What is a Computer.docx1010101

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What is a Computer?

A computeris an electronic device that manipulates information, or "data." It has the ability to

store, retrieve, and processdata. You can use a computer to type documents, send email, andbrowse the internet. You can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database

management, presentations, games, and more.

Watch the video to learn about different types of computers.

Computers Simplified

For beginning computer users, the computer aisles at an electronics store can be quite a mystery,not to mention overwhelming. However, computers really aren't that mysterious. All types of

computers consist of two basic parts:

Hardwareis any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the computermonitor or keyboard.

Softwareis any set of instructionsthat tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides thehardware and tells it how to accomplish each task. Some examples of software are web

browsers, games, and word processors such as Microsoft Word.

A motherboard (hardware)


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Microsoft Word (software)

Anything you buy for your computer can be classified as either hardware or software. Once youlearn more about these items, computers are actually very straightforward.

The first electronic computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), wasdeveloped in 1946. It took up 1,800 square feet and weighed 30 tons.

Types of Computers

Desktop Computers

A desktop computer

Many people use desktop computersat work, home, school, or the library. They can be small,

medium, or large in style, and usually sit on a desk. Once you add a monitor, mouse, and akeyboard, you have what is typically known as a desktop computer.

Most desktop computers are easy to upgradeand expand, or add new parts. Another benefit ofdesktop computers is the cost. If you compare a desktopand a laptopwith the same features,

you will most likely find that the desktop computer is priced lower.


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Some desktop computers have a built-in monitor to save space. These are often called all-in-one

desktop computers.

Laptop Computers

A laptop computer

The second type of computer that you may be familiar with is a laptop computer, or a laptop.Laptops are battery- or AC-powered personal computers that are more portablethan desktop

computers, allowing you to use them almost anywhere.

Since a laptop is smaller than a desktop, it's more difficult to access the internal components.

That means you may not be able to upgrade them as much as a desktop. However, it's usually

possible to add more RAMor a bigger hard drive.

A laptopcomputer is sometimes called a notebook computerbecause of its size.

Servers

A server room


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A serveris a computer that "serves up" information to other computers on a network. Manybusinesses have file serversthat employees can use to store and share files. A server can look

like a regular desktop computer, or it can be much larger.

Servers also play an important role in making the internet work: They are where webpagesare

stored. When you use your browser to click a link, a web serverdelivers the page you requested.

Other Types of Computers

Today, there lots of everyday devices that are basically specialized computers, even though we

don't always think of them as computers. Here are a few common examples:

The iPad, a type of tablet computer

Tablet Computers:These use a touch-sensitive screenfor typing and navigation. Since theydon't require a keyboard or mouse, tablet computers are even more portable than laptops. The

iPadis an example of a tablet computer.

Mobile Phones:Many mobile phones can do a lot of things a computer can do, such as browsingthe internet or playing games. These phones are often called smartphones.

Game Consoles: A game consoleis a specialized kind of computer that is used for playing videogames. Although they are not as fully featured as a desktop computer, many newer consoles,

such as the Nintendo Wii, allow you to do non-gaming tasks like browsing the internet.

TVs:Many TVs now include applications(or apps) that let you access various types of onlinecontent. For example, you can view your Facebook news feedor watch streaming movies on

Netflix.


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PCs and Macs

Personal computers come in two main "styles:" PCand Mac. Both styles are fully functional,

but they do have a different look and feel, and many people prefer one or the other.

A PC

A Mac

PC:This type of computer began with the original IBM PCthat was introduced in 1981. Othercompanies began to create similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible(often

shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and it typically

includes the Microsoft Windowsoperating system.

Mac:The Macintoshcomputer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold personalcomputer with a Graphical User Interface, or GUI(pronounced gooey). All Macs are made byone company, Apple Inc., and they almost always use the Mac OS Xoperating system.

Although PCcan refer to an IBM PC Compatible, the term can also be used to refer to any

personal computer, including Macs.


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About This Tutorial

In this tutorial, we'll mostly be focusing on PCsand the Windowsoperating system. If you'reusing a Mac, you may notice some differences with the way that your computer works.

However, much of the information in this tutorial will still apply, no matter what kind of

computer you're using.

Basic characteristics aboutcomputerare:1. Speed: - As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds forcalculations that we take hours to complete. You will be surprised to know thatcomputer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second.

Therefore, we determine the speed of computer in terms of microsecond (10-6 part of a

second) or nanosecond (10 to the power -9 part of a second). From this you can imaginehow fast your computer performs work.

2. Accuracy: - The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation isperformed with the same accuracy. The accuracy level is 7
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determined on the basis of design of computer. The errors in computer are due to

human and inaccurate data.

