My Science School

Pac-Man

This hugely popular game, developed and released in the year 1980, can today be played by a simple Google search of the term Pacman'. When you hit enter, the Google Doodle on Pac Man will appear on the screen and you can click on Play to start the game.

The gameplay is simple. The play area is like a maze, filled with coins. You, as Pac-Man, need to collect all the coins but there will be ghosts all along to stop you from doing so. Therefore, you need to do your best to find your way around the maze, avoiding the ghosts and collecting the coins. Besides, there are special coins (power pellets) which are bigger than the other to help you fight the ghosts. When you chance upon this coin, the ghosts will turn blue in colour. They are rendered ineffective for a brief period of time. Look for more of these coins to protect yourself from the ghosts. And when possible, attack the ghosts when they are blue in colour as this will help you collect extra points. Collecting a certain amount of power pellets will also unlock a special fruit that gives you more points.

Tic Tac Toe

Tired of finding someone to play this classic game with? Worry not, you can play against the computer. As a bonus, you do not have to waste any paper either

Just head to Google Search and type tic tac toe for a quick break. You can choose between the cross or the nought. You will have a 33 grid where you can place each cross during your turn. Once you place the cross the computer will mark the nought on an available free space on the grid. This continues till either you or the computer manage to get three continuous marks horizontally, vertically diagonally.

The game lets you choose the difficulty level between easy, medium and hard. It also keeps a tab of your scores, which can be shared using the share feature on the game.

Garden Gnomes

This interesting game is available in the Google Doodle archives. Doodle released this game in 2018 to celebrate Garden Day in Germany. Somewhat similar to the hugely popular Angry Birds game, Garden Gnomes requires you to fling a garden gnome across the empty green field, sprouting flowers on the way. The goal is to fling the garden gnome as far as possible. Along the way, you can find certain objects that will propel your garden gnome further. There are different types of garden gnomes for you to choose from.

Just key in Garden Gnomes Google in the search bar and you can find a link to the Google Doodle Archive listing of the game.

 

Picture Credit : Google

Atari Breakout

The original Breakout game was released by Atari, a gaming company, in 1976. It was hugely popular and a fun game to play. Before, you could go to Google Images and type 'Atari Breakout and the game would appear. But now, you need to type out 'Atari Breakout in the Google Search bar and dick on A feeling lucky Once you do so, the game will pop up on your screen.

Playing the game is simple - There are several bricks laid out on the top of the screen and you need to break them all using a ball. Whenever the ball hits a brick, the brick breaks and the ball starts descending towards the lower half of the screen. The challenge lies in bouncing the ball right back up using the paddle that you can control with the arrow keys or the mouse. The goal is to destroy all the bricks. You do get several turns to do so, but you need to be quick and attentive to win the game.

Snake

Remember the classic snake game that was available on most basic mobile phones and hand-held video games? You can now play the game using Google search with colourful visuals and sounds. All you need to do is to type Play Snake in the search bar and the game will appear on screen. For those of you who haven't played the game yet here are the rules: You are given a grid, which is the play space. And an apple appears anywhere on the grid. You play the role of the snake who needs to devour the apple. You can control the directions of the snake using the arrow keys. Once it devours the apple, another one appears in some other part of the board. As the snake keeps eating apples, it grows bigger in length, making it difficult for you to control it. This cycle continues as long as the player loses. You lose the game of the snake hit against the sides of the play area or if it hits against itself.

The game also lets you customize and play to your liking. You can make the snake move faster or slower, and choose a different fruit as well.

Doodle Cricket

Over the years, Google has brought out some innovative and interactive Google Doodles. One such doodle was for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. This doodle has featured subsequently for other cricketing events as well.

To access the game, just go to the Google doodle archives and type cricket in the search bar. Alternatively. You can type Google Cricket and the link will appear. The gameplay is simple - You, the batsman, are a grasshopper, and the snails (the computer) are the opponent team. A snail will bowl to you and you need to hit the ball by clicking the mouse button or pressing the Space bar at the right time. If you miss, you are out. As the game progresses, the bowling speed will change. Score as many points as you can doing this. You can even compete with your friends and share the Scores.

 

Picture Credit : Google

Since the commencement of the lockdown, there has been an increase in the number of channels on video hosting sites such as YouTube and Vimeo. Videos posted on these channels are called ‘vlogs’. A vlog is a portmanteau of “video” and “blog”. It is a form of blog where the medium of sharing views is video, instead of text.

