At Your Leisure; Generally Speaking - AMSTRAD cpc 6128 User Instruction

Chapter 9
At your leisure ....
This chapter takes a leisurely look at some background
information to computing in general, and at the 6128 in
particular. It is not vital that you read this chapter before
operating the computer, but it may help you to understand a little
ofwhat's going on {under the bonnet'.
Part 1: Generally speaking.
11l1li
Zap the wotsit!
Even if the only reason that you bought your 6128 was to take advantage of the
sophisticated computer games available, you may still probably be wondering about
several aspects of the computer that come under the heading of'hardware'.
The hardware is the equipment that you can pick up and carry around,
i.e.
the main
computer keyboard, the monitor, the connecting leads etc. In fact, it's just about
everything that isn't specifically the 'software' - programs, manuals, and disc or
cassette based information.
Certain features of the way that the computer behaves, are produced by courtesy of
the hardware - things like the coloured display on the TV set (or monitor). It's up to
the software to make use of these hardware capabilities to produce specifically
designed characters and shapes on the screen.
The hardware actually directs the beam of electrons at the electro luminescent
surface on the inside ofthe screen of the TV tube to make it 'light up' - the software
adds order and intelligence by telling the hardware when and how to perform. It adds
timing, control and sequencing to produce the effect of a spaceship taking off, or
something more mundane like a letter appearing when you type at the keyboard.
So what makes one computer better than another?
Hardware without software is worthless. Software without hardware is equally
worthless - the value of the computer begins when the two come together to perform
various tasks. There are some very basic considerations that can be used to grade
performance of both hardware and software.
At your leisure .... Chapter 9 Page 1