Archive for the ‘Computers’ Category

How Computers Work

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

How does a computer work?

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Generally speaking, it is known that a computer is a complex device, which operates with information. Several decades have passed since the first computers used by man appeared, but from the first computers and until today, all the computers are operating based on meeting several key tasks:

- processing the information

- saving the information

- transfer and communication of information




But what information? And what are they ? The computer can operate only with the information provided by the user, the ones which are introduced in the computer’s system, and by following the execution of various tasks listed above, in the end the user obtains various results, as new information, through texts and images displayed on the screen or printed on paper, sounds heard in speakers or recorded on magnetic support, etc.

As it’s seen, the computer is just an instrument which the user uses in order to process, save, transform and to circulate useful information in their work and life.

Processing information

A computer is basically a calculator, and the first impression about its basic role is that is it used to calculate. In fact, what it does is process information, and this means that it transforms useful information into other useful information, from a form to another. The processing involves a lot of mathematical calculations executed by the computer, and many other operations.

The information with which the computer is permanently in touch can be split in 3 categories:

Data – are those information which are processed. For example, a computer can display in which day of the week is a certain calendar date (represented by day, month and year). For this, it has to receive the calendar date, after which is it processed and will display the day of the week corresponding to that date. The introduced calendar date and the displayed week day are data with which the computer operated in this process. The text documents, images and even sounds, are also from Data category, with which the computer operates and  whose handling and processing represent mostly the purpose for using the computer at a desk activity.

Programs – represents a special data category, which contains algorithms according to which the computer will process data. The computer is a simple electronic device, but according to the programs it uses, it will be able to process the data received in different ways. For example, in the previous example it was necessary for a capable program to exactly calculate which in which day of the week is a certain calendar date, considering all the calendar’s details (leap years, the days of each month, etc.), according to a well established mathematical algorithm. The programs are made from instructions which are executed, one by one, until, starting from the introduced data, the final result appears. For a computer, these instructions are encoded in a machine-code, a programming language used rarely even by the experts. The speed with which the instructions are executed, reached very high today, that when we push a key, one letter appears to the screen instantly




Configuration parameters – are those information which determines the specific functioning mode for each physical component of the computer, or for the programs that are used by it. By these parameters, which remain saved by the computer until they’re modified or deleted; a computer can be programmed for example to accept or ignore a certain physical device (a hard drive, a mouse, etc.)

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When Was The First Computer Created

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

A computer is a data and information processing machine according to a list of instructions named program. The computers that are free programmable and can process any type of data or information, are called universal computers or general computers. The actual computers aren’t just information processing machines, but devices which facilitates the communication between two or more users, in form of numbers / text / images / sound or video, or even sometimes all at once.

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The oldest known mechanism seems that could function as a calculating machine which is considered to be “The Clock” from Antikythira, dating back from the year 87. b.c. and apparently used to calculate the planets movement. The technology which stood at the base of this mechanism isn’t known.

Once with the revival of mathematics and sciences from the European Renaissance, came a succession of calculating mechanical devices, based on the clock principle, for example the machine invented by Blaise Pascal. The storage and reading techniques on a perforated card, came in the 19th century. In the same century, Charles Babbage is the first to project a calculating machine completely programmable in 1837, but unfortunately his project won’t work, mainly because of the limited technology of the time.




In the first half of the 20th century, the needs for the scientific communities were satisfied by the analog computers, very specialized and increasingly sophisticated. The improvement of digital electronics – thanks to Claude Shannon in 1930 – has led to abandoning the analog computers in favor for the digital ones, which shape the problems in numbers (bits) instead of electrical or mechanical signals. It’s hard to tell which was the first digital computer; noticeable achievements were: the Atanasoff-Berry computer, the Z machines of Konrad Zuse – for example the electromechanically computer Z3, which, although very impractical, it was probably the first universal computer, then the ENIAC computer with a relatively inflexible architecture which requested cable modifications for each reprogramming, like the secret British computer, the Colossus, built on lamps and electronically programmable.

The design team of the ENIAC, recognizing its shortcomings , has developed another architecture, more flexible, which was known under the name of von Neumann architecture or “architecture with saved memory”. This stands probably at the base of every actual calculating machines. The first system which was built using von Neumann architecture was the EDSAC.




In the 1960s, the electronic tubes were replaced by transistors, more efficient, smaller, cheaper and more reliable, which took to the miniaturization and cheaper computers. Since the 1970s, the adoption of integrated circuits took to lower prices and sizes of the computers, allowing through other, to the appearance of the personal computer.

So the answer to: when was the first computer created is up to you to answer. which do you think it was the first computer.

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Gaming Computer Parts

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

When you buy a computer it usually comes with basic components and accessories which sometimes are cheap and low quality. If you’re an amateur and you need the computer just for surfing the internet or using different applications for work, etc, the basic accessories are the ones you need. But when you’re a gamer and you play competitive games, you’ll soon realize that your skills are limited by the accessories you are using while gaming. Many accessories are specially manufactured in order to perform better for gaming. And when using the professional accessories, everything seems to be better, including your gaming skills.

