How much have computers changed your life

Computers – how they have changed our lives

Computers are defined as programmable machines that have two key features :they respond to a specific set of instruction(given by the human) that have been well defined and they can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions usually referred to as a program. Therefore computers execute what they have been instructed to.

Computers have evolved over the years from the static mainframe computers to the portable modern computers that we use today. Modern computers are both electronic and digital, and consist of the actual machinery such as wires circuits and transistors –these are referred to as hardware, and the data and instructions that are fed into the computer which are collectively referred to as software.

Components of the Computer.

The main components that make up the computers are:

Benefits of Computers :

Different sectors have benefited from the use of computers.

i. Computers have been of tremendous advantage to businesses and how the businesses are conducted in their respective sectors. Technological advancements have been so remarkable that those that have not yet incorporated the use of computers and computer systems in their day to day business activities are suffering great disadvantage as compared to their competitors. The business world uses computers for organization, self sufficiency, reducing costs, increasing the speeds of transactions and managing sales.

iii. In the medical industry emerging technologies and computer developments have been of significant advantage. The life support systems all run using computers. Additionally, the records and databases of the patients can all be saved once in computers and accessed each time the patient visits the hospital.

New Trends.

The 21 st century has been marked with dynamic trends as far as computers are concerned. The capabilities of computers have since been so expanded that it is hard to imagine how life would be if they ceased to exist.

Some of the most remarkable trends include:

Types of computers.

Computers come in all types, sizes and shapes. They are also distinguished with regard to their manufacturer, features, memory size, and a number of other features.

The main categories of types of computers are however listed as:

The scope of types of computers is very broad and therefore the categories listed above have in no way exhausted the types of computers available.

The inventions of the computer and the subsequent technological developments that have been made to enhance their capabilities have been very significant to human beings and all the processes and activities that we engage in. Ranging from entertainment to food production and life-saving issues it is hard to find activities that do not need the use of computers. The use of computers will continue to be embraced by generations to come.

Computers and Society

Technology in a Ever-Changing World

How Computers Have Changed Our Lives

05 Thursday Jun 2014

Computers have become a staple in almost every household and people have become dependent on them in almost every aspect of their lives. Many of us carry around a mini computer in our pockets, in the form of a smartphone. There are few people that would say that their lives haven’t been changed by computers. In fact, these mechanical brains have shaped our society as we know it and have largely improved our lives. The most simple things are run by computers. Consider going through the self-checkout at the grocery store or buying movie tickets at a self-serve kiosk at the theatre – both these activities involve the use of a computer. Space exploration started with the use of computers, traffic signals are run by computers, and computers are even found in medical equipment. In fact, most jobs today require the use of computers. We drive computerized cars – all cars manufactured today contain at least one computer, which can be used to perform various functions. Computers have opened up resources that provide a continuous flow of information. If it were not for computers, you would not be reading this blog right now. In fact, I don’t think you could think of a single day on which you did not use some form of computer technology.

Consider a world without computers – medicine and science would not be as developed as they currently are, and without internet, research would once again be dependent solely on books and other print publications, and movies that depend on computer graphics and animation such as The Hobbit, would not be made. In short, it would be very hard for us if we had to stop relying on computers because we have become dependent on them. However, it is important to remember that not every change is positive, as evident by the development of computer/internet addiction and the impact computers have on privacy. This blog will examine the biggest changes that computers have made to our lives.

Information Acquisition & Storage

Computers are capable of doing very fast computations and are used to store music, pictures, documents, and videos. Since the invention of the personal computer, their performance and information storage capacity have grown at an exponential rate. The fact that a computer can hold so much information is one of the key traits of a computer today. Computers store our memories, which are made up of pictures, documents, and videos. With the invention of the digital camera, we take more photos than ever before and thanks to the computer, we simply store them and, most of the time, never look at them again. Computers make this possible and even easy. Gone are the physical photo albums that you would find at your grandmother’s house. Now, every photo you take sits in the computer memory among thousands others, collecting hypothetical dust.

The benefits of computer storage are vast. We no longer need to keep physical documents and this prevents clutter. As long as saved documents are stored properly, with detailed folders and file names, it is also easy to find any document without having to shift through a physical mountain of paperwork – the computer does this for you with one easy search. Additionally being paperless is good for the environment as we are no longer contributing to the destruction of trees for the manufacturing of paper.

