What is a COM socket for?

[brownninja97]

I think this socket was used before my generation so i have no idea what its for, i know it isnt used anymore(much) but in case i have tackle it in the future it would be nice to know about it.

 

Google thinks its the cpu socket but im talking about this

http://youtu.be/Q42GhRS_o88?t=5m38s

 

[Liam-McShane]

I think it was for plugging in old peripheral devices like mice. Don't quote me on that, it's way way before my time

[Eroda]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_port

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COM_(hardware_interface)

[RatedBlam]

I think they are serial ports, and com is just the way windows refers to them. But I have no idea how to use them. Obvious guess is connecting stuff, we have a barcode scanner that plugs into one of those

[mr moose]

RS232, a serial interface for connecting modems, midi, General and specific IO devices.  We used to have to set the IRQ manually for each com and LPT (parralell port) so they wouldn't conflict.  I remember when we needed to share large files between 2 pc's we'd use a serial cable and run a linking program to transfer the files from one pc to another. No home networks back then, even small offices didn't have networks.

[Serbian_Souljah]

I use serial to connect to Cisco Routers and Switches. Not sure of many other uses these days.

[MrPete1985]

I use serial to connect to Cisco Routers and Switches. Not sure of many other uses these days.

That's all I have ever used them for myself.  Although the new routers and switches have support for USB console cables.