SadhTalk

The Computer for the 21st Century Mark Weiser The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it. Consider writing, perhaps the first information technology: The ability to capture a symbolic representation of spoken language for long-term storage freed information from the limits of individual memory. Today this technology is ubiquitous in industrialized countries. Not only do books, magazines and newspapers convey written information, but so do street signs, billboards, shop signs and even graffiti. Candy wrappers are covered in writing. The constant background presence of these products of "literacy technology" does not require active attention, but the information to be conveyed is ready for use at a glance. It is difficult to imagine modern life otherwise. Silicon-based information technology, in contrast, is far from having become part of the environment. Mor...

Computers – Hardware  Hardware Elements of Computers There are five core hardware components of the modern digital computer system: the central processing unit or CPU, memory, input devices, output devices, and a bus. While some components are given greater emphasis for a particular computer design (e.g., a faster CPU for computationally intensive tasks), virtually all types of computers have these five key components represented. Key Concept 2.1: Most of the hardware compoCore Computer Hardware nents in the modern digital com- Components puter are contained within small CPU modular semiconductor packages (integrated circuits [ICs] or chip) Memory that, in turn, contain millions of Input devices discrete components. Numerous Output devices ICs are interconnected on a large Bus circuit board, frequently referred to as the motherboard. The motherboard is interfaced with other outside components (e.g., disk drives, power supply, keyboard, network, etc.) using specialized cou...