The Many Uses of Computers :: Expository Essays

The Many Uses of Computers Computers are helpful because they offer a wide range of functions and services that are not available anywhere else. There are four main uses: word processing, internet/communications, digital video/audio composition, and desktop publishing. Although one can create a typed paper with a typewriter, the computer has more features to do it with. Internet and communications, digital video and audio composition, and desktop publishing are all features that are only offered on computers. With these tools human society has progressed exponentially. The word processing capabilities of computers are amazing. They can automatically correct your spelling and grammar mistakes. The cutting and pasting features are incredibly simple and very useful for revision. Plus it is easier to read a word-processed document than one written by hand. Having a digital backup is an added benefit. All of these things help writers get the job done. If you want to add pictures to your writing, numerous software titles are available for desktop publishing. With desktop publishing, you can create page layouts for entire books on your home computer. For example, high school yearbook classes now use desktop publishing software for the creation and design of their yearbooks. Most of this cannot be done by hand, and if so, then it is painstakingly laborious. The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of humanity. It is a massive network of computers, each with the ability to access any of the others. Ungodly amounts of information can be found on the Internet. It is the ultimate form of media, a combination of newspaper, radio, and as the average bandwidth is increasing, television. Using the Internet, any two people anywhere can communicate for free, whether it is with text or voice. Video conferencing tools are becoming readily available to the public. New uses are being found for the Internet every day. Audio/video editing and composition have been made much easier by computers. Cutting and pasting is no longer comprised of using scissors and tape on large reels of film. It no longer costs thousands of dollars of equipment to make a film or to compose music. Now emerging musicians have the ability to compose their own songs and publish them without having to obtain a record contract. Amateur filmmakers can produce work from their own homes. Graphics engineers can use computers to create three-dimensional models, or even to generate short or full-length films.