What is Joystick and Types of Joysticks

A joystick is an input device, connect to your computer using a USB or serial port. Some older devices require a serial port connection, nowadays most of these devices connected by USB ports. Joysticks are often used to control the movements of objects displayed on the computer screen. Mostly PC games can be played with keyboard and mouse. But a serious gamer, these devices are not sufficient so most gamers like joystick, a great joystick gives you more fun and full real life experiences. Generally they are best suitable for flight simulators, action and driving games.

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What is Webcam and How it work

The term webcam is usually used for Web and Video Camera. Also called PC Cameras that are connected into your computer by a USB port. You can connect a webcam to your computer directly for use in online video chat sessions with other people or for online meetings. In 1991, the first webcam was introduced Cambridge University Computer Science Department. Generally most webcams capture a still image only, while other webcams capture streaming video also. Webcams typically come with software to edit/record those movies and record video or video streaming on the internet (web).

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What is Plotter and How it Work

A plotter is a device produce outputs containing graphics or diagrams. A plotter similar to a printer allows you to print larger size images and also used for graphical output such as financial documents, engineering and architectural designs to produce high quality drawings. It also used as in CAD (Computer Aided Design) packages, create flowcharts and large size posters.

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What is Digitizer and How it Work

Digitizer (also known as Drawing Tablets, Graphics Tablets and Digitizer Tablets) is a graphical input device that convert analog documents, graphic, picture, maps and other data into digital form which can be sent to the computer for processing and storage in memory. It is also called pointer device or optical device. An example of digitizer is a Graphic Tablet. This input device is very useful when drawing large drawings, maps etc, and also great time savers when entering data into CAD (Computer Aided Design) programs. Digitizer generally used in Auto CAD (Computer Aided Design) and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications.

A digitizer consists of a flat glossary surface and a pointing device similar to a pen, when the pointing device moves across the glassy surface a pointer on the screen moves according to the pointer device movements. We can draw picture/image/map or select an application by pressing the pointing device and moves it according to the picture.

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What is UPS and Types of UPS

Definition of “Uninterruptible Power Supply”.  UPS is a device that provides temporary power supply to computer should the electricity fail and it protects the data on the computer from being if the power source is lost. When power fail or fluctuation occurs, a UPS intercepts the fluctuation so that it doesn't damage your personal computer. It enables you to shut down the computer properly to avoid without losing or lost any data. Generally, UPS can provide the computer power for 5 to 20 minutes depending on different types of models.


UPS basically three types:

(1) Online UPS
(2) Offline (Standby) UPS
(3) Line-Interactive UPS

Different Types of UPS with Pictures
 

Online UPS

Offline (Standby) UPS

Line-Interactive UPS

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What is Modem and Different Types of Modems

Short for “MODulate/DEModulate”. A digital signal is converted to analog form is known as modulation and analog signal is converted to digital form, is known as demodulation. The modem converts digital signals into analog signals that can be sent along telephone lines. A modem is a device that connects your computer to the Internet that sends and receives computer information over a telephone line or cable. To connect your computer to the Internet, you need a modem. Generally internal modem can handle speeds up to 56 Kbps (kilo bits per second) or 56000 bits per second. Most of the 56kbps modems are used in a dialup connection.

Nowadays there are different types of modems available in the market.

1.    Internal Modem
2.    External Modem
3.    Dial up Modem
4.    Analog Modem
5.    Cable Modem
6.    Fax Modem
7.    USB Modem
8.    Wireless Modem
9.    GPRS Modem
10.  DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Modem
11.  ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) Modem
12.  SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) Modem

List of Different Types of Modems with Pictures

Internal Modem

External Modem

Dial up Modem

Analog Modem

Cable Modem

Fax Modem

USB Modem

Wireless Modem

GPRS Modem

DSL Modem

ADSL Modem

SDSL Modem

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What is Read Only Memory (ROM) and Types of ROM

Stands for Read Only Memory. It is built into the computer. ROM is non-volatile and only permits the user to read data. ROM performs the read operation only does not have a write capability which means we cannot store any new information into ROM. An example of a BIOS (Basic Input Output Systems) chip are permanently loaded during the manufacturing time. ROM holds instructions for starting up the computer. The data does not get erased when the power is switched off.

ROM is 4 Types :

(a) ROM (Read Only Memory) :
This is stored at the time of manufacture of the chips

(b) Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM):
PROM is non-volatile. Once the chip has been programme, the recorded information can't be changed. i.e. the PROM becomes ROM and the storaged information can only be read.

(c) Erasable  Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM):
It is similar to PROM except that erasing is possible by exposing to ultraviolet light.

(d) Electrically Erasable  Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM):
A recently developed type of memory that can be programmed and erased inside a computer system using an electrically signals. EEPROM used in many electronic devices.

