Computers Demistyfied

Don’t you get annoyed like me when you go to a technical place like to a mechanic’s workshop just to get your car sorted out and he starts going on and on about serious mechanical jargon ? “There is a problem with your condenser leading to the malfunction of the alternator and your distributor has developed a fault due to the misfiring of the plugs” says the overly qualified mechanic rendering any knowledge which you have acquired about cars useless. Unfortunately every field of expertise has dummies and yes, people who assume that the person they are talking to knows the nonsense they are ranting and raving about. Why not just simplify things, just because you know them doesn’t give you the right to assume that everyone knows what you are talking about. One big brother in business used to say “no one has a monopoly on ideas” (loosely translated knowledge by the way).

You might have heard my computer geeky brothers and sisters talking about specifications or specs as relates to computers and surely you were left with more questions than answers, as they went on to talk about ram, HDD, Core 2 Duo processor, 19” LCD, Bluetooth, Wireless Network blah blah blah. Surely I know how you responded, you didn’t want to appear like one big fat ignoramus dummy so you nodded your head like a grade one chap who has no clue as to what three plus eight subtract five would be in agreement.

I feel it’s time to break the mould and simplify things once and for all without being untrue to the profession lest my doubting brothers kick me out of the trade for not throwing jargon at some unsuspecting non-ICT readers.

The computer in its previous or current form is said to be a gigo device meaning that it is a garbage-in garbage-out device relying and depending wholly on the user to give it (input) raw (unprocessed) information (data) so that it can work on such data in a way that is called process with the end result of such process being or resulting in information which then becomes useful to the user. To further simplify the concept laid above which is the corner stone of computerization a model can be arrived at and put across as Input – Process – Output. What you “feed” the computer contrary to every day knowledge is not information but Data which is information in its raw state. Information is therefore the end result of a Process or a working “on” the given data by various parts within the computer system.

The composition and or capacities of those various parts are then what are referred to as the specifications or specs of the computer system. In any full computer which is also referred to as machine in the computer fraternity you would expect to find a Power Supply Unit, Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Memory also referred to as RAM, Processor, Motherboard, Cooling Fan, Cmos battery, Bus or SATA cable and auxiliary devices including but not limited to floppy drives or DVD drives either writer or player as well as USB (Universal Serial Bus) modules.

Hard Disk Drive
This is the storage area of your computer system. The numbers preceding such devices would then denote your specifications in detail hence you would find a 250GB HDD meaning your Hard Disk Drive has a capacity of 250 Gigabytes. The underlying foundation of all things in Information and Communication Technology is numbers hence to understand the field or comprehend certain nuggets of information within the field one just has to have a general love for numbers. There is a unique way of looking at how data is stored or kept within the hard drive leading to Hard Drive capacity with the lowest level of data being the bit. An accumulation of bits is termed byte which is a thousand bits. A thousand bytes make a kilo byte with a million bytes making a megabyte. It will then follow that a thousand megabytes will make a gigabyte which is shortened to gig in computer lingo. After gigabyte will come the terabyte. If this was 1980 or thereabout and we were talking of money we would say a millionaire is a person with endless or infinite wealth. Coming back to earth, a terabyte is a hard disk drive with endless space. This is to say the math knows me not or I am not to qualified to speak of such insane space.

Memory
Memory or RAM (Random Access Memory) is a card or removable device which is slotted onto the motherboard with the sole use of acting as a buffer for data processing for the computer which is termed the CPU (Central Processing Unit). To simplify things, when you input some raw information into the “computer” the processor below will access such information from the hard disk drive in small batches and pre-store in a temporary storage area called Memory. Various types or variations of RAM exist, remember the only thing constant in ICT is change. For this edition though our focus is SPECS lest we lose track. Here you would hear computer wizards talk in terms of 512MB Ram, 1 GB Ram and so on. RAM in its various shapes and forms would come in even numbers from 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024 Megabytes. As you can understand the lower side of these numbers is slowly becoming obsolete and or redundant with the upper two being the preferred size.

