Thoughts on Anti-Virus Software, Alternative OS, and more

So far I have felt a little overwhelmed with this class.  I don't know much about computer OS, RAM, hard drives, anti-virus software, etc.  I use technology in my classroom every day.  I can set it up and keep it running, but I couldn't tell you how it runs.  Talking about our computer tower was an eye opening experience.  I learned a lot about how our computer runs and also realized how much I didn't know.

As far as, Anti-Virus software.... I use it on our computers, but again I don't know much about them.  We use the standard, Norton, due to lack of knowledge.  I didn't realize how many options were out there and at no cost.  I am excited to learn more about them and find something that might better fit our needs.

I am also nervous about experimenting with the alternate OS.  I am scared to put it on my computer and risk the chance of losing everything.  On the other hand, I am excited to learn more about things like Ubuntu and others that I have never tried. 

Overall, even though I am slightly overwhelmed, I am excited about what I am learning.  A lot of people in my family and husband's family know a lot about computers so it is fun to actually be able to join in on the dinner conversations.

Computer History for Kristy...

It is hard to remember back to my first exposure to computers.  My dad is a bit of a computer junky so we have had computers in our home since I was a little kid.  I remember using them for games such as Oregon Trail, Number Munchers, and others. We eventually got dial up internet.  I remember my parents getting a second phone line so we didn't tie up the phone line while using the internet. 
I think I started to use computers for word processing around 7th grade.  In high school, we used computers for word, power point, and excel.  I remember using the internet at home for research projects and looking up stuff for college.  At the time, I thought what the internet provided was amazing... little did I know what was to come.  My freshman year in college I got my first Dell desktop.  It was a good computer that lasted me 5-6 years.  I remember saving on disks unlike our jump drives, dropboxes, and all of the user friendly tools we have now.  I now own a Dell laptop at home and a HP laptop at school.  I enjoy both of them, but would love to get an I-pad!!!  It is crazy to think back to how technology has evolved within the last 10 years.  I forgot that I had a life before facebook, wireless internet, touch screen computers, and e-mail.  If technology has changed this much in 10 years what will happen in the next 10 years?