Usually, a vlog means to take a video of yourself speaking about some topic and posting it on your blog. But today, with the rise in video hosting sites, the term has expanded to include any kind of videos hosted on such sites, with or without text.

A person who vlogs is called a vlogger.

Types of vlogs

Most vlogs found online can be broadly categorized into two types – personal vlogs and live broadcast vlogs.

Personal vlogs are the ones where people talk about different aspects relating to a main topic. These include beauty vlogs and travel vlogs.

These videos are usually recorded beforehand, and edited and uploaded at a suitable time. You can find personal vlogs all over the Internet.

On the other hand, live broadcast vlogs are videos aired live. A vlogger usually hosts a live video on the site and speaks spontaneously to a live audience. These vlogs remain on the site for about 24 hours after which they disappear. However, vloggers can save these vlogs and upload them later.

Some popular vloggers

There are millions of vloggers on the Internet, hosting vlogs on diverse topics. While some of them vlog for fun, some take it up as a career and make money through brand collaborations and monetization policies of websites. One of the most popular vloggers is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, whose YouTibe channel, PewDiePie, has over 100 million subscribers. He vlogs on gaming, comedy, satire and more.

Ryan’s Toy Reviews featuring 8-year-old Ryan Kaji is another popular YouTube channel with over 26 million subscribers. Ryan is one of the highest earning YouTubers. He usually reviews toys from around the world.

Starting your own vlog

If you are interested in starting a vlog, here are a few tips:

Talk to your parents

Share your interest with your parents and seek their support in helping you start a vlog. It is always helpful to have an adult around. They can also help you with ideas.

Decide on a topic

This is most important. Even before you pick up the camera and start vlogging, you need to decide on a topic. Topic can vary from travel, to food, to even Do-It-Yourself crafts. This is what will give your channel direction and set it apart from others.

Decide on equipment

Most professional vloggers invest in a camera and lights. However, since you are just starting out, you can use natural lightning and a smartphone camera. Just ensure the camera is not shaky and the audio is clear, as it can get very disturbing for the viewer otherwise.

Choose a video hosting platform

Now that you have decided on a topic and have your equipment in place, it’s time to decide on a video hosting platform. While YouTube is the most popular, there are other platforms such as Vimeo too. Do your research and see what suits you best.

Viewing rights and monetization

Before you upload your video, decide on who gets to view your content. If you are creating content only for family members and friends, you can make the video private and share the link with them. However, if you wish to monetize your content, making your videos public is a better option.

 

Picture Credit : Google

It is stressful situations for many to be restricted indoors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Expressing yourself can help you cope with the situation. A blog is one of the best ways for you to do just that. A truncation of the word ‘Weblog’ (which is a portmanteau of the word ‘web’ and ‘log’) a blog is like your own website where you can post content you like. While it started initially as an online diary, where people could share their day-to-day happenings, today, blogs are used for a variety of purposes such as a marketing tool, a travelogue, a recipe blog or just about anything you want it to be.

Blogging is a great de-stressor and a wonderful way to connect with like-minded people. Now, that you have time in hand, why not start a blog of your own? Here are some blogging tips that can help you make the most of your journey as a blogger.

The right platform

Do your research and choose the right blogging platform for your needs. There are several blogging sites on the World Wide Web, some require you to pay a minimum fee, while others are completely free. There are also sites that let you blog for free but require you to pay if you want additional features such as customization. Different blogging sites offer choose the best platform for yourself. Keep all this in mind before you choose the best platform for yourself. For beginners, Blogger, WordPress, and Medium are some of the sites that are a good starting point.

Multimedia is your best friend

Gone are the days when blogging was only about text. Today, most blogging sites let you use a variety of media to express yourself. You can upload pictures, videos and audio along with text in a single blog post. Sometimes pictures can express what words can’t and videos can also add another dimension to what you write. So use multimedia to express yourself better.

Do not upload media that is not yours as it can lead to copyright violation. However, if you think a video online conveys what you wish to say, you can link the video on your blog but remember to give due credit.

Think before you post

It is good to express your view, but remember that the Internet is filled with diverse people. Do not post anything offensive against people or any culture or religion. And do your best not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. Hence, before you click on the ‘post’ or ‘share’ button, read through what you have written, and if needed, ask a well-wisher to proof it for you. Only then, post your content online.