Processor
This is the heart and core of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and though I will try and loosen up things here, this would normally require a whole article as the major changes taking place in the evolution of the computer are taking place in this area. Just to whet your appetite, various processor types now exist from AMD to Intel with Intel leading the pack in innovation and technological advancement. Dual Core and Core 2 Duo are now the talk of the day with the future in processor technology being as bright as my tomorrow. You will be harassed by the term Megahertz and Gig if you are to ask for the size of a processor. In this area size does matter I repeat size matters with the bigger end being the coolest in the breed. Not forgetting to equate like for like hence for comparison sake you can’t compare an Intel Celeron processor with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor in much the same way you can’t compare a pickup truck with a lorry. The innovation has been from 286, 386, 486 processors with Megahertz processor type making an entry on the Pentium models with P1 processors beginning at 100Megahertz , 200Megahertz, 233Megahertz with P2 taking over from 266 to 450 Megahertz. Pentium 3 (P3) upped the standard from 500Megahertz to 1.2 Gigahertz. Pentium 4 processors then took over and have been hard to replace ever since their triumphant entry into the World of ICT. The entry level of choice was 1.6Gigahertz shortened to GHz with the sky proving for now to be the limit. Tacitly the 3.2 GHz processor under the Pentium M and the Celeron D processor types is ruling the roost in terms of size with the Dual Core 2.0Gig processor leading the roost in Dual Core technology. This one tends to have a final capacity of 4.0Gig as it acts like two processors hence utilizing multiplication technology. Don’t worry if you still think this is drugergagery I will devote some time to take you even further so keep reading and following up it definitely will be for your benefit so you can find some juicy stuff to take down with your fluids at the usual drinking place after work some day.

Motherboard
This is the “mother part” that brings and keeps everyone else together. It has various sub-components that make communication between various linked components possible. The various processors mentioned above are symbiotically related to the various motherboards and motherboard sizes found in the World of ICT. From 286 Motherboards to Pentium 4 being LGA775 Motherboards which are the most commonly found board types. Don’t ask me what LGA stands for I just know that they exist period.

Cooling Fan
When things get heated up inside the computer system this brother cools down everyone else and maintains some anticipated temperature within the computer systems or CPU. Do not confuse this fan with the processor fan and heat sink which parts are mounted on top of the processor in a special slot provided on the Motherboard.

Cmos Battery
When you talk of date and time settings this watch like battery keeps the settings even when your computer system is turned off from the power mains.

Bus Cable / SATA Cable
The purpose of this cable in its two main variations is to connect the various devices like Hard Disk Drive, Floppy Drive and CD/DVD Drives to the motherboard.

DVD Drives
These serve to read, write or read and write to your Digital Video Disk. These seem to have taken the world by storm and are preferred as to the CD Rom Drives which devices would either read or write onto ordinary Compact Disks.

Floppy Drive
This is obsolete technology only to be found in the archives period archives archives archives.

Power Supply Unit
This is least but not last as this is the Power Supply Authority of the computer regulating what amount of ZESA goes in or does not go into the computer system. Models of note are the AT and the ATX models. If you are not technical already don’t worry about this because it is even written on the cover that “Only to be opened by authorized and technically challenged personnel”. Both of these variations are 250Volts in capacity with the difference being that they are used on two different motherboard types. The AT had a toggle switch on the exterior side and “took” power directly from the mains with the ATX getting its power from the motherboard hence technically it is switched on via the motherboard. The replacement model is still embedded deep in the head of some African and will be the technology of the future.

