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USB stands for Universal
Serial Bus and is the replacement for the older serial and parallel
port system that IBM compatibles have used since "Day One" in 1981.
This is a hardware feature of newer motherboards although even the newest
of computers may not have this standard available.)
This article was
written based on information regarding USB at www.usb.org.
This site also has a freeware program to download to see if your computer
is USB compatible. I gleaned the following FAQ (frequently asked questions)
file from that site.
Will I need special
software to run USB?
No separate software should be needed. USB driver support is built-in
to the latest versions of the Windows operating system. You will need
a current version of Windows. You can tell if you have the USB-compliant
version of Windows installed by using a free USB evaluation utility
(revision 3.01) that you can download directly from this site.
Is USB available
on mobile computers in addition to desktops? USB is currently a
key feature on many notebook computers from leading manufacturers, including
Hitachi, NEC, Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba. One great advantage of USB
is that it allows notebook users to flexibly share peripheral devices.
What are the
best applications for USB?
USB plays a key role in three fast-growing areas: digital imaging, PC
telephony and multimedia games. The presence of USB ports or connectors
means that PCs and peripherals will work together, with a high degree
of reliability in these exciting new application areas. USB opens the
door to new levels of innovation and ease of use for input devices,
such as the new generation of "force-feedback" digital joysticks.
What kinds of
USB peripherals can I connect to my PC?
USB carries data at the rate of 12 megabits per second, which is sufficient
for medium to low-speed peripherals. This broad category includes telephones,
digital cameras, modems, keyboards, mice, digital joysticks, some CD-ROM
drives, tape and floppy drives, digital scanners and specialty printers.
USB's data rate also accommodates a whole new generation of peripherals,
including MPEG-2 video-base products, data gloves and digitizers. Computer-telephony
integration is expected to be a big growth area for PCs, and USB can
provide an interface for Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
and digital PBXs.
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Will traditional PC serial and parallel ports disappear?
While
USB will not replace traditional PC ports overnight, it is expected
to rapidly become the preferred means of connecting I/O devices (like
digital joysticks), as well as "medium-speed" peripherals such as phones,
scanners and digital cameras. Higher-speed peripherals, such as mass
storage devices, will require connectivity with higher data rates than
USB currently provides. PCs will feature USB ports together with these
higher-speed connections.
Does USB affect the cost of PCs and peripheral devices?
USB is a built-in feature of most PC chip sets, as well as operating
system and other system software. It does not significantly affect PC
prices. By eliminating add-in cards and separate power supplies, USB
can help make PC peripheral devices more affordable than they otherwise
would be. In addition, USB's "hot-swapping" capability allows business
users to easily attach and detach peripherals. Device sharing can reduce
the cost of ownership of such equipment.
How many USB peripherals can I connect at once?
Technically, you can connect up to 127 individual USB peripherals at
one time. It's interesting to note that just one USB plug must be connected
to the USB port on the PC. Other connections may be made on the desktop,
using USB ports on hub peripherals.
How many USB products are being developed?
The industry's leading manufacturers are developing more than 250 individual
USB products.
Where can I find out what USB products are currently available...or
on the way?
You've come to the right place! The Web site at the beginning of this
article will highlight current USB products and provide an updated list
of new products due for release.
Where can I learn more technical details about USB?
Technical
presentations and other details are available from the USB Implementers
Forum on the USB Web site, as well as directly from USB-IF member companies.
This article originally appeared in PC Post, the Modesto
PC Users' Group newsletter.
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