In the workplace, many people use computers to keep records,
analyze data, do research, and manage projects. At home, you can use computers
to find information, store pictures and music, track finances, play games, and
communicate with others—and those are just a few of the possibilities.
You can also use your computer to connect to the Internet, a network that links computers around the world.
Internet access is available for a monthly fee in most urban areas, and
increasingly, in less populated areas. With Internet access, you can communicate
with people all over the world and find a vast amount of information.
Here are some of the most popular things to do with
computers:
The web
The World Wide Web (usually called
the web, or web) is a
gigantic storehouse of information. The web is the most popular part of the
Internet, partly because it displays most information in a visually appealing
format. Headlines, text, and pictures can be combined on a single webpage—much like a page in a magazine—along with sounds
and animation. A website is a collection of
interconnected webpages. The web contains millions of websites and billions of
webpages.
Surfing the web means exploring it. You
can find information on the web about almost any topic imaginable. For example,
you can read news stories and movie reviews, check airline schedules, see street
maps, get the weather forecast for your city, or research a health condition.
Most companies, agencies, museums, and libraries have websites with information
about their products, services, or collections. Reference sources, such as
dictionaries and encyclopedias, are also widely available.
The web is also a shopper's delight. You can browse and purchase
products—books, music, toys, clothing, electronics, and much more—at the
websites of major retailers. You can also buy and sell used items through
websites that use auction-style bidding.
E‑mail
E‑mail (short for electronic mail) is a convenient way to communicate with
others. When you send an e‑mail message, it arrives almost instantly in the
recipient's e‑mail inbox. You can send e‑mail to many people simultaneously, and
you can save, print, and forward e‑mail to others. You can send almost any type
of file
in an e‑mail message, including documents, pictures, and music files. And with
e‑mail, you don't need a postage stamp!
For more information about using e‑mail, see Getting started
with e‑mail.
Instant messaging
Instant messaging is like having a real-time conversation with
another person or a group of people. When you type and send an instant message,
the message is immediately visible to all participants. Unlike e‑mail, all
participants have to be online (connected to the Internet) and in front of their
computers at the same time. Communicating by means of instant messaging is
called chatting.
Pictures, music, and movies
If you have a digital camera, you can move your pictures from the
camera to your computer. Then you can print them, create slide shows, or share
them with others by e‑mail or by posting them on a website. You can also listen
to music on your computer, either by importing
music from audio CDs or by purchasing songs from a music website. Or, you can
tune in to one of the thousands of radio stations that broadcast over the
Internet. If your computer comes with a DVD player, you can watch movies
too.
Gaming
Do you like to play games? Thousands of computer games in every
conceivable category are available to entertain you. Get behind the wheel of a
car, battle frightening creatures in a dungeon, or control civilizations and
empires! Many games allow you to compete with other players around the world
through the Internet. Windows includes a
variety of card games, puzzle games, and strategy games. For more information,
see Learn about
Windows games.
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