Computers In Our Life
Could
one imagine what the world would be like today without computers? For one, I
would not be typing this paper right now. Computers were actually developed in
early history. The first major use for a computer in the U.S. was during the
1890 census. Two men, Herman Hollerith and James Powers, developed a new
punched-card system that could automatically read information on cards without
human intervention (Chaney 52). This caused many other people to develop
computers for various tasks. Each new computer helped to perform a different
function and make it easier. Eventually IBM made a computer that could perform
various tasks such as: figure out equations, store data, and draw graphics
(Chaney 53). From there the computer industry exploded. Now computers have
changed many aspects of life. Computers have had a major effect upon business.
One area deals with the advertising industry. It has completely re-arranged the
advertising business. Before computers companies used to advertise only on
magazines, billboards, and T.V. The internet has spawned a new world for
advertising. If anyone has ever been on the Internet; they know that it is a
major contributor to this. Instead of companies paying around 1 million dollars
to advertise for a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl; they could just
pay a certain amount to be advertised forever on the net. People can also notice
the changes of advertising on the T.V., also. Not until the last few years have
people noticed that a great deal of the commercials on T.V. are
computer-related. These two combined have made the advertising businesses boom.
Not only just on the T.V., but also on the net. Another area affected is the
stock trading business. Computers have actually hurt the majority of stock
brokerage firms. The reason is because computers allow it’s users to have
access to the same information the actual brokers have. They can log onto the
internet and go to their online firm to download information on stocks. This way
they have the knowledge to trade and buy stocks for themselves without paying a
certain percent to the broker. People can become a member of online firms such
as: Ameritrade, DLJ Direct, SureTrade, and others. Here they can trade for a
mere $8-$10 dollars. People also have responded that they feel more comfortable
when they have total control of their money ( Maney 45). A final area deals with
the actual computer-related companies. These companies have turned from perhaps
what some considered an unthinkable business into Fortune 500 companies (Maney
48). Such companies as: Microsoft, Intel, Dell, Gateway, Cisco, and Apple have
become some of the most successful companies around the world. They have also
caused the infamous Silicon Valley to sprout up. This area located in
mid-western California has become one of the most well-known areas along with
the most profitable (Horowitz 38). Those companies produce the needed computer
software, machines, computer chips, and hardware needed by the people.
Statistics show that about 1 in every 5 households own at least one computer in
their home. By the year 2002 they expect those results to be around 1 in 3 (Stross
58). These reasons along with others are what have made computer businesses
become so successful. Computers have opened a whole new way to educate people. A
first example is through educational software. Companies like Kaplan develop
many programs which help people with all subjects. These programs do not only
help with young kids, but for all different ages. They now have software that
helps kids study for such tests as the ACT and SAT. These can come in handy and
be a great benefit when the test rolls around. Multimedia programs give people
the chance to have a whole set of encyclopedias, almanacs, maps, dictionaries,
and other informational tools (Stross 62). Computers have also allowed many
mathematical equations and other formulas to be completed extremely quickly.
Some people might not realize that a calculator is actually a computer. Could
one imagine not being able to use a calculator for certain math problems? Some
applications we would still be working on! The Internet is another tool people
have started to use for education. Undoubtedly, this is probably the most
important tool that has changed education. Labeled the “Information
Superhighway” one can understand this. It has allowed people from all over the
world to share their knowledge and give anyone access to it for an extremely low
cost. One can even access the Library of Congress and look at any book in the
world (Horowitz 39). People can take part in online lectures given by
professors. If a person has a research project on let’s say, Cancer. All they
would need to do is search for that on a search engine such as, Yahoo. Then they
would have more information on the subject than they could even imagine. Also,
there are certain sites where people can get online and go to a homework help
site. Here kids can e-mail problems to the site. Then they will respond with
hints to it and eventually the answer. One site is www.homeworkhelp.com (Stross
66). A final effect is how it is somewhat necessary for people to become user
friendly with the computer. People can argue that they might not ever need to
use a computer or learn how. Yes, there are those people who are not ever going
to be into the technological age. These people are just limiting themselves on
what Bill Gates say’s is, “a technological era” (Maney 50). On commercials
one here’s the phrase, “What type of computer skills do you have.” People
are being constantly rejected for jobs from those Fortune 500 companies like
Microsoft and Intel. This has caused people to partake in courses offered in
computers and take typing classes. The computer skills are a needed ability for
people to get many jobs in today’s job world. “Someday we hope that every
household will contain at least one computer for use”, says Microsoft CEO Bill
gates (Stross 68). In the future it could be very likely that most households
will be benefited by having a computer. Already, people can watch T.V. from
their computer, use it as a CD player ,or even a VCR. Groceries, pizza, and
other meals and necessities will be able to be ordered from the home. Someday
computers will relate to virtually everything. A second relation is with the
workplace. Almost every job, whether it be a farmer or a teacher will benefit by
using a computer. The farmer can use a computer to calculate crop production or
turn on the right irrigation systems. A teacher could e-mail the whole days
lesson plans to students at home. A final thought is how there will continually
be effects as long as people continue to come up with the ideas. Such things as
voice operated lights, T.V’s, and computer’s are just a few things in
operation right now. They also are developing voice activated cars. All these
inventions would not have been able to come about without the use of the
computer (Maney 51). The computer is constantly changing the everyday life of
many people. It has effected some part of everyone’s life. They will continue
to benefit people in many ways. Some not even thought of yet.
