Not the Same Thing!
by Cate Eales
Appeared February 18, 2010 on castanet.net
Understanding computers can be challenging, especially
if you aren’t sure of the terminology. This week I’ll try to clear up the
some of the confusion.
Internet Explorer 7 and Windows 7
Internet Explorer is a
web
browser. It’s a software program that finds and displays documents and
images in a format that we humans can comprehend.
Internet Explorer 7 is version seven of that program. Other examples
of browsers are
Firefox, Opera,
Safari and
Google Chrome.
Windows 7 is an
operating system. An operating system is software that makes it
possible for programs to run, and printers to print, to name just a few
things. Examples of other operating systems are Windows Vista, Windows XP,
Apple OS X, and Linux.
In order for a program, including Internet Explorer, to run, the operating
system has to be present and in good working order. Internet Explorer 7
can run on Windows XP and Windows Vista. Perhaps confusingly, on Windows
7, you get
Internet Explorer 8!
Hard drive and RAM
RAM stands for
Random-Access Memory. It's just that --- memory. It keeps track of
what you are doing right now, like looking at your browser, or listening
to music on your computer, or playing a game. RAM creates a temporary
space to keep the things you need...temporarily.
A hard
drive is a permanent storage area. It's where your documents, the
files that are your music and pictures, your programs, and anything you
store on your computer permanently reside. It's not the same thing as
memory.
(click to enlarge picture)
Think about it this way: You keep all your information
for doing your taxes in folders in a filing cabinet until you are ready to
work on your taxes. Then, you take out the folder with your medical
expenses and your tax forms and put them on your desk, leaving everything
else in the filing cabinet for now.
The filing cabinet is like a hard drive. It’s where you store your
information whether you’re doing something with it right now or not. It’s
permanent storage. Your desk is like RAM --- a temporary space where you
can easily access the things you are working with right now.
Downloading and Installing
I often receive email from people who confuse "downloading" a file with
"installing" a program. Downloading and installing are not the same thing.
When you download a file, you are simply copying a file from the Internet
to your computer. When you install a program, you're getting a program
ready to work on your computer. So in order to get a program from the
Internet and make it work, you first download it and then install it. It's
like doing the shopping. Bringing the groceries in and putting them on the
counter is like downloading. Using those groceries to prepare dinner is
like installing. Bon appétit!
Links
Wikipedia article Web Browser
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_browser
Wikipedia article Operating System
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system
Internet Explorer 7
http://www.microsoft.com/hk/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx
Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html
Opera
http://www.opera.com/
Safari
http://www.apple.com/safari/
Google Chrome
http://www.google.com/chrome
Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
Internet Explorer 8
http://www.microsoft.com/nz/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx
Wikipedia article RAM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_access_memory
Wikipedia article Hard Disk Drive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_drive
Computer Care Kelowna
http://computercarekelowna.com
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives
http://rlis.com/column.htm
Get Cate's column by email
http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=20618
RSS Feed:
http://rlis.com/rlis.xml
--
Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or
business computer get along!
Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users
and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment
phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and
suggestions. Send email to
help@computercarekelowna.com.
You can read previous
columns here. If you'd like to subscribe to this column by
email, please visit this link It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the
RSS Feed, click here.
©
Cate Eales 2010 – All Rights Reserved
-30-
