Introduction To Computers
As you progress through this tutorial, you'll see that different types of computers also often use different types of software. A special-purpose computer is embedded in almost all electronic devices and is the most widely-used computer. This computer is designed for a specific task and is found in ATMs, cars, microwaves, TVs, the VCR, and other home electronics. See our special-purpose computer page for further information and examples. Typically, computer users of the time fed their programs into a computer using punched cards or paper tape. Ross contended that a Flexowriter -- an electrically-controlled typewriter -- connected to an MIT computer could function as a keyboard input device due to its low cost and flexibility. An experiment conducted five months later on the MIT Whirlwind computer confirmed how useful and convenient a keyboard input device could be. IBM establishes the 650 as its first mass-produced computer, with the company selling 450 in just one year. Spinnin...