Computers and Me

I have always been interested and intrigued by computers, ever since I was very young. I started using a
computer when I was seven. Since then I have been using a computer for all my life. To many people
computers are just a simple tool, but to me it is a hobby; my life changed since the first time I came in
contact from it. They turn my mind around completely; it was like a perfect match. Since the first time I
sat in one, I knew they will become an undeniable part of my life. It has been eleven years since then
and I my opinion remain the same. I have in fact discovered many uses for them. They are a good
method for relaxation and a useful machine that makes my life easier.

First, computers are my best method of relaxation when I am severely stressed. They provide
me with entertainment; for example, when I use a graphic program like Photoshop to create a design, or
when I use a word processor like Microsoft Word to create a sign I want to put in my room. I can get
very creative and even design posters, conniving words and pictures that later I can use to decorate my
room. I can also find a lot of interesting things by exploring the internet without a specific objective. On
most of my spare time, I will just surf the web to see what is the newest technology, the news, and even
random information. It helps me learn many things that I never knew. Computers also provide me with
fun, which is definitely one of the best medicines for stress. They allow me to listen to music, watch
anime, and play games whenever I want.

Second, computers are very useful tools. They can make my life a lot easier and economical. For
example, I used them for communication purposes, through e-mail and through chat programs like AIM.
By using e-mail to communicate with my family I save a lot of money because I don't need to make long
distance calls, and what it makes it even better is that I don't have to pay any extra charges for using this
service except electricity. This communication technique, also amplified my communication abilities
because I can get connected to many of my friends, even in other countries really easily. Another really
important point is that computers amplify my possibilities for research. They allow me to find a great
deal of information in any field I want like Math, Medicine, Men or Women to with great accuracy. Or
for something that is simpler, checking the price of an item. When I want to buy something, I use the
computer to do a little research about the product I am interested in. I can get all the companies who
produce it and the price in each case, so I end up paying the minimum amount for the product I want. As
a last aspect, they save a lot of time. While I am shopping, I already know who is selling what and at
what price. When I am doing research, the computer can process a great volume of information in a
small amount of time, an also in communication, they go a lot faster through computers.

Currently I am using a computer that I built myself. No one taught me how to build one. I just
bought the hardware and build it myself. Ironically, I learn all my computer using skills by myself. I
never bought books, magazines, or ask people about how a computer works; I was self taught. I learned
it through practice since I was seven. For the past eleven years, I have been learning how to use it and
how to make my life simpler by using it.

I have decided that Computer Science is going to be my major because simply I just love using them.
They are a necessity in my life. I also want to learn how to program software, make computer games,
and everything that there is to know about computers. Well, also because it is a high paying job. I love
so much to work with them, they make me feel alive, they are part of my spirit, and of my soul. I have a
great passion for computers, but I always keep in mind that we have a brain which will always be many
times more powerful that any instrument created by the humans, no matter how sophisticated it may
look. I want to learn how to make everyone’s life simpler by making easier software, operating systems,
and communication. This is why I think that majoring in Computer Science is the right choice for me.

TOPIC: Uses of Computers in Our Everyday Lives

THESIS STATEMENT:

Because computer has many great uses in our everyday life, it affected us tremendously and conquered
our society throughout the years.

TOPIC OUTLINE:

I. Introduction

II. Background of a Computer

A. The Definition of Computer

B. History of Computers

C. The Development of Computers

III. Computer in our Every day life

A. The Uses of Computers

B. The “ups” and “downs” of a Computer

C. How Computers affect us

IV. Conclusion
I. INTRODUCTION:

About two hundred years before, the word “computer” started to appear in our lives. Before, most
of the people didn’t even know what is a computer but it made such a great impact that most people
nowadays know what is a computer and how to use it. Computer became more and more popular and
important to our society that we use it everyday in our life.

Imagine a world without computers. That would mean no proper means of communicating, no
Internet, no video games. Life would be extremely difficult. Adults would have to store all their office
work paper and therefore take up an entire room. Teenagers would have to submit course-works and
projects hand-written. All graphs and diagrams would have to be drawn neatly and carefully. People
would never have heard of 'video-games' and will have to spend their free time either reading or playing
outside with friends. But thanks to British mathematicians, Augusta Ada Byron and Charles Babbage, our
lives are made a lot easier.

The modern world of high technology could not have come about except for the development of
computers. Different types and sizes of computers find uses throughout society in the storage and
handling of data, from Government files to banking transactions to private household accounts.
Computers have opened up a new era in manufacturing through the techniques of automation, and they
have enhanced modern communication systems. They are essential tools in almost every field of
research and applied technology. Database services and computer networks make available a great
variety of information sources. Computers affected us tremendously that we get to use it everyday of
our lives.

