotsFe2en on the +oloriPed pages. !ur eyes: 4rom a distan+e: miD the +olors
or 3lend the dithering so it loo,s li,e shades or grays. !ur +urrent te+hnology +an only
do this approDimation.
Printers +an only display a dot7 they +annot +ontrol 9yet; the amount o4 the dot. i33on
printers use an in, that liLue4ies and stains the paper on impa+t. In,Met printer sLuirt in,
on the paper. And laser printers use toner: a nasty po?der that gets thermally 3onded to
the paper. It is impossi3le 4or the in,Met and ri33on printers to +ontrol the amount o4 in,
that is laid. (aser printer manu4a+turers 9?e ?ere loo,ing into this ?hile I ?or,ed 4or
HP; are +ontinuing their in2estigation to +ontrol the amount o4 toner laid.
'-
Color mat+hing has 3een and ?ill +ontinue to 3e a pro3lem. )ou ?ill noti+e that ?hen
you print a +olor image on a +olor printer that your 3lues may loo, too dar, or purplish
and your greens too dar, or yello?ish. ThatGs really the nature o4 the 3east. )our
monitor uses ed5@reen5.lue 9proMe+ti2e +olorsFi4 you turned o44 the lights you +an see
3y the light generated 3y the monitor; to +reate all your 2isi3le +olors. The printer uses
)ello?5%agenta5Cyan
'1
9re4le+ti2e +olorsFyou need light to see these;
'/
.
'-
I ha2e a+tually seen *61**R <true grays= 4rom a (aserXet -Si printer. .ut: 3e+ause o4 the 2ariations in
laser5(E$s 4rom printer to printer: they +annot generate +onsistant gray6depths at spe+i4ied 2oltages.
'1
%agenta loo,s orange6red: and +yan loo,s 3lue6green.
'/
e4le+ti2e and proMe+ti2e +olors only re4er to ho? the light is used.
While IGm on the topi+: I am not ashamed to say that I am 1**R HP: so please 4orgi2e my
3ias. They ha2e had in+redi3le per4orman+e and li4e. While they are more eDpensi2e:
they ?ill print '6- times more pages and last '6- times longer than +ompetitors.
3.%.4EXERCISE) MA'E A POSTER.
"sing the 2arious tools and +olors ma,e a poster that ?ill announ+e an up+oming e2ent.
Print it. #ote ho? the +olors get +on2erted 9?hether you ha2e a +olor or 3la+, O ?hite
printer;.
3.)INTERNET: WEB SURF
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Homepage The 4irst or primary <page= o4 an organiPation or person. This <page=
simply is a spe+ially 4ormatted do+ument that +an 3e interpreted 3y your
?e3 3ro?ser.
Internet A generi+ term 4or the inter+onne+tion o4 +omputers throughout the
?orld. These lin,s may 3e dialed telephone +alls: dedi+ated telephone
lines 9li,e +alling your 4a2orite gossip and lea2ing the line open all the
time;: dedi+ated lines 9li,e +a3le tele2ision;: satellite: radio: mi+ro?a2e:
et+.
"( <"ni4orm esour+e (o+ator= This is the addressing system o4 the
Internet.
We3 An inter+onne+tion 3et?een data sour+es a2aila3le on the Internet. I4
diagrammed: it ?ould loo, li,e a 2ery tangled spiderGs ?e3.
We3 .ro?ser An appli+ation 9or program; that +an +onne+t to sites 9+omputers; and get
4iles 4or you. I4 possi3le: it tries to interpret the 4ile and display it. There
are many: many do+ument 4ormats ?hi+h it has to support. I4 it +anGt
interpret it: o4ten the 3ro?ser ?ill as, you ?hat 4ormat it is in or o44er to
sa2e it to your harddis,.
There is a ?hole lot more you +an do ?ith +omputers no? than ?hen I ?as a ,id. )es: I
,no?: I gre? up ?ith +omputersFI +annot adeLuately +ompare my eDperien+es ?ith
those ?ho are little older than me. Still: I really am amaPed at ho? mu+h you +an do.
!ne o4 these is a++ess to in4ormation all o2er the ?orld. !riginally the net?or, started
out as a 3un+h o4 +omputers +onne+ted to telephones ?hi+h ?ould +all ea+h other. #o?:
there are dedi+ated lines that +onne+t the entire ?orld8 Well: itGs getting there.
The <We3< is simply a des+ripti2e term 4or the +haoti+ +onne+tions these +omputers ha2e
to ea+h other. %ost o4 these lines started out 3eing a3le to transmit the data slo?er than I
+an type 9?ell: a little 4aster than that;. #o? they +an transmit at data speeds that 3oggle
the mind. Still itGs not 4ast enough. The ?orld is so used to tele2ision6style transmission
rates 93eing a3le to see 4ull6motion 2ideo; that te+hnology is 3eing pushed into ne?
4rontiers. The demand 4or this is so high that the pri+e ?ill +ontinue to plummet.
#o? 4or a 4e? +al+ulations7 ea+h tele2ision 4rame reLuires a3out 0**A 3ytes
'0
. There are
-* 4rames per se+ond. That means that one se+ond o4 4ull motion 2ideo ?ould reLuire
1>.1 %. 9thatGs 3)+22@ ho? mu+h is 3eing sent per se+ond8;. A hal46hour tele2ision sho?
?ould reLuire -1@. o4 dis, storage8 9A little perspe+ti2e here7 most +omputers no? are
3eing shipped ?ith only '@. o4 harddis, storage. E2en the 3est data +ompression
9remo2ing the 4lu44 out o4 the data; still reLuires -@. o4 dis, spa+e 9$C$s ?hi+h +an
store 1'@. ?ill 3e distri3uting ' hour mo2ies;.
Current te+hnology supports 1 %.5s 9one mega3yte per se+ond; using a 2ideo +a3le
system. Telephones 9t?isted pair; only +an handle /0A.5s. With great +ompression: ?e
?ould ha2e to ha2e a3out 1.7 %.5s 4or 4ull6motion 2ideo. With all our progress: ?e ha2e
a long ?ay to go.
There are lots o4 appli+ations you +an get to a++ess the ?e3. These are +alled <3ro?sers=7
a program that +an retrie2e data and +on2ert it into a displaya3le <page= on your s+reen.
3.+.1WHAT IS THE INTERNET& THE WE& A HOMEPAGE&
The Internet started out as part o4 the #ational S+ien+e Foundation 9#SF; and part o4 the
APA 93elie2e it or not: the "S Army resear+h net?or,;. These systems lost 4unding
and ?ere sold to +ompanies 9deregulated in 19>7;. Computers +an 3e +onne+ted together
into a net?or, and +an share 4iles 3et?een ea+h other. The Internet is a <super= net?or,
that +onne+ts the entire ?orld together. 9I4 you ?ould li,e to ,no? more: goto
<http755???.yahoo.+om5Computers^and^Internet5Internet5History5=.;
The <?e3= is a part o4 this net?or, that lin,s do+uments haphaPardly together 93ased on
interest o4 the author;. The ?e3 has an addressing system ?hi+h is +alled a "(
9"ni4orm esour+e (o+ator;. The "( is li,e an address to someoneGs house: 3ut in this
+ase: it re4ers to a 4ile or resour+e a2aila3le on the ?e3. Whene2er you +li+, on a
highlighted term in a ?e3page 9a do+ument displayed 3y your 3ro?ser;: you are lin,ing
o2er to a ne? do+ument using the "(.
'0
This is 3ased on a standard 1>*6line monitor digitiPed using a 15- ratio to 01* dots horiPontally: and ea+h
dot reLuires 0 green 3its: / red 3its and / 3lue 3its. %ost later monitors support 1>* lines 9earlier models
?ere 1** lines;. Also: 4or 3est +olor approDimation: 103its are used. A lot o4 2ideo digitiPers only use >
3its ?hi+h mean that you get more o4 a <matte6ing= e44e+tFgetting a solid: single +olor instead o4 shades.
A homepage is a do+ument on the ?e3 that an author designed a3out him5hersel4. It +an
also 3e a summary o4 a +ompany. $esigning ?e3pages ha2e 3e+ome dramati+ally easier
o2er the past 4e? months. #ets+ape in+ludes a ?e3page editor as part o4 their <-.* @old=
2ersion.
3.+.2WHAT DOES IT HAVE FOR ME&
In4ormation. Entertainment. ItGs a lot o4 4un and +an 3e 2ery instru+tional. What +an a
li3rary do 4or you& Xust imagine. .y the ?ay: there are se2eral li3raries on the Internet as
?ell.
