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9780132402668

Technology in Action, Introductory

by ; ;
  • ISBN13:

    9780132402668

  • ISBN10:

    0132402661

  • Edition: 4th
  • Format: Paperback
  • Copyright: 2009-01-01
  • Publisher: Prentice Hall
  • View Upgraded Edition

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Summary

Today's students often have a greater comfort level with our digital environment, and they want to learn about the exciting things technology can do for them rather than learn about the history of computers. Technology in Action takes a unique approach and teaches technology the way students would actually experience it in real life. The topic sequence covers concepts using a spiraling approach between chapters in order to mirror the typical student learning experience. The question and answer presentation of the material throughout the text is designed to keep students' attention with a constant dialogue. And, the unique companion media engage students that enjoy solving problems with the computer.

Table of Contents

Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Fluentp. 2
Becoming a Savvy Computer User and Consumerp. 4
Being Prepared for Your Careerp. 5
Computers in Business: Working in a Data Mine?p. 5
Computers in Retail: Let Me Look That Up for Youp. 6
Computers in Shipping: UPS Data on the Gop. 7
Computers in Ranching and Farming: High Tech Down on the Farmp. 8
Computers in the Arts: Shall We Dance?p. 8
Computers in the Medical Field: Fact or Science Fiction?p. 9
Computers in Law Enforcement: Put Down That Mouse-You're Under Arrest!p. 12
Computers in the Legal Fields: Welcome to the Virtual Courtroomp. 13
Computers in Education: And on the Left, You See the Mona Lisap. 13
Computers and the Sciences: Programming the Perfect Stormp. 15
Computers in Sports: Bend Your Elbow Another Two Degrees?p. 16
Computer Gaming Careers: Now Bigger Than Hollywood!p. 17
Computers at Home: Just Program It and Forget Itp. 18
Getting Ready for the Technology of Tomorrowp. 18
Nanoscience: The Next "Big" Thingp. 18
Biomedical Chip Implants: Combining Humans with Machines?p. 19
Artificial Intelligence: Will Computers Become Human?p. 20
Understanding the Challenges Facing a Digital Societyp. 21
Trends in it: Ethics: Knowledge Is Power: Bridging the Digital Dividep. 22
Becoming Computer Fluentp. 23
Computers Are Data Processing Devicesp. 23
Bits and Bytes: The Language of Computersp. 23
Computer Hardwarep. 25
Computer Softwarep. 26
Computer Platforms: PCs and MACsp. 26
Specialty Computersp. 27
Dig Deeper: What Can You Do with a Digital Home?p. 28
Looking at Computers: Understanding the Partsp. 40
Your Computer's Hardwarep. 42
Input Devicesp. 42
Keyboardsp. 42
Mice and Other Pointing Devicesp. 46
Sound Inputp. 48
Input Devices for Physically Challenged Individualsp. 49
Output Devicesp. 49
Monitorsp. 49
Printersp. 52
Dig Deeper: How Inkjet and Laser Printers Workp. 55
Sound Outputp. 56
The System Unitp. 56
On the Front Panelp. 56
On the Backp. 60
Inside the System Unitp. 61
Setting It All Upp. 64
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Tomorrow's Display-You Can Take It with You!p. 66
Technology in Focus: Careers in ITp. 78
Using the Internet: Making the Most of the Web's Resourcesp. 92
The Internetp. 94
Communicating Through the Internet: E-Mail and Other Technologiesp. 94
Instant Messagingp. 94
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)p. 94
Weblogs (blogs) and Video Logs (vlogs)p. 95
Podcastsp. 96
Webcastsp. 97
Wikisp. 98
E-Mailp. 98
Chat Roomsp. 100
Newsgroupsp. 100
Listservsp. 101
Web Entertainment: Multimedia and Beyondp. 101
Trends in It: Social Networkingp. 102
Conducting Business over the Internet: E-Commercep. 104
E-Commerce Safeguardsp. 105
Managing Online Annoyancesp. 106
Spamp. 106
Cookiesp. 107
Adwarep. 108
Spywarep. 108
Malwarep. 109
Phishing and Internet Hoaxesp. 109
Navigating the Web: Web Browsersp. 110
Getting Around the Web: URLs, Hyperlinks, and Other Toolsp. 111
URLsp. 111
Hyperlinks and Beyondp. 113
Favorites and Bookmarksp. 113
Tabbed Browsingp. 114
Trends in It: Ethics: What Can You Borrow from the Internet?p. 115