The term “Google it” is often heard in conversation. When we don’t know something we simply take out our smartphones or hop on the computer and look it up on Google. Computers have opened the door to a never-ending flow of information.Furthermore, anything of interest that one comes across surfing the internet can simply be saved to the computer, and these days entire books can be downloaded.

Communication/ Networking

Computers have become our main source for communication thereby they have changed how we correspond as a society. Computers, combined with the internet, resulted in the creation of social networking sites, which have become the main way in which most people communicate with one another. These sites allow us to be in contact with people all over the world. Facebook user statistics provide a look into what users are doing on Facebook each day. The statistics indicate that 1,310,000,000 users log in monthly. People also communicate via live video chat with applications such as Skype. Skype allows communications between individuals on opposite sides of the world. We are no longer limited by physical boundaries, the computer enables us to travel the world and see or speak with other people with just once click. The internet has revolutionized communication and networking.

Consider the modern cell phone, the smart phone, which has many functions of a standard computer.

The cell phone is no longer used for calling others, in fact, studies have shown that most people use their phones mostly for data. Cell phones are miniature computers and texting is the new way to communicate. According to CTIA, the wireless industry association, data usage (e-mail, streaming video, Internet browsing, etc.) has surpassed the amount of phone calls that were made on mobile phones last year. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, an unbiased fact tank that conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research, teenagers seem to text the most, with over half of the demographic sending 1,500 text messages per month. While the majority of older cell phone users do prefer a call over a text, studies indicate that this is also changing. As evident by the data below, cell phones often serve the role of a computer.

Our Thoughts/ Behaviours/ Perspectives

Initially, computers were only used in the workplace, but as they were developed further, their full potential was revealed and soon they became incorporated into almost all aspects of our lives. Once the internet was born, there was no stopping the potential of these powerful machines. Almost anything can be done from a computer. Paying bills, booking tickets, shopping, taking classes, working from home, researching, and many other activities can all be done from a home computer.

Computers have even changed the way we think and act. Computers have truly become indispensable tools in our lives – we use them at work, in class, and at home. Walking into a Starbucks, you will often see most of the patrons tucked behind their laptop screen, diligently typing away.

Our world has become one made up of blogging, chatting, and social networking. These sites provide a platform on which people can voice their opinions and start discussions. Computers have connected us to the world in unimaginable ways. We are aware of more world issues now then we were ever before. Computers enable us to see the devastation in some parts of the world, such as floods, famine, and war and this often motivates humanitarian action.

Furthermore, the possibility for learning is endless. Harvard and other universities offer a wide range of classes all offered online and all free of charge. The only tools required are a computer and internet access.

But computers also come with their share of drawbacks. After all, nothing is perfect, right?

Privacy

There are issues when computers fail to protect our privacy. First of all, we are the guilty party in some case as we put our personal information on social networking sites and make it available to anyone who wishes to view it. But what happens when information we do not want to share gets leaked? The cloud is an online storage system that turns any computer into a super-computer by expanding the storage capability of any computer through the use of a powerful series of remote servers. Sounds fantastic, right?

Beware of security breach! In 2011, Sony’s PlayStation Network was hacked and as a result 77 million accounts were compromised. Evernote, another user of cloud storage, was also hacked in march 2013 and 55 million users were compromised as hackers accessed usernames, emails, and encrypted passwords.

What you may not be aware of is that social network sites are cloud companies. By agreeing to the Facebook privacy policy, we may be agreeing to sharing our data with someone we may not want to share it with.

Computers can also be hacked via a virus simply by opening or downloading an email attachment or clicking on a link. Through this, a hacker is able to access you files and obtain your personal information. This can have serious consequences – your credit card information can be stolen and you can become a victim of identity theft.

The fact is, the cloud cannot promise that there will be no further security breaches. Perhaps it is better to store the most sensitive and private information in your private computer rather than in the cloud.

Computer/Internet Addiction

As the computer became more and more integrated into our lives, it became an obsession and some people developed a computer addiction. For some, computer use becomes so important that it interferes with their daily routines, relationships, activities, and overall health. If you begin planning your life around your computer use, then you have developed an addiction.

The statistics on computer and internet addictions are staggering. One in eight Americans show signs of being addicted to the internet. One study indicated that internet addiction has the same effect as cocaine on brains. Another uses neuroimaging research to link brain abnormalities to internet addiction. Internet and computer addictions can have many long-term consequences.

