Are you terrified to use a computer?
There are still people in this day and age who refuse to use a computer.
If you use a smart cellphone, you are using a computer. You might think that you don’t have any use for a computer, but almost everything available today includes a computer or was “touched” by a computer.
Consider a box of cereal. When it was manufactured, ingredients used were probably logged on a computer. When it was shipped to a distributor, it was probably tracked on a computer. The government’s food-safety organizations are able to track a product to the store shelf. If a problem is discovered, consumers can verify the safety of their product with lot numbers.
Have you ever thought about computers and banking? You might think that if you don’t own a computer that your bank account is safe. It doesn’t matter. Whether you do or don’t own a computer, hackers still can attack the bank directly. One could actually say that a bank account is even safer if the account holder uses a computer to access the bank. You are more likely to catch a problem quicker with a computer. Waiting for a bank statement is no longer necessary. You can get it on line immediately.
The car you drive is most likely computer controlled. Computers keep cars properly tuned to keep emissions at a minimum and economy at a maximum. The computer is busy recording data about the car and its systems.
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The computer could even provide information to defend you in the event of an accident. It might also prove that you were speeding when an accident occurred. Do want the computer to be your witness?
If you watch television, your television is probably controlled by a computer. If you are old enough, you might remember watching television with a “snowy” screen. This was a symptom of poor reception. Television standards specify that television signals are digital and use a computer to convert the signal to a picture on the screen.
Movies and science fiction suggest that all computers will be able to communicate with other computers. A new term, “Internet of Things,” suggests all devices be able to communicate on the Internet. It seems like too much. Why should a soda-vending machine communicate on the Internet? You might hear that it can send email to the vendor to request a refill. Does that justify connecting it to the Internet? It doesn’t seem likely that a soda-vending unit would be capable of doing too much damage.
The fact of the matter is that even if you don’t own a computer, a computer is controlling things that affect your life. Does that make you nervous?
Norm Morin is founder of NKC Systems computer repair and consulting. Call 978-453-1355; visit 155 Broadway Road, Dracut; or email [email protected].