Searching the Web: Search Engines and Subject Directoriesp. 116
Search Enginesp. 116
Dig Deeper: Refining Your Web Searches: Boolean Operatorsp. 118
Subject Directoriesp. 120
Evaluating Web Sitesp. 121
Internet Basicsp. 121
The Internet's Clients and Serversp. 121
Connecting to the Internetp. 123
Broadband Connectionsp. 123
Dial-Up Connectionsp. 125
Choosing the Right Internet Connection Optionp. 126
Finding an Internet Service Providerp. 126
Choosing an ISPp. 127
The Origin of the Internetp. 128
The Web Versus the Internetp. 128
The Future of the Internetp. 129
Application Software: Programs That Let You Work and Playp. 140
The Nuts and Bolts of Softwarep. 142
More Productivity at Homep. 142
Word-Processing Softwarep. 142
Spreadsheet Softwarep. 144
Presentation Softwarep. 146
Database Softwarep. 146
Personal Information Manager (PIM) Softwarep. 148
Productivity Software Toolsp. 148
Integrated Software Applications Versus Software Suitesp. 148
Dig Deeper: Speech-Recognition Softwarep. 152
Personal Financial Softwarep. 154
More Media at Homep. 155
Digital Image-Editing Softwarep. 155
Digital Audio Softwarep. 157
Digital Video-Editing Softwarep. 157
Media Management Softwarep. 158
More Fun at Homep. 159
Gaming Softwarep. 159
Educational Softwarep. 160
Reference Softwarep. 162
Drawing Softwarep. 162
Business Softwarep. 163
Home Business Softwarep. 163
Large-Business Softwarep. 165
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Is It Real or Is It Virtual?p. 166
Specialized Business Softwarep. 167
Getting Help with Softwarep. 167
Buying Softwarep. 168
Standard Softwarep. 168
Web-Based Application Softwarep. 168
Discounted Softwarep. 169
Freeware and Sharewarep. 170
Software Versions and Systems Requirementsp. 171
Installing/Uninstalling and Opening Softwarep. 172
Trends in It: Ethics: Can I Borrow Software That I Don't Own?p. 175
Technology in Focus: Digital Entertainmentp. 186
Using System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Managementp. 202
System Software Basicsp. 204
Operating System Categoriesp. 204
Real-Time Operating Systemsp. 205
Single-User Operating Systemsp. 205
Multiuser Operating Systemsp. 206
Desktop Operating Systemsp. 206
Microsoft Windowsp. 207
Mac OSp. 208
Unixp. 208
Linuxp. 208
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Open-Source Software: Why Isn't Everyone Using Linux?p. 209
What the Operating System Doesp. 210
The User Interfacep. 211
Processor Managementp. 211
Memory and Storage Managementp. 213
Hardware and Peripheral Device Managementp. 214
Software Application Coordinationp. 214
The Boot Process: Starting Your Computerp. 215
Activating BIOSp. 216
Performing the Power-On Self-Testp. 216
Loading the Operating Systemp. 217
Checking Further Configurations and Customizationsp. 217
Handling Errors in the Boot Processp. 218
The Desktop and Windows Featuresp. 219
Organizing Your Computer: File Managementp. 221
Organizing Your Filesp. 221
Viewing and Sorting Files and Foldersp. 223
Naming Filesp. 224
Working with Filesp. 226
Utility Programsp. 227
Display Utilitiesp. 227
The Add or Remove Programs Utilityp. 229
File Compression Utilitiesp. 229
System Maintenance Utilitiesp. 230
Dig Deeper: How Disk Defragmenter Utilities Workp. 232
System Restore and Backup Utilitiesp. 232
The Task Scheduler Utilityp. 234
Accessibility Utilitiesp. 235
Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your Systemp. 246
Is It the Computer or Me?p. 248
What Is Your Ideal Computer?p. 249
Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your Systemp. 249
Evaluating the CPU Subsystemp. 251
Analyzing Your CPUp. 253
Evaluating RAM: The Memory Subsystemp. 254
Virtual Memoryp. 256
Adding RAMp. 257
Evaluating the Storage Subsystemp. 258
The Hard Disk Drivep. 258
Dig Deeper: How a Hard Disk Drive Worksp. 259
Portable Storage Options: The Floppy and Beyondp. 260
Upgrading Your Storage Subsystemp. 265
Evaluating the Video Subsystemp. 265
Video Cardsp. 265
Trends in It: Ethics: CD and DVD Technology: A Free Lunch-Or at Least a Free Copyp. 266
Monitorsp. 268
Evaluating the Audio Subsystemp. 269
Speakersp. 269
Sound Cardsp. 269
Evaluating Port Connectivityp. 270
Adding Ports: Expansion Cards and Hubsp. 273
