Selected references

Here are some links to help out with understanding various aspects of the computer-buying process. I've arranged them under these headings:

Terms and definitions » To help clarify computer terminology. Internet language » For terms specific to the Internet and email Keeping up » For Web sites and magazines that have reviews of hardware and software for Apple computers and IBM-style PCs

 

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Basic terms and tech help

http://www.pctechguide.com » The place to go first. Lots of detail, clearly presented, with serviceable, helpful (rather than overwhelming) graphics. http://www.whatis.com » Glossary of computer terms and technical overviews. http://www.ugeek.com » More definitions, news, articles. The site's motto is "Enhance your inner nerd."

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The Language of the Internet

Smileys? Spam (new definition)? DSL? The kid down the block knows what they are. To find out, try these links to start:

	http://www.walthowe.com/glossary/index.html » Internet language definitions
	http://www.netlingo.com » A more free-wheeling glossary, nicely presented.

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Keeping up

Things move fast in the computer world. Although price levels have dropped, or, recently, stabilized, the definitions of what constitutes "mid-level" or "high-end" systems change almost weekly. To keep up, you have to visit web sites and browse magazines.

Print vs. Web sources

Since many companies make PCs, feature sets and quality are all over the map. Fortunately, some of the sources below, particularly the magazines, help sort out the confusion. Web sites that review and recommend PCs tend to be crowded with images and advertising, and to present information piecemeal, with summaries either reserved for or infinitely more readable on the printed page. To me, it's worth a few bucks to get a well laid out printed presentation of detailed testing results.

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Apple Macintosh listings and reviews

PC buyers must do some work if they are going to know what they should be buying. This is not so true for Mac buyers. Since Apple products are (now) made only by Apple, there are, at any moment, a limited numbers of models, clearly differentiated by price and features. To know what's going on in the Mac world, you need consult few sources. In fact a look at the CCSF bookstore's recommended systems page and a talk with the staff will often be all that you need.

Magazines

MacWorld
» The old standby with everything Mac.

MacADDICT
» Enthusiastic celebration of the Mac culture, with software and hardware news.

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Web sites

http://www.macbuy.com/ » Drop-down menus allow you to choose many product categories (Apple computers, and equipment by other vendors) for information and opinions. Separate software categories included. The site is an outpost of MacWorld and MacWeek magazines. Don't buy here, though! At least not until you've checked with the CCSF Bookstore (link next) for academic prices. http://www.ccsf.cc.ca.us/Services/Bookstore/computers/apple/apple.htm »The CCSF Bookstore. The CCSF Bookstore has great prices and helpful, knowledgeable staff for Apple Macintosh systems. http://www.apple.com » Go to the source.

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PC listings and reviews

Magazines

PC Magazine. » The most comprehensive reviews. Several in each issue. Special issues round up reviews on subjects like monitors. PCWorld » The best, most consistent source of reviews and up-to-date information. Top 20 lists of Power and Budget PCs appear reliably every issue, and other Top 20's cover most other components. InfoWorld and eWeek » Industry magazines sent to computer managers, buyers. The TLC has copies, or try an IT person where you are. Reviews every issue. Computer User and MicroTimes » Free local magazines (actually, local editions of national outfits). Mostly ads, good for pricing the market. Some features, hardware and software reviews, and columns.

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Web sites

http://www.pcmag.com/ » System reviews, and reviews of components, and software. PC Magazine has huge testing centers: for summaries, you have to buy the magazine. http://www.pcworld.com/ » Comprehensive reviews of complete systems and individual components. Their extremely well done Top 400 and 20 choices in many categories are on the web site. But they're much easier to pore over in the magazine. http://www.zdnet.com/reviews/ » As purveyors of industry and consumer magazines, zdnet maintains a site containing many reviews of hardware and software based on their own testing.

Manufacturer's sites.

Most are reachable by entering www.companyname.com as a destination in your browser. Don't forget to look up current possibilities in our own CCSF sources, listed in CCSF deals.

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