Things People Do With Computers

1. notebook, calculator, typewriter, ruler (figure it out and put it down)
2. camera, slideshow, songs, movies (show it off and let them see)
3. softball, paintball, poker, solitaire (pass the time and have fun)
4 + N. ... etc

I would like more answers. I am prepared to be highly disappointed because frankly I'm stuck and I've spent a bit of time. The huge caveat here is social networks/rapid information retrieval (specifically computers connected to the innernets, allowing for all that web 2.0 hokum about user-gen content, sharing, and sundry similar yeah-well-we're-talking-about-this-on-ibid. lazy garbage) are not the issue; what other activities are computers genuinely performing surrogate duty on, not what they're providing that's unheard of till now.

You're not doing my homework, this is just a thought experiment. When you're helping me write a book I'll let you know.

take online college/grad school classes

that's basically telecommuting, and I failed to enumerate that in the inital thread question because I'm thinking maybe/maybe not. A good argument about that would be sweet.

Loose thoughts:

Programming + automation / Making stuff that does something? From app tweaks to worksaving macros to full apps? OK much of this is on the web now but not exclusively obv.

Canvas / Making arty stuff? From the screensavers/sound-demo scene way back to real actual proper art & music creation?

These two not entirely disconnected obv, nor from item 1 in original post.

- Using it as a music studio/movie studio/canvas
- 'Science': when connected to a grid, you can help out doing calculations (ie. SETI@Home etc.)

xp

PORNOGRAPHY

Is using it for a diary/scheduler/address book the same as a notebook?

i don't think so, no, and i'd argue that "organising" is key here. sure, i *could* make sense of my life/work/MSc/etc with pens and paper and big folders full of stuf (and indeed there is some of that involved). but the majority of what i do now involves a computer, and the ease of access to information (not, for the sake of tom's argument, information that's OUT THERE; i mean simply the stuff i've already collated, be it notes, addresses and phone numbers or my calendars/diary) and the ease with which i can file and refile it is key.

communication - email, skype, message boards and the like

but yes, like you i am uncertain why people need 2GHz processors and the like when 99% of a computer's life is waiting for people to type something.

It's really good for destroying relationships, and then making up. I rue the day my mother learned how to email.
(I don't think she knows too much about The Internet. )
I think this is pertinent to the initial question. There are plenty of "My parents are SO wacky!" threads. They're funnier than LOLcats when it comes to computers.
But, instant communication is gonna lead to some huge downfalls in relations among relations.

Also - weather reports.

um, create documents/business tool?

I know - I should never have posted on this thread.
Sorry!

owning people from around the globe

this is not the same as pass the time and have fun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUGQHdYUIEo