| The home computer industry has been
growing rapidly in the United States in the last ten years. Computers used to be
large, expensive machines that were very difficult to use. But scientists and
technicians have been making them smaller and cheaper while at the same time
they have been made easier to use. As a result, their popularity has been
increasing as more people have been buying computers for their homes and
businesses. Computers have been designed to store information and compute
complex problems. Some have voices that speak with the operators. Stores use
computers to keep records of their inventories and to send bills to their
customers. Offices use computers to type letters, record business and com-
municate with other offices. People have been using computers in their homes to
keep track of expenses and turn appliances on and off. One important new use of computers is for entertainment. Many new games have been designed to be played on the computers. People of all ages have been playing these games. They have been going to Arcades where the computer games can be played for a small cost. People also have been buying home computers to play computer games at home. They have become very popular indeed. |