T101.3a - Computer OS, Hardware & Memory |
The sections below identify relevant topics and products I use or have used for decades to gain digital efficiency. Many of these are like paint brushes to a painter or tools to a mechanic.
As you will see below, all of this added to tech trauma and tech stress. Adopting a more cloud based orientation dramatically decreases the stress.
The sections below include:
As you will see below, all of this added to tech trauma and tech stress. Adopting a more cloud based orientation dramatically decreases the stress.
The sections below include:
- Operating System - Windows/Mac/Linux/Chromebook (with primer related to Unix vs PC file systems)
- Computer - Laptop, Tower, Monitor/Machine combo // 2a) Processors and RAM
- USB Hub
- External Hard Drive
- External Hard Drive Dock
- External Video Card Adapter
- USB Memory Stick
1) Operating Systems
There are really only two types of disk management systems for a computer that I'm aware of. A disk management system is what enables programs and users to interface with a hard drive and processor and others stuff.
- Unix
- MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System)
Unix machines -- Everything other than windows machines typically shares something underneath and that is a UNIX disk system. Mac OS is an OS that involves UNIX. Google Chrome OS is an OS that involves UNIX. A Windows Machine is different in that it uses MS-DOS underneath, and it is not generally viewed as being as secure or as great by those who know more than me.
Windows machines - These have MS-DOS running out of view. Windows machines are often times refered to as PCs. This limit of the term PC to a windows machine is very confusing dogma to me. To me, both a Windows Machine and a Mac are Personal Computers. Be aware of this oddity in vocabulary.
Windows OS (operating system)-- I am a windows guy / a PC guy because of training on it since 1988. Microsoft's shift to hide the tree structure in file explorer with windows 7 in 2009ish was extremely unsettling for me. The young designers with nothing new to innovate have now started hiding stuff like the Start button, making PC use painful on so many levels. Or, these designers were instructed to intentionally futz with logical interfaces for some reason. The later makes more sense than the former.
Windows 10 has about 2-3 graphical interface layers over something that looks like windows XP sp2. Basically, Microsoft now expects user to use Youtube for every move you want to make. I can't fathom what it would be like to try to learn to use the Windows interface now as compared to 3.1 or XP where you could click around and drill down and use cognitive maps to burrow around. A PC is now brutal if not deadly in the hands of anyone who did not use one prior to Windows 10 to a high degree (IMO).
Mac -- As an engineer, I find the file management functions of a Mac to be less desirable. I also find many of their "intuitive" visual actions for various tasks to be very non-intuitive. The loss of Steve Jobs as the obsessive one with a vision who ensured user satisfaction and a connective flow as it grew is starting to show IMO (as of 2016).
Linux OS -- Linux is an open source OS. It's talked about tons, but if you aren't in certain technology circles, you might never see one. The ones I've seen look like older windows interfaces. Appealing in that sense, but you are kind of on your own for tech support and forum support. That part has always kept me away and I've not had a corporate IT job that exposed me to them.
Chrome OS - Chrome OS is a Unix based operating system like Mac and Linux. Chromebooks are certainly part of the wave of the future and the future is now! More on this later.
Raspberry PI -- You can buy a small chip about the size of a credit card with a port for a monitor, keyboard and mouse that has a wifi chip and a memory chip on it for $20-30. If you know how to flash the chip with a compressed Unix based OS (I think that's what it is), you can have the equivalent of a chrome book for under $40. This is in fact part of the future, too, for sure. Apparently this is the rage now in industrial design but a lot of DIY technologists are seemingly keeping up nicely. The chosen name for this must have a meaning, no clue what it is.
== IMPORTANT ==
In general, the knowledge/skill most beginner and intermediate computer users lack is basic folder system organization and navigation, the ability to recover from OS and software related fubars, and our occasionally hellish wireless technology world.
It seems the Windows with windows 7, 8 and 10 were/are intentionally trying to take more and more control over file saving locations to keep users out of folder systems more and more. It was catastrophic for users with a lot of files or complex systems. If this wasn't intentional done for nefarious reasons, it's an even worse situation (ie if some engineers thought this was a good idea, that's worse than folks thinking they wanted to punk users for confusion and profits somehow)....
Windows 10 has about 2-3 graphical interface layers over something that looks like windows XP sp2. Basically, Microsoft now expects user to use Youtube for every move you want to make. I can't fathom what it would be like to try to learn to use the Windows interface now as compared to 3.1 or XP where you could click around and drill down and use cognitive maps to burrow around. A PC is now brutal if not deadly in the hands of anyone who did not use one prior to Windows 10 to a high degree (IMO).
