The computer age
It's true to say that we are now living in the "computer age". Since the invention of the personal computer in the mid 20th century, technology has become so advanced that we needn't leave our houses in some cases.
Home Computing
Nearly 82% of American households have at least one computer according to hard drive manufacturer and suppliers Seagate. The figure is similar in the UK with 81% of families having access to at least one pc in their homes. In these times, it is quite common for many houses to have a purpose built study as more and more people have the opportunity to work from home. Technology has moved at such high speed that in many cases, we needn't even leave our front door.
Some of the ever-increasing tasks that can be carried out using your home computer and laptop are:
- working from home
- online banking
- keeping in touch with friends and family via e-mail
- shopping
- paying bills
- social networking
- internet dating
- downloading/watching movies
- downloading/listening to music
- online gaming
- hiring cars
- booking holidays
- booking restaurants
- ordering flowers
- studying using online courses
- booking entertainment - shows,concerts,cinema etc
- downloading photographs and tweaking them in various programmes
- research
- filing tax returns
- holding business meetings/talking to friends via webcam
- diagnosing your medical condition
- joining various clubs and forums
- learning new hobbies
- buying and selling goods
- checking progress of your children at school
In fact, there isn't a lot that you can't do with your pc/laptop.
How many computers/laptops are there in your household?
Smartphones
The definition of a smartphone according to Wickipedia is:
A smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic cell phone.
Most cell phones nowadays are capable of doing tasks that were never thought possible a few years back.
E-readers and E-books
A few months back, I was a frequent visitor with my daughter to our local library to borrow books for her to read or for school projects. Along came the Amazon Kindle and the various other e-reading devices, which has made it possible to download books in seconds. This has taken the need for libraries away, although I still prefer to have a physical book in my hands when reading.
Sat Nav
Drivers can rest knowing that their journey is taken care of by a computer generated talking machine known as Satellite Navigation. This has been a godsend to me as I regularly drive up to Scotland to visit my parents. Some cell phones come with sat nav built in.
Console games
Console games are fast becoming highly advanced. X-box, Playstation, and Wii are the most popular games consoles around. Games for these contain lifelike and high quality graphics, and most can be played online against other opponents. The games vary from combat, fun, education, singing and fitness. It's a giant step from my console game in the 70's!