Parts of Computer Essay Example

Parts of Computer Essay If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there isnt any single part called the computer. A computer is really a system of many parts working together. The physical parts, which you can see and touch, are collectively called hardware. (Software, on the other hand, refers to the instructions, or programs, that tell the hardware what to do. ) The illustration below shows the most common hardware in a desktop computer system. Your system may look a little different, but it probably has most of these parts. A laptop computer has similar parts but combines them into a single notebook-sized package. Picture of a desktop computer systemDesktop computer system Lets take a look at each of these parts. System unit The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually its a rectangular box placed on or underneath your desk. Inside this box are many electronic components that process information. The most important of these components is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the brain of your computer. Another component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that the CPU uses while the computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased when the computer is turned off. Almost every other part of your computer connects to the system unit using cables. The cables plug into specific ports (openings), typically on the back of the system unit. Hardware that is not part of the system unit is sometimes called a peripheral device or device. Picture of a system unitSystem unit Top of page Storage Your computer has one or more disk drives—devices that store information on a metal or plastic disk. The disk preserves the information even when your computer is turned off. We will write a custom essay sample on Parts of Computer specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Parts of Computer specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Parts of Computer specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Hard disk drive Your computers hard disk drive stores information on a hard disk, a rigid platter or stack of platters with a magnetic surface. Because hard disks can hold massive amounts of information, they usually serve as your computers primary means of storage, holding almost all of your programs and files. The hard disk drive is normally located inside the system unit. Picture of a hard disk driveHard disk drive CD and DVD drives Nearly all computers today come equipped with a CD or DVD drive, usually located on the front of the system unit. CD drives use lasers to read (retrieve) data from a CD, and many CD drives can also write (record) data onto CDs. If you have a recordable disk drive, you can store copies of your files on blank CDs. You can also use a CD drive to play music CDs on your computer. Picture of a CDCD DVD drives can do everything that CD drives can, plus read DVDs. If you have a DVD drive, you can watch movies on your computer. Many DVD drives can record data onto blank DVDs. Tip Tip If you have a recordable CD or DVD drive, periodically back up (copy) your important files to CDs or DVDs. That way, if your hard disk ever fails, you wont lose your data. Floppy disk drive Floppy disk drives store information on floppy disks, also called floppies or diskettes. Compared to CDs and DVDs, floppy disks can store only a small amount of data. They also retrieve information more slowly and are more prone to damage. For these reasons, floppy disk drives are less popular than they used to be, although some computers still include them. Picture of a floppy diskFloppy disk Why are floppy disks floppy? Even though the outside is made of hard plastic, thats just the sleeve. The disk inside is made of a thin, flexible vinyl material. Top of page Mouse A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Although mice come in many shapes, the typical mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse. Its small, oblong, and connected to the system unit by a long wire that resembles a tail. Some newer mice are wireless. Picture of a computer mouseMouse A mouse usually has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and a secondary button. Many mice also have a wheel between the two buttons, which allows you to scroll smoothly through screens of information. Picture of mouse pointers When you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves in the same direction. (The pointers appearance might change depending on where its positioned on your screen. ) When you want to select an item, you point to the item and then click (press and release) the primary button. Pointing and clicking with your mouse is the main way to interact with your computer. For more information, see Using your mouse. Top of page Keyboard A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer. Like the keyboard on a typewriter, it has keys for letters and numbers, but it also has special keys: The function keys, found on the top row, perform different functions depending on where they are used. * The numeric keypad, located on the right side of most keyboards, allows you to enter numbers quickly. * The navigation keys, such as the arrow keys, allow you to move your position within a document or webpage. Picture of a keyboardKeyboard You can also use your keyboard to perform m any of the same tasks you can perform with a mouse. For more information, see Using your keyboard. Top of page Monitor A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen. Like a television screen, a computer screen can show still or moving pictures. There are two basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors. Both types produce sharp images, but LCD monitors have the advantage of being much thinner and lighter. CRT monitors, however, are generally more affordable. Picture of an LCD monitor and a CRT monitorLCD monitor (left); CRT monitor (right) Top of page Printer A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper. You dont need a printer to use your computer, but having one allows you to print e? mail, cards, invitations, announcements, and other materials. Many people also like being able to print their own photos at home. The two main types of printers are inkjet printers and laser printers. Inkjet printers are the most popular printers for the home. They can print in black and white or in full color and can produce high-quality photographs when used with special paper. Laser printers are faster and generally better able to handle heavy use. Picture of an inkjet printer and a laser printerInkjet printer (left); laser printer (right) Top of page Speakers Speakers are used to play sound. They may be built into the system unit or connected with cables. Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound effects from your computer. Picture of computer speakersComputer speakers Top of page Modem To connect your computer to the Internet, you need a modem. A modem is a device that sends and receives computer information over a telephone line or high-speed cable. Modems are sometimes built into the system unit, but higher-speed modems are usually separate components. Picture of a cable modemCable modem

