This list is just off top of my head ... .... you can use your computer for any imaginable task e.g. In not too distant future your computer will run your house for you.

The one thing that stops you from doing any or all of these things now is a lack of basic understanding/knowledge of your computer. Sure your reading this article so that means you can receive email or browse web but what happens if they don't work any more? Do you have enough basic knowledge to rectify simple problems or would you rather wait for your computer to be 'fixed' by local technician?

More than 80% of most computer problems could be resolved with just some basic computer know-how. I have known people to go without a computer for a few days only to find a cord was loose on their mouse.

Your first task after buying a computer should be to learn about basics of your computer. There are online courses, college courses and tutors available to help you do just that.

So take initiative and get most out of your computer otherwise you are wasting your time money and 'That does not compute!'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Terry Jones has been involved in Computer Support industry for 20 years and is author of "Computerese ... make your computer easy", "Keyboard Capers", "Conquering Windows 98" and "Fun with Files & Formatting". He can be contacted by email to - Terry@tell-me-how.com OR http://www.Tell-Me-How.com