3.+.3WHAT 'INDS OF THINGS CAN I DO&
What +anGt you do& The Internet is so 2ast and the in4ormation 9and opinion; is so
plenti4ul that you +an easily get lost. Ta,e it slo? and try di44erent things. Try sear+hing
4or topi+s: type <???.T+ompanyU.+om= 9?here <T+ompanyU= is the +ompany name: e.g.
???.intel.+om or ???.mi+ron.+om; in the lo+ation 4ield o4 your ?e3 3ro?ser. I ha2e
3een a3le to reLuest in4ormation a3out +ompanies: got +hip samples and registered to 2ote
all through the Internet.
Here are a 4e? sample "(s7
T+,2) 31: I1()31)( D+(+ S'-39)*
UR C2+**: E:+0;2)* D+(+ A8+/2+,2)
@o2ernment 9.go2; ???.?hitehouse.go2 Pres O CP in4o.
???.ohio.go2 !hio @o2ernmentGs Homepage
???.nasa.go2 #ASAGs Homepage
???.43i.go2 Federal .ureau o4 In2estigation
S+hools 9.edu; ???.3yu.edu .righam )oung "ni2ersity
???.+uny.edu City "ni2ersity o4 #e? )or,
???.osu.edu !hio State "ni2ersity
#onpro4it !rgs 9.org; ???.lds.org Chur+hGs Future Homepage
???.o+l+.org (i3rary esour+es
???.pu3li+6domain.org Pu3li+ domain organiPation
Commer+ial Comp. 9.+om; ???.mi+roso4t.+om %i+roso4tGs homepage
???.i3m.+om I.%
???.hp.+om He?lett Pa+,ard
???.intel.+om Intel
???.do?nload.+om A share?are repository
???.g?',.+om @ate?ay '***
#et?or, Pro2iders 9.net; ???.m+i.net %CI Internet Ser2er
???.att.net ATOT Internet Ser2er
???.sprint.net Sprint Internet Ser2er
Sear+h Ser2ers ???.yahoo.+om We3page Sear+h Ser2er
???.eD+ite.+om We3page Sear+h Ser2er
???.in4osee,.+om We3page Sear+h Ser2er
???.ly+os.+om We3page Sear+h Ser2er
UR C2+**: E:+0;2)* D+(+ A8+/2+,2)
???.inLuiry.+om Te+hni+al Xournal Sear+h
???.ia4.net Internet Email Address Finder
3.+.4HOW DO I 6SURF THE WE7& SEARCH ON TOPICS&
<Sur4ing the ?e3= simply is mo2ing around 4rom page to page using the lin,s that you
4ind. It really is nothing more than that. .ut: donGt get me ?rong: it really +an 3e
addi+ting.
3.+.5WHAT AOUT 6SMUT PAGES7& HOW TO PROTECT MY FAMILY&
ThatGs a tough one. Smut pages are porno. Some are so4tQ some are hard +ore O illegal
porno. Ho? +an it 3e a2aila3le& A lot o4 the sour+es +ome 4rom outside o4 la?4ul
Murispruden+e o4 our nation. E2en then: pla+es li,e (ouisiana and #e2ada ha2e no la?s
against so4t O medium porn. !ne mo2ement is happening on the Internet7 all porno
shops ha2e to display a ?arning 9e2en this is not 3eing heeded;.
There is a lot o4 tal, a3out ha2ing parental lo+,s that +an 3e pla+ed in 3ro?sers: 3ut there
are +ountries that re4use to I$ their pages as porno 4or the lo+,s to ?or,. Why& Europe:
4or one: 4inds the "SA 2ery prudish and has gone out o4 their ?ay to <normaliPe= the
"SGs +itiPenry.
Ho? to prote+t your 4amily& Edu+ate your +hildren to steer a?ay 4rom these things: ma,e
?e3 sur4ing a 4amily a+ti2ity: et+. )es: ?ith so mu+h good that has +ome 4rom the
Internet: there is eLual opportunity 4or e2il.
3.+.%WHAT AOUT SECURITY& CAN PEOPLE DO THINGS TO ME&
This is an understanda3le and real +on+ern. Xust li,e you need to 3e +are4ul ?ith your
+redit +ard and other 2ital in4ormation 9e.g. your phone +ard num3er: so+ial se+urity
num3er: telephone num3er: ho? long you ?ill 3e gone on 2a+ation: et+.;: there are things
on the Internet you need to 3e +are4ul a3out.
3.).6.1/ass+ors
A pass?ord is something 2ery personal and should 3e sa4eguarded all the time. @i2ing
out your pass?ord is li,e telling someone ?hat your +redit +ard num3er is. !4ten you
?ill 3e 3illed 4or the num3er o4 hours you are +onne+ted. I4 someone ,no?s your
pass?ord: they +ould get in and use your a++ountFma,ing you pay 4or it.
Also: there are lots o4 people ?ho li,e to a3use 2ia email and the "senet anonymously.
What 3etter ?ay o4 doing this than using someone elseGs a++ount& I4 you ha2e a pro3lem:
o4 +ourse: and you -ave calle the ser2i+e representati2e: you +an tell them your pass?ord
i4 they as, 4or it. Still: they should not need it.
3.).6.2"reit "ars
This is also another personal data you ?ill ha2e to pay +lose attention to. The great
po?er o4 the Internet is the a3ility to do +ommer+e. !4 +ourse you ?ill need to supply a
means o4 payment. %ost ?e3pages that do this ?ill mo2e to a <se+ure page=: a ?e3 page
that ?ill transmit any data you gi2e it in an en+rypted 4orm. In 199/: there ?as a pro3lem
that a +ouple people ?ere a3le to +ra+, the en+ryption: thus getting the pri2ate data. With
#etS+ape -.* 9and later; and other ne?er 3ro?sers: this is no longer a pro3lem. I4 you
e2er ?ant to send your +redit +ard num3er: ma,e sure you see an un3ro,en ,ey at
the 3ottom o4 le4t o4 #etS+ape 4irst. 9)ou are in an unse+ure ?e3 page i4 you see a
3ro,en ,ey .;
3.).6.32nactive &ccounts
I4 you dea+ti2ate and donGt use an a++ount 4or a ?hile: +onsider getting it <lo+,ed= 3y the
pro2ider. All you ha2e to do is +all them and tell them to lo+, your a++ount until you
intend to use it again. They are usually as interested in minimiPing un?anted a++ess to
your a++ount as you.
Another thing you +an do is simply dis+onne+t the ser2i+e and then re+onne+t ?hen
youGre ready again.
3.).6.4&ny ,t-er Suspicious &ctivities
I4 you get some suspi+ious email or phone +alls a3out your a++ount 9people +laiming that
your a++ount ?as 3ro,en into or some agen+y ?ants to 2eri4y a++ess +he+,ing or ...;:
ma,e sure you gi2e them any in4ormation. Ta,e their name and phone num3er and +all
them 3a+, a4ter 1* minutes.
As a rule o4 thum37 i4 there is any pro3lems ?ith your a++ount: the pro2ider ?ill lo+,
your a++ount and +ait #or you to call t-em not 2i+e 2ersa. Internet a++ounts is a lot li,e
telephone or +redit +ards.
3.+.+WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILALE ON THE INTERNET&
#ot only do you get a++ess to in4ormation on the Internet: you get a++ess to people. There
are se2eral ser2i+es a2aila3le7 E%ail: Chat: IC: "senet: EPhone: and Cy3er ooms.
3.).).1Electronic Mail %EMail'
A lot o4 ser2ers also gi2e you a++ess to <email= or ele+troni+ mail. Email is a letter that
gets sent to you through the Internet instead o4 the post o44i+e. "nli,e a postal letter:
email is a 4ile instead o4 paper. The po?er o4 email allo?s you to send and re+ei2e
messages 4rom people all o2er the ?orld 4or literally pennies.
3.).).2"-at
!ther mail systems in+lude <+hat= or <tal,= sessions. What are these& )ou a+tually ha2e
to see it to understand and 4eel ?hat it is li,e. The ?indo? gets split in t?o7 the top part
is ?ho you are tal,ing to and the 3ottom is you. )ou simply type and they see ?hat you
type on their s+reen and 2i+e 2ersa. This is great i4 you Must ?ant to <+hat= or ha2e need
4or intera+ti2e help and Luestions. The limitation is: ?ell: you +an only <+hat= ?ith one
person at a time.
3.).).32nternet Relay "-at %2R"'
Internet elay Chat 9IC; is the most +ommon ?ay to +hat 9type teDt messages; ?ith
people on the Internet. IC lets you +hat ?ith people 4rom all o2er the ?orld in real time
or as soon as you type something it is sent to e2eryone else ?ithin a 4e? se+onds. IC
di2ides the +on2ersations into di44erent +hannels or su3Me+ts. Some interesting +hannels
in+lude [mormon: [oregon: and [($S+hat. IC +an handle an unlimited num3er o4
+hannels: 3ut usually there are only a3out /:*** +hannels going.