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In this article we’ll be talking about Razer, a privately held computer peripherals manufacturer focused on creating the perfect products for professional gamers. Founded in 1998 in the US, Razer produced: mice, keyboards, sound cards, mouse pads, headphones, etc.




Gaming Mice:

- Razer Mamba Wireless Laser Gaming Mouse – 5600 DPI Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor, dual mode wired/wireless functionality, seven independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons, Razer Synapse onboard memory, for $129.99




- Razer Naga MMOG Laser Gaming Mouse – 5600 DPI Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor, 17 fully programmable MMO-optimized buttons, maximum comfort for long gaming sessions, custom interface AddOns for MMO games, PC / Mac compatible, for $79.99

- Razer Imperator Gaming Mouse – 5600  DPI Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor, 7 independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons, adjustable side buttons for optimum reach, Razer Synapse on-board memory, for $79.99




Gaming Surfaces:

- Razer Megasoma Professional Gaming Mouse Mat – hard-soft hybrid mat, ultra-durable gaming mat, maximum portability, exclusive ambient glow, for $49.99




- Razer Destructor Mouse Mat – Razer Fractal surface for high-precision gameplay, optimized for both optical and laser gaming-grade mice, non-slip rubber base for firm grip on smooth surfaces, includes a premium lightweight protective case, for $39.99



- Razer eXactmat Gaming Surface – dual mousing surfaces, SPEED side for high-sensitivity users, CONTROL side for low-sensitivity and professional design users, non-slip, anti-reflective, abrasion-resistant anodized aluminum hard coat, for $29.99



Gaming Keyboards:

- Razer Tarantula Gaming Keyboard – Anti-ghosting capability for up to 10 keys, 32 KB Razer Synapse on-board memory, Hyperesponse gaming keytop with fully interchangeable keys, headphone-out and microphone-in jacks, 10 programmable gaming hotkeys, for $99.99




- Razer Lycosa Gaming Keyboard – Fully-programmable keys with macro capability, backlight illumination with WASD cluster lighting option, gaming cluster with anti-ghosting capability, 10 customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching, for $79.99



- Razer Arctosa Gaming Keyboard – Slim keycap structure with Hyperesponse technology, anti-ghosting capability for WASD keys, easy access media keys, 10 customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching, $49.99






Gaming Sound:

- Razer Megalodon 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset – Razer Maelstrom audio engine, onboard Audio processing, noise filtering amplified microphone, tangle-free braided fibre cable, for $149.99




- Razer Carcharias Gaming Headset – extended comfort circumaural design, true-to-life gaming audio, noise filtering microphone, tangle-free braided fiber cable, for $79.99



- Razer Piranha Gaming Communicator – true-to-life audio quality with superior clarity and bass, adjustable and noise-filtering microphone, ergonomic and adjustable headphones for prolonged use, durable braided fiber cable protection, for $69.99



These models and many more, you can find on their website at http://www.razerzone.com. If you’re a professional gamer you need these professional gaming accessories. Play hard, go PRO.


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Pictures Of Basic Computer Parts

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Inside any computer you will find some basic parts. The basic parts are the minimum required for a computer to function properly in any application. So we have the outer case, the motherboard, the microprocessor, the video card, the memory, the network interface card, the hard drive, the sound card, the floppy disk drive and the optical drive.

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You will be provided below with a list of computer parts, each with its description and descriptive picture in order for you to understand better which is which and what is does.




Let’s start with the motherboard, which is one of the main parts without which the computer cannot work. It’s practicaly the support for the other parts which are attached to it, and it’s main role is to create the links between all the pieces you have in your computer.



Followed by the processor, or the microprocessor which is the central unit of information processing of a computer, which coordinates the system and which physically presents as an electronic chip. It controls the activities of the whole system and can process the user’s data. It’s the main element of a computer system; the chip, that is placed on the motherboard is very complex, and can reach up to millions of transistors. The microprocessor insures the data and instruction processing, both from the operating system as the ones from inside the user’s applications; it reads, process and control the applications and executes or supervises the information transfer and controls the general activity of the other components that make up the system.



The video card, or graphics accelerator card, is an expansion card whose function is to generate and output images to a display

The RAM, or the Random Access Memory, is the generic name for any type of memory that can be:

- random accessed, offering direct access to any of its location or address in any order, even randomly;

- implemented on electronic chips (and not on magnetic or optical devices as the hard disks or CDs).




The network interface card, or LAN adapter, is an expansion card designed for allowing the computers to connect to a network of computers.



The hard drive, or hard disc, is an electro-mechanical device for data storage or saving. Data saving is done on a magnetic surface on the rounded metallically cups.



The sound card, or the audio card, is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs.



The CD-ROM, or the Compact Disc Read-Only Memory: is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains accessible data to a computer for data storage and music playback. The CD-ROM doesn’t allow the computer to write anything to a CD.