Build a network

If your wish to take up blogging as a career option in the future, promote yourself and build a network. Connect with like-minded individuals on social media platforms and share your work wherever possible. Similarly, share the works of people you follow or any good content online. Everyone is trying to do their best to express themselves. Sharing posts will not just fetch your blog more users, but will also get you feedback that can be used to better your blog in the future.

 

Picture Credit : Google

COMPUTERS

Computers do hundreds of different jobs, from word processing to flying aircraft. A computer can perform different tasks because it is a general-purpose electronic machine, controlled by a computer program. Change the program and the computer does a new job. A computer stores data such as numbers, words, sounds and pictures, and processes it under direction of the program.

The first computers to work in the same way as today’s were developed in the 1940s. These huge machines used thousands of thermionic valves. Computers became far smaller with the introduction of integrated circuits in the 1950s, and have continued to become more powerful.

Desktop computers used at home, school and work are called personal computers (PCs). Other types include mainframes, used by large companies for data processing, and supercomputers, for doing complex scientific calculations extremely quickly.

The central processing unit of a PC is contained on a single large integrated circuit called a microprocessor. It has two units - one that carries out calculations and other operations, and another that receives instructions and data from memory.

Parts of a PC

A computer is made up of hardware, its physical parts, and software, made up of the data and programs it stores and uses. The hardware is made up of the computer itself and peripherals, such as monitors and printers that attach to it.

The main part of a personal computer is the central processing unit (CPU), normally simply called the processor, which can be thought of as the computer’s “brain”. It receives instructions from the program and carries them out. Programs and data are stored in the computer’s memory. Rows of metal tracks called buses connect the processor and memory. The data bus carries the data; the address bus tells the memory where the data should come from or go to.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

There are two main types of computer software - system software and application software. System software does the computer’s “housekeeping” jobs, such as controlling a printer, or writing data to disc drives. Application software makes the computer do specific jobs.

Most personal computers have application software such as a word processor (for preparing letters and reports), a database (for storing and retrieving information), a web browser (for surfing the World Wide Web) and e-mail software. Games and educational programs are also applications. Office computers may also have software for doing calculations (called spreadsheets), for processing orders, for accounts, for planning projects and for making presentations. Book and magazine designers use publishing software to design and edit pages before they are printed. Engineers and designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software to help them design new products, which they can view on-screen before making the real thing. Details of the parts can be sent to computers that control the manufacturing machines that make the parts.

In most offices, computers are linked together into networks so that they can share programs and data, which are stored on a computer called a server.

Many computers do just one specific job. Examples of these dedicated computers are games machines, in-car navigation computers, and the computers that help to fly airliners and fighter aircraft.

With laptops and desktops working overtime during this pandemic, it becomes necessary to take care of our gadgets to ensure their longevity. When the laptop or desktop is new, we take extra care of it. But as time passes, we tend to ignore basic things such as shutting down the gadget. Now that you are spending more hours at home, invest time in caring for your gadgets and making the best use of them.

Remember to shut down the system

This is the most important rule to follow. Always turn off the system after each use. Don’t let it run for days together, as it can heat up and affect the battery life. Like your body need rest, your system needs it as well.

Update the OS

It might be time consuming, but allow your gadget to update the operating system, whenever necessary, if you are doing something important, then schedule the updates for sometime later when you are relatively free. But remember to update the OS, as this can improve your system’s performance and also ehance its security.

No eating while using the system

Most of us munch on something or eat our food while using the system. This must be avoided at all costs. Crumbs falling on the keyboard, between the keys, can damage its internal parts. It is the same with water or any other liquid.

Pull the plug

Another thing we are all guilty is overcharging our devices. While certain devices come with audio cut-off where they automatically stop charging once optional charge is reached, most devices do not have the same. Avoid overcharging your laptop, as it can heat up the battery and affect is longevity.

Keep system away from heat

Do not expose your system to direct heat or high temperatures because this can damage its parts and most often lead to a thermal shutdowns. If possible, invest in a cooling fan for a laptop if the temperature where you live is usually high.

Clean the system

Periodically clean the system to get rid if all the dust and dirt. While doing so, please remember to use a clean, dry cloth. Moisture of any kind will harm the system.

