Switch
Hub
Modem
Router
Let’s start with the easy one: Switch
a Switch allows network devices to talk to one another. It receives information from some device, and sends that information exactly where it needs to go. This allows a computer to connect to a printer, a server or any other device on the same network.
These days there is a bizarre trend taking computing by storm. Everyone is changing all their plugs! It harkens back to the days where with every cell phone, you also had a completely different charger. If you wanted a new charger, you probably paid $50 for it. And if you lost it, the odds of finding a match for your phone were near impossible. Then, in 2009, the European Commission put forth a voluntary call asking phone manufacturers to switch to a standard. The one they ultimately decided on was micro-USB. If you have an Android, Windows Mobile, or really any non-Apple device, you know what this looks like. Apple went its own way and has continued to do so ever since. But these days it’s not just phones that are changing…
Computers and smartphones are no longer luxuries in our fast-paced lives – which means chances are, you take for granted that your devices are sophisticated machines with thousands of working parts. While your computer, phone, and related accessories are sturdy and can take a lot of use, you still need to be careful and keep your devices clean and free of dust, moisture, food crumbs, and other hazards. This will not only be healthier for you as you use your computer by reducing bacteria and germs, but also prolong the life of your device.
Last week, the iPhone turned 10. Just like with every iPhone release, we stood in ridiculously long lines for the very first one, waiting to get our grubby paws on a phone that wasn’t a Motorola Razr. Though I refused to stand in line, I did acquire the very first one (aptly named “iPhone”) through AT&T. I even switched my carrier — the crazy things we go through for technology. She was born mid-April of 2008 – a day I’ll never forget.
