Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
How are
computers
organized?
COMPUTERS PERVADE many of our everyday activities. We
use a computer when we withdraw money from an ATM, make pur
chases with a credit card, and check our voicemail. In the world
around us, computers assist people in guiding airplanes, designing
cars, stocking store shelves, and maintaining school records. We use
computers to communicate with email, to find information through
the World Wide Web, and to type papers. We may hear people
blame the computer for errors, delays, or foolishness.
In much of our contact with computers, we simply may follow
directions or accept whatever we encounter. However, from time to
time, we also may wonder how all of this technology works. For
example, when we insert disks into disk drives or drag our mouse
over icons displayed on our monitor screen, how does a computer
know what to do?
Over the years, your experience likely has generated many ques
tions regarding computers. You also may have overheard others
talking or heard various claims or read advertisements, but won
dered what they were talking about or whether their claims were
actually true. The purpose of this topic is to address your questions.
Think of sitting down with a tutor/friend for a series of conversa
tions. You ask questions, and your friend supplies the answers.
Sometimes your questions may seem simple, but the answers actual
ly require considerable background. At such times, your tutor/friend
may need to provide more information than you expected. Often,
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