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Show J Lakeside Review South, Wednesday, May 4, 1983 Learn (Before (Entering World of Home Computers (Miter's Note! This is ths first artkio in a ssriei Melina with ths growing hems computer field. This ortkle explains how to choMs a computer. Mure articles will deal with types of nmpgtars7crasM auaiiabis! oible uses.) By SHELLEY KANCITIS Review Correspondent 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 computer. 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 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 of educational programs. Gene DuVall, manager 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 computer is the software. you 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. to Joe Wilson of Home Computers in According Wilsons Layton, buyers often reverse the selection process. People buy the computer first and then discover it 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 for their machine. If they had studied the market more carefully,, they could have bought a computer that met both their businessi and educational needs. After deciding how you plan to use your computer,, study ances, some computers have to a television set and use it as bigger brains than others. In the the screen. To further increase your conspend. Microcomputers, the past, most personal computers fidence about entering the comterm used to describe personal had microprocessors. puter marketplace, read everycomputers, range in price from Newer models often have $80 for a stripped down version microprocessors which are fas- thing you can get your hands on. to units costing over $5,000. ter and more powerful than Library books, books from your local bookstore, computer Wilson suggests using a cost versions. versus useage approach. If Storage areas are another magazines and promotional litconsideration. to use Programs are erature are available in profu your youre only going computer one hour a day, the put on tape cassettes, floppy sion. Talk to people who own comreturn on your dollar will be less disks or hard disks for loading than for a person who plans to into the computer. Cassettes puters, ask them how they use use his machine eight hours a are the cheapest way to store them and what equipment they day. programs, but they are also the have. Attend computer shows When you have decided on the slowest. If speed is a factor, and compare the different types price range you can afford, such as in business use, disks of hardware. Some experts recommend taking a beginning comparison shop among brands are preferable. To use a disk, a buyer has to computer course befpre purthat fill your software needs. In other words, fit the software to purchase a disk drive in addi- chasing a machine. It is a good, the hardware that is within your tion to the computer. cheap way to become familiar with a computer and often inA computer also has different budget. Before venturing into a store, types of keyboards and cludes tips on computer selecthere is one more important monitors. Most computers have tion. For those who remain skeptstep. Familiarize yourself with keyboards similar to typewriics and wonder whether it is ters. A few models have prethe basic parts of a computer. One critical part is the memssure sensitive boards rather worth the time, energy and than individual keys. the money to buy a metal box with a ory, designated by symbol A monitor is a screen where brain made of sand, consider K. This is the area that stores A is Some Joe Wilsons statement. information of and data. The size displayed. programs the memory determines what computers have built-icomputer is an investment in type of programs can be used monitors. Other brands connect the future. with the computer. If a computer has a small memory, such as 8K, it is limited to simple programs. Complicated games like Dungeons and Dragons may require up to 64K of 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 memory for computers 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 computer. memRAM or random-acces- s ory is the 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 your bank account to determine how much you can afford to it 16-b- it it Everything you wanted to know about computeri . . . oaaaoaoan n Mead the non-busine- ss g random-operatin- for Mother- - 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 Convention The Davis FARMINGTON 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 shall be the County Officers and the Senatorial and Legislative Chairpersons. Amendment (to read) The Executive Committee shall be the County Officers, The immediate Executive Committee past Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and the Senatorial and Legislative Chairpersons. Amendment submitted by: Merle Eggett, Donna Hill, Louise Henson, Marilyn Hall, and Kathleen Leatham. United Way Plans Meeting The United be announced. , BOUNTIFUL Way of Davis County will hold its annual meeting and campaign recognition party on Mon- day, May 9, 6:30 p.m., Viewmont 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 re-- , cognized for their volunteer service. ' The 1982 campaign recap will J nuift that ers 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 ex- - May more answer has the 70 tores With over and offer on c i ( & i & & j'lceive a Saturday, roSt be " , B,ci'lSat first 1500 and uday receive a Mother. rosc ur and Call you Mother sax con- ners and families. Admission is free. Make reservations prior to May 5 by calling 451-522- iaytJll 3 Face shape analysis to help in choosing and necklines tyles, glasses tweezed, base makeover with hairs- eyebrows makeup, Cosmetic eye makeup and lipstick in proper color and application. Single session for $15 or selecWZ- - tributors and the public are invited to attend with their part- This is the Program that everyone is talking about! Many organizations charge hundreds of dollars for this. inch fabric swatches Complete color analysis including in your color pallette Wardrobe planning including handouts Body analysis including handouts to help in selecting styles to compliment your figure. This and more in a 0-- 7 ( 1500 4 i service- - gif Purchase a . Campaign work- staff and volunteers, r; friendly Onlv each of ff 1D in 4 4 4 4 4 4 groups three Gift Certificates Available Call Angie for Information and an Appointment 4 9 4 4 - -- - vjlCre in 7A |
