Smaller and smaller
The first computers were built in the 1940s. They were bigger than cars! Since then computers have become smaller and smaller. Desktop computers are the size of televisions. Laptops are the size of books. Now we have palmtop computers. They are small enough to put in your pocket like a bar of chocolate. Other kinds of computers are so tiny that you may be unaware of them. There is probably one inside your TV, telephone, or washing machine. So you probably depend on computers
more than you realize.
What kind of jobs can a computer do?
It is common knowledge that computers are super calculators. They can calculate very fast and rarely give wrong answers. They can also type, print and draw things. They can teach you and play games with you. More importantly, they can operate railways and fly aeroplanes and spaceships. For these reasons, we often call them electronic brains.
Is a computer cleverer than I am?
The answer to this question is, for the time being, 'No'. Your brain can understand the meaning of things better and create new ideas. However,
one day computers may be able to do most things that a human being can do and even do them better. For example, they may be better than doctors at doing their job.
If it is true, it raises some interesting questions. What will happen to us if computers can do our jobs? How will we spend our lives? Will we have nothing to do? Computers may change our lives, but will they make them better?
Talk to your computer
Now you do not even need to know how to type. You can buy a program which helps the computer recognize your voice. You can talk to the computer and it will obey your commands, and write your letters!
CD-ROMs/DVD-ROMs
Many of today's computers have CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives. A DVD-ROM can hold millions of pages of writing, and can also contain pictures, videos and sounds. For example, you can use your computer to read about a famous person from history and you can see a photograph or video of him or her, and even listen to them speaking. Some people think that DVD-ROMs will soon be more popular than books.