Monitor
I’m tempted to give a brief discourse on the monitor, forget the keyboard and mouse even Sekuru Mwenemutapa from the Mutapa state knew about that. You will be told 17”, 19” or 22” inch CRT,TFT ,LCD monitor and wonder maiwhe zvangu mwana wakafunda uyu (this kid is learned). All they are saying is your monitor size is either 17 inches, 19 inches or 22 inches in size forget color everything is now in color speaking of which I last saw a copy of the Kwayedza a long time ago anybody with a copy can kindly scan and e-mail one to me I will thank you to high heavens. CRT stands for Cathode Ray Tube, these are as extinct as the original members of the Pioneer Column. I won’t talk much about these they are now obsolete stock two generations down the food chain. TFT took over from the CRT type of monitor with the transistor of choice being the Thin Film Transistor hence the name TFT monitor. Change was to imminent and fast for these were not so long lived as the LCD type of monitor then took over. LCD or liquid Crystal Display monitors were introduced to give better resolution or a clearer picture of things. Beware of the touch screen as the LCD monitor is under serious threat from the touch screen which truthfully I am not to sure which technology it is using but its now there!

The future is certainly upon us ladies and gentleman and we can’t escape it or hide let alone shy away from it.

The Role of The Computer Society of Zimbabwe

The Computer Society of Zimbabwe (CSZ) was founded in 1974 with one objective, that of benefitting the Computer Industry and all people who work in it. The Society's aims were to educate the general public on the use and development of Electronic Data Processing, today more widely known as Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It set itself up to bring people using computers together, to set up standards within the industry and to promote computers and their use in scientific and commercial environments. Since its formation , CSZ has indeed played a leading role in ICT development , creating public awareness and focussing on education, professionalism and advising Government and other national bodies.

Role in Education:
As early as 1975, CSZ was responsible for the introduction of the first Computer Studies Diploma at the Harare and Bulawayo Polytechnics – the diploma was, the fore-runner to the current HND. The first lecturers and examiners were all drawn from the CSZ membership , eventually being replaced by fulltime college staff. Originally the students were confined to those actually working in the industry but with the advent of PCs in the 1980’s there was a far wider demand for training and education, and CSZ reacted accordingly by running its own courses and starting an accreditation scheme for bona fide training providers.
Turning its attention to the schools , and especially the rural schools, CSZ partnered with World Links , a World Bank sponsored organization which established ICT training centres in all provinces of the country. World Links is still operating to the best of its ability although severe reductions in funding have regrettably curtailed many of its activities. Lastly since 1999, CSZ has been administering the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) in an endeavour to promote the level of computer literacy and operating competency nation-wide. ICDL has proved very popular with more than 45000 individuals in Zimbabwe undergoing the training and certification, and now offers employers an international standard by which they can validate computer skills of all PC users throughout their organisations. World-wide, over nine million people have participated in the ICDL.

Professionalism:
CSZ sets standards for its members , not only for their own benefit, but also to give assurance to those who employ, or retain the services of, CSZ members. Members are graded according to educational achievement and experience and all are subject to a Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. There is a laid-down Complaints Procedure to deal with any perceived transgressions of the Codes and this applies not only to individual members but also to the Institutional Members. The latter are made up of corporates, parastatals, government departments , which being large users of ICT , have an interest in the welfare of the industry as a whole. CSZ members also have the opportunity to attend an annual Summer School where they are updated by experts on various ICT-related topics and where they are able to share experiences with their peers in the industry. Naturally, CSZ encourages all employers to insist on CSZ membership for all their ICT staff and the public generally to only retain CSZ members for services rendered.

National issues:
CSZ has always worked closely with Government and through its participation with the NECF has been at the forefront of the recent developments which led to the establishment of the national ICT Strategy Framework. Senior members of the Society continue to give their time voluntarily for this and other important national projects – there is still much to be done.

CSZ also works closely with the Computer Suppliers Association of Zimbabwe (COMSA), whose members are the leading suppliers of ICT products and services and who are also bound by that Association’s own Code of Ethics. Like CSZ, COMSA is keen for its members to be seen as providing professional services to the public, who would therefore be well advised to use COMSA members for their ICT product and service requirements.

