Computer Output Devices

Output Device

- Monitor - A monitor is the screen on which words, numbers, and graphics can be seem. The monitor is the most common output device.
- Compact Disk - Some compact disks can be used to put information on. This is called burning information to a CD. NOTE: A CD can also be an input device.

- Printer - A printer prints whatever is on the monitor onto paper. Printers can print words, numbers, or pictures.

- Speaker - A speaker gives you sound output from your computer. Some speakers are built into the computer and some are separate.

- Disk Drives - A disk drive is used to record information from the computer onto a floppy disk or CD.

-Floppy Disk - A floppy disk is used to record information on. The information is stored on the floppy disk and can be used later or used on another computer. NOTE: A Floppy can also be an input device.

-Headphones - Headphones give sound output from the computer. They are similar to speakers, except they are worn on the ears so only one person can hear the output at a time

Red Hat Operating System

Red Hat Linux
Released on Monday 25, September 2000 -- This new version features: enhanced security, 2.4 kernel ready, OpenSSL with 128-bit encryption for secure web communication, USB support for mice and keyboards, XFree 4.0.1 for improved video performance, improved GNOME desktop and Sawfish window manager, and an increase on the ease of use side. With optimized software for higher-end Intel chips and increased 3D support, along with dozens of new enterprise-ready applications. Red Hat Linux is a complete operating system based on the Linux kernel developed by a worldwide team of developers led by Linus Torvalds working over the Internet. Linux continues to evolve forward rapidly and the recent release of the 2.0 kernel (on which Red Hat 4.0 is based) demonstrates the remarkable talent and creativity of the Linux development community as well as the value and stability of the cooperative development model.

Type of Network Topologies

Network Topologies

Topology: The physical and/or electrical configuration of cabling and connections comprising a network -- the shape of the system.
Topology Types
Every network has a "shape" which is normally refered to as its topology. There are five major topologies in use today: Bus, Ring, Star, Tree, and Mesh. Each is used for specific network types, although some network types can use more than one topology. For example, Ethernet networks can be laid out in a Bus, Star, or Tree topology, or any combination of the three. Token ring is physically laid out in a Star, but electrically behaves like a Ring. To properly understand each network type requrires first understanding the basic topologies.

Bus topology
The simplest topology to understand is the Bus. In a Bus, all the devices on the network are connected to a common cable. Normally, this cable is terminated at either end, and can never be allowed to form a closed loop. Figure One shows an example of a Bus network.

Ring topology
A Ring topology is very similar to the Bus. In a Ring, all the devices on the network are connected to a common cable which loops from machine to machine. After the last machine on the network, the cable then returns to the first device to form a closed loop. Figure Two shows an example of a Ring network.

Star topology
A star topology is completely different from either a Bus or a Ring. In a Star. each device has its own cable run connecting the device to a common hub or concentrator. Only one device is permitted to use each port on the hub. Figure Three shows an example of a Star network.


Tree topology
A tree topology can be thought of as being a "Star of Stars" network. In a Tree network, each device is connected to its own port on a concentrator in the same manner as in a Star. However, concentrators are connected together in a heirarchial manner -- i.e. a hub will connect to a port on another hub. Figure Four shows a Tree network.

Mesh topology
A Mesh topology consists of a network where every device on the network is physically connected to every other device on the network. This provides a great deal of performance and reliability, however the complexity and difficulty of creating one increases geometrically as the number of nodes on the network increases. For example, a three or four node mesh network is relatively easy to create, whereas it is impractical to set up a mesh network of 100 nodes -- the number of interconnections would be so ungainly and expensive that it would not be worth the effort. Mesh networks are not used much in local area networks (LANs) but are used in Wide Area Networks (WANs) where reliability is important and the number of sites being connected together is fairly small. Figure Five shows an example of a four-node Mesh network.

Operating System Ubuntu

> http://www.ubuntu.com/

What is Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a community developed, linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more. Ubuntu is free software. You can learn more about what this means by reading our

Top 10 Massively Multiplayer Online Worlds

According to GigaOm, World of Warcraft holds the record in their
Top 10 Most Popular MMOs.
The complete list includes the following:
1. World of Warcraft - 8.5 million subscribers (released 2004)
2. Habbo Hotel - 7.5 million active users (released 2000)
3. RuneScape - 5 million active users (released 2001)
4. Club Penguin - 4 million active users (released 2006)
5. Webkinz - 3.8 million active users (released 2005)
6. Gaia Online - 2 million active users (released 2003)
7. Guild Wars - 2 million active users (released 2005)
8. Puzzle Pirates - 1.5 million active users (released 2003)
9. Lineage I/II - 1 million subscribers (released 1998)
10. Second Life - 500,000 active users (released 2003)

Aside from World of Warcraft, Guild Wars, and Second Life I haven’t heard of the other MMOs. I know Gaia Online but it’s supposed to be a message board or forum (practically the world’s largest message board according to BigBoards with 7,838,975 members).

Techniques how to speed-up your "old computer"

There are many ways how to speed up even an old computer...

* overclocking

- cmos setting/motherboard jumper/overclocking utilities

* change the visual effects

- control panel -system properties

* add memory, if there are avaible memory slot

* check your video card

Computer input devices

Input Devices
Input devices are things we use to put information INTO a computer.
Here are some examples of input devices.
Note: An APPLICATION is a type of computer program. Some applications are word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and games

* Camera - most cameras like this are used during live conversations. The camera transmits a picture from one computer to another, or can be used to record a short video.

* Compact Disc (CD) - CDs store information. The CD can then be put into another computer, and the information can be opened and added or used on the second computer. Note: A CD-R or CD-RW can also be used as an OUTPUT device.

* Keyboard - The keyboard is a way to input letters or numbers into different applications or programs. A keyboard also has special keys that help operate the computer.

* Mouse - The mouse is used to open and close files, navigate web sites, and click on a lot of commands (to tell the computer what to do) when using different applications.

* Digital Camera - A digital camera can be used to take pictures. It can be hooked up to a computer to transfer the pictures from the camera to the computer. Some digital cameras hold a floppy disk, and the floppy disk can be taken out of the camera and put directly into the computer.

* Drawing Tablet - A drawing tablet is similar to a white board, except you use a special pen to write on it and it's connected to the computer. Then the word or image you draw can be saved on the computer.

* Microphone - A microphone is used to record sound. The sound is then saved as a sound file on the computer.

* Scanner - A scanner is used to copy pictures or other things and save them as files on the computer.

* Disk Drive - A disk drive can hold a CD or a floppy disk. It reads the information on the disk so that the computer can use it.

* Joystick - A joystick is used to move the cursor from place to place, and to click on various items in programs. A joystick is used mostly for computer games.

* Touch Screen - A touch screen is a computer screen or other screen that you can touch with your finger to enter information. Examples of touch screens include a smart board, a microwave, a dishwasher, or an ATM at a bank.

* Bar Code Scanner - A bar code scanner scans a little label that has a bar code on it. The information is then saved on the computer. Bar code scanners are used in libraries a lot.