U-TECH (Understanding Technology) 2023 by Kris Ayre - HTML preview

Computers

Design

Types

Hardware

Software

Symbols and Characters

Language and Keyboard

Design

Computers traditionally have been ‘boxed shape’ or ‘square-shaped,’ but really its geometrical name is a cuboid.

Since the mainframe in the 1950’s, the cuboid shape of computers has remained by the most part, the same and became a standard design shape for computer hardware design. The idea behind the shape is to offer protection, space and accessibility for interchangeable parts. Most commonly, memory chips (or boards), graphics cards and hard drives are the main interchangeable parts which require replacing the most. Memory can break due to various reasons such as overheating, electrical surge or mishandling it by not releasing static electricity from your body and touching it whilst fitted to the mainboard: inserting new memory mini-board chip modules or removing them, are ways in which they can ‘blow.’ In these situations, memory modules such as DDR types of memory can be blown from static electricity, that has built up inside your body as you create friction (electricity) whilst walking or rubbing up against some thing or being which has electrical charge or is made by yourself. Static electricity can be released from your body, by touching an ‘earthed’ object or a negatively charge object or electrical source, such as a negative wire (black wires) which usually attracts the positive static electrical charge. Rubbing your feet on carpet and touching a metal pole will release the built-up static charge from your body and transfer it to the metal, emptying or releasing the static electricity from your body to the metal. It is important to remember that you must then not walk or move when removing or inserting memory modules such as DDR or any type of microchip memory module.

Types

Desktop

The desktop computer really comes in several styles. Any box-shaped device, typically cuboid in shape, is classed or termed as a desktop computer. There were several types created by several companies from the 1990’s and progressed towards containing more functionality to the case-housing (the physical metal and/or plastic box itself) after the year 2000 substantially. The world suddenly became in a computer frenzy over the new home machine capable of great things. Send faxes, emails, write documents and the list became endless for what was capable or possible to do on a home desktop computer. Of coarse then, the business world adapted and took advantage of desktop computing for business by buying in bulk – there were desktop machines on every desk in the office and even allocated to boardrooms.

Space, position, size and functionality became important factors when considering purchasing a desktop computer. Ergonomics starts to play an important factor or role around the year 2000. It was all about compactibility and space efficiency in the office or work place environment.

Compaq, DELL and IBM made ergonomically designed desktop computers since the 1990’s and sold many throughout the world.
The desktop computer typically laid or were positioned in two (2) positions: 1) Vertically and 2) Horizontally. The ‘laying down,’ or horizontally layed and positioned cases were the classic desktop shape and style of computer, popular and common in homes and offices. They were common-place, everywhere. Then the positioning changed, to one of a vertically stationed layout. They were known as a ‘tower.’Towers were popular, because they did not take-up or consume ‘desk space,’ which in the modern technological era, was becoming an issue, as more and more equipment filled up desk space. The third (3rd) generation of cuboid desktop computer case housings, were the mini-tower.

The mini-tower was exactly the same in concept as a tower, however it was roughly half (½) to three-quarters (¾) of the size (also called a ‘mid-tower’). The next generation to follow, was the ‘cube’, or ‘mini-PC.’

Server

The server is the connecting and storing point for a company or organisation, such that it is the central computing point for a group of computers or users onsite or offsite. In effect, this means that whether people were at the same physical location or were logging in remotely from the home or office. Servers typically came in the form of a tower, at first. Servers were made from quite tall and big cases which could fit in many CD, DVD and hard drives as well as have extra space for memory and connectors such as modems, SCSI or USB ports. So the server boxes had very large spaces to house (or fit) many components and provide a broad range of functionality or features.

Maintenance was quite involved, requiring constant servicing or configuring as well as data management tasks such as data retrieval.

All-in-one’s

Apple iMacs
The iMacs were an early compact all-in-one machine that contained only one (1) physical device, meaning that the display and whole computer were fitted into the one housing case. Basically the monitor was built into the computer case housing, so that they were technically classed as an ‘all-in-one,’ desktop computer for the home or office.

