Computers Technology Essay, Research Paper
English
Computer Technology
A computer is an electronic device that can receive a set of instructions
or program and the carry out this program by performing calculations on
numerical data or by compiling and correlating other forms of information.
(?Computer? Encarta). It also performs calculations and processes information
with astonishing speed and precision. Computer Technology has improved our
lives. It will continue to affect our future which will lead to an easier,
less complicated lifestyle, with more job opportunities and their benefits.
(?Computer.? America On-line).
The modern world of high technology could not have come about
except for the development of the computer. (Astle 1). Different types and
sizes of
computers find uses throughout society in the storage and handling of data,
from
secret government files to banking transactions to private household
accounts.
(?Computer? Encarta). Research and development in the computer world moves
simultaneously along two-paths hardware designs and software innovations work
in
each are alternately influences the other.(?The Future Of Computers? America
On-line)
Computers help people in many different ways, but many people prefer to use
paper and pencil to write and to use folders and file cabinets to organize
there papers. (?The Future of Computers.? America On-line.) Many people in
the world use computers to make their lives easier. Such advances computer
technology will benefit us all. People use computers for research,
organization, writing, communication for personal or business matters and
even to look up stock updates. (Astle 786). Whether it is personal or
business, computers can help make our daily life easier. Typing is quicker
and easier and its also a lot neater than hand writing. When you type on a
computer you can look at them and open them a lot faster than having a folder
of papers you have to carry around where ever you go. (Masters 654).
Computers can also help with editing a paper, they can even check spelling
and grammar. Typing on a computer today is probably the most common way
people write there research papers, reports and other documents for school
and business.(?How Computers Make Your Life Easier? America On-line).
Families can use computers to keep in touch with each other through E-mail.
They help people talk with others all around the world, using different
services and methods. (?Information Superhighway.? America On-line). Since
computers are used all over the world for research, almost all libraries and
museums are based on computers. (?How Computers Make Your Life Easier?
America On-line). The computers in such places as libraries are used for the
card catalogs and for museum sites. Computers enable people to search for
different topics in books located all over the world they can help look for
in formation in encyclopedias and different archives. Computers today help do
research so quickly and dependably that in the future they will be used in
all libraries, museums and schools. (?The History Of Computers During My
Lifetime The 1990?s.? America On-line).
Computers today are so much easier to use for many jobs that had been done
manually. In industry Computers have opened a new era in manufacturing and
consumer product development. (Asimov 627). Programs help people plan complex
production schedules, keep track of inventories and accounts, run automated
assembly lines and control robots. Government agencies are the largest users
of mainframes and super computers. (Masters 654). The United States
Department of Defense uses computers for hundreds of tasks, including
research, breaking codes, interpreting data from spy satellites and targeting
missiles. (Asimov 627)
Computers in education have proved to be valuable education tools.
Educational aids, such as some. Encyclopedias and other major reference works
are available to personal computer users. (?Computer.? Encarta ). In arts
painting and drawing programs enable artists to create realistic images and
animated displays much more easily than they could with more traditional
tools. (?Computer Science.? Encarta). As in entertainment musicians can use
computers to create multiple-voice compositions and to play back music with
hundreds of variations. (Asimov 627).Speech processors even give a computer
the ability to talk and sing. (Asimov 627).
The development of virtual reality and computer animation technology will
change this form of historical reconstruction to a reliance on computers.
Architectural and art historians could use this technology in order to create
models for study and presentations. Military historians could apply it to
reproduce of famous battles or to illustrate tactical maneuvers from a
certain viewpoint. (Asimov 627)
As libraries become more automated, there will be a greater tendency to
create database which can be searched. Presently, the Mcmaster University
libraries catalogues are accessible through the Internet. (?Future Uses Of
Computers In History? America On-line). This direction will continue with a
greater examination of resources as more archives become automated. The
?Fifth-Generation? computer effort to develop computers that can solve
computer problems in what might eventually be called creative ways is another
direction in computer development, the ideal goal being true artificial
intelligence. (?Computer? Encarta). Parallel processing may in time be able
to duplicate to some degree the mixed feedback, approximating and calculating
approximately functions of human thought. (?Computer? Encarta). Another
ongoing trend is the increase in computer networking, which now also employs
satellites to link computers globally. (?Computer? Encarta).
Computer jobs are among the most rapidly growing employment segments in
the United States. Choosing a computer field will benefit many in the long
run since its going to be the number one thing in use. Economic studies
project that computer equipment will represent about one- fifth of all
capital expenditures by business in the 1990?s. (?Careers In The Computer
Field? America On-line). Hundreds of thousands of people will be needed to
manufacture, operate, program and manage new equipment. The most sought after
computer specialists will probably be system analyst, programmers and
operators. (?Careers In The Computer Field.? America On-line). Computer
security specialists will be in great demand to help protect the integrity of
the huge information banks being developed by business and the government.
(Asimov 627). Programmers write the software that transforms a machine into a
personal tool. (?Careers In The Computer Field? America On-line).
Applications programmers write commercial programs to be used by
businesses, in science centers and in the home. (?Careers In The Computer
Field?
America On-line). Systems programmers write the complex programs that control
the inner-workings of the computer. (Asimov 627) Many specialty areas exist
within these two large groups such as database and telecommunication
programmers. (?Computer Science.? America On-line). Other important careers
are
hardware designers, microchip and peripheral equipment design, and
information
collections develop by businesses or data banks. (?Careers In The Computer
Field?
America On-line). Various support careers also exist. Technical writers,
computer
based training specialists, and operations managers do not need very
technical
backgrounds to work in their original fields, a learning of computers and a
desire
to share their knowledge with others. (?Careers In The Computer Field?
America
On-line).
Computer development is rapidly advancing. (?Computer? America
On line). This development which will permit people in all professions to use
a
computer quickly and easily, promises to lead to a rebellion in the way
humans
communicate and the transfer information. (?Computer? America On-line). As
computers get faster as engineers arrange new methods of parallel processing
and
as widespread memory systems and perfected, consciousness the final step to
intelligence is no longer unbelievable. (?Artificial Intelligence and Expert
Systems?
America On-line).
Communications will remain an integral part of the historical research. As
more of the world gets on-line, the uses of e-mail will increase. (?Future
Uses Of Computers In History.? America On-line). At Mcmaster University there
is already a video conference system between other universities in the
province. It is a reasonable to expect this means of communication to
develop. (?Future Uses Of Computers In History? America On-line ). At this
rate in the future computers will be used for doing just about everything.
Currently, historians reconstruct ancient civilizations by using models and
mannequins. (?Future Uses Of Computers In History? America On-line).
Tomorrow?s computers will be increasingly powerful. Computer researchers
continue to seek ways to develop faster and more powerful machines and
software. Must software research focuses on the further development of
artificial intelligence which is intended to help computers make decisions
rather than simply to manipulate data. (?Computer? 922). Computer Technology
will keep affecting our lives in many ways. Such technological advances will
be better than others. But it will all affect us in one way or another. Also
such advances in technology will revolutionize the future.