International links:
CSZ became a full member of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) in 1987.
IFIP is the leading multinational, apolitical organization in Information & Communications Technologies and Sciences
Ø is recognised by United Nations and other world bodies
Ø represents IT Societies from 56 countries or regions, covering all 5 continents with a total membership of over half a million
Ø links more than 3500 scientists from academia and Industry, organised in more than 101 Working Groups reporting to 13 Technical Committees
Ø sponsors 100 conferences yearly providing unparalleled coverage from theoretical informatics to the relationship between informatics and society including hardware and software technologies, and networked information systems
IFIP maintains a very informative website is at www.ifip.or.at
CSZ was privileged to host IFIP’s General Assembly in Harare back in 1991 and CSZ’s Director held the position of Trustee and later Vice President of IFIP for a number of years. Several major IFIP working conferences concerning Education and Communications have also taken place in Zimbabwe. CSZ also had membership of three IFIP Technical Committees, namely Education, Communication Systems and Information Security. CSZ,s Director continues as a member of the last, which has been renamed “Security and Protection in Information Processing Systems”
There is no doubt that this strong connection with the international community has benefited CSZ and assisted in its national endeavours.
CSZ also enjoys strong bi-lateral relations with both the British and South African Computer Societies.

Structure:
CSZ is governed by an elected eight-member national council, half of whom retire each year. The council in turn is led by a President and Vice President, with various portfolios being assigned to the remaining members – each portfolio’s aims and objectives are documented in the Society’s charters. The Society’s membership year runs from July to June and the current President and Vice President are Mr Pardon Gorova and Mr Atwell Mukusha respectively.
Contact with the members is through the Secretariat in Harare and also through the local Chapters in Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru.
Each Chapter is controlled by an elected Chapter Committee of eight members including a Chairman who is automatically a member of the national council – all three Chapters are currently seeking additional members for their committees and interested persons should contact the CSZ secretariat (contact details below).
The Harare Chapter arranges regular evening functions for members and their guests, featuring interesting speakers on relevant topics and is also responsible for the annual Summer School which normally takes place at Nyanga. For information about the Bulawayo and Gweru Chapters contact the Secretariat.
The Secretariat, under the leadership of the Executive Director , Mr Geoff Fairall, has the joint responsibility of supporting the Society and administering the ICDL programme, and is located at 6 Baines Avenue in Harare, telephones (04)250489/90. Email inquiries should be addressed to info@csz.org.zw.

The ICT Evolution!

As I laid my hands on my first P4 computer running on a 733Mhz Processor, oh was it so, with a 20GB Hard drive, 128Mb Ram, 16x2 CD Writer, floppy disk drive, qwerty keyboard and mouse not to forget my 14” viewsonic monitor, I said to myself welcome to the future. Little did I know that this future would soon be my past which I would not be so proud to be associated with in the not so distant age to come.

What then is this that I hear about podcasting, podcatching, broadband, facebook, multiscreen, wi-fi, roaming, Bluetooth, electronic wallet and will I ever get to use the webcam as well as the in-built mic on my notebook pc.

Well, they tell us that the first shall be the last and the last shall be the first. I truly hope it was true for the relationship between ICT (Information and Communication Technology where they say the only constant thing is change) and Zimbabwe. Is the “change” good or bad? It is really a scary thought and I shudder to think where we are headed for with this monster that seeks to change and control the course of our existence as it were. Just a few years ago I was as content as they come sitting on my couch and watching some edition of a wild animal program shot somewhere in Africa on my video cassette recorder (VCR), by the way those things were as fashionable as a clean shaven head. Enter 2009 and I feel shy of being associated with such crackly and poor quality technology, not to mention that mine is gathering dust somewhere in my archives never to be dusted again, what with the advent of High Definition TV (HDTV) and Blue ray disks, don’t discount the general available Digital Video Disks (DVD) just yet, they still give good viewing.

It seems that the World of ICT is in a hurry to take us somewhere, where to I only have a faint imagination. Do you not think that in the not so distant future, the desktop pc will be “extinct” with a chip you can wear under your skin or somewhere comfortable taking over and lo and behold the pan “you are computerized”. Do you not imagine that in a few years to come the tv set in your house will have taken an invisible or barely noticeable format. Isn’t it just possible that high speed broadband will be the order of the day and dinosaur organizations will be left wondering as to what hit them as their competition harnesses the benefits of full computerization to the attainment of a larger market share. A vision of some ancient someone sitting under a baobab tree in the middle of the field deep in Mukumbura or is it the Save valley, palmtop in hand, downloading an internet copy of one of the offerings by the Manhattans or some township music from the days when Machipisa – Highfield represented the capital city and going there from the reserves was every young one’s standard something dream.

