Tips & Tricks

Computing Terms

USB-

USB is a way for your computer to connect to external devices. It's fast, easy to use, and allows you to use tons of devices all strung together. Most newer computers have one or more USB ports.

Speed issues aside, one of the big advantages with a USB device is that it can be plugged in while your computer is running. When you do, Windows automatically "sees" the device and you're all set to go. If it's a first time run, Windows simply asks for the device's setup disk. It takes Plug & Play to the level it's supposed to be at!

I have a USB scanner, camera, and printer, all of which are absolutely terrific. It was super-easy to set them up and the devices seem to handle data faster than any parallel port connection I've used in the past.

So, if your computer is USB compatible (Most Win 98/Win 95 second edition machines are), you should try to take advantage of it when you purchase new "devices". Most new stuff (printers, scanners, even keyboards and mice)
have a USB version of themselves available.

Here' s a picture of what the USB ports on the back of a computer look like:

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