Understanding Computers,9780619187125

Understanding Computers

by ;
Edition: Revised
ISBN13: 9780619187125
ISBN10: 0619187123
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2003-03-21
Publisher(s): Course Technology Ptr
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Summary

A dynamic, comprehensive approach to basic through intermediate computer concepts. Known for its readability and the depth of topics covered, this book also includes an interactive Web site, which contains Web Tutors, Further Explorations, and links to NEW TechTV video projects!

Table of Contents

Preface v
MODULE Introduction
1(80)
Introduction to the World of Computers
3(34)
Overview
4(1)
Computers in Your Life
4(4)
Why Learn About Computers?
4(1)
Computers in the Home
5(2)
trend: Ready-to-Wear PCs
7(1)
Computers in Our Society
7(1)
What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?
8(8)
Traditional and Multimedia Hardware
9(1)
Software
10(1)
Data, Information, and Programs
11(3)
Users and Computer Professionals
14(1)
inside the industry: Programs That Run Amok
15(1)
Computer Networks and the Internet
16(2)
The Internet
16(1)
Accessing Networks
16(1)
Network Servers
17(1)
Computer Systems to Fit Every Need
18(7)
Mobile Devices
18(1)
how it works: Voice-Activated Internet
19(1)
Personal Computers
20(2)
campus close-up: Wired Med Students
22(1)
Midrange Computers
23(1)
Mainframe Computers
24(1)
Supercomputers
25(1)
Computers and Society
25(3)
The Information Age and the New Information Revolution
26(1)
Benefits of a Computer-Oriented Society
26(1)
Impact of Computers, the Internet, and a Networked Economy
26(2)
Summary
28(2)
Key Terms
30(1)
Review Activities
31(2)
Projects
33(4)
Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web
37(44)
Overview
38(1)
Starting Your Computer: The Boot Process
38(1)
Using the Windows Operating System
39(11)
The Windows Interface
40(6)
Opening Windows and Starting Programs
46(1)
Manipulating Windows
47(3)
Shutting Down the Computer
50(1)
Using the Internet and World Wide Web
50(13)
What Is the World Wide Web?
50(1)
What Is a Browser?
51(2)
how it works: Internet Appliances
53
Accessing the Internet
51(1)
Internet Addresses
52(3)
Surfing the Web
55(4)
Using Bookmarks and the History List
59(1)
Searching the Web
59(4)
E-Mail
63(6)
trend: Shopping Bots and other Types of Intelligent Agents
64(1)
Sending E-Mail
65(2)
Receiving E-Mail
67(1)
Managing E-Mail
67(1)
Mailing Lists, Newsgroups, Chat, and Instant Messaging
67(1)
inside the industry: Emoticons: Expressing Yourself with Your PC
68(1)
Netiquette
68(1)
Downloading and Installing Plug-Ins and Other Files
69(3)
Downloading Files
70(1)
Using Downloaded Files
70(2)
Summary
72(2)
Key Terms
74(1)
Review Activities
75(1)
Projects
76(5)
The History of Computers Window
MODULE Hardware
81(128)
The System Unit: Processing and Memory
83(46)
Overview
84(1)
Data and Program Representation
84(9)
Digital Data Representation
84(2)
The Binary Numbering System
86(1)
Coding Systems for Text-Based Data
87(2)
Coding Systems for Other Types of Data
89(3)
how it works: MP3 Compression
92(1)
Machine Language
92(1)
Inside the System Unit
93(15)
CPU
93(3)
trend: Smart Bullets, Smart Tennis Shoes, High-Tech Pets, and Other Unusual Uses for Microchips
96(1)
inside the industry: Moore's Law
97(1)
Memory
98(3)
Buses
101(2)
System Expansion
103(2)
Ports
105(3)
How the CPU Works
108(5)
Typical CPU Components
108(2)
The System Clock and the Machine Cycle
110(3)
Making Computers Faster Now and in the Future
113(7)
Speeding Up Your System Today
113(1)
Strategies for Making Computers Speedier
114(4)
Future Trends
118(2)
Summary
120(2)
Key Terms
122(1)
Review Activities
123(2)
Projects
125(4)
Storage
129(38)
Overview
130(1)
Properties of Storage Systems
130(3)
Physical Parts
130(1)
Nonvolatility Property
131(1)
Removable vs. Fixed Media
131(1)
Random vs. Sequential Access
132(1)
Logical vs. Physical Representation
132(1)
Magnetic Disk Systems
133(13)
Floppy Disks
134(4)
Hard Disks
138(8)
Optical Discs
146(3)
CDs
146(2)
DVDs
148(1)
Magneto-Optical Discs
148(1)
inside the industry: Holographic Storage
149(1)
Other Types of Storage Systems
149(4)
Magnetic Tape Systems
149(1)
Online Storage
150(1)
Smart Cards
150(2)
how it works: Smart Cards
152(1)
Flash Memory Devices
153(1)
Comparing Storage Alternatives
153(4)
trend: How Many Tomorrows Will Today's Data Last?
