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MP-07
Computers SCORE Chapter 570 |
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Computers for a Small Business |
WHAT
MIGHT YOU NEED?
There
are two major types of computers to choose from, PC or MAC (We'll address MAC
later) [1]
A PC computer (If purchased today) will probably have a “Pentium”
CPU running at least 300 MHz with a minimum of 256MB RAM. [512 is more
desirable.] The MHz rating refers to
the speed at which your computer can perform its operations. A 133 MHz
computer can do every thing that a 633 MHz can do but it will be noticeably
slower. A computer can be housed in a flat case, or a tower. You may find the
flat desk-top type more convenient, but the tower will afford more cooling
space and have more expansion area. It will have a built-in hard drive which
stores all your programs and files. Today's sophisticated programs require a
lot of storage area. You should look for a hard drive of 1GB or more. It
should have, at least, a 14 inch color monitor (screen). If you intend to do
detail work like Graphics or CAD (Computer Assisted Design), you might
consider a 17 or 21 inch screen. It will be standard with a 3.5 inch disk
drive, but you should also get a CD ROM drive. An adequate keyboard &
mouse will probably be included in your original purchase. More deluxe ones
are available. [2]
If you want to use the internet you will need a “Modem”
[Preferably built in, though an external one can be added.] [3]
A surge protector is a desirable extra..... Most of the later systems
(windows) provide an adequate back-up system, but if you are doing large
works an optional tape back-up is convenient and will save time. [4] A printer will probably be your most expensive extra.... They are made in three basic types. The Dot matrix is slowly becoming obsolete, though it is still important if you want to use carbonless forms like checks, invoices etc..... The Ink Jet is the least expensive quality printer and does well for most purposes...
The Laser Jet is slightly more expensive but its quality is tops and it is
recommended for publishing. Color Printers are becoming cheaper and better in
quality every day. Their printing time is slower and supplies more expensive
and some do not produce as good a quality black & white as their non
color counterparts. You must decide what is most important to your work and
decide carefully. It is possible to operate with several different printers
by using a simple, inexpensive switch which will allow you to use the best
printer for each specific application if this should becomes necessary.
PostScript printers are used for extra fine "printer quality"
printing and specialty work. [5]
If you like bells and whistles, sound boards and speakers are slowly becoming
standard equipment. WHERE AND
HOW DO I BUY ONE?
Buying
a computer is no different than buying many other items. First you will need
to determine what tools you will need to do the job then seek out the best
source and price. You
can make a beautiful buy on a vacuum cleaner complete with 15 or 20
accessories but if you never use the accessories, how good of a deal was
it?..... Perhaps if you spent the same amount of money on the cleaner only
you might come out with a much better cleaner to do the job that you need to
do..... But, to buy a cleaner alone, you might have to go to a vacuum cleaner
store instead of a mass merchandiser. Buying a computer is no different from the cleaner.
Determine what you need, then find the best deal. Don’t be swayed by a $1,000 software package (programs and
games) or other extras that you may never use. everything you might ever want your tool to
do and then get the best tool you can afford to do those jobs. If you are certain that you will never do more than write
Aunt Jean letters, don’t buy a computer. But a simple word
processor for about $100. A salesman with 3,000 accounts needs a computer
with an elaborate data base to maintain complete files on his clients. A
consultant with never more than three accounts might be able to accomplish
the task with a $1.39 file box. Determine the need before you buy! WHAT
ABOUT SOFTWARE?
Just
like an oven, your computer won't do a thing unless you put something into
it. If you want to bake a cake you put
in some cake dough. If you want to make a roast to put in some meat. So it is
with your computer. If you want to write letters you put in (or load) a Word
Processing program. If you want to maintain data for mailing or
billing you load a Data Base program. The same applies for
financial programs, draw programs etc. All
these "Programs" are loaded permanently on your hard drive, along
with any additional files that you wish to store. That is why you should plan
ahead to determine how many different programs you may eventually want to load
to be certain that you acquire a large enough hard drive when
you make your initial purchase. You can replace your hard drive at a later
date with a larger one, but it will be expensive and inconvenient to do
so.... Another reason to think ahead! WHAT
ABOUT THE FUTURE
As your business grows; your computer should be capable of
growing with it. You may wish to take advantage of the Internet.
This will require a modem and if you intend to download (copy data
from the internet to your computer) speed of copying translates into money
(line charges). If you intend to do some publishing, you may want to add a scanner
to include photos in your publication. A scanned photo or some complex
graphics require huge amounts of disk space on your hard drive and
memory in your printer... Think ahead. |
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