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Understanding Computers

by: Parker, Charles S.; Morley, Deborah

Understanding Computers

by: Parker, Charles S.; Morley, Deborah

ISBN 13:
9780619187125
ISBN 10:
0619187123
Edition: Revised
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 03/21/2003
Publisher: Course Technology Ptr
Newer Edition

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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!

Preface

MODULE Introduction

(80)

Introduction to the World of Computers

(34)

Overview

(1)

Computers in Your Life

(4)

Why Learn About Computers?

(1)

Computers in the Home

(2)

trend: Ready-to-Wear PCs

(1)

Computers in Our Society

(1)

What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?

(8)

Traditional and Multimedia Hardware

(1)

Software

(1)

Data, Information, and Programs

(3)

Users and Computer Professionals

(1)

inside the industry: Programs That Run Amok

(1)

Computer Networks and the Internet

(2)

The Internet

(1)

Accessing Networks

(1)

Network Servers

(1)

Computer Systems to Fit Every Need

(7)

Mobile Devices

(1)

how it works: Voice-Activated Internet

(1)

Personal Computers

(2)

campus close-up: Wired Med Students

(1)

Midrange Computers

(1)

Mainframe Computers

(1)

Supercomputers

(1)

Computers and Society

(3)

The Information Age and the New Information Revolution

(1)

Benefits of a Computer-Oriented Society

(1)

Impact of Computers, the Internet, and a Networked Economy

(2)

Summary

(2)

Key Terms

(1)

Review Activities

(2)

Projects

(4)

Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web

(44)

Overview

(1)

Starting Your Computer: The Boot Process

(1)

Using the Windows Operating System

(11)

The Windows Interface

(6)

Opening Windows and Starting Programs

(1)

Manipulating Windows

(3)

Shutting Down the Computer

(1)

Using the Internet and World Wide Web

(13)

What Is the World Wide Web?

(1)

What Is a Browser?

(2)

how it works: Internet Appliances

Accessing the Internet

(1)

Internet Addresses

(3)

Surfing the Web

(4)

Using Bookmarks and the History List

(1)

Searching the Web

(4)

E-Mail

(6)

trend: Shopping Bots and other Types of Intelligent Agents

(1)

Sending E-Mail

(2)

Receiving E-Mail

(1)

Managing E-Mail

(1)

Mailing Lists, Newsgroups, Chat, and Instant Messaging

(1)

inside the industry: Emoticons: Expressing Yourself with Your PC

(1)

Netiquette

(1)

Downloading and Installing Plug-Ins and Other Files

(3)

Downloading Files

(1)

Using Downloaded Files

(2)

Summary

(2)

Key Terms

(1)

Review Activities

(1)

Projects

(5)

The History of Computers Window

MODULE Hardware

(128)

The System Unit: Processing and Memory

(46)

Overview

(1)

Data and Program Representation

(9)

Digital Data Representation

(2)

The Binary Numbering System

(1)

Coding Systems for Text-Based Data

(2)

Coding Systems for Other Types of Data

(3)

how it works: MP3 Compression

(1)

Machine Language

(1)

Inside the System Unit

(15)

CPU

(3)

trend: Smart Bullets, Smart Tennis Shoes, High-Tech Pets, and Other Unusual Uses for Microchips

(1)

inside the industry: Moore's Law

(1)

Memory

(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

(5)

Introduction to the World of Computers

(2)

Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web

(2)

MODULE Hardware

The System Unit: Processing and Memory

(2)

Storage

(2)

Input and Output

(2)

MODULE Software

Systems Software

(2)

Application Software

(2)

MODULE Networks

Communications and Networks

(2)

The Internet and World Wide Web

(2)

MODULE Internet Applications

Multimedia and the Web

(2)

E-Business and E-Commerce

(2)

MODULE Systems

Information Systems and Systems Development

(2)

Program Development and Programming Languages

(2)

Databases and Database Management Systems

(2)

MODULE Computers In Our Lives

Ethics, Computer Crime, Privacy, and Other Social Issues

(2)

You and Your PC

(2)

A Look at Computer Generations

(2)

Tech News Video Projects

(4)

Credits

Appendix

(1)

Quiz Answers

(1)

Credits

(1)

Glossary

(1)

Index

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Understanding Computers

Understanding Computers

9780619187125

0619187123

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Understanding Computers

Understanding Computers

9780619187125

0619187123

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

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