Addicted to Facebook

Nomophobia (the pathological fear of remaining out of touch with technology) which is characterized by discomfort, anxiety, nervousness, or anguish caused by being out of contact with a mobile phone or computer is another result of computer addiction. Research conducted at the University of Genoa indicates that nomophobia is similar to internet addiction and arises from the changes that the mobile phone has made to human habits and behaviours.

People have become so dependent on their phones that some cannot even sit through a two hour movie without checking their phones. The movie theatre is often lit by the glow of smartphone screens.

In Conclusion

With the invention of the computer, a technology emerged, one which was never seen before. Computers had the power to multitask like no machine that ever existed. Computers could store information and simplify data with just one simple instruction. Computers are continuously being improved. In fact, the computer you are using right now is very different from the first computer ever built. The inventions of the smartphone and tablets are examples of this continuous innovation. It is simply impossible to imagine a life without computers because today they are thoroughly integrated into our lives.

The first computer – it was so big that only a fraction of it is visible in this photo.

While it has been argued that the computer has put a physical barrier between people, as we are usually behind a screen, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. The world would not be as advanced if it were not for computers and we would not be as connected as we are now – information can be transferred across continents instantaneously. Computers have opened the door to the world and with it unleashed unlimited potential.

15 Ways Computers Affected Our Lives (The Good & Bad)

THE CYBER REVOLUTION

Welcome to the information age, and we cannot deny that computers have affected our lives in so many ways. Computers are so common these days and there is literally “no escape” – They are used in offices, integrated into factories, used in hospitals, found in homes, shops, and in the hands of many people worldwide.

This list can go on forever as people continue to find more uses for computers… But it is not always bright and sunny, there are dark sides to this computer revolution as well. Just how have computers affected our lives in good and bad ways? Read on to find out!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

POSITIVE IMPACTS

Let us start on the brighter side of the cyber world first. Of how computers have improved our daily lives, and how they have helped in various industries and sectors.

1) BUSINESSES IN GENERAL

The general business sector has probably benefited the most from computers. Going back into “stone age”, traditional office work involves handwritten reports, receipts, and drawing on transparent slides for presentations. Guess you already knew what took over office productivity – Text documents, spreadsheets, and presentation slides.

Computers have also changed the way of how business communications work. What used to be snail mail is now instant email and text messages. What used to be expensive international phone calls is replaced by video conferences. The once difficult International collaboration is now easily within reach, people can technically work from anywhere in the world with just a computer and Internet connection.

Of course, computers and the Internet are not just used to boost productivity and communications – They are also used as a channel for doing online business itself. This has given traditional brick-and-mortar shops more reach, more potential customers, and to “unstuck” themselves from one location.

2) ENTERTAINMENT

Once upon a time in the dark cyber ages, computers were used more like oversized calculators to crunch data only. It did not take long for the smart playful monkeys to realize that computers can be actually used to for entertainment.

Games, movies, radio, videos, music – All of these are now available in devices the size of your palm, fits right into pockets. No more boring bus and train rides.

3) EDUCATION

In the good old days, teachers have to write on chalkboards and create slides with poster-sized pieces of paper. Not anymore. With computers, teaching can now be done with less boring text and more interesting media… Learning can be done by not taking notes, but by taking pictures of the notes.

Also, learning is now free with a wealth of knowledge that is being shared freely online – Dictionaries, Wikipedia, YouTube. Of course, you can even get some recognized certificates from free online universities – Check out University of the People.

4) MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION

Once upon a time in the iron age of humanity, manufacturing and production are hard manual work. There is a limit to how much merchandise can be produced, and the quality depends on the laborer as well. It was not until the industrial age that machinery and early versions of computers are used in mass production and factory automation.

While the ability to produce quality goods at a faster rate and lower cost is good for businesses, some people may think that automation has put manual laborers out of jobs. Personally, I just think otherwise. Factories still need human managers, supervisors, operators, engineers, and programmers… It just requires a different group of people and a set of skills.

5) MEDICAL

Gone are the days where hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies have to dig through rows of physical files to find your medical history. All the health records and medication history are recorded in computers, and can literally be retrieved within seconds.

It is not just the administration that has improved with computers, and they are also used in the actual medical procedures itself – There are databases for illnesses, medications, and even computer-assisted surgeries.

6) SCIENCE & RESEARCH

Imagine a world where mad scientists record their findings on paper and do crazy calculations by hand… Just how long will that take to calculate the weight of a rocket and how much fuel to carry? Computers have really given the big boost to the science community with their ability to crunch serious numbers and do simulations.

