Masonry Magazine November 2002 Page. 36
Industry
TRENDS
GETTING TECHNICAL - LOOKING 'INSIDE THE BOX'
Handy with tools? Like to see what makes a machine tick? Then maybe you are ready for an easy challenge: building your next office computer.
By Tom Inglesby
COMPUTERS ARE NO LONGER AS SCARY AS they were a decade or two ago. In fact, it is very rare to find anyone who doesn't do some work-or play on a computer today. It is right up there with the telephone and television set when someone thinks "ubiquitous technology."
But one thing hasn't changed: computers are still complicated. Open that box and the array of electronic chips and components is impressive, even to those weaned on using these electronic marvels. The best approach, then, is to view them not as chips but as modules. After all, no one expects you to get into the design of the internal connections of that microprocessor or start soldering components onto the printed circuit board. But assembling modules? Piece of cake.
Having said that, for those of you old enough to have assembled a HeathKit radio or Radio Shack stereo back in the '50s or '60s, building a computer today is a snap. In fact, if you can assemble a ten-speed bike on Christmas morning, you can build your own computer system and save some significant money in the process.
What's in the box?
THE BASIC DESKTOP COMPUTER SYSTEM is composed of several modules that are readily available. If you want to eliminate the initial assembly of the processor to the motherboard (main printed circuit board) and it to the power supply and case, purchase a "basic" system from one of the many computer retailers on the Internet. For $300 or less, you get the case, power supply and motherboard with processor already connected and tested. These systems usually have a reasonable amount of RAM (random access memory, the first level of data storage), and a floppy drive installed, as well.
What else is needed? Input/output devices and one or more methods of data storage-such as a hard drive and CD-RW (Compact Disk Read/Write drive)-complete the basic system.
The term input/output (I/O) refers to the human interface components keyboard and mouse to tell the system what you want it to do, and monitor and printer for it to tell you what it did. At another level, I/O can also refer to networking capability or additional peripherals used to connect digital cameras, scanners, and other gadgets to the system.
Connections inside and out
NETWORKING SEVERAL COMPUTERS together adds to the capacity of the overall system and, when done right, gives each user access to "more than the sum of the parts" involved. Moving data from one computer to another via networking adds functionality and improves productivity at very little added cost.