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I It's beginning rs- 1 ?*- MARC LaFOUNTAIN Techno babble I noticed a few weeks ago that Kmart has started to air Christmas ads on TV. Obviously the folks at Kmart think Dec. 25 is right around the corner once late October arrives. Never one to debate the marketing wisdom of the big K, I have decided if s time for the Technobabble Holiday Season Computer Buyer's Guide. If you're a holiday celebrant, birthday boy or girl, December graduate or just have a few thousand burning a hole in your pocket, then you might be in the market for a computer in the coming months. I can't tell you what computer to get, as this is a matter of individual taste, but I can help you in your search. For many novice computer users, the search for a new computer can be agony. They go to stores where salespeople throw words at them like RAM and mega hertz, which to them sounds like a lot of useless jargon. Some even abandon their search, fearful of making an uninformed purchase. Computer shopping isnt rocket science. It just takes some thought and common sense. Know what you want to do with your computer. You may not know which computer you want, but you should be able to make a list of the things you want to do with it. Are you looking for basic operations, such as word processing, database, spreadsheet, communications and games? Or do you want higher-end capabilities, such as graphic design, voice recognition and audio/visual editing? Do you want to buy a modem or Drinter with vour comDuter? Make these de cisions before you ever enter a store. That way, when you do go computer shopping, salespeople can direct you to the computers with the capabilities you need. WHICH OPERATING SYSTEM? The operating system (OS) governs how you interact with your computer. Some OSs, like Windows and the Macintosh OS, use icons and pull-down menus in a graphical user interface. Others, such as DOS, use a keyboard-driven command line interface. Wmdows and the Mac OS have been the most popular as of late. You are crazy if you think I am going to endorse one over another in this column. Windows and Mac users are VERY dedicated to their OSs, and I don't want to get hate mail and have my apartment firebombed. I will simply say both Windows and the Mac OS have their good points and both are constantly getting better. If you get a PC, you have many OS choices, including Windows and DOS. The Macintosh runs the Mac OS only, although it can be made to emulate Win clows, use demonstration models in stores, ask salespeople and talk to friends to see which OS would be ^SuH&luR0 fi / orations tn sprv 425 Assembly Street 799 549 Knox Abbott Drive 796 1 1436 Taylor Street 779 4717 Forest Drive 782 1^40 Elmwood Avenue 252 2601 Devine Street 799 SEE OUR COUPON IN TF FRIDAY'S COUPON CLIPI - 1 L^f ] ILiI N '4 I ITil T.m IBM bWdrJltlliJ JJi wilAli ANNIVERSRY CLEARANCE HUGE MARKDOWNS SALE ENDS NOVEMBER 19 3? $99 $1999 |?BH$35 and up and up MAMMM Monday-Friday 11-7 FM jw7/ Saturday 11-6 PM r/jfrSyiiH < ^ IF YOU HAVE OR A Mononucleosis ; Strep ^ : Herpes I or II [ Chlamydia i CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Fifth's Disease _ Mumps 36IX Measles Chicken pox Call Serologicals as sc possible. You can ec minimum of $50 per dc Time is of the essen Don't delay! Call to< 254-6537 254-2266 ?T1 J 2739 Laurel St. ? Suite 1C cs Columbia, SC Sl The Game to look a lot best for you. This is an important decision, as computer you get can depend on the OS you wi Know the basics. Once you have an OS in n and know what you want your computer to do, time to do some comparison shopping for prices, i J 1 1. ___ J. *1 1 1 O TJ ao you Know now to compare similar moaeisr it < stantly amazes me how many people don't know basics of how a computer