2. Computers are machines that perform tasks or calculations
according to a set of instructions, or programs. The first fully
electronic computers, introduced in the 1940s, were huge
machines that required teams of people to operate.
Compared to those early machines, today's computers are
amazing. Not only are they thousands of times faster, they
can fit on your desk, in your lap, or even in your pocket.
Computers work through an interaction of hardware and
software. Hardware refers to the parts of a computer that you
can see and touch, including the case and everything inside
it. The most important piece of hardware is a tiny rectangular
chip inside your computer called the central processing unit
(CPU), or microprocessor.
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3. The history of the modern computer begins with two separate technologies,
automated calculation and programmability, but no single device can be
identified as the earliest computer, partly because of the inconsistent
application of that term. A few devices are worth mentioning though,
like some mechanical aids to computing, which were very successful
and survived for centuries until the advent of the electronic calculator,
like the Sumerian abacus, designed around 2500 BC[4] of which a
descendant won a speed competition against a modern desk
calculating machine in Japan in 1946,[5] the slide rules, invented in the
1620s, which were carried on five Apollo space missions, including to
the moon[6] and arguably the astrolabe and the Antikythera mechanism,
an ancient astronomical computer built by the Greeks around 80 BC.[7]
The Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria (c. 10–70 AD) built a
mechanical theater which performed a play lasting 10 minutes and was
operated by a complex system of ropes and drums that might be
considered to be a means of deciding which parts of the mechanism
performed which actions and when.[8] This is the essence of
programmability.
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27. However, in spite of the many advantages of computers, there are some disadvantages that
cannot be ignored. First and foremost, sitting for long hours in front of the PC will affect
eyes and hamper the activity level. The easy access to information via Internet has made
students lazy in terms of their education since they are able to download information
without exploring their topic of research. .
But some experts alert the danger of the computer addiction disorder. Especially for the
children, they can be easily hooked on the computer games. Instead of doing homework,
studying or playing with friends, they seclude and just play computer untill late at night.
so they can concentrate the teacher's words and it destroys their schooling.
There is another problem of computer. Because of anonymity, some people can deceive
other people and it might be a fraud. For example, there is a website where the people can
post the advertisement and sell certain products. Throught that site, you paid for one
dictionary. But when you recieve and open it, there is a brick, not the dictionary.
Nowadays, the electronic commerce is getting popurlar, so it might happen like upper
situaion.
When you use the computer a lot, it attacks your eye sight. The experts warn not to use
the computer longer than 1 hour and after using it, you have to take a rest for your eyes.
But people mostly use the computer longer than one hour and for the children, they can't
easily refuse the temtation of computer.
Besides these, there are a lots of disadvantages such as illegal downloading and
becomming violent. But the worst thing is that the computer addicts don't know what to
do and they don't know how dangerous it is.
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32. One of the most powerful uses of artificial
intelligence thus far is in the world of speech
recognition. This powerful technology is
already in place in call centers, banks,
brokerage centers, insurance companies and
other businesses throughout the world. While
speech recognition is still imperfect, it has
improved greatly in recent years, and in the
future many routine, and even non-routine,
phone calls and telephone inquiries may be
handled completely without human
intervention.
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33. Robot technology has also come a long way, but
it still has a long way to go. Robots in the
future are unlikely to take human form, expect
in a few specialized applications. Instead,
robots are likely to do a great deal of work that
is simply too dangerous for humans to
accomplish. From spaceflight applications to
search and rescue, robots are likely to
continue down the learning curve they have
already entered, further enhancing human
lives and providing valuable services for a
fraction of the cost of today's robot helpers.
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34. Quantum computers are also likely to
transform the computing experience, for
both business and home users. These
powerful machines are already on the
drawing board, and they are likely to be
introduced in the near future. The quantum
computer is expected to be a giant leap
forward in computing technology, with
exciting implications for everything from
scientific research to stock market
predictions.
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35. Nanotechnology is another important part of the
future of computers, expected to have a
profound impact on people around the globe.
Nanotechnology is the process whereby
matter is manipulated at the atomic level,
providing the ability to “build” objects from their
most basic parts. Like robotics and artificial
intelligence, nanotechnology is already in use
in many places, providing everything from
stain resistant clothing to better suntan lotion.
These advances in nanotechnology are likely
to continue in the future, making this one of
the most powerful aspects of future computing.
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37. A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a
collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by
communication channels that allow sharing of resources and
information.[1] Where at least one process in one device is able to
send/receive data to/from at least one process residing in a remote
device, then the two devices are said to be in a network.
Networks may be classified according to a wide variety of
characteristics such as the medium used to transport the data,
communications protocol used, scale, topology, and organizational
scope.
Communications protocols define the rules and data formats for
exchanging information in a computer network, and provide the basis
for network programming. Well-known communications protocols are
Ethernet, a hardware and Link Layer standard that is ubiquitous in local
area networks, and the Internet Protocol Suite, which defines a set of
protocols for internetworking, i.e. for data communication between
multiple networks, as well as host-to-host data transfer, and application-
specific data transmission formats.
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