Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Introductory, Tenth Edition

by Morley, Deborah; Parker, Charles S.

• ISBN13: 9780619243654
• ISBN10: 0619243651
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-16
• Publisher: Course Technology

Summary

This introduction to computers is known for its readability and the depth of topics covered.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
MODULE Introduction	1	(84)
Introduction to the World of Computers	3	(36)
Overview	4	(1)
Computers in Your Life	4	(5)
Why Learn About Computers?	4	(1)
Computers in the Home	5	(1)
Computers in Education	6	(1)
Computers in the Workplace	7	(1)
Computers on the Go	8	(1)
What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?	9	(8)
Computers Then and Now	10	(2)
Hardware	12	(2)
Software	14	(2)
Data and Information	16	(1)
Computer Users and Professionals	16	(1)
Computer Networks and the Internet	17	(2)
The Internet	18	(1)
Accessing a Network	18	(1)
Computers to Fit Every Need	19	(9)
Mobile Devices	19	(1)
Personal Computers	19	(7)
Midrange Servers	26	(1)
Mainframe Computers	27	(1)
Supercomputers	27	(1)
Computers and Society	28	(2)
The Information Age and the New Information Revolution	28	(1)
Benefits of a Computer-Oriented Society	29	(1)
Risks of a Computer-Oriented Society	29	(1)
Summary	30	(2)
Key Terms	32	(1)
Review Activities	33	(2)
Projects	35	(4)
Trend Wearable PCs	9	(12)
How It Works Setting Up a New PC	21	(1)
Inside the Industry PC Modding	22	(2)
Campus Close-Up Wired Med Students	24	(15)
Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web	39	(46)
Overview	40	(1)
Starting Your Computer: The Boot Process	40	(1)
Using the Windows Operating System	41	(10)
The Windows Interface	41	(6)
Opening Windows and Starting Programs	47	(1)
Manipulating Windows	48	(3)
Shutting Down the Computer	51	(1)
Using the Internet and World Wide Web	51	(14)
What are the Internet and World Wide Web?	51	(1)
What Is a Browser?	52	(1)
Accessing the Internet	52	(2)
Internet Addresses	54	(4)
Surfing the Web	58	(4)
Using Bookmarks and the History List	62	(1)
Searching the Web	63	(2)
E-Mail and Other Types of Online Communications	65	(7)
Sending E-Mail	68	(1)
Receiving E-Mail	68	(1)
Managing E-Mail	68	(2)
Discussion Groups, Chat, Instant Messaging, and More	70	(1)
Netiquette	71	(1)
Societal Implications of Cyberspace	72	(4)
Security	72	(1)
Privacy	73	(1)
Differences in Online Communications	73	(1)
The Anonymity Factor	73	(2)
Information Integrity	75	(1)
Summary	76	(2)
Key Terms	78	(1)
Review Activities	79	(2)
Projects	81	(4)
Trend E-Mail Hoaxes	57	(10)
How It Works Video E-Mail	67	(7)
Inside the Industry Emoticons and Acronyms: Expressing Yourself Online	74	(11)
MODULE Hardware	85	(134)
The System Unit: Processing and Memory	87	(46)
Overview	88	(1)
Data and Program Representation	88	(7)
Digital Data Representation	88	(1)
Representing Numerical Data: The Binary Numbering System	89	(1)
Coding Systems for Text-Based Data	90	(2)
Coding Systems for Other Types of Data	92	(3)
Representing Programs: Machine Language	95	(1)
Inside the System Unit	95	(16)
The Motherboard	96	(1)
CPU	96	(4)
Memory	100	(4)
Buses	104	(2)
Expansion Slots and Cards	106	(2)
Ports	108	(3)
How the CPU Works	111	(4)
Typical CPU Components	112	(1)
The System Clock and the Machine Cycle	113	(2)
Making Computers Faster Now and in the Future	115	(9)
Speeding Up Your System Today	115	(3)
Strategies for Making Faster Computers	118	(4)
Future Trends	122	(2)
Summary	124	(2)
Key Terms	126	(1)
Review Activities	127	(2)
Projects	129	(4)
How It Works MP3 Compression	94	(5)
Trend Unusual Uses for Computer Chips: Smart Bullets, Smart Tennis Shoes, and High-Tech Pets	99	(2)
Inside the Industry Non-Volatile Memory	101	(32)
Storage	133	(40)
Overview	134	(1)
Properties of Storage Systems	134	(3)
Storage Devices and Media	134	(1)
Non-Volatility	135	(1)
Removable vs. Fixed Media	135	(1)
Random vs. Sequential Access	135	(1)
Logical vs. Physical Representation	136	(1)
Magnetic Disk Systems	137	(13)
Floppy Disks and Drives	138	(2)
High-Capacity Removable Magnetic Disks and Drives	140	(1)
Hard Disk Drives	140	(10)
Optical Disc Systems	150	(4)
