1. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift1 Appreciating the Benefits  Benefits of Computer Applications Computer games attribute to new technologies, such as joysticks and real time graphics, which can be used for other purposes. Computers allow us to do tasks, such as writing a book, a lot quicker and such tasks are less cumbersome. Such a benefit is more cost-effective and less time consuming. The search to better entertainment creates new tech. that improves sound quality. Creation of computer-generated art and special effects. Data processing programs improves information gathering accuracy as well as customer service/satisfaction. Entertainment is improved by computers and entertainment is a characteristic of a happy life.

2. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift2 Appreciating the Benefits  Benefits Computers Bring to Communication Email and the World Wide Web have all the benefits of telephone calls, but none of its shortcomings. The Internet and the World Wide Web make it easy for us to access a plethora of information at any given moment. With these applications, such a task becomes less time consuming. Information on WWW can be in different formats such as text, graphics, video or sound. Most of the information on WWW is free and can be accessed by all. People with similar ideals can communicate with one another though they may live miles apart from each other. WWW makes communication worldwide much easier. People in rural places can access information and talk with neighboring villages through a satellite uplink. WWW can be used to make transactions.

3. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift3 Appreciating the Benefits  Benefits Computers Bring to Transportation Navigation systems: Prevent from getting lost. Diagnostics: Data on engine behavior can be used by mechanics. Safety: Anti-lock Braking System and Truck roll-over prevention. Hybrid cars and their advantages. New technologies, such as a warning system that alerts the driver he/she is veering off the road and at the same time corrects the drivers steering. This system can prevent some of the 3 million accidents that occur each year.

4. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift4 Appreciating the Benefits  Benefits Computers Bring to Education and Training Programs teaching people to speak a foreign language. Infants can be taught at an early age to spell correctly. People who are illiterate can learn in the comfort of their own home, without feeling embarrassed. Students can learn and be taught from their own home without actually going to a school. (ex. Rural children unable to attend school due to distance or money) Simulations: Help train people to do a specific job. Speech recognition: the simulation created by the computer can respond to what a person says.

5. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift5 Appreciating the Benefits  Benefits of Computers in Fighting Crime Crime reports, citations, etc. are efficiently stored in a computer network and database system. Such a system allows for quick searches for records and helps identify suspects. Remote access to records and reports, e.g. from patrol cars. Fingerprint matching has become easier with the introduction of there computer networks and databases. This task, as well as others, have become less time consuming and less painstaking. Authorities can access numerous databases to solve crimes as soon as possible.