Hacker Chronicles 2/HACKER2.BIN/081.FTUR04.TXT

Text File | 1993-07-30 | 11KB | 203 lines

               A (Short) Novice Users Survival Kit
                      by Chris De Francisci

     With the price drop in Personal Computers (PC)s over the last
     year, many people are venturing into the world of computing for
     the first time.  Whether you bought the most expensive setup on
     the market or perhaps shopped around and picked up a discount
     special at bargain basement prices, you probably have questions.
     For the individual who has never worked with a PC before, the
     burning question on your mind is probably "What am I going to do
     with this thing now?  I don't know anything about computers."

     If you feel that way, don't be discouraged--you have a lot of
     company. Although computers are rapidly becoming a commodity
     item, they still are not quite at the stage where someone can
     just turn one on and begin working right out of the box. The
     following suggestions/observations/opinions are meant to assist
     and encourage those people who already own a PC and are confused
     or frustrated using it. However, with a little directed effort
     you can get that box of sophisticated electronic circuitry to
     follow your commands and wishes.

     There are some essential things to know about your computer. At a
     minimum, you must know some DOS. That's the Disk Operating
     System, now in its sixth incarnation. DOS is the essential,
     underlying, software portion of your computer which makes things
     work. These days nearly every computer comes with DOS pre-loaded
     on the hard disk. If your computer functions at all, then DOS
     is installed.

     Things You Should Know About DOS

     How to use the DOS HELP command (version 5.0 and up only). (If
     you do not have DOS 5.0 seriously consider upgrading.)* How to
     use the DOS editor, EDIT (version 5.0 and up.) What an
     AUTOEXEC.BAT file is and what's in it. What an CONFIG.SYS file is
     and what's in it. How to use these DOS commands: HELP, COPY,
     XCOPY, DIR, MD (Make Directory), CD (Change Directory), DELete,
     RD (Remove Directory), How to start a program. What the file
     extensions EXE, COM, and BAT indicate. What SMARTDRV is and how
     it can help speed up your system. Some rudimentary understanding
     of memory management.

     Other Things You Should Know

     What a CMOS is and how it affects your 286 and above system. Some
     idea of what you would like to do with your computer. When to
     call for help.

     How to back up at least your data files. Where the local library
     is located and the hours. Something about how Windows works if
     you decide to use that software. (I suggest you use only Windows
     version 3.1 and consider taking the Capital PC User Group course
     on using Windows).

     What You Should Be Doing

     There are some activities that you should be doing on a regular
     basis. First and foremost--play with your system. Use the HELP
     command to see the format and explanation (somewhat terse I
     admit) of the above DOS commands. Copy some files, make a
     directory or two. Play a game if you have one. Any experience you
     have with using your system is a positive one.

     Talk to other users. Maybe a neighbor, a family member, or a
     co-worker. Most computer users are only too willing to share the
     knowledge they have gained. All you need do is provide an
     opportunity for them to share their knowledge with you.

     Join a user group. There is no requirement that you be a computer
     expert to belong to a computer user group. Those "experts" who do
     belong are there to be of assistance to other computer users.
     Indeed the motto of the Capital PC Users Group is "Users helping
     Users."

     Many times a frustrating problem or question can be answered
     quickly by someone who has had that exact or similar problem.
     Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available in a user
     group. Best of all it's usually free--an outside consultant can
     cost you $60 per hour and up.

     Most user groups have sub-groups within them, called Special
     Interest Groups or SIGs. These groups meet to discuss specific
     applications of computers and software. Some examples of SIG's
     within the Capital PC User Group are Accounting, Desktop
     Pub-lishing, FoxPro, Investment, Novice, Paradox, Shareware,
     Wordperfect, and Word Processing. People who belong to these
     groups meet on a regular basis to share information, tips, and
     discuss matters of common interest relating to these topics. New
     members and novices are always eagerly welcomed.

     Read a Computer Publication

     Before you subscribe to a magazine visit your local library. Look
     for magazines and books which are germane to your questions.
     Check the review sections for information on software which you
     may be considering for purchase. These sections may also assist
     you in deciding which software is right to solve your particular
     problem. Look for issues of the local user group newsletter or
     magazine. Many times articles in user group publications can be
     more useful than reviews published in commercial magazines
     because they are written by and for people just like yourself.

