Notes on Computers
                             From a talk given by:
                                 Duane Bristow
                               Albany, Kentucky
                                (606) 387-5884
                               November 20, 1986

    I.  What is a Computer?
         A.  It is a Machine.  (It does not think or know anything.)
              1.  It is capable of storing information.
                   a.  This information can be a program or set of 
                       instructions for the computer.
                   b.  The information can be data.
              2.  It is capable of rearranging, copying, moving, deleting, 
                  and performing arithmetic and other operations on this data.
              3.  It is also capable of making comparisons of data and 
                  branching to a different set of instructions based on the
                  results of the comparison.
         B.  It consists of the following parts:
              1.  The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU or chip) which performs 
                  the above operations.
              2.  Random Access Memory (RAM) - where information is stored 
                  during processing.
                   (these determine the speed (power) of the system)
              3.  Information input device(s) - usually a typewriter style 
                  keyboard - could be mouse, scanner, phone line, etc.
              4.  External memory - usually floppy disk or hard disk - for 
                  permanent storage of information for later retrieval or 
                  processing.
              5.  Output device(s) - usually CRT monitor (TV screen) and 
                  printer.
                   a.  The screen may be monochrome (B&W) or color.
                       If color it may be EGA or VGA (high resolution.)
                   b.  The printer is usually either letter quality (like a 
                       typewriter) or dot matrix (like a computer) or laser
                       (like a photocopy machine.)
                   c.  The printer speed, width, quality, and price may 
                       vary widely.
                   d.  Output may be by other devices such as phone lines,
                       audio speakers, etc.
              6.  Programs or sets of instructions to the computer which 
                  enable it to carry out needed applications such as
                  accounting, word processing, data storage, game playing,
                  education, communications, etc.

    II.  Do you need a computer?
         A.  If you own a business grossing $100,000 per year or more or 
             netting $25,000 per year or more, you do.
         B.  If you have children who plan on being computer programmers 
             and making computers their life's work, you do.
         C.  If you are a gadget freak and always have the newest gadget on 
             the block, you do.
         D.  If you, your spouse, or your child is a writer or a student
             and you write a lot of books, term papers, technical papers,
             reports, etc., you do.
         E.  If none of the above apply, you probably don't, regardless of 
             what the popular media have led you to believe.

    III.  Why?
         A.  Benefits:
              1.  A computer can do the bookkeeping work of 3 to 5 
                  bookkeepers and can double the output of a typist.
              2.  It will do this much faster and more accurately than a 
                  human.
              3.  Use of a computer will lead to a better accounting system 
                  and better writing due to the ease of use and time saved.
                  This results in increased efficiency and profits.
              4.  A computer can perform data analysis easily and provide 
                  information of data relationships that simply was not
                  available before.
              5.  Therefore managers and business owners have more accurate 
                  and better quality information available in a more timely
                  manner and are thus able to make better decisions.
              6.  A properly designed and installed computer system can be
                  of tremendous value in recreation, education, 
                  communications and research.
         B.  Disadvantages:
              1.  Cost - usually $3,000 to $10,000 vs. the $10,000 annual 
                  cost of one employee.
              2.  Obsolesence - figure on replacing the system after 3 to 5 
                  years.
              3.  Set up and Training time - 1 to 2 months.
                   a.  Employees must learn to use a computer - that's 
                       easy.
                   b.  Employees must also learn proper bookkeeping and 
                       office management procedures because a good computer
                       system will require this.  - That's often difficult.
              4.  If not properly designed by an experienced person and 
                  well planned in advance, a computer system has about a
                  70% chance of operating at all and about a 10% chance of
                  operating at maximum efficiency.

    IV.  How hard is it to use a computer?
         A.  Use of the computer system itself, if properly designed and 
             installed, is very easy.  It can be learned in about 20 to
             30 minutes of instruction.
         B.  Use of application programs on the computer may be very easy
             or more difficult depending on the complexity of the
             application and the operator's experience in performing the
             application by other methods.
                1.  Educational programs are easy to learn.
                2.  Accounting is relatively easy but only if the operator
                    is an experienced bookkeeper.
                3.  Word Processing is more difficult and proficiency for 
                    an experienced typist comes only after one to two weeks
                    of practice.

     V.  Examples of computer use:
         A.  Interest Calculations?
         B.  Accounting?
         C.  Word Processing?
         D.  Music?
         E.  Art?
         F.  Education?
         G.  Games?
         H.  Computer to Computer Communications?
         I.  Database Management?