3. Diligence: - A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It

can work for hours without creating any error. If millions of calculations are to be

performed, a computer will perform every calculation with the same accuracy. Due to

this capability it overpowers human being in routine type of work.

4. Versatility: - It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You

may use your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for

inventory management or to prepare electric bills.

5. Power of Remembering: - Computer has the power of storing any amount of

information or data. Any information can be stored and recalled as long as you require

it, for any numbers of years. It depends entirely upon you how much data you want tostore in a computer and when to lose or retrieve these data.

6. No IQ: - Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction

from the user. It performs the instructions at tremendousspeed and with accuracy. It isyou to decide what you want to do and in what sequence. So a computer cannot take itsown decision as you can.

7. No Feeling: - It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience.Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does not distinguish betweenusers.

8. Storage: - The Computer has an in-builtmemorywhere it can store a large amountof data. You can also store data in secondarystorage devices such as floppies, which canbe kept outside your computer and can be carried to other computers.

Education :

Getting the right kind of information is a major challenge as is getting information tomake sense. College students spend an average of 5-6 hours a week on theinternet.Research shows that computers can significantly enhance performance inlearning. Students exposed to the internet say they think the web has helped themimprove the quality of their academic research and of their written work. One revolutionin education is the advent of distance learning. This offers a variety of internet andvideo-based online courses.
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Health and Medicine :

Computer technology is radically changing the tools of medicine. All medicalinformation can now be digitized. Software is now able tocomputer the risk of a disease.Mental health researchers are using computers to screen troubled teenagers in need of

psychotherapy. A patient paralyzed by a stroke has received an implant that allowscommunication between his brain and a computer; as a result, he can move a cursoracross a screen by brainpower and convey simple messages.

Science :

Scientists have long been users of it. A new adventure among scientists is the idea of acollaboratory, an internet based collaborative laboratory, in which researchers all overthe world can work easily together even at a distance. An example is space physics wherespace physicists are allowed to band together to measure the earths ionosphere frominstruments on four parts of the world.

Business :

Business clearly see the interest as a way to enhance productivity and competitiveness.Some areas of business that are undergoing rapid changes are sales and marketing,retailing, banking, stock trading, etc. Sales representatives not only need to be bettereducated and more knowledgeable about their customers businesses, but also must becomfortable with computer technology. The internet has become a popular marketingtool. The world of cybercash has come to banking not only smart cards but internetbanking, electronic deposit, bill paying, online stock and bond trading, etc.

Recreation and Entertainment:Our entertainment and pleasure-time have also been affected by computerization. Forexample:

i) In movies, computer generated graphics give freedom to designers so that specialeffects and even imaginary characters can play a part in making movies, videos, andcommercials.

ii) In sports, computers compile statistics, sell tickets, create training programs anddiets for athletes, and suggest game plan strategies based on the competitors past

performance.

iii) In restaurants, almost every one has eaten food where the clerk enters an order byindicating choices on a rather unusual looking cash register;the device directly entersthe actual data into a computer, and calculates the cost and then prints a receipt.
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Government:Various departments of the Government use computer for their planning, control andlaw enforcement activities. To name a few Traffic, Tourism, Information &Broadcasting, Education, Aviation and many others.

Defence:There are many uses computers in Defence such as:

1) Controlling UAV or unmanned air-crafts an example is Predator. If you have cable Iwould recommend watching the shows Future Weapons" and Modern Marvels". Theshow future weapon gives an entire hour to the predator.

2) They are also used on Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that uses GPS andComputers to help the missile get to the target.

3) Computers are used to track incoming missiles and help slew weapons systems ontothe incoming target to destroy them.

4) Computers are used in helping the military find out where all their assets are(Situational Awareness) and in Communications/Battle Management Systems.

5) Computers are used in the logistic and ordering functions of getting equipments toand around the battlefield.

6) Computers are used in tanks and planes and ships to target enemy forces, help run

the platform and more recently to help diagnose any problems with the platforms.

7) Computers help design and test new systems.

Sports:In today's technologically growing society, computers are being used in nearly everyactivity.

Recording InformationOfficial statistics keepers and some scouts use computers to record statistics, take notesand chat online while attending and working at a sports event.

Analyzing MovementsThe best athletes pay close attention to detail. Computers can slow recorded video andallow people to study their specific movements to try to improve their tendencies andrepair poor habits.


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WritersMany sportswriters attend several sporting events a week, and they take their computerswith them to write during the game or shortly after while their thoughts are fresh intheir mind.

ScoreboardWhile some scoreboards are manually updated, most professional sports venues havevery modern scoreboards that are programmed to update statistics and informationimmediately after the information is entered into the computer.

SafetyComputers have aided in the design of safety equipment in sports such as footballhelmets to shoes to mouth guards

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What is a Computer.docx1010101