Beginner's guide to computing

You can have too much of a good thing - have you seen the choice of computers on the shelves? Let us guide you to your perfect PC...


The main parts of computer "hardware" (the physical machine) are the box (the Central Processing Unit or CPU) - where you'll find the hard drive, chips etc - and the monitor. When choosing a PC consider:

• The "power" of a processor (and if it will support the type of applications you want to run) <<<
• Memory capacity (also known as Random Access Memory or RAM), used as the machine is working <<<
• The storage capacity of the machine to hold files long-term. This is measured in gigabytes or GB. <<<

Graphics cards affect web surfing and game play, while a re-writable CD will allow you to enjoy audio/visual files. Screen quality is an issue if you'll be using the machine for long periods at a time and if you're looking at laptops check weight, size and battery life.


Buyer beware

Also try to play with both PCs and Apple Macs - the main competing formats - and see which you prefer - or which you also use at work. Try not to plump for the most basic model in either case, as you'll soon find it dated and won't want to shell out again. It's worth checking out your supplier too. Some users prefer a local outfit that can come to your house if things go wrong. It's true you might find a cheaper deal in terms of price at a superstore chain - like PC World - or online at Dell - but you might not find the sales advice and after-sales care as good.


The programs or applications that your computer runs are the software - and your machine may come "bundled" with quite a few. You should be supplied with licensed copies of all the software on your machine, such as the operating system (OS) - Windows for example. Check that you have the original CDs with your product - you might need to use them for adding programs to your machine later (and it's illegal to sell unlicensed software). If you have to install a printer or modem, the supplied CDs will easily guide you. Buying essential software at the same time as your machine can mean cash savings.


Security alert

With the sheer amount of viruses on the circuit today the most essential piece of software is a reliable virus protection that you can update regularly (for free) as new threats are discovered - like those from Norton (its Internet Security 2005 package offers a variety of security measures). Remember, if you're going to be using email, never open files that end in .exe (executable files) in attachments - even if they appear to come from friends - unless you're expecting them and know exactly what the file contains. Also ignore emails that ask you to check or confirm passwords or bank details (all fake and a practice known as "phishing") and watch out for premium rate diallers that hi-jack dial-up modems and rack up phone bills (ask your phone company to bar premium rate numbers on your line if you are experiencing these