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I was thinking to myself, why would someone need to use a spam filter on their email box? I can understand they don’t want and spam but why not just have a junk email. Even the odd spam gets through.

Personally myself, I just created a bunch of email filters to filter my emal. Even gmail has a great system to create filters and you could even use it to reditect your mail to your good email.  Even if you own a server, you can create filters on that email too.

Filtering your email is fairly simple once you know where you need to goto change things. Then you won’t have to goto a spam filtering service, you can just allow the mail you want without people getting angered at you.

First the main parts of the computer will be divided into two; these are the software and the hardware. The hardware part is the physical thing that you see and could hold. Examples are the CPU, mouse, keyboard and monitor. The software part is the intangible part of the system it is composed of the operating system (Microsoft Windows) and some of the program application associated with it. Without any of the two a computer will not be able to do its main task.

Lets start with the Central Processing Unit (CPU). This is the familiar “white box” that is inherent to any personal computer system. Nowadays CPU’s may not necessarily come in a white box; they now come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. The new Apple Mac’s doesn’t even have a CPU, per se, because the whole unit is now integrated along with the monitor.
 The CPU contains many parts but the most important component it has is the microprocessor. The microprocessor is considered as the “brains” of the personal computer. It does all the major calculations and processes the inputs and outputs of the computer.
 
Also found in the CPU is the memory module. There are many kinds of memory used in the computer. There is the RAM (Random Access Memory) where information is stored temporarily. The ROM (Read Only Memory) is where permanent information is stored. The BIOS (Basic input/output system) is a type of ROM that the computer use to achieve basic communication when the computer starts up.
There is also the Hard Disk Drive (HDD). It is a large capacity storage device where data and application are stored. The computer’s operating system software (Microsoft Windows) is stored and utilized from the HDD. Usually it is measured by the capacity of its stored data (usually measured in Gigabytes).
The one that connects it all physically is the Motherboard (MOBO). This is the main circuit board where the memory and microprocessor is connected. Other internal systems like the power supply and HDD are also connected via a secondary connection.

Now we come to the input device which is the mouse and keyboard. This is the main interface of the user with that of the computer. This is the way we tell the computer what to do.
And finally there are the output devices like the monitors, printers, and speakers. These devices are the ones that show us the result of what we instructed the computer to do.

Bruno Auger

Tags: ROM, PC, hard drive, cpu, software, hardware, input devices, RAM

To start things off you need to decide what kind of PC you would like. Do you go for the inexpensive kind for the kids? Or maybe you want a PC that is awesome in gaming? Maybe you will use the PC as an entertainment center? Unfortunately you cannot build a computer that is suited for every type of job so just select components that will be adequate for your intended use.

Now if you have decided what type of computer you would like then off to the store we go. First you need to get a Motherboard (MOBO). Selecting this could be a little hard to do as there are hundreds of models to choose from. The MOBO could cost you from $50 for the entry level up to $200-plus for the extreme top-of-the line models. Difference from this MOBO will range from the input ports it has to the type of chipsets it is using. Just remember to get a compatible processor for the kind of MOBO you got.

Next up, you select the microprocessor for your computer. This will serve as the “brain” of your computer. Now choosing for this category is quite easy as there are only 2 dominant makers of processors in the market; Intel and AMD. The only choice you will make is whether you want a single core, dual core, or quad core. The only thing that will dictate your choice is the price.

Now you need to get a memory module called a RAM. This will depend and the amount of memory that you want, you could get up to 2 GB of memory on board. Also you’ll need to get a Hard Disk Drive. As with the case of the memory it will depend on the capacity that you want. Hard Drives could be had with a capacity of 80 GB up to 1000 GB.

Now you need to have a casing and a power supply for your computer. Casing comes in many forms and sizes. It could also come in different colors. It really will depend upon your preference as there is no technical consideration for this; it’s just a matter of taste. The power supply should be at least giving out 400 Watts of power.

Assembling all this is quite straightforward. Just lay down the MOBO on the case and screw it down. Insert the processor and the RAM into the slots provided for them. The Hard Drive has a slot in the casing and only the cables will be connected onto the MOBO. Also if you will have a DVD drive, a slot is also provided in the casing the cables will again be connected onto the MOBO. Just be sure that you are properly grounded when you are assembling these parts, static electricity could kill computer components.

