Category Computer

COMPUTERS

Computers do hundreds of different jobs, from word processing to flying aircraft. A computer can perform different tasks because it is a general-purpose electronic machine, controlled by a computer program. Change the program and the computer does a new job. A computer stores data such as numbers, words, sounds and pictures, and processes it under direction of the program.

The first computers to work in the same way as today’s were developed in the 1940s. These huge machines used thousands of thermionic valves. Computers became far smaller with the introduction of integrated circuits in the 1950s, and have continued to become more powerful.

Desktop computers used at home, school and work are called personal computers (PCs). Other types include mainframes, used by large companies for data processing, and supercomputers, for doing complex scientific calculations extremely quickly.

The central processing unit of a PC is contained on a single large integrated circuit called a microprocessor. It has two units – one that carries out calculations and other operations, and another that receives instructions and data from memory.

Parts of a PC

A computer is made up of hardware, its physical parts, and software, made up of the data and programs it stores and uses. The hardware is made up of the computer itself and peripherals, such as monitors and printers that attach to it.

The main part of a personal computer is the central processing unit (CPU), normally simply called the processor, which can be thought of as the computer’s “brain”. It receives instructions from the program and carries them out. Programs and data are stored in the computer’s memory. Rows of metal tracks called buses connect the processor and memory. The data bus carries the data; the address bus tells the memory where the data should come from or go to.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

There are two main types of computer software – system software and application software. System software does the computer’s “housekeeping” jobs, such as controlling a printer, or writing data to disc drives. Application software makes the computer do specific jobs.

Most personal computers have application software such as a word processor (for preparing letters and reports), a database (for storing and retrieving information), a web browser (for surfing the World Wide Web) and e-mail software. Games and educational programs are also applications. Office computers may also have software for doing calculations (called spreadsheets), for processing orders, for accounts, for planning projects and for making presentations. Book and magazine designers use publishing software to design and edit pages before they are printed. Engineers and designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software to help them design new products, which they can view on-screen before making the real thing. Details of the parts can be sent to computers that control the manufacturing machines that make the parts.

In most offices, computers are linked together into networks so that they can share programs and data, which are stored on a computer called a server.

Many computers do just one specific job. Examples of these dedicated computers are games machines, in-car navigation computers, and the computers that help to fly airliners and fighter aircraft.

With laptops and desktops working overtime during this pandemic, it becomes necessary to take care of our gadgets to ensure their longevity. When the laptop or desktop is new, we take extra care of it. But as time passes, we tend to ignore basic things such as shutting down the gadget. Now that you are spending more hours at home, invest time in caring for your gadgets and making the best use of them.

Remember to shut down the system

This is the most important rule to follow. Always turn off the system after each use. Don’t let it run for days together, as it can heat up and affect the battery life. Like your body need rest, your system needs it as well.

Update the OS

It might be time consuming, but allow your gadget to update the operating system, whenever necessary, if you are doing something important, then schedule the updates for sometime later when you are relatively free. But remember to update the OS, as this can improve your system’s performance and also ehance its security.

No eating while using the system

Most of us munch on something or eat our food while using the system. This must be avoided at all costs. Crumbs falling on the keyboard, between the keys, can damage its internal parts. It is the same with water or any other liquid.

Pull the plug

Another thing we are all guilty is overcharging our devices. While certain devices come with audio cut-off where they automatically stop charging once optional charge is reached, most devices do not have the same. Avoid overcharging your laptop, as it can heat up the battery and affect is longevity.

Keep system away from heat

Do not expose your system to direct heat or high temperatures because this can damage its parts and most often lead to a thermal shutdowns. If possible, invest in a cooling fan for a laptop if the temperature where you live is usually high.

Clean the system

Periodically clean the system to get rid if all the dust and dirt. While doing so, please remember to use a clean, dry cloth. Moisture of any kind will harm the system.

Install an antivirus

Install a good antivirus that protects your data from viruses. Set your antivirus to run a scan periodically to make sure you track any virus before it does damage.

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Netiquette is a combination of the words ‘Internet’ and ‘Etiquette’. It refers to the rules to be observed online. This applies to several aspects of the Internet such as email, social media, online chat, web comments, communication during gaming, and web forums among others. There is no official list of such rules. Hence, they can vary from community to community. However, there are certain rules that are followed uniformly by a majority of communities. These include.

Respect others’ privacy

Do not share others’ pictures, personal details or videos that they are not comfortable publishing online. Respect their right to privacy.

Watch your tongue

Do not let your personal problem with someone spill onto the virtual space. Try to amicably sort out issues instead of posting inflammatory or offensive comments. If you come across anyone indulging in it, report their profile immediately.

Think before you post

Whether it is an email or a post on social media, think twice before publishing it online. Your posts should not target anyone and should not hurt their sentiments. Remember that we are a culturally diverse world. So, be welcoming of people instead of posting things against a person or a community.

