COMPUTER TODAY
A computer is an electric device that is used to perform repetitive calculations at very high speed. The computer acts as a data processing device and also stores large amounts of data. This data could be text, pictures, voice, numbers, photographs and other types of information that are used by humans in their day-to-day operations. Life cannot be imagined without computers. In fact, the new millennium is the era of computers and its associated techniques, commonly known as Information Technology (IT).
Computers help the school children learn new techniques of study, graphic designs, games and other useful educational applications. They help the college students in preparing reports. They help the office executives in accounts, software development, sale invoicing and manufacturing. They help the libraries in the efficient management of their operations. They run the factories and equipment. They control the satellites and nuclear weapons. They help the young and the old through the Internet sites. They are, in fact, indispensable as every operation of human life is incomplete and inefficient without them. As school-going students, we must learn computers. Computers are available in various configurations. For learning computer operations a computer with 166 MHz speed (Known as the CUP speed), a HDD of 1.2 MB storage capacity and RAM of 32 MB is needed. These elementary computers would help the school students learn LOGO, BASIC, Windows 95 (the operating system in usage nowadays), games, various lectures related to the syllabi and internet operations.
Although Indian society, industry and polity are gearing up for adoption of computers, yet we are far behind the Western nations in terms of computer literacy. In the USA, out of every 2 students, one has a computer. In India, out of every two hundred students, only one has a computer. Further, out of every 4 students in the USA every two students have an access to internet whereas in India, out of every fifty students, only one has a remote access to internet.
A student would do well to learn the basics of computer operations. In his or her school, he or she can join evening classes for getting advanced level training. Computers are easy to learn and are student-friendly machines. They improve the efficiency of the student and make him more knowledgeable. They help him or her in his or her education, mental development and entertainment.
In the times to come, all the students would either have their own computers or would have a free access to them. Computerisation in banks is complete and most of the factories, offices, colleges and schools have advanced computer systems. The latest professing speed of the computer is 533 MHz but this computer is costly. A good computer, which would serve the purpose of the student, costs Rs. 30000 only. And this cost would come down in the years to come.
Students should adopt computers in their educational teaming and for their mental development. Computer software is a promising field and the students can build their careers in this field. Moreover, intelligent programmers are also in great demand in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If the students work hard in the field of computers, they would have good careers in the latter parts of their lives.