The terms won’t change – but your understanding of them will

I’ll touch on a technology vocabulary lesson of sorts. In my Beginners Computer Purchase article (How to buy a computer and what you think you need); I touched on some specifications and terminology of computer hardware. Many people may not understand what RAM means or processor, or even what they do.  So let’s jump in!

Monitor :

A monitor is what you’re looking at right now! It is basically a TV for your computer and they are all offered in LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and are flat. When it comes to monitors, it really comes down to size for the beginner. Don’t worry about all the other fancy specifications and models – just worry about the monitor size for now.

Processor :

or commonly referred to as processor speed. The Processor is a powerful chip inside your computer able to perform complex math formulas. What the processor in a computer does is mathematically, find the best/fasted possible way to read, analyze, and execute data that the user is asking it to do. Say for instance, you’re trying to open up Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook Email, and a Photo viewer – the processor will decide how and at what speed these "tasks" will open up.

Intermediate / Advanced: New processors have what is called Multi-core technology aka Dual-Core, Core Duo, Quad Core. What this means, for example in a Quad core is that instead of 1 physical processor (like in the old days); the single chip has 4 physical processors. This obviously quadruples the processing power of your PC!

RAM :

also known as Random Access Memory. This in my opinion is the most important part of the computer and is often the cheapest upgrade you can give to the PC. Random Access Memory (RAM) acts as a high-speed temporary storage for whatever programs you’re working with on the PC. Take for example, you open up a couple of pictures and it takes 10 seconds to open them. Those photos are may be put in high-speed temporary memory – therefore, 10 minutes later if you reopen those files, they’ll often open in only 2 seconds – It used RAM to do so. RAM significantly speeds up the computer and works complimentary to the Processor.

OPERATING SYSTEM:

You’ve heard and see all the commercials for Windows Vista or Windows XP. "I’m three years old and I’m a PC!", stated one little girl on a Windows Vista commercial on the internet. Well, Vista and XP are called Operating Systems. It is the most special piece of software that you’ll have installed on your computer.

The Operating System is provides a platform for all other software to be used on. It also provide communication between software and any hardware you add, such as a USB Web Camera.

Don’t worry about making a lot of choices though, because they are minimal. Right now, you’ll have to use Windows Vista or in the next year perhaps Windows 7.

USB / USB Devices:

also known as, Universal Serial Bus – This is a fancy term for port on the back of your computer that can be used by all kinds of devices, thus making it universal. Serial Bus, for those of you who really want to know more is the technology in which it communicates physical with the computer. All you need to know for now is that 1 – Its fast and 2 – Its easy to use and 3 – There are all kinds of USB devices that are lots of fun to use! I’ve listed some below.

Software:

software basically refers to the programs and applications that you can install in your computer. Software is extremely diverse. Some examples of software would be:

Productivity: Microsoft Office Standard 2007 FULL VERSION

Games: World of Warcraft Battle Chest, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor

Graphics: AutoCAD LT 2009 ], Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

Children: Reader Rabbit Preschool 2005 (Jewel Case), Jumpstart Advanced Kindergarten V2.0

Operating Systems: We discussed this earlier – Remember, this is specialized platform software.

[ARTICLE WILL BE UPDATED LATER]