II. BACKGROUND OF A COMPUTER

A. THE DEINITION OF A COMPUTER

In our everyday life, we get to see and use computers, but what is really a computer? A Computer
is an electronic device that can receive a set of instructions, or program, and then carry out this program
by performing calculations on numerical data or by compiling and correlating other forms of
information. It helps us make our work faster without hassle and give best results. It makes no room for
errors and has fast speed and accuracy. With these great assets, computers helped us make our life
easier and thus making the computer, the best techno invention in the world.
 HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

Only once in a lifetime will a new invention come about to touch every aspect of our lives. Such
devices changed the way we manage, work, and live. This incredible invention is the computer. The
electronic computer has been around for over a half-century, but its ancestors have been around for
2000 years. From the first wooden abacus to the latest high-speed microprocessor, the computer has
changed nearly every aspect of management, and our lives for the better.

Could one imagine what the world would be like today without computers? Computers were
actually developed in early history. The first major use for a computer in the U.S. was during the 1890
census. Two men, Herman Hollerith and James Powers, developed a new punched-card system that
could automatically read information on cards without human intervention. This caused many other
people to develop computers for various tasks. Each new computer helped to perform a different
function and make it easier. Eventually IBM made a computer that could perform various tasks such as:
figure out equations, store data, and draw graphics. From there the computer industry exploded. Now
computers have changed many aspects of life. The computer truly is one of the most incredible
inventions in history to ever influence management, and life.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTERS

Computers started to impact our lives 2000 years ago. From abacus to personal computers it has
managed to affect us tremendously in our whole society. Computers started to develop out of vaccum
tubes, which is what we call the 1st generation of computers. These computers are often bulky and
enormous taking up almost the entire room. In addition, they were expensive and use a lot of electricity
that generates a lot of heat, which causes the computer to malfunction. Because of this they started to
innovate again, which produced the second generatuon of computers.

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. The
transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers until the late 50s. The
transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper,
more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors. Though the transistor
still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to damage, it was a vast improvement
over the vacuum tube. Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and
printouts for output. Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to
symbolic, or assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words. High-
level programming languages were also being developed at this time, such as early versions of COBOL
and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers that stored their instructions in their memory, which
moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core technology. But they were still not contented and
decided to pursue more which produced the third generation of computers.

The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers.
Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically
increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Instead of punched cards and printouts, users
interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an
operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a
central program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass
audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors. Because of this inventions,
scientists saw a lot of potential and started to more developed the computers.

The microprocessors brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated

circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now
fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the
computer - from the central processing unit and memory to input/output controls - on a single chip. In
1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh.
Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more
and more everyday products began to use microprocessors. As these small computers became more
powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of
the Internet. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld
devices.

Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The use of
parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum
computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to
come. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language
input and are capable of learning and self-organization.

COMPUTER IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

A. THE USES OF COMPUTERS

Computers are helpful because they offer a wide range of functions and services that are not
available anywhere else. There are four main uses: word processing, internet/communications, digital
video/audio composition, and desktop publishing. Although one can create a typed paper with a
typewriter, the computer has more features to do it with. Internet and communications, digital video
and audio composition, and desktop publishing are all features that are only offered on computers. With
these tools human society has progressed exponentially.

The word processing capabilities of computers are amazing. They can automatically correct your
spelling and grammar mistakes. The cutting and pasting features are incredibly simple and very useful
for revision. Plus it is easier to read a word-processed document than one written by hand. Having a
digital backup is an added benefit. All of these things help writers get the job done. If you want to add
pictures to your writing, numerous software titles are available for desktop publishing. With desktop
publishing, you can create page layouts for entire books on your home computer. For example, high
school yearbook classes now use desktop publishing software for the creation and design of their
yearbooks. Most of this cannot be done by hand, and if so, then it is painstakingly laborious.

The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of humanity. It is a massive network of computers,
each with the ability to access any of the others. Ungodly amounts of information can be found on the
Internet. It is the ultimate form of media, a combination of newspaper, radio, and as the average
bandwidth is increasing, television. Using the Internet, any two people anywhere can communicate for
free, whether it is with text or voice. Video conferencing tools are becoming readily available to the
public. New uses are being found for the Internet every day.

Audio/video editing and composition have been made much easier by computers. Cutting and
pasting is no longer comprised of using scissors and tape on large reels of film. It no longer costs
thousands of dollars of equipment to make a film or to compose music. Now emerging musicians have
the ability to compose their own songs and publish them without having to obtain a record contract.
Amateur filmmakers can produce work from their own homes. Graphics engineers can use computers to
create three-dimensional models, or even to generate short or full-length films. Anybody who owns a
computer can now enter the field of media production.

Computers have so many uses that cannot be found anywhere else. Word processors are the
perfect writing device because you can compose quickly and make changes easily. The Internet provides
a fast, free, and unique way to get information or to communicate with others. Computers supply an
affordable solution to nonprofessional audio and video composition. These reasons are why computers
are so helpful in modern society. With the aid of computers, humankind is entering a new era of
enlightenment.

B. THE “UPS” AND “DOWNS” OF A COMPUTER

C. HOW COMPUTERS AFFECT US

CONCLUSION