Read-Only Discs: CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Discs	152	(1)
Recordable Discs: CD-R, DVD-R, and DVD+R Discs	153	(1)
Rewritable Discs: CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, and Blue Laser Discs	154	(1)
Other Types of Storage Systems	154	(8)
Magneto-Optical Discs	154	(1)
Flash Memory Media	155	(3)
Magnetic Tape Systems	158	(1)
Remote Storage Systems	159	(1)
Smart Cards	159	(2)
Holographic Storage	161	(1)
Comparing Storage Alternatives	162	(2)
Summary	164	(2)
Key Terms	166	(1)
Review Activities	167	(2)
Projects	169	(4)
Inside the Industry Data Recovery Experts	144	(7)
How It Works Business Card CDs	151	(4)
Trend Digital Copy Protection	155	(7)
Campus Close-Up Penn State ID+ Smart Cards	162	(11)
Input and Output	173	(46)
Overview	174	(1)
Input and Output	174	(1)
Keyboards	174	(2)
Pointing Devices	176	(5)
Mice	176	(1)
Electronic Pens	177	(3)
Touch Screens	180	(1)
Other Pointing Devices	181	(1)
Scanners and Related Devices	181	(8)
Scanners	183	(2)
Optical Mark Readers (OMRs)	185	(1)
Bar-Code Readers	185	(2)
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Devices	187	(1)
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Readers	187	(2)
Biometric Input Devices	189	(2)
Multimedia Input Devices	191	(4)
Digital Cameras	191	(2)
Audio Input Devices	193	(2)
Display Devices	195	(5)
Display Device Characteristics	195	(2)
CRT Monitors	197	(1)
Flat-Panel Displays	197	(1)
Smart Displays	198	(1)
HDTV Monitors	198	(1)
Data and Multimedia Projectors	199	(1)
Emerging Display Technologies and Applications	199	(1)
Printers	200	(8)
Printer Characteristics	200	(4)
Laser Printers	204	(1)
Ink-Jet Printers	205	(1)
Special-Purpose Printers	206	(2)
Fax Machines and Multifunction Devices	208	(1)
Multimedia Output Devices	208	(2)
Speakers	208	(1)
Voice-Output Systems	209	(1)
Summary	210	(2)
Key Terms	212	(1)
Review Activities	213	(2)
Projects	215	(4)
Inside the Industry RFID: The Smart Bar Code	188	(2)
How It Works Face Recognition	190	(11)
Campus Close-Up Smart Classrooms	201	(1)
Trend Electronic Paper	202	(17)
MODULE Software	219	(90)
Systems Software: Operating Systems and Utilities	221	(40)
Overview	222	(1)
System Software vs. Application Software	222	(1)
The Operating System	223	(9)
Functions of an Operating System	224	(3)
Processing Techniques for Increased Efficiency	227	(3)
Differences Among Operating Systems	230	(2)
Operating Systems for Desktop PCs and Servers	232	(8)
DOS	233	(1)
Windows	234	(3)
Mac OS	237	(1)
UNIX	237	(1)
Linux	238	(1)
NetWare	239	(1)
OS/2 and OS/2 Warp	240	(1)
Solaris	240	(1)
Operating Systems for Handheld PCs and Mobile Devices	240	(2)
Embedded and Mobile Versions of Windows	240	(2)
Palm OS	242	(1)
Symbian OS	242	(1)
Operating Systems for Larger Computers	242	(9)
Utility Programs	243	(1)
File Management Programs	243	(3)
Antivirus Programs	246	(1)
Diagnostic and Disk Management Programs	246	(1)
Uninstall Utilities	247	(1)
File Compression Programs	248	(1)
Backup and Recovery Utilities	248	(2)
Encryption Programs	250	(1)
Network and Internet Utilities	250	(1)
The Future of Operating Systems	251	(1)
Summary	252	(2)
Key Terms	254	(1)
Review Activities	255	(2)
Projects	257	(4)
Inside the Industry Linux Desktops: The Wave of the Future?	239	(2)
Trend Smart Cars	241	(4)
How It Works Downloading and Installing Programs	245	(16)
Application Software	261	(48)
Overview	262	(1)
The Basics of Application Software	262	(9)
Types of Application Software	262	(1)
Ownership Rights and Delivery Methods	263	(3)
Software Suites	266	(2)
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)	268	(1)
Desktop vs. Handheld PC Software	269	(1)
Getting Help	270	(1)
Word Processing Concepts	271	(5)
What Is Word Processing?	271	(1)
Creating and Editing a Word Processing Document	272	(1)
Formatting a Document	273	(2)
Graphics, Tables, and Templates	275	(1)
Word Processing and the Web	275	(1)
Spreadsheet Concepts	276	(5)
What Is a Spreadsheet?	276	(1)
Creating and Editing a Worksheet	276	(3)
Formatting a Worksheet	279	(1)
Charts and What-If Analysis	280	(1)
Spreadsheets and the Web	281	(1)
Database Concepts	281	(4)
What Is a Database?	281	(1)
Creating a Database	282	(1)