Mini cube PC’s
These computers emerged as a novelty at first, but held their place in the market on a smaller scale. They are still made and offer a very tiny option for owning a computer. The great thing about cube PC’s, is that they are so small and can do tasks the same as a traditional tower desktop computer.

Hardware

Hardware traditionally has been bulky and large in volume size, as well as weight.

Size has reduced and speed has increased, giving consumers more satisfaction as we head into the future of science technology and improve human ergonomics (comfort factor) and interaction (biometrics, voice commands, wireless gloves etc.).

Manufacturers

Some of the biggest computer manufacturers in the world today, include: HP, IBM, Toshiba, Acer, Asus, Dell, Samsung, Lenovo and others.

Brand names

Dell were once a big name in computing, but IBM has always had a stronghold on product and marketplace success, which is why they like microprocessor company Intel, who continue to innovate with their advances in technologies for the public with new and exciting products.

Apple iBooks proved to be popular during the 1990’s until present day, alongside some of the competitors such as IBM, Dell, HP, Sony, Acer and Asus.

Models

Just as with cars, computer hardware manufacturers create brand names and models for sale, to generate a profit. Since 1990 – 2023, many companies have created their own popular computer hardware desktop, tower, notebook and server models for consumers with all types of demands and system requirements.

An iBook, Netbook, Notebook, or other type of computer will have its own model, the same as smartphones. The Apple iPad Mini is the model of iPad computer tablet. IBM’s Lenovo has been revamped into a modern and faster notebook computer.

Mainboard

The mainboard or ‘motherboard,’ is the main circuit board which holds all the components in place, connecting to one another, surrounding and joining the CPU, hard drive(s), graphics chips and expansion slots for adding individual circuit boards or modules such as those for memory, graphics, firewire, USB, telecommunications ports (telephone, ADSL, LAN (Local Area Network) and fax.

Display Screen

This is the graphical interface to which you look at in order to interact with the computer or device. Since the invention of touchscreens many devices now use this form of technology as their keyboard input method. Basically, this means that the keyboard is software and not hardware. Technology has advanced a fair way, although 3-D hologram visual graphics may be the next form of technological advancement.

Memory

Memory has come a long way during the past 70 years. It has gotten smaller, faster and bigger in storage space. There are two different types of storage: RAM and ROM.

ROM

ROM stands for ‘Read-Only Memory.’ This is only available for reading data and not writing data to any device or module – some examples include a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM and Firmware attached to the mainboard of any device.

RAM

RAM stands for ‘Random Access Memory,’ and is available space to write and read data to and from a device or module, including hard drives or solid-state drives as well as USB memory drives (Flash drives or Thumb drives).

Disk Drives

The first drives were called Floppy Disc drives and began as a square-shaped floppy disk device. They floppy disks were ‘floppy’ and moveable (not rigid, but flexible in nature, except for the smallest disk, the 3.5 inch floppy disk). Floppy disks were available in three (3) sizes:

8-inch;

5.25 inch; and

3.25 inch disks.

‘Disk’ or ‘disc’ drives have various shapes and forms from smaller, quieter and faster disk drives to floppy disk drives to heavy, hot and at times noisy hard disk drives.

The second drives were called Hard Disc Drives or HDD’s for short. The third type of hard disc drives which are currently used today for a computer are called Solid State Drives or SSD’s.

The main difference between HDD and SSD drives, is that HDD’s are mechanical drives which have a spinning disc and SSD’s have no moving parts, which means no friction, long life, very high speed and reliability.

Hard disks have come a very long way from slow speed to extremely fast CPU processor actions, enacted by the OS. Basically the spinning HDD’s get hot, noisy, need repairs, break-down and are slow.

SSD’s are basically one big microchip, similar to a USB drive, but much bigger.

So the technology has travelled far in terms of utilising microchips to imitate a HDD.

SSD’s are brilliant because they have no moving parts, which means that they do not wear out from friction or ‘wear and tear’ and are lightning fast.

Speed

Generation one of HDD’s began at 5400 RPM (revolutions per minute).

