1. the console or CPU (central processing unit) is the box that contains the electronic chips and wires that make up the computer's "engine,"These three components are the essential hardware, the physical equipment or machinery of your computer system. These days, hardware comes in a bewildering array of sizes, capacities, and speeds, all identified by acronyms and numbers that, like automobile engine numbers, are usually indecipherable at first glance.2. the keyboard, on which you type directions or commands, and
3. the monitor, a television-like screen.
The microprocessor is the main computer chip. The numbers describe its speed and capabilities. New programs designed for the higher model numbers may not work on older machines.
Kilobytes (K or KB) and megabytes (MB) are numerical measures of how many characters, or "bytes," your computer can handle at once or store permanently. In Greek, kilo means "thousand", mega means "million". One megabyte equals about 500 pages of text.
RAM stands for random-access memory. It's a measure of how much information your computer's memory can hold while it is on. To preserve your data when the computer is turned off, you must first transfer or save it to either a hard drive or a diskette.
The hard drive houses spinning magnetic recording platters (sometimes called a hard or fixed disk) that store information permanently inside your computer or in an attached box. Diskettes are the plastic square jacket-covered magnetic recording disks that you insert into a slot (the diskette drive) on the front of your machine. Diskettes may measure 3.5 or 5.25 inches. "Diskette" is often abbreviated to "disk," or called a "floppy disk."
Information may also be stored on CD-ROMs or laserdiscs, which require special players attached to the computer. These discs store massive amounts of data, including full-motion video, on laser-etched foil embedded in clear plastic.
Basically, there are five broad applications for software in everyday use in the business world (and increasingly, in the world of education).
1. To type and edit manuscripts, stories, or reports and then print them out, you'll need a word-processing application.Some computer software programs designed specifically for education integrate word-processing, databases, spreadsheets, telecommunications, and graphics software into easy-to-use packages.2. For working with long mailing lists, catalogs of items in inventory, or encyclopedic reference materials, the software application of choice is a database. Since the popular on-line encyclopedias for library and school use have database management (search) functions already built in, you've probably already manip-ulated a database without realizing it.
3. For mathematical calculations such as figuring a budget or averaging grades, you need a type of software application called a spreadsheet.
4. Communications software and modems are the two computer accessories that allow computers to communicate by telephone. With this equipment, described together as telecommunications, you can dial up, log in to, and communicate with hundreds of services, such as electronic bulletin boards, newspaper data services, on-line services, and anyone else with a modem.
5. Illustration, animation, and digital video are manipulated using graphics software.
Fortunately for teachers and students, the complex underpinnings of these programs are invisible during use, just as the internal interactions of pistons and valves are invisible inside a car's combustion engine when you start the motor. The important interaction to notice in the classroom is this: Today's students, attuned to the magnetic impact of Nintendo and MTV, gravitate toward technology. When technology is used effectively, even at-risk students become active participants in learning that is colorful, challenging, interactive, and fun.
Certain specialty software applications expand classroom or media center resources beyond specific courseware.
1. Desktop publishing software enables your students to turn their written projects into professional-looking news letters or books, complete with big headlines and artwork.2. Administrative and bookkeeping tools let you track attendance and grades quickly and easily by computer.
3. On-line reference and research programs allow searching through library catalogs or other databases by computer.
4. Microcomputer-based laboratory software allows analysis of scientific data, including results of environmental monitoring.
5. Geographic information systems (GIS) allow data and graphical elements to be displayed visually on multi-layered maps, and analyzed based on spatial characteristics.
Within seconds, the programs are on the screen and the user is at work. When the user is finished, information such as a report or data file may be saved on a diskette inserted into the computer's disk drive, for safe-keeping, privacy, or to use on another computer. (Diskettes used to store personal work are sometimes called data disks, as distinguished from software program disks.) Alternately, the user may save work directly to the file server's hard drive, a procedure that totally eliminates handling of diskettes.
The technical aspects of local area networks can be complex; however, computer networking professionals usually handle the installation. Networking may also require a bit of remodeling to accommodate all of the cables and wires.
Happily, trainers and teachers who use networks have other details to focus on. For example:
Diskettes are quite sturdy, but there are a few points to remember:
1. Magnets and magnetic fields, such as airport X-ray machines, magnetic paperclip holders, stereo speakers, and even some telephones, can destroy the data on your diskettes if they get too close.2. Like film, diskettes last longer at room temperature, not in an overheated automobile glove compartment or in direct sunlight.
3. The diskette should slide easily into the disk drive slot; if the slot is working properly and the diskette is not damaged, there's no need for force.
4. If the information on a diskette is especially valuable to you, make a copy.