BUYING
A COMPUTER?
Computers
have grown up and have improved enormously and will continue to improve
for the foreseeable future. They will inevitably become faster, more reliable,
and programmes will become easier to use. If you want a personal computer
don't wait for them to be perfected. There will never be an 'even keel',
a best time to buy, because computer technology will never stand still.
To get very basic, you shouldn't even touch any machine that doesn't
-
have at least a 500Mhz processor
-
have at least 64Mb of RAM, with open slots for expansion
-
have at least Win 98 installed
-
have at least a 56k working modem
-
have at least one available PCI slot
-
come with a full OS installation/reinstallation disc (not just a repair
disc)
Even though computers are a great technological bargain you can still get
burned and it's best to make a step-by-step plan for acquiring one. Many
computer shoppers make the classic mistake:- They (1) buy a computer then
(2) buy some programmes then (3) learn how to use the programs then (4)
learn about the computer itself. This is exactly backwards.
Let's go through these four steps in the correct order:- (1) Learn about
computers (2) learn about programmes (3) select the programs you want and
finally (4) choose a computer that runs your programs.
A computer is different from other machines because it needs a programme
to tell it what to do. Some companies make computers, others write computer
programmes. This means that if a certain kind of computer becomes popular
more programmes will be written for it and this will make it even more
popular. Eventually one kind of computer becomes a standard, which means
more programmes get written, at lower cost, and many companies compete
to make the best, least expensive version of that computer.
In the real world this snowball effect was swift and powerful - a computer
model originally created by IBM has become the industry standard and many
companies make versions of it, most programs are written for it, and best
of all, no one owns it. Anyone can start a company and create another
"IBM clone" personal computer. In fact, the new models of this computer
are so inexpensive that IBM doesn't build it any more. It has become the
Industry Standard Architecture - ISA - machine. There is another popular
computer model called the Macintosh, made by Apple Computer, Inc. Few other
companies make this machine. As you might expect, because only a few companies
build it, it's more expensive than the ISA. On the other hand, many Macintosh
owners find it easier to learn and use than the ISA machines. But, because
of advances in programming, the ISAs are becoming easier to use and the
differences between a Macintosh and an ISA are becoming less significant
- and the ISAs are significantly less expensive.
A computer has to do a lot. It has to accept your inputs, either from a
keyboard
or a mouse, it has to do some processing, both logic and
arithmetic, and, under the direction of a program, it has to display
its results, keep some information temporarily in its memory, and
it has to store information permanently on disk drives.
Most computer owners use a keyboard to tell the computer what to do, and
some also use a mouse, a little pointing device, to select the next action.
Mice are becoming very popular and most new computers come equipped with
one.
The computer's processor is hidden from view but it governs the actions
of all the other parts. Recent ISA machines have either an Intel 80486
or Pentium processor - the only difference is that the 80486 does numerical
calculations faster. So, if you plan to use a spreadsheet or other program
that emphasizes arithmetic, you may want to pay the extra cost of the latest
Pentium.
The computer program is the key to the computer's flexibility - unlike
an old-fashioned machine with one purpose a computer can have as many purposes
as there are programs. And anyone can write a program - it doesn't have
to come from the company that built the machine as long as the program
and computer are compatible.
The display shows the computer's results, and is usually a TV-style screen.
The best displays are capable of showing a lot of detail, in color, including
graphic images such as photographs and animation.
The computer's memory is a temporary storage area. It contains both
programs, such as a word processor, and information, such as a letter you
may be writing. But memory isn't permanent - if you write a letter and
then turn off the machine, the memory contents are lost. You have to save
your work on a permanent storage device such as a disk drive.
The computer's disk drives hold copies of programs and information that
are
not lost when the computer is turned off. "Floppy discs" are
able to save about a million characters of text (or other kinds of information)
on a disc, and the floppy can be removed, stored in a separate location,
or read by another computer of the same family. "Hard drives" are much
faster than floppies, are built permanently into the machine, and store
much more info. A gigabyte (109 bytes) is now commonplace.
When you shop for a computer, you will want to notice the size of the hard
disc in "megabytes" (millions of characters), the number and kind of floppy
disc drives, the size and quality of the display screen, the kind of processor,
the amount of built-in memory, whether the machine is ISA-compatible, and
finally, the clock speed. The computer's clock keeps everything in synchronization,
sort of like an orchestra conductor, and generally the faster the clock,
the faster the computer can process information.
You should know generally what to look and ask for when you finally go
into a computer store. Also, asking "How big is the hard drive on this
machine?" has been known to wipe the smile off a computer salesperson's
face at ten paces.
Programmes
In
spite of what you may have heard, the computer's programme is the real
intelligence in the machine - although calling it "intelligence" might
be going too far. Without a program the best computer would be dark and
mute. With a program the same machine seems to come to life - but don't
be taken in when you go shopping and see fantastic displays of motion and
color. Always remember: The computer has to do what you want, not
what the salesperson wants.