156(1)
Summary
157(2)
Key Terms
159(1)
Review Activities
160(2)
Projects
162(5)
Input and Output
167(42)
Overview
168(1)
Input and Output
168(1)
Keyboards
169(1)
Pointing Devices
170(6)
Mouse
170(1)
Electronic Pens
171(3)
Touch Screens
174(1)
Other Pointing Devices
175(1)
Scanners and Related Devices
176(7)
Optical Scanners
177(2)
Optical Readers
179(1)
trend: No More Hanging Chads?
180(2)
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Reader
182(1)
Multimedia Input Devices
183(4)
Digital Cameras
183(1)
Video Cameras
184(1)
Audio Input Devices
185(1)
how it works: Voice Recognition
186(1)
Display Devices
187(5)
Size
187(1)
Resolution
188(1)
Graphics Standards
188(1)
Color vs. Monochrome Displays
189(1)
CRT vs. Flat-Panel Displays
189(1)
HDTV
190(2)
Printers
192(6)
Characteristics of Printers
192(1)
Personal Printers
193(3)
Network Printers
196(1)
Special-Purpose Printers
197(1)
Multimedia Output Devices
198(2)
Speakers
198(1)
inside the industry: Point, Click, and . . . Smell?
199(1)
Data and Multimedia Projectors
200(1)
Voice-Output Systems
200(1)
Multifunction Devices
200(1)
Summary
201(2)
Key Terms
203(1)
Review Activities
204(2)
Projects
206(3)
MODULE Software
209(86)
Systems Software
211(40)
Overview
212(1)
Systems Software vs. Application Software
212(1)
The Operating System
213(11)
Differences among Operating Systems
214(2)
Functions of an Operating System
216(4)
Processing Techniques for Increased Efficiency
220(4)
Common Operating Systems for Desktop PCs and Servers
224(8)
DOS
224(1)
Windows
225(3)
inside the industry: Project Code Names
228(1)
Mac OS
228(1)
Unix
229(1)
Linux
230(1)
NetWare
231(1)
OS/2 and OS/2 Warp
232(1)
Other Operating Systems
232(2)
Alternative PC Operating Systems
232(1)
Operating Systems for Mobile Devices
232(2)
Operating Systems for Internet Appliances
234(1)
Operating Systems for Larger Computers
234(1)
Myths About Operating Systems
234(2)
Myth 1: One Computer Can Have Only One Operating System Installed
234(1)
Myth 2: It Is Difficult to Change or Upgrade Operating Systems
234(1)
trend: Smart Cars
235(1)
Myth 3: If You Don't Use Windows, You Can't Find Software
236(1)
Utility Programs
236(6)
Diagnostic Programs
237(1)
Backup Utilities
238(1)
Uninstall Utilities
238(1)
Disk Defragmentation Programs
238(1)
File Compression Programs
239(1)
The Future of Operating Systems
240(1)
how it works: Text Compression
241(1)
Summary
242(2)
Key Terms
244(1)
Review Activities
245(2)
Projects
247(4)
Application Software
251(44)
Overview
252(1)
The Basics of Application Software
252(7)
Document-Handling Operations
252(1)
Software Suites
253(1)
inside the industry: Lake Bill
254(1)
Online Help
255(2)
Ownership and Distribution Rights
257(2)
Word Processing Concepts
259(7)
What Is Word Processing Software?
259(1)
trend: Open Source Software
260(1)
Creating and Editing Documents
261(2)
Formatting Documents
263(2)
Graphics, Tables, and Templates
265(1)
Word Processing and the Web
265(1)
Spreadsheet Concepts
266(6)
What Is a Spreadsheet Program?
266(1)
Creating and Editing a Worksheet
267(2)
Formatting a Worksheet
269(2)
Charts and Sensitivity Analysis
271(1)
Spreadsheets and the Web
272(1)
Database Concepts
272(5)
What Is a Database Program?
