What is a Computer? ‘A-computer is a fast, electronic device that accepts information, stores it, processes it, and produces ;. Computers are used in everyday life and the areas in which they can be used are unlimited. MONITOR KEYBOARD y that you can understand. The ; monitor simply allows you toSZ Mouse: The mouse is a device, attached to the computer It allows you to move the cursor around on the screen. By clicking on the buttons on the mouse, you give the computer directions. There are other devices too that can be used in its place— for example: a trackball. A trackball has a ball on top and you move it with your finger. Central Processing Unit: The brain of a computer is the CPU or Central Processing Unit. It controls information and tells other parts of the computer what to do. The speed at which a computer can operate depends upon the type of CPU. Basic Input Output System: A very important computer partis the BIOS chip. BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. Simply put, a BIOS chip wakes up the computer when you turn it on and reminds it what parts it has and what they do. RAM: RAM stands for Random Access Memory. RAM chips remember what you tell them and can even replace existing information with new information. But when the computer is turned off, RAM forgets everything that you told it. This is why we save our work on a computer. If you turn off the computer without doing this, RAM wil lose all your work! ROM: ROM stands for Read Only Memory. ROM can remember information, but cannot change information that is stored in it. Motherboard: The motherboard is called as such because itis like a ‘mother’ to all the other circuit boards. The motherboard isthe largest circuit board and has many smaller boards plugged into it. It holds the most important parts of the computer. Modem: The modem allows computers to talk to each other. A modem connects the computer with a phone line and enables information to be transferred between computers. Awa‘ts are the places on the outside of the computer where you plug in hardware. The printer are all plugged into ports. There are also extra ports to plug gamepads, scanners, digital cameras, and the like. Ports: Por ; keyboard, mouse, monitor, and in extra hardware like joysticks, CD-ROM: This stands for Compact Disc Read Only Memory. A compact disc is a shiny, circular disc that stores information. A CD-ROM can only read information from the disc. You can also write information to these discs and ‘save it. Now, many new computers have a CD-RW (RW stands for ReWritable). A CD-RW allows ‘you to write information to the disk as well as tead from it. | Video Disc): A DVD looks just like a CD, but it holds much more information. Scanner: There are many types of input devices that allow you to upload images onto the computer. A scanner is one such device that copies a picture or document into the computer. There are several types of scanners. Some of them look different, but most look like a flat tray with a glass pane and a lid. Speakers: These are output devices that allow you to hear sound from your computer. Computer speakers are just like stereo speakers. They come in various sizes. Printers: These devices take what you see on the computer screen and print it on paper. The inkjet printer uses ink to print and is the most common printer used with home computers. It can print in either black and white, or colour.aa Computer Programs w to perform a specific task—for example: language that it understands. Programs are er's language. A program is a set of instructions that tells the computer ho! ‘a computer game. The program instructs the computer in al 3 just like translators that let people work with computers without learning ‘the compute 1u must first install the program from the game am or instructions from the CD onto ded) from the Internet directly into For your computer to know how to play the game, yol software which is usually a CD. Installing means copying the progr the computer's hard drive. Programs can also be copied (downloat your hard drive. Types of Programs: There are many types of programs for the computer, grouped according to the job that they perform. Some very common types of programs are: « Word processing programs: Used for writing requirements such as letters and essays. + Database programs: Used for creating and maintaining items such as address books and mailing lists. «Entertainment programs: Examples—games, videos, music «Educational and research programs: Example: encyclopedia «Spreadsheets: Used for organizing, analyzing, and storing information—for example: accounts worksheets. + Desktop Publishing programs: Used for creating items such as birthday cards and newsletters.ea Good Ways to Use a Computer Sitting: Your bod sitting comfortably in your chair, ly does not move much when you use the computer, so always make sure you are Chair's position: be aligned to the level high for you. The chair should be positioned in such a way that the computer keyboard should l of your stomach, Your arms, shoulder and neck could hurt if the keyboard is too Avoid slumping: You need to always lean back in your chair and rest on the backrest when you are ‘yping. Do not slump forward as this could affect your back. Placement of the keyboard and mouse: The keyboard and mouse should be positioned in a Way that keeps your elbows at your sides, and your arms at or below a 90-degree angle. Type lightly: You do not need to Pound hard on the keys. A light touch on the keys will work just fine. Using a mouse: Always use aight touch onthe mouse while holding it as well as clicking, Too much force on the mouse will tire your hands and arms. Monitor's position: The computer monitor should be right in front of you—a little lower than your eyes. If you have to look to the side, up, or down, your head and neck could start to hurt. On the other hand, if the monitor is too low it could cause you to slump in your chair. Blinding light: Always make sure that the light coming from the screen is the same amount as that from around the computer monitor. Ensure that there are no sources of light directly in front of you. Break away: Take abreak every 30 minutes. Get away from the computer and do something else. ‘Also, pay special attention to your eyes. If they hurt, stop for a bit. Look away from the monitor every once in a while and focus on something far away for a few seconds. This will give your eyes the much-needed break! Taking care of your body while using the computer ensures that you feel better, work better, and play better.