Buying a Personal Computer
At this point in the course, we have discussed almost all of the components of computer systems which you will need to understand to be a smart personal computer shopper.
To buy the right computer, ask yourself the following questions:
What do I want to do with it? - Does my intended application require special applications software? If so, what software? What hardware requirements does it need?
What software do I want to run? - The applications and software should guide the purchase of the hardware.
Do I need a laptop machine? - Laptop computers are more expensive, less upgradeable (non-standard buses) and somewhat clumsier to use than regular size PCs, but they are a lot easier to carry.
What peripheral devices will I have to buy? - Do I need a printer? a modem? a scanner?
Is the operating system already installed? - You save yourself some hassle and expense if it is.
When am I going to use the machine? - Since computer performance keeps getting better and better, it is fooling to buy a computer now when you plan to use it in six months.
How much memory can I afford? - How large can the memory be expanded to? Main memory is typically the first thing to constrain you as the system ages. Can you expand it by adding larger memory chips, instead of extra memory chips?
Who would be a reliable sales vendor? - Pick a shop which has been around for a while, and which can provide service and upgrades. Mail order might be cheaper, but you will have less support if something goes wrong.
How much can it be expanded? - What would be involved in getting a larger disk? Are there printer ports, etc. Can the CPU be upgraded, and if so how much will it cost?
How to Install a Computer System
Don't be afraid to read the manuals.
Unplug the power before you muck around inside.
Make sure that whatever you are doing doesn't violate the warrantee.
Install the monitor a few feet away from where you will sit (radiation)
Make sure the seat and computer height are comfortable (ergonomics)
Keep the shipping container and all reciepts.
How to Maintain a Computer System
Periodically review your directories and delete unneeded files. Back them up first to increase your courage.
Back up important stuff often - typically once a week or more.
Periodically defragment your hard disk - move the files around so all the files and free space is contiguous.
Protect yourself from computer viruses - install antivirus programs, and be careful about what floppy disks you plug into your system.
Project 3 - Baseball Statistics
To understand America one must first understand baseball - Sinclair Lewis.
PLAYER AVG OBA SLUG G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS SH SF HP
Duncan .340 .352 .500 109 400 62 136 200 34 3 8 56 9 77 4 3 2 5 1
Jeter .314 .370 .430 157 582 104 183 250 25 6 10 78 48 102 14 7 6 9 9
Boggs .311 .389 .389 132 501 80 156 195 29 2 2 41 67 32 1 2 1 5 0
B.Williams .305 .391 .535 143 551 108 168 295 26 7 29 102 82 72 17 4 1 7 0
Oneill .302 .411 .474 150 546 89 165 259 35 1 19 91 102 76 0 1 0 8 4
Girardi .294 .346 .374 124 422 55 124 158 22 3 2 45 30 55 13 4 11 3 5
T.Martinez .292 .364 .466 155 595 82 174 277 28 0 25 117 68 85 2 1 1 5 2
C.Hayes .284 .294 .418 20 67 7 19 28 3 0 2 13 1 12 0 0 1 0 0
R.Rivera .284 .381 .443 46 88 17 25 39 6 1 2 16 13 26 5 2 1 2 2
Raines .284 .383 .468 59 201 45 57 94 10 0 9 33 34 29 10 1 0 4 1
Leyritz .264 .355 .381 88 265 23 70 101 10 0 7 40 30 68 2 0 2 3 9
Strawberry .262 .359 .490 63 202 35 53 99 13 0 11 36 31 55 6 5 0 3 1
Fielder .252 .350 .484 160 591 85 149 286 20 0 39 117 87 139 2 0 0 5 5
Listach .240 .317 .312 87 317 51 76 99 16 2 1 33 36 51 25 5 6 2 1
Sojo .220 .250 .272 95 287 23 63 78 10 1 1 21 11 17 2 2 8 1 1
Aldrete .213 .301 .435 63 108 16 23 47 6 0 6 20 14 19 0 2 0 1 0
M.Howard .204 .228 .278 35 54 9 11 15 1 0 1 9 2 8 1 0 2 1 0
A.Fox .196 .276 .265 113 189 26 37 50 4 0 3 13 20 28 11 3 9 0 1
P.Kelly .143 .217 .143 13 21 4 3 3 0 0 0 2 2 9 0 1 0 0 0
Posada .071 .133 .071 8 14 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0
Luke .000 .000 .000 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mcintosh .000 .000 .000 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Your job will be to compute various baseball statistics using Excel.