272(1)
Creating a Database
273(1)
Modifying a Database
274(1)
Queries and Reports
275(2)
Databases and the Web
277(1)
Presentation Graphics Concepts
277(3)
What Is Presentation Graphics Software?
277(1)
Creating a Presentation
278(2)
Enhancing a Presentation
280(1)
Presentation Graphics and the Web
280(1)
Other Types of Application Software
280(6)
Desktop and Personal Publishing
281(1)
Multimedia Software
281(2)
Personal Information Managers
283(1)
Project Management Software
283(1)
Accounting and Personal Finance Software
283(1)
Education, Entertainment, and Reference Software
283(1)
Computer-Aided Design Software
283(1)
how it works: Creating MP3 Files and Custom Music CDs
284(2)
Summary
286(2)
Key Terms
288(1)
Review Activities
289(2)
Projects
291(4)
MODULE Networks
295(1)
Communications and Networks
297(48)
Overview
298(1)
The Communications Industry
298(2)
The Major Players
298(2)
The Government and Legislation
300(1)
Communications Applications
300(5)
Paging and Messaging
301(1)
Wireless Phones
301(1)
Faxing
302(1)
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
302(1)
Satellite Radio
302(1)
Videoconferencing
303(1)
Telecommuting
303(1)
inside the industry: Internet Telephony
304(1)
What Is a Network?
305(6)
Topologies
305(1)
Local Area Networks (LANs)
306(2)
Wide Area Networks (WANs)
308(1)
Other Types of Networks
309(2)
How Networks Work
311(13)
Wired Transmission Media
311(2)
Wireless Transmission Media
313(4)
Sending Data Over Communications Media
317(1)
trend: The Making of Chicken Run
318(3)
Connecting to a Network
321(3)
Communications Protocols
324(5)
Ethernet
324(1)
Token Ring
324(2)
TCP/IP
326(1)
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
327(1)
campus close-up: Wireless in Wake Forest
328(1)
Wireless Ethernet
328(1)
Bluetooth
328(1)
Other Wireless Protocols
329(1)
Network Security Issues
329(5)
Computer Viruses
329(1)
how it works: Bluetooth
330(1)
Unauthorized Access
331(3)
Firewalls
334(1)
Network Employment Opportunities
334(2)
The Information Systems Department
334(1)
Certifications
334(2)
Summary
336(2)
Key Terms
338(1)
Review Activities
339(2)
Projects
341(4)
The Internet and World Wide Web
345(1)
Overview
346(1)
Evolution of the Internet2
346(6)
From ARPANET to Internet2
346(2)
The Internet Community Today
348(3)
Myths About the Internet
351(1)
Internet Connectivity Issues
352(8)
Type of Device
353(1)
Type of Connection
354(2)
Type of Service Provider
356(1)
Selecting an ISP and Setting Up Your System
357(3)
Searching the Internet
360(7)
Search Sites
360(3)
Search Strategies
363(2)
Evaluating Search Results
365(1)
Citing Internet Resources
365(2)
Beyond Browsing and E-Mail
367(13)
Financial Transactions
367(2)
how it works: Online Auctions
369(2)
Entertainment
371(1)
trend: Dot Cons
372(5)
inside the industry: Napster
377(1)
News and Research
378(1)
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
379(1)
Censorship and Privacy
380(3)
Censorship
380(1)
Privacy
380(3)
The Future of the Internet
383(2)
Summary
385(1)
Key Terms
386(1)
Review Activities
387(1)
Projects
388
Web Guide Window
MODULE Internet Applications
295(308)
Multimedia and the Web
395(42)
Overview
396(1)
What Is Multimedia?
396(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Multimedia
396(1)
Multimedia Elements
397(7)
Text
398(1)
Graphics
398(3)
Animation
401(1)
Audio
402(2)
Video
404(1)
Multimedia Applications
404(7)
campus close-up: Digital Sets in Akron
405(1)
Non-Web-Based Applications
405(2)
Web-Based Applications
407(1)
how it works: Creating the Hollow Man
408(3)
inside the industry: Using the Internet to Find the Next Musical Star
411(1)
Multimedia and Web Site Design
411(7)
Basic Design Principles
411(1)
trend: Animated Anchors
412(1)
Determining the Intended Audience and Objectives
413(2)
Using Flowcharts, Page Layouts, and Storyboards
415(1)
Navigational Design Considerations
415(3)
Access Considerations
418(1)
Multimedia and Web Site Development
418(8)
Creating the Multimedia Elements
419(3)
Creating the Application or Web Site
422(2)
Testing the Site or Application
424(2)
The Future of Multimedia
426(1)
Summary
427(2)
Key Terms
429(1)
Review Activities
430(2)
Projects
432(5)
E-Business and E-Commerce
437(40)
Overview
438(1)
What Is E-Business and E-Commerce?
