How to explain basic computer components

[iskout]

I was in a conversation with a friend of mine about computers, and I found myself in a predicament. I was attempting to explain how RAM works, and realized that he had no idea what I was talking about, as he had no computer background. He didn't know what terms like CAS latency, voltage, and Frequency referred to.

 

This got me thinking: How do you guys explain stuff like this? Do you totally avoid the conversation, or do you have some fun analogies?

[Phil]

If you're explaining to someone with no computer background, you need to keep it real simple. As for RAM, I'd just make a general point about the volatile nature of info in RAM vs. non-volatile storage of the hard drive.

[Prunes]

I always use the desktop example. It gives a very basic idea as to how things work.

Tell you friend to imagine sitting in front of a desk. To his right is some drawers. They are the hard disk(s), where you can store a lot of things, but it takes long time to find a specific item.

The desk surface is the RAM, because there's not as much space as in the drawers, but it's faster and easier to find. So when you're working on something you usually keep all the things you need for that task on you desk.

The CPU is your friend's head, which does all the "calculations", and, I guess, the GPU is your friend's eyes.

 

Hope that can help

[iskout]

I always use the desktop example. It gives a very basic idea as to how things work.

Tell you friend to imagine sitting in front of a desk. To his right is some drawers. They are the hard disk(s), where you can store a lot of things, but it takes long time to find a specific item.

The desk surface is the RAM, because there's not as much space as in the drawers, but it's faster and easier to find. So when you're working on something you usually keep all the things you need for that task on you desk.

The CPU is your friend's head, which does all the "calculations", and, I guess, the GPU is your friend's eyes.

 

Hope that can help

I might have to use the Desktop example in a thread that I'm making in another forum. I'm basically one of 3 people that can help with computer issues, though some people try to. (One of them suggested someone with a $1K budget build a computer based on a 770g last night)

[suchuwato]

can you tell i've got an arts degree?

 

 

[yuridude]

can you tell i've got an arts degree?

 

 

That is just great.

[iskout]

can you tell i've got an arts degree?

 

needs moar arrows

[Guest_Jim_*]

I normally try to explain RAM as short-term memory too.

suchuwato, are those dotted arrows showing the heat coming out of the system

[cjloki]

can you tell i've got an arts degree?

 

 

 

a picture is worth a thousand words sir !

[suchuwato]

I normally try to explain RAM as short-term memory too.

suchuwato, are those dotted arrows showing the heat coming out of the system

 

It's what leads onto the second diagram, explaining conservation of energy

[paulktreg]

Yeah, what about the PC's carbon footprint? But on second thoughts perhaps we shouldn't go there!

[IVIYTH0S]

I always use the desktop example. It gives a very basic idea as to how things work.

Tell you friend to imagine sitting in front of a desk. To his right is some drawers. They are the hard disk(s), where you can store a lot of things, but it takes long time to find a specific item.

The desk surface is the RAM, because there's not as much space as in the drawers, but it's faster and easier to find. So when you're working on something you usually keep all the things you need for that task on you desk.

The CPU is your friend's head, which does all the "calculations", and, I guess, the GPU is your friend's eyes.

 

Hope that can help

That's actually a pretty awesome way to simplify it, I may use this method for the PC storage explanations