What is RAM?

RAM (ram) stands for random access memory. RAM is the computer's workplace for holding programs and the results of programs. Almost all of the instructions to make the computer do any of the things it can do, must be loaded into RAM for the computer to work. RAM starts out with very few instructions in it when the computer is first turned on, but fills up with the programs that you load into it, to do the work and the results of any previous work. In general, the more RAM a computer has, the more data it can work with at one time. Adding more RAM generally allows the computer to work more complex problems because the software necessary to complete complicated tasks take up more RAM space than more simple programs. RAM is measured in bytes. One byte could represent the letter "a" , the number "1", or an instruction for the computer. Approximately 1,000 bytes (bites) is called a kilobyte (kill-o-bite). Approximately 1,000 kilobytes is called a megabyte (meg-a-bite). Most computers today have between 256 and 640 kilobytes of RAM. Most computers can be expanded to several megabytes of RAM. A system needs to have as much RAM as the programs being run on it require.

What is ROM?

ROM (rom) stands for read only memory. ROM holds some of the instructions that the computer uses for starting itself and operating some of its hardware, like the serial and parallel port. The ROM of a computer is used by the operating system to talk to other types of devices, like the disk drive and monitor.

What is DOS?

DOS (dos) stands for disk operating system. It is a setup program for controlling the hardware that makes up a computer. The programmer will write a program that will communicate with DOS to store or display certain pieces of text and DOS then communicates directly with the hardware that makes up the computer. With DOS we have thousands of programs available that can share data with certain limitations with each other. Without operation systems like DOS, there would be far fewer programs available and the programs would have difficulty sharing data with each other. DOS is the supervisor of all the programs a user runs on their computer. And it also determines which programs a user can run as some programs use services found only in particular versions of DOS or other operating systems.

What Is Serial?

Serial is used to describe one way the computer can send its results or to receive results from another device, like a printer. The computer stores information as bytes. One byte can represent the letter "a", the number "1", or an instruction for the computer. A byte is on most computers made up of eight bits. Serial communication is done one bit at a time. On other words, a computer sending the letter "a" to a printer serial would actually send the printer eight separate bytes, one at a time. Some common devices that talk to the computer serially are modems, mice, and some printers. Compare this type of communication with parallel.

What Is Parallel?

Parallel is used to describe one way the commuter can send its results to or receive it results from another device. Like a printer, the computer stores information as bytes. One byte can represent the letter "a", the number "1", or an instruction for the computer. Parallel communication is done one byte at a time. In other words, a computer sending the letter "a" to a printer using a parallel communication would actually send it in one step. The most common devices that talk to the computer using parallel communication are printers. Compare this type of communication with serial.

Word Processing

A word processing program is one that allows a user to enter and manipulate words. There are a wide variety of word processing programs with a wide variety of capabilities. Some word processing programs allow the computer to do little more than act as a memory enhanced typewriter. Other word processing programs offer additional features. These might include search and replace where a user can automatically change every occurrence of the word "dog" to the word "cat". Still other word processing programs have more advanced features, which allow the computer to mix text and graphics on the same page, automatically generate a table of contents or index, and format the page in newspaper-like columns. In purchasing such a package it is essential to figure out which features a user needs now, and which features may be useful in the near future. Buying a package with too few features means having to re-learn an entirely new program sooner than is necessary. Likewise, buying a package with too many features complicates the task and makes the simple jobs harder than they should be. To get more information on what program you need, consult your local dealer and ask any friend currently using a word processing package.

Spreadsheets

A spreadsheet program is one that allows a user to enter and manipulate numbers. This type of package is more similar from package to package than word processors or databases. One of the basic features of any spreadsheet is the ability to create formulas. Some spreadsheets have additional features such as graphics, and many more have add-ins that do very sophisticated statistical analysis. This type of program can be found in all combinations of capacity and power. Similar spreadsheets can have a 256 by 256 grid of cells in which to enter numbers and simple formulas like averages and sums. The more powerful packages can have over a billion cells with such advanced formula functions as standard deviation. The main factor to consider when buying a spreadsheet is price. If a spreadsheet has the formula functions needed and any other features wanted like graphics then the only concern is price and remember that most spreadsheets share the same basic set of formula functions.

Desktop Publishing

Desktop publishing packages are programs that are designed to help layout and format a page of text, usually for publication. These programs are usually not endowed with the features useful for entering and manipulating individual pieces of text, like those found in word processing packages because that is not their main function. The desktop publishing program is equipped to handle such things as mixing text and graphics from various programs onto the same page, controlling the appearance of the text, such as fonts, and generally do all of the formatting necessary to take a word processing file and make it look like it was a type set for inclusion in a publication. The distinction between desktop publishing and word processing programs is blurry. The more powerful word processing packages are acquiring rudimentary page layout skills. At the same time, the more powerful desktop programs are becoming more capable in manipulating individual pieces of text. As these packages have become more powerful, a new group of desktop publishing programs has emerged. These new programs are far less complicated and more suitable for home and small business use than their counterparts. Consult you local dealer to find out which package has the features you need.

Accounting

There are several accounting packages available for personal computers. These range in price is from about $100 to several hundred dollars. The features they have may be appropriate for either home use or businesses use. Some are even adapted for use by non-profit organizations or other groups with special accounting needs. The home use accounting programs are good for balancing the family budget. Some of these have additional features like check writing and electronic banking making personal finances almost painless. The business programs have the more advanced accounting features that are related to having multiple books open at once and computing payroll and linking accounting information such as cells to inventory. The menu or command structure varies greatly between packages so there are multiple options even when the needed level of power and features have been decided. Consult your local dealer to find out which packages are best suited for your accounting needs.

