Computer Concepts

by Parsons, June Jamrich; Oja, Dan

• ISBN13: 9780619017392
• ISBN10: 0619017392
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Course Technology Ptr

Summary

The Essentials version of this popular text features 96 pages of basic computer concepts. The quick, visual approach of the book makes it easy to teach and learn from.

Table of Contents

Exciting New Products	iii
Preface	iv
Credits	vi
UNIT A Computers: Essential Concepts	1	(1)
Defining Computers	2	(2)
Why does a computer need software?
Exploring Computer Functions	4	(2)
John Von Neumann
Categorizing Computers	6	(2)
Computer networks
Examining Microcomputers	8	(2)
Hardware product life cycle
Introducing Peripheral Devices	10	(2)
Pointing devices
Examining Keyboards	12	(2)
Alternative keyboard designs	13	(1)
Examining Monitors	14	(2)
Examining Printers	16	(2)
Making the most of limited desk space
Communicating with Computers: Prompts, Wizards, and Command-Line Interfaces	18	(2)
Is the user interface hardware or software?	19	(1)
Communicating with Computers: Menus and Dialog Boxes	20	(2)
Working with GUIs	22	(2)
Using Resources	24	(2)
Issue: Can Computers Think?	26	(1)
Expand the Ideas	27	(1)
End of Unit Exercises	28	(2)
Independent Challenges	30	(2)
Visual Workshop	32
UNIT B Software, File Management and Computer Architecture	1	(1)
Understanding Computer Software Basics	2	(2)
Distinguishing system software from application software
Defining Operating Systems	4	(2)
Examining Windows Operating Systems	6	(2)
Desktop and server operating systems
Introducing Application Software	8	(2)
Understanding the difference between versions and revisions
Understanding Logical File Storage	10	(2)
Using file management software
Understanding Physical File Storage	12	(2)
Comparing Storage Devices	14	(2)
Additional uses for floppy and Zip disks	15	(1)
Understanding Magnetic Storage	16	(2)
Protecting your data What really happens when you erase a file	17	(1)
Understanding Optical Storage	18	(2)
Examining the Inside of a System Unit	20	(2)
Understanding Computer Memory: Ram	22	(2)
How much RAM?	23	(1)
Defining the CPU	24	(2)
Issue: Is Data Getting Lost?	26	(1)
Expand the Ideas	27	(1)
End of Unit Exercises	28	(1)
Independent Challenges	29	(3)
Visual Workshop	32
UNIT C The Internet	1	(1)
Introducing the Internet	2	(2)
Introducing Internet Technology	4	(2)
Understanding Hosts, Domains and URLs	6	(2)
Explaining the URL	7	(1)
Introducing The World Wide Web	8	(2)
Using Web Portals
Using Web Browsers	10	(2)
Understanding Multimedia on the Web	12	(2)
Push Technology	13	(1)
Downloading and Uploading Files	14	(2)
Compressing Files	15	(1)
Interacting Online	16	(2)
Creating Web Sites	18	(2)
Building an e-commerce site
Understanding HTML	20	(2)
Publishing Web sites	22	(2)
Connecting to the Internet	24	(2)
Issue: Is the Truth Out There?	26	(1)
Expand the Ideas	27	(1)
End of Unit Exercises	28	(1)
Independent Challenges	29	(3)
Visual Workshop	32
APPENDIX A Buyer's Guide	1	(16)
Deciding on a Basic Computer System	2	(2)
Determining Your Computer's Architecture	4	(1)
Using E-Mail	5	(1)
Reviewing Notebook Computers	6	(2)
Selecting Peripheral Devices	8	(2)
Buying System and Application Software	10	(2)
Finding Purchasing and User Support	12	(2)
Comparing Computers: Buyer's Specification Worksheet	14	(1)
Working in the Computer Industry	15	(2)
Glossary	17	(5)
Index	22