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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, MARCH 30, 1984
If you are serious about performing "business" tasks on a microcomputer,
you should first define what you intend to do with it. Word processing and
maintenance of small files are the most common uses. For a microcomputer to
be a useful tool in doing these jobs, consider these important guidelines:
1. The actual microprocessor is usually not a separate component, but is
often located within the keyboard or display unit. It should have 64K
or more of RAM (Random Access Memory--where your programs and data are
stored while being processed 1:)y the computer). If you have less than
64K of memory, what you can do with your computer will be restricted.
Many new programs being written require 128K or more of memory.
2. The keyboard should be a full-sized standard typewriter keyboard.
Many of the inexpensive microcomputers have pocket calculator type
keys, which are not designed for rapid typing. Others have membrane
keyboards (keys are concealed beneath a plastic cover to protect the
keyboard from spills). These lack the "feel" of the keys needed for
effective word processing on the computer.
3. The display unit or monitor (often called a CRT for Cathode Ray Tube)
should preferably be 24 or more rows high and 80 columns wide-(a stan
dar� screen size is 24 x 80). Microcomputers with 64 column screens
are acceptable, but 80 columns allow more flexibility.
A television set can be used as a display unit, but only 40 columns are
shown on a line. Images tend to blend together, giving a "hazy" dis
play. A monitor made for computers gives a much clearer display and
should be at least 12" wide for best results.
4. Two "floppy disk" or diskette drives are necessary for your micro
computer to be functional as a "business" machine. Cassette tapes are
suitable only for educational use. The 5-1/4" floppy disks are more
popular than the older 8
11
floppy disks. Each manufacturer normally
uses only one size of diskette on his system, so you may not have a
choice after selecting a vendor.
5. A printer is necessary, since you cannot always carry your computer
with you to see the information stored in it. Matrix printers are fast
(120 characters per second is typical) and suitable for many uses.
They form characters as a combination of dots (in the same manner as
seen on large temperature signs or scoreboards). These printers are
relatively inexpensive, ranging from approximately $300 to over
$1,000, but they do not present a "professional" appearance to your
memos or letters. Some print each line twice to give a "correspon
dence" quality, which may be adequate for personal printing jobs.
However, a letter quality printer has the characters on a "print
wheel" which strikes the ribbon, thus forming a clear impression on
the paper (30 characters per second is a typical speed). These are
more expensive, ranging from $450 to $2,500. It is easy to spend more
money on a letter quality printer than on all the previous iterns
listed.
6. Other iterns which may be desirable are a communications port and
modem. These allow your machine to "talk" to other computers. The
microcomputer components (display, printer, floppy disk drives, etc.)
are connected by cables, but communication with other computers is