Install an antivirus

Install a good antivirus that protects your data from viruses. Set your antivirus to run a scan periodically to make sure you track any virus before it does damage.

 

Picture Credit : Google

Netiquette is a combination of the words ‘Internet’ and ‘Etiquette’. It refers to the rules to be observed online. This applies to several aspects of the Internet such as email, social media, online chat, web comments, communication during gaming, and web forums among others. There is no official list of such rules. Hence, they can vary from community to community. However, there are certain rules that are followed uniformly by a majority of communities. These include.

Respect others’ privacy

Do not share others’ pictures, personal details or videos that they are not comfortable publishing online. Respect their right to privacy.

Watch your tongue

Do not let your personal problem with someone spill onto the virtual space. Try to amicably sort out issues instead of posting inflammatory or offensive comments. If you come across anyone indulging in it, report their profile immediately.

Think before you post

Whether it is an email or a post on social media, think twice before publishing it online. Your posts should not target anyone and should not hurt their sentiments. Remember that we are a culturally diverse world. So, be welcoming of people instead of posting things against a person or a community.

Think before reposting

So your friend has posted something about an issue and is requesting people to repost the same to spread the word. Like a good friend you might want to repost it, but don’t. It is the era of fake news and fake information in the virtual world. So, check the facts before you decide to repost anything that is spreading online.

Be a sport

When you play multiplayer games online with friends or stranger, do not say anything inflammatory. Similarly, if you lose a game, be a sport and accept your loss gracefully. So not indulge in profanity.

No ALL CAPS, please

This is an accepted behaviour almost everywhere – you do not use ALL CAPS in a mail, chat comments or any other form of communication online. When you use all caps, it is considered that you are shouting or yelling at the person at the other end.

Don’t spam others

Do not repeatedly send mails or chat messages to people if they are not responding on time, wait it out. Similarly, refrain from forwarding unnecessary WhatsApp messages. It is impolite to spam people in any way.

 

Picture Credit : Google

To use the computer to its optimal potential, we need to install various software that let us perform different tasks such as word processing, accessing the Internet, and watching videos. The Operating System, which helps users interact with the computer, is also a software.

While some software come pre-installed with a laptop or desktop, some are expensive, making them inaccessible.

What is software piracy?

In simple terms, software piracy is the illegal copying, use or distribution of a software. Most software, except open source ones, is copyrighted. When you buy a software, you become a licensed user of the software comes with it’s own terms and conditions of usage. When these are breached, and you start using the software for your own profit by illegally circulating it, you indulge in software piracy.

Types of software piracy

Software piracy is practiced in different ways. Some of these are:

Softlifting: Also called softloading, this is the most common type of software piracy. Softlifting means sharing a program with someone who is not licensed to use it. For example, if you share your licensed Microsoft Office Software CD with your friend when it mentions it is licensed for only one computer, you are involving in softlifting.

Counterfeiting: Another common type of piracy, this involves creating duplicates of the original software and selling them for profit.

Online/Internet Piracy: One of the fastest growing forms of piracy, this involves copying of a software and putting up the file on the Internet for download. There are many sites that let you download pirated versions of software. Be aware, as much as the person who uploads the software online, the person who downloads it is equally guilty when it comes to piracy.

Hard disk loading: This is usually committed by hardware dealers who load an unauthorized copy of a software on the system and sell it to the end user.

OEM unbundling: In this form of piracy, one usually sells a stand-alone software from a bundle of software. For example, Adobe suite is a bundled software. If someone sells you just Adobe Photoshop from it, it is known as OEM unbundling.

 

Picture Credit : Google

A new research from the University of Washington in Seattle, the U.S., revealed that one need not necessarily excel in Maths to be a coder. According to the research, a natural aptitude for learning languages is a stronger predictor of learning to programme than basic math knowledge. This is because writing code also involves learning a second language and the ability to learn that language’s grammar and vocabulary.

The study had examined the neurocognitive abilities of more than 30 adults as they learned a programming language called Python. Following a series of tests that assessed their executive function, language, and math skills, participants also complete a series of online lessons and quizzes in Python.

Those who managed to learn the programming language faster and with greater accuracy tended to have a mix of strong problem-solving skills as well as language abilities, stated the findings published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Maths has always been considered one of the most important skills when it comes to coding. However, this new study states while mathematical skills are important, there are other skills, apart from the aptitude to learn a new language, which are equally important.

