Basic Computer Concepts

What is a Computer?

Computers are not very intelligent devices, but they handle instructions flawlessly and fast. They must follow explicit directions from both the user and computer programmer. Computers are really nothing more than a very powerful calculator with some great accessories. Applications like word processing and games are just a very complex math problem.

Software and Hardware

If you use a player piano as an analogy, the piano can be thought of as the hardware and the roll of music as the software.

The software a series of very simple computer instructions carefully organized to complete complex tasks. These instructions are written in programming languages (like BASIC, PASCAL, C...) to help simplify the development of applications.

The hardware is what sits on your desk and executes the software instructions. The player piano is useless unless the roll of music has been written correctly.

Hardware Components

Input Devices -- "How to tell it what to do"

- A keyboard and mouse are the standard way to interact with the computer. Other devices include joysticks and game pads used primarly for games.

Output Devices -- "How it shows you what it is doing"

- The monitor (the screen) is how the computer sends information back to you, whether it be surfing the web or writing a memo. A printer is also an output device.

Storage Devices -- "How it saves data and programs"

- Hard disk drives are an internal, higher capacity drive which also stores the operating system which runs when you power on the computer.

 - "Floppy" disk drives allow you to save work on small disks and take the data with you.

Memory -- "How the processor stores and uses immediate data"

- When you use a program, the computer loads a portion of the program from the hard drive to the much faster memory (RAM). When you "save" your work or quit the program, the data gets written back to the hard drive.

Microprocessors -- "The brain of the computer"

- PCs primarily use microprocessors (sometimes called the chip) manufactured by Intel. The older Intel versions include the 386, 486 and now the Pentium line.

- Macintoshes use PowerPC processors by Motorola.

- Megahertz (MHz) is the internal processor speed in which computer instructions are performed. The MHz speed does not always indicate the power of the microprocessor. Newer processors can execute more instructions at the same or slower MHz. For example, an Intel 486 @100MHz is less powerful than a Pentium @75 MHz (but the MHz is "faster").

Hardware Accessories

Modems

- Modems allow you to communicate with other computers using a phone line. Modem speeds are in bits per second (14.4, 28.8 and 56 thousand bits per second are standard).

CD-ROM Drives

- A CD-ROM drive is a high capacity storage device which lets you read data from the disk, but not write data back. The speed of the drive (how fast the CD platter spins) is measured in multiples from the first generation drives. New drives are up to 24X (or 24 times the first drives), but while the CD spins faster, it is not really 24 times faster in actual output.

Printers

- There are different types of printers (laser, ink jet, dot matrix) with differing quality of output. They are measured in dpi (dots per inch) and ppm (pages per minute), the higher the better.

Scanners

- Scanners "digitize" printed material (like photos and graphics) and save it to a graphic file format (like .GIF or .JPG) for display on the computer.

Operating System Software

Operating system software provides a "user interface" for users to manage files, start programs, customize computer settings, and other tasks. The operating system also provides the fundamental core computer functionality for programmers.

Intel based PCs use Microsoft Windows version 3.1 (older) or Windows 95 as the operating system. Macintoshes use the Macintosh operating system.

Software Applications

Application software uses the operating system software and provides the real functionality of a computer. Applications include:

- Word Processing (MS Word, WordPerfect, Ami...)

- Spreadsheets (Lotus 123, MS Excel...)

- Database (DBase, Fox Pro, Oracle...)

- Presentation (MS PowerPoint, Persuasion...)

- Internet Browsers (Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer)

- Games

KHASIAT LIMAU NIPIS

Limau nipis bukan buah yang asing bagi kita. Dulu, ketika masih kanak-kanak, kita mungkin biasa minum perahan limau nipis yang dicampur dengan kicap dan sedikit garam untuk menyembuhkan batuk. Memang rasanya masam tapi batuk beransur-ansur sembuh bukan? Atau jika hari panas, air limau nipis sejuk menjadi penawar dahaga. Air limau nipis kononnya dapat mengeimbangkan makanan berlemak. Sebenarnya masih banyak kegunaan buah limau nipis ini, dari menghilangkan sembelit hingga menghindarkan kedut-kedut pada wajah.

Limau nipis atau nama botaninya citrus aurantifolia. Kalau di barat dipanggil lime, bangsa Sepanyol mengenali sebagai lima, sementara orang Arab menyebutnya limah. Pohon limau nipis boleh mencapai ketinggian hingga 4 meter, lebih pendek dari ‘saudara’nya limau purut. Buahnya berbentuk bulat sebesar bola ping pong dengan kulit luar berwarna hijau, setelah tua menjadi kuning. Seperti buahnya yang kecil, bunganya pun berukuran kecil-kecil berwarna putih.

Rasa masam pada limau nipis dan semua jenis limau lainnya, berperanan pembuang toksin terbesar dibandingkan buah-buah lain. Rasa masam dan unsur pectin yang terkandung di dalamnya membantu menghilangkan racun-racun dalam tubuh. Jika ingin melakukan pembuangan toksin, anda boleh minum segelas besar air yang ditambah dengan perahan limau nipis setiap pagi kemudian diikuti dengan segelas besar air putih setiap jam berikutnya. Jika tidak tahan dengan rasa masamnya, limau nipis boleh digantikan dengan limau biasa.

