Build Your Own Computer by George W. Cannata
I’m eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer six years ago. When I bought it I hardly knew how to turn it on. I consider myself still a Newbie as I’ve barely scratched the surface of computer technology. I have successfully built about a dozen computers for family, friends and myself. ... Some have on board video and audio cards, others include modems and cable connections and some even sport keyboards, mice and speakers. ... The best way to do this is to look at the hard drive and get the manufacturer and model number of the unit.

Installing a PCI Wireless Card by Lee Asher
Installing a PCI wireless card might seem like a bit of an adventure -- after all, you have to open the case, find where to put the thing, close it again... and then you have to deal with the software! Even if you've never opened your computer before, though, you shouldn't have too much trouble... Step 7: Close the Case. ... Just do what you did in step 4 in reverse -- put it all back together. ... Step 8: Plug In and Start. ... You need to plug your computer back in and start it. ... You should also make sure that you point the wireless card's antenna upwards.

The WiFi Blues by Jeffry Fawcett
Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love has it. Many in San Francisco want it... Wireless broadband Internet access ( WiFi ) seems too good to be true. At relatively low cost, anyone can get on the Internet anywhere in a city. All the city needs to do is install WiFi antennas. ... Traditional LANs make the links physically using wire cable. ... A wireless LAN does away with the wire cable by using a router that transmits and receives radio signals. ... Research by Olle Johansson and Örjan Halberg of the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm suggests otherwise.

Computer Safety for Kids by Rob Pirozzi
Start With the Basics - Protect Your PC Guarding Access to Your PC - Get a Firewall Beginning in the Zhou Dynasty, which was in the 11th century BC, construction was begun on what was to become the Great Wall of China. For 2,700 years, culminating in the mid-1600s, construction continued on... Literally, a cable from your cable or DSL modem gets connected to the hardware firewall. ... Another cable is connected from the hardware firewall to your PC. ... The best case is that these "leftovers" can clutter up your PC, and, with time, degrade its performance.

ARP, MAC, Poisoning, & WiFi by Brian Wilson
In this paper we will cover the basics on Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), Media Access Control Addresses (MAC), Wireless (WiFi), and layer 2 communications. I hope to explain how a “Man in the Middle Attack” works. The common name for this is ARP poisoning, MAC poisoning, or Spoofing. ... An attacker can just as easy spoof the ISP’s devices (Cable modem or DLS router) to get all your out bound data. ... The best thing to do for protection is to understand the basics of your network and if you want wireless make sure you have WEP enabled.

Freedom of Speech on the Internet by Fred Hanster
Once upon a time, the world was made up of many, many communities that each had different opinions about free speech. Some allowed it, some prohibited it, and some operated in vast grey areas depending on what their particular dictionaries defined as freedom of speech. ... The United States has a habit of hiring nice looking people to tell personal interest stories so that everyone will have a nice chuckle and think that our country is the best country in the world. ... In the end, even if you ban an internet company from coming in and setting up cable modems and DSL connections, your...

New Computer? Steps to Protect Your Computer Before Connecting to the Internet by Steve Freedman
Getting a new computer should be an exciting and gratifying experience. After all, you’ll be able to do things faster, safer and without having to worry that your old hard drive is so full that one more file will “break the camel’s back.” However, there are dangers out there that probably... A network firewall or firewall router is a hardware device that is installed between the computers on their Local Area Network (LAN) and their broadband device (cable/DSL modem). ... The best article on the subject is www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,115632,00.asp.

Surge Protector: A Simple Mechanism Description by T.L. McMullen
A surge protector [AKA surge suppressor] is an electrical plug-in device designed to distribute safe electrical voltages to other electrical or electronic devices. Surge protectors resemble power strips in appearance; however, they are more sophisticated and deliver a constant, continuous power... Protection Guarantee: Read the terms and conditions carefully! ... Breakers are more economical than fuses as they do not have to be replaced. ... It is important to understand your consumer rights in the event of damage to devices your surge protector neglects to protect (Kozierok).

Motherboard Basics by Jason Kohrs
A recent Tech Tip covered the basics of selecting a computer case and made mention of the various sizes that correspond to motherboards of different form factors. A few people wrote in expressing interest in understanding more about the basics of motherboards, and that’s exactly what this Tech... A typical motherboard will now include stereo sound capabilities, a 10/100 LAN connection, and a few USB 2.0 ports on the back panel connection. ... Extra Features Many motherboards now include features onboard that were once only available as expansion cards to be purchased separately.