7) SERVICE

24 hours ATM machines, vending machines, online ordering, self-driving vehicles – Without computers, all of these would have been impossible.

8) HOME & OFFICE SECURITY

9) LAW ENFORCEMENT

If computers can offer so much home and office security, it can be used in law enforcement as well. It is no secret that computers have been used to record past criminal cases. But the more amazing part is using that past data to analyze criminal patterns, and help solve or even prevent future cases.

NEGATIVE IMPACTS

When there is light, it will also cast shadows. Sadly, while computers did humans a lot of good, there are also bad sides of it.

10) FAKE NEWS, FALSE & MISLEADING INFORMATION

Yes, one can access an endless ocean of knowledge with a computer and access to the Internet, but not everything that floats in this ocean is good. Satire news, click baits, untruthful articles, biased comments, extreme views… You catch the drift. It’s the Internet, and some people just have to post all kinds of weird bad stuff to catch more attention.

Good for those who are slow to believe, careful to validate the facts, and have a good laugh over these fake news. But as the law of nature works, there will always be a group of “selected few” to actually believe in the wrong things in the wrong way.

11) STUCK TO DEVICES

Smartphones and tablets have put the power of mobile computing into the hands of people. While it is a good thing to be able to do stuff on the go, but it has become a global hazard that some people are glued to their devices wherever they go. These people lose track of the surroundings while staring at the screen, get run over by cars, fall into holes, and get into all kinds of accidents.

12) HEALTH ISSUES

13) MOB MENTALITY

The Internet has changed the way we communicate, especially when it comes to sharing stuff on social media. Humans are generally social creatures who tend to go with the rule of “majority wins”, which is a characteristic that can result in something really bad at times.

For example, a person can post his/her story to pick on another person online. All that person’s friends will then follow suit without listening to the other side of the story… Possibly resulting in poor judgment, and wrongful online harassments.

14) CYBERBULLYING

It is easy to hide behind a monitor and Internet connection, hammer some random hate messages, and post them online. Trolls, haters, flamers, spammers, keyboard warriors, call them whatever… But these are the people who are sadly missing a screw on their moral compass.

15) ONLINE STALKERS & SCAMS

Social media is cool, allowing you to post photos, and share slices of your life with your friends and family. But sometimes, that also means revealing information about yourself… So much information that scammers and stalkers can easily use against you.

USEFUL BITS

That’s all for this guide, and here is a small section on some extras and links that may be useful to you.

LINKS & REFERENCES

WHAT’S NEXT?

Thank you for reading, and we have come to the end of this guide. I hope that this has helped you to better understand the cyber world, and if you have anything to share with this guide, please feel free to comment below. Good luck and happy computing. May the digital force be with you.

Let’s Look at How Computers Have Changed the World

Computers have been one of the greatest inventions ever! They have changed the world by changing the way we think today and will continue to do so.

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Computers have been one of the greatest inventions ever! They have changed the world by changing the way we think today and will continue to do so.

Fire is known to be man’s first invention. But, little did he know then, that this effort was going to change his world so drastically. Since then, invention after invention, right from a wheel to a guillotine, changed a lot of things for mankind. Right from simple machines to complex mechanisms, these inventions have only brought about a sea change in the way we function today.

For instance, invention of computers brought a technology in the world which had the power to multitask like none other machine created by man. It could store information, simplify tasks and organize work with just one instruction. Ever since, computers have been developed into smarter machines by honchos of leading information technology conglomerates.

How Computers Changed The World Over The Years

Revolutionized Business

Computers have changed the way a business functions in a large way. Back in the olden times, corporate houses rented spaces for running accounting departments. It took months together to figure out profit or loss that a business had made or suffered. Recording entries and other relevant data was done manually and most of it remained scripted.

However, with the advent of computers, the concept of manual entries and use of human brain to remember and memorize company’s financial operations became obsolete. This transformation was known as automation, which made computers the backbone of all new age businesses. Today, computers are used beyond bookkeeping purposes too. Almost everything that happens in an organization, right from its inception to its closure, is recorded, worked upon, evaluated and rectified with the help of computers.

Changed Our Lives

Imagining our lives without computers is next to impossible. Ubiquity of these machines goes to show our incorrigible dependence on them. Computers were initially used only in workplaces. However, they soon became a household name, which revolutionized everything from school homework to grocery shopping. When computers were supplemented by Internet, it caused a great shift in the way we functioned. It ironed out several creases in long distance communication. This gave an impetus to globalization, bringing the world closer and opening new avenues to explore the human reach.

