| The use of Internet services are one of the most | | | | Internet. |
| dominant reasons for having personal computers and | | | | *Software* |
| laptops. In order to operate and especially to maintain | | | | Software is everything you can't physically touch. It's |
| and troubleshoot your computer, it's important to | | | | the programs and applications that make up |
| understand basic functions and terminology for | | | | everything that displays on the screen, enables the |
| computers. All of the fundamental components of | | | | hardware to run and communicate with each other, |
| computing are either hardware or software. | | | | and performs tasks. Without software, your |
| *Hardware * | | | | computer would just be a complicated pile of metal |
| Hardware is all the physical components of a | | | | and plastic. |
| computer-the monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and | | | | There are basically two types of software: system |
| tower (or, on a laptop, the base, keyboard, and | | | | software and application software. System software |
| display screen) are all hardware. Other pieces of | | | | is what makes your computer function and controls |
| hardware can be added, changed, or removed after | | | | background processes-most of which you do not |
| buying the basic components. Although hardware is | | | | need to control or might not even know about. |
| the things you can see, you do have hardware parts | | | | Application software, or applications, is everything |
| that you can't see, because they are connected or | | | | you use to complete your tasks. Here are some |
| installed inside the computer tower. This is called | | | | examples: |
| internal hardware. External hardware is usually plugged | | | | * Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, and Outlook |
| into the back of the tower and is internal hardware. | | | | are all applications, and so are similar programs like |
| Here are more examples of hardware: | | | | WordPerfect or OpenOffice. |
| *CDs and DVDs-the physical plastic disc is hardware | | | | * Web browsers-Internet Explorer, Firefox, and MSN |
| that stores software programs to run on your | | | | Explorer are just a few examples. |
| computer. | | | | * Games, Calculators, Calendars, Wizards-well, |
| * CD drives and burners-for playing or recording | | | | everything on the All Programs list! |
| information on CD's. | | | | * Antivirus programs, Spyware scanners, Registry |
| * Modems-dial-up, cable, and DSL all require a modem | | | | cleaners, etc. |
| (dial-up modems are often internal, but can be sold as | | | | *Music players like Windows Media Player and |
| external devices | | | | RealPlayer |
| * Wireless router-this device can be attached to a | | | | Software is available in all sizes and styles to perform |
| broadband modem to convert digital signal to | | | | almost any imaginable tasks or form of |
| wireless, so that you can connect to the Internet | | | | entertainment. You can usually download them from |
| without having a cord plugged into the computer. | | | | the Internet, purchase it on CD's in stores, and often |
| * Wireless card/network adapter- Usually internal, this | | | | come stored on a CD accompanied with hardware |
| component makes connecting wirelessly to | | | | purchases. |
| broadband services possible, can also be bought and | | | | Knowing the difference between software and |
| attached externally. | | | | hardware and how they work is the first step to |
| * Ipods, smartphones, Iphones, cellphones, | | | | keeping your computer in good shape (e.g., knowing |
| blackberries-these devices would also be considered | | | | how and when to upgrade it) and to troubleshoot |
| hardware, especially since they are often connected | | | | basic problems (determining the cause of the |
| to the computer and can be used to connect to the | | | | problem-is it hardware or software related?). |