Max Learning's Digital Dozen
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1. bit   2. Byte   3. Code   4. Data   5. Program   6. Chip   7. CPU   8. RAM   9. ROM   10. Computer   11. Peripheral   12. System

Why Theory?
 
Max. I don't need to know how my car works to drive it.
So why should I need to know how my computer works to use it?


The truth is, B.P., you don't! You can use a computer without knowing how it works--millions of people do each day! If you know which keys to press, you can word process, build a spreadsheet, or create a graph without having to know a thing about chips, memory, or megabytes. Similarly, if you know which pedals to press, you can drive and brake your car without having to know a thing about internal combustion, carburetors, or master cylinders.

Which is fine--until you have a problem!

 

When your car won't work, and you're late for an appointment, mechanical help may be available, but probably not at the moment. It's frustrating to have to wait for help to arrive. Wouldn't it be nice to know enough to jumpstart your car, add fluids, or replace a fuse?

Similarly, when your computer won't work, and you're late with a report, technical help may be available, but probably not at the moment. It's frustrating to be dependent on others to get you out of a jam. Wouldn't it be nice to know enough to reboot your computer, install a missing file, or fight a virus?

But if I have a computer problem, can't I just read the manual?

I recommend it, C.W.! But the instructions in the manual are useless if you don't understand them.

Let's say you just bought a new printer, but it won't print. You read the manual which matter-of-factly states: "Be certain to install the appropriate device driver." But if you don't know what a device driver is or what it means to install it, you can forget about printing!

Or let's say you can't find a document you know you saved to your computer the day before. You call up the Help instructions which state: "Starting at the root, use the Find command to search all subdirectories for the specified file." But if you don't know what a root or a subdirectory is, you'll be as lost as the file!

The truth is, without knowing the terminology and having a basic idea of how computers work, you'll struggle with even the simplest of tasks, forever plagued by the fear that you might make things worse!

On the other hand, once you learn the basics, you'll tackle those inevitable computer problems with confidence. And even if you can't fix something yourself, you'll at least be able to describe the problem to the technician who will.

With cars or computers, learning basic theory
 puts YOU in the driver's seat!
 

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