Computer programs can do many interesting and useful things. They can keep
your personal or business records, help you write letters, reports, even
books, fill out your tax forms, help you lay out your furniture or your
yard. There are programs that can plan a trip for you and print a map of
the route. They can even take you on interactive games and adventures -
in this way they are better (or worse) than television.
At this time computers are used mostly for two things - word-processing
and spreadsheet calculation. The word-processing category now includes
something called desktop publishing, which means using a computer and printer
to create flyers, banners, cards, even book manuscripts, with photographs
and graphics. Spreadsheets, originally an electronic ledger sheet, have
matured also, and include the ability to make graphs of their results.
A new storage technology, based on the audio compact disc, makes it possible
to put an entire encyclopedia on a disk, complete with pictures and even
sounds. You simply type a word or two and the program searches for all
references to that subject. It's a very efficient way to study or perform
research, or just browse for the pleasure of it. Computer manufacturers
will soon begin to include as standard equipment the special drive these
disks require, but you can ask for this option when you shop.
Time
To Get Your Feet Wet
Before
you actually buy programs or a computer, you should sit down at one, preferably
with someone who knows computers and isn't trying to sell you anything.
Perhaps you have a friend who owns a computer, or your town may have a
computer club, or a local college may offer an introductory course on the
use of computers. This introduction to the computer will show you the basics
-- how to run a program, how to use a keyboard, how to save your work.
It should also show you which computer programs you find useful.
Certainly the worst place to learn about computers is a computer
retail showroom. Computer salespeople still "oversell" computers - they
represent computers as being capable of anything. This problem has become
so severe that some U.S. states now allow a purchaser to return the entire
system if it doesn't work at home like it did in the shop. The best advice
is to become familiar with computers and programs before you visit
a computer store, not
while you are there.
After you have gotten your feet wet in a college introductory course, in
a computer club or at a friend's house, read some computer magazines -
many compare computer systems and programs, and describe what they can
and can't do. Eventually you will know which programs you want to buy,
and which computer is able to run those programs. Which brings us to the
hardest decision of all - should you place an order by mail or shop at
a retail store?
If you place an order by mail, you will get the lowest prices, but you
will have to set the system up yourself. Or, you may want to ask for help
-- a young, computer-oriented person may be willing to help you for a small
sum, and the experience.
If you decide to shop by mail, remember this tip: don't order from the
manufacturer of a computer or program, instead buy from an authorized mail-order
house. This is because the manufacturer will always charge the highest
price for an item, not wishing to compete with his own distributors, whereas
the distributor will usually offer you a discount, because you can shop
anywhere.
If you shop at a retail store, you will pay a higher price, but the store
may
be able to offer a demonstration of the computer system and programs
you want to buy, help you install it, and offer after-sale service. If
you choose this option, remember one thing: the only reason for retail
stores and prices is so you can see and touch the product you are buying.
If it's in a box, don't pay retail. If you decide to shop at a retail
computer store, you should be able to sit down at a machine like the one
you are buying, and run the programs you are buying on that machine.
Another piece of advice: If the store owner says he must order the machine
for you, either order it yourself through a reputable computer mail-order
house, or ask for the right to refuse the machine when it arrives.
And finally, however you acquire your computer, be prepared for an adventure.
You will soon share a feeling in common with most personal computer owners
and wonder how you managed to get along without it!
TO
REBUILD OR REPLACE OUTDATED COMPUTERS?
What
should you test for when you're looking to purchase a used computer? First,
do not get sold on buying a new computer just because industry experts
say that they are obsolete after some four years. Many computer models
can be updated and upgraded by simply replacing specific parts and installing
new software. (The only exceptions are those very cheap featureless models
which are built to an ultra-tight budget - these are virtually throwaways
because not even the manufacturer can repair them!)
If you cannot decide whether you need to buy or repair, here's the basic
rule of thumb to guide you in making that decision: Purchase a new
computer if the replacement parts or software necessary to bring it up
to date cost more than 50% of its original purchase price.
If your company buys a new computer, it should consider selling the old
one. There are secondary markets who export old computers to Third World
countries. The average resale price of a three-year old system is usually
as little as 10% to 15% of the original purchase price!
Check
your Website Rating
THE
PERFECT OPERATING SYSTEM?
What should you expect from
the perfect OS? It should be just that - a reliable 'operating system'
- maybe a little more but certainly no less. Not a Web browser, not a media
player, not a moviemaker. I will obtain the software I want to use for
these things and install them myself.
Software
installation and un-installation should be simple. I mean, really simple!
To install, just copy the programme to the hard drive. To uninstall, just
delete that programme. Don't splatter entries all through my registry.
Don't bloat my system. Don't try to blind me with science. Give me simple
configuration and INI files that I can understand and edit myself with
my text editor. Let's have a robust, logically-organized file system with
file names in ordinary English, not in some kind of weird techno-babble.
When I look at a file, I want to know what it is and be able to understand
it.
If any
programme needs a patch or update, send me an e-mail and make the file
available for download so that I can apply it when I feel like it. Do not
snoop around in my computer installing stuff behind my back. After all,
it's my machine!
I've
already paid for your operating system so please keep your nose
out of my computer.
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