438(5)
how it works: Smart Vending Machines
439(1)
Benefits of E-Commerce
440(2)
trend: Are Internet Taxes on the Way?
442(1)
Limitations and Risks of E-Commerce
443(1)
E-Business Applications
443(5)
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
443(1)
inside the industry: The Dot-Com Fallout
444(1)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)
445(1)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
446(1)
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
446(2)
E-Commerce
448(1)
E-Commerce Business Models
448(3)
Business to Consumer (B2C)
448(1)
Business to Business (B2B)
449(1)
Consumer to Consumer (C2C)
449(1)
Business to Government (B2G)
449(1)
Intermediary Hubs
449(2)
Types of E-Commerce Web Sites
451(3)
Manufacturer and E-Tailer Web Sites
451(1)
E-Malls
451(1)
Brokerage and Auction Sites
451(3)
Implementing Web-Based E-Commerce
454(11)
Step 1
454(1)
Step 2
454(1)
Step 3
454(4)
campus close-up: Penn State ID+Smart Cards
458(2)
Step 4
460(1)
Step 5
460(4)
Security Issues
464(1)
Summary
465(2)
Key Terms
467(1)
Review Activities
468(2)
Projects
470(7)
MODULE Systems
Information Systems and Systems Development
477(40)
Overview
478(1)
What Is an Information System?
478(1)
Who Uses Information Systems?
479(1)
Executive Management
480(1)
Middle Management
480(1)
Operational Management
480(1)
Nonmanagement Workers
480(1)
Types of Information Systems
480(11)
Office Systems
480(2)
Transaction Processing Systems
482(2)
Management Information Systems (MIS)
484(1)
Decision Support Systems (DSS)
484(1)
Enterprise-Wide Systems
485(1)
Design and Manufacturing Systems
486(1)
Artificial Intelligence Systems
487(3)
how it works: Face Recognition
490(1)
trend: Robot-Happy
491(1)
Responsibility for Systems Development
491(4)
The Information Systems Department
492(1)
Outsourcing Companies
492(2)
inside the industry: IT Perks
494(1)
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
495(9)
Preliminary Investigation
496(1)
System Analysis
496(1)
System Design
497(3)
System Acquisition
500(2)
System Implementation
502(1)
System Maintenance
502(2)
Approaches to Systems Development
504(2)
The Traditional Approach
504(1)
Prototyping
504(1)
End-User Development
505(1)
Summary
506(3)
Key Terms
509(1)
Review Activities
510(2)
Projects
512(5)
Program Development and Programming Languages
517(48)
Overview
518(1)
The Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC)
518(18)
Problem Analysis
519(1)
Program Design
520(8)
Program Coding
528(5)
inside the industry: The Original Program ``Bug''
533(1)
Program Debugging and Testing
533(3)
Program Maintenance
536(1)
Tools for Facilitating Program Development
536(2)
Application Generators
536(1)
Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE)
537(1)
Rapid-Application Development (RAD)
538(1)
Programming Languages
538(11)
What Is a Programming Language?
539(1)
Categories of Programming Languages
539(2)
Popular Programming Languages
541(5)
how it works: Visual Basic
546(3)
Markup, Scripting, and Other Types of Languages
549(6)
HTML and Other Markup Languages
549(3)
trend: .NET
552(1)
JavaScript and Other Scripting Languages
552(1)
Technology Tools and Modeling Languages
553(2)
Summary
555(2)
Key Terms
557(1)
Review Activities
558(3)
Projects
561(4)
Databases and Database Management Systems
565(38)
Overview
566(1)
What Is a Database?
