YOHI WORLD FUTURE -- EQUIPMENT

A Personal Computer	Needs to be of sufficient capacity and power to 'multi-task' easily, handle video and large files in the range of 10 meg or so, and have sufficient storage space on the hard drive for at least 1 gig --JUST for the Yohi project. It needs to have a standard 3.5 floppy drive and at least CD capability -- with DVD as a recommended option as well. The 'capability' I mention with respect to the CD and DVD is not just the ability to 'run' programs using those discs, but ALSO to be able to 'burn' [create] discs of that type. Further, I found it NOT convenient to BACKUP my work on CD/DVD's, and used a 100 / 250 meg ZIP drive. It is FAST, and easier and far more efficient than a CD in every way. A CD / DVD is slow, and totally inefficient by comparison -- but of course will do the job. You MUST have a BACKUP of every thing you do and you MUST NOT consider what is on the site itself on the 'net' as being your backup -- it MUST be separate from your hard drive, verified to be complete, be in your possession at all times. You MUST be able to recover quickly and completely with minimum effort from a 'crash' on your PC, or 'sudden' removal of the site from the net by the 'host'.
Monitor	Although a standard one will 'get by', I recommend the monitor be a special purchase with a greater capability -- one that permits exceptional viewing and editing capability which is needed when working on high resolution 16 million color PHOTOGRAPHS. Now days the difference between a standard monitor and a good one is about $200.00. A standard 24-26 dot pitch monitor normally will not handle the work -- you will need to discuss it with your local store.
Printer	A standard non dot matrix one will probably suffice -- if you are NOT going to be producing multicolor 'labels' or documents of that type. Otherwise, you will need to invest a little more and get one with improved capability.
Copier	Not essential as you can do that in the local print shop, but it sure is handy to have in the home.
Scanner	Color capable and of the flat bed type, is need for preparation of memorabilia. The more 'capable' the better.
Modem	Essential for connection to the internet and the management of the site. Upgrade to 'cable', DSL optional.....
Surge Protector [electric and phone]	Essential to protect your investment in the computer....... I have lost one computer due to a lightening strike nearby which came along the telephone line in the neighbor hood down to my home and fried my computer.
Phone	A dedicated phone line to the 'internet' is desirable but not essential. There may be times again develop when you will be spending many hours at time uploading files......... and a spouse will not appreciate your tying up the phone line that long. I have automatically uploaded files for 27 hours once. I use a separate line.
Standard Office Equipment / Supplies	Regular supplies and equipment to run an office. Paper, glue, stapler, paper clips, file boxes ..................

Word Processor	There are a number of 'word processors' available for preparation of documents in the 'written or text' form. I happen to use Microsoft 'Word for Windows'. Unless the 'processor' comes with the purchase of your PC -- it will cost you a couple hundred to buy one.
HTML Editor	Again, there are a number of 'editors' of Hypertext Markup Language -- the coding needed and used to design and place material on web pages so that they may be displayed and viewed on a multitude of 'browsers' on the internet, or one's computer. I use Microsoft FrontPage 3 -- and it costs now about $200.00. HTML is not yet a universal language thus some material on some pages will not be seen by EVERYONE because of that problem. Not everyone uses the same 'browser' on the internet and or computer. Obviously, everything 'works' on the computer in which it was created on; however, many things will NOT work, or appear entirely different on the 'browsers' other people use -- even differently on different versions of the same 'browser' software. I know of no solution at this time, except to create your work where it will 'work' with the most popular 'browsers' -- Microsoft Internet Explorer first, then Netscape. This is a complicated issue -- for example, the power of the computer also effects the display of the material -- low end computers take a long time to load up BIG files or render them incompletely or even lock up...................
A 'Browser'	The software used to view web pages -- one normally comes standard now with the purchase of a PC. Some upgrades must be purchased. I use MIE.
Image Editor	A program which permits you to totally manage images -- perform all the enhancement functions necessary to produce an image in a form acceptable for insertion on a web page....... Many available -- up to $200.00. I use Paint Shop Pro 3.11.
Animation Editor	An 'editor' which permits you to create or alter animation 'GIF' files. Sometimes comes standard with an HTML editor, otherwise $50.00. I now use the 'animator' that comes with FrontPage.