If you wish to become a coder, here are a few skills you should develop:

Problem-solving: One of the most important soft skills required to be a programmer is problem-solving because a programmer’s key role is to solve a problem. If the boss wants to know what the users are reading through in the site, the programmer needs to solve the problem by writing a code that instructs the computer to track user clicks.

Logical reasoning: The computer is a logical machine. If a+b=c, the computer will follow that logic. Hence, a programmer too needs to work on his logical reasoning skills to understand the workings of the computer and provide step-by-step logical instructions.

Good memory: ‘Practice makes perfect’ is a popular saying. But before you are close to perfecting your programming knowledge, you need to work on your memory skills. This is because programming involves the use of several keywords for specific tasks which need to be remembered.

Basic math: You don’t need to be an expert in math. But basic math, especially arithmetic and algebra, is a must since programs need to perform calculations at different points in time.

Communication skills: A programmer needs to be an effective communicator. Apart from being attentive and listening to the brief a client gives him or her, a programmer needs to effectively communicate what can or cannot be done when it comes to coding.

A keen eye for detail: Programming languages involve the use of several keywords and special characters. If one character is missing, then the whole program can crash. Hence, a programmer needs to have a keen eye for detail.

Curiosity: Being curious is an essential skill for a programmer. A programmer needs to ask questions and look for answers to ensure writing the best version of a program. So, are you ready to code?

 

Picture Credit : Google

 

 

Today, if you find doing assignments on the computer easy, you have to thank Larry Tesler. Wondering why? For it was he who invented the cut-copy-paste command. Does it ring a bell? Be it students, teachers or working professionals, you could probably count the number of people in the world who wouldn’t have used the cut-copy-paste command. Actually, you might not find anyone at all because that’s how essential this command has become in today’s computing.

Who was Larry Tesler?

Born in Bronx, New York, in 1945, Larry Tesler was a computer scientist. Having graduated from the Stanford University, California, Tesler started working for the Silicon Valley in the early 1960s – a time when the computer was still inaccessible to a majority of people. He specialized in user interface design and worked for a number of firms during his lifetime, such as Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre (Parc), where he started his career, and Apple. Post Apple, he set up an education start-up and worked with Amazon and Yahoo for brief periods.

Tesler believed in making the computer accessible to people. He wanted to simplify its use to make it easier for people to operate it.

During his time at Parc, Tesler, along with his colleague Tim Mott, devised the cut-copy-paste command. The idea for the same was inspired by the old method of editing, where people would physically cut portions of printed text and glue them elsewhere. Tesler also came up with the find & replace command during his time at Parc.

The cut-copy-paste command was first incorporated into Apple’s software on the Lisa computer in 1983. After this, computers have only become more and more user friendly.

Tesler passed away on February 20, 2020. He was 74.

What do we thank him for?

Cut, copy and paste. These commands are an indispensable part of our lives today. Instead of typing out chunks of text, one could use these commands to complete the process in a fraction of time.

In Windows computers, to cut text, you can highlight the text using mouse and right click and select Cut. Alternatively, you could use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+X.

For copying text, you would follow the same process and choose Copy instead from the list or use the shortcut Ctrl+C.

For pasting text, select Paste from the menu, or use the shortcut Ctrl+V to paste the text in the place you want.

Remember, when you Cut and Paste text, the text will no longer remain in its original place. Whereas, if you Copy and Paste text, you are creating a copy of the text, meaning the original remains intact.

 

Picture Credit : Google

A chatbot, or chatterbot, is a computer program designed to stimulate conversation with humans. A chatbot usually has textual conversations with users, guiding them through simple processes. Sometimes, it is hard to identify who you are chatting with – a human or a robot. Many websites today use chatbots.

The term chatterbot was originally coined by computer scientist Michael Mauldin in 1994. Mauldin is the creator of Verbot, a popular chatterbot program.

The first conversational bot, however, was written in the U.S. in 1966. Implemented by Joseph Weizenbaum, a computer scientist of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the chatbot was called Eliza. The chatbot was so authentic that it misled many people it was human.

Advantages of a chatbot

Chatbots are a great help for businesses, helping improve customer service and personalizing communication. However, for a user, a chatbot can be a boon when it comes to getting immediate responses for queries. Most chatbots are operational 24x7, meaning you can ask it a question even at two in the morning and you will be served a response. A chatbot also comes in handy when you don’t have the patience to read through the Frequently Asked Questions. Most chatbots are equipped with answering the FAQs.

