1.5 Computers in Entertainment
Computer entertainment involves games, music and digital videos. Games have evolved from simple arcade games to complex simulations. The following figures show how computers are used in entertainment.
1.6 The Home of the Future
Many household appliances are controlled by embedded microprocessors. These are special- purpose computers because the programs in them are written to do specific kinds of work.
The largest software company, Microsoft, aims to make the computer an homes. It does integrated part of so with the os, Windows APP Media Centre. This os enables you to enjoy these:
•Home entertainment
Movies, music, games
•Personal productivity
Homework, project work
•Creativity Editing your digital photos, slideshows
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Media Centre PCs are pretty expensive as they are powerful computers equipped Middle-end to high-end processors Large amount of memory High-capacity hard disks for storing digital entertainment Digital media drives(DVDICD) Advanced graphics and audio capabilities Networking connectivity
Microsoft calls computers that are powered by Windows XP Media Centre, Media Centre PCs. These are simply PCs that are enhanced for home entertainment. With Media Centre PCs, computers are not just used for word processing or playing games. They have evolved into what Microsoft calls digital media hubs.
Digital media hubs bring all your entertainment choices together in a central location and allow you to access them easily. For example, you could easily watch a movie in any room at your home, rather than having a separate DVD player in every room.
1.7 Impact of Computers on Society
1. Repetitive work.
Computers can do repetitive work. For example, a computer can calculate millions of additions in one second.
computers on the other hand, do not mind repetitive work. In fact computers are best at performing repetitive work.
2. In Harsh Environments
Computers can work in harsh environments such as 1000 m below sea level or on the surface of Mars Human beings, on the other hand, cannot be subjected to extremes of temperature, pressure or speed.
3. With No Rest
Human beings need 1/3 of a day to rest while computers do not. Just provide electrical power and computers will work continuously. Some computers are even designed such that hard disks can be replaced without stopping the computer.
4. Hard Labour
Hard labour involves carrying or moving heavy objects. In the past clearing a mountain was done by human beings. This took a long time. Machines are now used to do these types of work. While these machines are controlled by human beings, computers are now being used to replace the human operator.
Limitations of Computers
1. Situations with Uncertain Outcomes
Humans can react to different situations differently while computers cannot. The following cartoon illustrates this.
Some computer games are designed to learn. The Forza car racing game is an example.
2. Reading Handwriting Designing computers that can read handwriting is a big challenge. This is because there are too many differences in the handwriting of different people to list down rules on recognising handwriting.
Sometimes, even the handwriting of a single person may also be very different Figure 1.27 shows a tablet PC that has a handwriting recognition program.
Things that Human Beings are Good at Doing
1. Creative Work People are capable of creative work which requires doing things that are different and new.
2. Pattern Recognition Your teacher can read different handwriting of students because there are some common patterns in everyone's handwriting. Although expressed differently, people can identify the symbols representing alphabets.
3. Adaptation/Learning People learn to adapt from an early age. When a baby is hungry, thirsty does it do? It cries as it has learnt that by crying, their or wet, what needs will soon be met.
4. Dealing with Uncertainty Computers have advanced much. For examples, computers are being used in increasingly sophisticated applications such as detecting spam tracing viruses, developing drugs and designing aircraft. Still, there are not many computer applications that are close to artificial intelligence. For example, we still cannot talk to computers about the meaning of love or why wars happen.