Wired
Power Up

Dear Web Editor,

I have a Power Macintosh G3 tower computer. It's a couple of years old now and I'm thinking about getting a new/faster computer. Is there a way to upgrade what I have without buying an entirely new system? Plus, if I get an entirely new system, what do I do with the old one?

Bryan Massengale
Elementary music teacher
Dayton, Tennessee

To decide whether to upgrade your system, start by asking yourself, "How comfortable will I be working under the hood of my computer?" If your answer is very comfortable--and you really should be before attempting an upgrade--then upgrading your computer may be a good option.

A variety of factors, more than can be covered in this column, influence whether an upgrade succeeds and makes economic sense.

The biggest difference you can make to your computer's performance is to increase the speed of the hardware. You can do this by 1) adding more RAM (random access memory) to the computer and 2) replacing the CPU (central processing unit). For our novice readers, the CPU is a chip that functions as the computer's brain and manages all of the computer's operations.

Adding more RAM usually is a simple, effective, and reasonably inexpensive way to boost the speed of a computer. The additional RAM makes the computer less reliant on its relatively slow hard disk. Consequently, applications such as graphics programs and sophisticated word processing programs, which are memory hungry, run much faster.

Replacing the CPU is a slightly more difficult task. The process requires careful research to select the correct upgrade for a given computer, and it usually is a little more difficult for the nontechnical user to make the replacement. In addition, it can often be an expensive upgrade.

If you decide to replace the CPU, start by determining what speed and what kind of CPU chip you need. A computer's CPU speed is measured in megahertz (MHz)--the higher the megahertz assigned to a chip, the faster it can process information. Because companies constantly update specifications and availability of their product, I suggest you check with the manufacturer to verify current upgrade options.

Check out www.xlr8yourmac.com/G3-ZONE/ for the latest information and tips about upgrading your Apple G3 PowerPC. Windows OS users should check out PC World's online upgrade guide at www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article/0,aid,38605,00.asp.

If you decide to buy a new system, consider donating your old computer to a school. Although not all schools accept outdated computers (the need for technical support to maintain older hardware often outweighs its benefits to the classroom), those that do benefit by decreasing the student-computer ratio. What do you get in return? Aside from knowing you're helping kids gain access to a powerful learning tool, your donation may qualify you for an additional tax break.

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Techno Tips

Digital Slide Shows
I keep a digital camera on my desk that students use to record events and activities in the classroom. They might photograph other students working on a project, a visitor to the room, or anything else that excites them.

Then, when they have some free time, they go to the computer, download the pictures, and assemble them into short PowerPoint® presentations. They make a title slide with a name for the activity featured in the photographs and the date for each presentation.

One computer in the room is connected to a classroom monitor, and students can show their presentations on the monitor as looped slide shows. The slide shows are a hit with parents at open houses and parent-teacher conferences. We also post some of the slide shows on our classroom website so parents can see what is happening in our classroom.

Kathleen Nicholson
Fourth-grade teacher
Amherst, Wisconsin

Web-Based Word Puzzles
Instead of having students do the same activities each week to practice their spelling words, I created spelling folders for my students that contain lists of 25 different activities they can do. Two of the activities listed ask students to use the spelling words in a crossword puzzle or a word search, which a fellow student then completes.

I found a great website to help them with these tasks: http://www.puzzle-maker.com. The students love going to the site to make their word searches and crossword puzzles. The site includes clear, easy-to-follow directions for each kind of puzzle. I also use the site to make word searches and crossword puzzles in other subject areas. You can make math puzzles, cryptograms, falling phrases, and double puzzles at the site as well.

Corinna Erickson
Sixth-grade teacher
Wabasso, Minnesota