PDA

View Full Version : Component Identification - Opinions Needed


Paleo Pete
10-15-2003, 12:45 PM
I have an idea I'd like some feedback on...

One big problem we've always had is newcomers who don't know much about computers and often have never seen the inside of one. We tell someone to check the CMOS battery or the hard drive jumpers, and get a reply like "What's a jumper?"..."Battery?"..."How do I find the AGP slot?"

So for a long time I've thought about setting up a thread specifically for component identification, with pictures of those parts and descriptions. Recently I decided to get off my bony butt and hook up my spiffy Intel web cam-old thing but works great and takes nice pictures-and have been thinking about setting up such a thread.

I have about 20 pictures ready so far, and will undoubtedly be doing more later on, things like CMOS battery, jumper, CPU, PS/2 plugs, AGP slot etc. All are small enough file size to be uploaded to the forums and still large enough screen size to be seen well. Check my post about Bad Capacitors, that's about the smallest of the pictures so far.

What I'm interested in here is whether our current group of techs, and the general users with questions of course, think this would be a useful thread to set up. It will turn into a long and involved one with lots of pictures and descriptions, and will take me some time to complete, if it is in fact ever completed. (As it goes I'm sure we'll think up more and more that should be added, I think of more almost every day...) And being on 28,800 dial up won't help much either. :rolleyes:

I have a good start on it now, if everyone thinks it's a worthwhile project, and will probably set up a thread in testing or somewhere for others to put pictures I can use if I don't have them already. I'll do the posting myself for consistency, and since I want it to be as clear and concise as possible, and I can easily save pictures to upload if needed, and rename them too. I'm naming my pictures so they are self explanatory if possible. Something like pict0021.jpg won't work...jumper.jpg will...

Comments, opinions and suggestions will be welcomed...also need to figure out the best location for it. PC World might work, but I'm thinking Core Hardware might be better...other suggestions wil be considered...

Abbadon
10-15-2003, 01:28 PM
I think it's a good idea, but the implementation needs some thought. Having a thread of a couple of page long wherein somewhere there is a picture you gotta see is rather cumbersome. Something database-like would be neat, with an alphabetical listing of components, each of which is a hyperlink to said picture/explanation.

It might be something to put into the pc guide proper, rather than the forums, although I do not know if this is possible? (I'm kind of a web-building-noob)

Inka
10-15-2003, 01:30 PM
Yes Good idea. Its something that almost wants to go in into the main web bit. Troubleshooting maybe.

Expect I have a pile of jpegs (somewhere) If I can find em I will foreward them on to u. Although they are mostly the outside of PC's. We dont let staff open their boxes - they get into enough trouble just pushing the wrong buttons..!

Peeps with no idea need all the help they can get :p

Sylvander
10-15-2003, 01:45 PM
Great idea Pete!
I find this really thought provoking.
Core Hardware is the best place I think.
Two threads in parallel would be ideal:
Thread 1 for discussion,
Thread 2, a priority thread that only you would/could change,
With links between them,
So people take a look at the information and click the link to go to the discussion and make their comments or suggestions.
Or read the discussion and go look at the information being discussed.
Then possibly come back and comment.
Thread 2 could link to off shoots or sub-threads and it might just grow and evolve as it does so.
To do that you need to be able to edit/revise thread 2.
Being a Moderator you might be able to arrange that.

I am doing something similar with my Diagnostic Flowcharts, which ErnieK hosts at his website.
I pick up ideas and suggestions then revise the charts and update the online copies.
I hope the charts will refine and improve with time.
I’m sure there are others more knowledgeable than I am who would do a better job.
If anyone fancies taking over the task, let me know.

Paleo Pete
10-15-2003, 06:45 PM
Sylvander Deleted the duplicate...

Thread 1 for discussion,
Thread 2, a priority thread that only you would/could change,
With links between them

I had the same idea, I want the main ID thread to stay uncluttered by comments, so had already planned to do exactly what you suggested, with a link in the first post to the discussion thread.

Abbadon Putting it in the main PC Guide site would be pretty good, but I don't see it happening, and the idea to begin with is to have it right here and easily available, as a part of the forums, which of course are basically separate from the main site. everyone could simply link to that thread when someone needs to identify a component.

Inka Thanks for the offer, but at the moment I have over 40 pictures ready to go, covering most of the internal components except for the cards themselves, modems etc, should only need a couple of things I don't have handy like DDR memory, P4 CPU...

Most of what I have in mind is internal components mainly on the motherboard, like USB headers, CMOS battery, jumpers, CPU socket, ID and location of PS/2 ports, LPT etc...I posted one picture last night for someone who wasn't sure if he was looking at the heatsink...that would be there too.

Thanks for the opinions so far, keep 'em coming.

mjc
10-15-2003, 07:34 PM
Pete, if there is anything I can do to help.....

I will try to be in the chatroom early tonight.

ErnieK
10-15-2003, 07:50 PM
Pete
A very good idea.

When completed what do you think the full size of the file would be?

If not to large I could try and get it put upto my site besides Sylavanders Daig charts. This would go up under your name (as is Sylvanders) and you could link directly to it from the forum.

As I said it depends on the completed size. I will check out exactly how much space I have left on the site.

Budfred
10-15-2003, 10:53 PM
I can think of many times this would have been really helpful and that it will be in the future... GREAT idea!!

LadyGrey
10-16-2003, 12:27 AM
What a wonderful idea!! What a help that would have been for someone like me two years ago when I opened up my first computer and said
OMG!! With as smart as you all are that thread would just be the livin end when it came to identifying computer components! If you need any opinions on what the new users would understand let me know, I'm still real new and if I can understand it then I'm sure another new person would too. LG;)

Paleo Pete
10-16-2003, 12:27 AM
All positive responses....

OK, I'll get started on it...

jeeza
10-16-2003, 07:53 AM
Originally posted by Paleo Pete

So for a long time I've thought about setting up a thread specifically for component identification, with pictures of those parts and descriptions. Recently I decided to get off my bony butt and hook up my spiffy Intel web cam-old thing but works great and takes nice pictures-and have been thinking about setting up such a thread.

I have about 20 pictures ready so far, and will undoubtedly be doing more later on, things like CMOS battery, jumper, CPU, PS/2 plugs, AGP slot etc. All are small enough file size to be uploaded to the forums and still large enough screen size to be seen well. Check my post about Bad Capacitors, that's about the smallest of the pictures so far.
It's a great idea.
The pictures in your Bad Capacitors posts were very clarifying and illustrated perfectly your written information.