Generation two of HDD’s were 7200 RPM, generation three of HDD’s were 10,000 RPM and generation four (4) of HDD’s were 15,000 RPM, before SATA was introduced.

Formatting

Formatting of hard drives (HDD's) is much slower than the formatting of SSD's.

Formatting is a slow process, if a low-level (zero all data) format is undertaken. The 'quick format' option is the fastest but does not completely erase all of the data (which is good if you wish to recover any deleted data, using computer forensics tools).

CD and DVD Players and Recorders (Optical Drives)

As audio and video technologies advanced onto optical discs, the hardware to play and record them also advanced – simultaneously or together at the same time so that they can be used with optical disc drives.

The modern DVD rewriteable recorder players, can do just about everything you need to with sound, movies or data. You can now write, read, erase or copy files and folders to a DVD – practically anything you need to do with these mediums is now possible. This extends to data – so any type of file can be stored on a DVD.

Notebook (laptop) computers are built with CD or DVD slots for their player recorders. So, what this means is that just the same as a notebook battery, it can be unlocked and removed or replaced with a new one from the manufacturer or computer parts supplier.

Apple were one of the first companies to remove the DVD optical drives and replace it with a USB-C port.

Interfaces

An interface is a physical hardware connector piece which allows for one device to connect to and communicate with another device. For example, SCSI, Firewire and USB are interfaces. Interfaces will require some type of software in order to be able to use it. For example: USB is a hardware interface that is built into almost every computer or notebook on earth, but requires USB software to be able to use it. Your operating system will have USB drivers and any other software which requires USB integration so that the OS can function using USB connections. Any USB 3rd party software from the manufacturer may also be needed, in order to provide USB functionality for a device connected to the computer or device.

VGA

VGA or Video Graphics Array, came onto the scene in 1987 brought to us by IBM as a graphics standard.

HDMI

HDMI or High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a standard for high-speed and quality video and audio transfer between computers (as well as tablets) and displays or monitors. HDMI is a modern interface, first developed in 2002.

USB

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface connection port and plug were first introduced in 1996 as USB 1.0. USB 2.0 was available in 2000 and USB 3.0 was available in 2008. Today, computer hardware technology now supports USB 3.0 (USB version 3.0).

The speed has greatly increased from v1.0 to v3.0.

USB connectivity has become known as the main physical connecting interface technology on the planet today. We charge our mobile phones using USB, connect printers to our notebook via USB and connect our phones and computers together for transferring (moving or copying) files across from a mobile phone to a notebook or desktop/tower/server computer. See also the Peripherals section on USB for a complete breakdown of the different types of USB.

Firewire

Firewire became an interface type, developed by many companies - primarily Apple and Sony in 1986.

IDE or ATA

The first ATA (AT Bus Attachment) connection interfaces for hard drives were renamed under a new name to IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics). So the interface was IDE. The disc drive labelled as an IDE Hard Disk Drive.

SATA and eSATA

Serial AT Attachment and External Serial AT Attachment were introduced in 2009 and seen as the main standard of connector for HDD’s and SDD’s.

SAS

Serial Attached SCSI is a relatively new interface, developed in 2004, it has achieved higher speed and other improvements in comparison to SATA interfaces. These are good for servers with high volumes of data.

PCI, PCI-X and PCI Express

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

PCI, PCI-X (Peripheral Component Interconnect eXtended) and PCI-e (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) launched onto the scene in 1992, 1998 and 2003, respectively and decades later are still used and considered the standard of interface connectors for mainboards. PCI board slots gave board/card manufacturers an interface that was and still is, widespread, allowing for greater development of PC technologies. Gamers typically enjoy building big gamer towers with more speed and greater volumes. PCI was adapted very well across the world and is virtually on every motherboard.

PCI mainboard slots are great because you can insert almost any usual or unusual device to your computer tower or mini-tower, giving people flexibility to explore their hobbies or business interests right at home or in their office.

PCIe

The PCI Express or PCIe became quite popular because of its compact size.

It was used for several years before losing market interest from developers and manufacturers.

