Computing Essentials 2004 offers a unique, visual orientation that gives students a basic understanding of computing concepts. Computing Essentials is one of the few books on the market that is written by a professor who still teaches the course every semester and loves it. The book encourages 'active' learning with its exercises, explorations, visual illustrations and inclusion of screen shots and numbered steps. While combining the 'active' learning style with current topics and technology, this text provides an accurate snapshot of computing today. When bundled with software application lab manuals, students are given a complete representation of the fundamental issues surrounding the personal computing environment.