IC gained international 4ame during the 1991 Persian @ul4 War: ?here updates 4rom
around the ?orld +ame a++ross the ?ire: and most ir+ users ?ho ?ere online at the time
gathered on a single +hannel to hear these reports. IC had similar uses during the +oup
against .oris )eltsin in Septem3er 199-: ?here IC users 4rom %os+o? ?ere gi2ing li2e
reports a3out the unsta3le situation there.
To +onne+t to IC: you need an IC +lient and a +onne+tion to an IC ser2er. A good
IC +lient is <mIC= ?hi+h +an 3e do?nloaded 4rom the Internet
94tp7554tp.?insite.+om5pu35p+5?in-5?inso+,5mir+10t.eDe;. There are hundreds o4 IC
ser2ers around the ?orld. Try Salt(a,e."T."ndernet.org 4or a good ser2er. As ?ith
other parts o4 the Internet: there is some 2ery Luestiona3le +hannels. Xust ignore those
+hannels: loo, 4or +hannels a3out your 4a2orite su3Me+ts: and ha2e 4un.
3.).).4!senet
Another message system a2aila3le is +alled <"senet= or <#e?s=. I4 you e2er had the
eDperien+e o4 using a ..S 93ulletin 3oard system;: itGs eDa+tly li,e thatFonly all the
?orld parti+ipates. For those ?ho ha2enGt: image putting a note on a .-4) 3ulletin 3oard.
This note has three main parts7 the sour+e 9you;: a su3Me+t 9e.g. <Ho? do I turn on this
+omputer&= and a 3ody 9the main message teDt;. This message gets +opied all o2er the
?orld so anyone +ould either post another message 4ollo?ing up ?ith your posting or
email you a dire+t response. .e+ause millions o4 people read and post these messages:
the ser2ers o4ten +lear out the old ones 9delete them; a4ter a +ertain num3er o4 days.
"senet has a +ertain +ulture to it: and you 4ind many: many a+ronyms. The 3est ?ay to
enter the "senet population is to read the messages 4or a 4e? days 3e4ore posting your
o?n. I4 you as, the ?rong thing in the ?rong pla+e: you may get a mild <hand slap= or
you may get s+athing replies 9+alled <4lames=;. There are tremendous ad2antages to using
"senet: 3e+ause you are +onne+ted to a ?ealth o4 resour+esFpeople ?ho ?ant to help.
3.).).$2nternet /-one %E/-one'
Furthermore: there are some systems that allo? you to <telephone= someone o2er the
Internet and tal, ?ith them using your +omputer7 this is +alled <EPhone= or <Ele+troni+
Phone=. To use this: you ?ill need a sound +ard 9?hi+h is in+luded in most ne?
ma+hines;. Additionally: some tools eDtend this 4urther 3y sending slo?6s+an 2ideo ?ith
small: +heap 2ideo +amaras that rest on the top o4 the monitor. These +an do a3out /61*
4rames per se+ond ?ith a '>.>A3ps modem 9the image loo,s rather Mer,y;.
Consider this7 ?hat normally ?ould +ost you S16S1*5minute to tal, ?ith someone on the
other side o4 the planet +ould a+tually +ost S'6S-5hour. (ong distan+e +ompanies are
s+ram3ling to 4igure out ho? that +an <3alan+e= these dis+repan+ies. The primary
pro3lem ?ith EPhones is that you and your +allee ?ould ha2e to ha2e Internet a++ess and
so4t?are to support it. Also: there may 3e delays up to a 4e? se+onds 3et?een replies.
#e2ertheless: ?e should see some maMor +hanges pretty soon due to this ne? te+hnology.
3.).).6"y@er0Rooms
Cy3er6ooms 9or "y@er Domains; are: perhaps: the most 3iParre o4 all the intera+ti2e
tools. TheyGre also the most 2olatile7 e2en as I ?rite this: itGs 3eing de4ined: rede4ined
and +hanged radi+ally. In essense: it +om3ines C ?ith EPhone and IC to +reate a
series o4 intera+ti2e <rooms=. When you enter this domain: you ?ill see a s+enery along
?ith o3Me+ts that represent people in the same <room= as you. These o3Me+ts may appear
as 4loating heads: instruments or ?hate2er and are +alled <a2atars= 9three6dimensional:
responsi2e o3Me+ts;.
In these domains: you +an tal, ?ith these people: you +an Moin together to play Internet6
style role playing games: et+. As I said: this parti+ular te+hnology is 2ery ne? and is still
3eing de4ined. When I sa? the demonstration at a %i+roso4t Con4eren+e: it ?as 2ery
impressi2e. We should 3e seeing this pretty soon.
3.+.8SOURCES& (FREENET "TEXT ONLY$, COMPUSERVE, AOL, ...)
There are many sour+es 4or ?e3 a++ess. Ea+h has it o?n ?ay o4 doing things and some
use other produ+ts. For eDample: A!( no? +laims using5supporting #etS+ape.
%i+roso4t has its o?n tools 9EDplorer; and CompuSer2e uses EDplorer. What e2er you
use: ma,e sure that the pro2ider gi2es you detailed instru+tions on ho? to set up your
3ro?ser. Some ser2i+es only pro2ide teDt 9?ords 3ut no pi+tures;7 Freenet: pu3li+ li3rary
ser2i+e: is one. I4 this is all right 9mostly good 4or emailFthatGs it;: go ?ith them.
3.+.*EXERCISE) FIND SOME PICTURES OF SATURN.
"sing ?hat you ha2e learned a3out the Internet: do a sear+h 4or some pi+tures o4 Saturn.
In 4a+t: i4 you 4eel parti+ularly ad2enturous: 4ind some ?e3 sites that has #ASA
in4ormation on the 2arious planets in our solar system.
A78+19)77
Sometimes you may ?ant to sign on ?ith A!( 3ut use your o?n 3ro?ser 9li,e
EDplorer;. !4ten Internet pro2iders ha2e run into this situation and ha2e a ?ay to do
?hat you ?ant. I4 you ha2e not sele+ted a pro2ider: as, the possi3le pro2iders you are
+onsidering the 4ollo?ing Luestions7
Are there hourly 4ees& Ho? mu+h& Are their +eilings to these 4ees&
$oes you support other 3ro?sers 3esides the ones you endorse& Ho? hard is it to
use&
Where are the a++ess points in the nation 9are they going to 3e toll +alls;&
4 APPENDI3 A: FONTS
"'1( N+0) A2;.+,)( S+0;2) S)1()19)
A3adi %T Condensed
(ight
abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Al3ertus EDtra .old abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Al3ertus %edium abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Algerian a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dos
AntiLue !li2e
abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&'
dog(
Arial abcde3678C01$9123! T(e :uic, bro%n 3o; <umped over &(e la=y do6>
Arial %T .la+, abcde3678C01$9123! T(e :uic, bro%n 3o; <umped over &(e la=y d
Arial #arro? abcde3678C01$9123! T(e :uic, bro%n 3o; <umped over &(e la=y do6>
Arial ounded %T .old abcde3678C01$9123! T(e :uic, bro%n 3o; <umped over &(e la=y do6>
.oo, Antigua abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
.oo,man !ld Style a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
.raggado+io a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er th
.ritanni+ .old abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
.rush S+ript %T
abcdefgABCDEFG1234 !he"uic#brownfo$%um&edoverthela'(dog)
Callisto %T a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
Century @othi+ abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Century S+hool3oo, a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
C@ !mega abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
C@ Times abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Clarendon Condensed abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Colonna %T a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
Comi+ Sans %S
abcdefgABCDEFG1234 !he "uic# brown fo$ %um&ed over the la'( dog)
Copperplate @othi+ .old abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy
Copperplate @othi+ (ight abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy d
Coronet abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&'
Courier abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox jumped over the laz
Courier #e? abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&
$esdemona a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
Footlight %T (ight a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
@aramond %T abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Haettens+h?eiler abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
Impa+t abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Aino %T
abcdefgABCDEFG1234 !he "uic# brown fo$ %um&ed over the la'( dog)
(etter @othi+ abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&
(ineprinter abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&
(u+ida Console abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&
(u+ida Hand?riting
abcdefgABCDEFG1234 !he "uic# brown fo$ %um&ed over the la'(
(u+ida Sans abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
(u+ida Sans "ni+ode abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
%ap Sym3ols )*+,-./0123456789:; <=- >?@+A *BCDE .CF G?HI-, CJ-
%arigold abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&'
%arlett "".|M |^^ '| "^ "?.* .` '"|.
