Computer Hardware
Hardware – The computer, printer, monitor, etc. Hardware cannot do any of your work, not even keep your address book.
Central Processing Unit – The CPU is the chip that runs the computer. It plugs into the computer and controls the way the computer works. Computers have come a long way since the first IBM-PC which had an 8086 CPU made by Intel. Today, computers are much faster and they are powered by Intel or AMD chips. If you use a CAD (Computer Aided Design) program, get as much power as you can.
Disk Drive – A magnetic storage device which allows the CPU to read data from memory and store it permanently on a disk covered with a magnetic coating. Most modern computers come with a hard disk drive and a smaller floppy disk drive.
Keyboard – The keyboard looks somewhat like a typewriter. It also has a numeric key pad with digits 0-9 arranged like an adding machine. The keyboard has some special keys that are not on a typewriter. Some examples are Control, Alt (Alternate), Delete, Insert, Home, Page Up, end, Page Down. There are also arrow keys that move the cursor from side to side or up and down.
Video Terminal or Monitor – This is the screen the computer uses to display information. It's usually called a monitor. The most desirable monitors today are flat screen monitors because they use less power and take up less room than the old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors. The modern standard for monitors is called VGA (Video Graphics Array); it produces a clear sharp image to display letters, numbers, or pictures.
Mouse – A mouse is a pointing device. You can select items on the screen without using the keyboard. The mouse is a small hand held device with a ball on the bottom and two buttons and a knob on top. Push one of the buttons to select what the mouse is pointing to. Some software programs require a mouse.
Printer – Modern printers are usually ink jet printers or laser printers. Ink jet printers are faster but more expensive to run. Laser printers are slower, cheaper to run, and have better print quality. A modern ink jet printer can be combined with a copy machine and fax all in one unit. They save a lot of space.
Cables – These connect the different parts of the computer so they can talk to each other.
Memory – RAM is the information capacity of your computer. It's used by the CPU to store data. Any data in RAM will be lost if the power goes off. Memory is measured in storage units call bytes. Each byte holds one character of data. A kilobyte is 1,024 bytes and 1024 times 1024 is one MB (megabyte) of memory. We recommend at least two megabytes of memory for a construction office.
Surge Protector – It will protect the computer from power surges that can destroy it. Some surge protectors also provide some backup battery power. A surge protector is the cheapest and most effective insurance you can buy. Use a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) and surge protector if your power is unreliable or unstable.
Software – The programs you buy or rent to run on your computer are called software. Some examples of software a contractor or builder may use are Word Processing, Accounting and job cost, Estimating, Project Management and Scheduling, and CAD (Computer Aided Design).
Documentation – The instruction manuals for the hardware and software. Sometimes these manuals are stored in the software in the help section.
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