By Kj Chung

What is a computer? A computer is an organized setting of hardware and systems, and the “ computer “ is the operator. Personal Computers are the same as a normal computer except they use a variety of extra software. Normal computers which are not personalized for entertainment, are more accustomed for work.

Personal Computers A personal computer [PC] is a computer made so that the user can easily modify the system to their personal needs. Computers are generally named from a manufacturing company such as, “Macintosh” or “Pentium”. These computers may be different, but all computers share common traits, such as the “microprocessor”. [The “brain” of the computer]

History The first computers were enormous, and filled up a room easily. These computers required huge amounts of power, and they also required special needs. One example was temperature, with the correct temperature the computers could 0perate with stability.

Advances in Technology In the 1950’s, the “integrated circuit” was invented and it changed the economy of the computer market. The IC allowed computers to control “transistors” [controls] faster and every year from that, the number of controls the IC could handle doubled. In addition to that, IC’s were smaller and were faster then a large computer software.

Modern Computers Today’s computers can read CDs or DVDs in their system without the proper player. Also, computers have become mobile. Mobile computers are extremely portable, but they have their own setbacks. Portable computers do not have a long battery life, and need a special design for ventilation in order not overheat.

Communicating Computers can record sounds and voices with a microphone and keep it as a file. Computers can also send s using the Internet with ease, which was a lot faster then the traditional mailing.

Computer Systems Two high school friends, Paul Allen and Bill Gates, created a software for computers and made the Microsoft Corp. Microsoft is the world’s leading independent software developer. The International Business Machines [IBM] is a leading company of computer industry.

Microsoft Microsoft created “Windows XP” which was a huge success due to its capabilities which increased over time. After XP, Microsoft released “Microsoft Vista” which was a more secure software then XP, with increased potential. Soon, nearly all computers became “user-friendly” and more and more people began to use computers.

The Internet Computers connect to the internet by using either : “T” [trunk] carriers which sent digital signals, telephone lines carrying the signal, or Wi-Fi [Wireless Fidelity] As the internet became more common, it soon became a main source for entertainment source for many. People used it for games, videos, blogs, and much more.

Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM is a form of manufacturing, when machines “communicate” to do a task. This began in the 1950’s and began to take over the menial jobs of human workers. Computers soon helped the manufacturing process go faster and easier with less mistakes.

Computer Aided Manufacturing In the 1950’s, the computers were simple numerically controlled machines. These computers had a set of coded instructions in them, which were in punched paper tape. However these computers were not as advanced and this progress required a number of computers.

Computer Aided Manufacturing A computer from today can control a number of other machines, rather needing a number. A computer engineer can easily change the programming to make the machines to do another task. The most advanced systems can do tasks such as ordering a shipment, scheduling, and tasks people are usually assigned.

This chart shows the percentage of people who owned computers in America during different time periods.

Computer Facts Some portable computers can be tenth the size of a notebook. Every year, the capabilities of most computers double and operate better. A computer’s memory has increased over time, and the size of the computer has gotten smaller, but has increased capabilities as well.