American Standard Coding Information Interchange

Because all computers are different, the computer industry has agreed on using one coded "language" to relate binary numbers into English symbols. This language is called ASCII, which stands for American Standard Coding Information Interchange.

Dot-Matrix Printers

The very first printers, which came out in the 80's, were Dot-Matrix printers. They printed tiny dots which formed into letters and numbers. Dot-Matrix printers were fast, reliable and less expensive, but they're quality was not-so-great.

Daisy Wheel Printers

Shortly after the Dot-Matrix printers, there were Daisy Wheel printers which ditched the dots and printed actual letters and symbols. Although the quality was good, the Daisy Wheel printers were slower, louder, more expensive and didn't print graphics. Overall, the Dot-Matrix printers were probably better. Daisy Wheel printers don't really exist anymore.

Laser Printers

Recently, a newer type of printer, called the Laser Printer, almost completely replaced the Daisy Wheel. Laser printers print incredible text and graphics and are quick! Instead of actually "typing", the printer zaps the paper with a laser beam.

Parallel and Serial Versions

Printers can send data two ways from the computer to the printer. These two ways are parallel and serial. The parallel version sends information going in eight wires across, like a blob. The serial version sends information in single file in one wire.

The Video Board

IBM owners buy a Video Board which plugs into the computer and enables VGA or CGA or EGA graphics. Their screens looks are determined not only by the screen itself, but also by the video board, which is why it is necessary for IBM users to get one.

The Mother Board

The Mother Board is the main circuit board which all the RAM CHIPS, ROM CHIPS, and other Interface Chips plug into.

Analog or Digital?

There are two types of ways that electronic things work- analog or digital. Analog is a term to describe a wall clock of a rotary dial of a radio. It means that the device can pass through every possible combination. Old-fashioned records are analog devices, as is VCR technology.
Digital is the opposite. It means that the variations have been converted to numbers. A digital watch, or clock are digital, as are CD's and laser discs.

A Daisy Chain Computer Network

There are two types of networks- Daisy Chain and Star. The Daisy Chain computer network is a way to cable various computers together. This technique uses separate wires, but literally connects all the computers involved. One computer is connected to the next by a wire. That computer is connected to another computer, and so on, until one computer is connected to the central closet. In this case, if one wire is cut, then the entire system of links is blown and no computer will work. That is a big disadvantage to using the Daisy Chain system. Another type of connecting all the computers is to connect each computer to one central closet. This is called the Star system. A wire comes out of each computer and attaches to the central closet. This way, if one wire is cut, then only one computer is affected.

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Andrew Dulberg