Vocabulary

How to Think (and Sound) Like a Tech

By J. M. Jaco

http://www.j9wise.net

The Three Big Categories:Hardware, Software, FirmwareHARDWARE – everything you can pick up, throw against the wall, break, shatter, smash, etc.

The Three Big Categories:Hardware, Software, FirmwareSOFTWARE – everything that can be added to the hardware in the form of programs and applications that change the computer from helping you write to helping you create charts, modify images, record sounds, and so on. It's also what stops running when you turn off the device.

The Three Big Categories:Hardware, Software, Firmware

FIRMWARE – something of a hybrid term because it's software that has been recorded directly onto a memory chip (hardware). It also doesn't go away when you turn off the computer.

Why You Need to Know“Hardware, Software, Firmware”

Hardware fixes usually involve removing, repairing or replacing something. In fact, there’s a common shorthand of r/r that is used to mean “repair or replace” in troubleshooting guides.

Software fixes usually involve updating, or uninstalling and reinstalling applications.

Firmware fixes usually involve rewriting the software that is stored on the chip.

Why You Need to Know “Input/Output (I/O)”:

I/O is a common phraseused as a shorthand to talk about

things that go into and come out of a computer..

Input/Output (I/O)INPUT is what you put into the computer

OUTPUT is what the computer gives back to you

I/O is the standard abbreviation for the two of them together.

Networks: Wired and Wireless

WIRED NETWORKS are connections to your computer through some form of wire or cable that runs through (or along) the walls of the building. The wires allow your computer to talk to other devices that are also connected to the network with wires or cables.

Networks: Wired and WirelessWIRELESS NETWORKS are connections to your computer requiring something that transmits and receives radio signals on both ends of the connection instead of a wire or cable. One end is usually your laptop, tablet or smartphone and the other end is usually a wireless Access Point (that is itself connected to a wired network.)

Why You Need to Know About “Networks: Wired and Wireless”

Things that can go wrong with a network can affect many of your day to day tasks. If you need to send something to a printer on the network, for example, and it doesn't print, problems may come from the printer or your computer, but there may also be a problem in your network that needs to be addressed.

Why You Need to Know About “Networks: Wired and Wireless”

One more thing: smartphones and certain kinds of tablets can access two different kinds of wireless networks: One is the standard wireless network (wifi) found inside buildings and the other is the device's cellular network, which connects to those giant towers you often see along roadways.

Phones or tablets accessing a cell network to use the Internet will probably be charged for data usage.

Those accessing a local wifi network instead of a cell network will not get charged for data usage.

Files, Storage, and The Cloud

FILES is the generic term for the artifacts generated by software. These are your documents, spreadsheets, images, etc., that you've created using various software applications like Word, Excel, Photoshop, and so on.

FILES can also be pre-existing Help Files that came with programs to explain things, or they can be files you've brought into your computer, like eBooks, music, photos, and videos, that you use with various viewers or players.

Files, Storage, and The Cloud

STORAGE is where you put all your files. This is the computer's answer to big bookshelves, or cabinets, or cupboards, or closets, or trunks in the attic. In other words, your computer has a massive number of files to deal with, and when we're talking about storage, we're talking about ways to keep them all tidy and within reach.

Many components exist that help your computer store your files, typically hard drives, USB drives, CD and DVD drives. These all keep your files close at hand.

Files, Storage, and The Cloud

The “CLOUD” is more storage for your files that is not on your computer, or even in your room or building. It is accessed by your computer, of course, but through your network connections to the Internet.

You usually have to go through a service to get your files to the cloud, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, SugarSync, Box, or iCloud. There are many others as well.

Why You Need to Know“Files, Storage, and The Cloud”

Files may be lost due to failures of storage hardware. This is why making a backup copy of important files is a highly recommended preventative measure.

Some people use online services that automatically backup all your files on a regular basis and store them in the cloud. Some school districts require, for example, that all school-related emails be automatically backed up to the cloud or to secure storage devices onsite.

Cloud services also allow you to access your files from any of your devices and from different locations.

Online and Offline

ONLINE describes whether network connections are working for a given device. We say a computer or printer is “online” when it is connected to a network.

ONLINE is also a way to say that you’re accessing the Internet, as in “going online.” Since the Internet is just another network, this usage still means a working connection to a network.

OFFLINE is when a device is not connected to a network. A familiar example of this is putting your smartphone in “Airplane Mode” or “Driving Mode.”

Why You Need to Know“Online and Offline”

In troubleshooting a computer problem, it is sometimes suggested to take a device offline to be sure that it is isolated from a network. This can be done by simply unplugging the network cable from the device, but there is often a menu selection somewhere that takes the device offline in a simpler fashion.