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What is Random Access Memory (RAM) and Types of RAM's

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is also known as read/write memory, main memory and primary memory. RAM is a temporary memory it stores data temporarily and once the power is switched off, the information in the RAM is lost. Information that is stored permanently is written to the hard drive. So RAM is known as volatile memory. Volatile means the information is lost when the computer is switched off or when power fails. RAM is measured in kilobytes (or) Megabytes (or) Gigabytes.


RAM is mainly Three types:
1. Static Ram (SRAM)
2. Dynamic Ram (DRAM)
3. Cache Memory


Static Ram:
This is Ram provides a static storage of data. It is fast, has lower access time and Expensive.

Dynamic Ram:
This is computer memory, that losses its memory capability once the power source is removed. It is slower, has higher access time than SRAM. Dynamic Ram cheaper than SRAM.

Cache Memory:
It is very high speed memory that is much faster than primary memory. This cache memory is faster but more expensive to have bigger size of cache memory and its size is normally small.  Data is transferred automatically between the buffer and primary storage. Cache memories are accessed much faster than conventional RAM.

Different Types of RAM Memory :

Measuring Unit of Computer:
Bit : Stands for binary digit. 0 or 1 is called a bit (1 means ON, 0 means OFF). A 'bit' is the smallest memory unit of a computer.
Byte : Stands for 8 binary digits a group of 8 bits equal to 1 byte

Term Definition :
Kb - Kilobit
KB - Kilobyte
Mb - Megabit
MB - Megabyte
Gb – Gigabit
GB - Gigabyte
Tb - Terabit
TB - Terabyte

Measuring Memory: 

K, Kb, KB :

K (Kilo, thousand) Kb (Kilobit) one thousand bits

KB (Kilobyte) one thousand bytes

1 KB equal to 1,024 bytes or 2¹⁰ bytes

M, Mb, MB :

M (Mega, million) 

Mb (Megabit) one million bits

MB (Megabyte) one million bytes

1 MB equal to 1,048,576 bytes or 2²⁰ bytes

G, Gb, GB :

G (Giga, billion) 

Gb (Gigabit) one billion bits

GB (Gigabyte) one billion bytes

1GB equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes or 2³⁰ bytes

T, Tb, TB :

T (Tera, trillion) 

Tb (Terabit) one trillion bits

TB (Terabyte) one trillion bytes

1 TB equal to 1,099,511,627,776 bytes or 2⁴⁰ bytes

RAM Types and Definition: 
SIMM - Single Inline Memory Module
DIMM - Dual Inline Memory Module
SO-DIMM - Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module
RIMM - Rambus Inline Memory Module
SO-RIMM - Small Outline Rambus Inline Memory Module
SRAM - Static Random Access Memory
SDR - Single Data Rate
RDRAM - Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory
DDR - Double Data Rate
DRAM - Dynamic Random Access Memory or Module
SDRAM - Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
DDR-SDRAM - Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory

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What is Scanner and Different Types of Scanners

Scanner is an optical device that optically scans documents, images and printed text convert it into a file format or digital format that may be used in the personal computer. You can use the scanner with special software to read text. When used an optical character recognition software, a scanner can convert printed, handwriting text into a digital file format that can be read by a word processor. The common types of optical scanner devices are i) Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) ii) Optical Mark Reader (OMR) iii) Optical Character Reader or Recognition (OCR). OCR’s are expensive though better the MICR.

The most common types of scanners are Flatbed Scanner, Sheetfed Scanner, Handheld Scanner, Drum Scanner, Photo Scanner, Film Scanner, Slide Scanners and Portable Scanners, etc.

Some of the scanner manufacturer companies are : Epson, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Canon and Fujitsu etc.,

The most popular Optical Character Recognition (OCR) softwares are : ABBYY FineReader, OmniPage, Simple OCR and Zonal OCR etc.,

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What is Printer and Types of Printers

It is an important output device which can be used to print a document from a computer. It transfers data from a computer on to paper. A document created on a computer you can send it to a printer for a printout. There are different types of printers depending on their speed and approach of printing. The speed of the printer is rated either pages per minute (PPM) or characters per second (CPS). Most of the documents are printed on a black & white printer, if you decide to print a color printout you can use a color printer. Some printers are all in one or multi purpose devices that can also copy, fax, and scan documents.

Printers are classified into two types :

(i) Impact Printers : Ex :- Dot-matrix Printers, Daisy Wheel Printers, Line Printers.
Advantage : Inexpensive, Multi copy forms.
Disadvantage : Slow and Loud, low Quality Graphics

(ii) Non impact Printers : Ex :- Laser Printers, Inkjet Printers, Thermal Printers.
Advantage : Quiet, Handle Graphics, Various fonts.
Disadvantage : Expensive.

The main types of printers are i) Dot-matrix Printers ii) Laser Printers iii) Inkjet Printers

Dot-matrix Printer :

It is the most commonly used printer. It prints one character at a time and its printing speed various in the range of 30 to 600 characters per second. This type of printer prints one line of the text from left to right then it prints next line from right to left. Dot-matrix printer is a noisy printer and print quality is very low.