%atura S+ript %T Capitals
abcdefgABCDEFG1234 !he"uic#brownfo$%um&edoverthela'(dog)
%odern abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quickbrown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&'dog(
%onotype Sorts O++++++++<~~7v ++ O4<+ OOOI B+O' 4O++O++OY++
%S (inedra? )))))))
#e?s @othi+ %T abcde3678C01$9123! T(e :uic, bro%n 3o; <umped over &(e la=y do6>
Play3ill a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
!C A EDtended abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&
Sym3ol 12345 .
Times #e? oman a3+de4gA.C$EF@1'-1/ The Lui+, 3ro?n 4oD Mumped o2er the laPy dog.
"ni2ers abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
"ni2ers Condensed abcdefgABCDEFG12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed o#er $he %a&' dog(
Wide (atin abcdABCD12345 The quick brown fox u!"ed
Wingdings Cp]-]_``-._
+] O4)]g pE EE 4OO]
$ APPENDI3 B: STANDARD WINDOWS ICONS
I+ons Found on the Windo?s 9/ $es,top
This i+on ?ill gi2e you a++ess to the 2arious dri2es 94loppies: harddri2es:
C$!%s: et+.;: printers: Control Panel and $ial6up #et?or,s.
I4 you ha2e a net?or,: you +an see ?hat is a2aila3le on the net?or,. )ou
?ill mostly see other peopleGs ma+hine names. I4 they ha2e a printer
atta+hed: you ?ill ha2e to dou3le6+li+, that ma+hine to see it.
)ou ?ill only see one o4 these 3as,ets at a time. When it is empty: you
?ill 2ie? the le4t one: other?ise you ?ill see the right. Things <tossed=
into here +an 3e re+o2ered later on. I4 you delete an item in the 3in or
empty it: itGs gone.
I4 you ha2e 4aDing or %i+roso4t %ail setup: you ?ill see this i+on. !pening
it ?ill sho? you all the mail and 4aDes ?aiting 4or you.
This is a ?ay to +onne+t to the Internet: either 3y phone or 3y net?or,.
Simply open it and 4ollo? the dire+tions.
This tool ?ill help you setup you telephone6+onne+ted Internet lin,. )ou
do not ha2e to use %i+roso4t #et?or, 9although they ?ould love it i4 you
did;. Xust open it and 4ollo? the dire+tions.
I+ons ?ithin <%y Computer=
This is ?hat a -`= 4loppy dri2e loo,s li,e. To 2ie? the 4iles: Must open it
93y dou3le6+li+,ing the i+on;. The <A7= is the dri2e assignation ?hi+h you
must use in appli+ations and ?ithin $!S to a++ess the dri2e.
This is ?hat a /a= 4loppy dri2e loo,s li,e. To 2ie? the 4iles: Must open it
93y dou3le6+li+,ing the i+on;. The <.7= is the dri2e assignation ?hi+h you
must use in appli+ations and ?ithin $!S to a++ess the dri2e.
This is ?hat a harddri2e loo,s li,e. To 2ie? the 4iles: Must open it 93y
dou3le6+li+,ing the i+on;. I Must happened to name my dri2e <%ain dis,=.
The <C7= is the dri2e assignation ?hi+h you must use in appli+ations and
?ithin $!S to a++ess the dri2e.
I+ons ?ithin <%y Computer=
This is ?hat a C$!% dri2e loo,s li,e. To 2ie? the 4iles: Must open it 93y
dou3le6+li+,ing the i+on;. The <$7= is the dri2e assignation ?hi+h you
must use in appli+ations and ?ithin $!S to a++ess the dri2e. This dri2e
letter may 3e di44erent i4 you ha2e other dri2es on the +omputer.
This 4older is the Control Panel ?hi+h has se2eral use4ul tools to +on4igure
your +omputer 9see 3elo?;.
This 4older +ontains all the printers you ha2e +urrently +on4igured on your
+omputer.
This 4older +ontains the +urrent +on4igurations you ha2e 4or dail6up
9modem63ased; net?or,ing.
I+ons ?ithin <Printers= Folder 9?ithin <%y Computer=;
To +reate a ne? printer: open 9dou3le6+li+,; this i+on. When done: you
?ill see a ne? printer i+on ?ith the name you ga2e it.
This i+on represents the Lueue 9list o4 a?aiting print Mo3s; 4or a printer
named <Printer= 9IGm ta,ing a +ourse on originality;. )ou ?ill ha2e an
i+on li,e this 4or e2ery printer you ha2e +on4igured. )ou +an 2ie? the
Lueue 3y dou3le6+li+,ing it. A 4aD Lueue ?ill also appear li,e a printer.
I+ons ?ithin <Control Panel= Folder 9?ithin <%y Computer=;
This ?ill help you +on4igure you +omputer 4or 2arious spe+ial needs.
To add ne? hard?are: this i+on ?ill either autodete+t 9try to 4ind all the
+hanges automati+ally; or let you manually add the ne? +on4iguration.
This i+on helps you add and remo2e programs5appli+ations to your system.
I4 you get a program that says7 <Put C$ into dri2e: and 4rom ?ithin
Windo?s run KSetup.eDeG=. Instead: use this program to run <setup= 4or
you. Xust open it and 4ollo? the dire+tions.
)ou +an +hange the system time and date using this i+on.
I4 you ha2e the Plus8 pa+,: you ?ill see this i+on ?hi+h has se2eral
<themes= 4or your des,top. Some are pretty goodQ others are pretty lame.
"sing this i+on: you +an +hange the +on4iguration o4 your ,ey3oard.
To +on4igure you internet +onne+tion: open this i+on.
)ou +an +on4igure the 4onts and ho? the des,top: et+.: ?ill appear.
This is a great tool to help you 4ind a 4ile or some teDt ?ithin a 4ile. There
is an eLui2alent in the Start menu.
)ou +an +on4igure the display ?ith this i+on.
%ail and 4aD +on4iguration.
%odem +on4iguration.
%ouse +on4iguration. For eDample: i4 you 4ind that the mouse pointer
mo2es too slo? or 4ast: or dou3le6+li+,ing is a trial: +hange the settings
through this i+on.
%ultimedia +on4iguration.
#et?or, +on4iguration 9i4 you ha2e one;.
Sound +on4iguration.
$ate5time 4ormats: et+.
Another lin, to your +on4igured printers 4older 9same as that 4ound in the
<%y Computer= se+tion;.
Changing lo+al and net?or, pass?ords.
$ata3ase +on4igurations.
@eneral system hard?are +on4iguration.