Database Management

Database management packages are programs that are designed to store and manipulate tables or lists of information. These packages not only vary in the way they store and retrieve information, but also in the way a user can access it. For example, a simple database program may allow a user to create several tables of information such as a client list and a salesperson list. Such a program is called a "flatfile" database program. A more powerful database program may also allow the tables to be linked so that the user can track which salesperson is in charge of certain clients. This type of program is loosely termed a "relational" database. A still more powerful database can have its known programming language and allow a custom set of menus to be built for others to more easily get at the information in the client and salesperson tables. There are currently several competing packages at each of these levels of sophistication. Prices run an equally wide spectrum. Flatfile databases can cost as little as about $100. A relational package with its own programming language can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars. Consult your local dealer for more information on which type of package is best suited for your needs.

Computer Education for All Ages

There are several packages available for educating people in a wide variety of subjects. These programs come in several varieties, including games that teach, guided tutorials and interactive tutorials. The games that teach can be anything from a space invaders-like game to one that teaches spelling, to simulation programs. The simulation programs allow one to explore various situations with surprising technical accuracy, otherwise unavailable or hazardous to the user. These include piloting a plane, submarine, space shuttle, or tank. Other simulations may include scenarios for diving or exploring a foreign land. The guided tutorial programs usually take a single path approach to learning. They guide the user through a subject in a set series of steps. There are usually provisions made for different levels of detail or different levels of understanding. The next step up in sophistication is the interactive tutorial which not only allows for different levels of detail, but imposes no set series of questions to ask, or problems to pose. This form of tutorial is considered the best though there are many award winning guided tutorials for subjects where the interactive approach is confusing. Basically, the computer gives the choice today of not only what to learn but how to learn it. Consult your local dealer for specific titles in different subjects.

Computer Games

Games are the single largest software category for the personal computer today. Games are usually separated by type into one of four categories. They are simulations, arcade games, adventure games, and numerous hybrids. The simulation programs allow one to explore various situations with surprising technical accuracy, otherwise unavailable or hazardous to the user. These include piloting a plane, submarines, space shuttle, or tank. Other simulations may include scenarios for diving or exploring a foreign land. The arcade games are either a personal computer version of a popular video game or can be any of the hundreds of the so-called "shoot-em-up" games. The adventure games are usually based on either a medieval saga or a roving starfighter plot. There are other games that quite simply, but capably, replicate a physical game classic. These include the programs that play chess, checkers, Chinese checkers, and countless card games. The advantage to having then on the computer, not only lies in the speed and ease of setting up or resetting up a game, but in that the computer can act as a second player, if needed. The important thing to note about game programs is that because of their graphics oriented nature, the type of hardware a user owns determines which games can be used, and what level of detail is to be expected. Consult your local dealer to find out which titles are available for your type of hardware.

Integrated Packages

An integrated package is a program that attempts to offer some of the features found in each of the basic computing areas; word processing, spreadsheets, database management, graphics, and usually also, communication. The advantage to buying this type of package lies in the consistency between the different types of programs. Whereas, buying a spreadsheet from one vendor and a database program from another, will usually mean having to learn two separate sets of commands. An integrated package uses the same commands where appropriate across its different modules. There is another advantage in price. The integrated package usually costs much less than buying the equivalent in individual programs. The only major disadvantage to buying this type of program is that it normally compromises features in order to be small enough and fast enough to run on the more common, but lesser equipped personal computers. The new user of personal computers is strongly advised to try using an integrated package before using separate ones. This will get a person producing actual results faster.

Graphical User Interface (GUI'S)

A graphical user interface is simply a program that allows a different approach to entering commands to your computer. Whereas, some computers accept typed commands with lists of options typed accordingly, a computer running a graphical user interface allows a user to point to command and their appropriate option. This sometimes requires a pointing device such as a mouse in order to work. There are graphical interfaces for many computers, and some computers are made to only work in one. The advantage to using a graphical interface is that it brings more consistency to the various programs being run on a specific computer. A graphical interface does this by setting rules for program writers to follow so that the similar commands in their programs appear in similar places in the interface, and function the same. As you can see, one needs to purchase programs written to take advantage of these rules in order to get the most out of the graphical interface. Graphical interfaces also have the advantage of being easier to learn than their typed counterpart, depending on the particular interface. The major generic disadvantage to graphical interfaces is they usually require more computing horsepower than most users own. This means that most users will also have to buy more hardware to get a graphical interface to work on their system. Consult your local dealer to find out which graphical interfaces are available for your computer.

Telecommuting

Telecommuting is the process by which someone can work away from the office, usually at home, and send in completed work over the phone line through a modem as it is finished. While still very new, many employers are finding that telecommunicating can raise productivity significantly. This is because telecommuting allows the employee to avoid wasting time physically commuting to the office, and giving the worker a chance to work in a more comfortable environment. The worker also has the fringe benefit of flexible self-set hours, though the employee must be a self-starter. Many writers and programmers in this country are currently telecommuting to work regularly. Some are even telecommuting into this country from across the world. Telecommuting can be adapted for a variety of positions in a variety of professions. The only requirement is the work should be able to be completed by one individual who needs no direct supervision. There are a few areas to watch out for when setting up a new telecommuting group, such things as regular office visits or meetings to keep a sense of organization, and regular status calls in the beginning to get the workers familiar with the setup. For some organizations telecommuting, has forever increased profits and morale without giving up control and consistency.

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