works. Having some km edge of basic computer workings can save you ti and more importantly money, when making a c puter purchase. THE TWELVE B B V TWELVE DISKS SPINNIM ELEVEN PRINTERS PRINTII TEN SYSTEMS CRASHIN NINE KEYBOARDS CIICKII EIGHT MODEMS BEEPIN SEVEN MICE A' MOVII CIV UEr.C A' DAI 9ia niivm v imi FIVE CD-ROM: FOUR MTWORK CARE THREE JOYSTICK TWO FLOPPY DRIVE & A POWER P IN A PEAR IRE n p rtnuniiTrn u r i-u n r u i t n Desktop computers have three basic parts: the croprocessor, random access memoiy (RAM) and a h disk. To try and understand how they work, thin your computer as a brain. The processor is the \ sciousness," the RAM is the short-term memoiy i the hard disk is the long-term memory. PROCESSOR?The microprocessor is the m important part of your computer. As the "conscic ness," it tells other parts of the computer what tc and controls how fast operations are executed. M than any other component, the processor will del mine the speed at which you can run your compu You want the fastest one you can afford, especially higher-end operations. The two most popular processors for new PC m _1_ iL _ / a t.l A ; eis are me reniium vmosi powermi, most expensi and the 486 (less powerful, less expensive.) The < may serve your needs just fine. It will depend on 1 ns e you -20:10 -5788 -4524 :|J| Join u: -6148 IIS i per CaJ ?$: If sJ Heart tc ? Jmw "How to fil !k fiFl your set \\\ Guest Speaker: ] JjWafft. 1 j:|4 Thursday ,Novemb ZJ '?Hi BAPTIST 700 Picke I | St. Th< CQUIRE: M JGISk. J 1610 Greene? wir ?^ rioglcals Sunda 111: )on as T m a na[i?n! Wednesds OXFAM Hum Sunday 5:30pm PALM Campi Partnership Among Lutl 728 Pickem Sim cock A! Wednesday, November 9, 1994 like Christmas [1 the much you want to do with your computer and how fast I ant. you want to do it. Ask salespeople and knowledgeable " tind friends about which would be best. lf'a TVin hun mnaf nnnnlor nyv\naaan>?a fn?? flan Mo/* ono u 11/ 0 X11V l/TTW UUVOb I^V^UIUI |/1UVWQV10 IVi U1& 1T1UU U1 g ID But, the PowerPC (most powerful, most expensive) and the con- 68040 (less powerful, less expensive). Mac users should the note that Apple Computer has committed to the Powowl erPC as its future. Before you buy a computer with a me, 68040 processor, make certain it is upgradeable to the ' om- PowerPC. That way your computer can expand if you want more processor power in the future. 3 After deciding on a type of processor you want your ,. J computer to have, take note of the number of megahertz (mhz.) the processor runs at The higher the num- ?r I# ber, the faster the processor runs. ' IV RAM-RAM is the shortrterm memory of your com- , IQ puter. Its sort of the scratch workspace for your proces- c |? sor. Information is stored there temporarily so the |V processor can use it to do work. Iw Your computer will come with some number of ^ |0 megabytes of RAM installed, and you will be able to r add more later if you wish. When thinking about how 31 much RAM you want, consider this bit of wisdom: "Life: \M Whoever dies with the most RAM wins." I wish I could m IW take credit for this pun on a famous quote, but I read a Sit on a T-shirt It actually carries a very important message. If your processor has more scratch space it can w work faster and run more programs at once. In other ^ Ij words, the more RAM you have, the better off you are. C Before buying a computer, ask knowledgeable friends J l l-i. Jii J. j. si anu saiespeupie 10 recuumienu uie appropriate amount |? of RAM for your needs. ri ? HARD DISK?The hard disk represents the longCterm memory of your computer, where programs and files are stored. This is where you save your report for E English class and keep your copy of Mortal Kombat. ne Just like RAM, hard disk memory is measured in a? _^ megabytes, with different drives