% LISTIN* OF FI*URES
"IGURE 1: 25BPIN SERIA PORT........................................................................................................... 25
"IGURE 2: PARAE H &BPIN SERIA PORTS................................................................................ 25
"IGURE 3: UNPACKING CHECKIST.................................................................................................. 31
"IGURE 4: CPU CONSTRUCTION STEPS.............................................................................................34
"IGURE 5: SYSTEM CON"IGURATION STEPS.................................................................................. 34
"IGURE 6: PROPER COOING RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................... 36
"IGURE $: EGG AOCATION E!AMPE......................................................................................... 41
"IGURE %: COMPUTER BOOT PROCEDURE..................................................................................... 4%
"IGURE &: DIRECTORY TREE............................................................................................................... 51
"IGURE 1#: BASIC WINDOW.................................................................................................................. 6#
"IGURE 11: HARDWARE CON"IGURATION IST STEPS.............................................................. 63
"IGURE 12: "IE MENU........................................................................................................................... 6%
"IGURE 13: HEP MENU......................................................................................................................... 6&
"IGURE 14: PRINTING DIAOG............................................................................................................ $#
"IGURE 15: EDIT MENU.......................................................................................................................... $1
"IGURE 16: PROPER WORD PROCESSING........................................................................................ $4
"IGURE 1$: DOCUMENT RUER...........................................................................................................$6
"IGURE 1%: TAB HEADER E!AMPE.................................................................................................. $$
"IGURE 1&: TAB EADER E!AMPES................................................................................................ $$
"IGURE 2#: MS WORD TOOBAR.........................................................................................................$$
"IGURE 21: E!AMPE SPREADSHEET: CHECKBOOK BAANCER........................................... %#
"IGURE 22: CREATE DATABASE STEPS............................................................................................. %$
"IGURE 23: CREATING KUERY STEPS................................................................................................%%
"IGURE 24: CREATE DATABASE "ORM STEPS................................................................................%%
"IGURE 25: CUTTING H PASTING IMAGES.......................................................................................&5
) LISTIN* OF TABLES
TABE 1: MODERN AND HISTORICA COMPUTER STORAGE MEDIA....................................1%
TABE 2: COMPUTER CATEGORIES AND PRICES......................................................................... 21
TABE 3: TYPICA COMPUTER CON"IGURATIONSA BY CASSI"ICATION.......................... 22
TABE 4: COMPONENT CON"IGURATION....................................................................................... 26
TABE 5: MORE DI""ICUT HARDWARE CON"IGURATIONS................................................... 2$
TABE 6: HARDWARE SOURCES......................................................................................................... 2&
TABE $: OPTIONSE REKUIREMENTS.................................................................................................31
TABE %: COMPUTER INSTAATION...............................................................................................32
TABE &: INSTAATION "ROM GROUNDBUP................................................................................ 33
TABE 1#: OWBEGE INSTAATION........................................................................................... 35
TABE 11: OPTIONS "OR PROTECTING COMPUTER "ROM IGHTNING.............................. 3%
TABE 12: GIRUS CHECKERS................................................................................................................4#
TABE 13: COMPUTER SERGICE PROGIDERS................................................................................. 44
TABE 14: GARIOUS DEGICES CONNECTED TO COMPUTER..................................................... 4&
TABE 15: MOTI"S H HOW USER INTERACTS................................................................................ 5#
TABE 16: COMMON COMMANDS IN DOS........................................................................................56
TABE 1$: THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH WINDOWS........................................................................6#
TABE 1%: "IEMANAGER>E!PORER ACTIONS...........................................................................61
TABE 1&: PIECES H PARTS O" MICROSO"T WINDOWS............................................................. 66
TABE 2#: HEP MENU ITEMS............................................................................................................. 6&
TABE 21: MARGINS H TABS................................................................................................................ $6
TABE 22: TAB STYES........................................................................................................................... $$
TABE 23: E!CEES TOOS....................................................................................................................%3
TABE 24: DATABASE EARNER E!AMPE....................................................................................... %4
TABE 25: DATABASE DEPENDENT E!AMPE............................................................................... %5
TABE 26: DATABASE USES...................................................................................................................%5
TABE 2$: DATABASE STORE E!AMPE.......................................................................................... %6
TABE 2%: DATABASE INDE! E!AMPE........................................................................................... %6
TABE 2&: KUERY PARTS....................................................................................................................... %$
TABE 3#: PICTURE "IE "ORMATS.................................................................................................. &5
TABE 31: INTERNET DATA SOURCES.............................................................................................1##
4 *LOSSARY
Jargon
T)30 D)6/1/(/'1
Adapter %ost o4 the time it re4ers to a +ard that plugs into the mother3oard
adding spe+ial +apa3ilities not originally 4ound on the +omputer. !ther
times it re4ers to tools to +on2ert one +onne+tor type to another.
Attri3utes Carious +hara+teristi+s in 2ie?ing and organiPing your data.
.I!S .asi+ Input5!utput System. A 2ery nuts6and63olts set o4 programs that
+ontrol hard?are 9+alled <dri2ers=;. There are t?o .I!Ss7 one 4ound in
!% and one that is 4ound in the operating system. As dri2ers impro2e:
itGs impossi3le to +hange e2ery3odyGs +omputer !%. So: the operating
system .I!S simply does the ?or, 4or the !% .I!S.
.oot Comes 4rom <3ootstrap= 9as in <in order to get the 3oot on my 4oot I
ha2e to use the 3ootstrap=Fseriously: thatGs ?here it +omes 4rom8;.
There are t?o de4initions7 the pro+ess o4 3ringing the +omputer up 92er3;
and the program that starts the ?hile pro+ess 9noun;.
.oot: 2.7 To load up operating system and dri2ers to 3ring the +omputer
up to a ?or,a3le state.
.oot: n.7 The program that iterati2ely loads pie+es o4 the operating
system. This program is 4ound in the 2ery 4ront o4 the dis,.
.oota3le A 4loppy or dri2e that is a3le to load up the operating system.
.rush The teDture and +olor you ?ill use 4or 4illing.
Ca3les A thi+, ?ire that +onne+ts the +omputer to the eDternal de2i+e or po?er.
Ca+he An inter4a+e 3et?een the CP" and the memory 9A% and !%;. It
helps the CP" ,eep running e2en though the A% may 3e too slo?. It
does this 3y ,eeping a +opy o4 ?hat the pro+essor has read5?ritten.
Can2as The area o4 the appli+ation you +an dra? on.
Card Slot The slots 4ound on the PC mother3oard may 3e one o4 4i2e types7 ISA:
EISA: %CA: CESA O PCI.. Slo?er adapters 9li,e I5! 3oards; +an 3e
ISA. .ut 4or the 3est per4orman+e: use CESA or PCI 4or harddri2es:
C$6!%s or Cideo adapters.
Cards An option 9adapter; ?hi+h is a printed +ir+uit 3oard that plugs into the
mother3oard.
C$6!% A dis, made o4 plasti+ and aluminum ?hi+h +an store up to 0/*%. o4
data. "sually these dis,s +annot 3e ?ritten to: instead they o4ten are
used to distri3ute so4t?are 4rom +ompanies.
Cell A pla+e6holder 4or data o4 any type.
Cell Address A letter representing the +olumn and a num3er representing the ro?. For
eDample: $'/ is +olumn <$= and ro? <'/=.
Cell Cursor The pla+e ?here you are +urrently lo+ated on the spreadsheet. I4 you
type anything: it ?ill re2ise the +ontents o4 that +ell. The +ell +ursor is
indi+ated 3y an eDtra thi+, 3order around the +ell.
Jargon
Client5Ser2er An old te+hnology that lets you send a reLuest to a data ser2er 9some
+omputer on a net?or, ?ith 2ast data stores; ?hi+h pro+esses the
reLuest and returns the result. This helps you sin+e your ma+hine does
not ha2e to store the data or pro+ess the reLuest: and it helps others get
a++ess to the data as ?ell.
Clip3oard A temporary storage 4or items that are +opied or +ut ?ithin appli+ations.
)ou +an use this to +opy5mo2e data 4rom one appli+ation to another. I4
you ?ant to see ?hatGs in a +lip3oard: run the Clip3oo, Cie?er. Please
note that only one thing +an 3e held in the +lip3oardFea+h time you +ut
or +opy something: the pre2ious item is lost.
C%!S A% There are se2eral parts o4 the +omputerGs memory ?hi+h +annot 3e
4orgotten and +annot 3e retrie2ed 4rom the dis,7 these are stored in a
spe+ial 3attery6po?ered A%: +alled C%!S A%. C%!S is a spe+ial
type o4 +hip pro+essing that yields 2ery lo?6po?er memory 9et.al.;. So a
3attery +an help retain C%!S A% 4or se2eral years.
The in4ormation stored in this memory is so +riti+al that you +annot e2en
3egin running 9<3oot6up=; the +omputer ?ithout it. A 4riendGs
+omputerGs 3attery died: and it too, me a3out -61 hours 3e4ore I got it
?or,ing again8
Command A term used to get the +omputer to do something. !4ten these
+ommands are simply programs that the operating system +alls6up and
runs.
Conne+tor A physi+al re+epta+le 4or data trans4er. "sually has se2eral pins or holes.
)ou ?ill 4ind either pins 9male; or holes 94emale;.
Copyright A de+laration that o?nership is retained 3y an indi2idual or organiPation.
It details the degrees o4 distri3ution and legality o4 +opy and use.
CP" Central Pro+essing "nit. The <3rain= o4 the +omputer. It eDe+utes
+ommands ?hi+h: e2entually: ?e see as a response to our input.
Without the CP": the +omputer is nothing.
$es,top The 3a+,drop o4 the ?indo? inter4a+e. "sually it is some solid +olor
9li,e light 3lue6green;. )ou +an +hange it 3y opening the properties
sheet.
$e2i+e A +omponent or part o4 the +omputer. Ea+h de2i+e is assigned a tas, to
per4orm under the dire+tion o4 the mi+ropro+essor.
$ialog A spe+ial ?indo? ?hi+h reLuires input 4rom the user 3e4ore pro+eeding.
For instan+e: the program opens a <!pen File= dialog ?hen you sele+t
FileJ!pen 93e+ause it needs you to tell it ?hi+h 4ile to open;.
$ire+tory The stru+ture on your dis, that stores your 4iles ?hi+h graphi+ally loo,s
li,e an upsidedo?n tree.
$is, A storage medium to ,eep data ?hile the +omputer is turned o44.
