Computers Are Your Future 2006 (Introductory)

by Daley, Bill

• ISBN13: 9780131488021
• ISBN10: 0131488023
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Now available in two versions rather than three, this introduction to computers book is one that users will engage with -- maintaining the encyclopedic approach in the popular magazine style. It is refreshing, accurate, and easy to learn from-written to today's reader. The Eighth Edition moves the emphasis to connectivity and includes loads of new research to ensure that the statistics in the book are current. This edition emphasizes emerging technologies while de-emphasizing older technologies. The Introductory version is chapters 1-9 (with a Spotlight following each of chapters 1-7). Covers such topics as: Computers & Ethics, Internet/Web, E-commerce, Wired and Wireless Communications, Home Networks, System Software, File Management, Application Software, Microsoft Office, Inside the System Unit, Buying and Upgrading, Input, Output, and Storage, Multimedia Devices, Networks, and Privacy and Security. For anyone wanting a basic knowledge of computers to apply to their jobs or lives.

Table of Contents

Computers & You	2	(44)
Computer Fundamentals	7	(5)
Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions	7	(2)
Input: Getting Data into the Computer	9	(1)
Processing: Transforming Data into Information	10	(1)
Output: Displaying Information	10	(1)
Storage: Holding Programs and Data for Future Use	10	(1)
Communications: Moving Data between Computers	11	(1)
The Information-Processing Cycle in Action	11	(1)
Types of Computers	12	(5)
Computers for Individuals	14	(2)
Computers for Organizations	16	(1)
Computers, Society, & You	17	(29)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers	18	(1)
Don't Be Intimidated by Hardware	19	(1)
Recognize the Risks of Using Flawed Software	20	(1)
Take Ethics Seriously	21	(1)
Societal Impacts of Computer Use	22	(1)
The Effect of Computers on Employment	22	(2)
Being a Responsible Computer User	24	(10)
Spotlight 1 Ethics	34	(12)
The Internet & the World Wide Web	46	(50)
How the Internet Works	48	(3)
Interoperability	48	(3)
Accessing the Internet: Going Online	51	(1)
Internet Service Providers and Online Services	51	(1)
The Internet and the Web: What's the Difference?	52	(10)
The Hypertext Concept	55	(1)
Web Browsers and Web Servers	55	(3)
Web Addresses (URLs)	58	(1)
Browsing the Web	59	(3)
Finding Information on the Web	62	(5)
Using Search Engines	62	(1)
Using Search Techniques	63	(2)
Evaluating Information	65	(1)
Using the Web for Schoolwork	66	(1)
Exploring Internet Services	67	(29)
E-mail: Staying in Touch	67	(2)
Instant Messaging: E-mail Made Faster	69	(1)
Internet Relay Chat: Text Chatting in Real Time	70	(1)
File Transfer Protocol: Transferring Files	71	(1)
Usenet: Joining Online Discussions	72	(1)
Listserv: Electronic Mailing Lists	73	(9)
Spotlight 2 E-Commerce	82	(14)
Wired & Wireless Communication	96	(44)
Moving Data: Bandwidth and Modems	98	(2)
Bandwidth: How Much Do You Need?	98	(1)
Modems: From Digital to Analog and Back	99	(1)
Wired and Wireless Transmission Media	100	(4)
Twisted Pair	100	(1)
Coaxial Cable	100	(1)
Fiber-Optic Cable	101	(1)
Infrared	101	(1)
Radio	102	(1)
Microwaves	103	(1)
Satellites	103	(1)
Wired Communication via the Public Switched Telephone Network	104	(5)
Last-Mile Technologies	105	(4)
Convergence: Is It a Phone or a Computer?	109	(4)
Cellular Telephones	110	(2)
Web-Enabled Devices	112	(1)
Wired and Wireless Applications	113	(27)
Internet Telephony: Real-Time Voice and Video	113	(4)
Faxing: Document Exchange	117	(1)
