Computer Basics

1. Computer Basics Lesson 12 – On Your Own

2. What Should You Know? • If you are going to own or be responsible for a computer, there is a lot more to know. • Facts of Computer Life • Fact One:   If you haven't yet today said "I hate computers!", well, you haven't done much on one today! • Fact Two:Something better is just around the corner. No matter how spiffy your new hardware or software is, something spiffier is will be released soon. • Fact Three:The price will go down next week. Devices and programs drop in price when newer ones are released. • Fact Four:"All you'll ever need" is never enough.

3. Time to Buy • If you have some specific task(s) in mind, it makes a lot of sense to decide on your software first! • Questions about cost: • Parts included? (monitor, DVD drive, printer) • Operating system and software included? (Which operating system comes on the computer? Does the computer come with pre-installed software? Will you really use that software?) • Hidden costs? (printer supplies, desk, mousepad) • Software you want? (Adobe, antivirus) • Maintenance and replacements? • Going online? • Combo packages?

4. Internet Options • Besides a modem and a telephone line, you'll have to subscribe to some kind of internet access service. • Choose an Internet Service Provider: • Verizon • AT&T • Comcast • Charter • EarthLink • Nemr • Most services have a flat rate per month for unlimited time online. • If you must use a dial-up connection, choose a service that has a local telephone number for your connection.

5. Other Options • What other services besides Internet access does the provider offer? • Web space: Some automatically give you 1, 2, or 5 MB of space for your own web pages. They might offer free web-page creation for simple pages. • Business web site: Are you thinking about putting your business on the web? Does the service offer help with the more complex web pages that you would need for taking orders over the web? Will your ISP even allow business pages in your personal web space? • Email: They certainly will give you an email address. Will they give you more than one so that the members of your family could have their own email addresses?

6. Portability • The following questions deal with the portability of your computer: • How movable does your computer have to be? • Will it sit in one place? • Do you need to carry it back and forth between work or school and home? • Do you need to carry it with you while traveling? • This will help determine whether you should buy a desktop computer or a laptop.

7. Software • When picking out software, consider the following ?’s: • What does it do? • What hardware is needed? • What other software is needed? • Is it compatible with what you've already got? • Be Informed! • Read reviews and ask people for their personal recommendations. • Read the box. • Try it out. • Buy from a place that has a money back guarantee.

8. Software • Ways to try software before purchasing: • Trialware - You get a program on disk or by downloading from the Internet. You are given permission to run the program X number of times or for Y number of days. After that you are supposed to pay the registration fee. • Crippleware - In this case the shareware version of the program is crippled by disabling the more advanced or desirable features. • Freeware - There is no charge ever for freeware. You can use it as much as you like. • Liteware - A free version of the program is made that leaves out features that would make it more attractive to frequent or heavy users.

9. What Hardware? • Not all programs will run on all computers! • Computer type Does it require an PC or a MAC or something quite different? • OS What operating system will it work with? Windows Vista or Windows 7 or Linux or UNIX or what?? • Processor What processor? A 386, 486, Pentium IV? Single, dual, or quad?  32-bit or 64-bit? • RAM The amount of memory required by a program is usually given as a "required" amount and a "recommended" amount. • Hard disk space The amount of space stated in this requirement is what the program will take up on the hard disk after it is first installed. You'll need space for the documents you create also. • Devices Specific devices or capabilities may be required, like a mouse, CD or DVD drive, certain speed for the CD/DVD, sound card and speakers.

10. Software Cont. • Does this program stand alone or does it need other software to go with it? • Some programs are add-ons or enhancements for others or allow other programs to communicate with each other. • Another compatibility issue is about versions of the same software. If you have Office 2010 and your boss still has Office 2003, you must be very careful to work in "Compatibility Mode" for files your boss needs to open on her own computer. Your boss won't be able to open a letter or spreadsheet that was saved in the new format!

11. Hardware Best Guess Recommendations  (Home Use) • Desktop or Laptop It depends on how you plan to use the computer. For a laptop, get as much capacity and battery life as you can but be careful about the weight. You will not enjoy hauling around a laptop that strains your back! • Processor Pentium 4 • Clock speedminimum = 1 GHz (GHz = gigahertz = 1000 MHz)better= 2+ GHz • RAM (memory)minimum= 1 GB (GB = gigabytes= 1000 megabytes)better=2 GB great= 4 GB • Slots & Baysminimum= 3 open slots and 1 open bay

12. Hardware • Hard disk sizeminimum=250 GB better= 500 GB great= 1 TB ( TB = terabyte = 1000 gigabytes) • Monitor sizeminimum= 15" better= 17" great= 19" to 24", if you have the room on the desk! Price is really down. Get a flat panel monitor. The old CRT type (like an old TV screen) are way out of date. Able to display 1024 x 768 resolution in 16-bit color. • Video cardminimum= video integrated with the motherboardbetter= PCI card with 64 MB great= 3D card with 64+ onboard memory

13. Hardware • Operating System Win7, pre-installed, install disk provided (Important!) Be aware that old software may not run on new operating systems. • Softwareminimum= anti-virus, word processing better= major anti-virus program, an office suite like Microsoft Office or Lotus SmartSuite that includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, etc.best= pre-loaded with the system - the software you need specifically, with install disks provided. (Be aware that low end computers may come with Microsoft Works installed, which is not the same as Microsoft Office.)