Just take time to dream, isn’t it just possible that one day if you visit a government department you will be served in a matter of minutes in a wi-fi unrestricted internet zone. Hey imagine, there won’t be anyone manning the main entrance. You will gain access through an electronic security check point where you are required to present either your finger print or eye retina (no metal id to be presented there and filling out your details on some blue piece of paper which unfortunately nobody seems to verify). When you do get to the serving counter of choice, you are jovially greeted by one of a few attendants using identical technology (which shows some implementation of a laid down ICT policy) then you input your electronic signature on some gadget provided and presto your national record appears on the fluid touch screen before you with visibility on both sides. Even your cholera “status” will be there in your profile and by the way your new electronic passport (which you applied for the previous day) is ready for activation as the updated record states. Please be mindful that the purpose of this visit is just to get some Interpol clearance from is it the Ministry of Home Affairs and due to the massive computerization and digitalization project just undertaken you can visit any government department and an up to date record will be present. I stand corrected, there is no more cholera it has been abolished, Microsoft Corporation in close partnership with some indigenous company has just completed the last phase of computerizing every household in the country. Every water tap in the nation is linked to a resident computer with software that can assess the composition of H2O before opening the tap at an instruction to check the quality and composition of the water and if its not up to a prescribed standard it just won’t let the water through. Amazingly such data is sent simultaneously via broadband, to a server at the nearest Local Authority which by way of a simple computer program “fixes” the problem instantly, in real time, without further ado. Will it really put your travel arrangements in jeopardy as it is noted that you were subsequently arrested and fined last night for some misdemeanor and yes you paid your spot fine using your electronic credit card. Amazingly you always leave your credit card at home in you electronic wallet and all you have to do is to do the biometric trick or the finger print thing to effect payment anywhere, even here where the arresting police officer has a “special” gadget installed in his hybrid police car running on some form of energy which unfortunately for some of us is not petrol or diesel.

What then does the future hold? How are we positioned as Zimbabweans to tap into the future of ICT? What are the challenges facing us from this Canaan of sorts legal, financial or otherwise? As we come out of our national distress and heavy distress indeed caused by various circumstances to many to fathom, we emerge a stronger and purposeful people and the future can only be in colour and thus brighter forget black and white. Where to from here oh beloved literate nation as far as I, ICT am concerned.

Is the product that I just acquired the best deal that we could get? I hear you say that it was value for money or is it so? Have you considered your warranty status or after sales support, does it have an upgrade path or the only thing that can happen from now is you getting as old as the times from frustration as you fire away speedily at the keyboard but the characters appearing zeons of ages after your first click. Is the speed of things killing you, then you have no one to blame but yourself, it’s your fault, you didn’t stop to think twice, you just bought a computer! What became of taking a closer look at the specifications sheet that’s if you even know what that is.

Am I the only one who is worried about what in this God so loved country I am going to load on my Terabyte h/disk accessed by a 2,8 Quad core processor, using 4GB Ram, Lightscribe DVD Writer , 8 usb ports topped up by 3 by 22” LCD monitors working seamlessly together and yes with my wireless keyboard and mouse giving me untangled access to the sweet world of ICT via wi-fi connection to the information super highway.

No sooner than now is it necessary that someone take us week by week and time and time again through the robust and ever changing world that’s ICT, hence the culmination of this and subsequent write-ups. Let’s take a walk together as we move towards the future in ICT with ICT. Don’t forget, the only constant thing in ICT is change so let’s change together. Don’t you ever remember to forget that IT was just broad enough don’t mention linking it up with its sister CT or you tell me was there ever a distinct separation between the two necessary evils where does one start and end?

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