This page contains a ton of useful information for people of advanced, as well as modest, computer skills.

Types of Internet Connections
While technology changes at a rapid pace, so do Internet connections. This page explains the various types of Internet connections and the approximate speeds you can expect from each.

How E-mail Works
Sure, you use e-mail everyday of the week, but what do you really know about the technology that has profoundly changed how we communicate.

Ethernet Designations
IEEE 802.3 specifies a series of standards for telecommunication technology over Ethernet local-area networks. This chart details the different Ethernet designations and how they differ from one another.

IRQ Numbers
Prior to plug and play devices, users had to set IRQ values of devices manually when adding the device, such as a modem or printer, to a system. The following list of IRQ numbers specifies what each of the 16 IRQ lines are used for.

Dial-Up Modem Standards
The CCITT has classified dial-up modems according to modulation standards. Listed here are the standards and their different transmission speeds.

TCP Port Numbers
In TCP/IP and UDP networks, a port is an endpoint to a logical connection and the way a client program specifies a specific server program on a computer in a network. This list of well-known port numbers specifies the port used by the server process as its contact port.

N-Tier Application Architecture
N-tier application architecture provides a model for developers to create a flexible and reusable application. By breaking up an application into tiers, developers only have to modify or add a specific layer, rather than have to rewrite the entire application over, if they decide to change technologies or scale up.

Network Topology Diagrams
Not all networks are designed the same. Here are diagrams of five of the most common network layouts.

The Seven of Layers the OSI Model
Use this handy guide to compare the different layers of the OSI model and understand how they interact with each other.

Server Types
Different servers do different jobs, from serving e-mail and video to protecting internal networks and hosting Websites. Learn about the many types of servers used today.

Maximum Bandwidths
How fast is fast? This chart puts into perspective line speeds used in Internet backbones, LANs, and WANs.

Microprocessor Comparison
Clear up any or all processor confusion with this cut-to-the-chase comparison chart.

Who's Who in Internet and Computer Technology
The people listed in this section have made major contributions to the field of computer and Internet technology. As the technology leaps forward at a rapid pace, the list will continue to grow as new innovators make their mark on the industry.

Characters and ASCII Equivalents
The CCITT has classified dial-up modems according to modulation standards. Listed here are the standards and their different transmission speeds.

Domain Extensions and the Country of Origin
Not all domains end in .com, .org, or .edu. Different countries use different suffixes, usually two letters. If you encounter a website with a unique two-letter domain extension, look here for its country equivalent.

Internet Error Messages
Ever encounter an error on your way to a website? Of course you have. Don't worry; you'll be glad to know most of them have nothing to do with your PC. It's usually the other guy's fault. Here are some of the more common errors you'll see on the Internet.

Data Formats and Their File Extensions
Have you ever encountered a file extension that you're not familiar with? Check out this extensive list of known data formats and their corresponding file extension.

Preventive Maintenance of a PC
There are preventive measures that a computer user can take to decrease the likelihood of running into problems with the computer's smooth and efficient operation and also to lessen any damage that does occur. This is my list of the top 15 tips.

Wireless LAN Standards
Are you looking for some help in preparing your Wireless Area Network (WAN). The chart that's on this page will provide some quick information to help you differentiate between the available wireless networking standards.

File Size Conversion Table
This table shows the relationship between the file storage sizes that computers use. Binary calculations are based on units of 1,024, and decimal calculations are based on units of 1,000.

BIOS Beep Codes
Because there are many brands of BIOS, there are no standard beep codes for every BIOS. The two most-used brands are AMI (American Megatrends International) and Phoenix. This page lists the beep codes for AMI systems and Phoenix.

The Digital Camera Picture
If you can't keep up with advances in digital cameras, you're not alone. We help you make sense of megapixels, zero in on the zooms (digital, optical and total) and delve into everything from price points to paper to printers.

A Guide to System Memory
Think deciding what computer to buy can be complicated? Just wait until you need to upgrade your system memory. I'll take you inside Random Access Memory (RAM) with a special focus on DRAM, which is — for now, anyway — the most common and affordable variety.

Removable Storage Reference
Regardless of how big hard drive capacities get, there will always be a need for removable storage. I discuss three technologies used to record and store data on the removable media: magnetic, optical and solid state.

Fiber Optical Networks, a Quick Reference
By transmitting data digitally over fiber, optical networks offer increased bandwidth as well as provide higher capacity and reduce overall costs.

Understanding Graphics File Formats
Graphics file format are not created equal, each is designed to address a specific issue. Knowing not only which one to use, but when and how to use it is the key to presenting pleasing images efficiently.

An Introduction To Fonts
Postscript vs. TrueType, bitmap vs. vector, screen vs. printer... Font technology changed the way we used computers, but why are they so darn confusing?

DVD Regional (Country) Codes
DVD movies are usually coded with what is called a country or regional code or a zone lock. The three names, however, mean the same thing.

Internet Top-Level Domains
This page contains a complete list of Internet top-level domains. New top-level domains are added periodically and I try to keep this list reasonably updated. The last update was in April of 2006.