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A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or technician. Unlike large costly minicomputers and mainframes, time-sharing by many people at the same time is not used with personal computers.
Institutional or corporate computer owners in the 1960s had to write their own programs to do any useful work with the machines. While personal computer users may develop their own applications, usually these systems run commercial software, free-of-charge software ("freeware"), which is most often proprietary, or free and open-source software, which is provided in "ready-to-run", or binary, form. Software for personal computers is typically developed and distributed independently from the hardware or operating system manufacturers. Many personal computer users no longer need to write their own programs to make any use of a personal computer, although end-user programming is still feasible. This contrasts with mobile systems, where software is often only available through a manufacturer-supported channel, and end-user program development may be discouraged by lack of support by the manufacturer.Since the early 1990s, Microsoft operating systems and Intel hardware dominated much of the personal computer market, first with MS-DOS and then with Microsoft Windows. Alternatives to Microsoft's Windows operating systems occupy a minority share of the industry. These include Apple's macOS and free and open-source Unix-like operating systems.
The advent of personal computers and the concurrent Digital Revolution have significantly affected the lives of people in all countries.

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  1. N

    VIC Personal safety intervention order

    I was wondering if some-one could shed light on an aspect of personal safety intervention orders. My neighbour has had an interim order served on him for a person alleging 'he is known to be violent and bad tempered' - but no specific behaviour is alleged. On Sunday 2 May, I saw the applicant...
  2. M

    VIC Can an industry body forward your personal complaint email to your employer?

    OK, So of course I always get myself in trouble cause of my big mouth! I spoke my mind to an industry body that we pay annual fees to, about a situation they seem to do little to fix. They didn't like my brash, direct "tone" so they replied to me and cc'd my employers in on the email that I sent...
  3. A

    QLD Is the real estate agency invading my privacy asking about personal transactions on my bank statement?

    Hi, my real estate agency has asked for bank statements to confirm my income which I’ve happily provided but now they are questioning individual personal transactions I have made that is not income or large expenses. Surely this is a privacy invasion. What laws protect me from being asked these...
  4. R

    QLD disclosing personal terms to a third party

    i have purchased finance through an on-line company for a car, all agreed and settled. i contacted the dealership to make sure my loan had been paid to their bank Ac, i was informed by the dealership that all they had received was my loan statement disclosing my rate, repayment schedule, term of...
  5. J

    WA Personal Injury in a public space

    Hi All, I have been doing a bit of research on a personal injury matter. I have discussed with a friend the possible legal ramifications of an incident that occurred earlier this year. I have spoken to legal aid/the council/citizens advice at this stage but have not been given anything that...
  6. J

    WA Personal Injury at a public space..

    Hi All, I have been doing a bit of research on a personal injury matter. I have discussed with a friend the possible legal ramifications of an incident that occurred earlier this year. I have spoken to legal aid/the council/citizens advice at this stage but have not been given anything that...
  7. philip_rhoades

    Persistent noise pollution: Personal suit because of damages to health and life span?

    People, I have read here with interest several posts regarding action to be taken against completely inconsiderate neighbours who just refuse to behave decently ie who repeatedly, despite numerous visits from police for individual disturbances, continue to behave badly. It appears that my next...
  8. cling1

    Contract dispute with personal trainer.

    So I’ve signed a contract with a personal trainer ill attach the image. Basically i agreed to train with him 4 times per week for $50 per session. He has constantly cancelled sessions on me with only a few hours notice and has been showing up late constantly. He does not prepare for our sessions...
  9. Skateboard

    Bank of Melbourne home loan and personal account closed.

    My partner received notice from her bank informing her that her home loan and personal accounts would be closed. The letter stated that - “a commercial decision was made and that the bank will no longer provide banking or financial services. The decision was made after careful...
  10. D

    QLD Date of effective ownership verse legal structures- can one apply for transfer of property from trust to personal name earlier than the current date

    I left Australia some 30 years ago and recently returned. During my period away I was recommended to use a trust to purchase a property and during the whole time living away continued to finance the property and pay all its bills. Some rentals were earned but much less than the payments. This...