Questions Beginners Ask
Tom R Halfhill,
Are you thinking about buying a
computer for the first time, but don't know anything about them? Or
maybe you just purchased a computer and are still a bit baffled. Each
month, COMPUTE! Will tackle the questions most often asked by beginners.
do some computers have numeric keypads and others don't? Is this
something important I should check for when comparison shopping for a
Numeric keypads - those calculator-like groups of number keys found to
the right of some computer keyboards - should be thought of as any
other feature on personal computers. Whether or not they are a standard
feature depends upon the reasoning of the computer's designers, and
whether they are a desirable feature depends upon the needs of the user.
Numeric keypads are not built into most home
computers - that is, the microcomputers primarily intended for home
use. Keypads are usually found on computers designed for small-business
use, or on higher-end personal computers that are suited to either
purpose. This is because one of the most common applications for
business computers is accounting, which calls for frequent entry of
numbers. A numeric keypad is a great advantage for a skilled operator
who is trained to touch-type on one. Entering numbers is much faster
than with the usual number keys spread out along the top row of the
Comparison shopping for a computer can be confusing
to people just starting out because of the many combinations of
features available. Our advice is not to lose sight of what you plan to
use the computer for; that's how you'll know what features you need.
This goes for numeric keypads or anything else. If you plan to be
entering many numbers, and if you know (or will learn) how to
touch-type on a keypad, then a keypad is a desirable feature.
Otherwise, you'll probably never miss it. But even if you do, external
plug-in keypads are available for most home computers, including the
Apple, Atari, Commodore 64, and VIC-20. Also, part of the regular
typewriter keyboard on most computers can be redefined to simulate a
keypad via programming. Incidentally, while we're on the subject, it's
interesting to note that computer and calculator keypads are arranged
exactly the opposite of touch-tone telephone keypads. Computers and
calculators arrange the keys in descending numerical order, starting at
the upper right and ending at the lower left, while telephone keys are
just the opposite. This must be disorienting for people who have to
switch back and forth - such as telephone receptionists or operators
who also work with adding machines or computers. If any readers know
the story behind this odd disparity we'd like to hear from you.
heard references to "80--column cards." What is a card? What does it
look like? How does it work?
card is a circuit board which plugs into a computer and adds some sort
of extra feature or capability. In microcomputing, "card" and "board"
have come to be almost synonymous, except that "board" is also used to
describe the larger main circuit boards already built into the computer.
Practically every personal computer has some kind of
expansion slot or port designed to accept cards and boards. When a card
is plugged in, it becomes part of the computer, almost as if it were
built-in. The most common accessory card is a memory board, a circuit
board with memory chips which adds extra Random Access Memory (RAM) to
the computer. Game and other program cartridges that plug into
computers are really cards with Read Only Memory (ROM) chips.
An "80-column card" is an accessory that expands the
screen display to a width of 80 columns (80 characters fit on one
screen line). This is generally preferred for such applications as word
processing, because it allows the screen to simulate the full width of
a standard sheet of typewriter paper. Home computers normally cannot
display more than 40 characters per screen line because the ordinary TV
sets they are designed to work with lack the necessary sharpness. A
special computer monitor is required for widths greater than 40 columns.