Servers and Clients

A SERVER is a special computer designed for a very specific set of activities involving networks of computers and other devices, including storing and sharing files to other devices, overseeing network rules and regulations, keeping track of users and their credentials for using the network, and so on.

A CLIENT is any device (not person) on a network that is overseen by a server on the network.

Why You Need to Know“Servers and Clients”

Because of the peculiar hierarchy of Servers over Clients, Servers grant permissions to Clients on a network to do certain things, and keep them from doing other things. A User’s status in the hierarchy may or may not be able to override the permission or lack of permission, and this can affect just how much you can do when it comes to troubleshooting computers on a network.

Typically, only network Administrators have access to a Server’s permissions to make changes, but they can grant you higher-level access to other Clients as needed.

Motherboard and Peripherals

The MOTHERBOARD is a large printed circuit board inside a computer. It is the single most important part of a computer.

PERIPHERALS are any components and devices that are not directly attached to the motherboard.

Why You Need to Know“Motherboard and Peripherals”

The MOTHERBOARD is often called a MoBo for short. Replacing the motherboard is a major repair on a computer, similar to replacing the engine in a car. If your motherboard fails, you have to deal with one of the most serious problems a computer can have. Fortunately, replacing a motherboard, while not a simple procedure, is not all that difficult. With the proper tools and extreme care, it is not beyond the average person’s ability to replace a motherboard.

Why You Need to Know“Motherboard and Peripherals”

PERIPHERALS are all the other things, such as hard drive, optical drives, keyboards, mice, drawing tablets, etc. that plug into the computer either inside the computer case or outside. Once upon a time, computers were massive boxes holding an electronic “brain.” Everything connected up to the “brain” were all housed in their own massive cases standing nearby, i.e. on its periphery, and thus the name peripheral. Modern computers now try to cram as many of these things inside the box, so the term is becoming somewhat antiquated.

Applications/Programs

APPLICATIONS are the various programs that you activate in order to accomplish specific tasks. They are ways to “apply” the computer to the task at hand, and turn your computer/laptop/tablet into the tool that will help you complete the task.

For example, a calculator application turns your computer into a full-fledged calculator that runs just like the regular familiar device.

Why You Need to Know“Applications/Programs”

APPLICATIONS and PROGRAMS basically mean the same thing nowadays. The concept of a program is more directly related to how it was constructed (by programming) to make the computer do its work, while the concept of an application relates to how it’s used to help people do their work.

You can use the two words interchangeably, but remember their contexts if you want to use them most appropriately.

Operating Systems

An Operating System (OS) is the main program that your computer runs to handle all the applications you want to use, allowing you to interact with the machine in a way that makes sense to a human.

Three main brands of computer OS’s are popular at the moment in schools: Microsoft Windows, Apple OS, and Linux. Applications are written for one particular OS and won’t run on another unless a separate version is written for that one.

Why You Need to Know“Operating Systems”

It used to be that if you wanted to run a particular application, you had to use a particular OS, but popular applications often have versions for multiple operating systems. For example, a version of Microsoft Office is available for computers running Apple OS but there is still no Microsoft Office for Linux.

A computer can hold more than one OS, but it cannot run more than one at one time [unless it uses an emulator for another OS].

BIOS and Control Panel

Applications have settings. Devices have settings. These are the options given to you by their designers that allow you to make the application or device work the way you want it to. These are personal customization tools.

The computer also has settings to make it work the way you want it to. There are two places that you can access these settings:

BIOS and Control Panel

BIOS

BIOS {“bye-ohss”} stands for Basic Input Output System and is a program written in firmware and is associated with your computer’s CPU and motherboard. This is the program running inside your CPU to control the most basic operations of the computer.

When you turn your computer on, this is what runs before the Operating System starts. It’s making sure everything is working before you start your work.

Control Panel

Control Panel is a program that runs as part of the Operating System software. Many of the things that BIOS controls can also be found in the Control Panel. These include settings for Time and Date, settings for your display and other peripherals, and other ways to personalize your computer.

Other things that are part of the Operating System have their settings in Control Panel.

Why You Need to Know “BIOS and Control Panel”

BIOS settings affect the computer at its machine level and run before the Operating System starts. You can tell the computer to turn on automatically at a certain time, for example, or tell it to check the CD or USB drive before it tries to read the internal hard drive (useful when installing new applications).

Control Panel settings are part of the Operating System and help customize its behavior to suit your needs, such as display settings, mouse behavior, and accessibility settings. Sometimes problems can be fixed by simply tweaking a Control Panel setting.

Security, Credentials and Encryption

The broad category of keeping your computer files safe comes under the banner of Security.

(Security) CREDENTIALS are used to authenticate whether a User has permission to access storage locations containing protected files.

