Computers. What Good Are They?

Computers.  What Good Are They?
by Steve Cope
08-12-2009

Wires, boards, electrical cords, sockets for media, ports for parallel things, oh and don't for get the surge protector, what does it all mean?  These things that we collectively call a computer are the components that when working well are blessings and keep people in touch with the world around them, and sometimes even worlds away when one finds the need to do so.

In dealing with computers one needs a basic knowledge of what goes on in the microcosmic world that is the life of a computer.  Oh the inner workings are not really necessary for there are those who do know enough about that to build the contraptions, so let's just leave that aspect as a necessity that is already met.

You have your computer out of the box and you see a part all by itself and no apparent instructions as to where to put it.  "Ah", you surmise, "a guy must have built this one because every project always winds up with a left over piece that does not seem to affect the outcome."  So you follow the instructions to kick the mule into action and you are about to plug this modern piece of technology into your wall.  You can almost see the monitor perking up and the computer whirring into action.  But wait!

"What's this?  Three prongs?  My outlet only has two prongs.  Now what?"  Never fear for  your local hardware store has a gadget to adapt your two pronged plug to accomodate the three pronged problem you have before you.  "Eight fifty please."  The cashier says and out comes the funds, courtesy of the card you swipe in another accessory attached to a giant computer that eats your microchipped information and "approved" appears on the screen as you sigh with relief for one more approval.  Alright!  Now you can spend the rest of your gas getting home and boom you will be surfing the net, lickety split!  You hope so, but will it happen? 

Finally the adapter fits nicely and the plug to put it all together is inserted.  Nothing happens!  Oh wait you forgot, one more step, turn the computer on!  Oh boy this is exciting, you're going to be able to surf the net, find the amazing facts you just can't do without, but watch out because  the bad stuff is out there too, so be aware and turn away.  With a push of a button you see lights flashing, a screen coming to life and data that is just gobble-de-gook to your trained mind and sharp wit.  That's okay, it's just the inner workings that we covered before.  Soon you will hear the sound that indicates you are up and ready to go to the world wide web.

Computers.  What good are they?  What can you do now that you are among the billions who are hooked up to their world, and sitting on a chair that is hopefully padded, and clicking away at the keyboard that helps you interface with the computer.  There is some good, some bad, and some ugly stuff out there and you have to be wary, aware, and it'll make you weary but keep a vigil.  The screen is there and you see a world shaped icon (an electronic gadget that you click on with your mouse - no not Ben, the other mouse next to your keyboard) and you know instinctively that you must click that icon two times to get the ball rolling.

Double clicking takes learning so just be patient and hey if you wind up with twenty Internet Explorer boxes, just close them until you get to one.  What's this?  A screen pops up and offers you the world for a price.  You mean the internet's not free?  What a rip off!  So click you go and the computer spits out another screen that you suddenly realize requires your plastic cause they want to charge you every month to view the net.  Ok, you have no choice so you pick the best plan they offer (a very slim selection at that) and whammo before you know it you're clicking your number into the boxes and away you go!

Where in the world do you want to go?  How much do you want to pay?  How soon do you want to get there?  Using the tool that is a computer properly you can literally see the world one box at a time, one site at a time, one headache at a time because you've been staring at a screen for hours on end until you hear the alarm clock going off and you have to be to work in 5 minutes!  So you type into your space where it says "what's on your mind" or "speak out", or any other thing the sites call status bars and you sign out.

What now?  What do you do with the computer when you're not using it?  Some leave them on at all times connected to the net but hey that's them and they have better and faster computers then the one you just bought.  So you, you will have to shut down.  Clicking the boxes eliminates them one by one until you're back to that "world" icon and you say to yourself "don't click it now, I've got to go to work."  And your computer slowly goes back to the task of shutting it down.  Click here, click there, and soon the screen is blank.  You sit there for a moment wondering in awe at all the places you have been and pull on your work clothes heading for the work for you owe, you owe, so it's off to work you go.

Wires, boards, electrical cords, sockets for media, ports for parallel things, oh and don't forget the surge protector, what does it all mean?  These things that we collectively call a computer are the components that when working well are blessings and keep people in touch with the world around them, and sometimes even worlds away when one finds the need to do so.

Computers, what good are they?  Well for the time being you are still exploring that and along the way maybe you will find the one who is right for you, only she's halfway around the world and speaks Cantonese, which you find so fascinating that you're now enrolled in an internet course to learn a language.  You have just found some good.  Will your next encounter with the computer be good?  There's no telling but hey that's life too and you have to face it one-day-at-a-time with your loved ones at your side and your money in the bank being sucked out like clock work so you can stay online and ask the eternal question.  Computers, what good are they?

Word Count: 1137