A computer is a machine for manipulating data according to a list of instructions known as a program.

Computers are extremely versatile. In fact, they are universal information-processing machines. According to the Church–Turing thesis, a computer with a certain minimum threshold capability is in principle capable of performing the tasks of any other computer, from those of a personal digital assistant to a supercomputer, as long as time and memory capacity are not considerations. Therefore, the same computer designs may be adapted for tasks ranging from processing company payrolls to controlling unmanned spaceflights. Due to technological advancement, modern electronic computers are exponentially more capable than those of preceding generations (a phenomenon partially described by Moore's Law).

Computers take numerous physical forms. Early electronic computers were the size of a large room, and such enormous computing facilities still exist for specialized scientific computation — supercomputers — and for the transaction processing requirements of large companies, generally called mainframes. Smaller computers for individual use, called personal computers, and their portable equivalent, the laptop computer, are ubiquitous information-processing and communication tools and are perhaps what most non-experts think of as "a computer". However, the most common form of computer in use today is the embedded computer, small computers used to control another device. Embedded computers control machines from fighter aircraft to digital cameras.

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SMP-enabled Sun xVM VirtualBox 3.0 Turns Up the Heat on VMware
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:58:07 -0400
Version 3.0 of Sun's xVM VirtualBox desktop virtualization tool adds support for multiple guest processors--a major feature addition which, when considered alongside the product's low cost (free) and broad host platform support, is certain to give VMware Workstation a run for its money. - Sun Microsystems' xVM VirtualBox, a no-cost virtualization tool that enables virtual machines to run on a variety of standard operating systems, continues to improve its position as a potential challenger to workstation products from VMware and Parallels. Sun release version 3.0 of xVM VirtualBox on...
Apple iPhone 3GS Jailbreaking Tool Hits the Street
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:24:04 -0400
The hacker who made the news in 2007 for unlocking Apple's first iPhone has released the a new application for jailbreaking the iPhone 3GS. The tool is currently available for Windows only. - George Hotz, the 19-year old hacker who made headlines for unlocking Apples original iPhone, has now released the first-known jailbreaking tool for iPhone 3GS. The tool, called ‘purplea1n, is only available for versions of the Windows operating system - excluding Windows 7 - at the moment, but H...
China Says Green Dam Still Coming, Mac Version in the Works
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:36:49 -0400
Chinas Ministry of Industry and I.T. reportedly said it “will definitely carry on the directive on Green Dam.” And while Apple has so far been on the sidelines of the Windows-based filtering software mandate, Green Dam maker Jinhui is said to be testing a Mac-compatible version. - The latest news on China's Green Dam filtering software is that the debates not over yet and Apple may finally be pulled into the fray. In early June the Chinese government announced to PC makers that, by July 1, all computer sold in China would have shipped with Green Dam Youth Escort, a Web...
Government Spends $440 Million Per Year on Wasteful Printing, Report Says
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:09:56 -0400
A report from printer manufacturer Lexmark claims the federal government wastes $440 million dollars a year (almost $1 million per day) on unnecessary printing. - While it could probably be said that most businesses, large, medium and small, print more paper than is necessary, a report by printing company Lexmark International revealed the U.S. government wastes a staggering $440 million annually on unnecessary printing--more than $1 million per day–almost as...
Spate of iPhone Overheating Reports Roast Apple
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:17:21 -0400
Sales of Apple's iPhone 3GS aren't the only thing hot about the device: Reports of overheating issues on the new version of the smartphone caused Apple to release an advisory on how to keep your iPhone cool. - While the debut of the iPhone 3GS, the latest edition of Apples sleek, popular smartphone, has been a runaway success (sales after three days on the market bested one million models sold) Apple acknowledged the devices may have an issue when it comes to overhearing. In response to numerous co...
Apple Fixing Broken iPhone Screens In-Store
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:53:57 -0400
Apple's popular smartphone, the iPhone 3GS, is prone to mishandling and subsequent cracks in the screen. Apple is making it easier to fix the screen now by adding an in-store repair service. - Whether theyre dropped, squashed, smashed or outright trashed, many users find Apples sleek, delicate screens are prone to cracking. While Apple cant do much to help you prevent dropping your iPhone, they have made it easier to get the screen replaced. Apple blog The Loop confirme...

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology

Tropicana Las Vegas emerges from bankruptcy
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:18:53 -0700
Tropicana Las Vegas has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with new owners.
MOUNTAIN OF DEBT: Rising debt may be next crisis
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:03:07 -0700
The Founding Fathers left one legacy not celebrated on Independence Day but which affects us all. It's the national debt.
Colorado company offers banana coffins
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:21:12 -0700
Casket makers catering to natural burials have offered biodegradable coffins made of such materials as recycled newspapers or cardboard. Ecoffins USA, based in Montrose, Colo., is selling caskets made of banana sheaves.