Jargon
$%A <$ire+t %emory A++ess.= A spe+ial me+hanism ?ith the +omputer
hard?are to speed up data trans4er. When sending data to54rom a dis,:
the pro+essor ?ould ha2e to stop all pro+essing i4 it had to transmit ea+h
3yte. With $%A: the pro+essor tells another +ontroller to ship the data
4or it. When the trans4er is +omplete: the +ontroller signals the pro+essor
that it is ready 4or another trans4er reLuest.
$!S $is, !perating System. A spe+ial program that inter4a+es your hard?are
to your appli+ations or user programs.
$ots5PiDels The smallest +hangea3le point on the s+reen. A dot +an ha2e any +olor
4rom the palette.
$A% A% that uses a de2i+e +alled a <+apa+itor= to store ea+h 3it. The
pro3lem ?ith this is the +apa+itor loses the +harge 2ery Lui+,ly.
There4ore: the $A% has to 3e <re4reshed= to ,eep the data 2alid. This
is thus 4ar the +heapest A%.
$ri2er A spe+ial program that +ontrols a +omputer +omponent.
$C$ The neDt generation C$6!% ?hi+h ?ill store 1*6'*D the +urrent
+apa+ity.
Field An entry in a re+ord. For eDample: <Person #ame= +an 3e a 4ield in a
ta3le +alled <Person=.
File A 3lo+, o4 data ?hi+h +an 3e in4ormation or a program.
Filesystem A ?ay 4iles are stored on the +omputer. These are organiPed in groups
and: more o4ten: in hierar+hies.
Floppy A dis, that has 4leDi3le media 9the a+tual material onto ?hi+h the data is
re+orded;. The material and 4leDi3ility is a lot li,e that o4 a +assette tape.
Font A parti+ular ?ay the letters are displayed on the s+reen or printed on the
page. Ea+h 4ont +arries a +ertain 2isual interpretation7 the 4ont +an
re4le+t the 4eeling that is to a++ompany the reading.
Font E44e+t Spe+ial e44e+ts you +an do to a 4ont7 stri,e6out: underline:
super5su3s+ript: et+.
Font Style Ho? the 4ont is to 3e displayed. A thi+,ened style is +alled 3old. An
angled: leaning 4or?ard 4ont is +all itali+.
Form A spe+ial ?indo? to 4a+ilitate input and re2ie? o4 data3ase data.
Format The ?ay the image is stored on you harddis,. There are many di44erent
4ormats a2aila3leQ ea+h has itGs o?n ad2antages and disad2antages.
Formula A numeri+al eDpression that uses data 4rom the sheet to yield a single
displaya3le 2alue.
@lidepoint A mouse6repla+ement that has a little pad that you +an use to mo2e the
mouse pointer. Simply glide your 4inger o2er the sur4a+e and the pointer
?ill mo2e. To <+li+,=: tap the pad. To <dou3le6+li+,= dou3le6tap the
pad.
@"I <@raphi+al "ser Inter4a+e= As you might guess: a Windo?s uses a @"I.
@"Is reLuire some pointing de2i+e li,e a mouse to help the user get
things done. 9Pronoun+ed <gooey=.;
Harddis, A medium to store data 4or the +omputer ?hile the po?er is out. It uses
a hard material 9typi+ally aluminum;.
Jargon
Homepage The 4irst or primary <page= o4 an organiPation or person. This <page=
simply is a spe+ially 4ormatted do+ument that +an 3e interpreted 3y your
?e3 3ro?ser.
I+on A spe+ial graphi+ that represents some a+tion 9e.g. +alls6up your ?ord
pro+essing appli+ation;.
Internet A generi+ term 4or the inter+onne+tion o4 +omputers throughout the
?orld. These lin,s may 3e dialed telephone +alls: dedi+ated telephone
lines 9li,e +alling your 4a2orite gossip and lea2ing the line open all the
time;: dedi+ated lines 9li,e +a3le tele2ision;: satellite: radio: mi+ro?a2e:
et+.
IB <Interrupt eBuest.= The programs run on their merry ?ay until
something happens eDternally. For eDample: ?hen you type something
or mo2e the mouse: the +ontrollers ?hi+h handle those intera+tions ?ill
signal the pro+essor indi+ating that data is ?aiting to 3e pi+,ed up. Ea+h
de2i+e is assigned an IB num3er.
IB $e2i+e
* Timer
1 Aey3oard
' 9spe+ialFne2er use8;
- C!%': C!%1
1 C!%1: C!%-
/
0 Floppy 9on ne?er +omputers;
7 9parallel port: may 3e shared;
> System C%!S: ealtime +lo+,
9
1*
11
1'
1- #umeri+ data pro+essor
11 I$E Controller
1/ I$E Controller 9ne?er +omputers ?ith EI$E;
Through a glit+h in most operating systems on the PC: no t?o de2i+es
+an share an IB num3er.
Jargon
A3: A.
%3: %.
@3: @.
T3: T.
%ostly: they ha2e the same meaning as the normal s+ienti4i+ pre4iDes:
3ut +omputer people had to +hange things slightly. Here is ?hat the
indi2idual letters mean7
A 9,ilo: thousand; in +omputerese it means 1*'1 or '
1*
% 9mega: million; in +omputerese 1:*1>:/70 or '
'*
@ 9giga: 3illion; in +omputerese 1:*7-:711:>'1 or '
-*
T 9tera: trillion; in +omputerese 1:*99:/11:0'7:770 or '
1*
3 3it: the smallest unit o4 storage either has a 2alue o4 Pero or one
. 3yte: a group o4 > 3its. Sin+e ea+h 3it +an 3e Pero or one: a 3yte
+an ha2e a range o4 * T****:****U to '// T1111:1111U.
Typi+ally: a letter on the ,ey3oard is stored in a 3yte.
With that 3ehind us7
A3 9,ilo3it; one thousand 3its
A. 9,ilo3yte; one thousand 3ytes To4ten re4erred to as <A=U
%3 9mega3it; one million 3its
%. 9mega3yte; one million 3ytes To4ten re4erred to as <meg=U
@3 9giga3it; one 3illion 3its
@. 9giga3yte; one 3illion 3ytes To4ten re4erred to as <gig=U
T3 9tera3it; one trillion 3its
T. 9tera3yte; one trillion 3ytes
Aey A 4ield that ?ill al?ays ha2e data uniLue to ea+h re+ord 9e.g. a produ+t
num3er;.
Aey3oard A type?riter6li,e tool that has ,eys. Sends letters or +ommands to the
+omputer.
(i+ense An agreement that use o4 the produ+t ?ill 3e in a++ordan+e ?ith
+opyright.
%anuals A set o4 te+hni+al teDts that des+ri3e setup and maintenan+e o4
eLuipment. I4 anything goes ?rong: re4er to the manualsFat least you
+an get the support telephone num3er.
%anu4a+turer The +ompany that +onstru+ted the +omputer: printer: et+. It o4ten applies
spe+i4i+ally to the +ompany that put together your +omputer. I4 you 3uy
eDtras later: you ?ill ha2e to ?or, ?ith the manu4a+turer or reseller o4
that produ+t.
%aster .oot
e+ord
A spe+ial program 4ound at the 3eginning o4 ea+h dis, ?hi+h tries to
load the operating system 9i4 a2aila3le;.
Jargon
%emory
Address
Thin, o4 a mi+ropro+essor li,e a <master indeDer= and the memory as
the indeD. E2ery 3yte o4 memory is assigned a numeri+ indeD. The
mi+ropro+essor sends a memory address 9an indeD num3er; and then
?aits 4or the data. The memory +hips re+ei2e the address and send the
data. The delay 3et?een sending and re+ei2ing ?ill play an integral part
in your +omputerGs per4orman+e.
Within the last 4e? years: pro+essors reLuest data mu+h 4aster than the
A% +an respond. So: 4ast +a+hes ?ere introdu+ed. Ca+hes gra3 the
data in 3lo+,s so that 9/R 9or 3etter; o4 memory a++esses are 4ound in
the +a+he.
%enu A list o4 sele+ta3le options or a+tions. All menus ha2e a heading name
li,e <File= or <Help=
%i+ro6
pro+essor
A CP" that +omposes only one +hip. Some CP"s may a+tually 3e
se2eral sLuare 4eet is siPeQ 3ut: the mi+ropro+essor is designed to 3e
1**R sel46+ontained in a single +hip.
%odem A de2i+e that ?ill let your +omputer tal, to other +omputers through the
telephone line.
%onitor The CT or display that sho?s the ?ords: graphi+s: et+.: to the user. It
is a +riti+al part o4 a userGs inter4a+e.