A 'Host'	The 'host' we use for the web site is an agency called Server Pro. They provide us with storage space for 1 gig of files and alot of other services. Annual cost is presently $210.00 per year [Feb to Feb]
FTP	File Transfer Protocol. A program that permits you to upload and manage your files stored at the 'host' location. Some internet connection 'servers' like AOL, and some 'hosts' -- like Server Pro which is our 'host' -- provide FTP free for use on THEIR site and is of their design. In my experience with I guess 10 'servers' and 'hosts' these past 9 years NONE of them are adequate for the job -- they are clumsy and labor intensive. The best program I have found is WS_FTP Home Edition by Ipswitch, but there are others out there. Prior to the advent of Windows XP, WS_FTP was provided as freeware -- but for use on XP computers it costs $35,00.
Spyware	To protect you from contamination of your computer system by persons who want to deny or limit your access to the 'internet' by placing 'ads' on your system that prevent you from free movement on the 'net'. Despite the fact that your 'server' may offer a free service to prevent this, it only works as long as you stay within the limits of that 'server'. I use AOL and they provide a free service but it DOES NOT work once you pass through the portal and go out to the internet at large -- where the web site is located. I actually was prevented from going to the web site for 3 weeks by this new gimmick -- until I bought SPYWARE which cleaned it up and has kept it clean. Actually I first obtained 3 others programs for free and none of them worked. Cost $30.00, with annual subscription.
Virus Protection	To protect you from contamination of your computer system by persons who want to deny or limit your access to the 'internet' by causing loading problems or crashing your computer. Despite the fact that your 'server' may offer a free service to prevent this, it only works as long as you stay within the limits of that 'server'. I use AOL and they provide a free service but it DOES NOT work once you pass through the portal and go out to the internet at large -- where the web site is located. I now use Norton Utilities. Cost $40.00, with annual subscription.
Firewall Protection	To protect you from contamination of your computer system by persons who want to deny or limit your access to the 'internet' by causing loading problems or crashing your computer. Despite the fact that your 'server' may offer a free service to prevent this, it only works as long as you stay within the limits of that 'server'. I use AOL and they provide a free service but it DOES NOT work once you pass through the portal and go out to the internet at large -- where the web site is located. I use Norton Firewall. Cost $33.00, with annual subscription.
Internet Access	Before you can obtain a 'host' and create a web site, you must purchase access to the internet itself -- from a 'server' or Internet Service Provider [ISP]. There are many 'servers' out there. I use AOL, which as a 'senior' costs me $22.00 per month.
Photo Browser	You need the capability to view quickly and en-mass large quantities of pictures on your hard drive for a number of reasons. In the past you needed a special program which would place on your screen as many as 1000 'thumbnails' at a time [by scrolling] to select from. Those programs cost about $25.00 and there were a number of them available. Through Windows 98 version there was no built in system dealing with this problem -- thus the need for the special program. However, I discover with Windows XP there is a built in feature that permits you view multiple pages of 'thumbnails'. I do not know about versions of Windows between 98 and XP. Perhaps some graphic [image] programs include that feature as well -- I don't know.
Text Editor	As you work with alumni who will be sending you memorabilia -- it comes in many forms, you must be able to receive that data via e-mail and then process it through an editor so you can view it. Material comes to you in formats that require use of Adobe Acrobat, or comes compressed in ZIP format and you must PKZIP to view it, or it comes in ASCII and you must use PC Tools / Word or .......... Those are just a few examples. Some of these programs come standard with your computer, or are downloadable from the net, or you must purchase them -- it all depends on the circumstances unique to your equipment and skills.
Sound Editor	Music is a part of the web site -- and should be. So you need software to edit or create it fit at places on the site. There are a number of programs out there -- about $30.00.
Color Generator	Creation is the name of the game for a web site as you are constantly designing this and that. A color generator is just a simple program that permits you to identify the hex-decimal code for placement of specific colors into a page. Downloadable or perhaps $10.00 as shareware.
Domain Name	A domain name is required for each web site -- it is the address of the web site so visitors can find it on the internet. It's like your own street address. Our current domain name is valid through 2011 and cost $69.50 on a special deal negotiated by Jan Sims. It will cost now far more than that for the next one.