Questions you were too embarrassed to ask about the basics of home computing. By Chaim Estulin.

So you just don't get it. Your friends are checking email on their mobiles and making 3D animation—while you are still clueless. Shops overflow with different brands and varieties of computers. Friends, family and work colleagues differ in their advice, adding to the confusion. But, like with the purchase of any tool, you can become an educated consumer by asking yourself a few basic questions.

Will you use the computer mainly for the basics, such as e-mail and word processing, or have you advanced to things like videophone calls? Do you want to play full-color three-dimensional games, watch DVD movies, keep an electronic photo album or download music off the Internet? Do you want all of the above? Answering these questions will influence what kind of computer you should buy and any extras you might consider for your purchase.

Raming and Roming
Before you can even begin dreaming about the new, far out gadgets you're going to include in your new machine, you must first focus on "the brains"—the processor. From it, all else flows. So, the faster the processor, the better the computer performs on all levels. The Intel Pentium III processor, for example, can handle everything from simple word processing to realistic, 3D images with sound, either from software or the Internet. But, if all you need is basic data or word processing, you can go for the original Pentium, which can be bought on the cheap.

Next, check that the machine has adequate RAM, or memory. Just like in the days of manual filing, the computer must first access information from storage before it can be processed. The place the computer uses to put the information it has taken out of file cabinet is the RAM—kind of like the cluttered desk. That's why the level of RAM is important, because more of it will enable the processor to perform more tasks simultaneously and quicker.

RAM accesses the storage from two places. The hard drive, built right into the machine, usually comes with enough space to store whatever programs and data you use. If you're going to be storing unusually high amounts of information, however—like graphic-dense games—let the salesperson know. Also, for 3D games, make sure you get a high-performance video and sound card; otherwise, things might look like a flashback to Space Invaders.

The other place the RAM gets information from is an external drive. We now exist in a state of flux as far as what is the preferred model. Floppy disks are the old method, and are great for small files that need to be exchanged quickly and often. The newer model is the CD-ROM drive, which has become a must-have.  Most programs now come on CD-ROMS, because the disks can store large amount of information, and upload much quicker than the floppys. Also, the CD-ROM drives can be used to play music. Where once CDs were "read only" now you can buy a personal CD burner, which lets you make your own compilations from music downloaded off the Internet.

Phone Home
That's where modems come in. The higher the speed, the quicker you can download files off the Net. The fastest standard modems run at 56k, which is adequate for most online activities. But many of the more popular Web sites have turned to streaming content (something like movies), which takes ages to download when using a standard modem. So, it may pay to get a broadband connection from Hongkong Telecom, which can download images 50 to 100 times faster than a conventional phone line can.

If you want to send e-mails images of your vacation in Thailand, or your new love, you'll need to download it onto your computer. A digital camera can do the trick and it plugs right into your computer. For standard pictures, you'll need to buy a scanner, which often comes as part of a home printer/fax machine.

Once the images are in your computer, you can use software to easily remove red-eye, add color or sharpen the image. They can be sent through e-mail as greeting cards, attached files or you can post them onto your own Web page. Alternatively, you can plug a video camera into your computer and treat the moving images as you do stills.

For years, phone companies have teased us with a near-future of cheap and wide spread video phones. As far back as the '50s, AT&T displayed such a system at the World's Fair. While we're still waiting for it to be perfected, video conferencing is beginning to reach the mass market. To do it, a special video camera, such as the Intel PC camera, sits on your computer, which processes the pictures using photo imaging software. While not everybody can send images of themselves fooling around with Shannon Elizabeth, like in American Pie, video phone calls have finally arrived and are surprisingly easy to set up.

Playing Round
A digital versatile disc (DVD) player in your computer will enable you to watch movies. With a fast Internet link, you can also enjoy online cartoons, fashion shows, live music and television and radio shows. Who needs a television set? Music fans can download music from the Internet, or they can listen to their own CDs. Aspiring musicians can also compose music with a sound card, software and a MIDI-compatible keyboard and post it over the Internet to family, friends and other musicians.

So, when purchasing a new or additional PC, consider your specific requirements—mobile or desktop and what applications you'll be using most, such as e-mail, word processing, video phone calls, educational software, games, music or movies. Remember that a higher processor power, adequate RAM, a CD-ROM drive and modems will enhance your computer experience and enable you to fully explore your creativity with the PC.