Mac -- As an engineer, I find the file management functions of a Mac to be less desirable. I also find many of their "intuitive" visual actions for various tasks to be very non-intuitive. The loss of Steve Jobs as the obsessive one with a vision who ensured user satisfaction and a connective flow as it grew is starting to show IMO (as of 2016).
Linux OS -- Linux is an open source OS. It's talked about tons, but if you aren't in certain technology circles, you might never see one. The ones I've seen look like older windows interfaces. Appealing in that sense, but you are kind of on your own for tech support and forum support. That part has always kept me away and I've not had a corporate IT job that exposed me to them.
Chrome OS - Chrome OS is a Unix based operating system like Mac and Linux. Chromebooks are certainly part of the wave of the future and the future is now! More on this later.
Raspberry PI -- You can buy a small chip about the size of a credit card with a port for a monitor, keyboard and mouse that has a wifi chip and a memory chip on it for $20-30. If you know how to flash the chip with a compressed Unix based OS (I think that's what it is), you can have the equivalent of a chrome book for under $40. This is in fact part of the future, too, for sure. Apparently this is the rage now in industrial design but a lot of DIY technologists are seemingly keeping up nicely. The chosen name for this must have a meaning, no clue what it is.
== IMPORTANT ==
In general, the knowledge/skill most beginner and intermediate computer users lack is basic folder system organization and navigation, the ability to recover from OS and software related fubars, and our occasionally hellish wireless technology world.
It seems the Windows with windows 7, 8 and 10 were/are intentionally trying to take more and more control over file saving locations to keep users out of folder systems more and more. It was catastrophic for users with a lot of files or complex systems. If this wasn't intentional done for nefarious reasons, it's an even worse situation (ie if some engineers thought this was a good idea, that's worse than folks thinking they wanted to punk users for confusion and profits somehow)....
2) Computer( Laptop, Tower, Monitor/Machine combo)
There are four types of computers commonly available at this time.
- Laptop
- Tower
- All-in-one (Monitor-Computer combination)
- Mini-computers or odd boxes that are most similar to towers functionally (Macs often come in strange shapes)
Computer #1 -- Laptop
I currently own a Toshiba T520 which has a video card (2 monitors) and another video handling system which enables it to support 2 additional monitors with the support of the primary processor. (a docking station required to run the 4 monitors)
Screen Size -- I currently have a 17" monitor measured on the diagonal. The screen size dictates the physical size of the laptop. It has a full size laptop keyboard and it does NOT have a number pad on the right, which I prefer as it minimizes the reach for the mouse.
External Keyboard -- I use the keyboard on my laptop. This made the desk height and chair to desk height very relevant (and tricky) to avoid neck and shoulder issues. I futz with ergonmics annually for years. I finally built my own custom kneeling chair. Then I switched to a telescoping/standup desk in late 2018 and life has gotten a lot better.
I currently own a Toshiba T520 which has a video card (2 monitors) and another video handling system which enables it to support 2 additional monitors with the support of the primary processor. (a docking station required to run the 4 monitors)
Screen Size -- I currently have a 17" monitor measured on the diagonal. The screen size dictates the physical size of the laptop. It has a full size laptop keyboard and it does NOT have a number pad on the right, which I prefer as it minimizes the reach for the mouse.
External Keyboard -- I use the keyboard on my laptop. This made the desk height and chair to desk height very relevant (and tricky) to avoid neck and shoulder issues. I futz with ergonmics annually for years. I finally built my own custom kneeling chair. Then I switched to a telescoping/standup desk in late 2018 and life has gotten a lot better.
Computer #2-- Tower
If you aren't going to use a laptop, I'd suggest getting one of the towers/mini-towers. I would NOT suggest the monitor/computer combo unless you know that is exactly what you want. A separation between the two enables you to re-purpose the computer as it gets old with larger or smaller monitors as desired. Towers often times only support a single monitor by default. If you use two or multiple monitors pay close attention to this prior to purchase to get additonal internal cards (which are low cost).
If you aren't going to use a laptop, I'd suggest getting one of the towers/mini-towers. I would NOT suggest the monitor/computer combo unless you know that is exactly what you want. A separation between the two enables you to re-purpose the computer as it gets old with larger or smaller monitors as desired. Towers often times only support a single monitor by default. If you use two or multiple monitors pay close attention to this prior to purchase to get additonal internal cards (which are low cost).
Computer #3 -- Monitor-Computer Combo
I like the all-in-ones. They are priced very high for what you get. They are really raking in the big bucks because of the form-function combination. if something goes wrong with either the computer or the monitor, repairs do not seem to be inexpensive at all. Like towers many of these don't seem to support an additional monitor by default.