Evaluating System Reliabilityp. 274
Trends in It: Computers in Society: How to Donate Your Old Computer Safelyp. 276
Making the Final Decisionp. 277
Technology in Focus: Computing Alternativesp. 288
Networking and Security: Connecting Computers and Keeping Them Safe from Hackers and Viruses 302
Networking Fundamentalsp. 304
Network Architecturesp. 305
Describing Networks Based on Network Controlp. 305
Describing Networks Based on Distancep. 306
Network Componentsp. 306
Transmission Mediap. 307
Network Adaptersp. 307
Network Navigation Devicesp. 307
Networking Softwarep. 307
Types of Peer-to-Peer Networksp. 308
Wired Ethernet Networksp. 308
Ethernet Switchesp. 309
Ethernet Routersp. 311
Wireless Ethernet Networksp. 311
Power-Line Networksp. 315
Phoneline Networksp. 315
Choosing a Peer-to-Peer Networkp. 316
Configuring Software for Your Home Networkp. 317
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Grid Computing: Aiding Scientific Research with Your Computerp. 320
Keeping Your Home Computer Safep. 321
Computer Threats: Hackersp. 321
What Hackers Stealp. 322
Trojan Horsesp. 323
Denial of Service Attacksp. 323
How Hackers Gain Accessp. 324
Trends in It: Computers in Society: Identity Theft: Is There More Than One You Out There?p. 325
Computer Safeguards: Firewallsp. 326
Types of Firewallsp. 326
Is Your Computer Secure?p. 327
Securing Wireless Networksp. 327
Dig Deeper: How Firewalls Workp. 328
Computer Threats: Computer Virusesp. 332
Types of Virusesp. 333
Virus Classificationsp. 334
Computer Safeguards: Antivirus Softwarep. 334
Other Security Measuresp. 336
Trends in It: Careers: Cybercops on the Beat: Computer Security Careersp. 337
Mobile Computing: Keeping Your Data on Hand 348
Mobile Computing: Is It Right for You?p. 350
Mobile Device Limitationsp. 350
Mobile Computing Devicesp. 352
Cellular Phonesp. 353
Cell Phone Hardwarep. 353
How Cell Phones Workp. 355
Cell Phone Features: Text Messagingp. 355
Cell Phone Internet Connectivityp. 357
Portable Media Playersp. 358
PMP Hardwarep. 360
PMP Flash Memory and File Transferp. 360
PMP Ethical Issues: Napster and Beyondp. 361
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)p. 362
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Why Carry Your Data When You Can Wear It?p. 363
PDA Hardwarep. 363
PDA Operating Systemsp. 365
PDA Memory and Storagep. 365
PDA File Transfer and Synchronizationp. 366
PDA Internet Connectivityp. 367
PDA Software and Accessoriesp. 368
PDA or Cell Phone?p. 368
Tablet PCsp. 369
Dig Deeper: The Power of GPSp. 370
Tablet PC Hardwarep. 371
Tablet Softwarep. 373
Tablet or PDA?p. 373
Notebooksp. 374
Notebook Hardwarep. 374
Trends in It: Ubiquitous Networking: Wherever You Go, There You Arep. 374
Notebook Operating Systems and Portsp. 376
Notebook Batteries and Accessoriesp. 376
Notebook or Desktop?p. 379
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Nanotubes: The Next Big Thing Is Pretty Darn Small!p. 380
Technology in Focus: Protecting Your Computer and Backing Up Your Datap. 392
Behind the Scenes: A Closer Look at System Hardwarep. 406
Digital Data: Switches and Bitsp. 408
Electrical Switchesp. 408
The Binary Number Systemp. 409
Dig Deeper: Advanced Binary and Hexadecimal Notationsp. 410
The CPU: Processing Digital Informationp. 413
The CPU Machine Cyclep. 415
The Fetch Stagep. 417
The Decode Stagep. 418
The Execute Stagep. 419
The Store Stagep. 419
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Printable Processors: The Ultimate in Flexibilityp. 420
RAM: The Next Level of Temporary Storagep. 420
Types of RAMp. 421
Buses: The CPU's Data Highwayp. 423
Making Computers Even Faster: Advanced CPU Designsp. 425
Pipeliningp. 425
Specialized Multimedia Instructionsp. 427
Multiple Processing Effortsp. 427
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Computer Technology Changing the Face of Medicinep. 428
Technology in Focus: The History of the PCp. 440
Glossaryp. 453
Indexp. 467
Creditsp. 485
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Supplemental Materials

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The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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