I've decided to write an unofficial FAQ to suppliment to excellent Official FAQ writtin to Socalgal. It's a post so that we can all amend to it (and add some humor
):
What/Who is FAQs:
1. What is TechIMO and what do you do?
A. We are a community of die-hard (and not-so-die-hard) computer users and people with lots of questions about them. So this would be a good fourm to ask "Is there a way I can make my internet connection faster?" or "Why does my computer crash so much?". This is not a good place to ask "Where did my chocolate chip cookies go?", although you can ask that if you really must
. This is also a clean place, so don't curse, promote warez and porn, and above all, don't get the mods mad
.
2. Who are the mods?
A. The 'mod squad' are the fourm's moderators, who make TechIMO a better place for everyone. Each one has a fourm he helps police in case a fourm turns into a flame war or a member goes renegade and starts sending offensive PMs. For example, the moderators who patrol the Community fourm are AuraEdge, daveleau, Fingers, KenKun, and surreal. Say hi to them sometime!
3. What are PM's and why do I wanna use them?
A. This is explained in the FAQ, but here it is:
PMs, or Personal Messages, are sort of like TechIMO member e-mail. It is a way for you to personally communicate with another member without everyone else on the planet seeing what you wrote. So if you got burnned really bad in the marijuana thread and wanna tell the flamer to shut his fat mouth, PMs are a good place to do it. However, if you get nasty, ofensive, or lude in your PMs, there are consequenses. While no-one but the sender and the receiver can see the PM, the receiver can report a 'dirty' PM to a mod and have the sender promptly kicked out.
4. Where can I find out more about the TechIMO guys?
A. Clcik the 'about' button at the top of this page. Feel better now?
Linux FAQs
1. What is this Linux you guys talk so much about?
A. Linux is a powerful open source operating system. It is commonly used in servers (you may have seen IBM advertisments for this) and is finding a home on many people's hard drives. It's a good alternative to the Microsoft Windows operating systems and unlike the Mac OSes it can run on both a PC and a Mac (depending on what verion). It can, as well, run many Windows programs through emulators and mimicers. It comes in many distros (or flavours), but they are all explained here:
www.linuxiso.org . If you have any questions about Linux, feel free to ask them in the Apps and OS fourm.
2. Who wrote this?
A. Linux is open source, meaning it is constantly being rewritten by anyone who wishes to. If Joe is a programmer and hates the IDE interface for example, ghe can just get the source code, rewrite it to where it doesn't suck, and them submit it to the linux community. Who knows, it may get included in the next Kernel version. But if you want to know who the guy who started it all is, it's Linus Trovalds.
3. Isn't that unsafe?
A. No, all the cmpanies/groups who put out the distros make sure bad code and vulnerabilities aren't implamented. Besides, the good people in the linux community will recognize malicious code before it gets implamented.
4. Ther are companies involved?
A. Oh yes. As I said, Linux is used on many servers. The largest company involved in the Linux community is none other than Big Blue themselves (IBM). Also, Red Hat, a company that makes and packages it's own linux distribution as well as consult with companies on using linux, has grown to be quite large, and they now have fierce lawyers.
5. Why should I go Linux? I'm happy with Windows!
A. If you're happy with Windows, there's no reason to switch to linux. You'll be perfectly happy. However, if you are not happy with Windows, Linux may be a good alternative. Linux is easier to maintain than Windows, has better memory managment, and has far superior stability, as well as the ability to customize practically anything. If you are planning on going into the computer/internet business, you may want to think about dual-booting Linux to learn about it, as it is commonly used in the biz.
6. I'm having a problem!
A. Go into the Apps and OS fourm and write a topic on your problem.
7. Linux can kiss my ###, and you're a moron.
A. No, you just aren't mature enough to handle it or me
.
8. I've heard Linux is free. Is it?
A. Yes and no. You can get it for free perfectly legally. All you need are some free CD-R/Ws, a CD burner, and software that can burn ISO images (Easy Cd and Nero work just fine). Head to
www.linuxiso.org and pick the distro that seems right for you. If you are a beginner or a newbie, I'd suggest Mandrake. However, getting the ISOs means you won't get the documentation or the technical support you get with a retail, store-bought version. Just FYI, you can install a Linux store-bougt CD on as many machines as possible. However, you will not get support for those machines (unless you pay extra for it).
SuSE, however, is not avaliable for free and is normally $40. However, it is a better option than Mandrake (IMO, at least) for beginners.
9. Is there a version I can try out before I decide to go Linux?
A. Certainly. Head over to
www.linuxiso.org and click on SuSE. Then download the Live Evaluation CD. Once you burn this, you can start the computer up and run Linux directly off the Cd without installation. However, you cannot install new programs and there is no 3D acceleration (the latter is an oversight that I'm sure will be fixed later).
-Update-
Knoppix is another CD-Based Demo of Linux that is worth checking out.
Windows
1. Can't this cable/DSL modem go any faster?
A. Probably. Unless you've already tweaked your system, head on over towww.speedguide.net and fix it up.
NOTE: Most cable companies cap their bandwidth, so if you can only get up to 200k a second, and can't go faster, then chances are your line is capped. If you can't get above 50k on one download/site but can get way more on another, it's not you, it's traffic/the server. If you can't get more than 50k or less on anything though, call the cable company. This applies to any OS.
2. I want more control over Windows! Can I have it?
A. Sure. Look for a program caled TweakUI. It was developed my Microsoft and offers a great level of control.
For the more demandiong power user, X-Setup is superior but a bit more dangerous. Head over to
www.xteq.com for it.
3. What are all the diffrent versions of Windows and how do they differ:
Since Windows gained popularity at version 3.0, here are all the versions since Windows 3.0:
Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 for Workgroups, Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP (home and pro were released at the same time).
