by Christopher Davis

Created on: October 31, 2007

Everyone learns differently, and computers can be very complicated tools. So how then can someone who has no clue about the differences between hardware and software learn everything there is to know about computers? It's not easy, or quick, but it can be done if you stay focused and approach your computer with care.
(By the way you can generally think of hardware as the physical parts of a computer and software as the programs that you use on a computer)

When I first learned about computers it was through my father. He got us our first family computer when I was in middle school and I watched him assemble it part for part. Through my father I began to learn how computers worked. He would buy knew parts for them and install them. The first tip I ever learned from him was that we carry static electricity inside us, and if we touch the parts inside a computer without first touching the metal case of the computer we can break some very expensive components in there.

Over the years I had various parts of the computer explained to me until I began to replace them myself. Now, you may think to yourself, "I don't want to mess with the inside of my computer, I just want to learn how to use it." Fair enough, they can be rather complicated after all. However, consider that every program you run is dependant upon whatever you've got inside the case of your computer. On most boxes of software are printed the requirements for running them on your machine. If you can't even comprehend what kind of hardware is inside your computer, then how will you be able to even begin understanding what programs you want to buy? See how they're tied together?

For beginners I would recommend start by learning everything you can about the hardware of your machine. Take the case off your computer (after unplugging the power cable from it) and just look around. It's okay to touch things if you first discharge any static electricity on the case of your computer. If you don't feel confident touching anything inside that's fine, you don't have to. Go take a look at your manual for whatever computer parts you have laying around and check them out.

Next go to a local small computer store and chat with the staff there. The smaller the store the more likely you will find people who actually know what they're doing. While they do want to make a sale, they should be willing to chat with you about your computer. Ask them what various parts in a computer do. The more you understand about your computer,

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