having different amounts st Sof memory. Get the biggest hard drive you can afford. Having lots of hard drive memory means you can be a pack rat m mi- if you want to be. You wont have to throw things away m ord that you might want down the road. More importantk of ly? computer applications and files are getting bigger :on" and bigger. YouH need lots of hard drive space to keep "i and them on your computer. ?? Once again, consult friends and salespeople about lost how much hard disk space you will want for your needs. lUS~ Shop till you drop. Comparison shop for the best tu 'do prices and the best deals. Don't be afraid to order from ore reputable mail-order companies. Also, don't be afraid ter" to buy used equipment, as long as you have it checked 811 ter- to be certain it is in good condition. nc f?r Now let the holiday season begin, and happy com- ^ei puter hunting! ?' iod iVe) LaFountain is a journalism junior. His column appears every Wednesday. He can be e-mailed at lafountain- ["" ~ l0W marc@scarolina.edu. | |lii| Thp Viroiniii PlnK !*> | A 11V JUL^llllU V/1UU lp of South Carolina UVA Grads - J s for the Maryland game i November 12! 11779-6003 for details. P ^Chaplains | L.) Corner I i Heart The Carolina Chaplains Association ? ^ Si ^1^ The Carolina Chaplains Association LCQU16 promotes cooperation and fellowship as Jui the foundation of the diversity of religious life at Carolina. Q& All association members support the role of healthy religious development as a significant part of higher education. Dr. Dick Lincoln i n i oo/i -7-rvwr, All of the chaplains and counselors of er iu, iyy4 /.uupm the Carolina Cnaplains Association are STUDENT UNION available for counseling and spiritual ds Street * 799-3854 | guidance. " I >mas More Catholic Center I Linday 11am, 6 pm; Mon.-Thurs. 12:15 pm I Confession Sat. 2-3 pm or by apt. jj^ ^ \ Newman Club m Evening Prayer - 6:45pm V/9 ) Meetings: Tues. 7 pm VT" Rev. Michael F. McCafferty, Chaplain [ Street 799-5870 (across from the School of Nursing) NTERBURY C OMMUNITY The Episcopal Ch&fch on Campus nnH q liStt^vam hopft. Agngfc v A vaau-MJ ? vM* wvt KA, Jufe in thiliiyeen Tim&i'' yavJ^^lTtlLan Chape, and 7 pm program 5 Miiion Street (2 Mks. N. of E$rseshoe) Rev/^ich Biega, Chaplain 77^7800 ? ^ he Episcol^lflC^ You. fl PALM Dinner & Program ampus Ministry Tuesday Evening 6:00 pm iy 6pm Wednesday Bible / / ;er Banquet Study at 7 pm A forship & Dinner -^Yii is Ministry ? ' resbyterian ^Me.hodi,,, m *" ^"iZ'ISZnn i (t 799-7363 ,v s?> 1 losy future for 'Raging' Columbia record label I ARK MCDONALD Staff Writer , thefoyalties that are split 50/50 beIs Columbia the new Seattle? Not ^ band label, usually unheard lite; however the national success of irithe music industry. ' Hootie and his blowfish certainly Jor tbe momen^'tbe ^abe' 0311 a^" is put a spotlight on the Columbia ford operate ah a more personal usic scene, where eve^y gro#fc3^*wflare the plan? If fh? lent waits for success. future Both partners seethe label This is where Ange&Gianr.i and rwaawtog ^pendent but admit s partner Steve Rose come ih. Owr*- ore is to enable bands s of the newly established Raging ' I ^ major jabel, as Hoot|e and Dse record label, based in Columbia. Blowfish did with Atlantic. They ley want a change ii^the scene Wherls also want exp^mfor both record inds come and go but don'iget any-W| < e' an<^ th?ir bapds locally and nahere , tionally; although at preseSpthey The groundwork informing the are onJy interested in signing local cord label was started bv Ane^ife^^Ithal^repared to work hard. lyear veteran of the music busjnesfe ^is >sa label that appears to truld current vocalist/guitarist of Tread* ^ care for the spirit of Columbia's ill Trackstar, #ho wanted to invest milsic even whem big bucks are getting a