A common way people distribute data from personal computers is by printing it out. There are many types of printers for the computer. The first printers were just automated automatic typewriters. The computer sent the letters, in the correct order, and it printed it just like a typewriter.

As these "automatic typewriters" were in use, dot matrix printers were created. They worked by placing dots on a matrix. The computer sends the coordinates of the dots as data to the printer, telling it which dots it should print. When the dots are put together, they form the letters on the paper. The first color printers were dot matrix.

The next generation of printers was the ink-jet. These are very common today. Ink-jet printers work like dot-matrices, but they use a much more sophisticated ink distribution system and are capable of more Dots Per Inch.

To learn about the complicated laser printers click on this link.

http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm?term=laser+printer