Computers… Our Road to the Future

A computer is an electronic, programmable device that computes, stores, receives and

processes data, and produces results. Computing devices usually carry certain essential parts:

input device, Central Processing Unit (CPU), storage, memory, and an output device.

Through the years, major technological advances in computers have fundamentally

changed the way they operate. Early computers used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums for

memory, and relied on machine language to perform basic operations. Input and output was by

punched cards and paper tape; which were eventually replaced by keyboards and monitors that

interfaced with an operating system that monitored memory.

The invention of transistors lead to the development of the integrated circuit using

miniaturised transistors on silicon chips called semiconductors, which increased speeds and

efficiency. Computers became more energy-efficient, reliable and smaller as thousands of

integrated circuits were built onto a single chip, incorporating all components including the

Central Processing Unit, memory, and input/output controls. High-level programming languages

like COBOL and FORTRAN were also developed. Graphic User Interfaces, the mouse, and other

such devices made computers more powerful. Modern computing devices are capable of voice

recognition, greater interaction with humans, and using advanced input and output peripherals.

Computers are an essential part of our everyday lives and are present from the time we

wake, until we go to bed; they are in our work, home, and most everywhere else.

CE104/1IFO1900/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – COURSE PROJECT 1

Computers… Our Road to the Future
 Operations of modern vehicles from the display to the engine are computer controlled

and monitored. This makes diagnosing problems easy by just attaching the car to a computer.

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans the body, small areas at a time, using

large magnets; the Computer Axial Tomography (CAT) scanning machine is a tubular x-ray that

takes multiple pictures as it rotates. Each device sends their images to computers which process

them and reconstruct them into single images.

Some major players in the industry are Microsoft, makers of the Windows Operating

System and Office Application suite; Intel, the world’s largest microprocessor manufacturer,

revolutionised the computer industry with the introduction of the Pentium processor; Apple

manufactures the Apple and Macintosh computers, alternate systems to the Windows based PC.

‘Macs’ are mostly used in the graphics industry; Dell, the number one computer maker,

pioneered the ‘made-to-order’ computer market.

Computers are a necessity, providing consumers with the ability to research products and

services, and buy anything they want, anywhere and whenever the need arises. In the near future,

portable devices, like PDA’s will have wireless networking capabilities. Computers will be

smaller, lighter and cheaper, using voice technology that responds to natural language. Artificial

intelligence will usher in devices capable of learning, analysing, and adapting to suit required

situations.

CE104/1IFO1900/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – COURSE PROJECT 2

Computers… Our Road to the Future
 Cash will become unnecessary, if not obsolete. Universal systems devices will encompass

communication, entertainment, identification, GPS; and commerce capabilities using virtual

money. Consumer will pick up items and walk out; each item is automatically checked, stock

lists are updated, and their credit card debited; likewise for boarding transportation and attending

paid events. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchips imbedded in persons will contain

personal data like medical information, in case of emergency; tracking capabilities if lost or

adducted; and for allowing access to secured locations.

The internet will evolve into an advanced system that will be a pertinent part of business,

with some institutions will only exist in Hyperspace. It will connect most electronic device.

Nanotechnology will be used to develop advanced components for future computers and

medical robots. They will be small enough to enter the human body to do repair on the

microscopic level, and will have self-repairing and replication capabilities.

CE104/1IFO1900/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – COURSE PROJECT 3

Computers… Our Road to the Future
Sources of reference and information:

Collier’s Medical Encyclopedia: New York: Macmillan 1989

Discovering Computers, Fundamentals, Fourth Edition – Introduction to Computers

http://www.advantagesofcomputers.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computed_axial_tomography

http://www.answers.com/topic/dashboard

http://www.answers.com/CREDIT%20CARD

http://www.canungrass.qld.edu.au/computers.jpg

http://www.howstuffworks.com/mri.htm

http://www.plusminus.ru/call.html

http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=914&id=1298432003

http://www.verimedinfo.com/

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/_index.asp

http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/

http://www.wikipedia.or/History of computing

CE104/1IFO1900/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – COURSE PROJECT 4

Computers… Our Road to the Future