CD produced. Steve Rose, ^ot involved, which isI point in their local businessman and music lover, favor. This realistic outlook is reflected as involved at a time when money tn the purpose of the label, "not to as getting tight and thought that make money, but put out records." Lth extra backing, the m<mey,woul$ -V hflhere is a lot of talent out there," ! better spent starting a label according to Angelo. "In Columbia, The label began in Jtine and has have the good bands... we have gned local bands Tarrweter'and the diversity." readmill Trackstar, and it f However, he said this is sometimes ntly negotiating with the "crazy, marred by the fact that not enough eird, hard and corky" band Blighto* people are supporting bands. Raging >dy. Such rapid growth has meant Hose wants to change this, emphaiw distribution partnerships as well sizing that the only way to change the i involvement with local recording scene is to go the clubs and listen for udios such as The White Room afcd yourself. This is in line with the lajundlab. bel's ultimate objective, "just getting There appears a certain paradox 1 the music out there." running the label where Steve i s Although tied up for the next couore involved with the music scene f pie of months, the label encourages id Angelo more in tune with'the f bands to send demos and information Ly-to-day business side. However, about their group, is spurs a different approach to fjife "Even if they are on a crummy ientation in the philosophy behind jam box in a practice room, we will e label. - listen to them and get back to you," Angelo sums up the altruistic na- Angelo said, re toward local bands as being low They are interested in any kind essure and band-friendly. Hevi^w* of music, will give free advice and can is approach as an important part of be reached by phone or via internet, pporting the Columbia music scene? The future of the Columbia music t only in signing bands, but also of- scene has more than a hint of optiring help and advice to the hotpot mism in the air, and as Gianni says, local talent This even goes down to "I hope it keeps coming!" wv/* IIV? V/I. liviUiUUJI Uk i^WUillV | IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT IN THE REAL WORLD, SPEND A SEMESTER IN OURS. Walt Disney World Co. representatives will be on campus to present an information session for Undergraduate Students on the WALT DISNEY WORLD Spring '95 College Program. ^ Attendance at this presentation is required to interview for tbe Spring '95 College Program. ^ Interviews will be Friday, November 11. WM f\(\ The following majors ate encouraged (4 W) x> to attend: Business, Communication, m Recreation/Leisure Studies, and Theatre/ 77 Drama. All majors are welcome. Lifeguards are needed. We wiO also be recruiting graduates who are conversational in French for .fWBs& \Jjgg |X?B positions in EuroDisney?. WBUatMKW Itor more information contact: Cooperative Education Program AEM M A Phone:777-7280 ^^T^?t^HrW)ddCa M IHwfV ttiidant* tprrut a mmmttr gttdng ^ rmuty for Om rmwt oftbrtr Uvm. tTbeWaaaqrCpi Aacq?loppunni*y cnplpycr t ?Purchase all the tans I W <brj rp \ XTC r want at $3 each I < v< rK^i I /\l\l7V M^inun**# 5 tans must be , Pf|| H'4*' II n^? pdrchascd Limit one coupon " -ftp; p-iiriiiinn * r -??rTTM^rSl cai^katr. Offer good with I llmffee Points w. Columbia T / coupon when purchased by I F6t^^Outspokin, Location (across I ram McDorVra's) 11/15/94 ik Efc&i&g behind Eckerd Drugs) 794-9100 . I 54-9100 li?|. Mon-Thurs 9-9 Fri 9-8 Sat 10-4 Sun 1-4 ^We Specialize Inf^ ? Corrective Sevices for Perms Perms & Color ? Precision cuts yy^ Foil Highlighting .skin Care Straightening Perms *Nails Ask about our Student Discount! Iti. a ITRENH01.M ROAD HAIR DESIGNS Ayffir HKl 4039 Treholm Road Pfimpr nfTfpnhnlm A- Holtlino a