Chatbots are also linked to human customer service professionals. If it cannot answer your query any further, it will put you through to a professional, thereby ensuring seamless customer service.

How do chatbots work?

Depending on the purpose they are designed for, chatbots can be divided into two groups – simple, and trained/smart.

Simple chatbots work according to pre-programmed commands.

Usually, a developer writes a list of keywords and command for the computer program to look for and execute. When a user chats with such a bot, if the keyword is present, the bot will execute the command. If not, it might say something like “Sorry, I do not understand”.

A smart chatbot, on the other hand, relies on artificial intelligence to communicate with users. Instead of pre-programmed answers, this bot will offer you a list of suggestions based on what you key in. The smart bot also stores all the words and sentences you use for later processing to improve on its responses.

Chatbots and the Turing test

While chatbots are highly intelligent, they haven’t passed the Turing test as of 2019. The Turing test, developed in the 1950s by Alan Turing, is a test of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligence equivalent to or indistinguishable from humans. Simply put, a human judge has a conversation with a human and a chatbot. If he can identify the machine, the chatbot doesn’t pass the Turing test.

 

Picture Credit : Google

Ever since gadgets entered our lives, we have been addicted to them. Checking the mobile phone as soon as we wake up has become a part of our daily routine. Similarly, on returning from school, playing games on the computer has become a norm.

While the computer is highly useful for academic purposes such as project work, it is also used as a means of entertainment. However, constant use of the computer can take a toll on our health. One could instead use this time to channel one’s energy towards other interesting and beneficial things. Hence let’s see how taking occasional breaks from the computer can be rejuvenating.

The need to detox

Using the computer for long periods of time can affect the eyes as well as the body. The harsh light emitted by the monitor can tire your eyes and leave you with dark circles. The light is also said to affect sleep.

Besides, due to lack of physical activity, your body will feel much weaker than it is. You could develop poor posture that causes back and neck pain. Many people also complain of headaches and disorientation.

Another major health problem encountered by many of us today is obesity. Sitting in front of the computer for hours together can lead to weight gain. This in turn affects our heart and mind.

Ways to detox

So the best way to stay away from the computer is to to keep yourself occupied with other interesting things. Here are a few ways to detox and rejuvenate yourself.

Take regular breaks:

Don’t sit in front of the computer for too long. Have a sand clock on your computer table to remind you to get up and move around.

Take power naps

You could feel exhausted with all the things you need to do during the day. So, to relax, take power naps instead of playing games on the computer.

Read books

Books are our best friends. There’s a book for every mood. So, grab one and start reading during your free time.

Go out and play

With free spaces shrinking, make the most of the outdoors – go out and play. There’s nothing a good game with friends can’t fix. It’s one of the best stress busters.

Reward yourself

It can be difficult to detox. A reward is a good way to keep yourself motivated. Every time you do something other than using the computer, reward yourself with something useful.

 

Picture Credit : Google

A secret start menu

Over the years, many of us became accustomed to the simple textual start menu offered by the Windows OS. But with Windows 10, a new tiled interface emerged, confusing many new users. Well, you might not find the exact start menu that you did in the older versions of Windows, but right click on the Windows icon and you will find a more textual interface.

Shake off the windows

With the Windows+D keyboard shortcut you can minimise all the windows on the screen. But what if you want the window you are currently working on to be open and everything else to be minimised? Shake it!

Yes, clicking on the title bar of the window you are working on, you shake it. All the other windows will get minimised. If you want the windows to comes back, just shake the current window again.

For the lazy typists

For those of you who are lay to type your messages, Windows 10 has a special dictation mode. Press and hold the Windows+H keyboard keys and a dictation mode will open. Once you enable it in your settings, Windows will use your in-built microphone to record what you are saying. This feature can be used for typing out emails or word documents.

Organising windows

This feature was available in Windows 7 too. Especially useful when referencing something, you can keep two windows open simultaneously o the screen, next to each other. To do this, you can click on the title bar of a window and drag it to whichever side of the screen you want it to occupy. Once you do this, you will be shown a list of other running windows, one of which you can open on the other side of the screen. This feature can also be accessed by pressing Windows+ (any of the arrow keys) based on the place you want the windows to occupy.

