Computer Information You Need To Know

This is a series of reports to help you understand the world of computers and to determine how they can bring many benefits to your personal life and home business. So, if you want to read the entire series and learn along with us - you'll need to contact THE PUBLISHER right away to make sure they mail you copies of the entire report series.

Getting Familiar with the PC Computer: Before you purchase your new computer, you must first understand a little about them. There are 2 parts needed to complete a computer system - The HARDWARE and the SOFTWARE. The hardware is what you carry home when you purchase one. Hardware consists of the following components:

• CPU (Central Processing Unit). This is the square part of your computer system that houses the floppy disk drive and hard drive.

• Monitor. This is the television-type screen of the computer you use to type and create your work on.

• Keyboard. This is the typewriter-like keys you use to type in information and commands for your computer to understand.

• Printer. This is what you use to print out your data (letters, mailing lists, and everything else.)

• RAM (Random Access Memory). The amount of information your monitor can hold at one time is called RAM. Computer memory is measured in bytes and megabytes (1,000 bytes = 1 megabyte and is expressed: 1MG.) The more RAM your monitor has, the better. Be sure and get a minimum of 1MG of RAM for your monitor to run most of the software on the market today; preferably 4MG if you can afford it.

• Hard Drive. Your hard drive is a gigantic storage tank for all your software. It's impossible to operate any software on the market today (unless you just want to play simple games) without a hard drive. A hard drive takes the place of floppy disks. You copy information from your floppy disks to your hard drive and it stays there - even when you turn your computer off at night. The size of a hard drive is measured in MG's (megabytes). A standard size hard drive to purchase to run most of the software on the market today would be 120MG. Anything less means you will have to purchase more floppy disks as you fill up your hard drive, which will slow up your operation considerably.

The second part of your computer system is the SOFTWARE. Without software your computer will just sit on the desk and look at you. It's like buying a toaster without an electric cord. Without a means of plugging the toaster into the electric socket, the toaster will not work. Without software, a computer will not work. Therefore, don't be surprised when you spend $500 to $3,000 for a computer and find out you have to invest another $200 or more for the beginning software.

Shareware programs are very popular with new computer buyers to reduce this cost - but you do need to invest some money in a good word processing package (like WordPerfect® or Word for Windows.) If you purchase a new computer, normally most of your beginning software is supplied to you from the factory and if your first computer is purchased from an individual advertising in the paper - they normally give you free software too. But be prepared to buy specific software for your specific needs now or soon because your individual needs may differ.

When you start pricing computer systems you will find they range considerably in price. This is because you can mix-and-match all the custom qualities available to you in almost any way to fit your particular budget. Since most beginners don't know enough about a computer or how they'll effect their lives, it's sometimes impossible to mix-and-match to your particular needs when you don't even know what they are. A good mail order publication for computer bargains is the GrapeVine Journal, PO Box 488, Bluff City TN 37618 but perhaps the following will help:

Like a television set, monitors come in black/white or color. If you want to save $150 or more, just specify that you want a black/white monitor. To further confuse you though - both black/white and color monitors also come in a variety of types. Each type determines how clear and definite things appear on the screen. Different types include VGA, Super VGA, CGA, EGA, PGA, MDA and Hercules. The industry standard at this time is Super VGA. It's compatible with almost every type of software. It's clear and easy on your eyes and very affordable. You can purchase a Super VGA color or a Super VGA black/white.

To complete your computer system purchase, you'll need to choose the right printer for your needs. Since there is such a wide variety to choose from with prices ranging from $120 to $6,000 we need to look at what each one is, and how much it costs to operate and maintain.

• Dot-Matrix Printers. These printers print using a series of dots. There are 9-pin and 24-pin dot matrix printers. A 9-pin will print 9 dots per inch on your paper, where a 24-pin will print 24 dots per inch on your paper. Naturally, a 24-pin is going to make your print-out with more detail and clarity because there is more printing per inch therefore if there is only a small difference in price _ you should get the 24-pin. Dot-matrix printers don't cost much to maintain. They use a printer ribbon similar to a typewriter ribbon at an average cost of $12 each. The ribbon has about the same life as a typewriter ribbon, so you be the judge as to how long they'll last you. A dot matrix printer is a perfect investment if you plan to use your computer for mailing lists and occasional writing of letters.

