EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS:- Evolution and adaptation: “A computer can’t evolve or adapt on its own; it is restricted
To change only in ways specified ahead of time by its programmer.”
Autonomy: “A computer can’t do anything on its own; it can do only what humans
program it to do.”
Metabolism: “Computers can’t create or gather their own energy from their environ-
ment like living organisms do; they have to be fed energy (e.g., electricity) by humans.”
Self-reproduction: “A computer can’t reproduce itself; to do so it would have to contain
a description of itself, and that description would have to contain a description of itself,
and so on ad infinitum.”
Survival instinct: “Computers don’t care whether they survive or not.” (For example,
from an editorial in the Boston Globe: “Deep Blue may have beat Kasparov, but it
didn’t get any joy out of it.”)
USES OF COMPUTERS:-There are several uses of computers: -
Word Processing - Word Processing software automatically corrects spelling and grammar mistakes. If the content of a document repeats you don’t have to type it each time. You can use the copy and paste features. You can printout documents and make several copies. It is easier to read a word-processed document than a handwritten one. You can add images to your document.
Internet - It is a network of almost all the computers in the world. You can browse through much more information than you could do in a library. That is because computers can store enormous amounts of information. You also have very fast and convenient access to information. Through E-Mail you can communicate with a person sitting thousands of miles away in seconds. There is chat software that enables one to chat with another person on a real-time basis. Video conferencing tools are becoming readily available to the common man.
Digital video or audio composition – Audio or video composition and editing have been made much easier by computers. It no longer costs thousands of dollars of equipment to compose music or make a film. Graphics engineers can use computers to generate short or full-length films or even to create three-dimensional models. Anybody owning a computer can now enter the field of media production. Special effects in science fiction and action movies are created using computers.
Desktop publishing - With desktop publishing, you can create page layouts for entire books on your personal computer.
Computers in Medicine - You can diagnose diseases. You can learn the cures. Software is used in magnetic resonance imaging to examine the internal organs of the human body. Software is used for performing surgery. Computers are used to store patient data.
Mathematical Calculations - Thanks to computers, which have computing speeds of over a million calculations per second we can perform the biggest of mathematical calculations.
Banks - All financial transactions are done by computer software. They provide security, speed and convenience.
Travel - One can book air tickets or railway tickets and make hotel reservations online.
Telecommunications - Software is widely used here. Also all mobile phones have software embedded in them.
Defense - There is software embedded in almost every weapon. Software is used for controlling the flight and targeting in ballistic missiles. Software is used to control access to atomic bombs.
E-Learning – Instead of a book it is easier to learn from an E-learning software.
Gambling-You can gamble online instead of going to a casino.
Examinations-You can give online exams and get instant results. You can check your examination results online.
Computers in Business - Shops and supermarkets use software, which calculate the bills. Taxes can be calculated and paid online. Accounting is done using computers. One can predict future trends of business using artificial intelligence software. Software is used in major stock markets. One can do trading online. There are fully automated factories running on software.
Certificates - Different types of certificates can be generated. It is very easy to create and change layouts.
ATM machines - The computer software authenticates the user and dispenses cash.
Marriage - There are matrimonial sites through which one can search for a suitable groom or bride.
News-There are many websites through which you can read the latest or old news.
Classmates-There are many alumni websites through which you can regain contact with your classmates.
Robotics - Robots are controlled by software.
Washing Machines - They operate using software.
Microwave Oven - They are operated by software.
Planning and Scheduling - Software can be used to store contact information, generating plans, scheduling appointments and deadlines.
Plagiarism - Software can examine content for plagiarism.
Greeting Cards - You can send and receive greetings pertaining to different occasions.
Sports – Software is used for making umpiring decisions. There are simulation software using which a sportsperson can practice his skills. Computers are also to identify flaws in techhnique.
Aeroplanes – Pilots train on software, which simulates flying.
Weather analysis – Supercomputers are used to analyze and predict weather.
Computers have leapfrogged the human society into another league. It is used in each and every aspect of human life. They will spearhead the human quest of eradicating social problems like illiteracy and poverty. It is difficult to imagine a world bereft of computers. This revolutionary technology is indeed a boon to the human race
