Big questions answered

Computers are now so commonplace that it is all too easy to take them for granted.

But for anyone just starting out in the world of computing, there are so many myths and rumours that it can be hard to know what to believe.

Urban myths can very quickly gain notoriety, so we’re going to shed light on them to reveal what is fact, what is fiction and what has been simply misunderstood through the years. Join us as we reveal everything you ever wanted to know about computing but were afraid to ask.

Are there any health risks associated with wireless home networks?
In a word, no. Wireless networks and Bluetooth devices broadcast using the same frequency as microwaves and cordless telephones, but their power output is considerably lower. Research has found that even in the vicinity of multiple wireless networks, the power levels of radio waves are well below the maximum considered safe for humans. Detailed information about the research that has been carried out can be found on the Health Protection Agency website.

Can software break my hardware?
This is highly unlikely, with the possible exception of graphics card drivers. While Windows should limit the graphics card to displaying modes supported by your monitor, this may not be the case. This in turn can make it possible to select a resolution or a refresh rate, that is beyond your monitor’s capabilities. In the worst-case scenario this could cause permanent damage to the monitor, but it is more likely that Windows will simply refuse to display the unsupported settings and revert to the previous settings after a short pause.

Did Microsoft steal Windows?
Not in the strictest sense of the word. It is certainly true to say that Windows has borrowed ideas quite heavily from other operating systems (OS), such as Mac OS, and at one point even entered into a licensing deal with Apple. In the early days of Windows, Microsoft was quite strongly influenced by Apple’s operating system and Windows 3.0 included many of the same ideas. Ever since, new releases of Windows and Mac OS have been accompanied by heated debates over which company had a particular idea first – but these are debates limited to forums and chat rooms. We should point out that Apple’s original OS owes rather a lot to one produced by Xerox in the 1980s.

Are PCs better than Macs?
The choice between Mac and PC boils down to a matter of personal preference. Many people are under the impression that Macs cost significantly more than PCs and, while this used to be true, it is no longer the case. There is nothing that can be done on a Mac that cannot be done on a PC (and vice versa), and while individual software titles may not be available on both platforms, there is almost always an alternative.

One of the reasons PCs have proved more popular is the fact that there is generally a greater support for hardware – with such widespread use of Windows this is the platform that most hardware and software producers develop for, although in more recent times Macs have become more mainstream. We hope to include more content about Macs in the future.

Are viruses made by anti-virus firms?
This is a thought that has crossed the minds of many a computer user over the years – would it not make sense for a company to produce viruses for which they can then sell protection? In reality, it would not make sense as the risks are simply too high.

The big anti-virus companies are open to public scrutiny. Damages that would have to be paid should such a scam be uncovered would far outweigh any profits that had been made through software sales. Distributing viruses is also a criminal offence in many countries.

Can the magnet in a speaker wipe my hard disk?
It is likely that this myth stemmed from the days of floppy disks when a magnet could indeed wipe out any data stored on such a disk. While it is technically possible to destroy a hard disk with a magnet, it would need to be a magnet of such industrial strength that holding one would leave you at greater risk of attracting passing traffic through your front wall. And because the technology used in memory cards is not magnetic, magnets have no effect on them.