USB
is essentially just a sophisticated type of port for connecting peripherals
to your computer. The great thing is that it beats out previous PC and Mac port
standards on practically every count. Besides USB, there are four ways to connect
devices to your computer: serial, parallel, SCSI (Small Computer System Interface),
and ADB (Apple Desktop Bus).
The
slowest of all ports is ADB, found only on older Apple computers. Like USB,
this bus can be used to connect many devices at once. Problem is, you wouldn't
want to connect extra devices to ADB, because it would slow any attached peripheral
to a crawl. Next on the slow train are serial ports. Not only are they pokey,
but they handle just one device at a time. Luckily you usually have 2 of these,
but different sizes 9-pin and 25-pin. You're forced to plug in the printer,
take the printer out, plug the modem, take the modem out: a game that's a non-issue
with USB. Parallel ports are faster, but they are still only a tenth of the
speed of USB, and they don't let you hook up multiple devices without some difficulties.
Plus, serial and parallel ports are for Windows-based machines only, shutting
down opportunities for cross-platform peripherals.
The
brawniest of current port standards is SCSI (pronounced scuzzy). It speeds
past all current standards, even USB, and lets you connect many devices at once.
The process of hooking devices together is called daisy chaining, and
it is part of what keeps SCSI from being the dream port. Basically, configuring
a SCSI chain is a nightmare proposition, as is installing SCSI on a computer
that doesn't already have it. Most Macs have SCSI built in, but many PCs don't.
Though SCSI is speedy and can handle quite a few devices at once, USB wins:
it's able to hold a daisy chain of up to 127 devices, provided that each device
you plug in has both an input and output port (called a pass-through port),
though this is not widely used.
The
best alternative for both Windows- and Mac OS-based machines is USB ports: they
are easy to use, faster than parallel and serial ports, and can support dozens
of hardware devices per port. USB will allow you to transform the box you call
your computer into an entertainment center without making you wield a single
screwdriver. USB devices are easy to install and run, and can be unplugged and
swapped around in a heartbeat. They include sound gear, video cameras, still
cameras, printers, scanners, and more.
Problem 1: Desktops mostly come with 2 ports, laptops 1. At least on the laptop it is easy to access. The desktop’s ports are usually in the back with all the other ports.
Solution 1: If you plan on using more than 2 devices, add a “HUB” and turn 1 port into 2, 4, or 8. The HUB has also been incorporated in some monitors so you don’t have to be troubled with a spider web of wires in the back on the machine.
Problem 2: The original Windows 95 and NT 4.0 do not support USB without a Supplement or Service Release from Microsoft.
Solution 2: It is easy to download and install in most cases. Windows 95B, 98 and 2000 are fully compatible with USB.
Problem 3: Installing a USB device.
Solution 3: Not a problem at all. The 1st time you hook up your USB device it will ask you to insert the driver CD or floppy disk so that it can setup the device. The next time you hook it up, it will automatically be ready to use.
Daniel Bissell
Email: dbisse@lsuhsc.edu