Different types of computers

If you are reading this you probably know what type of device you are on. Here is a graphic that shows all the major operating systems. I will defer to Wikipedia for descriptions of each operating system. Just type the name of the OS in  Google's search box and click on the Wikipedia result.

To sleep or not to sleep?

You probably realize that running a PC 24/7 is not a good idea. Not only does the monitor give too much light at night the electricity that is wasted cant be good. If you tap the power button once on a Windows PC it will go to sleep. you can get back to what you were doing  with the shake of a mouse or another tap of the power button.

This may be more desirable than powering down the computer because you don't lose your train of thought and get right back to business once you log in. But sleep mode is not sleep as we know it. There is still processing going on just at a very low level. Think about it how does the computer know that you were Googling "Baked Alaska" (or what ever) when it wakes up?

You need to occasionally power down. This might be thought of as REM sleep for your computer. It is necessary. When you power down it gives your computer complete rest. It also allows updates to occur. Some of you know what I mean and think waiting 15 minutes or more for your computer to start is not good, but it is necessary in this day and age because this is where security can be implemented in your computer. If you believe that hackers stop looking for ways to take advantage of an obsolete feature in an operating system then by all means let that computer
sleep forever.

It is easy to start, but how do you turn the darn PC off?

I wish this was an easy question but the truth is it depends. What it depends on is your operating system. There are 3 major categories of operating systems for personal computers Apple (OS-X),Windows, Linux. Read the comments that this generates and you will see how complicated this topic is, or you can go to Wikipedia Operating Systems.

So for

• Windows You can keep hitting  Alt-F4 That is hold down the Alt key like it is a shift key and tap F4 on the top row of your keyboard.
• OS-X Command + Option + Control + Eject (or Power Button). I am taking the word of Google because I am a Windows user.
• Linux you just tap the power button once.

This is the Power Switch

It may seem simple but this is where I am starting.
BE CAREFUL when you hit the power switch. The reason being is that unlike your TV you will not continue where you left off when you turn the computer off and on again. When you power down EVERYTHING you are working on is gone if it is not saved. Some things do not get saved automatically like if you found the perfect recipe for Thanksgiving Turkey and turn your computer off that page will not be there when you restart your computer.

Welcome

I have talked to many people that really just don't get computers. I seem to "get" them pretty well. I understand computers from the bottom up, and in this blog I am going to start from the beginning and stay there. If you are looking for a good read then I am sure you can find some blog that will grant you that. I am a man of few words and I intend each post to be a paragraph or 2  long. I know I know if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans, but I really am going to try and keep the wordiness to a minimum.

Thank you.