The Floppy Disk Drive, or floppy drive, diskette drive, 3.5 inch drive, 5.25 inch drive, reads data from and writes data to a small disk. The most common type is the 3.5 inch drive followed by the completely 5.25 inch drive, among other sizes.

So now you know how basic computer parts look like and what are used for. We hope this information has been useful and has answered your questions and doubts about computer parts.

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What’s Inside Of A Computer

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

The computer, also know as: computing machine or computing device, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system, is a data and information processing machine, according to a list of instructions known as programs. The computer that are free programmable and can process any kind of data / information are named general purpose computers. The actual computers are not only data processing machines, but devices which facilitates the communication between two or more users, for example: using text, numbers, images, sound or video, and all at once – multimedia. The science of information processing with the help of computers is named Computer Science. The technology necessary for its use is called Information Technology or IT. In principle, any computer which has a minimum set of functions may perform the functions of any other computer, whether it is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or any supercomputer.

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The computers today come in many shapes and sizes. Probably the most familiar is the personal computer and it’s portable version called laptop, notebook or netbook; but the most widespread form is the embedded computer.

Inside any computer there are many parts such as:




The motherboard: a complex hardware component on which are fitted all the other hardware components of a computer, or any other electronically device.

The processor: or the microprocessor is the central unit of information processing of a computer, which coordinates the system and which physically presents as an electronic chip. It controls the activities of the whole system and can process the user’s data. It’s the main element of a computer system; the chip, that is placed on the motherboard is very complex, and can reach up to millions of transistors. The microprocessor insures the data and instruction processing, both from the operating system as the ones from inside the user’s applications; it reads, process and control the applications and executes or supervises the information transfer and controls the general activity of the other components that make up the system.

The RAM: or the Random Access Memory, is the generic name for any type of memory that can be:

- random accessed, offering direct access to any of its location or address in any order, even randomly;

- usually implemented on electronic chips (and not on magnetic or optical devices as the hard disks or CDs).

The sound card: or the audio card, is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs.

The video card: or graphics accelerator card, is an expansion card whose function is to generate and output images to a display

The network interface card:  or LAN adapter, is an expansion card designed for allowing the computers to connect to a network of computers.

The hard drive: or hard disc, is an electro-mechanical device for data storage or saving. Data saving is done on a magnetic surface on the rounded metalically cups.

The CD-ROM: or the Compact Disc Read-Only Memory: is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains accessible data to a computer for data storage and music playback. The CD-ROM doesn’t allow the computer to write anything to a CD.




These are the main parts of an ordinary computer. A computer can be upgraded with any other device such as: TV-tuner, 5.1 sound card, other hard discs, CD-RW, floppy disc, etc. So now you know what’s “hidden” inside a computer.

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The First Computer

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

The first computer, ENIAC is short for Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer. It was conceived and designed by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert of the University of Pennsylvania. Supposedly 1000 times faster than any mechanical calculus machine it had a variety of uses (the US Army being the main sponsor of the project).

The construction was started in 1943 during the World War II at University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Electrical Engineering under the codename ‘Project PX’. At 14 February 1946, after costing about 50.000 $ (about 6 million $ in 2008 if you adjust it for inflation) ENIAC was finished and passed to the US Army. For its time it was an incredibly fast computer, although some of its components might seem at least strange. It was built from 7.200 crystal diodes, 70.000 resistors, 1.500 relays, 10.000 capacitors and 17.468 vacuum tubes.

It had a weight of about 30 tons and a size of 2.6m x 0.9m x 26m, needed a space of about 63 square meters and consumed 150 KW of power. Because the vacuum tubes technology was not the most reliable, for most of its time the ENIAC would usually crash once every two days until 1948 when high reliability tubes became available. The computer could be programmed to perform complex calculations, but usually they would take weeks to write on paper and at least a few days to program the actual machine itself. There were 6 women that did most of the programming itself, all of them being included in the Women in Technology Hall of Fame.

One of its main flaws was that it didn’t have a memory, thus all the input and output was made on magnetic cards. Eckert and Mauchly, being aware of the downsides of the ENIAC started designing a new super computer that would be later called EDVAC, a computer both faster and simpler. From 1948 until its release in 1955 a number of improvements were made to the original ENIAC design.

These included an early read only mechanism that would allow the computer to store data, a high speed shifter that was added in 1952 which improved the speed of shifting by an almost 5 factor. In 1943 another upgrade that included a 100 word expansion memory was added. It used binary and decimal code and excess-3 number representation. Also a new Function Table selector was added to support all the new addictions.

On the 2nd of October 1955 it became obsolete and was donated to the University of Pennsylvania where some of the ENIAC panels still are on display.

In the end the question remains: Who made the first computer? Although it was their design, the University of Pennsylvania cannot take full credit when it comes to the development of the first computer. After a 6 year lasting World War II the US Army acknowledged the importance of information and logistics, thus investing a huge amount of manpower and money into the first fully electronic computer: the ENIAC. The US Army is more likely to be called the first computer supporters.

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