Graphics

Graphics resolution has dramatically increased and improved since its first inception.

High Quality visuals with fast performing standalone graphics processors power the latest hardware-resource demanding games and movies for a richer picture and experience. In the beginning, graphic resolution and fine quality was not established like it is today in 2023.

High resolution and smooth graphics are standard in the new smartphone era.

Software

Software is all virtual – that is (i.e.), we cannot physically touch it. It is only something that we can see and hear operating through the hardware, processing its commands. So in effect, software controls hardware rather than hardware controlling software. Hardware will interact (communicate) with software, but software controls hardware. Software is very powerful and can be used to connect to hardware over the internet to a remote location and control it. This makes software, extremely valuable in the computing world because, being able to control a device from a remote (distant) location, gives a user (a person) control over a machine or machines that can be used for many purposes.

Software exists in these three (3) formats:

Firmware (ROM)

Firmware is used only by the computer and embedded into a microprocessor chip called the BIOS. It can be upgraded.

Operating System (O.S. or OS)

The operating system, or OS, is the main software that operates (‘runs’) the computer. Some examples of an operating system include: Microsoft Windows, Macintosh OSX, Linux, Google Android and Apple iOS (iPhone and iPad's).

The first OS to be invented was called the GM-NAA I/O and was created by General Motors and North American Aviation in 1956 for use on an IBM (International Business Machines) mainframe computer.

Apps

Apps, also known as applications or programs, are what we use to undertake tasks to satisfy our needs – for work, relaxation, interest, pleasure or entertainment. Applications are essentially programs that do tasks for us. An internet browser, a text document writer, an email app, photo-editing software or other apps are usually installed in with the OS so that you can use it on your OS.

Before smartphones, applications or programs were available in either Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh versions – the two (2) main manufacturers of OS software in the world up until the early 2000’s.

Languages, Keyboards and Dictionaries

Software language support has developed over the years, with most languages and dictionaries now supported by major operating systems and office suite software applications on offer.

Languages

Commercial (paid) and open-source (free) operating system software and office applications support most languages or are increasingly adding languages to include every language and dictionary. For example, the English language is available for selection in many variants of the English language, including: Australian, British, American or Canadian. To change the language or add languages, this section is usually classified under Language, Region, Locale or Input headings, depending on the operating system.

Keyboards

If you install multiple languages in/on your device, you should be able to switch between languages from your desktop taskbar or in your settings section. This can also be done from your keyboard. Most smartphones have this feature as a button to press and toggle between input languages.

The QWERTY Keyboard for English

The ‘QWERTY’ keyboard layout is a very old and traditional keyboard layout that has undergone modifications over the years. First introduced in the 1880’s onto typewriters, its name derived from the first six letters on the first row of the keyboard. The QWERTY keyboard is what modern English language computer and smartphone keyboard layouts use across the world in 2023. It is the original layout design for the English language and remains an international standard keyboard layout, today.

Operation and Function Keys of the Keyboard

Dictionaries

Dictionaries are usually contained within word processor applications (software), under the heading of 'Spelling,' which may also be termed or phrased as a 'Spell Checker.'

To access the dictionary, within your word processor, click on the Spelling icon or button.

A pop-up dialog box should appear. In this box, you will have many options to change the dictionary and to 'add' new words to your dictionary of choice.

Characters (Symbols)

ASCII and Unicode

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) was one of the first character coding systems invented that used 128 code points, of which only 95 are printable. Unicode has millions of code points and incorporates ASCII as the first 128 code points in its set. Because Unicode contains many more code points and characters, most computers today use Unicode.

OS Differences

Different OS’s use different symbols to other systems for the file system structure.

The first main difference is between Microsoft DOS or Windows and; Unix, Linux and Apple Mac OS’s.

Basically, MS DOS uses a backslash for its directory structure and Unix style OS’s use a forward slash, the same as what a URL in a web browser does.

Special Characters

Technologies have made full use of the QWERTY keyboard special characters. The most commonly used characters used on the internet include the @ (at) and # (hashtag) symbols.

List of Special Characters on a QWERTY Keyboard Table