2525CHAPTERExpandingYour SystemAs mentioned early on in (Web site traffic) this book,
2525CHAPTERExpandingYour SystemAs mentioned early on in this book, Windows XP iscomputer software. Specifically, Windows XP isyour computer s operating system. Every computerneeds an operating system to work, because the operat- ing system pulls together the various components thatmake up a computer system. The operating system alsodetermines how you, the user, operate the computer. Windows XP is also your computer s platform thatterm comes from the fact that there are other programsthat can run on top of Windows XP. We generally referto those other programs as application programs, appli- cations,or appsfor short. There are literally thousandsof optional application programs you can purchase, install, and use with Windows XP. There are also thou- sands of hardware devices you can purchase, install, and use with Windows XP. Learning About Hardware andSoftware for Windows XPIf the whole concept of buying optional hardware andsoftware is new to you, it wouldn t hurt to just browsearound a large computer store or even around one ofthe large office-supply chain stores just to see whatkinds of things are available to you. You can also checkout many Windows XP-compatible programs (software) and hardware devices online. Just use your Webbrowser to go to www.WindowsCatalog.com. When youget to the home page, click the Software tab to viewsome available programs, or click the Hardware tab tosee examples of devices. After you re on either of those pages, you can click anycategory name in the left column. Then click any sub- category name on the next page that appears. You ll seea listing of Windows XP-compatible products you canpurchase and install. (Don t worry about accidentally …In This ChapterLearning abouthardware and softwarefor Windows XPPlaying it safe withinstallationsInstalling new softwareInstalling newhardwareUninstalling programsUninstalling hardwareRestoring your systemfiles …
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