Man has long come a long way since the early ages and has given birth to many technological breakthroughs covering almost every aspect of our lives. The 20th and 21st centuries have been witness to path breaking inventions and advances that have made our lives easier and smoother in a big way. One of the biggest inventions of mankind that is exemplary in every aspect is the computer. The biggest invention of mankind that has changed our lives for the best and now is an indispensable part of our lives. Since the very first model that was a huge size equal to that of a room to the recent palm sized easy to carry palm-tops computers have always made life easy for us.
The uncountable uses
School, office, work, business or even homes need computers for functioning efficiently. The world has shrunk due to the wide range of applications that are possible due to the use of computers. Word processing, digital audio or video composition, scientific research, data storage, mathematical calculations, banking, travel, distance learning, telecommunications, defence, e-learning, online shopping, functioning of ATM machines and other innumerable appliances used in industries or educational institutions all rely on computers. The most recent upcoming fields like robotics, space research and aviation all cannot progress without the use of computers. Recently there have been many money making opportunities that have opened up on the Internet. Many fashion entrepreneurs have come up in the online world and deal with apparel marketing. The online sites like flip-kart and home shop 18 have made shopping a less triring task for us. We now have the facility of ordering any stuff of our choice by the click of the mouse.
Data storage made easy
Imagine if we didn’t have computer technology at our disposal how we would be managing the ever growing data. With high piles of files and records it would have been nearly impossible to work efficiently and rapidly. But we all are thankful for the incredible advances that have taken place in the field of computer technology without which life couldn't have been this easier. Now we can find a query among hundreds or thousands of them by the help of just a click on the mouse or the mouse pad. The fast speed of the computer and ability to function at easy commands of the user make it a friendly device. We can enter data, manipulate it whenever required, store it and relocate it whenever needed easily. Data storage in banks and institutions or organizations requires the use of computer to store the big load of data. Many habitual writers maintain online journals and keep updating their life events on the Internet. Blog writers have come up that have gained popularity and admiration online and offline both. Many famous writers keep their fans updated about their upcoming books and published columns through the Internet. It has opened a whole new avenue for advertising for various people and organizations in every field.
Role in Education
Be it the primary school or college course or doctoral research every phase of education and learning today requires the use of computers for successful completion. However the use may vary as students in elementary schools may not require the advance knowledge of computers. Computer education is now an important subject in schools and colleges. Bookish learning is now coupled along with computer learning for the overall development of a person’s skills in this modern world. Computers have uncountable number of advantages for students. The process of learning is has gone much beyond the papers of the textbooks. Be it any subject or any discipline through the use of Internet one has access to whole lot of information at one’s easy disposal. Online education has changed the face of learning. Distance education with the aid of computers has opened up avenues for thousands of students worldwide. Teachers use presentations and projectors for delivering knowledge to their students. With the help of computer videos and animations a teacher is able to explain a subject to the students easily. For example in science teachers can use computers to display the 3-Dimensional images of various structures for proper explanation to the students. Computers have proved to be a brilliant aid to the teaching methodology. Most of the schools now have projectors installed in their classrooms to provide students a better, interactive and interesting learning experience. It offers everything and anything for every student who requires any knowledge or source for their research, projects, presentations or assignments. Every student has a wide scope of learning on the Internet. Internet on the other hand is a never ending source of learning that is easy to use and students can easily learn to make the best out of it.
Computer plus Internet
The Internet provides a pool of information that cannot be measured by any means. Online encyclopedias, dictionaries besides the many learning sites available on the Internet have revolutionized the process of learning. You just need to type in your subject in the search engines and the page will lead to you to links and websites with pages and pages of information on your subject covering every hook and nook of the topic. Researching and documentation have been made easier by the use of computers. Computer knowledge is a must now days as companies want computer friendly employees to improve their work efficiency. For those who have an aptitude for computers can even take up various computer courses like B.E., B.TECH. and B.Sc. to take after schooling followed by optional post graduate courses in computer technology.
One of the best uses that have been made of computer technology is by Mark Zuckerberg who is the creator of the online networking site Facebook. The social networking on the Internet has shrunk the world to a smaller place. Sites like Facebook, twitter have offered whole new avenues for networking and business too. Be at any part of the world you can know what all is happening in the lives of your friends and colleagues. Offering a whole new experience of sharing social networking through the use of computers has added that extra fun in the lives of the young and the old. Sharing your happiness and achievements on the social sites with your friends gives happiness.
