Computers are Your Future, Introductory

by Daley, Bill A

• ISBN13: 9780131432406
• ISBN10: 0131432400
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

This introduction to computers is noted for its lucid explanations of computing concepts, practical applications of technology theory, and emphasis on the historical and societal impacts of technological innovations. It features integrated coverage of management information systems, networking, email, and the Internet. Other coverage of cutting-edge topics includes Microsoft Office 2003, ethics, e-commerce, crime and security, privacy, communications trends and infrastructure, multimedia, buying and upgrading your computer system, and file management. For individuals seeking an introduction to computers.

Table of Contents

Computers, the Web, & You	2	(26)
Computers, the Web, & You	4	(3)
Computer Fundamentals	7	(9)
Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions	7	(2)
Input: Getting Data into the Computer	9	(1)
Processing: Transforming Data into Information	9	(1)
Output: Displaying Information	10	(1)
Storage: Holding Programs and Data for Future Use	10	(1)
Communications: Moving Data between Computers	10	(1)
The Information Processing Cycle in Action	11	(2)
Responsible Computing: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Ethical Considerations of Computer Usage	13	(3)
Types of Computers	16	(3)
Computers for Individuals	16	(2)
Computers for Organizations	18	(1)
The Internet and World Wide Web	19	(9)
Spotlight 1 Ethics	28	(68)
System Software: The Operating Environment	40	(28)
The Operating System (OS): The Computer's Traffic Cop	42	(9)
Starting the Computer	43	(2)
Managing Programs	45	(1)
Managing Memory	46	(1)
Handling Input and Output	47	(1)
Providing the User Interface	48	(3)
Exploring Popular Operating Systems: A Guided Tour	51	(5)
Microsoft Windows	51	(1)
Mac OS	52	(1)
MS-DOS	53	(1)
Unix	53	(1)
Linux	54	(2)
System Utilities: Tools for Housekeeping	56	(12)
Backup Software	56	(1)
Antivirus Software	57	(1)
File Managers	58	(1)
Searching	58	(1)
File Compression Utilities	59	(1)
Disk Scanning Programs	59	(1)
Disk Defragmentation Programs	59	(1)
Troubleshooting	60	(8)
Application Software: Tools for Productivity	68	(28)
Types of Application Software	70	(3)
Horizontal Applications: General-Purpose Programs	71	(1)
Vertical Applications: Tailor-Made Programs	72	(1)
Integrated Programs and Suites: The All-in-One Approach	73	(4)
Web Technology: A New Way to Share Files	75	(2)
System Requirements and Software Versions	77	(1)
Software Upgrades	77	(1)
Distribution and Documentation	77	(1)
Software Licenses and Registration	78	(2)
Commercial Software, Shareware, Freeware, and Public Domain Software	79	(1)
Installing and Managing Application Software	80	(16)
Installing Applications	81	(1)
Launching Applications	82	(1)
Understanding the Application's Window	82	(2)
Understanding Menus	84	(1)
Using Popup Menus	85	(1)
Creating Documents	86	(1)
Opening an Existing Document	86	(1)
Choosing Options	86	(1)
Using Wizards	86	(1)
Saving Your Work	87	(1)
Exiting the Application	88	(1)
Shutting Down Your System	88	(8)
Spotlight 2 Microsoft Office	96	(84)
Inside the System Unit	114	(32)
Describing Hardware Performance	116	(1)
How Computers Represent Data	116	(4)
Representing Data as Numbers	116	(1)
Numbering Systems	117	(1)
Representing Characters: Character Code	118	(2)
Representing Very Large and Very Small Numbers	120	(1)
Introducing the System Unit	120	(2)
What's on the Outside of the Box?	122	(5)
Inside the System Unit	127	(2)
What's on the Motherboard?	129	(17)
The Central Processing Unit: The Microprocessor	129	(2)
Microprocessor Performance	131	(5)
The Chipset and Input/Output (I/O) Bus	136	(1)
Memory	137	(9)
Input/Output and Storage	146	(34)
Input Devices: Giving Commands	148	(8)
Keyboards	148	(3)
The Mouse and Other Pointing Devices	151	(2)
Audio Input: Speech Recognition and Sound Cards	153	(1)
Digital Input: Digital Cameras and Digital Video	154	(1)
Alternative Input Devices	155	(1)
Output Devices: Engaging Our Senses	156	(4)
Monitors	156	(2)
Printers	158	(1)
Audio Output: Sound Cards and Speakers	159	(1)
Alternative Output Devices	160	(1)
Storage: Holding Data for Future Use	160	(2)
Memory vs. Storage	160	(2)
Why Is Storage Necessary?	162	(1)
Storage Devices	162	(18)
Storage Technologies: Magnetic and Optical	163	(1)
The Storage Hierarchy	164	(1)
Storage Capacity and Speed	164	(1)
Hard Disks	164	(4)
Floppy and Zip Disks and Drives	168	(1)
Magnetic Tape	169	(1)
CD and DVD Technology	169	(2)
Storage Horizons	171	(9)
Spotlight 3 File Management	180	(108)
Networks: Communicating and Sharing Resources	192	(28)
Network Fundamentals	194	(11)
Physical Infrastructure	196	(2)
Bandwidth	198	(1)
Modems: From Digital to Analog and Back	199	(2)
Switching and Routing Techniques	201	(1)
Protocols	202	(1)
Network Layers	202	(1)