     A library is also a good way to inexpensively check computer
     publications. Don't buy the "Advanced Assembly Language
     Programmers Journal" if all you want to do is wordprocessing and
     balancing your checkbook. Read an issue of that "great" magazine
     your coworker suggested also, it may not be what you want. If you
     purchased your computer primarily to play the latest version of a
     jetfighter program, then perhaps what you really need is a
     computer game magazine. The point is to find what speaks to you
     at a level you are comfortable with and use that resource. You
     can always change to a more technical resource later.

     Taking professional instruction for your computer is often a good
     idea. However, don't blindly sign up for a "computer course."
     Make sure you select a course appropriate for your needs. One
     person I know wanted desperately to do accounting with his PC. He
     signed up for what he thought was a basic computer course which
     actually was teaching BASIC, a computer language. What he really
     needed was a quick lesson in DOS and the Capital PC User Group's
     course in Quicken. Find out what you need and check the course
     content before enrolling. Your local user group and community
     colleges are good places to start. Remember the minimum
     suggestions above.

     Buying Software

     Before you buy a software package spend some time researching it.
     Even if your most trusted advisor recommends it try to find
     someone who has it or a local computer store which has the
     package up as a demo. Ask a salesman to demonstrate it for you or
     a friend to show you how it works. Some of the mainstream
     wordprocessing, spreadsheet, and database programs can cost from
     $130 to over $500. A little time spent in assessing your needs
     and abilities will save you money in the long (and maybe short)
     run.

     Also, check your local user group. If a product is commercially
     available someone in that group will probably have it. Also, many
     libraries are now installing computers for patrons to use. A call
     to check policies and availability is advised since there is
     usually a waiting line. Certainly spend some time checking out
     the reviews in the publications your library stocks.

     Perhaps most important is to try to get a clear idea of what you
     want your software to do prior to actually purchasing it.
     Particularly if this is a home or small business related
     purchase. You may even want to make a list of needs and wants on
     a piece of paper before following the above suggestions. The list
     will keep you from being too dazzled by the software demos which
     look great but don't meet your list. Finally, follow the advice a
     business associate of mine gives--get three quotes before buying.
     Watching him get a haircut is really entertaining-- he lives by
     that advice.

     Don't get frustrated. When you begin to feel disheartened, call
     for help. When you begin to find it's more work than fun and you
     don't use a computer for a living--call for help. Your local user
     group is more than willing to assist you. The Capital PC User
     Group publishes an extensive list in each Montior of individuals
     who have volunteered their time and expertise to assist members
     in particular areas.

     Try calling a friend, a neighbor, or a co-worker for assistance.
     If the store where you bought your computer provides good service
     try calling your salesman for assistance. There are many sources
     of assistance around you, they just need searching out.

     Don't be afraid of admitting you are a novice with computers or a
     particular software application. If the person you are talking
     with makes you feel ignorant or tries to dazzle you with their
     knowledge--consider finding someone else to talk with. There are
     a great many people who are more than willing to discuss your
     computer and its potential in language you can understand.

     Finally, don't be afraid to call for help. People who have been
     working with computers from one week to forty years all call for
     help at one time or another. The person who is an expert in
     database software may know nothing about spreadsheets. The person
     who is an expert on display monitors may know little about hard
     disks. Everyone asks for help sooner or later.

     So: Remember, you don't need an electrical engineering degree to
     turn on a light bulb. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to
     operate a personal computer. Talk to other users, take a course
     from your local user group or community college, and visit us on
     the Capital PC User Group's MIX BBS in the NOVICE, HELP, DOS or
     other specialized conference.

     -  A novice computer user is someone with one week to forty years
     of computer experience.

     -  To check the version of DOS on your system, type VER at the
     DOS prompt and press ENTER. The version number should appear.

     -  If you don't have a copy of the contents of your CMOS, find
     out how to print a copy and do it now! Having a copy of the
     listing can save you much time and grief later on should you ever
     need it.