You can create awareness about any upcoming social events that you are a part of it. The recent anti corruption movement that took place in our country and were organised by Anna Hazare and team were popularized immensely on the social media. This was also one of the most important factors that lead to the wide spread popularity of the anti-corruption movement that created history. The youngsters were introduced to the movement through the social sites. There are many events that gain popularity online. Many social events have taken to the Internet to raise awareness about various causes. The social networking is being used by organizations to interact with their customers to keep them updated about their new products and services and also obtain feedback. No matter where you are you can always remain connected to your near and dear ones. We are more nearer to the celebrities we admire or the icons we idolize through these sites as many of them interact with their fans online through these networking sites. It has reduced the miles between people. Be anywhere in the world you are never far off from your friends, family or loved ones.
Important for overall growth
Computers not only help in education but also in the overall economic growth of the country. The dot com revolution has helped speed up the economic growth across the borders. Digital banking, online payments, e-Business operations, advertising and many more all work with the help of computer technology. All the banks now use computer for data storage and implementation of various procedures in the bank. Computers are responsible for supervising the various branches of a bank. They are extensively used in the statistical department for data analysis, storage, prediction, tabulation and retrieval of results. Computers have added to the accuracy, speed and efficiency of human beings that have been of great help to produce various goods and services that have always proved to be beneficial for mankind. It adds the qualities of promptness and accuracy in the work. Computerization is fast gaining pace in the country and worldwide. To facilitate electronic commerce and trade the Information Technology Act 2000 was framed. It covers electronic contracts, electronic filling, documentation and prevention of cyber crimes. To implement computer technology in the education system two important programs have been launched namely Vidya Vahini and Gyan Vahini. Vidya Vahini is a program implemented to provide connectivity to schools across the country and Gyan Vahini provides connectivity to higher education institutions in the country. The Tamil Nadu government has laid a 3000 kilometer long fibre optic cable to link all its cities. In Kerala village offices are linked to each other online to keep a record of ongoing or finished development practices.
Computers have provided a big helping hand to the field of science for understanding, research and analysis. The whole Human Genome Project that covers the whole genetic makeup of the human beings is available online to everyone including the scientists constantly working to understand the human body in order to discover medicines and treatments for the diseases that are yet not treatable. This has greatly altered the pace of discoveries and research. There are numerous databases stored and continuously updated on the Internet that provide information about various proteins or other bimolecule structures found in the human body or other living systems. Computer feeded programs have helped the medical field to make diagnosis and treatment easier and faster thus helping in life saving operations. There are many appliances that have helped in providing life supporting services to the needy people. The vast medical operations, practices and various other health care practices have become smoother and faster by the aid of computer technology thus making life easier for the life on earth. All the space research programs function on the basis of computer related programs. The functioning of the complex satellites that revolve around the earth and on whom the functioning of our various applications depend all rely on computer technology.
We all understand the way computers have influenced our lives since the past few decades. It has opened up a whole lot of opportunities for everyone. Computer technologies are being used extensively to improve the efficiency of educational institutions and the administration. They are being used everywhere and by everyone now in every field. Due to its vital role in today’s life computer education is a must for everyone. Computer Engineering is one of the most sought after courses in the world as software engineers are in great demand everywhere. It has emerged as one of the most promising field in today's world. One of the biggest organisations today deal with computer technology. The use of technology in every field have added to the development of it be it business, education, economy or entertainment. Introduction of 3-dimensional technology in the world of cinema and gaming has increased the folds of entertainment and fun for every genre of people. One must learn its usage and understand its applications to the best possible level. With the continuous innovations and wide applications coming up in the field computer knowledge has become a vital part of our learning. One must be equipped with computers to have the best in life. It adds value to an employee as a person equipped with computer knowledge and its operations is always given preference over the one who is not. It adds up to one’s scope. It is considered to be one of the most crucial eligibility criteria most of the times. As it won’t be wrong if I say that there is nothing in the modern world, no office, no institute, and no organization that works without a computer. Thus to keep pace with the changing times it is a must that you must know computers. Make computers your friend and move up in life by opening up never ending opportunities in life.