Satellite Radio, GPS, and More	118	(2)
Text, Picture, and Video Messaging and More	120	(10)
Spotlight 3 Home Networks	130	(10)
System Software	140	(44)
The Operating System	142	(8)
Starting the Computer	143	(2)
Managing Applications	145	(1)
Managing Memory	146	(2)
Handling Input and Output	148	(1)
Providing the User Interface	148	(2)
Exploring Popular Operating Systems	150	(7)
Microsoft Windows	151	(1)
Mac OS	152	(1)
Linux	153	(2)
MS-DOS	155	(1)
UNIX	155	(1)
Platforms: Mac Versus PC	156	(1)
System Utilities: Housekeeping Tools	157	(27)
Backup Software	157	(1)
Antivirus Software	158	(1)
Searching for and Managing Files	159	(1)
Scanning and Defragmenting Disks	160	(1)
File Compression Utilities	161	(1)
System Update	162	(1)
Troubleshooting	162	(10)
Spotlight 4 File Management	172	(12)
Application Software: Tools for Productivity	184	(52)
General-Purpose Applications	186	(9)
Personal Productivity Programs	186	(2)
Multimedia and Graphics Software	188	(6)
Internet Programs	194	(1)
Home and Educational Programs	194	(1)
Tailor-Made Applications	195	(1)
Custom Versus Packaged Software	196	(1)
Standalone Programs, Integrated Programs, and Software Suites	196	(5)
Web Technology: A New Way to Share Files	198	(3)
System Requirements and Software Versions	201	(1)
Software Upgrades	201	(1)
Distribution and Documentation	201	(1)
Software Licenses and Registration	202	(3)
Commercial Software, Shareware, Freeware, and Public Domain Software	203	(2)
Installing and Managing Application Software	205	(31)
Installing Applications	205	(2)
Launching Applications	207	(1)
Choosing Options	207	(1)
Exiting Applications	207	(9)
Spotlight 5 Microsoft Office	216	(20)
Inside the System Unit	236	(46)
How Computers Represent Data	238	(2)
Representing Data as Numbers	238	(2)
Representing Characters: Character Code	240	(1)
Introducing the System Unit	240	(1)
Inside the System Unit	240	(4)
What's on the Motherboard?	244	(9)
The CPU: The Microprocessor	245	(6)
The Chipset and the Input/Output Bus	251	(1)
Memory	251	(2)
What's on the Outside of the Box?	253	(29)
The Front Panel	253	(1)
Connectors and Ports	254	(12)
Spotlight 6 Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System	266	(16)
Input/Output and Storage	282	(44)
Input Devices: Giving Commands	284	(6)
Keyboards	284	(3)
The Mouse and Other Pointing Devices	287	(2)
Alternative Input Devices	289	(1)
Output Devices: Engaging Our Senses	290	(6)
Monitors	290	(2)
Printers	292	(2)
Alternative Output Devices	294	(2)
Storage: Holding Data for Future Use	296	(30)
Memory versus Storage	296	(1)
Hard Disk Drives	297	(3)
Floppy and Zip Disks and Drives	300	(2)
CD and DVD Technologies	302	(1)
Storage Horizons	303	(11)
Spotlight 7 Multimedia Devices	314	(12)
Networks: Communicating and Sharing Resources	326	(26)
Network Fundamentals	328	(3)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Networking	331	(1)
Local Area Networks (LANs)	332	(8)
Peer-to-Peer Networks	333	(1)
Client/Server Networks	333	(2)
LAN Topologies	335	(1)
LAN Protocols	336	(4)
Wide Area Networks (WANs)	340	(12)
Point of Presence (POP)	341	(1)
Backbones	341	(1)
WAN Protocols	341	(2)
WAN Applications	343	(9)
Privacy, Crime, and Security	352
Privacy in Cyberspace	354	(7)
The Problem: Collection of Information Without Consent	354	(1)
Technology and Anonymity	355	(3)
Protecting Your Privacy	358	(4)
Computer Crime and Cybercrime	361	(9)
Types of Computer Crime	362	(5)
Meet the Attackers	367	(3)
Security	370	(5)
Security Risks	370	(2)
Protecting Your Computer System	372	(4)
The Encryption Debate	375
Encryption Basics	376	(1)
Public Key Encryption	376	(2)
Encryption and Public Security Issues	378