| your computer knowledge and confidence grows, | | | | - Joysticks. If you're a fan of computer games, a |
| you will be eager to expand your personal | | | | joystick is essential. Many home PCs come with |
| computer's capabilities. A wide range of devices is | | | | their own joystick, but you can also buy joystick |
| available that will make working with your | | | | with extra feature buttons and better grips. They |
| computer even more interesting and enjoyable. | | | | plug into a port in your system unit. The best |
| Here are some extras that can be collected over | | | | joysticks are those that also provide feedback. |
| time: | | | | It's also possible to buy steering wheels and |
| - Modems. One very important aspect of | | | | pedals for driving games. If you have the |
| modems is never try to buy a used one. | | | | opportunity, you should try to use the joystick |
| Because, how are you going to know if its | | | | in-store before purchasing it. If the joystick is |
| actually going to work, and it could be also missing | | | | uncomfortable or you are having to use too much |
| alot of instructions for installation and might not | | | | force when maneuvering it in different directions, |
| have the driver software CD that comes with it. | | | | you should probably pass on that model of |
| A new modem will be more money, but the | | | | joystick because it may cause unnecessary wrist |
| money you save getting a used modem is not | | | | strain and leave you unable to have the fast |
| worth the trouble when trying to install right or | | | | reaction time that new computer age games |
| may wear out much sooner than a new one. | | | | require. |
| Basically, there are two main types of modems. | | | | - Video Cameras. If you mount a small video |
| Internal modems are installed inside the system | | | | camera on the top of your computer, you can |
| unit in one of the spare slots at the back. External | | | | conduct video conferences. These small cameras |
| modems sit outside your computer, on your | | | | are also used for the WebCam sites on the |
| desk, and plug into one of the serial ports at the | | | | internet. Bear in mind that video conferencing |
| back of the system unit. Once you have a model, | | | | require a powerful PC, and without special |
| you can connect to the internet, send emails, and | | | | high-speed phone lines, the picture can be jerky |
| send and receive faxes, using your computer as | | | | and the sound can stutter. Looking for the best |
| a fax machine. | | | | video cameras often is successfully done with a |
| - Scanners. The basic operation of the scanner is | | | | few simple steps. Know your options in the |
| to read the image of the object placed on the | | | | marketplace and know what features will be |
| scanner pane of optical reading feature which | | | | important to you. Make sure you have a set price |
| converts the analog code into digitized code. A | | | | range. Take a look at the reviews as well as |
| scanner will transform your paper images and | | | | talking to people who have purchased and |
| photo prints into graphic files that you can then | | | | understand how to use a video camera. |
| edit and use on your PC. Flatbed scanners, in | | | | - Microphones. They are available for common |
| which you lay your images face down and a | | | | computer usage like recording a narration. Many |
| light-sensitive device passes undernealth, are the | | | | computers come with a microphone in the |
| most versatile and affordable type of scanner. | | | | accessories that come with it. Your accessory |
| Buy a scanner with a resolution capability of | | | | microphone may be alright to begin with but it |
| atleast 300dpi. | | | | probably will not be professional quality but should |
| - Digital Cameras. Digital cameras look similar to | | | | be ok because it all depends on what your needs |
| ordinary cameras, but take photographs without | | | | are. But it is now possible to use a microphone in |
| using any film. The picture is stored as a graphic | | | | conjunction with speech-recognition software. This |
| file that you can transfer directly to your | | | | means that you don't have to type in anything |
| computer through a connection cord. Good quality | | | | you just have to say it. Unless you spend a long |
| cameras are quite expensive, but it's worth | | | | time teaching it to recognize your voice, it may |
| remembering that you won't need to buy film and | | | | give poor results. |
| get it developed, and you don't need a scanner. | | | | Your added devices can also be bought to make |
| Care should be taken while transferring the files | | | | the most of existing on-screen entertainments. |
| from your camera to your computers. Improper | | | | The new generation of joysticks for instance, |
| transferring may lead to short circuiting of your | | | | really take game playing to a new dimension. Like |
| digital camera. Never try to disconnect your | | | | I mentioned earlier, you can have all these over |
| device while transferring files from your digital | | | | time but you don't need to buy everything on the |
| cameras to the computers. | | | | same shopping trip. |