The emoji specialist

For those who love emojis, there is a cool hidden feature. Just hit Windows+ (fullstop or period) and a set of in-built emojis will open on the right corner of your screen. You can use these emojis in any app.

 

Picture Credit : Google

A Pixel is a tiny dot of color, which, together with millions of other dots, makes up a picture on a computer or television screen. It is short for "picture element". A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image or graphic that can be displayed and represented on a digital display device.

A pixel is the basic logical unit in digital graphics. Pixels are combined to form a complete image, video, text or any visible thing on a computer display. A pixel is also known as a picture element.

A pixel is represented by a dot or square on a computer monitor display screen. Pixels are the basic building blocks of a digital image or display and are created using geometric coordinates. Depending on the graphics card and display monitor, the quantity, size and color combination of pixels varies and is measured in terms of the display resolution.

For example, a computer with a display resolution of 1280 x 768 will produce a maximum of 98,3040 pixels on a display screen. Each pixel has a unique logical address, a size of eight bits or more and, in most high-end display devices, the ability to project millions of different colors.

The pixel resolution spread also determines the quality of display; more pixels per inch of monitor screen yields better image results.

 

Inside the processing unit of a computer are collections of integrated circuits (microchips) and other components, usually positioned on circuit boards. There are also slots for floppy disks and CDs to be inserted, a “hard disk” on which data is stored, and perhaps devices such as fans to keep the components cool. Portable computers also have space for a battery, which can be recharged.

It is imperative to understand the name and function of each component in a computer in order to understand how it functions as a whole. Attempt to always remember that a computer is based off the human body and functions in the same way. You cannot expect to understand the human body without first understanding its organs and their functions. A computer is composed of components in the same way that the body is composed of organs that together work to make the body or computer function. A basic computer has at least 8 basic components which include a computer case or tower, motherboard, Central Processing Unit (CPU), Power Supply Unit (PSU), Random Access Memory (RAM), hard drive (HDD), Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) and some type of optical drive which would be your CD/DVD drive. These 7 components are the backbone of every healthy, functioning computer.

Motherboards

Motherboards often referred to as a logic board, main board or “mobo” for short, are the “back-bone” of the computer. Its purpose is to connect all the parts of the computer together and make everything centralized using its printed circuit board. The central processing unit, hard drives, memory, graphic processing unit, printers, and other ports all connect to the computer directly or via special cables that attach on to the motherboard. When you plug in a USB or thumb drive to a computer you are actually plugging it directly into the computer!

Power Supply

True to its name, the power supply powers all other components of the machine. It usually plugs into the motherboard to power the other parts. The power supply connects to either an internal battery (on a laptop) or a plug for an outlet (on a desktop).

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A CPU, sometimes referred to as a computer's brain, is the workhorse of the machine. It performs the calculations needed by a system, and can vary in speed. The work that a CPU does generates heat, which is why your computer has a fan inside. A more powerful CPU is necessary for intense computer work like editing high-definition video or programming complex software.

Random-access Memory (RAM)

RAM is temporary memory. Whenever you open up a Microsoft Word window, your computer places it in RAM, and when you close the window, that RAM is freed. Since RAM is volatile, its contents are lost if the machine loses power. This is why you lose a Word document when the power goes out if you didn't save it.

Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive

Since RAM is temporary, your computer needs a place to store data permanently. That's where the hard drive comes in. The traditional hard drive consists of several spinning platters with an arm that physically writes data to the disk. However, these drives are slow and are starting to be replaced by the faster solid-state drives.

Video Card

A video card is a dedicated unit for handling the output of images to a display. Video cards have their own dedicated RAM for performing these functions. A high-end video card is required to process extremely intense visual functions, such as computer drafting by engineers. Like many components, many types of video cards are available with varying power and prices.

Optical Drives

Though less common than they used to be, many machines still have an optical drive for reading CDs and DVDs. These can be used to listen to music or watch movies, place information onto a blank disc, or install software from a disc. Since most software nowadays is installed from the internet instead of using discs, these aren't as important as they once were, especially on laptops.

Input and Output Devices

Depending on your particular computer, you can connect a variety of devices to send information into it or out of it. Common input devices include mice (touchpads on laptops), keyboards, and webcams, while output devices consist of monitors, printers, and speakers. Removable media such as flash drives and SD cards can also be used to transfer data between computers.