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Show fl Lokeside Review North, Wednesday, May 4, 1983 tLern Bemre Entering World f Horne Computers (141101 Nate Thu la th first articl in o dealing with th growing ham computer field. This articl explains hew to shoo a computer. Mur art kin will deal with typos of computer, dassos available, pasaiMa uses.) ly SHELLEY KANCITIS how much you spend. Microcomputers, the term used to describe personal For the average person, the world of computers is almost as alien as Elliots backyard was to E.T. Bombarded by terms like RAM, kilobytes and floppy disks, it seems easier to learn Arabic than make friends with a edmputer. As prices go down, more and more people are deciding to risk confusion and buy a computer. If you are one of these people, it is important to know what you want the computer to do for you, how much you can afford to spend, and to have some understanding of its basic features. Like a person shopping for a pet, careful analysis will prevent you from buying a Great Dane when all you need is a chihuahua. When deciding what services you want your computer to perform, consider both current and future needs. Your child, for example, may be too young to operate a computer for several years, but she is a potential user educational programs. Gene DuVall, manager of bigger brains than others. In the the screen. To further increase your conpast, most personal computers about entering the comfidence had microprocessors. Newer models often have puter marketplace, read everymicroprocessors which are fas- thing you can get your hands on. ter and more powerful than Library books, books from your it computers, range in price from $80 for a stripped down version to units costing over $5,000. Wilson suggests using a cost If versus useage approach. youre only going to use your computer one hour a day, the return on your dollar will be less than for a person who plans to use his machine eight hours a day. When you have decided on the price range you can afford, comparison shop among brands that fill your software needs. In other words, fit the software to the hardware that is within your budget. Before venturing into a store, there is one more important step. Familiarize yourself with the basic parts of a computer. One critical part is the memory, designated by the symbol K. This is the area that stores programs and data. The size of the memory determines what type of programs can be used with the computer. If a computer has a small memory, such as 8K, it is limited to simple programs. Complicated games Review Correspondent of ances, some computers have to a television set and use it as your bank account to determine can afford to art 16-b- it it local bookstore, computer versions. Storage areas ard another magazines, and promotional litconsideration. Programs are erature are available in profuput on tape cassettes, floppy sion. disks or hard disks for loading Talk to people who own cominto the computer. Cassettes puters, ask them how they use are the cheapest way to store them and what equipment they programs, but they are also the have. Attend computer shows slowest. If speed is a factor, and compare the different types such as in business use, disks of hardware. Some experts recommend taking a beginning are preferable. To use a disk, a buyer has to computer course before purpurchase a disk drive in addi- chasing a machine. It is a good, tion to the computer. cheap way to become familiar A computer also has different with a computer and often intypes of keyboards and cludes tips on computer selecmonitors. Most computers have keyboards similar to typewriters. A few models have pressure sensitive boards rather than individual keys. A monitor is a screen where information is displayed. Some computers have built-i- n monitors. Other brands connect tion. For those who remain skeptics and wonder whether it is worth the time, energy and money to buy a metal box with a brain made of sand, consider Everything you wontad to know about computora . . . aaaoaaaaaaa ao aaao aaaoa D Joe Wilsons statement. A computer is an investment in the future. like Dungeons and Dragons may require up to 64K of Radio Shack in Roy, says buyers fall in three main groups: business, educational and personal users. Regardless of the group you think you are in, sit down with your family and list your expectations. Some people discover they are in all three groups, he said. As part of the process, you will begin another related step determining what type of software you need. In simple terms, the computer is the hardware and the information or program you put in the compu- memory. Memory is measured in kilobytes (Ks). One K contains about 1000 bytes. A byte represents the space needed to store a single symbol such as a letter or space. As the size of a computers memory increases, so does its price. The generally accepted minimum amount of memcomputers ory for is 16K or 16 kilobytes. There are two other memory related terms which will baffle the unprepared consumer ROM and RAM. ROM stands for random-operatinmemory. This part of the computers memory contains permanently stored information used to operate the machine. ROM represents space which cannot be used for programs loaded into the comnon-busine- ss ter is the software. Examples of software include educational programs such as language and mathematics drills, inventory control programs for small businesses, and personal financial planning programs. Unfortunately, not all software is interchangeable among different brands of computers. According to Joe Wilson of Wilsons Home Computers in Layton, buyers often reverse the selection process. People buy the computer first and then discoverit has limited software to fit their needs. Wilson said one family bought a business oriented computer and found it was hard to get educational software designed I for their machine. If they had studied the market more carefully, they could have bought a computer that met both their business and educational needs. After deciding how you plan to use your computer, study g puter. RAM or ory is the random-acces- Gift Mother for A mem- s internal storage area used to work on programs or data. The amount of RAM determines how large a program can be run on the computer. When a computer is listed as having 32K, for example, be sure it has 32K of random-acces- s memory (RAM). If 32K includes 4K of memory (ROM), you will only be able to use 28K for actual random-operatin- g programming. The computers brain is called a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU). Dont let this intimidate you. It is basically a lump of refined sand called silicon. Due to technological adv- - Davis Democratic Party Schedules FARMINGTON The Davis County Democratic Party will hold its 1983 organizing convention on May 7, at Farmington Elementary School. Registration of delegates will start at 9:30 a.m. and the call to order will be at 10 a.m. Mayor A. Stephen Dirks of Ogden will be the keynote speaker. All persons who served as county convention delegates in 1982 are county convention delegates in 1983. A bylaw amendment will be considered. It reads: Article I, B (now reads) The Committee shall be the and the SenatoOfficers County rial and Legislative Chairpersons. Amendment (to read) The Executive Committee shall be the County Officers, The immediate Executive pat May 9, 6:30 day, p.m., View-mo- nt High School Auditorium. Officers for 1983 will be elected and new board members will be nominated and approved. Members of the board and executive committee will be recognized for their volunteer service. The 1982 campaign recap will & 8 8 it a f Amendment submitted by: Merle Eggett, Donna Hill, Louise Henson, Marilyn Hall, and Kathleen Leatham. staff and volunteers, i it for hetJle'lZZeVoi' 10 lift that presses sv Layton Campaign workers and many companies and businesses will be recognized for their support. Also featured at the meeting will be a special movie showing of Firefox with Clint Eastwood. All volunteer leaders, agency r . and ser lotion and offer Ma y for j receiveUSea Tlong stem 7 JgSSai 5 rose receive a 1500S' i Mother . yKCall your con- tributors and the public are invited to attend with their partners and families. Admission is free. Make reservations prior to May 5 by calling 451-522- 2. LayjJi- Thit it the Program that everyone it talking about! Many organizations charge hundreds of dollars for this, inch fabric swatches Complete color analysis including 3 in your color pallette it Wardrobe planning including handouts Body analysis including handouts to help in selecting styles to compliment your figure. it Face shape analysis to help in choosing hairstyles, glasses and necklines Cosmetic makeover with eyebrows tweezed, base makeup, eye makeup and lipstick in proper color and application dr This and more in a single session for & TTedeern yur may fr it1 Center Chairperson and Vice Chairper- son and the Senatorial and Legislative Chairpersons. United Way Plans Meeting The United be announced. BOUNTIFUL Way of Davis County will hold its annual meeting and campaign recognition party on Mon- ' Gift Certificates eoo X Onl each in groups of three Available-Ca- ll Angie for Information and an Appointment 292-659- 9 if i - - 7A t |