Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- c4c:parts [20/05/2026 10:55] – [Video Screen] andrew
+++ c4c:parts [20/05/2026 16:10] (current) – [Printers and scanners] andrew
@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 ==== Network ====
-{{c4c:ethernetcard.jpg?150 |}}
+{{c4c:ethernetcard.jpg?150 |}}{{ c4c:rj45cable.jpg?100|}}
 In order for your computer to connect to other machines or the Internet, it needs a network connection. This could be a wireless connection or a wired cable. In almost all cases the wired connection will use a network technology called [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet|"Ethernet"]], and the connection is made through an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_interface_controller|"Ethernet card"]]. This used to be an add-on card but current computers have this integrated in to the Motherboard.
-The connector used is called an RJ45, but an RJ45 cable is not just limited to connecting to the Internet.
+The connector used for copper cables is called an RJ45 (Registered Jack-45), but network connections can be carried over fibre optic cables which use light pulses over either glass or clear plastic to carry the data. Fibre is used because it can carry data over greater distances than copper wires, due the different uses for fibre cables, there are a wide variety of connectors and cables available.
-{{ :c4c:rj45cable.jpg?100|}}
-Laptops (and some computer motherboards) generally use wireless ethernet, so no cable is required.
+{{:c4c:fibre-connectors.png?200 |}}
-In both cases what is really important is not how the computer connects to a network, but the "protocol" is uses to talk to other devices. A Protocol is just a way of agreeing on the format of messages. The most common protocol (and the one used to connect to the internet) is TCP/IP.
+Laptops (and some computer motherboards) generally use wireless ethernet (WiFi), so no cable is required.
-When you use a browser to access the internet, you are using the TCP/IP protocol although you may not realise it.
+In both cases what is really important is not how the computer connects to a network, but the "protocol" is uses to talk to other devices. A Protocol is just a way of agreeing on the format of messages. The most common protocol (and the one used to connect to the internet) is [[networking-tcpip|TCP/IP]].
+When you use a browser to access the internet, you are using the [[networking-tcpip|TCP/IP]] protocol although you may not realise it.
@@ Line 131: / Line 132: @@
 {{:c4c:golfballprinter.jpg?direct&100 |Golfball Printer}}
+Some of the earliest printers resembled typewriters because they has all the characters it was possible to print arranged round a sphere, to print a character, the sphere (nicknamed a Golfball because of it's shape and size) would have to rotate so the character faced the paper and a hammer would push the ball against the paper with a ribbon in between.
+This limited the speed of the printing, the number of characters whch could be printed and they were noisy too.
+----
 {{:c4c:dotmatrixprinter.jpg?direct&100 |Dot Matrix Printer}}
+Dot matrix printers were a bit similar because they used a row of pins pressing on a ribbon to mark the paper, but the pins could be controlled to print a wider range of characters as well as rudimentary graphics.
+They were faster but could still only print in black due to the ribbon.
+----
+{{Laser Printer}}
+In a Laser Printer, a laser beam is used to "Write" an image of the page to be printed on to a sensitive rotating drum, this is used to attract toner ( a blask powder acting as the ink), this is transferred to the paper. A this is still a fine powder, it is heated which causes the toner to fuse together on to the paper.
+The original models were very expensive and could only print in black, current laser printers can print in colour using a set of four drums instead of the single black one in early printers.
+Current models include a scanner and cal be called "Multi-Function Printers (MFP)".
+----
+{{:c4c:inkjet_scanner.jpg?200 |Inkjet printer with scanner}}
+----
 ===== Connecting it all together =====