Advantages of Networking	203	(2)
Types of Computer Networks: LANs and WANs	205	(15)
Local Area Networks (LANs)	205	(5)
Wide Area Networks (WANs)	210	(10)
The Internet and World Wide Web	220	(38)
The Internet's History	222	(3)
A Galactic Network	222	(1)
From ARPANET to Internet	222	(2)
The Rise of a New Mass Medium	224	(1)
The Future of the Internet	225	(1)
The Internet and Web: What's the Difference?	225	(7)
The Hypertext Concept	226	(2)
Web Browsers and Web Servers	228	(1)
Web Addresses (URLs)	228	(2)
Browsing the Web	230	(2)
Web Page Design Tools	232	(1)
How the Internet Works	232	(4)
Interoperability	232	(3)
The Internet Protocols (TCP/IP)	235	(1)
Accessing the Internet and Web	236	(3)
ISPs and Backbone Service Providers	237	(1)
Intranets and Extranets	237	(1)
The Internet vs. Online Services	238	(1)
Exploring Internet Services	239	(7)
E-mail: Staying in Touch	240	(1)
Instant Messaging: E-mailing Made Faster	240	(1)
IRC: Text Chatting in Real Time	240	(1)
FTP: Transferring Files	241	(2)
Usenet: Joining Online Discussions	243	(1)
Listserv: Electronic Mailing Lists	244	(1)
Internet Telephony: Real-Time Voice and Video	244	(1)
Internet Faxing	245	(1)
Finding Information on the Web	246	(12)
Using Search Engines	246	(1)
Using Search Techniques	247	(2)
Evaluating the Information You've Found	249	(9)
Wired and Wireless Communication	258	(30)
Wired Communication via the PSTN	260	(3)
Last-Mile Technologies	263	(1)
Wireless Transmission Media	263	(4)
Infrared	263	(1)
Radio	264	(2)
Microwaves	266	(1)
Satellites	266	(1)
Convergence: Is It a Phone or a Computer?	267	(6)
Cellular Telephones	268	(2)
Personal Communication Service (PCS)	270	(2)
Fax	272	(1)
TV Internet Set-Tops	272	(1)
Wired and Wireless Home Networks	273	(3)
Home Radio-Frequency Networks	275	(1)
Home Phone-Line Networks	275	(1)
Home Power-Line Networks	275	(1)
Wired and Wireless Applications	276	(12)
Teleconferencing	276	(1)
Videoconferencing	276	(3)
Telecommuting	279	(1)
Workgroup Computing	280	(8)
Spotlight 4 Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System	288	(104)
E-Commerce, Privacy, and Security	306	(38)
Understanding Electronic Commerce	308	(4)
Business-to-Business E-Commerce	308	(1)
Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce	308	(4)
Privacy in Cyberspace	312	(7)
The Problem: Collection of Information without Consent	312	(1)
The Internet Factor	313	(1)
Protecting Privacy: Basic Principles	314	(1)
Technology and Anonymity	314	(3)
Protecting Your Privacy	317	(2)
Computer Crime and Cybercrime	319	(8)
Types of Computer Crime	319	(5)
Meet the Attackers	324	(3)
Security	327	(5)
Security Risks	327	(2)
Protecting Your Computer System	329	(3)
The Encryption Debate	332	(12)
Encryption Basics	334	(1)
Public Key Encryption	334	(1)
Encryption and Public Security Issues	335	(9)
Databases and Information Systems	344	(26)
The Levels of Data in a Database	347	(2)
Types of Database Programs	349	(5)
File Management Programs	349	(1)
Database Management Systems	349	(1)
Data Warehousing and Data Mining	350	(2)
Client/Server Database Systems	352	(1)
The Internet Connection: Going Public with Data	353	(1)
Advantages of Database Management Systems	354	(1)
Data Integrity	354	(1)
Data Independence	354	(1)
Avoidance of Data Redundancy	354	(1)
Data Security	355	(1)
Data Maintenance	355	(1)
Information Systems: Tools for Global Competitiveness	355	(2)
Functional Divisions of an Organization	355	(1)
Computerized Information Systems: Serving an Organization's Needs	356	(1)
Techniques for Information Reduction	357	(1)
Information Systems in Organizations: A Survey	357	(13)
Transaction Processing Systems	358	(1)
Management Information Systems	359	(1)
Decision Support Systems	359	(1)
Executive Information Systems	359	(1)
Knowledge Management Systems	360	(1)
Expert Systems	360	(1)
Computers and Databases in the Retail Sector	361	(9)
Systems Analysis and Design	370	(22)
Systems Analysts: Communication Counts	373	(1)
The Systems Development Life Cycle: A Problem-Solving Approach	373	(3)
The Five Phases of the SDLC	374	(1)
Avoiding Mistakes	374	(2)
The Waterfall Model	376	(1)
Phase I: Identifying the Problem and Opportunities	376	(3)
Recognizing the Need for the System	376	(1)
Defining the Problem	377	(1)
Examining Alternative Solutions	377	(1)
Developing a Plan	378	(1)
Determining Feasibility	378	(1)
Preparing the Project Proposal	379	(1)
Phase 2: Analyzing and Documenting the Existing Information System	379	(2)
Analyzing the Existing System	381	(1)
Determining the New System's Requirements	381	(1)
Phase 3: Designing the System	381	(2)
Design Tools	381	(2)
Phase 4: Implementing the System	383	(1)
Deciding Whether to Build or Buy	383	(1)
Developing the Software	383	(1)
Testing	383	(1)
Training	384	(1)
Converting Systems	384	(1)
Phase 5: Supporting the System	384	(8)
Spotlight 5 Multimedia and Virtual Reality	392