After assembly you could fire it up and install the operating system, that is all there is to it. So the next time you need a PC build one for yourself.

Bruno Auger

Tags: motherboard, computer, case, memory, power supply, hard drive

First up let’s define "Hardware". This refers to the physical aspect of the computer. As the term implies these are the hard things that you could touch and feel. Commonly associated with this is the “Software”. The software is the application that helps you to use the computer in the way you want. You will need computer software to write letters, browse the internet, listen to music, or watch a movie. Software oftentimes comes from CD-rom disc or could sometimes be taken from the internet. A good example of software is the Microsoft Internet Explorer and the Microsoft Word program.

The "Operating System" is the one that makes your computer utilize the different programs you have. Without the operating system the programs in the computer will not work. Example of these are Microsoft Windows 98/2003/XP/Vista  and Linux operating system

Now you often hear of the term “Drivers”. No, this is not all associated to automobiles rather this is about operating specific devices in your computer. These programs are required to run devices like the webcams or printers. Drivers for device are usually pre-loaded in your computer. Just in case it is not you could install it using drivers contained in the CD’s when you buy any computer device. Or you could go to the manufacturer’s website and get the drivers from there.

“Download” is when you are receiving a file from outside sources. It could be another computer or from the internet. Many files could be downloaded including applications, documents, drivers, music etc. “Upload” is just the opposite of download. In this case you are the one sending a file to an outside source. For example, you have created a blog in your computer. You need to upload it to the blog site so that it could be seen by everybody.

“File” could be any information that you save in your computer. This could be huge like a 1000 page book or tiny as in a single letter long. A lot of items could be saved as a file; it could be a photo, music, video, etc. Usually extensions are used to identify the type of file that you save. Extensions are the three letters that is found after the “dot” in the file name. Typical extensions are .doc for documents in Microsoft Word, .jpeg for picture files, .exe for executable files.

These are some of the basic things you need to learn for you to comfortably work with computers. Practice will be the key to master its usage and functions.

Bruno Auger

Tags: software, internet explorer, operating system, Microsoft windows vista, hardware, download, file, upload

The abacus could be considered as the first computer. Discovered nearly 5000 years ago the abacus is used for doing basic calculations by using a sliding system of beads that are strung on racks. This has been the case before the next advancement in computing happened almost 12 centuries after.

Blaise Pascal in 1642 invented the numerical wheel calculator; which is called the Pascaline. It could calculate by using eight movable dials and could add up to eight figures. The obvious disadvantage of the Pascaline is the limitation of the digits it could add up.

Mechanical Calculators gained widespread popularity in the 1820’s. Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar invented a machine (the arithometer) that could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. This device was widely used until World War I

Perhaps the beginning of the basic computer was started by Charles Babbage. His Analytical Engine consisted of over 50,000 components. It included a basic input device in the form of perforated cards that contained the basic operations. It could also store in its memory up to 1000 numbers that are 50 decimals long.

World War II fueled the interest in developing the computer. Because of its strategic importance more funding was poured into its development. During this time the first all-electronic calculator was made by IBM. It is about half a football field long and used around 500 miles of wires. This is primarily used by the US navy to create ballistic charts. The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) and EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) was some of the computer system developed during this era. They used vacuum tubes and resistors; this makes them very cumbersome and energy hungry.

The discovery of the transistor in 1948 changed the design concept of the computers. They made it much smaller and energy efficient. But still the transistor produces heat that could damage some of its sensitive parts.

In 1958 an engineer from Texas Instrument invented the Integrated Circuit. This replaced the transistor as it could fit many electronic components onto a small silicon disc. Later scientist fitted even more components on a single chip which they called the semiconductor.

The predecessor of the modern computer today was introduced by IBM in 1981, it was the personal computers. Rapid expansion was seen as clones of PC have made it more affordable. In 1982 there were about 5.5 million PC produced but ten years later it jumped to around 65 million.

Now computers are widely used in the home, workplace, malls, cars, and in so many places and applications. As it becomes smaller and powerful expect it to proliferate more in the near future.
 

Bruno

Tags: semiconductor, computers, World War II, IBM, Texas Instruments, calculators