Stopping Point for Series about Computers and How They Operate – #300 – October 2022 I’ve now completed my series about the basic functions of computers. My intent was to share information about the stack of technology that is used to perform modern computing. As part of the process I learned some new facts about…
October 13 – Theory versus Reality: Do Real Business Practices Match the Theory?
October 13 – Theory versus Reality: Do Real Business Practices Match the Theory? This article is the start of a new series. The series focus is information I’ve learned in my years as a technical lead for projects for businesses. I’ve observed business practices which didn’t work as well as described in books and articles….
Grandparent Poem
Grandparent Poem The world needs more grandmothers (grandfathers too) Old people with time to visit In comfortable rooms with younger people. Offering a cup of coffee or tea Perhaps a shot of whiskey Along with cookies or a slice of bread from a loaf fresh from the oven. The old and young would sit in…
September 27 2022 – Without Operating Systems Computer Use Would be a Nightmare
September 27 2022 – Without Operating Systems Computer Use Would be a Nightmare Operating systems are the final piece that ties everything together for a computer. An operating system manages access to hardware devices, the software programs on our computer and how we interface with them. In this article I provide a very high level…
September 15 – How Software Language and Structure Plays a Part in Our Use of Computers
September 15 – How Software Language and Structure Plays a Part in Our Use of Computers Software languages allow people to create systems that can react to input and change the behavior of the systems. This is different from hardware that has fixed functions which cannot be changed after the system is built. Firmware is…
August 28 – Number Systems and Computers – Binary, Octal, Decimal and Hexadecimal
August 28 – Number Systems and Computers – Binary, Octal, Decimal and Hexadecimal While numbering systems are not part of the hardware of a computer, understanding numbering systems is helpful for programming computers. This article provides some basic explanation of numbering systems and why the use of different numbering systems are helpful in understanding…
August 15 – Display and Red, Green, Blue (RGB) colors
August 15 – Display and Red, Green, Blue (RGB) colors In a previous article I wrote a high level overview of the basics of Input/Output (I/O) devices for computers. These devices are the hardware that make a CPU useful for humans. One piece of I/O, display, is a key component of the interaction and works…
August 1 – Machine and Assembly Language
August 1 – Machine and Assembly Language Machine and Assembly Language are the base languages for computers. In this article I will provide a high level overview of both languages and how they work with the computer. How Machine and Assembly Language Works The two base languages for microcomputers are machine and assembly language. Machine…
Input/Output (I/O) Devices – Mouse, Keyboard, Monitors, Printers and other Devices
Input/Output (I/O) Devices – Mouse, Keyboard, Monitors, Printers and other Devices The fourth article of my series is an overview of Input/Output devices for the computer. Without input and output, a CPU, RAM and drives cannot get data or display it for use. I/O devices provide the method that a CPU is useful for humans….
June 30 – File Storage – Hard Drives, USB Stick
June 30 – File Storage – Hard Drives, USB Stick This is the third article of my series about computers and how they work. This article focuses on file storage, the permanent memory for computers. When a CPU and RAM is connected to a file storage device, it saves time and reduces error for software…