Sorry folks, but I had to cancel this class. We will procede as normal after the half-term holiday break on March 2nd. To make up for this missed class, and additional one will be tagged to the end of the term, during the ‘catchup’ week – so you will not miss out!
See you in two weeks time!
Tonight’s class gave us the opportunity to look at the photographs that the students have taken over the previous weeks. They brought their images in on USB stick or camera card and we were able to look at them on the huge projector screen that is in the classroom that we have our lesson.
The general consensus was that the pictures were quite good, but more attention was needed to crop the images or get in a bit tighter and closer to the subject. Although it was worth noting that Dick and Colin did say, that if they were to get lower or closer to their subjects, that they probably wouldn't be able to get up again afterwards.
It wasn't just a session where we slated each other’s photographs, it was more of a constructive critique session.
It’s half term next week, so everyone get’s a week’s break!
See you in class on the 1st March!
Last week I brought a bag of components in and got the class to assemble the computer. We had previously priced up components, so this was a ‘sort of’ build your own session. This week I brought in another PC, and tonight’s class was to dismantle the computer, well one half of the class, and then afterwards the other half of the class would assist in reassembling it.
I think the more exposure the group gets of ‘hands on’ experience, the more comfortable they will become with dealing with the inside of the computer. Reinstalling Windows and your software is one thing, but replacing hardware is a pivotal part of PC Maintenance, and one needs to become familiar with handling hardware, otherwise you’ll end up having to get someone in, and you’ll be paying a premium in some cases. Being able to build your own PC, upgrade it, and replace components in it, will save you a fortune, and it won’t cost you the earth.
Roger doesn't quite look convinced by how Claire and Dick are dismantling the PC.
You might have an old computer, so that would be starting point. Taking it apart and if need be documenting what you are doing, will enable you to put it back together….this being the premise, this is what the plan was for tonight's session.
Dick chose to take a supervisory role in the first round, by acting as what he referred to as ‘the scribe’. He wrote meticulous notes and the procedure in which the machine was taken apart by Claire. They even placed the screws on the table next to the appropriate pieces of hardware.
| Dick maintains his supervisory role, as the computer is reassembled. He was on standby to translate his notes where appropriate. In fairness putting the computer back together is a little more complicated than taking it apart, because if things don’t go in the correct place, then the machine will not start up. There were a couple of slight hiccups along the way, but all in all everyone did a very good job. Next week we’re going to delve back into Windows, and examine in some detail the Windows 7 and Windows XP System Properties, Control Panel Applet. So stay tuned! |  |
Last week we priced the individual parts towards putting a computer together. This week I brought in a bag of computer pieces (from a computer I had dismantled) and the task was for the class to ‘build this computer’ from scratch.
Check out the rest of the evening photographs by clicking Nightclass PC Maintenance Gallery! Enjoy!
There are some advantages to building your own PC, like picking out the exact parts you want and building it to your own specifications. It's also going to cost less than buying a computer from a typical retail outlet.
One of the drawbacks of building your own system is that rather than the full system being under a single warranty, each individual part has a warranty under its manufacturer. If something goes wrong, it may mean contacting each company separately.
The motherboard is the control centre of the PC, where most of the components and chips plug into. When buying a motherboard, make sure it has the correct number and sizes of sockets for your CPU, memory and other cards.
When unboxing components, most parts will come in antistatic bags. It's important to keep them in these bags until you're ready to assemble. Static shocks can ruin PC components, so be sure to ground yourself by touching the metal of the computer case before handling a component, or by wearing an antistatic wrist strap.
More practical hardware next week!
A practical session tonight. As I have said many times, one of the advantages that the class gives the students, is hand’s on time, to actually take pictures, and for many, become a little bit more familiar with their cameras.
Tonight I gave the class three subjects, where they were to take at least 6 pictures under each catogory. The catogories were:
The class were given the rest of the lesson to wander around the school (keeping out of trouble) and to take as many pictures as they wanted. The school environment offers a lot of interesting things to take pictures of.
Next week, we will have a look at what they achieved!
