CYBERNOTES by Dave Benore
How does a person get started with personal computers?
How does one get started? First ask yourself what you want to do with a computer. Write letters? Send emails? Order stuff “online”? Search the internet for information? It is helpful to have some idea what you will expect from a computer, even if the idea changes as you go along—which it probably will do.
Learning about personal computers can start with classes, with self-teaching books, or a good friend who can teach you. Among the best books to get is the “Whatever” for Dummies books. They are full of good information presented in a humorous fashion. But first you must decide whether to buy/learn a “PC” (for personal computer) or an Apple computer (the “Mac”).
A “PC” computer refers to any computer that is an evolution from the original IBM microcomputer, called a PC. The other option is a “Mac”, or some variant of it, made exclusively by The Apple Computer Co. Technically they are both microcomputers but they cannot run the same software. Their “brains”, the central processing unit (CPU), are different.
Most Mac users claim they are easier to learn than PC’s. PC users counter with the fact that there is much more software available for PC’s than for Mac’s. I don’t know about the former but the latter is certainly true. It does seem to me that PC users end up knowing more about their computers than Mac users. And it is also true that there are very many more PC’s in use than there are Mac’s, particularly in business.
Several good companies make PC’s. Dell, Gateway, Compact, and HP are examples. Only Apple makes the Mac, and they often cost a bit more than PC’s.
A good book to start with is PC’s for Dummies. (I don’t know if there is a Mac for Dummies book.) Barnes and Noble carry a good selection of computer books, as does Amazon.com, of course. PC’s for Dummies gives a good overview of most everything one will want to know.
The first thing to learn is about the hardware and what it does. Then one starts learning about “the operating system” and what it does. After that you start learning the application programs such as word processors, email programs, web browsers, spreadsheets, etc. This is where you get to start doing “stuff” on your computer and the fun really starts!
Learning the terminology is half the battle. But with a little reading you can be throwing around bits, bytes, and nibbles with the best of them!
Sounds a little daunting doesn’t it? Not really though. You learn computers just like you eat an elephant—one byte at a time (sorry for the pun)! Good luck! A whole world is out there just waiting for you to tap into it.
Please add in the announcements section:
The computer users group will not be meeting after August 12, until further notice. This is due to vacations and VOCA starting the building renovations so the main assembly room will not be available until further notice, which could be several months away. Watch for announcements in the future.