%other3oard A printed +ir+uit 3oard that has 9at least; slots to +onne+t +ards into.
!4ten: they also in+lude a CP" and memory.
%oti4 A simple: repeata3le idea. Computers use <moti4s= 4or inter4a+es ?ith
the user.
%ouse An input de2i+e ?hi+h has one to three 3uttons and ?hen you mo2e it: it
+auses the arro? in a Windo?s display to mo2e.
%ultimedia "se o4 se2eral types o4 media 3esides teDt 9graphi+s: sound: 2ideo: et+.;
!pen
Ar+hite+ture
The original +omputer +ompanies hid their se+rets 4rom +ompetitors 3y
,eeping their ar+hite+ture +losed 9proprietary;. I.% made the I.% PC
an open ar+hite+ture: allo?ing anyone to ma,e options 4or it.
!perating
System
A +riti+al program that inter4a+es all hard?are ?ith the userGs programs.
All +omputers ha2e an operating system o4 some ,ind.
Pallet A sele+tion o4 +olors 4rom a possi3le range. Thin, o4 it li,e the paint on
an artistNs pallet: 3ut the +olors +annot 3e miDed. I4 he ?ants a di44erent
+olor: not on his pallet: he has to repla+e one he is not using. There are
se2eral display modes ?ith +urrent graphi+s adapters supporting 10: '/0:
0//-0 or 10 million +olors. @enerally more is 3etter: 3ut the eye +an
only per+ei2e a3out 1*67* thousand +olors.
Parallel A type o4 port ?hi+h transmits and re+ei2es se2eral 3its o4 data at a time
9typi+ally > 3its;. Typi+ally used to +onne+t to printers.
Path The sear+h path 4or programs. When the operating system re+ei2es a
+ommand: it 4irst sear+hes its o?n internal list o4 +ommands. I4 not
4ound: it sear+hes the dire+tory your +urrently in 4or a +ommand ?ith the
same name. I4 still not 4ound: the operating system ?ill sear+h this list
o4 dire+tory names 4or the +ommand.
Jargon
PiDel5dot The smallest o3Me+t you +an +hange in an image. It al?ays has a +olor.
Point 157' o4 an in+h. %ost pro4essional printshops and ne?spapers re4er to
teDt siPe and pla+ement this ?ay. Please note that you +an sele+t de+imal
2alues 4or <TrueType= 4onts 9a sym3ol neDt to it;.
Popup A menu or dialog that appears in the middle o4 the s+reen or near the
mouse pointer to either in4orm you o4 soemthing that happened or
present you ?ith options. 9E.g. i4 you right mouse +li+, on an i+on or the
des,top: a popup menu ?ill appear ?hi+h ?ill sho? you ?hat you +an
do at that point.;
Port A port is a +onne+tor usually in the 3a+, o4 the +omputer. There are
se2eral ports through ?hi+h the +omputer intera+ts ?ith the outside or
the user. Some ports in+lude7 ,ey3oard: monitor: serial: parallel:
telephone: et+.
Port Address E2ery de2i+e that is +onne+ted to the +omputer has to send and5or re+ei2e
data through a spe+ial part o4 the +omputer memory +alled a <port<. Port
addresses 93e+ause they are +onne+ted to de2i+es; are 2ery sensiti2eF
e2en loo,ing at the data may +hange the de2i+e. So ports are not in the
same address spa+e as regular +omputer memory. It is 2ery important to
understand that no t?o de2i+es +an share port addressesFe2er8 For
eDample: i4 you ha2e a pro3lem getting your net?or, +ard and mouse to
?or, together 9?hen you ta,e out the net?or, +ard: the mouse 3egins
4un+tioning again;: you li,ely ha2e a port +on4li+t. "sually: de2i+es +an
3e +on4igured to ha2e di44erent addresses7 simply turn o44 the +omputer
and sele+t a di44erent address.
<Plug O Play= is supposed to do that 4or you.
Ports Conne+tors 9usually in the 3a+, o4 the +omputer; ?hi+h +onne+t to
eDternal de2i+es 9e.g. mouse: ,ey3oard: modem: printer: display: et+.;
Po?er supply A 3asi+ +omponent in the +omputer that +on2erts the outlet po?er into
po?er that the +omputer +an use.
Printer An eDternal de2i+e that ta,es +ommands and data 4rom the +omputer to
pla+e on paper. There are se2eral types o4 printers7 daisy6?heel: matriD:
laser: thermal: in,Met: and plotter.
Program A set o4 instru+tions to a++omplish a spe+i4i+ tas,.
Properties
Sheet
A spe+ial ?indo? that sho?s the +on4iguration 4or a spe+i4i+ item on the
s+reen. #early e2erything has a properties sheet. )ou +an get to it 3y
+li+,ing the right mouse 3utton on an o3Me+t and sele+ting <Properties=.
Buery An eDpression ?hi+h is designed to 4ind re+ords and 4ields that ha2e
spe+i4i+ +hara+teristi+s.
A% A temporary storage area 4or the CP" to get +ommands or data.
A% <andom A++ess %emory<. A pool o4 storage 4or the CP". It +an 3e
?ritten to5read 4rom in any order 9unli,e a CC tape ?hi+h is serialF
you ha2e to ?ind to the pla+e you ?ant;. There are se2eral types o4
A%7 SA%: $A%: E$!6A%.
Jargon
egistry The Windo?s repository o4 initialiPations 4or itsel4 and appli+ations.
Consider them li,e <3oo,mar,s= or spe+ial settings that +ustomiPe your
system to meet your needs.
eport A displaya3le teDt o4 your data3ase. Typi+ally: the user de4ines a report
?hen he5she ?ants to lay out the data in presenta3le 4ashion.
esolution e4ers to t?o things7 the +larity and the num3er o4 dots appearing on the
s+reen. !32iously: e2eryone ?ants to get more on the s+reen7 as the dots
get smaller: thereNs less <graininess= in pi+tures: you +an sho? more on
the display and get more done. Ho?e2er: i4 you ha2e a small 2isi3le area
9typi+al is 11= or 1/= diagonal;: the teDt ?ill get smaller and smaller. A
resolution is usually des+ri3ed ?ith t?o num3ers7 num3er o4 dots a+ross
the display 9D6aDis; and the num3er o4 dots up and do?n 9y6aDis;. For
eDample: 01*D1>* is 01* possi3le dots le4t and rightQ and 1>* possi3le
dots up and do?n.
@. Simply: ed6@reen6.lue. The +omputer miDes these +olors to yield all
the 2isi3le +olors. To see ?hat I am tal,ing a3out: ta,e a loo, at <?hite=
on your +olor tele2ision 2ery +loselyFyou ?ill see the red: green and
3lue +omponents.
!% <ead !nly %emory<. %emory that has imprinted in it data and
programs 4or the CP" ?hi+h +annot 3e erased or ?ritten to.
oot The 2ery top o4 the 4ilesystem hierar+hy.
S+anner An eDternal de2i+e that is a3le to opti+ally read in printed materialF,ind
o4 li,e a +opier: 3ut it stores the image on the +omputer instead.
Serial A type o4 port that transmits only one 3it at a time. In order to send a
3yte o4 data: the data has to 3e <turned on its side= and send out 3it 3y
3it.
Short+ut A ,eystro,e that represents a parti+ular a+tion 9e.g. most appli+ations
HCtrl6!I 4or FileJ!pen: HCtrl6CI 4or EditJCopy: HCtrl6VI 4or EditJCut;
SB( Standard Buery (anguage. A spe+ial +omputer language 4or sear+hing
and getting data 4rom the data3ase.
SA% A% that does not <lose its mind= i4 not re4reshed. This is typi+ally
used in +a+hes. It tends to 3e mu+h more +ompli+ated than $A% and
thus mu+h more +ostly.
Sti+,y
Windo?
A ?indo? that remains up and helps you intera+t ?ith the main ?indo?.
For eDample: InsertJSym3ol ?ill popup a ?indo? that allo?s you to
insert spe+ial sym3ols into your teDtQ it ?ill remain 2isi3le until you
press <+an+el=.
Surge
prote+tor
A de2i+e that ?ill isolate your +omputer 4rom outlet po?er pro3lems
9spi,es and noise;.
SC@A <Super C@A< eDtends C@A standards to support resolutions up to
10**D1'** and support up to 10 million +olors. At this resolution: you
?ill need a '/= monitor to read the teDt.
Ta3le A group o4 in4ormation organiPed in re+ords and 4ields.
Tool3ar A string o4 3uttons that represent +ommon a+tions 9e.g. openning5sa2ing
4iles: printing: +utting5+opying5pasting sele+tions: et+.;
Jargon
Tools I+ons that represent +ertain operations7 dra?ing: 4illing: erasing: et+.