14. Hardware • CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD-Rrequired: drive that reads CDs since nearly all software is now installed from a CD. better: 40x/10x/40x CD-RW drive or 16x DVD-ROM drivebest: DVD-RW drive (writes as well as reads), but there are various formats available that are not compatible with each other. DVD disks hold more but cost a lot more than CDs. • Sound card Sound Blaster or compatible; may be part of DVD-ROM package along with speakers • Printerminimum= color ink jet, at least 20 pages per minute, one cartridge with 3 colors in it better=black and white laser for best print quality; color ink jet with separate ink cartridges for each color.best =Color laser- Prices are not so bad now but toner is expensive. Probably not worth it for home use.

15. Hardware • Removable disks Two or more USB flash drives of at least 1 GB. A new computer will have at least 2 USB ports on the back and 2 on the front. • UPSminimum= surge protection strip or console with phone jack better= UPS with phone jack and 5 - 10 minute backup power best= includes software to auto-close and shut down and longer backup run time • Modemminimum= 56.6 Kbps speed (Don't settle for this!) better= ISDN, or ADSL (also called just DSL)fastest= cable modem • Scanner600 dpi or better; 24-bit color or better; full page scanner; single-pass

16. Where to buy? • Chain computer store • Advantages: Knowledgeable staff can advise you Easy to exchange Repair what they sell Large stock on hand Prices usually OK. National brands Help with installation/configuration problems close at hand • Disadvantages: Repair shops vary in quality Staff may not be well-trained if turnover is high High minimum charge to work on your computer May charge for any configuration assistance Impersonal

17. Where to buy? • Small computer shop • Advantages: Knowledgeable about their own stock More personal More flexible about pricing Clones - computers put together from off-the-shelf parts, making replacement parts and repairs easier. Help with installation/configuration close at hand • Disadvantages: Little stock on hand. Must order. Pricing tends to be somewhat higher

18. Where to buy? • Direct • Advantages: Prices may be lower Can order non-standard components Warranty comes from manufacturer and not store • Disadvantages: Must order and wait Exchanges for broken parts difficult Harder to get help for installation/configuration problems Parts may be more expensive than for a clone.

19. Where to buy? • Catalog • Advantages: Lower prices! Most accept returns for any reason • Disadvantages: Must order and wait. Must ship to return broken or unsatisfactory order No assistance for installation/configuration

20. Conclusions • So what conclusions can we draw about where to buy a system? 1.  When comparing prices, be sure you are not comparing apples to oranges. 2.  Consider possible expenses like shipping returns and technical assistance. 3. If you are knowledgeable about what you want and can tolerate the shipping waits, order from a catalog for the best price. Use a local computer shop to put together just the right system from components. 4.  If you are new to computers, buy from a store where you can get assistance and advice and can return unsatisfactory merchandise. A helpful, local shop is more important than a somewhat lower price.

21. Installation • Before installing a program, make sure to read the directions! • If you want to uninstall a program, use the uninstall.exe and unwise.exe command. • Insert your installation disk in the correct drive, right-side up. The side with the print on it should be on top. • Before you can make choices, you may first have to enter a registration code off the box or CD sleeve or some paper inside the package, so don't throw away anything until you know for sure.

22. Types of Installation • The Typical install will not install everything possible, just those parts that the authors expect most people will want. • A Minimum install will install only the basics, or, if the program can run directly off the CD, it will install just enough to get the program started so it can access the CD for everything else. • A Custom install allows you to choose what parts you want.

23. Done Installing – Now What? • Sometimes, after your software has finished writing its files, it will say that for all the new settings to take effect the computer needs to be rebooted, that is, it must be shut down and then turned back on. • Why is this needed? The installation process made changes to system files that are looked at when the computer starts up and not again. So the computer won't know about the changes you just made until it boots the next time.

24. Trouble Comfort Zones • Comfort 1 - Computer troubles happen to everyone! Even to the most experienced and skilled computer professionals. • Comfort 2 - Most things can be fixed, especially if you made some common sense preparations. • Comfort 3 - When things are really, truly broken and can't be fixed and you weren't prepared, keep your perspective. It's still not a heart attack (though it might give you one if you forget to remain calm!)

25. Preparations • Backup Make regular backup copies of all important data. Make multiple copies in different places if it is REALLY important! Use an online backup location plus off-the-computer storage like on DVD or a flash drive. Store those copies somewhere besides where the computer is! • Install Disks Keep handy the installation disks for all your current software. Keep disks for old software if you bought an upgrade version to replace it. You may be asked for the old disks to verify that you can upgrade. If you don't have disks because you downloaded the installation files, keep extra copies of those files on removable software or online storage.

26. Preparations • Manuals Keep the original warranties, receipts, user manuals, and installation guides for both hardware and software. • CodesKeep a list of all the ID and registration codes needed for installing software.

27. Preparations • Configuration Keep a list of changes you make to hardware and software settings. If you have to reinstall software, it would be very nice to know how to get it back to the way you had customized it. • SolutionsKeep a file of solutions to problems you have solved (and solutions you've read about or been told). You may see that problem again, only to realize that you remember solving it but not HOW you solved it! You can also help others if you have the details close at hand.

28. Remedies • Rebooting cleans out memory and restarts the computer. • Sometimes the best way to clear up a problem is to undo changes made previously. • Installing your problem software afresh can be an amazingly easy cure to a lot of problems. Sometimes files get corrupted or overwritten by other software. Reinstalling gets you back to a fresh set of files.

29. Solutions Wrong or outdated video drivers Download newest drivers. Wrong BIOS settings Read manual and fix if you can interpret the manual!