Laser Printer :

These are high speed and high quality printers. It prints one page at a time and produce high quality output. Laser printers produce around 20,000 characters per second. Low speed laser printers produce 4 to 8 pages per minute and high speed printers can produce 12 or more pages per minute. The print speed of a Laser Printers measured in pages per minute (PPM).

Inkjet Printer :

The most popular printers available in the market today is inkjet printer. A typical inkjet printer provides a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (dpi). Some inkjet printers use a single cartridge with three ink colors (cyan, magenta and yellow). And some few models require separate cartridges for each primary pigment, along with four colors (CMYK) cyan, magenta, yellow and black. A color laser printer can print 3 to 4 pages per minute in color, and a monochrome printer can print up to 12 to 14 (ppm) in monochrome.

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What is CPU (Processor) and Different types of CPU

CPU (Processor) :

CPU (Central Processing Unit) also known as a Processor and it attached to the motherboard. The processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main processing unit of a computer or main unit inside the computer. CPU controls all internal and external devices, performs arithmetic and logic operations. It is just like brain that takes all major decisions, makes all sorts of calculations and directs different parts of the computer functions by activating and controlling the operations. It determines how fast your computer will run and its speed is measured in Megahertz (MHz) and Gigahertz (GHz). In this generations CPU’s execute many millions of instructions per second.   

There are many different processors made by many different companies. The main two companies are producing chips for systems they are Intel and AMD.

Different types of companies and products.

COMPANY	PROCESSOR
INTEL
	Intel Core 2 Extreme	Intel Core 2 Duo
	Intel Core 2 Quad
AMD
	AMD AthlonX2	AMD Phenom

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What is Motherboard and Parts of a Motherboard

Motherboard is the Central Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of modern computers. It is one of the main part of a computer and allows the CPU, RAM and all other computer components to function with each other. All computer components attached to the motherboard, it contains the connectors for attaching additional boards and other peripherals like ports, expansion slots, and memory chips that control functions like video and networking. All the main parts of the components plug into the motherboard to share data. The motherboard also known as Main board, System board and Logic board.

 Parts of a Motherboard :

•    Central Processing Unit (CPU) Socket : For connecting computer processor.

•    Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Slot : For connect Graphics cards, Sound cards, Ethernet cards and Modems etc.

•    CMOS Battery : It’s used for storing data such as system date and time.

•    Floppy Drive Connector :  For connecting Floppy Drive.

•    RAM slots (DIMM and SIMM) : They are  two types, one of the DIMM stands for (Double Inline Memory Module) slots and another SIMM stands for (Single Inline Memory Module). These types of slots are hold the RAM chips of your computer.

•    IDE/SATA Connector : This type of connector  used for Hard disks, CD drives, and DVD drives.

•    Parallel or (LPT) Port (25 pin D connector) : For connect Scanners and Printers.

•    Power Connector (20 pin connector) : The main power supply connector is the most important cable that proceeds from the power supply.

•    PS/2 Connector : It’s used to connect for the keyboard and the mouse.

•    USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port : It’s used for connecting pen drives, external hard drives and  portable data storage device.

•    Game Port (15 pin D connector) : It’s used to connect all gaming devices for example, a Joystick.

•    Sound Card Connector : It’s used to connect Microphone or Speakers.

•    Display Connector : It’s used to Connecting Monitor.

•    COM (Communication) Port : It’s used to connect Mouse and Modem.

•    Microphone Connector : It’s used for connecting the microphone to the computer.

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What is Hard Disk and Types of HDD

The Hard drive also called the hard disk or fixed disk. This is the main storage for a computer and Non-volatile storage device. Every computer has a hard disk they are used to store the data files. Computers store information in two locations, First one, the computer’s RAM is used as a temporary storage location since whatever it contains is lost when the computer is powered off and Second one, Information that is stored permanently is written to the hard drive. Hard disk/Hard drive is different from RAM, because the information stays stored even if the power is turned off. Hard Drive can store a large amount of computer data in a small space and it storage provides faster access to files than a diskette.

Hard disks contain a number of magnetic platters that store information in the form of 0’s & 1’s and is stored in a series of concentric circles. A hard disk consists of one (or) more platters and several read/write heads that read and record data magnetically on platters, a stack of rotating disks inside the hard drive.  A read/write head is the device that reads the data from the disk platter into the computer.


Types of HDD (Hard Disk Drives) :
1.    IDE : Integrated Drive Electronics. it also known as PATA drives ( Parallel Advance Technology Attachment )
2.    SATA : Serial ATA or Serial Advance Technology Attachment.
3.    SCSI : Small Computer System Interface.
4.    SAS : Serial Attached SCSI.


Types of Hard Disk interfaces:

HD drives come in two main sizes, (i) 2.5" for laptops and (ii) 3.5" for desktops.

•    Desktop Hard Disk Types :- 3.5', IDE and SATA Interfaces.
•    Laptop Hard Disk Types :- 2.5', 1.8', IDE, SATA, SCSI.
•    Server Hard Disk Types :- 3.5', SATA, SCSI.

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