Think before reposting

So your friend has posted something about an issue and is requesting people to repost the same to spread the word. Like a good friend you might want to repost it, but don’t. It is the era of fake news and fake information in the virtual world. So, check the facts before you decide to repost anything that is spreading online.

Be a sport

When you play multiplayer games online with friends or stranger, do not say anything inflammatory. Similarly, if you lose a game, be a sport and accept your loss gracefully. So not indulge in profanity.

No ALL CAPS, please

This is an accepted behaviour almost everywhere – you do not use ALL CAPS in a mail, chat comments or any other form of communication online. When you use all caps, it is considered that you are shouting or yelling at the person at the other end.

Don’t spam others

Do not repeatedly send mails or chat messages to people if they are not responding on time, wait it out. Similarly, refrain from forwarding unnecessary WhatsApp messages. It is impolite to spam people in any way.

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To use the computer to its optimal potential, we need to install various software that let us perform different tasks such as word processing, accessing the Internet, and watching videos. The Operating System, which helps users interact with the computer, is also a software.

While some software come pre-installed with a laptop or desktop, some are expensive, making them inaccessible.

What is software piracy?

In simple terms, software piracy is the illegal copying, use or distribution of a software. Most software, except open source ones, is copyrighted. When you buy a software, you become a licensed user of the software comes with it’s own terms and conditions of usage. When these are breached, and you start using the software for your own profit by illegally circulating it, you indulge in software piracy.

Types of software piracy

Software piracy is practiced in different ways. Some of these are:

Softlifting: Also called softloading, this is the most common type of software piracy. Softlifting means sharing a program with someone who is not licensed to use it. For example, if you share your licensed Microsoft Office Software CD with your friend when it mentions it is licensed for only one computer, you are involving in softlifting.

Counterfeiting: Another common type of piracy, this involves creating duplicates of the original software and selling them for profit.

Online/Internet Piracy: One of the fastest growing forms of piracy, this involves copying of a software and putting up the file on the Internet for download. There are many sites that let you download pirated versions of software. Be aware, as much as the person who uploads the software online, the person who downloads it is equally guilty when it comes to piracy.

Hard disk loading: This is usually committed by hardware dealers who load an unauthorized copy of a software on the system and sell it to the end user.

OEM unbundling: In this form of piracy, one usually sells a stand-alone software from a bundle of software. For example, Adobe suite is a bundled software. If someone sells you just Adobe Photoshop from it, it is known as OEM unbundling.

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A new research from the University of Washington in Seattle, the U.S., revealed that one need not necessarily excel in Maths to be a coder. According to the research, a natural aptitude for learning languages is a stronger predictor of learning to programme than basic math knowledge. This is because writing code also involves learning a second language and the ability to learn that language’s grammar and vocabulary.

The study had examined the neurocognitive abilities of more than 30 adults as they learned a programming language called Python. Following a series of tests that assessed their executive function, language, and math skills, participants also complete a series of online lessons and quizzes in Python.

Those who managed to learn the programming language faster and with greater accuracy tended to have a mix of strong problem-solving skills as well as language abilities, stated the findings published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Maths has always been considered one of the most important skills when it comes to coding. However, this new study states while mathematical skills are important, there are other skills, apart from the aptitude to learn a new language, which are equally important.

If you wish to become a coder, here are a few skills you should develop:

Problem-solving: One of the most important soft skills required to be a programmer is problem-solving because a programmer’s key role is to solve a problem. If the boss wants to know what the users are reading through in the site, the programmer needs to solve the problem by writing a code that instructs the computer to track user clicks.

Logical reasoning: The computer is a logical machine. If a+b=c, the computer will follow that logic. Hence, a programmer too needs to work on his logical reasoning skills to understand the workings of the computer and provide step-by-step logical instructions.

Good memory: ‘Practice makes perfect’ is a popular saying. But before you are close to perfecting your programming knowledge, you need to work on your memory skills. This is because programming involves the use of several keywords for specific tasks which need to be remembered.

Basic math: You don’t need to be an expert in math. But basic math, especially arithmetic and algebra, is a must since programs need to perform calculations at different points in time.

Communication skills: A programmer needs to be an effective communicator. Apart from being attentive and listening to the brief a client gives him or her, a programmer needs to effectively communicate what can or cannot be done when it comes to coding.

A keen eye for detail: Programming languages involve the use of several keywords and special characters. If one character is missing, then the whole program can crash. Hence, a programmer needs to have a keen eye for detail.

Curiosity: Being curious is an essential skill for a programmer. A programmer needs to ask questions and look for answers to ensure writing the best version of a program. So, are you ready to code?

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A chatbot, or chatterbot, is a computer program designed to stimulate conversation with humans. A chatbot usually has textual conversations with users, guiding them through simple processes. Sometimes, it is hard to identify who you are chatting with – a human or a robot. Many websites today use chatbots.

The term chatterbot was originally coined by computer scientist Michael Mauldin in 1994. Mauldin is the creator of Verbot, a popular chatterbot program.