NYT > Technology

U.S. Inquiry Is Confirmed Into Google Books Deal
By MIGUEL HELFT Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:45:09 -0000
The Justice Department confirmed it was conducting an antitrust investigation into a settlement of a class action between Google and groups representing authors and publishers.
Practical Travel: Twitter Comes to the Rescue
By MICHELLE HIGGINS Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:28:57 -0000
From bad airplane seats to poor room service, customers are getting surprisingly fast responses to their tweets.
Bits: How Much Did Michael Jackson Rock the Web?
By JENNA WORTHAM Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:23:45 -0000
Compete, an analytics firm, crunched some numbers to quantify the demand for Michael Jackson information after his death.

CNN.com - Technology

10 humor sites sure to make you LOL
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:40:32 -0400
Bored with Pearl, the cursing toddler landlord demanding rent money? Not amused by those cutesy pictures of cats with the baby-speak captions? Replenish your list of favorite bookmarks with these 10 new or lesser-known humor Web sites, including some that find comedy in real life.
Unlocked cell phones coming to U.S.
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:06:20 -0400
Nokia and Sony Ericsson are targeting the U.S. with a new set of unlocked phones. But without hefty carrier subsidies, will they ever be able to crack the U.S. market?
Dell turns netbooks into navigation devices
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:25:37 -0400
Say hello to your latest personal navigation device: a netbook. Dell plans to introduce a GPS and Wi-Fi card that can be integrated into the company's netbooks to turn them into gizmos that can offer turn-by-turn direction as well as any Garmin or TomTom.

NPR Topics: Technology

Europe Solves Cell Phone Charger Problem
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:21:00 -0400
The European Union has reached an agreement with all major mobile phone manufacturers to produce a common phone charger. Apart from reducing the frustration of customers juggling incompatible chargers, proponents say the agreement will encourage recycling and reduce electronic waste.
Long Distance Shrinks Amid New Phone Technology
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:01:00 -0400
The days of constant TV ads and pesky phone pitches to switch long-distance service are long gone. Changes in telecommunications industry ground rules, and new competition from cable, Internet and wireless have transformed the business.
The Extraordinaries: Will Microvolunteering Work?
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:01:00 -0400
Got five minutes? Rather than check on your car insurance, you can engage in all sorts of do-good efforts these days thanks to a slew of Web sites, including The Extraordinaries, a microvolunteering service. But the idea has plenty of potential pitfalls — and could end up just a flashmob in the pan.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

Mixed results for green IT goals
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:54:03 -0000
A majority of tech workers in the public sector do not know about the emission reduction targets they face, says a survey.
Billions stolen in online robbery
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:22:39 -0000
Details emerge of why billions in virtual cash disappeared from a virtual bank in Eve Online.
Facebook criticised over privacy
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:48:54 -0000
The social networking site comes under fire for planned changes to privacy settings.

Reuters Video: Technology

MJ tributes rule Viral Video Chart
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:06:55 -0400
Jul 03 - Videos from throughout Michael Jackson's lengthy music career and tributes to the artist dominate this week's Viral Video Chart in an unpredecented fashion.
Puffins fitted with "sat-nav"
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:14:24 -0400
Jul 02 - Puffins are being fitted with GPS devices similar to those used in satellite navigation to find why their numbers are down in a key British breeding colony.
Mobile TV, video and apps - oh my!
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:24:28 -0400
Jul 01 - After years of talking up the potential of TV on the very small screen with disappointing results, there is a movement within the mobile industry to take video in new directions.

AP Top Technology News At 4:11 p.m. EDT

US wants privacy in new cyber security system
By LOLITA C. BALDOR Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:31:18 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is moving cautiously on a new pilot program that would both detect and stop cyber attacks against government computers, while trying to ensure citizen privacy protections....
Web retailers, states tussle over tax rules
By RACHEL METZ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:09:15 -0000
NEW YORK (AP) -- In a big break for online shoppers, Web retailers generally don't have to charge sales taxes in states where they lack a store or some other physical presence....
Companies pledge more openness about Web tracking
By DEBORAH YAO Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:43:40 -0000
Companies that track consumer behavior online for advertising purposes are vowing to make their practices more transparent and to give people a way to decline being shadowed....

CNET News.com

Blogging live from Spiral Jetty
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:26:00 -0700
Never say never, but this may be the first blog ever posted live from the monumental earthwork on the edge of the Great Salt Lake called Spiral Jetty.
Employee shot, wounded at Virginia Apple store
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:25:00 -0700
The victim, a 26-year-old woman, is in serious but stable condition with a wound to the shoulder. Some media outlets are reporting robbery as the motive, but police say it's too early to tell.
Seattle fire knocks out service to Bing Travel, other sites
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:14:00 -0700
Reports say a blown transformer knocked out power to the Fisher Plaza data center, which is home to the Bing Travel servers, among others.

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