Tra+,3all A mouse repla+ement that is a small 3oD ?ith a 3all in the +enter. )ou
roll the 3all in the dire+tion you ?ant the pointer to go.
Tra+,point A mouse repla+ement ?ith a little ru33er post 3et?een the <g= and <h=
,eys on some laptop +omputers. @ently push the post in the dire+tion
you ?ant the mouse pointer to go.
"#IV A po?er4ul operating system that has 3een usedFuntil ten years agoF
mostly 3y uni2ersities. While 2ery po?er4ul: it is not 4or the 4aint o4
heart.
"PS <"ninterrupta3le Po?er Supply=. This is a 3oD that is li,e a surge
prote+tor 3ut ?ill ,eep you going e2en i4 you lose po?er. )ou +an plug
your +omputer into. I4 you ha2e a 3ro?n6 or 3la+,6out: this unit ?ill
,eep you running 4or - minutes to an hour 9+ertainly enough time to sa2e
your ?or, and shutdo?n the +omputer;.
"( <"ni4orm esour+e (o+ator= This is the addressing system o4 the
Internet.
C@A <Cideo @raphi+s Adapter= is a standard ?hi+h supports minimally
01*D1>* ?ith 10 +olors.
C <Cirtual eality<. A simulated -$ ?orld in ?hi+h you +an mo2e around
and intera+t ?ith things. The mo2ie <Toy Story= is a +omputer6
generated C en2ironment.
We3 An inter+onne+tion 3et?een data sour+es a2aila3le on the Internet. I4
diagrammed: it ?ould loo, li,e a 2ery tangled spiderGs ?e3.
We3 .ro?ser An appli+ation 9or program; that +an +onne+t to sites 9+omputers; and get
4iles 4or you. I4 possi3le: it tries to interpret the 4ile and display it. There
are many: many do+ument 4ormats ?hi+h it has to support. I4 it +anGt
interpret it: o4ten the 3ro?ser ?ill as, you ?hat 4ormat it is in or o44er to
sa2e it to your harddis,.
Widget A tool on the display that lets you input in4ormation or do something
9e.g. 3uttons: s+roll3ars: panels: list3oDes: et+.;
1 INDE3
A
A++ess >: 1>: '-: /1: >/: >7: >>: 11/: 119
Adapters 7: 11-
align 7/: 70: 77
attri3ute />: >/: >9
.
.it Sli+e 11
.%P 9/: 90
.ro?ser 9>: 1'1
.rush 9': 91: 1*0: 11-
C
Ca3les 7: 11-
Ca+he 7: 19: '': '1: 11-: 11>
Can2as 9': 11-
Capa+ity 1>
Card
SCSI: setting up '9
Card Slot 7: 11-
Cards 7: '0: --: 1*1: 11-
C$6!%s /
Cell 79: 11-
CISC 11
+lip3oard 0/: 71: 9/: 111
Conne+tor >: '-: 111: 119
Cooling -0
CP" 7: >: '': '0: -1: -0: 11-: 111: 11>: 119: 1'*
Cutting 71: 9/
$
$ata3ase "ses >/
$es,top />
de2i+e 7: >: 1/: '-: '1: '9: 10: 19: /*: /1: 11-: 111: 11/: 110: 11>: 119: 1'*
$ialogs 00: 07
dis, 7: 17: 1>: '-: '7: '>: '9: -1: -/: 1*: 11: 1': 1-: 10: 17: 1>: /1: /7: 01: 0/: 07: 0>: 9': 9>: 99: 11-: 111:
11/: 1'1
$is, 7: 1>: 1*: 1': /1: 0': 111
display >: 11: 1/: 10: '7: '>: --: 10: 19: /*: />: 7-: 71: 79: >*: >1: >9: 9*: 91: 9-: 9/: 90: 9>: 99: 1*1: 11/: 11>:
119: 1'*: 1'1
$%A '-: '0: '9: -1: 1-: 11/
dot11: 1/: 10: 19: 7/: 77: 9': 9-: 90: 99: 11/: 119: 1'*
$ots 11: 11/
$C$ 7: 1>: 99: 11/
E
EI$E 17: --: 1-
EISA 7: 11-
Ethernet: setting up '9
EDplorer 01: 1*1
F
Field >1: >7: 11/
File
Copy 0'
$i44erent Cie?s 01
(in,ing 0'
%o2e 0'
!pen 0'
File%anager 01
Floppy 7: 1>: 11/
4onts 71: 91
Form 7/: 70: 77: >*: >1: >>: 9': 9/: 11/
Format 0'
Image 9': 11/
Formula 79: 11/
@
@IFF 9/: 90
@lidepoint 7: 11/
@"I /1: />: 11/
H
Harddri2e: adding '>
Harddri2e: repla+ing '7
Help 0>: 09
Homepage 9>: 99: 1**: 110
I
Image 79: 9/
inter4a+e 7: >: --: 10: 19: /*: /1: 00: 71: 11-: 11>
Internet /: 19: 9>: 99: 1**: 1*1: 1*': 1*-: 1*1: 110: 1'1
IB '-: '0: '9: -1: 1-: 110
X
Xargon 7: 11: '*: '-: -1: 11: 10: 17: 19: /1: /0: />: 0/: 00: 7-: 79: >1: 9*: 9': 9>: 11-
XPeg 9/: 90
A
Aey 7: '-: -': 19: >1: >0: 110: 117
Aey3oard 7: '-: -': 19: 110: 117
(
(i4e: %edia 1>
%
margin 70
%CA 7: 11-
media 7: 1-: 10: '1: '7: -*: -9: 1': /1: 11/
%edia 1>
%emory >: 19: '-: '1: --: 11/: 11>: 119: 1'*
%enus /9: 00
%i+ro+ontroller 11
%i+ropro+essor: repla+ing '9
%odem 7: '': '0: -1: -': --: -1: /*: 11>
%onitor >: '': -': 19: 11>
%other3oard >: '>: 11>
mouse 7: >: '1: '-: '1: '/: -1: -1: 1': 19: /*: /1: />: 0*: 0': 07: 71: 70: 9-: 91: 9/: 11/: 110: 119: 1'1
!
!pen Ar+hite+ture >: 11>
P
Pallet 1/: 11>
Parallel >: 11>
Pasting 71: 9/
path /7
Path /7
PCI 7: 11-
PCV 9/
Permanen+e 1>
PiDel 11: 9': 9-: 91: 11/: 119
PiDels 11: 91: 11/
Popups 00: 07
port 1: /: >: 11: 1/: 17: '-: '1: '/: '0: -1: --: -1: -9: 1-: 10: 1>: 19: /*: //: /0: 07: 0>: >1: 9*: 9-: 90: 9>: 99:
1*1: 1*1: 110: 11>: 119: 1'*: 1'1
Ports >: 119
Po?er >: -1: -0: -7: -9: 11: 91: 119: 1'1
Printer >: '': -1: -': 19: 90: 119
Pro2iders 11: 1**
B
Buery >1: 119
A% 7: >: 1>: 19: '': '-: '1: '0: '>: '9: --: -1: 11-: 111: 11/: 11>: 119: 1'*
resolution 1/: 10: /9: 0*: >0: 90: 1'*
esolution 1/: 19: 1'*
@. 1/: 1'*
ISC 11
!% /: 7: >: 11: 1>: '': '0: --: -/: 10: 1>: 11-: 11/: 1'*
S
S+anner >: '0: -': 19: 1'*
S+roll .ars 07
SCSI 17: '9: -': -1
Serial >: 1'*
sort 19: 01: >0: >9
SB( >1: 1'*
Surge prote+tor >: 1'*
T
Ta3le 1: /*: >1: >7: 1'*
ta3s 71: 70: 77
TIFF 9/
Tool3ars 00: 07
Tools 00: 9': 1'1
Tra+,3all >: 1'1
Tra+,point >: 1'1
"
"PS >: -9: 1'1
"( 9>: 99: 1**: 1'1
C
Ce+tor 11: 9-
CESA 7: 11-
C@A 1/: '': '0: -1: --: 1'*: 1'1
Cirtual eality '*: 1'1
Ciruses -9
C '*: '1: /*: 1'1
W
?e3 '1: 01: >/: 9>: 99: 1**: 1*1: 1*': 1*1: 110: 1'1
We3 9>: 99: 1*1: 1'1
Windo?
Closing 01
I+oni4ying 01
%agni4ying 01
%o2ing 0*
esiPing 0*
N'()*

Computer Fundamentals

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Computer Fundamentals

Copyright 1997 Sean Walton

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