The computer industry is well know for making things way too complicated and hard to understand. Who cares about RAM, HD, CPU, etc.

So, I will attempt to make them relevant for those that only care about using the laptop for e-mail, browsing the web, word processing and other applications.

CPU. This is the Central Processor Unit. Who cares. If you are a gamer you would care as the latest games are complicated with lots of instruction and depending on the game would want the latest and fastest CPU. If you are typing then a ten year old CPU would be fine as keystrokes take almost no computing power. Same thing with word processing or browsing the web or most applications many of us do.

RAM. Random Access Memory. Browsing the web can be done in 64MB RAM, but I usually suggest at least 128MB. If you are a gamer then 2GB might be needed. The Microsoft Operating Systems often require a certain amount of RAM. Windows 98 runs fine in 64MB, but 128MB is preferable. Windows 2000 should have at least 128MB. If you are running Windows XP then 128MB is the minimum but 256MB is much better. The new Vista OS will require even more RAM.

HD. Hard Drive. These range from 4GB to 10GB to the latest are 100GB. If you are typing, browsing the web, sending and receiving e-mail in many cases a 6GB HD would be sufficient. If you are a photographer with many, many photos you might want a 40GB HD and even an external 40GB or larger HD.

In many cases your communications link is more important than RAM, HD, or CPU in terms of having a pleasant comuting experience. A 56K modem is slow while a DSL modem is 10 times faster and cable can be even faster.

So, I hope the above eliminates takes the tedium out of unknown acronyms and help make computing buzz words more down to earth. If you have others that I could explain let me know.

So, you have been reading about the new Vista OS and you wish to upgrade.

Whoa, take a deep breath!

If you already have XP then Microsoft plans on supporting it until 2012. Another six years. What's the rush! The typical cost of more RAM, upgraded CPU (might not be easy to do) and the license fee is estimated at $900.

Many people are still using Windows 98, even though Microsoft support is due to expire July 2006. If it isn't broke then maybe you should leave well enough alone and stick with your current OS as long as you can.

Intel and Motorola have both invested in Clearwire. Craig McCall, one of the founders and was a driving force in creating the Cellular Network.

Clearwire uses a wireless modem that can be plugged into a laptop. It works by transmitting signals to and from nearby cellular towers instead of using a traditional phone line. It currently is in a small number of cities in Oregon, California, Texas, North Carolina, etc., but has plans to go national. The current rates are $4.95 per month for the wifi-modem and $15 to $50 per month for the service, depending upon the speed. The system requirements seem minimal, as you only need Windows 98 and Ethernet card or USB port.

In order to play movies you need a DVD drive and DVD software. Most laptops that have a DVD drive include special DVD software and somtimes special hardware to allow you to play movies. The movies take a fair amount of Hard Drive space, typically 1GB, so you need a 10 to 20GB+ hard drive. Your laptop needs to be at least a Pentium 3, 500 MHz.

These days most people either buy DVDs or rent them and bring them home. New services are starting to spring up to provide them on-line.

RealNetworks, best known for its media player, and Starz Encore Group, best known for the Starz and Encore cable service, have teamed up to offer unlimited downloads from a rotating library of 100 movies for $12.95 a month. RealNetworks, best known for its media player, and Starz Encore Group, best known for the Starz and Encore cable service, have teamed up to offer unlimited downloads from a rotating library of 100 movies for $12.95 a month.

You need three things to get started with Starz: a Windows 98 S/E, Windows 2000 or Windows XP; RealNetworks' free RealPlayer 10 software; and a high-speed Internet connection such as a cable modem or DSL line. A two-hour movie takes about an hour or so to download.

Other companies offering Pay-Per-View Movies are: CinemaNow (www.cinemanow.com) and MovieLink (www.movielink.com).

I'm not sure these services are worth it at the moment, but given more time, faster connection I suspect that this type of service is in our future.