We all know that the latest thing in the world
of personal computers is the Pentium III processor and the little
iMac. In between electronic mail--'e-mail', Instant Messages--'IM'
,and the way the computers are getting faster with every new
idea and each innovative thought process, it seems as if your
kids are teaching you how to use your computer.
The Instant Message--IM-- is being heard about
all over the continent. In any case, the IM has not been around
for that long, same as the actual newer computer units and electronic
mail --e-mail( to learn more, look at the 'e-mail' selection)--
so we should have some interesting details. IM works when you
and the person you want to talk to are online at the same time.
You type in your message and if the other person is online, they'll
get it and will be able to immediately respond. If you want system
requirement details, look at the selection based on e-mail to
find out the requirements for getting connected and some suggestions
on which companies to go with based on what you want to get with
your money.
For more information
and a free version of Instant Message please visit www.AOL.com
Electronic Mail--e-mail-- is transmitted messages on phone lines that range from computer to computer. A computer host, or online server, receives the messages you type, and if someone is not currently available then the server will save the message, then when they log in to their e-mail server, they will receive the message. System requirements for the e-mail and IM services include the computer, a phone line, and an online provider or e-mail service and a modem. A printer would be a good idea if you plan on printing your messages. If you plan on simply getting an e-mail service, Hotmail, Juno, or Delia's free e-mail services would be a good bet.
If you want to explore the entire net, you would need to get an Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as America Online, or CompuServe. But with most of these services you will also need a browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer, or Netscape Navigator. And there is usually a fee for having an ISP, in America Online's case about $20 a month.
With an internet browser
you can set up your own e-mail address at one of the following
web sites: www.Yahoo.com,
www.hotmail.com, and other main
search engines.
We know that the latest computer out is the little beach-ball iMac and the Pentium III, closely following the Pentium II. An obvious fact is that the computer units are improving in speed, performance, reliability, and 'user friendliness.' What most people don't know is what people had the bright ideas that have sparked a whole new technology era for a new generation.
Before technology, we had sticks and fingers. Cavemen would write on walls with clay or charred rocks, and it is theorized that they could only preform simple operations, such as the amount of livestock they had or the amount of family members in their families.
The 'abacus' is credited as being the first and most widely used computing unit for 2,000 years and as being the most important computing instrument of the time. Also 2,000 years ago was the 'astrolabe,' which was widely used with navigators. But, the first 'computing instrument' was created by a 19-year-old Blaise Pascal in 1642, but the machine was primitive! It would only compute addition and subtraction, and even that was a large feat, seeing as it was a plethora of dials and switches, but it was intended for Pascel's tax collecting father.
In 1671 the second computing unit was invented by Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz and this unit could add, and with difficulty, multiply numbers dialed in, and was used mainly for trigonometry and astrology. Finally, the first computer that could do all four operations was introduced in 1820 by Tomas of Colmar, and after this a 'desk-top' unit was built. The afterwards improvements were mainly used to suit commercial users, but everyday usage was not promoted.
Let's take a quick trip back through history. Your great grandfather is sitting at his desk; finally, he sits up, looks pleased and happy. On his desk we see the latest creation. It's black, has a rotary dial, and even if you tried you couldn't unplug it from the wall. We call this invention the telephone. In a world filled with cell phones, cordless phones, and headsets, something with a dial is uncomfortable, although many people still own telephones with cords.
The name cell phone comes from the term "cell area" referring to. When you go outside your 'cell' area, the transmission gets shaky, fails, or won't do anything, for a moment or two as you pass from one cell to another. There are also roaming ranges that limit where your cell phone will work. Cell phones won't work unless they are inside this range. If you make a call from another country, it'll require time-consuming verification, since companies now worry more than ever about fraud and stolen phones. Some continents such as North America, Asia, and Europe have different standards for communications; so, if your cell phone works here, it won't work anywhere else, and the same is true for Europe and Asia.
Latest thing out is a little headset, that really isn't new, it's only now recently being mass produced. The headset will allow you to keep your hands free, your neck cramp-free, although you will be put on a leash of sorts because this phone still has a cord. Not to worry, though. Cordless phones were also fiction two-hundred years ago.