Output devices

Output devices are machines that create a visual, audio or hard copy of information that is on a computer. These devices are on pretty much every computer out there, they range from monitors to speakers to printers. These devices allow you interact with the computer, such as printing a document for a homework assignment. Monitors allow you to browse the internet or even make video calls to other people. speakers allow you to listen to music stored on your computer. Without output devices computers wouldn't be much use!!

http://www.ehow.com/info_8106997_three-common-output-devices-computer.html

video cards

Video cards are becoming one of the most important components of computers. Also they can be one of the most difficult pieces of hardware to understand. It used to be that video cards were just for gamers, however many people today use their computers for movies, video and picture editing etc. that demand a video card. There are two key components of a video card, those are the quality of the video processor and the amount of memory. The video processor is sometimes refered to the GPU or graphics processor unit. The memory is used for 3-D imaging and enhancing the refresh rate to provide a more stable display. Some video cards may have up to 4gb of memory. Another important quality of the video card is the type of memory. Most commonly there is GDDR3 and GDDR5, this is important to know because some cards that have 2gb of memory are slower than a 1gb card because it is GDDR3 vs GDDR5.

http://www.co-train.com/Video-Cards-Explained.html 

 

networks

Pretty much everyone has run into the problem of not being able to connect to the network. What is "the network" and how does it work? Well its fairly simple. First off you need more than one computer and a router which is your hardware. Next you need software that makes it possible to connect to another computer and finally you need a pathway or cable for the information to travel from one computer to another. you are able to share many things when networking such as Files and documents, an Internet connection, printers, print servers and scanners stereos, TVs and game systems and CD burners. Many people prefer to avoid the hassles of cables and use a wireless router for convenience.


http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm

 

application software

Application software is a program or group of programs designed to be used by the end user of the computer. Application software includes database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets. The application software would be unable to run without an operating system however an operating system would not be able to accomplish much without application software. It is sort of like a light bulb and a electricity generating station. the generating station isn't much good if there are no light bulbs to light up and make use of the electricity.

here are some examples of application software

1) Opera (Web Browser)
2) Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
3) Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
5) MySQL (Database Software)
6) Microsoft Powerpoint (Presentation Software)
7) iTunes (Music / Sound Software)
8) VLC Media Player (Audio / Video Software )
9) World of Warcraft (Game Software)
10) Adobe Photoshop (Graphics Software)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/a/application_software.htm

Operating systems

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/operating-system.htm

There are several operating systems on the market today. For example there is windows 7, Mac OS X and Linux. However not all computers have operating systems. There are many computers such as those in a microwave or refrigerator that simply don't need an operating system. On the other hand there are many devices such as cell phones that have their own unique or small operating system. The day to day computer user generally uses a PC that run a Microsoft operating system, and many businesses and corporations use Linux on their computers. The operation system is sort of a parent, they keep things working smoothly and keep resourses from being hogged by one system or another. All in all an operating system is critical to keep your computer working properly.

Here is an picture of the Linux penguin blowing up the windows symbol...

X-ray computed tomography

Computed tomography is a medical imaging device that in conjunction with MRI is considered one of the most important medical inventions in the 20th century, also the United States has more CT scanners per person than any other country in the world! This technology 100% relies on computers for their operation. in a sense it is similar to a scanner, except it uses x-rays to take "pictures" of sections of a body part. The images are then input into a computer and placed in the proper order to create an image. It is one of the best and fastest tools for studying the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross-sectional views of all types of tissue.  The above image shows a CT image of a pulmonary embolism, and as a result of this image the person's life was most likely saved.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct