| Computers have evolved in the last few decades | | | | computer technology, perhaps without even |
| from archaic scientific calculators with lots of | | | | realizing it! |
| strange symbols on the buttons to point and click | | | | If you are new to the world of computers and |
| machines that a four year old could master. | | | | do not have or want to use voice commands, |
| People still claim to be 'computer illiterate' these | | | | what about touch commands? Touch command |
| days but such people probably have not | | | | software means you can touch objects on the |
| investigated the new types of machines. You no | | | | monitor to tell the computer what to do. This kind |
| longer have to program a computer to get a | | | | of system is used a lot in ATM machines, known |
| response and machines are extremely | | | | as ATM kiosks, around the world. They are also |
| user-friendly these days. Spending just thirty | | | | used in health monitoring systems and at |
| minutes with a computer could probably turn the | | | | employment centers. |
| most self-confessed 'computer illiterate' into | | | | You do not need either a keyboard or a mouse |
| someone who understands how to get around | | | | for a touch command enabled computer. You just |
| the internet, find new friends in chat rooms and | | | | need to touch the boxes on the screen to tell |
| find all kinds of interesting information online. | | | | that computer what you want it to do. The |
| To use a computer nowadays, you need to learn | | | | programming which makes it respond is advanced |
| how to turn the machine on, push a few buttons | | | | and sophisticated, but for the person using the |
| and use a mouse. Computers of this generation | | | | touch screen, it is an easy system to master. |
| nearly seem to run themselves! These thousand | | | | When we are talking about operating computers, |
| dollar computers require very little knowledge | | | | we usually mean more than touching screens or |
| from the part of the user. | | | | talking on the phone, but this does prove how far |
| If you do not want to use a keyboard or mouse, | | | | computer technology has come in only a few |
| you can set a computer up to be voice activated. | | | | decades. Computers are so much more |
| You can purchase voice command software | | | | user-friendly now too. You will eventually need to |
| which lets you speak to the machine and tell it | | | | learn how to use a mouse and keyboard if you |
| what to do. This is very new technology that is | | | | want to get a home computer, work with a cash |
| still being developed, but is already being used in | | | | register or booking system, but it is fine to try |
| some consumer service systems. | | | | out easier ways first to familiarize yourself and |
| When you last paid a bill over the phone, did you | | | | get more confident. |
| speak to a human or an automated machine? The | | | | A lot of the software around today is designed |
| chances are it was a computer which responded | | | | with newbies in mind, so that anyone can send an |
| to the commands you gave it. You would have | | | | email, connect to the internet or download a song |
| given your full name and perhaps a credit card | | | | in mp3 format a few hours after plugging your |
| number. If you have done this, you have used | | | | new machine in for the first time. |