ACCESSORIES In the digital field, there are some accessories that are essential and some that are either helpful or fun, like the Webcam. This is a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment (rather resembling an old fashioned diving helmet) that attaches to the computer for capturing still or moving images. These can then be viewed instantly on your monitor or sent via email, with or without sound. It is a great way of sharing moments with friends or family but it can also be used in the same way for business conferences or meetings. The essentials come under the umbrella of consumables and include the all important paper and inks. Consumables You will probably find the most costly element in this whole section is the ink. If you intend to print all your own work you will find the printer positively drinking ink! Some set ups are more cost effective than others using single colour cartridges rather than combined where the whole unit must be exchanged when only one colour is exhausted. Printer manufacturers produce their own inks but some independent makes are compatible (always check the manufacturer's guarantee before using other name brands). The second most expensive item is the paper. There is a medium for just about any project you may wish to undertake - plain, matt, gloss, photo, single/double sided, high resolution, satin most from 6"x 4" to A3 - with the superior paper having an archival quality of 25 years plus. For letters and documents the weight would average 60gms to 100gms per sheet while for graphics or images an ideal weight would be 150 to 270gms with some specialist papers up to the 500grm range. Whatever you choose, in photography it is best to use a coated paper as this will stop the ink from 'smudging'. Either a single or double sided coating will ensure that the inks do not 'bleed' into each other thereby producing a crisp, sharp image. Paper is made to be compatible with 'own' make printers although, like the inks, independents work well with a variety of different models - but check the drying time of the inks, some finishes can be quite wet and although they dry out can remain tacky (this is due to the incompatibility of the ink on the surface coating). Card comes in varying weights and sizes and is ideal for invitations or business and greetings cards, with sheets either pre-sized or perforated. Packs of (usually) A4 sheets joined by perforations are great for banner printing while the 'iron on' transfer paper is easy to use on T-shirts etc. Storage For digital photography, images are stored on memory cards which are wiped clean for re-use after being downloaded onto your computer. These cards come in a range of memory capacities from 8MB to the professional 1GB and can be inserted into an adapter and read like a floppy in the disk drive of your PC. To assist download times, a card reader can be connected to your PC or laptop giving faster image transfer, not only saving time but camera batteries. For the serious photographer, there is now available a portable battery powered unit to store thousands of images or data - ideal for holidays or locations - but this gadget is expensive. For digital photography, images are stored on memory cards which are wiped clean for re-use after being downloaded onto your computer. These cards come in a range of memory capacities from 8MB to the professional 1GB and can be inserted into an adapter and read like a floppy in the disk drive of your PC. To assist download times, a card reader can be connected to your PC or laptop giving faster image transfer, not only saving time but camera batteries. For the serious photographer, there is now available a portable battery powered unit to store thousands of images or data - ideal for holidays or locations - but this gadget is expensive. CD Roms, Zip and Floppy Disks are all ways of storing memory, the CD having a greater storage facility than the Floppy. The Zip is a portable system that can store up to 250MB of uncompressed data but like the CD writer for CD Roms, a zip drive needs to be connected to the computer hardware. No matter what method you choose, there will always be a use for the numerous cases, boxes, racks and towers on offer which make for easy identification of your stored work. The workstation There are many versions of the basic hardware elements - ergonomically designed or software compatible keyboards (some with wrist pillows), special arms for easy adjustments of monitors, holders for document or screens and filters which fit over the monitor giving glare reduction and radiation protection. The mouse comes with two, three or four control buttons, cord or cordless, with scroll or trackball facilities to use on mats of your choice. Some people find the wrist supports on the mats are a great help by reducing wrist strain but they can take some getting used to. For precise work, artpads and pens make drawing and manipulation control easier and more accurate. If you intend to use a range of computer hardware in your business or hobby, it is worth looking for a specially made 'workstation', designed for ease of use and accessibility of your equipment. They will have shelves and spaces to house most of your hardware and invariably come with a slide away keyboard shelf. From personal experience, an essential item is a good chair with armrests! Whatever uses you put your computer to, it is advisable to invest in surge protectors for plugs and adapters. They will protect your equipment and data from damage by unexpected surges in electrical power. Having invested in your digital equipment, whether used at home or not, one important factor to consider is Insurance - check your policies to ensure adequate cover is in place should the unthinkable happen!