Changes

===Mainframe===

===Mainframe===

[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|250px|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (1962)]]

[[File:NASAComputerRoom-1962.gif|250px|thumbnail|NASA's Mainfram computer (1962)]]

Mainframes were the first kind of computers, and always used to be the fastest option.  They had the ability to process much more information at a faster rate than any other kind).<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref> However, with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, these have become obsolete.  Since the modern laptop has more processing power than a mainframe of the 1990s, there is little point for the continued use of them.  Mainframes also took up comparatively enormous amount of space, and consumed much more electricity than modern options.  They have been since been replaced with the client-server architecture.<ref>"mainframe." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/358715/mainframe>.</ref>

Mainframes were the first kind of computers, and always used to be the fastest option.  They had the ability to process much more information at a faster rate than any other kind).<ref name="WorldBook01"/> However, with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, these have become obsolete.  Since the modern laptop has more processing power than a mainframe of the 1990s, there is little point for the continued use of them.  Mainframes also took up comparatively enormous amount of space, and consumed much more electricity than modern options.  They have been since been replaced with the client-server architecture.<ref>"mainframe." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/358715/mainframe>.</ref>

===Client-server===

===Client-server===

===Dedicated===

===Dedicated===

[[File:Playstation-SCPH-30000 vertical.jpg|150px|thumbnail|Dedicated [[PlayStation 2]] Computer]]

[[File:Playstation-SCPH-30000 vertical.jpg|150px|thumbnail|Dedicated [[PlayStation 2]] Computer]]

Dedicated computers are, as the name suggests, dedicated to a specific function.  These can be almost anything from [[Video game]] consoles to a child's handheld toy.  These are generally limited in functionality, since they are designed for their single task only.<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>

Dedicated computers are, as the name suggests, dedicated to a specific function.  These can be almost anything from [[Video game]] consoles to a child's handheld toy.  These are generally limited in functionality, since they are designed for their single task only.<ref name="WorldBook01"/>

===Embedded===

===Embedded===

Embedded computers are controllers built into the device they control.  These are found in digital wrist watches, [[car]]s, landline telephones, and more.<ref name="WorldBook01">The World Book Encyclopedia. 2001 ed. Vol. 4. Chicago: World Book, 2001. Print. Pages 908-94</ref>

Embedded computers are controllers built into the device they control.  These are found in digital wrist watches, [[car]]s, landline telephones, and more.<ref name="WorldBook01"/>

==Binary and ternary==

==Binary and ternary==

A new and evolving kind of computer breaks the "rules" of computer design entirely.  Using properties of [[quantum mechanics]], these computers make use of alternate states of matter which can only exist very near [[absolute zero]].  Using these, a [[quantum computer]] can not only use ones and zeros, but also a sort of "both one and zero."  Ternary processors must be kept incredibly cold, however.  Due to this problem, as well as many other technical issues, that ternary computers are not commercially available.  For now, these remain restricted to laboratories where space and liquid nitrogen are plentiful.  However, it is believed that they may  

A new and evolving kind of computer breaks the "rules" of computer design entirely.  Using properties of [[quantum mechanics]], these computers make use of alternate states of matter which can only exist very near [[absolute zero]].  Using these, a [[quantum computer]] can not only use ones and zeros, but also a sort of "both one and zero."  Ternary processors must be kept incredibly cold, however.  Due to this problem, as well as many other technical issues, that ternary computers are not commercially available.  For now, these remain restricted to laboratories where space and liquid nitrogen are plentiful.  However, it is believed that they may  

eventually replace binary computers.<ref>"quantum computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/746092/quantum-computer>.</ref>

eventually replace binary computers.<ref>"quantum computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/746092/quantum-computer>.</ref>

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Ada Lovelace]]

*[[Ada Lovelace]]

*[[Brain-computer interface]]

*[[Brain-computer interface]]

*[[ZX Spectrum]]

*[[ZX Spectrum]]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/fcomp.shtml Who Made the First Computer?]

*[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/fcomp.shtml Who Made the First Computer?]

*[http://www.cs.iastate.edu/jva/jva-obit.html John V. Atanasoff Dies at Age 91 Invented First Electronic Computer.] Washington Post Obituary.

*[http://www.cs.iastate.edu/jva/jva-obit.html John V. Atanasoff Dies at Age 91 Invented First Electronic Computer.] Washington Post Obituary.