Modifying a Database	283	(1)
Queries and Reports	284	(1)
Databases and the Web	285	(1)
Presentation Graphics Concepts	285	(3)
What Is a Presentation Graphic?	285	(1)
Creating a Presentation	286	(1)
Enhancing and Finishing a Presentation	287	(1)
Presentation Graphics and the Web	288	(1)
Graphics and Multimedia Concepts	288	(9)
Multimedia Applications	289	(2)
Types of Graphics and Multimedia Software	291	(5)
Graphics, Multimedia, and the Web	296	(1)
Other Types of Application Software	297	(3)
Desktop and Personal Publishing Software	297	(1)
Accounting and Personal Finance Software	298	(1)
Educational, Entertainment, and Reference Software	298	(1)
CAD and Other Types of Design Software	298	(1)
Project Management Software	298	(2)
Summary	300	(2)
Key Terms	302	(1)
Review Activities	303	(2)
Projects	305	(4)
Inside the Industry Jellyvision's Interactive Conversation Interface (iCi)	291	(4)
How It Works Creating a Custom Music CD	295	(4)
Trend Spyware	299	(10)
MODULE Networks and the Internet	309
Computer Networks	311	(52)
Overview	312	(1)
Networking and Communications Applications	312	(5)
Wireless Phones	313	(1)
Paging and Messaging	313	(1)
Global Positioning Systems (GPSs)	314	(1)
Satellite Radio	314	(1)
Online Conferencing	314	(1)
Collaborative Computing	315	(1)
Telecommuting	316	(1)
Telemedicine	316	(1)
What is a Network and How Does it Transmit Data?	317	(10)
Data Transmission Characteristics	317	(3)
Wired vs. Wireless Connections	320	(1)
Wired Network Transmission Media	320	(2)
Wireless Network Transmission Media	322	(5)
Types of Networks	327	(4)
Network Topologies	327	(1)
Network Architectures	328	(1)
LANs, WANs, and Other Types of Networks	329	(2)
Networking Hardware	331	(5)
Network Adapters	331	(1)
Modems	332	(2)
Hubs, Switches, and Other Networking Hardware	334	(2)
Communications Protocols	336	(8)
Ethernet	336	(1)
Token Ring	337	(1)
TCP/IP	337	(1)
802.11 (Wi-Fi)	338	(3)
Bluetooth	341	(1)
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)	342	(1)
Other Networking Protocols	342	(2)
Network Security Issues	344	(10)
Unauthorized Access and Use	344	(5)
Computer Sabotage	349	(5)
Summary	354	(2)
Key Terms	356	(1)
Review Activities	357	(2)
Projects	359	(4)
Inside the Industry Presence Technology	326	(14)
How It Works Setting Up a Home Network	340	(9)
Trend Personal Biometrics: Finger Payment Systems	349	(14)
The Internet and World Wide Web	363
Overview	364	(1)
Evolution of the Internet	364	(7)
From Arpanet to Internet2	365	(2)
The Internet Community Today	367	(3)
Myths About the Internet	370	(1)
Getting Set Up to Use the Internet	371	(8)
Type of Device	371	(1)
Type of Connection and Internet Access	372	(5)
Selecting an ISP and Setting Up Your PC	377	(2)
Searching the Internet	379	(6)
Search Sites	379	(2)
Search Strategies	381	(3)
Evaluating Search Results	384	(1)
Citing Internet Resources	385	(1)
Beyond Browsing and E-Mail	385	(16)
Online Financial Transactions	385	(3)
Online Entertainment	388	(8)
Online News and Research	396	(1)
Online Education	397	(4)
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing	401	(1)
Censorship and Privacy Issues	401	(6)
Censorship	402	(1)
Web Browsing Privacy	402	(5)
E-Mail Privacy	407	(1)
The Future of the Internet	407	(1)
Summary	408	(2)
Key Terms	410	(1)
Review Activities	411	(2)
Projects	413
Trend Aircraft-Based Internet: Broadband of the Future?	375	(16)
Inside the Industry The Napster Controversy	391	(3)
How It Works Video-on-Demand	394
References and Resources Guide	1	(1)
Computer History Timeline	2	(5)
A Look at Numbering Systems	7	(4)
The Decimal and Binary Numbering System	7	(1)
The Hexadecimal Numbering System	7	(1)
Converting Between Numbering Systems	8	(1)
Computer Arithmetic	9	(1)
Using a Scientific Calculator	10	(1)
Coding Charts	11	(2)
ASCII and EBCDIC	11	(1)
Unicode	12	(1)
CPU Characteristics	13	(1)
Guide to Buying a PC	14	(5)
Analyzing Needs	14	(1)
Listing Alternatives	15	(2)
System Troubleshooting and Upgrading	17	(2)
Web Guide	19	(4)
Web Searching Tips: A Closer Look at Google	23	(2)
Google Search Options	23	(1)
Google Advanced Search	23	(1)
Other Google Tools	24	(1)
Answers to Self-Quiz	25
Credits	1	(1)
Glossary/Index	1