Research

• People use computers to get on websites that provide information about topics, such as human or animal illnesses, popular destinations within cities, backgrounds on companies or individuals, the costs of hotels or plane tickets, or the steps to take to accomplish a task. Search engines, such as Google and Yahoo help with searches for certain types of websites, and computer encyclopedias, such as the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia aid in looking up basic information on different subjects.
  
  

Entertainment

• People can go on websites, such as Yahoo Games or Games.com to play or download board, adventure, learning, puzzle and card games. Most computers feature games, such as Solitaire or Minesweeper for people who want to play games by themselves. Computer users are also able to download computer games like Oregon Trail from compact discs onto their computes. Most computers have DVD players for watching movies, and many TV stations, including FOX and NBC, put episodes of their TV shows online. Websites like Hulu offer episodes of current and older TV shows. Movie rental companies like Blockbuster and Netflix allow people to watch movies online for one time fees or monthly subscription prices, respectively.
  
  

Document Creation

• Computers often contain word processing, graphics, spreadsheet or presentation graphics software, like Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint or Adobe Photoshop, which allow people to create documents for work, school or home use. Word processing programs contain templates that help people to create flyers, letters, event invitations, thank you notes, time sheets, schedules, business cards and awards certificates. Spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel help in creating numbers tables and doing basic calculations. Presentation graphics programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint allow computer users to create multifaceted slide shows with videos, graphics and sound and animation effects.
  
  

Communication

• Email accounts, social media websites and instant messenger applications, including Facebook, My Space, Yahoo Messenger and Skype, allow people to communicate with others online. They are able to talk to people directly through instant messages or send them messages they can view later. Computer devices such as webcams and microphones allow people to communicate with others through voice or video chat. This means that people are able to have conversations from different locations, including from different countries.
  
  

Other Everyday Uses

• Computers often have calculators that allow people to add, subject, multiply and divide numbers for everyday purposes, such as figuring out bills. People no longer have to use paper maps because they can use websites, such as Google Maps or MapQuest, to get directions on how to get to and from somewhere. People are also able to pay bills, shop for items or read books or news online.