566(6)
Relational Databases: A Simple Example
566(2)
File Management Systems vs. Database Management Systems
568(1)
inside the industry: One Tech Company . . . and Hold the Fries
569(1)
Interacting with a Database Management System
570(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Database Approach
570(2)
Data Concepts and Characteristics
572(8)
Data Hierarchy
572(1)
Data Definition
572(2)
The Data Dictionary
574(1)
Data Integrity and Security
575(1)
Entity Relationships
575(1)
Data Organization
576(4)
Database Classifications
580(1)
Single-User vs. Multiuser Systems
580(1)
Client-Server Systems
580(1)
Centralized vs. Distributed Database Systems
581(1)
Database Models
581(7)
The Evolution of Databases
582(1)
Hierarchical and Network Database Models
582(2)
The Relational Database Model
584(3)
The Object-Oriented Database Model
587(1)
Databases and the Web
588(5)
Examples of Web Databases in Use
588(2)
trend: Web-Based Customer Service
590(1)
How Web Databases Work
590(1)
how it works: Web-Based Package Tracking
591(2)
Database Management Systems Personnel
593(1)
Summary
594(2)
Key Terms
596(1)
Review Activities
597(2)
Projects
599(4)
MODULE Computers In Our Lives
603(2)
Ethics, Computer Crime, Privacy, and Other Social Issues
605(38)
Overview
606(1)
Ethics
606(1)
Ethical Issues Regarding Computers
606(1)
Why Study Ethics?
607(1)
Computer Crime and Security
607(17)
Types of Computer Crime
608(3)
inside the industry: A Technobabble Miniglossary
611(2)
trend: FBI's Carnivore
613(2)
how it works: Denial of Service Attack
615(1)
Computer Crime Legislation
616(1)
Computer Security and Safeguards Against Computer Crime
617(7)
Computers and Privacy
624(3)
Privacy and Electronic Mai
624(1)
campus close-up: Gettysburg College, Wired for Information
625(1)
Privacy and Marketing Databases
626(1)
Privacy Legislation
627(1)
Intellectual Property Rights
627(2)
Copyrights
627(1)
Trademarks
628(1)
Patents
629(1)
Health, Ergonomics, and the Environment
629(4)
Stress-Related Concerns
629(1)
Ergonomics-Related Concerns
630(2)
Environment-Related Concerns
632(1)
Summary
633(2)
Key Terms
635(1)
Review Activities
636(2)
Projects
638(5)
You and Your PC
643(1)
Overview
644(1)
PC System Components
644(1)
System Units
644(1)
Monitors, Printers, and Other Peripheral Devices
645(1)
CPUs
645(1)
Software
645(1)
Selecting a PC System
645(9)
Analyzing Needs
645(2)
Listing Alternatives
647(1)
inside the industry: Buying a PC
648(4)
trend: Free Stuff
652(1)
Evaluating Alternatives
653(1)
Purchasing the PC System
653(1)
Setting Up a New System
654(3)
Unpacking the Components
654(1)
Connecting the Devices
654(1)
how it works: Setting Up a New PC
655(1)
Adding Additional Hardware
656(1)
Installing Additional Software
656(1)
Customizing a New System
656(1)
System Maintenance
657(8)
Backup Procedures
658(1)
Equipment Maintenance and Protection
659(1)
Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance
660(5)
Upgrading
665(2)
Functional vs. Technological Obsolescence
665(1)
Upgrading Hardware
665(1)
Upgrading Software
666(1)
Learning More About PCs
667(3)
In Person
667(1)
In Print
668(1)
Videos or TV Shows
668(1)
On the Web
668(2)
Summary
670(2)
Key Terms
672(1)
Review Activities
673(2)
Projects
675
Ubiquitous Computing Window
2003 Update
Introduction
1(5)
Introduction to the World of Computers
2(2)
Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web
4(2)
MODULE Hardware
The System Unit: Processing and Memory
6(2)
Storage
8(2)
Input and Output
10(2)
MODULE Software
Systems Software
12(2)
Application Software
14(2)
MODULE Networks
Communications and Networks
16(2)
The Internet and World Wide Web
18(2)
MODULE Internet Applications
Multimedia and the Web
20(2)
E-Business and E-Commerce
22(2)
MODULE Systems
Information Systems and Systems Development
24(2)
Program Development and Programming Languages
26(2)
Databases and Database Management Systems
28(2)
MODULE Computers In Our Lives
Ethics, Computer Crime, Privacy, and Other Social Issues
30(2)
You and Your PC
32(2)
A Look at Computer Generations
34(2)
Tech News Video Projects
36(4)
Credits
40
Appendix 1(1)
Quiz Answers 1(1)
Credits 1(1)
Glossary 1(1)
Index 1

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