Why Do I Need a Computer

The simple answer is no, but you don't need a TV, a Car or a Radio either. These are all tools that make it easier to do things faster or better.
More important a computer can keep you alive and active in today's world. It can help you keep your mind active and alert.

What can a computer do?
It can communicate, bring you information, store important information, create, edit and sort photos, keep track of budgets and money, and play games. That is a pretty long list and it is only the start. Most of these things can be done with a simple computer. The bigger the task the more powerful the computer must be. Just like a small car can be used for shopping and short trips, but if you want to travel across the country or bring along many friends you need a bigger car. And just like cars, the more complex the computer, the more you have to learn to use it.

Are there different types?
The two main types of computers are PC's and Apple/Mac's. This refers to the operating system interface that lets you use the computer. These operating systems tell the computer what each keystroke or mouse click means and are referred to as GUI's or Graphical User Inferfaces. About 15% of computers sold are Apple/Macs, and PC's represent 85%. Of that 85%, 95% of the PCs use Windows and 5% use a third system, Linux. Linux systems are more complex and usually used by experts and "Nerds”.

In addition to the Operating system there are different physical types of computers, desk top, lap-top and the net book.
Desktops are the largest with a tower, a monitor, a mouse and keyboard. Desktops are usually the most powerful and offer the most computer for the money. They can have features not available on the smaller computer types. They come with any of the GUI's.
Laptops or Notebooks are more portable and contain the keyboard, pointing device and monitor in one unit. They are not truly laptops and usually are used on a desk as they give off to much heat for your lap. They weigh from 4 to 8 pounds and operate on batteries or with a power cord. Again they can have any GUI.
Netbooks are the smallest and lightest computers designed for travel. They weigh from 1.8 to 3 pounds and are as small as a large paperback book. They are usually less powerful with less software and features. Netbooks run on batteries or a power cord. Netbooks use either the Window or Linux GUI.

Things a computer can do!

Communicate!
Send letters and even pictures anywhere in the world to another computer in seconds. If your friend is online at the same time, you can type messages back and forth instantly. With a little extra equipment, you can talk to each other and see each other. Video phoning is a reality with the Internet.

Finance!
Check bank balances and stock accounts instantly, with real time information. Buy stocks, pay bills and move money between accounts with a few keystrokes. Setup budgets and expense spreadsheets to keep track of your assets.

Travel!
Check airline schedules, ticket prices and book flights from your living room and save money while doing it. Book hotels, with pictures of the rooms, rent cars and book side trips all at once. In each case, you can print copies of the reservations for your safety..
Find things to see while you travel: parks, amusements and special events along with descriptions and photos.
See maps of any area in the country with overhead views of the area showing real photos of the buildings and structures in the area.
See real time live videos of road and traffic conditions on most Interstates and in major cities. Listen to your home radio stations while you're away on streaming radio over the Intern net.

Fun Things!
Games: Computers allow you to play games like bridge, poker, and thousands of others. There is always something to do.
Music: The computer can store and play any music you own. It can rearrange the music into personal play lists. You can buy hard to find songs and add them to your collection.
Television: Missed your favorite TV show? Most of them can be found on the web and viewed on your computer.
Photos: Your computer can store and edit all your photos. You can recover those faded prints and make them look like they did originally. It can also put them in order so they are easy to find and print. Making them into a slide show is a snap with titles and comments. Now you can bore your friends showing not just 4x6 pictures, but entire presentations of your vacations or grandkids.

Information!
Medical knowledge: Look up medicines and their side effects. See the most current treatments for any condition. Find support groups for special problems and share your concerns with others with the same problems and how they handled them.
General Knowledge: The Internet is an information source greater then any library. Whether it is a person, a product or an idea, you can find articles full of discussions.

It must seem like computers can do everything, but we have only scratched the surface. But remember, they are only a tool; you are the important part, the user. It allows you to use your mind and keep it active.