eThe personal computer has become so much more than just a word processing, email and Internet browsing device. Now, we are using our laptops and desktops for a variety of important functions that would have seemed like science fiction only a few short years ago. It makes sense given the amount of time people spend in front of the screen that technology would evolve in order to let us do more and more while we're sitting there. Consider the following practices and pastimes in which computers now play a role.



New things you can do with your computer

Watch TV

Thanks to websites like Hulu.com (that streams thousands of TV shows and movies right into your browser) and technology such as Slingbox (which gives you the power to watch anything on your TV or DVR on any computer with an Internet connection) you are now able to move your entertainment base off of the couch and out into the world. Think about it: only two short decades ago you had only a handful of channels available, all of which had to be delivered through a large clunky box of wires in your living room.

Make and receive phone calls

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology has made it possible for individuals to make and receive phone calls using this computer. In addition to the convenience of VOIP digital phone service, there is also the added bonus of low price. Consumers and businesses who have switched to VOIP Internet phone service report significantly lower phone bills, especially when factoring in the free calling to other individuals who use the same provider.

Buy a home

Heck, you don't even need a full-on realty website to buy a home on your computer these days. Thousands of people have used sites as simple as Craigslist to locate and research their dream home. And even in this tough economy, there are still hundreds of lending websites that make it ridiculously easy to get financing.

See loved ones around the world

Webcam technology has come a long way in recent years. What was once expensive and offered only the lowest resolutions has now become a more lifelike experience. As a result, everyone from parents on business trips to the young men and women serving overseas in the armed forces are now to able to communicate with words and pictures over the Internet using just a simple web cam strapped to the top of the computer.

Live in a completely different world

While many people have been known to "lose themselves" in their computers, there are now several places where and individual can literally start a new life...a "second life" to be specific. Second Life is a completely immersive experience in which individuals can create entirely new personas and live out virtual lives on line. It's different than other massive online communities in that the goal is simply to...live. Major corporations have invested millions into Second Life in a hope to reach out to those who are spending countless hours there.