Windows 3.1 was a much improved version of Windows 3.0 It was not an Operating system, but really just a GU(Graphical User Interface) for MS-DOS. Windows for Workgroups was a version of Windows 3.1 for Netowrks as far as I know.
Windows 95 was the biggest single event for Microsoft since the deal with IBM to use MSDOS. It is the first version of Windows to be an Operating System itself, rather than jsut a front-end. To tell the truth, it still had much of the DOS code, but it was much improved and was a major event, especially in the world of computer gaming. It's disadvantage was it's stability, which made it notorious and popularized the BSOD (Vlue Screen of Death). However, it's the least rescource-intensive Windows that runs most modern programs. Once it's set up properly, it's stability improves.
Windows NT 4.0 was an interesting OS. It was a networking OS built from the ground up, and had no DOS support. It had great stability but lacked some compatibility with Windows 95. Technically speaking, it's technology was light-years ahead of Windows 95.
Windows 98 is the first major upgrade on the Windows 95 line and offered much improvment. This version is much more stable (the most stable in the 95-based product line) and added the much-anticpated USB support, which allowed the port to become the hottest thing for computers since CD drives. It also added Windows Upgrade, a feature that automatically upgrades Windows when a bug or security fix is issued. In my opinion, this is a good operating system (especially considering it's price), but the newer versions are much better. Many people complain about stability with this OS, but once it's set up properly, you won't see a BSOD every 2 minutes and you can run it for days without a restart.
Windows 98 second edition added Internet Connection sharing, TV tuner card support, and some optimized coding (basically the Windows 98 service pack). It's not a remarklable improment over 98 first edition, and there is no reason to get it if yu have the first edition of 98.
Windows 2000 is probably the most highly regarded Microsoft operating system ever. It was a vast improvment over NT 4.0 and had great compatibility. Because the NT line lacked DOS support, some programs, especially older games, would refuse to run. But Windows 2000 was, and still is, a very powerful desktop operating system, offering great memory managment and excellent crash protection (it crashed less and rarely would a program crash bad enough to bring down the operating system). If you get any version of Windows, get either this or one of the XP products. This OS is highly regarded among fellow TechIMOians and rightfully so.
Windows ME, ahh what can be said about ME? After the BSODs cropped up, the OS got bashed, badly. This was mean to be an improvment to the 95 line, but the stability on some machines was abysmal at best. It offered many great features, such as system restore, but computer gurus told the masses to stary away and stick with 98. Windows ME did inspire a parody called Windows RG, which can be found on the Internet. You can have good stability with Windows ME, but it's reputation has been damaged.
Windows XP, Microsoft's newest baby. Microsoft decided that they would stop their 95 line of OSes and stick with their sucsessful NT lineup. XP is directly based on Windows 2000, but has many of the features in ME like System Restore. They come in two versions, a consumer-oriented version called XP Home and a more robust business version called XP Professional. Both offer much more stability than the 95 line and much better networking support (necessary because of broadband). Now the standard for computers. Windows 2000 and Windows Xp are both very similar, with most difrences being cosmetic between the XP Pro version and Windows 2000.
Windows 95 line:
Windows 95--->Windows 98--->Windows ME
Windows NT line (starting with NT 4.0):
Windows NT 4--->Windows 2000--->Windows XP
4. What Windows CD burning software is the best?
A. Nero.
5. Where can I find warez?
A. Don't ask us. We can't tell you!
6. Why not?
A. Because it's not right....
7. Windoze blows and you are a sick puppy!
A. Windows is just as viable an operating system as any other. Every OS has it's advantages and disadvantages. It's all personall preference. And I'm not a sick puppy! You are!
8. Can I play Playstation games on my computer?
A. Yes, but there are catches. Head on over to
www.ngemu.com to read more.
General Tech Questions:
1. What is dual-booting?
A. Simply put, it's having multiple operating systems on one computer. Usually, you choose which one to use via a menu that displays when you boot up the computer. Linux installs such a menu. It is not uncommon to have people in here tell you they use a Linux/Windows dual-boot. Some people even dual-boot Windows 98 and Windows XP, as XP lacks 98' backwards compatability, especially for games.
2. How do I overclock?
A. A very commonly asked question, and one that's hard to answer. The truth is, you overclock diffrently for each motherboard. Browse through the Overcloking fourm and see if you can find reference to your motherboard.
3. How can I share broadband with any OS through my home network?
A. Yup, there are three ways.
The first and most common is with a router. This is a $70-$120 device that you plug your cable modem into and it basically splits the connection. Most come with a hub or a switch nowadays. If you are a LAN gamer or throw LAN parties, go for a switch version. This works for any OS and is the most secure way to go.
The second way ois by buying multiple IP adresses through your Cable/DSL company. This way, you only need a hub or a switch to use it. You plug in the cable modem as if it were a computer and volia! Instant acsess. It costs much $$$ though ($9.99 a month extra for each IP wheere I live).
The third way is to set up a Proxy/DHCP server on a computer with two LAN cards in it (one to the network, another to the modem). This way is the cheapest, but also the hardest to set up. You also must keep the 'server' computer (comp hooked up to modem) on as olong as you want to use the net. If you choose to go this way, AnalogX is a good, small proxy server avaliable here:
www.analogx.com . If you want something more advanced, do a google for Proxi.
Misc
1. Can I spam you guy's e-mail boxes.
A. You can...but how long do you plan to live?
2. Can I have your number (man)?
A. No.
3. Can I have your number (woman)?
A. Send me a mail with your picture enclosed and a certificate of authenticity and I'll consider it
4. You guys are f######!
A. Remember what hapened to the last guy who said that? Oh wait, the mods erased all evidence of his existence!
More to come...
hardware
prices 
