Read the article: "What is an algorithm"

Read the following post:

The Importance of Algorithms.

from the following great page:

http://www.topcoder.com/tc?module=Static&d1=tutorials&d2=alg_index

I would like for you to answer the following questions on your blog:

1. What are algorithms used for?
2. What is a random algorithm?
3. What is compression?
4. What two 'real world' examples does the author give as useful algorithms? Describe them on your blog.
5. Do you agree that studying algorithms is a useful tool for programmers and computer scientists?