Computers before Windows
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 “I”, 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.
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.
SOFTWARE
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 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.
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 relearn 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 nonprofit 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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Home Office
The in-home office has the same basic requirements as the one-person office. The exception to this is that the in-home office computer user may have stricter place limitations than the one- person office. The in-home user needs to be concerned with getting the business application programs that fill their needs without being too complex to run. For example, in a mufti-user office there is usually an accountant to run the accounting package and a programmer to run the database package. However, in an in-home office there is no one to study the subtleties of the individual software packages, so software that runs a variety of programs supplemented by any special purpose business programs is recommended. The type of computer needed can then be determined by the requirements of the software packages selected. Consult your local dealer for more information concerning special software titles.
Student Computer Users
The student computer user has some special buying concerns. The student should try to buy the same package that they are learning at school, or a compatible product, if possible. This helps the student learn programming without having to translate the classroom examples from one version to another for use at home. There are usually low cost software products that have some of the features used in the more expensive packages taught in school. Consult your school for a list of the packages used in certain computer based courses. For more information contact Resource Concepts at 972 243-2588
Household System
There are two important questions a home computer buyer should ask. Do I want a computer for entertainment and game playing, or will I use it to bring work home, do personal finances, or help the children with homework? If the system is just to be used for games then the buyer should look into buying a game system. These cost less than a personal computer and are much better at playing arcade style games than personal computers. If a home computer is needed for other purposes, then the buyer should look for software packages that can do several functions, or software that does exactly what they need the computer for. If the user will be bringing work home, then the software packages used at home must be compatible with what is used at work. Once software packages have been chosen, the type of computer needed can be determined. For more information on household computer systems, please contact Resource Concepts at 972 243-2588 .
What about Computer Service?
The place to get service for a computer depends on where and when it was purchased. Computer dealers will usually repair what they sell for free within the first few weeks or months after the sale, depending on the dealer’s warranty policy. For service after that, most dealers will sell warranty extensions, which may or may not include on site service. Some computer dealers will repair computers that were purchased elsewhere for a fee. If there is no local computer dealer to go to, there are service centers for different makes of computers that take computers from across the country. The drawback with the service center approach is that you may have to pay the shipping costs and it usually takes longer to get your system back.
