In the words of that great band 2NU, "This is ponderous." I definitely have a long an interesting history with computers. My next door naeighbor had a TI64 Computer. I had a couple of different friends with Commadore 64 computers. We mostly used them... or I should say I used them to play games. I think a couple of my friends actually did do some simple basic programming. Then, Apple IIe computers came out and my school got eight in our LMC with the "green screen". I was even fortunate enough to convince my parents, along with my brother, to get an Apple IIe for home home with the amber screen. Now we we cutting edge. From there on out I've had pretty regular access to computers for word processing.
Since high school I've used mostly PCs, with a Macs in graduate school and then more recently, so I feel pretty comfortable with my familiarity with computers. That being said, there are somethings I would like to know more about. I know that the higher the number when it comes to RAM, memory, storage space and processor speed is better. I also know that a TB is bigger than a GB with is bigger than a MB, which is in turn bigger than a KB. However, I'm not really sure of what all the numbers mean in comparison to each other when specking out a new piece of technology. Is a 3.0 megahertz processor that much faster than a 2.4 megahertz processor? How much faster? Or, how about RAM? I know what it's function is.... but how much do I "need" for my computer to operate smoothly. The same goes for graphics cards, etc.
I generally know what I need, but I want to know the specifics on what those numbers mean, besides "larger number = good, small number = not so good". I want to know more about the specifics needed for each type of computer (i.e. one for gaming vs. one for video editing) and what all of the various numbers mean in more concrete terms. When I hear "faster", I want to know how much faster like when you talk about cars. The don't say a Porche can go 0~60 really fast..... faster than a Camery. They tell you exactly how many seconds. I would like to learn more about those numbers and how fast they speed things up for the same process, like booting up or rendering video.
Recently I had a talk with a co-worker about the changing roles of computers. We were talking about the iPad vs buying a laptop. My coworker commented on how she views the iPad as a way to make things portable. Instead of hauling around a much larger laptop, it would be more conveinent. That got me to thinking. As more and more things go onto the Internet and streaming, we may not need as much "power" per se'. So, I am also interested in the various and changing roles technology is starting to take on. I think this will also affect how we as teachers choose the technology we use in our classrooms.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Shawn, I like your questions in your post about speed & RAM. I also don't know/understand the significance of slightly higher numbers. Does it make that much of a difference? Usually bigger means faster or better but by how much? And for the uses that I have does it really matter? While shopping for a laptop for my parents around Christmas time I was asking the store clerk those types of questions & wishing I would have known that already so I wouldn't be "duped". I feel the same way when taking my car in for an oil change...the mechanic always tries to give you the run-around about everything that needs to be fixed or changed on your car...I wish I had more knowledge about computer "stuff" and car "stuff". I'd feel more confident in my decisions that I make!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I'm fortunate to have really good people around me (mechanics included) that I trust to give me good information. But all the same, it would be nice to know more so I can feel more confident about the decisions I make on technology purchases.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post because many people no longer think of "faster" because most machines are sufficiently fast. There was a time when you really had to tweak a system for performance upgrades, but for most users that is no longer true. However, if you are a gamer or a multimedia specialist, these numbers do begin to mean a lot, even in today's era of relatively fast computing.
ReplyDeleteWow, the TI64. I haven't heard that said it a long time. That really does bring back memories.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments on the iPad. I guess I never thought of it that way until you made that comment. That really got me thinking about what the Oracle executive had to say in the video about how going to the store to buy software was a crazy thought. Why not put it on the internet. Maybe the iPad is the beginning of that thought process.