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Welcome to the world of computers fam By Andy King Welcome to “One Byte At A . Time”. In this column it is my intention to help the readers of “Halton Hills This Week” gain a better understanding of today’s offerings of micro-computers for home and small business use. I will try to present you with information in plain english that should help you with your interest and dispel your fears of the emerg- ing technology. But first a tit of history. I am an associate Real Estate Broker with Canada Trust Realty Inc. and I operate LaserCraft Unlimited (Desk Top Publishing and Wholesale Computer Supplies). A little more than five years ago I decided that I should check out per- sonal computers to help me keep track of my real estate business. I visited several computer retailers telling each one that I had never put my fingers to a keyboard before and was finally sold a new mystery machine that came wrapped in sev- eral large boxes. I could not wait to dig in and get it all hooked together. I had heard stories of people taking computers home and being overwhelmed when they looked in the box but I was determined to be the master of this new gadget. Before long all the pieces were assembled and I was immersed in manuals because I was definitely going to make the machine do something for me any minute. At about 3 a.m. the next morning I was able to access the local real estate board computer over the phone eT Tale} lines (I had not taken a break since the previous afternoon). I. believe it was by day three that I figured out how to make the printer work. During the following year I honed my skills learning word pro- cessing, spreadsheets and publish- ing software. Early in the second year friends and associates started approaching me to create letters, page layouts and. graphics for them with my computer. Later that year I acquired a high end laser printer and other enhancements and LaserCraft was born as a hobby business. Today I produce a wide variety of typesetting, page layouts and graph- ics for fun and profit as well as dab- bling in a ele programming from time to time lam frequently called upon to consult with others who are shop- Selling...? Check Out Halton Hills This Week Classifieds 873-2254 your « Meat and Any size. Jus peopl . Fruit Baskets « Freezer OF Sunday 10-5 p.m. hurs., Fri. 8 - 9 p.m. FOR YOUR PARTY! OR ANY OCCASION! Our ron st st tell us the NU e attending ders - Canada ACTON FOODLAND 140 Mill St. E. ACTON aff will take mber of Grade A Beef, cut an ind trimmed to YOU &. requirements 853-0400 Mon. to Wed. 8 - 6 p.m. Saturday 8 - 6 p.m. ing for a computer or who are hav- ing difficulties with the computer ave. One thing I have learned is that no matter what level of computer experience you have there is an “easy to master” system waiting for you out there. If you are apprehen- sive about computers bear in mind that in most cases where you hear of someone’s struggle with a micro computer it is only because they have purchased “unfriendly” soft- ware that is beyond their current level of understanding. Micro (desk top) computers have evolved from systems that.only the very technically inclined could uti- lize a few years ago to a tool that can-advance the productivity of almost everyone today. Without software your personal computer is no more intelligent than the blender in your kitchen. Before you say “I'll never go near a computer” you may not realize how much your life is already affected by them. When you do your banking either you or the teller are using computers, when you watch the news or any other show on TV you are witnessing the results, when you read the newspa- per, ditto. Almost everything you see or touch these days has been produced, catalogued, marketed or is operated with the help of comput- ers. Chances are, you are driving a car whose functions are controlled by computer modules. Even if you don’t own or operate a personal Film & Video Conversions To & From European and Canadian Systems Audio / Video, ;_ Phone Repairs Watch & Cordless Phone Batteries Replaced MICRO ELECTRONIQUE GEORGETOWN 873-8 60 MARKETPLACE ROOM FOR MOM AND DAD Your Klose ate along the fos, use the ipsa apartment fo a ied Halton Hills This Week, Saturday, March 20, 1993 — Page 11 micro computer you are probably ae an experienced computer e future articles I will attempt to shatter some of the barriers that everyday people encounter with the micro computer. I will try to answer all questions because I know how frustrating it can be when you are stuck on a problem. I welcome sug- gestions from the readers about future subjects you would like me to cover. Please feel free to call me at 873-1056. 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