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Buying and Selling PCs When it comes time to buy or sell a PC, it can help you a lot to be able to talk to other people. You can use these Usenet groups to look for a computer or computer parts to buy, to offer something for sale, or to ask questions. Remember, you are dealing with strangers, so you must be careful. Don't blindly send your money (or your PC) to someone without satisfying yourself that everything is okay. Usenet:
Monitors As you use a computer, you are constantly looking at the monitor (display screen). A cheap monitor may save money up front, but it is much more pleasant to use a better quality display. Before you buy your next monitor, take a few moments to learn about what to look for and how to make an intelligent decision. If possible, test the monitor in a store before you buy it. Hint: Cheap monitors flicker. If you notice a flicker, don't buy the monitor. It will bother you more than you might think. (Remember, these are your eyes we are talking about.) Web:
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PC Acceleration We all know the faster your computer, the happier you are. So, however fast your computer is right now, it needs to be faster. Faster, faster and even faster than that. There are lots of ways to increase the performance of your PC, but if you want to be a real speed nerd, you need to get your information from the pros. Learn about overclocking (making the processor run faster than its official speed), tweaking the registry, fast Internet connections, diagnostics, benchmarks, and more technical tricks than you can squeeze into a tube of official IBM lubricating gel. Web:
PC Hardware The term "PC hardware" covers a lot of territory, embracing entire computers as well as the tiny bits and pieces that do so much to fill our twenty-first century lives with meaning. Here are some guides to help you navigate the uncharted sea of PCs, chips, boards and accessories. You'll find reviews, explanations, glossaries, diagrams, articles, price lists, opinions, specifications, troubleshooting guides, and lots and lots of technical details. I have chosen these resources to cover a wide range of needs, so whether you are an expert, a beginner, or a fanatical computer game player, you'll find something here to help you. Web:
PC Hardware Talk and General Discussion Computing is no fun if you have to work on a slow dinosaur of a PC that creaks when it starts up or blows dust out of its cracks every time you change directories. Keep up with the latest in hardware changes and make your machine state-of-the-art. Usenet:
PC Magazines Keeping up on what is happening in the PC world is impossible. However, if you want to pretend to keep up, the easiest way is by reading PC magazines. To help you, here are some places on the Net where you can read articles from PC magazines without leaving the comfort of your Web browser. Check back every now and then; there is always something new. Web:
PC News Don't get left behind, even for a moment. Check in with the Net every day and see what's new in the world of PCs. Here are some great places to read the factoids behind the rumors and hype that pass for news in the PC industry. If you like keeping up with the PC flow, these sites will help you stay one giant step ahead of the guy or gal in the next cubicle. Web:
PC Prices If you are interested in getting the best price, you need a good way to compare. Use this Web site to help you find pricing information about a large number of PCs, as well as parts and components. These days, even the best is relatively inexpensive. Considering what you are getting, being able to buy any PC at all is the bargain of the century. Don't be too cheap. The only way anyone can offer you a computer that is well below the regular price is by selling you last year's technology. If you try to save money, you will only end up with an inferior machine and, believe me, your programs will know the difference. Web: PC Resources When you consider what you get for your money, personal computers are the biggest bargain in our society. However, one reason they are so inexpensive is that computers come with no manuals and no help. Although your computer is probably the most complex machine you ever deal with, there is no one to help you when you have trouble. This is something that first-time buyers are not told, but it is true: if you want to solve problems, or enhance your computer in some way, you are on your own. My advice is learn how to use the Net to teach yourself the basics. That way, when you need help, you will know how to find it and you will be able to understand what you read. Web:
PC Talk and General Discussion When you want to talk about your PC, these are the Usenet discussion groups to check out. Whether you want to ask a question, help someone else, or just hang out, there is always plenty to talk about. Usenet:
PCMCIA Cards PCMCIA cards are small adapters -- the size of a thick credit card -- designed to fit into laptop computers. The name PCMCIA stands for "Personal Computer Memory Card International Association". (See if you can say that ten times real fast.) There are three types of PCMCIA cards: Type I cards are 3.3 mm thick (for example, memory cards), Type II cards are 5 mm thick (modems, network adapters), while Type III are 10.5 mm thick (miniature disk drives). In theory, PCMCIA cards always work perfectly the first time, especially the "plug and play" cards. In practice, getting these little gremlins working properly can sometimes drive you crazy. Here are some resources to help. Web:
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Printers I remember when it was hard to get any printer working with a PC and, today, whenever a printer actually works I consider it nothing less than a small miracle. My feelings, of course, are way out of date. Today's printers are generally reliable and well-manufactured, and many printers are actually computers in their own right. There are a lot of different printers and, before you buy, many choices to consider. After you buy, there are a lot of questions that may arise. Here are some resources to help you: links to printer manufacturers, sources for printer drivers, and much, much more. Web:
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Scanners A scanner is a device that you use to convert an image on paper into data stored in a computer file. For example, say you have some photos of your cat that you want to put on your Web site. You could use a scanner to "digitize" the pictures, each of which could be stored in a separate file. You can then display these files on your Web site. (This is how photos end up on Web sites.) Here is some information to help you learn about scanners. I have one and I like it a lot. It's fun to take a photo or drawing and make it into a computer file. If you are artistic, there is a lot you can do with your own scanner. If you are thinking of buying a scanner, here are some tips to help you. (1) You get what you pay for. Expensive scanners work better (and faster) than cheap scanners. (2) All scanners use software. Expensive scanners will have better software, which will make a difference. (3) It will take you some time to learn how to use the software well. (4) It's fun to experiment, but read the documentation. Web:
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