There is also a software you can buy called "Emulaser" (purchase from TigerSoftware for $69.95 by calling 1-800-888-4437) that will make your dot matrix printer think it's a laser printer. The print-out will almost be of the same professional quality but your printer will print much slower. (Emulaser is not recommended for older computers with a 8086 or similar processor. A minimum of a 286 or 386-based computer system is recommended)

• Daisy Wheel Printers. Don't get stuck with one of these. Remember the old IBM Selectric typewriters that used a wheel to type a character instead of a typewriter key? This is what a daisy wheel printer uses. You can NEVER print a photograph or picture and it's not too great at drawing lines and boxes either. Besides, you can get a dot matrix printer for a much lower price and print anything you want to!

• Inkjet and Bubblejet Printers. Both of these printers use a WET ink to print onto the paper. There is no danger in smearing because the ink dries instantaneously _ however, if the printed page draws moisture or something is spilled on it, you could have a few problems and have to print the page again. Although they are not costly to maintain, if you have a mail order business the chances of ink smearing during the mailing process is greater. Therefore, inkjet and bubblejet printers should not be used _ especially for printing labels to apply to the outside of the envelope.

• Laser Printers. If you plan to do more with your computer than maintain mailing lists, keep records and write occasional letters; you will want to seriously look at purchasing a laser printer. A laser printer hardly ever wears out and is one of the best investments you can make if you're in for the long-haul. A laser printer is like a mini-computer. It has a memory board in it and will accumulate an entire page in it's memory banks BEFORE it prints the page. Just like making sure you have enough RAM in your computer to operate the software, you need enough RAM in your laser printer to print a page. How much memory do you need? If all you wanted to print was a 1-page letter containing only words you could print it on a laser printer with 512K of memory. However, if you want to print that same letter with a graphic (cartoon, photograph, lines, boxes, etc.) you would need more memory in your printer. The "safe" amount to purchase would be 1MB but we highly recommend 4MB. This way, you won't be in any trouble when you are trying to print something that takes up 2MB of memory and you only have 1MG on your printer.

After you've found the best computer for your needs at a price you could afford, it's time to read over the manufacturer manuals that come with your computer. Even if you can't understand them, at least spend time to peruse the information over once. This step is important in your learning process and to understand the particular computer and printer you purchased.

If you purchased a brand new computer, the manufacturer has probably already installed everything on your hard drive so all you have to do is turn the computer on and work through the on-screen learning tutorial to get you up and running quickly. If not - and if you're still confused after going through the tutorial, simply enroll in a computer class in your area. These classes are not expensive and shouldn't cost more than $10 for a 1-day class. If you purchased a brand new computer at a computer store in your city or town, most of them will give you a free lesson or two. Or, perhaps you know a friend or relative that already has own of their own and can give you some one-on-one instruction.

Whatever method you choose to learn the basic operations of your computer system is up to you; but do dedicate the first week or so of your life with your new computer friend to learning how it operates. This basic training ground is essential in your growth and the growth of your business.

You Finally Got the Thing Ready to Go - Right? So now you have learned how to turn the thing on and do a few things. Perhaps you have even advanced to the point of typing your first letter and have printed it out on your printer. Great! You are progressing fine.

But now we're up to the costly part of owning a computer - purchasing additional software. As previously discussed, software is the programs that you buy in order to make the computer do what you want it to do.

If you want to write a letter, you have to have a word processing software program (e.g., WordPerfect or Microsoft Word.) If you want to keep records of your checking account, you will have to buy a separate software program to do that; and still another separate database software to maintain your mailing list.