The first conversational bot, however, was written in the U.S. in 1966. Implemented by Joseph Weizenbaum, a computer scientist of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the chatbot was called Eliza. The chatbot was so authentic that it misled many people it was human.

Advantages of a chatbot

Chatbots are a great help for businesses, helping improve customer service and personalizing communication. However, for a user, a chatbot can be a boon when it comes to getting immediate responses for queries. Most chatbots are operational 24×7, meaning you can ask it a question even at two in the morning and you will be served a response. A chatbot also comes in handy when you don’t have the patience to read through the Frequently Asked Questions. Most chatbots are equipped with answering the FAQs.

Chatbots are also linked to human customer service professionals. If it cannot answer your query any further, it will put you through to a professional, thereby ensuring seamless customer service.

How do chatbots work?

Depending on the purpose they are designed for, chatbots can be divided into two groups – simple, and trained/smart.

Simple chatbots work according to pre-programmed commands.

Usually, a developer writes a list of keywords and command for the computer program to look for and execute. When a user chats with such a bot, if the keyword is present, the bot will execute the command. If not, it might say something like “Sorry, I do not understand”.

A smart chatbot, on the other hand, relies on artificial intelligence to communicate with users. Instead of pre-programmed answers, this bot will offer you a list of suggestions based on what you key in. The smart bot also stores all the words and sentences you use for later processing to improve on its responses.

Chatbots and the Turing test

While chatbots are highly intelligent, they haven’t passed the Turing test as of 2019. The Turing test, developed in the 1950s by Alan Turing, is a test of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligence equivalent to or indistinguishable from humans. Simply put, a human judge has a conversation with a human and a chatbot. If he can identify the machine, the chatbot doesn’t pass the Turing test.

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Ever since gadgets entered our lives, we have been addicted to them. Checking the mobile phone as soon as we wake up has become a part of our daily routine. Similarly, on returning from school, playing games on the computer has become a norm.

While the computer is highly useful for academic purposes such as project work, it is also used as a means of entertainment. However, constant use of the computer can take a toll on our health. One could instead use this time to channel one’s energy towards other interesting and beneficial things. Hence let’s see how taking occasional breaks from the computer can be rejuvenating.

The need to detox

Using the computer for long periods of time can affect the eyes as well as the body. The harsh light emitted by the monitor can tire your eyes and leave you with dark circles. The light is also said to affect sleep.

Besides, due to lack of physical activity, your body will feel much weaker than it is. You could develop poor posture that causes back and neck pain. Many people also complain of headaches and disorientation.

Another major health problem encountered by many of us today is obesity. Sitting in front of the computer for hours together can lead to weight gain. This in turn affects our heart and mind.

Ways to detox

So the best way to stay away from the computer is to to keep yourself occupied with other interesting things. Here are a few ways to detox and rejuvenate yourself.

Take regular breaks:

Don’t sit in front of the computer for too long. Have a sand clock on your computer table to remind you to get up and move around.

Take power naps

You could feel exhausted with all the things you need to do during the day. So, to relax, take power naps instead of playing games on the computer.

Read books

Books are our best friends. There’s a book for every mood. So, grab one and start reading during your free time.

Go out and play

With free spaces shrinking, make the most of the outdoors – go out and play. There’s nothing a good game with friends can’t fix. It’s one of the best stress busters.

Reward yourself

It can be difficult to detox. A reward is a good way to keep yourself motivated. Every time you do something other than using the computer, reward yourself with something useful.

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A secret start menu

Over the years, many of us became accustomed to the simple textual start menu offered by the Windows OS. But with Windows 10, a new tiled interface emerged, confusing many new users. Well, you might not find the exact start menu that you did in the older versions of Windows, but right click on the Windows icon and you will find a more textual interface.

Shake off the windows

With the Windows+D keyboard shortcut you can minimise all the windows on the screen. But what if you want the window you are currently working on to be open and everything else to be minimised? Shake it!

Yes, clicking on the title bar of the window you are working on, you shake it. All the other windows will get minimised. If you want the windows to comes back, just shake the current window again.

For the lazy typists

For those of you who are lay to type your messages, Windows 10 has a special dictation mode. Press and hold the Windows+H keyboard keys and a dictation mode will open. Once you enable it in your settings, Windows will use your in-built microphone to record what you are saying. This feature can be used for typing out emails or word documents.

Organising windows

This feature was available in Windows 7 too. Especially useful when referencing something, you can keep two windows open simultaneously o the screen, next to each other. To do this, you can click on the title bar of a window and drag it to whichever side of the screen you want it to occupy. Once you do this, you will be shown a list of other running windows, one of which you can open on the other side of the screen. This feature can also be accessed by pressing Windows+ (any of the arrow keys) based on the place you want the windows to occupy.

The emoji specialist

For those who love emojis, there is a cool hidden feature. Just hit Windows+ (fullstop or period) and a set of in-built emojis will open on the right corner of your screen. You can use these emojis in any app.

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