Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 20 years or so, you are already aware of the tremendous strides that have been made in computer technology. In a relatively short amount of time computers have gone from being the size of a room, to the size of a hand's palm. While getting smaller and more compact, they have also become more effective and efficient at their functions. That doesn't mean that owning and operating a computer means you know exactly how each of the components works.
One of the least understood aspects of a computer's operating system and function has to do with memory. Many people assume that their computer only has one kind and that it has unlimited space available. When their computer begins to run sluggishly or not at all, many are surprised to learn that the problem is the system's memory and it is easy to fix.
Before you are forced to learn the hard way about your computer's memory, let's discuss some of the different types of memory and their functions. The two most often recognized types of memory are RAM and virtual memory. RAM stands for random access memory. This is the type of memory that is responsible for "remembering" the details and programming of the various types of software on the computer. Each computer system is unique in terms of how much memory it has. The misconception among computer challenged people is that this type of memory is unlimited. It isn't. When RAM memory is full, the compute immediately moves given information to the virtual memory. Since virtual memory is intended to be a temporary storage area, if more RAM isn't added or space freed up, your computer will begin to run more slowly and programs and information may be lost or inaccessible.
Another type of computer memory is ROM or read only memory. This type of memory comes into play whenever you shut down or restart your computer. Any data you have on your system or are working on is immediately saved to this memory. When you start your system the ROM performs a power on self test or POST, to make sure all of your software and programs are working as they should. An important aspect of this test is the built in memory controller. In this way, your computer makes sure there aren't any errors in the memory chips.
From the ROM section of the computer's memory, the basic memory component BIOS does its job. This is where the most basic actions of the computer are controlled. In the computer world, it is known as the input/output system. The BIOS controls information about the various boot sequences on the computer, storage devices, and security features. It also keeps track of the system's plug and play capabilities and other vital, background functions of the computer. From this point the computer's memory stores the essential information of the operating system from the hard drive to the RAM memory and the memory cycle comes full circle.
With a working understanding of a computer's memory system, it's easy to see why it is essential to make sure the system's RAM is never overtaxed. RAM is responsible for making the OS or operating system function. If it doesn't have enough space to make that happen, the computer runs poorly and you may lose use of vital information. Fortunately, your RAM space can be cleared out or increased with additional random access memory sticks. Both methods are useful for creating additional space.
Computers are much easier to understand when you have some knowledge of their memory systems and how to keep them in good operating order.
The choice you make on what type of plumbing professional you should hire to do work for you is often contingent on what kind of work you want done.
Some plumbers specialize in installing new pipes into new houses while other plumbers may specialize in installing new pipes into new commercial buildings. Some plumbers specialize in fixing pipes in residences while others may specialize in fixing problems in larger buildings. Some plumbers may have very focused specialization such as a plumber who excels in working on fire suppressing sprinkler systems. And some plumbers specialize in installing natural gas lines, installing natural gas appliances and fixing natural gas lines. Plumbers that specialize in natural gas line work are sometimes called gas fitters.
Most plumbers know how to unclog a drain. But if you are looking to hire a plumber to do a big job, it is smart to look for a plumber who specializes in the kind of work you need done. No matter what kind of plumbing work needs to be done, people should always make sure the plumber they hire to do water pipe work of gas line work has been licensed by the state or the appropriate local authorities.
In most states there are several levels of a plumbing license an individual plumber can hold. In some states a plumbing license states the holder of the license is certified to work on water pipes and on natural gas lines and in other states separate licenses are awarded for water pipe work and natural gas line work.
The different levels of plumbing license indicate the amount of experience a plumber has. Many states award a master plumbing license, a journey pluming license and an apprentice plumbing license. Master plumbing licenses are awarded to plumbers who have held a journey license for a certain amount of time and have accumulated a certain amount of hours working as a licensed journey plumber. In order to get a master plumbing license, the plumber also normally has to pass a state-sanctioned test. In most states, a journey plumbing license is awarded to those who have held an apprentice plumbing license and have trained for a certain amount of hours with a master plumber. A state-sanctioned test must be passed in order to receive a journey license in most states. An apprentice license normally is awarded to those who have just begun training as a plumber and often the only requirement that someone needs to get one is that they have to be of a certain age.
Licenses to become certified to work on natural gas lines and install natural gas appliances work much the same way that plumbing licenses do. There are master natural gas fitter licenses, journey natural gas fitter licenses and apprentice natural gas fitter licenses.
Some states award separate certifications for propane gas fitters and natural gas fitters. Master natural gas fitters and master plumbers are certified to work on most any project that an average person will ever need a plumber to do. Journey plumbers often work with master plumbers and can do some work themselves.
Both Grant Eckert & Tahl Kopel are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Grant Eckert has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Security, Depression Cure and Mortgage. About Author: Grant Eckert is a writer for UpgradeComputerMemory.com. UpgradeComputerMemory.com is a leading provider of