A computer is a machine which manipulates data according to a list of instructions.

uk culture: The Gaming issue. In this issue we take a look at the role of the UK in the computer gaming industry and the design and technological developments the UK is responsible for. See issue

magazine article: Girl's games. Computer games have been criticised for quite some time over a whole range of issues. Some people say they are overly violent and encourage violent behaviour particularly in children. Others say that they make children hyperactive, unsociable and are bad for their eyes. Now, however, it seems that computer games have also become a feminist issue. Read article

magazine article: Information society. Once upon a time societies were organised around religion, farming, trade or industry. In many parts of the world today this is still true, but something else is becoming more important - the exchange of information, and the technology that we use to do this. Twenty-four hour news, e-commerce, international call-centres, mobile phones, Global Positioning Systems … all these are making the world smaller and faster. Read article

magazine article: Technophobia. Technophobe: Someone who does not like, trust, or want to use technology, especially computers. (Macmillan English Dictionary). Read article

magazine article: Viral marketing. When word of mouth turns to word of mouse. Read article

word game: Internet abbreviations. Type in the missing information to see what different abbreviations mean. Play game

poem: Eye Halve a Spelling Chequer. In this amusing poem the correct words have been substituted by homophones (two or more words that are spelt differently, but pronounced the same). It proves that computer spelling checkers are not infallible! Read poem

poem: The Good Old Days. This amusing poem compares the meanings of words and expressions as they are used nowadays when speaking about computers, and in their original contexts. Read poem

cartoon: "Somebody's put roast pork in my CD drive!" "Has it stopped working?" "No, but ..." See cartoon

cartoon: "Do you like shopping on the Internet?" "No! ... " See cartoon

cartoon: "Doctor! Doctor! I feel like I'm part of the Internet!" "Hmm ... yes, you do look ..." See cartoon

trivia: the following trivia topics are available for this theme: computer games | information society | technophobia

science: cubed. Balance-controlled computer: A motion-sensing device may change how we use computers. Read story

science: cubed. Cubic computer: Pioneering Fentix Cube is the first digital touch screen computer platform. Read story

science: cubed. Fast fingerprinting: A genuine breakthrough in fingerprint technology. Read story

science: cubed. Intelligent interiors: Designing functional objects that learn to adapt to your personal space. Read story

science: cubed. Movie makers: Digital animated 3D home-movie-making is set to be the next big thing. Read story

science: cubed. Virtual London: Fly from the Tower of London to Big Ben without leaving your desk. Read story

links: the following sets of links are available for this theme: computer games | information society | search engines | technophobia