Table of Contents
What is a computer
A computer is a device that can process or store data, but it also has special capabilities that you cannot find in an ordinary book, calculator or watch. Computers can send and receive messages electronically across long distances. They have their own programs and a unique way of storing information like people do. Computers can watch out for themselfes, stop repeating things they said or print out what they are doing.
Computers have the ability to gauge their surroundings, feel pain (not to be confused with humans “feeling pain”) and much more.
COMPUTERS ARE NOT JUST FOR BUSINESS!
(Only adults may read this article)
Kids, And even some adults don’t know that computers are not just for business or computer professionals. They are also fun! Playing games, telling jokes oh and did I mention emailing your friend who lives in another state? Whoa! That’s a long distance phone call.
COMPUTER GAMES AND JOKES
How do computers work
Computers are electronic machines that can store, process and provide information very fast. They can solve problems, make decisions and reason like people. Computers have memory so they can remember things or instructions, also called programs. Computer also have a working part (the processor) and a display to show pictures/text. Computers work with electronics and electricity to do their work. All this parts are put together in a small box called casing or case.
Computer parts [to use as knowledge, not to be copied verbatim]: [1] The computer has an electronic chip called Central Processing Unit (CPU). If a computer does things faster when it receives more information, the CPU will make more work for the whole computer.
Processor [ARTICLE END]
The term processor means a computer that works with extremely fast electronic circuits. It is used to build components such as microprocessors, dynamic RAMs and digital signal processors. It also is used to control and manage the computer, send and receive signals.
A microprocessor is a processor that has more than one million tiny tiny parts. Microprocessors are very small in size but their performance is very high and they work much faster than smaller processors. They have millions of pins for connecting to other parts. If a microprocessor does things slower because it has more pins, the computer will use the same power from battery but will not be able to do many things at once. A modern microprocessor must be very fast to work quickly.
What can you do with a computer
You can do so many thing with a computer. You can play games, write letters, surf the internet, listen to music and much more. People who for example do office work (like writing letters or other texts) use a computer too because it is faster and easier than doing it by hand. Also you can use a computer to keep track of your money, photos and to do school studies.
There are different kinds of computers. Desktop computers and laptops for example. Laptops are portable, which makes them easier to use if you travel a lot and desktop computers are more heavy duty and powerful than laptops. Lets see what they can do:
Desktop Computers
Desktop computers can do almost everything that laptop computers can do. You can do your work on them and use it as a personal computer (e-mail, web surfing, word processing etc. ) or you use it as a gaming computer or to do school studies.
Laptops
What are the different parts of a computer
Although computers are small, they have different parts. The main part of the computer is the processor. It works very hard to do calculations and to give instructions to everything in the computer. The processor can work very fast and that is why you see pictures moving on your screen. The memory is used to store information while a program uses it. The memory is like the storage on a cassette tape. It can keep things while you turn off your computer. The harddrive stores information on a permanent basis. It can store lots of information like songs or photos that your computer can use later when it needs it. The screen is a part of the casing (box) that contains the computer. It is seen when the computer is running and displays what you have on your computer. The casing can be made of wood, plastic or metal. The keyboard is like a typewriter with hotkeys that make it easier to use. The mouse is a small gadget that moves around on the desk as you move your hand. It also has buttons that can be clicked and/or moved to do things quickly or slowly on your computer. There are other parts but these are the most important parts that you will use every day.
How to use a computer
There are different ways to use a computer. The most simple way is to have a keyboard and a mouse that you can use while the computer is turned off. You type with the keyboard and the mouse moves on your screen. Of course this would be very slow if you want to do everything and there are many people who use computers this way because they do not want to go and buy a new one every year. You can also use a computer even if it is turned off. You can use the internet, read and listen to music or do family projects. A computer can be connected to many things because of USB ports and serial ports (computer-buses). If you want you can do something else with your computer than play games or surf the web because you can buy a modem so it will talk to your local telephone company. A modem connects a computer to the phone network that is used for information and calls (like making calls by phone). A computer’s screen and keyboard is not very different from a regular computer, but the mouse is different. You should know that you can use the keyboard while the mouse too, so if the mouse is broken you can use it as a keyboard. That way you can save money and not have to buy a new mouse.
