Getting Set UpPutting It Together

You've got your basic computer set up, and now you want to kick it up a notch. The list of extras you can buy (or put on your birthday list) for a computer is long, and it includes items for every budget. An example of a very inexpensive accessory is a mouse pad-some people don't use one, but I wouldn't be without it). On the high end, there are projectors-I have no use for one, but some people use them every day.

But I think we can all agree on the vital necessity of a USB -powered lava lamp. OK, maybe not.

Things That Some People Say Are Basic Equipment

Beyond the basics, we've listed a few accessories that everyone should consider buying for their computer. None of them will let you use your computer in ways you haven't already been able to, but they will make life just a little bit easier and possibly more fun:

• A surge protector protects your computer and other equipment from short-lived periods of unusually high power in the electrical lines. The most common causes are nearby lightning strikes or when the electric service is restored after a power outage.

• An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) helps protect your data in case of a power outage. A UPS isn't designed to let you continue working for a long period of time; the idea is that it prevents your computer from shutting down unexpectedly when the power goes out, so that you can save your work.
• External speakers provide better sound than the puny ones built into most computers (some desktop machines don't include any internal speaker at all). Even if your computer came with speakers, consider upgrading theme to get more enjoyment out of digital music and other media.
• Wrist rests for keyboards and mice are designed to elevate your wrists to keep them straight as you type and use the mouse. Wrist rests prevent you from bending your wrists, which increases the pressure on their ligaments and blood vessels, and in turn increases the risk of repetitive-stress injuries (such as carpal-tunnel syndrome).
• Screen filters are translucent covers that fit over your computer display . Along with a specific filter, they can help to:
  • Reduce the glare from reflections.
  • Cut down on eye strain by blocking some of the display's ultraviolet light.
  • Enhance privacy by making it harder for others to read your screen at an angle.

Specialty Items You May Find Useful

Many people find that they need additional equipment for their computers to accomplish specific tasks. The accessories we've listed here will help you discover new uses for your computer:

• Webcams come built into many Apple and other computers, and they are available separately as an addition to other computers. One especially cool thing they let you do is videoconference (see our article, "Videoconferencing for Beginners")-every new grandmother's favorite way to check in on the grandkids.
• Microphones are an obvious partner to webcams, so you can send out your voice as well as your picture; they also let you do karaoke in the privacy of your own home. For the truly inspired, you can even buy special voice-recognition software that lets you control your computer using your voice.
• External hard drives connect to your computer with a cable to provide you with extra storage that lets you store large amounts of data like media files. They are also useful for backing up your computer data for safekeeping (see our article, Backing up Your Computer).
• Projectors provide an external display option for people who want to show material from their computers to large audiences. Also available-and especially useful for people like sales reps and realtors, who make presentations on the go-are portable models that easily fit into a small case.
• Digital tablets and digital pens let you draw on a surface just as you would with an ordinary pen or pencil, and whatever you draw is automatically transferred to the computer. These used to be strictly for professional designers, but they have come down enough in price to be accessible to the general public.

Considerations Just For Fun

• Wireless peripherals, like a keyboard and mouse that connect to your computer with a wireless signal, eliminate some of the wires from the top of your desk, which keeps things a little bit neater. They're also cool.
• Silly mouse pads are always worth considering. Whether they have a vacation picture on them, your favorite cartoon character, or a team mascot, they can brighten up your workspace, and we can all use a bit of that.
• USB toys are a family of completely unessential devices that plug into a USB port on your computer for power. I have seen USB-powered lava lamps, electric snowmen, and desktop aquariums (a personal favorite). Go on-express yourself.