FRIDAY

Describe several ways computers play a critical role in modern life.
The computer is now a household item. Without them the world would not be connected and face the digital divide. It also plays a large role for student life, and enables students to search and resaurch new topics for school and is a excellent tool for social networking.

Discuss the circumstances and ideas that led to the development of the modern computer.
The computer was pushed forward in invention by events such as World War II and the space race. When the us was competing or fighting other natiuons and required technology for an advantage.

Describe several trends in the evolution of modern computers.
Computers were originally used for calculating, at first the concept of the computer was rejected many times even by IBM. They were bulky, big and slow. Now the smaller they are the faster. Still these supercomputers are used for timesharing.

Outline the five major types of computers in use today and describe their principal uses.
Supercomputers: Supercomputers are used for business transactions or at the bank as well as timesharing.
Laptops: Laptops are portable computers that have simple funtions and applications for everyday use.

Desktop computers: Desktop computers are usually found at home and have simple applications.

PDA: This portable device preforms the tasks of everyday business life and can be held inside a pocket.

Describe how the explosive growth of the Internet is changing the way people use computers and information technology.

Now the computers are mainly used for internet for researching, communicating or liesure. A computer without internet in popular opinion is useless. Before computers were used soley for calculating, now they are used for research and communication.

Explain how today’s information age differs from other times in history and prehistory.

Today's information is available by the click of a mouse, before people were required to search for information on thier own. Also much of the information that is around today was not yet available or discovered. Todays inforamtion age is more advanced, as is more used than the traditional researching through books

Discuss the social and ethical impact of information technology on our society.

Technology does place the society at an advantage becuase it makes researching and communicating easier, although it does not promote "healthy" habits. Many people spend more time with a computer than actually researching topics from books. The society has to adapt to the technology age.