Computer

A young man uses a computer in Colombia.

A computer is an electronic device capable of performing series of calculations automatically according to an algorithm, or list of steps to be taken. Computers consist of a central processing unit (CPU) which uses some form of input data to produce output, as well as memory to store data required during processing. While early computers had limited speed and processing power, most modern computers are capable of carrying out billions of operations per second, allowing them to be used for a wide variety of applications. Computers can be connected in networks to enable communication and information sharing; the Internet is an example of a network that enables global communication.

Bahá’ís have made use of computers since they became common in business settings. Common applications include word processing and document production, spreadsheets for accounts (including the Fund), and membership databases. Bahá’í use of computer networks predates the Internet; during the 1980s, individual Bahá’ís and institutions used electronic bulletin board systems (BBSes) and networks such as FidoNet for proclamation and sharing information about the Bahá’í Faith, as well as administrative communication and collaboration. Modern use of computers includes the use of specialized software applications to support administration and planning, as well as various types of applications and websites for sharing information and enabling collaboration, such as social media, wikis, cloud platforms, and national websites.

Bahá’í use of computers

Administrative work

Document production

Bahá’í institutions use computers for word processing and document production. Documents produced include news releases and public service announcements.

Membership records

Computers are commonly used in keeping accurate membership records for Bahá’í communities. These records are then used to carry out mailings (e.g., of newsletters and other official communications), and to produce voting lists for Bahá’í elections. When the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States began using computers in 1967, they reported faster handling of correspondence and clerical work, through automated updates to mailing lists and generation of mailing labels. It was also reported that the increased ease of collecting and reporting statistics on membership allowed for "periodic assessment of progress in achieving the goals of the Nine Year Plan".

The Fund

The flow of money to and from accounts, such as the various funds of the Faith, are recorded using spreadsheets, which allow for organized collection and presentation as well as automatic calculations. Computers which are connected to a network can also be used to provide automatic repeating payments to the Fund.

Computer networks

Internet

Main article: Internet