ENCRYPTION is a way to rewrite the contents of files in a coded way.

Why You Need to Know “Security, Credentials and

Encryption”Adding security is a preventative measure for protecting your computer from unwanted intrusion. Likewise, it adds protection to networks from unwanted intrusion:

Credentials are like combinations to locks. You can’t get in unless you enter the correct combination.

Encryption is about secret codes, and keys. Without the key, the code looks like gibberish.

IT Departments and Technicians

IT stands for Information Technology, and its department houses Technicians who are charged with the responsibility of keeping all the IT devices in an institution up and running.

Technicians have the experience to diagnose quickly most common ailments of computers and other devices, and are usually equipped to handle repairs when needed.

Why You Need to Know “IT Departments and Technicians”

If your workplace has an IT department, even if it’s just one person, it may be known by other names, such a Help Desk, Tech Support, or even just Hank, the name of the guy you call who does the fixing.

IT Departments often have a thankless job because people need their equipment to work NOW. Techs, like any human, usually respond better to courteous, informed words than impolite, or uninformed, rants.

Motherboard: CPU and RAM

These are things you find on a motherboard.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brains of the motherboard. It delegates the various computing tasks that go on inside the computer.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the electronic workspace used by the CPU and various programs to do its moment to moment work

Why You Need to Know “CPU and RAM”

CPU and RAM are the two biggest limiting factors in describing the performance of a computer. The kind of CPU, including its brand and model number, determines its uppermost abilities. If it fails, it’s replaceable, but this is perhaps the most difficult component to replace. And it’s also usually one of the most expensive.

RAM, on the other hand, is one of the easiest components to upgrade, and brands are far less important.

Motherboard: Data Bus

There are two kinds of data buses, serial and parallel. These are the internal connections on the motherboard from the CPU to various other components on, or connected to, the motherboard.

Serial buses use a single line to connect with components, while parallel buses use multiple lines. Data travels over these lines to allow communications between components and the CPU.

Why You Need to Know “Data Bus”

Parallel buses include PCI and PCI express buses. These are associated with add-in graphics and audio processing units, and are not interchangeable.

Serial buses have slightly more familiar names such as SATA, USB, and Firewire. SATA designates a type of modern storage drives, while the other two name types of connections to a wider variety of components. In fact, USB stands for Universal Serial Bus.

Cables for Connections

You can usually differentiate cables for various devices by the shape of their ends.

Firewire (L) and USB (R)

(roundness vs rectangularity) HDMI (L), VGA (M), and DVI (R)

(size, shape and number of pins)

Motherboard: Slots, Sockets, and Cards

Slots accept extra circuit boards called Cards or Sticks on a mobo.

These three white

slots are PCI slots to hold Cards.

These two blue slots

hold sticks of RAM

This white socket holds

the CPU

Why You Need to Know “Slots and Cards”

The kind of slot or socket limits what goes into it. Only the correct kind of card or stick can fit into it and work properly. The designations on the card or stick are usually an arcane combination of letters and numbers, all of which matter, to describe the card in a very specific way.

If you know the right type of card for the slot or socket, though, you can safely use any available brand or capacity in it that matches.

Peripherals: Storage Drives

Storage drives to store files are either housed inside the computer or housed in a small case connected to the computer externally.

Modern internal storage drives connect with a small wire to the SATA bus on the motherboard, while external drives usually connect with a cable to the USB port.

Small USB “thumb” drives also store files and are extremely portable, but limited in capacity compared to the other kinds of drives.

Internal Storage Drives

One kind of internal drive is a mechanical drive, like the opened one shown above. It has a stack of spinning platters inside that magnetically hold data, and that are recorded and read by a moving arm across their surfaces.

The other kind of internal drive is a solid state drive (SSD) which has no moving parts, and is simply a larger form of the USB thumb drives. They are very fast and can withstand harsh use, but they hold far less than mechanical drives at this time.

SATA data connector

Peripherals: External Storage Drives

Because they’re out in the open, and are portable, external drives can come in a variety of sizes and styles, however, they all usually connect with a USB cable.

They also can be either mechanical or solid state.

Why You Need to Know “Peripherals: Storage Drives”

Storage drives are the most common kinds of file storage and come with a variety of sizes and descriptions. Their capacities and efficiency are the determining factor in how useful they are. Most are extremely reliable these days and only fail after very long times.

Thumb drives a.k.a. USB flash drives are not so reliable compared to their bigger counterparts. Thumb drives tend to get exposed to more potential hazards, including magnetic fields, microwaves, and washing machines, which can cause data loss.

Moral of the story: Don’t put your most vital data on a thumb drive unless you have a backup somewhere else.