| Computers are a part of today's bustling world | | | | is very general-purpose in its application. An |
| and play a role in everybody's life, young or old, | | | | individual types information into the computer |
| whether they like it or not. A version of a | | | | through the use of the keyboard as well as the |
| computer, whether it be highly technologically | | | | mouse and watches what he/she is typing |
| advanced or not can be found in household | | | | materialize on the computer screen. The |
| appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, toasters | | | | computer then begins the process of sorting |
| and microwave ovens. Cars have their own | | | | through the data it is receiving and processing it |
| unique kind of computers, as do televisions, DVD | | | | as is necessary. The computer user can then |
| players and so much more. But when we think | | | | save what he sees in front of him on the hard |
| computer what comes to mind first is generally | | | | drive of the computer or onto a floppy disk or |
| what is known as a PC (or personal computer). | | | | CD. If saved to the hard drive then the |
| Almost every household has at least one and | | | | information cannot be used on any other |
| most companies could not be without one today. | | | | computer but if saved on a disk that information |
| So much is done on the computer and over the | | | | has now become portable and can be used on |
| computer. | | | | other computers and not just that one in |
| A personal computer can mean so many things | | | | particular. |
| to so many people and it has a variety of | | | | Every computer contains certain elements which |
| functions. For students it's great for doing | | | | in brief include the CPU or central processing unit |
| research using the Internet as well as typing up | | | | or the brain of the desktop computer, the |
| essays and papers for school. The Internet is a | | | | memory where information is stored, the |
| tremendous resource for anyone wanting to learn | | | | motherboard or main circuit board, the power |
| about practically any subject from animals to | | | | supply which regulates electricity going through |
| authors and everything in between. And what of | | | | the computer, the hard drive, or permanent |
| e-mail? Twenty, thirty years ago no one could | | | | storage, the operating system, or basic software, |
| have conceived of the idea that a person could sit | | | | the integrated drive electronics controller or IDE, |
| down in front of a computer screen and type a | | | | the peripheral component interconnect bus or PCI |
| message to someone who is close or far away | | | | which allows other items to plug into it, the small |
| and then send it to them and have it received | | | | computer system or SCSI which allows devices |
| almost instantly! It's quite an amazing development | | | | such as scanners to be plugged into it, the |
| for our world. And for those who enjoy solitary | | | | accelerated graphics port or AGP which is used |
| recreational pursuits, there are a variety of | | | | by the graphics card which in turn translates visual |
| games that can be played on computers. One can | | | | information from the computer into a format it |
| also watch movies and listen to music via the use | | | | can read. And last but certainly not least is the |
| of a computer. | | | | sound card, which allows the computer to record |
| A computer is often thought of as a machine | | | | as well as play anything with an audio element to |
| that processes information in a timely manner and | | | | it such as a CD that is accompanied by music. |