Alice stared at the box. It was the size of a picture book and opened like one, but would only open once. Alice had heard of others of it’s type – big boxes with long pieces of string joining bits and pieces.

Alice blinked. Would she ever be able to understand this magical wonderland.

And just then the fairy appeared and…

Whoa, hang on. I’m not a fairy! I’m a pixie. I’m the “Pixel Pixie.”

Yes, it was the Pixel Pixie. She appears as many forms – that cute puppy or kitten or paperclip that shows up from time to time. She does know more that I do about these machines. Perhaps I should let her take Alice on her journey.

And rightly you should. So, let us start with the basics.

Alice blinked again. What were the basics? For she was one of the truely uninitiated (having just appeared suddenly out of an 18th Century socio-political children’s novel into the techno-fantasy world of the early 21st Century).

“This,” explained the Pixel Pixie, “is a computer.”

Ooooooooh.

“Your ‘Oooh’s’ are unnecessary. Yes, it is an awesome machine. Yes, it has a fascinating history, but so does the automobile and so does the printing press and, for that matter, so does the wheel and fire, but they are simply one more in the chain of progress.”

“But how does it work?” asked Alice.

“Let us start at the beginning.” Suggested the Pixel Pixie. “When the first computer was born their first goal was to make a machine to do mathematics.”

“But I’m not good with mathematics.” said Alice.

“Well,” responded the Pixel Pixie, “then you can be thankful that the computer has gone beyond that. Now the computer is used for art, science, economics, you name it. But beware, for deep in the computer lies a complex beast that, if not understood, can detract from sensibilities, cause unnecessary anguish and undermine bank accounts.

“Consider this machine. You know of the obvious features – the keyboard where you type your commands,” said the Pixel Pixie, “the mouse where you direct your desires, the microphone where you speak your words and the speakers where you hear the result. And let’s not forget the all important screen where you see the results of your actions. But haven’t you ever wondered what happens to your commands?”

“Well, um, no.” responded Alice. “Not really.”