Most beginners will ask: "Isn't there just one big software program I can buy that will do everything?" The answer is NO. This is how software manufacturers stay in business. Besides, a computer is customized to YOU and your particular needs. You may be an artist and want to purchase a software program for drawing pictures on your computer. I, on the other hand, would have no use for a program like this since I can't draw. Therefore, it would be impossible to have one great big software program that could do everything for everybody and meet every need that everyone would have.

There are some software packages that come as one entire package and claim to have most of the software needed by a generalized majority (small business owners, for instance.) One popular, well-known program is WordPerfect 6.0. Another one is AmiPro. Both of these are excellent packages and if you can afford the $300 or so investment right now - this would be the best recommendation for your initial software purchase.

However, if you cannot afford to buy the system and spend another $300 on software at the present time you can use alternative solutions. There are a wide variety of medium-priced packages in the under $100 range from such companies like Pro-Media International, (800) 998-2822 and MicroWarehouse, (800) 367-7080 or Windows Exchange, (800) 845-1900 to name a few.

You also might want to consider picking up a copy of Windows Magazine at the newsstand, or order one directly from the publisher at PO Box 5006, Pittsfield MA 01203-9951. Undoubtedly Windows was already installed by the factory when you purchased your system. Windows is an "operating environment" just like DOS is. An "operating environment" simply means the major software that other software programs need for them to operate themselves. DOS means "Disk Operating System" but it also performs maintenance and protection of your system too.

SELECTING SOFTWARE

Invest on your software wisely.Select your software carefully. One easy way to do that is to purchase SHAREWARE and FREEWARE before investing the big bucks. WordPerfect software for instance retails for around $300, but you can purchase PC Write, a shareware word processing software for $5 from S-Software (800) 243-1515.

BUYING SHAREWARE

There are some disadvantages when purchasing shareware and freeware. Some of them are really good while some of them are relatively useless. This is why it's important to rely on a good shareware distributor (a company that only deals with selling shareware) that is very selective in the programs they include in their catalog. One such company is The American Shareware Network, 250 Arlington St, Marshfield MA 02050, phone (617) 834-9208.

The American Shareware Network carefully installs and operates the software program before it is listed in their catalog for sell. They only choose top-of-the-line programs that are popular and worth the money. They also are honest in making sure the diskettes they send the programs on are full. Some rip-off shareware distributors will take a program that will fit on 1 or 2 disks and split them up into 4 or 5 different one. Then they'll charge you around $2 per disk and make you think you are getting a bargain. In actuality you would have been better off purchasing from the shareware distributor that advertises at a price of $3.49 per disk.

Also, don't make the mistake of going crazy ordering lots of shareware. You don't want to have 100 different software programs on your computer that do 100 different things. This would make life too confusing and you'd have to learn them all. You'd never know any of them well enough - just a little bit about each one. The whole idea here is to try out several different shareware programs in the particular software category you need before you invest money into the commercial software programs.

DESKTOP PUBLISHING

You should streamline your needs and the functions you want your computer to perform. Most of us will be buying a computer for our home-based business. Therefore, you need to find a good software program that will do the job you need for your particular situation. If you're going to be a typesetter, try out a variety of desktop publishing software until you find the one that does everything you want it to do and more. One fantastic look-alike of the popular PageMaker software (retails: $549) is a program called PagePlus. In 1993, the price is only $60 - a 90% savings over its counterpart. (Purchase from Serif, Inc, PO Box 803, Nashua NH 03061 (800) 869-8909.)

In addition, if you will be selling mailing lists, concentrate on a good database software. If you will be writing and selling reports, concentrate on finding a good word processing software. If you plan to draw and create art, find a good CAD or drawing software program.

After locating the right software for your particular business, go through the same procedure in finding a good business accounting software you feel comfortable with so you can keep accurate records of your daily business transactions.

Do your best to narrow the different software programs on your computer down to as few as possible. This way, you can really learn each one of them and become an expert much quicker than trying to learn a whole bunch at once - thus, creating confusion rather than knowledge.

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