Over a period of time, computers enabled working from home, which created a new type of employment for many. This gave usage of computers, within the confines of homes a new dimension. As technology progressed, simple things such as shopping, booking tickets, buying a new house, searching for schools and colleges, applying to the same, researching for projects and medical information became a lot easier with entry of computers in every households. Thus, computers affected our lives in ways that remained blinded to the naked eye.

How Computers Change the Way We Think

Computer being an indispensable tool in our lives, has changed the way we think in more ways than one. Today, all you have to do to find answers is, just ‘Google it’! The online world of blogging, instant messaging, chatting and social networking not only leaves virtual traces, but unites the world in a completely unimagined way. It has caused revolutions and added to the verve of celebrations in equal magnanimity. This powerful medium is the great mode of mass communication which affects out thinking by allowing people a platform to voice their opinions and stir discussions that have brought about a change in the world.

Computers have pushed us to see different worlds and experiences cultures. Although the growth is a virtual one, it’s after effects are very much real. The revolution in Egypt is the latest example of how computers changed the world. Today the identity of information technology is computers. Invention of this machine has changed the world’s perspective about cultures, economics, history and current affairs. The advent of computers has no doubt brought a revolutionary change in our existence, however it has a flip side too. Thus, using a computer for a better evolution in the coming decades remains a bigger challenge for the mankind.

7 ways computers will change our lives

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Marie Misund Bringslid

November 29th, 2016

7 ways computers will change our lives

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Google boss Eric Schmidt shared his visions for the future at a recent LSE Department of Management public lecture.

Friday night and the Old Theatre at LSE was packed with students, academics and some of Britain’s computing pioneers to hear Eric Schmidt’s predictions and opinions on the future of computer technology. Schmidt helped grow Google from a Silicon Valley start-up to a global leader in technology, and has spent decades predicting technological innovations.

In conversation with Professor Chrisanthi Avgerou, the executive chairman of Google’s parent company Alphabet discussed the progress in Computer Science education, digital skills and opportunities that flow computing innovation in machine learning. Here are some of his thoughts on how computer technology will continue to changes our lives.

1.Change the way we work

The fear that the job market might be destroyed due to the onset of technology is not new, but with the development of new technology, automation might happen a lot faster than before. Automation is reshaping workplaces and will in years to come bring fundamental changes to almost every industry. Schmidt does not predict that human workers will be replaced by robots, but envisages cooperation between humans and robots in the workplace. Highly repetitive and mundane tasks will be automated, and give humans more time to focus on creative and interesting tasks. He sees robots as a tool to increase performance and productivity, and eliminate the mind crushing, boring tasks that many workers deal with every day.

2. Help us solve global challenges

According to the Google boss it is only our own creativity and innovation that limits the possible use of computer technology. Climate change is one area in which he envisions that technology can help, by using computers to help increase energy efficiency. He also envisions a large role of technology in healthcare by directing the resources to more accurate healthcare solutions and the use of robots in medical research.

3. Smarter education

Although computer science is already widely used in education, Schmidt envisions a new way of using computers to make education smarter. Recognising that everyone learns differently, he suggests using computers to monitor the different ways students learn. This will give teachers the ability to identify the most successful teaching models and augment their teaching to make education more effective.

4. More entrepreneurs

Schmidt is convinced that we need to produce more entrepreneurs everywhere, and calls upon universities and governments all over the world to encourage entrepreneurship and new ideas. He firmly believes that entrepreneurship and innovation will be the great business narrative for the next decade, pointing out that entrepreneurs not only boost our economy but can contribute to solving some of humanity’s largest issues.

5. Digitalisation of everything

No one can afford not to digitise services, according to Schmidt. Claiming that he discusses the issue of how to digitize every single day, Schmidt says that the question is no longer ‘do we need it?’ but ‘how do we achieve it?’ He believes that digitization is the only way forward, whether it is a business or a government, and that there has to be a plan (at the very least) to digitize services.

6. More benefits for more people

Schmidt is a firm believer that technological innovation will ensure more benefits for more people – giving them access better products, services and information. He believes that computer technology will continue to improve the standard of living and create opportunities for everyone. At the same time he questions if our addiction to technology is making us happier, pointing to the fact that 97 per cent of people sleep with their smartphones plugged in next to their bed, and touch their smartphones on average 1500 times (!) every week.

7. Machines teaching themselves