Review Basic Computer Information

Computer based support groups/communities are becoming more and more common, as well as patients accessing their personal health information online.  With the increased frequency of patients accessing health information online, it is important to review some basics.  The following are some definitions to remember:

• Internet Service Providers- Provide services for accessing the internet. Internet providers can be commercial, local, privately-owned or community-owned. Some options include: Comcast, AT&T, Century Link, Qwest, and Utopia.
• Browser- the software application that provides access to the internet.  Some examples are Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox.

• Broadband- the word for high-speed internet.  This is what allows for patients to meet with a physician, regardless of their proximity to the physician’s office.  It also allows patients to upload their information online to a patient portal, in order for a physician to review.
• Wireless Access- Also known as Wi-Fi, is a way of getting broadband without having to connect to actual wires. It also allows multiple computers or devices, in the same area, to connect wirelessly to the internet at the same time.
• Bandwidth- describes the amount of information that can be transmitted in a certain amount of time. When multiple devices are downloading or streaming at the same time, they can both slow down, however, with more bandwidth this can be avoided.
• Random Access Memory (RAM)- short-term memory for a computer.  It allows for programs to be activated on a computer.  The more RAM a computer has, the faster it processes data and the better the ability of the computer to multitask.
• Cloud Computing- Computer services that are used over the internet, rather than through a server.  Data is saved and managed online.  This allows for health information to be saved on a file that can be accessed or edited from any location where the internet can be accessed.