Kadang-kadang proses pembuangan toksin diikuti dengan keluarnya gejala seperti kulit kering atau sakit kepala. Gejala ini berjalan seiring dengan keluarnya racun dari tubuh dan keadaan ini adalah wajar. Namun jika tidak yakin, anda mesti mendapatkan nasihat doktor. Selain itu, disarankan agar tidak memakan limau nipis untuk membuang toksin ketika tubuh tidak sihat kerana keadaan ini boleh memburukkan lagi kesihatan anda.

Tingkat daya tahan tubuh

Menurut buku Food That Harm Food That Heal, meminum air limau ini sebiji sehari, akan meningkatkan daya tahan tubuh dari serangan virus. Vitamin C yang tinggi dari buah ini akan menyediakan antioksidan untuk menjinakkan radikal bebas dalam tubuh. Sementara sejumlah mineral, potasium di alamnya bermanfaat untuk membantu mengatur tekanan darah dan fungsi jantung, serta vital untuk memelihara kelenturan otot dan memperlancar sistem saraf.

Selagi tidak disebabkan oleh jangkitan di tekak atau jangkitan paru yang parah, limau nipis berkesan untuk menghilangkan batuk. Ini kerana beberapa kandungan mineral yang penting pada limau nipis seperti kalsium, pospor, potasium dan besi. Seperti diketahui, besi adalah suatu antioksidan.

Potasium menyeimbangkan tekanan darah menguatkan fungsi jantung. Ada pun pospor memperbaiki metabolisme tubuh. Kombinasi vitamin C dan beberapa mineral tersebut sudah tentu berkesan untuk mengatasi gangguan ringan pada tubuh, seperti masuk angin, yang menyebabkan batuk. Secara tradisional, penggunaan limau nipis sebagai ubat batuk adalah cukup dengan membelah sebiji limau nipis dan dituangkan dengan sedikit kicap di atas hirisan limau tersebut, lalu diperah ke dalam mulut. Penggunaan kicap itu sendiri tidak jelas tujuannya.

Mungkin kicap digunakan untuk mengseimbangkan rasa masam yang sangat kuat dari limau nipis. Kicap dipilih kerana rasa manis yang ditimbulkan juga tidak setajam rasa manis pada gula yang boleh merangsang munculnya batuk. Kombinasi semacam ini umum dijumpai pada ubat-ubat dijual di kedai-kedai ubat Cina.

Demam

Petiklah 2-4 genggam daun limau nipis. Rebus dengan 2 hingga 4 gelas air. Gunakan air rebusan ini untuk menuam pesakit yang demam. Caranya dengan membasuh kain pada air rebusan dan diperas, lalu ditempelkan pada dahi pesakit.

Batuk

Ambil air limau nipis satu sudu teh. Campur dengan kicap manis. Minumlah tiga kali sehari. Cara lain untuk mengubati batuk ialah dengan memanggang limau nipis sebentar di atas api. Biarkan sebentar hingga menjadi suam-suam kuku, belah buah limau nipis tersebut, lalu langsung perah ke dalam mulut hingga mengalir ke tekak. Resipi ini baik juga untuk menyembuhkan

Selesema

Menghentikan kebiasaan merokok.. Hisaplah sehiris limau nipis. Rasanya yang masam segar membuat anda terangsang untuk minum air putih. Lakukan beberapa kali sehari. Cara ini selain mengurangi keinginan untuk merokok, juga membantu membersihkan nikotin yang sudah terdapat pada gigi dan mulut.

Bau ketiak yang tak sedap

Siapkan limau nipis yang dicampur kapur sirih. Setelah mandi, sapukan campuran ini pada ketiak dan biarkan beberapa waktu sebelum dibasuh. Lakukan pagi dan petang.

Endless Love

My love,
There’s only you in my life
The only thing that’s bright

My first love,
You’re every breath that I take
You’re every step I make

And i
I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do...

And your eyes
Your eyes
They tell me how much you care
You will always be
My endless love

Two hearts,
Two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun

Forever
I’ll hold you close in my arms
I can’t resist your charms

And love
I’ll be a fool
For you,
I’m sure
You know I don’t mind

Because you,
You mean the world to me
I know
I’ve found in you
My endless love

And, yes
You’ll be the only one
Because no one can deny
This love I have inside
And I’ll give it all to you
My love
My love
My endless love

An Empty Heart

I know I can't take one more step towards you
Cause all that's waiting is regret
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore?
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live, half-alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I've learned to live, half-alive
Now you want me one more time

Who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?

Dear, it took so long
Just to feel alright
Remember how to put back
The light in my eyes

I wish I had missed
The first time that we kissed
'Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back you don't get to get me back

Who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?

Let My Love Pour Your Heart

When the rain
Is blowing in your face
And the whole world
Is on your case
I could offer you
 
A warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows
And the stars appear
And there is no - one there
 
To dry your tears
I could hold you
For a million years
To make you feel my love
 
I know you
Haven't made
Your mind up yet
But I would never
 
Do you wrong
I've known it
From the moment
That we met
 
No doubt in my mind
Where you belong
I'd go hungry
I'd go black and blue
 
I'd go crawling
Down the avenue
No, there's nothing
That I wouldn't do
 
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging
On the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
 
Though winds of change
Are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing
Like me yet
 
I could make you happy
Make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends
 
Go the Earth for you
To make you feel my love, To make you feel my love