ronald regan essays

ronald regan essays 40th president of the United States (1981-1989) Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois. In a family of 3 boys he was the youngest. His father was a traveling shoe salesman. Reagan's mother taught Reagan how to read at an early age, which heavily influenced him positively. Most of Reagan's childhood was spent in Dixon, Illinois. Reagan attended and graduated from Eureka College a small religious school around Peoria, Illinois. He majored in economics, and he was president of the student body, a player on the football team, and captain of the swimming team. He also looked toward acting, but when Reagan graduated the only available related to show business was a local radio sportscaster. In 1936 Reagan became a sportscaster for station WHO in Des Moines, Iowa. 1937 Reagan went to Hollywood and began to work as an actor he starred in more then 50 films like Knute Rockne-All American, kings Row, and Bedtime for Bonzo. He married actress Jane Wyman and they had two children. After eight years of marriage they got divorced and Reagan remarried Nancy Davis. They had two children. Reagan's first political activities were associated with his responsibilities as a union leader. As union president, Reagan tried to remove suspected Communists from the movie industry. When the U.S. House Committee on Un-American Activities began an investigation in 1947 on the influence of Communists in the film industry, Reagan took a strong anti-Communist stand testifying before the committee. As governor or California, Reagan became one of several widely known conservative politicians who wanted to slow down government involvement in the economy and society. In 1968 Reagans first term as governor, he decided to run for presidency. He lost to Nixon. After completing his term as governor, Reagan decided to run for president again. This time he challenged Gerald Ford for the 1976 presid ...

Fiscal Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fiscal Policy - Essay Example However, fiscal policy is more effective in the short-run as in the long-run there is stabilizing economic forces that ensure the output moves back to its potential (Taylor, 2009). The fiscal policy involves increasing government spending or reducing taxes to stimulate aggregate demand or vice versa to reduce demand. Some countries focus on the supply-side of the economy to ensure a more permanent change. The paper will discuss the effects of fiscal policy on the economy. Taxation Expansionary fiscal policy involves cutting taxes and increasing government spending. Taxation is a source of revenue for the government to fund expenditure. If it decides to cut taxes, then it runs a budget deficit. A reduction in income tax leaves individuals with more disposable income to spend on consumption thus raising aggregate demand. As demand increases, the producers are forced to produce more and employ more factors of production. This leads to more output and employment and increased economic ac tivity (Sexton, 2008). However, income tax can only be adjusted annually on the budget hence it is difficult to apply this policy. It also depends on whether the households use extra income for consumption and not saving since savings is a withdrawal from the circular flow of income. The government can also increase transfers such as unemployment insurance, and in turn disposable income leading to more consumption (Riley, 2006). Lower taxes and increased transfers act as an incentive for workers to add more hours and increase productivity hence increased output and employment. Increasing taxes acts as a disincentive to work. If workers get less income by the end of the day compared to what they were getting, they would be dissatisfied and would not be willing to work extra hours. However, some would put more hours to cover the lost income but would lose their productivity due to low morale. There would also be low labour supply as not many individuals would be willing to work leadin g to low output in the economy (Taylor, 2009). Indirect taxes can also be used to discourage consumption especially of demerit goods. A government can impose duty on alcohol and cigarettes leading to lower demand for the items hence low output and employment. Tax incentives such as Subsidies to producers on the other hand lead to decline in cost of production hence reduced prices and consequently increased demand. Increased demand leads to production of more output hence increased economic activity (Creel & Sawyer, 2009). A decline in corporation tax attracts domestic and foreign investors’ hence increased fixed capital spending on technology, labour skills, infrastructure (Mankiw, 2008). Tax allowance on research and development encourages innovation and more business start-up thus increased employment and consequently increased aggregate demand. Government Spending Fiscal policy entails increasing government spending but a contractionary fiscal policy involves reducing gove rnment spending to curb excess demand. A government spends on infrastructure, and provision of essential services such as education and health. This adds directly to the aggregate demand of the economy hence stimulating economic activity. The government can finance its spending by borrowing from abroad or domestic market as raising taxes can lead to further weakening of the economy due to reduced demand. Improved infrastructure leads to more investments due to opening up of new markets and entry