Hi; As some of you know I have been teaching myself Linux and how my computer works. I have read several manuals, texts and visited hundreds of sites. I plan to do a lot more. Throughout the process I have been asking myself the fundamental question "What does a computer do?" I have had the question answered several times by my research in all kinds of manner, but none that were satisfyingly simple, clear and succinct. I have therefore tried to supply my own answer. I would appreciate any comments that point out how far I may be off the mark? It is important to me; I am writing up a series of notes about what I have learnt about computers and Linux over the last year and a half and I would like those notes to adhere to "What a computer does" as closely as possible. "A digital computer is an appliance that takes in information meaningful to humans; converts it into electrical data; stores it; and/or, transforms the data; and presents it as information to humans. Electrical data consists of a set, or continuous stream, of lower or higher voltage pulses or bits. Data is transformed by transistors switching electrical data from one circuit to another. The possible transformations are: changing a higher voltage bit to a lower voltage and vice versa; addition of two sets of data bits; moving data from one meaningful location to another meaningful location within the computer." I am particularly dissatisfied with the last sentence. I am not sure that it is as clear as possible or as complete as necessary. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Needless-to-say, many many detailed paragraphs are to follow. Regards Bill