PC Doctor August 31, 2018

Have your computer questions answered here! Search the PC Doctor archive or submit a question of your own at info@athollibrary.org

Dear PC Doctor:

I was on the phone with tech support the other day and the person helping me asked about what “peripherals” I have. I know what peripheral vision is, but I had no idea what he was talking about. Can you tell me?

Thanks,

Tom

Dear Tom:

Sure! Your tech support person was asking what you have connected to your computer.

Usually, when people say “computer,” they mean the computer itself, the monitor, your keyboard and mouse (or the all-in-one set-up of a laptop). Peripherals are useful things you plug into the ports on your computer to help you accomplish various tasks. A printer is a peripheral. So are scanners, speakers, headphones, external hard drives, microphones, external webcams (though many computers have those built-in now), joysticks and other controllers for gaming, or anything else with a USB or HDMI interface that you can plug into and connect to your computer.

I hope this helps!

Until next time,

Happy Computing!

PC Doctor

Editor's Note: Questions should be directed to PC Doctor, care of the Athol Public Library, info@athollibrary.org or Athol Public Library, 568 Main St., Athol, Mass. 01331, or dropped off at the library.