Computer #4 -- The odd form factors
Macs often times had some mini/micro towers. PC manafucturers have also come out with mini towers. These generally function like towers.
I like the all-in-ones. They are priced very high for what you get. They are really raking in the big bucks because of the form-function combination. if something goes wrong with either the computer or the monitor, repairs do not seem to be inexpensive at all. Like towers many of these don't seem to support an additional monitor by default.
Computer #4 -- The odd form factors
Macs often times had some mini/micro towers. PC manafucturers have also come out with mini towers. These generally function like towers.
2a) Processors and RAM
Processors -- Seemingly sometime in the mid 2000's chip manafacturers drank gypsy koolaid. It use to be easy to understand how to compare processor speeds and cores. They totally futzed with things making the numbering exceptionally confusing. Mac have been sold with smoking fast processes for many years. PC manufacturers are constantly playing games selling lower end processors when they can and that caused machine obsolesance much faster, although that trend now may be slowing given a plateau in tech speeds and needs (IMO).
RAM -- 2-4 ram use to be a minimum for PCs, now I'd say 8 is and I always put in 16. I've seen things that say 16 is a waste with some processors or systems because the chip itself can't make use of an amount above a certain number. You simple need to do research and/or find someone in the know to know what works best and what max usable limits are.
Processors -- Seemingly sometime in the mid 2000's chip manafacturers drank gypsy koolaid. It use to be easy to understand how to compare processor speeds and cores. They totally futzed with things making the numbering exceptionally confusing. Mac have been sold with smoking fast processes for many years. PC manufacturers are constantly playing games selling lower end processors when they can and that caused machine obsolesance much faster, although that trend now may be slowing given a plateau in tech speeds and needs (IMO).
RAM -- 2-4 ram use to be a minimum for PCs, now I'd say 8 is and I always put in 16. I've seen things that say 16 is a waste with some processors or systems because the chip itself can't make use of an amount above a certain number. You simple need to do research and/or find someone in the know to know what works best and what max usable limits are.
3) USB Hub
When buying USB hubs, there is nothing special to look for. Find one that is the correct size and shape for your application. These are basically dumb switches/devices.
USB Hub #1
Example of a simple USB Hub from Amazon -- $10 -- at amazon
(I use to think of these as being $5. I cant find those anymore.)
USB Hub #1
Example of a simple USB Hub from Amazon -- $10 -- at amazon
(I use to think of these as being $5. I cant find those anymore.)
4) External Hard Drive
When buying an external hard drive, do not fall for any marketing tricks. All you need is a hard drive in a protective case. In fact, you are often times best buying a protective case and a hard drive separate to reinforce the simplicity of an external hard drive. If you own the cavalry retriever above, you can use un-encased hard drives in that device.
External Hard Drive #1
Here's a popular one from Amazon - 1 TB drive with USB 3.0 -- $50 -- at amazon
(USB cable and port not shown)
Here's a popular one from Amazon - 1 TB drive with USB 3.0 -- $50 -- at amazon
(USB cable and port not shown)
5) External Hard Drive Dock
An external hard drive dock can take raw had drives and enable them to act as external hard drives. This is the simplest and cheapest way to maintain several/multiple external hard drives.
External Hard Drive Dock #1 - Cavalry Retriever
Stick a drive in the dock and you will see it show up in your file manager. It works just like a USB memory stick but the memory stick is a hard drive.
Upon duplication, take the target drive and put it in the computer. If it works, you have created a bit for bit backup.
This device also acts as a hard drive duplicator. That functionality is explained in the Computer backup sections.
$35 -- at amazon
Stick a drive in the dock and you will see it show up in your file manager. It works just like a USB memory stick but the memory stick is a hard drive.
Upon duplication, take the target drive and put it in the computer. If it works, you have created a bit for bit backup.
This device also acts as a hard drive duplicator. That functionality is explained in the Computer backup sections.
$35 -- at amazon
6) External Video Card Adapter
With external video card adapters you can take any machine and add monitors. The additional monitors may not be great for gaming, but they are typically fine for low motion applications.
External Video Card Adapter # 1 - Plugable
Plugable is the market leader in external video card adapters. The near image shows a USB to DVI adapter. The far side is the VGA version. These come with different higher end resolutions too. $35 - VGA -- at amazon 7) USB Memory StickMemory sticks are memory sticks. You should have one in your bag or around at all times. They are needed nearly as much now with cloud computing and fast uploads, but when you need one, there's no substitute.
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