Technology In Action, Complete

by Evans, Alan; Martin, Kendall; Poatsy, Mary Ann

• ISBN13: 9780131878860
• ISBN10: 0131878867
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780132253567
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

For introductory courses in computer concepts or computer literacy often including instruction in Microsoft Office. & A Computer Concepts Text Focused on Today& rs" s Student! & Technology in Action engages students by combining& a unique teaching approach with rich companion media.

Author Biography

Mary Anne Poatsy is an adjunct faculty member at Montgomery County Community College. Kendall Martin has been teaching since 1988 at a number of institutions, including Villanova University, DeSales University, Arcadia University, Ursinus College, County College of Morris, and Montgomery County Community College, at both the undergraduate and master's degree level. Alan Evans is currently the director of computer science for Montgomery County Community College.

Table of Contents

Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Fluent	2	(38)
Becoming a Savvy Computer User and Consumer	4	(1)
Being Prepared for Your Career	5	(12)
Computers in Business: Working in a Data Mine?	6	(1)
Computers in Retail: Let Me Look That Up for You	6	(1)
Computers in Shipping: UPS Data on the Go	7	(1)
Computers in the Arts: Shall We Dance?	7	(2)
Computers in the Medical Field: Fact or Science Fiction?	9	(1)
Computers in Law Enforcement: Put Down That Mouse---You're Under Arrest!	10	(2)
Computers in the Legal Fields: Welcome to the Virtual Courtroom	12	(1)
Computers in Education: And on the Left, You See the Mona Lisa	12	(2)
Computers and the Sciences: Programming the Perfect Storm	14	(1)
Computers in Sports: Bend Your Elbow Another Two Degrees?	15	(1)
Computer Gaming Careers: Now Bigger Than Hollywood!	16	(1)
Computers at Home: Just Program It and Forget It	16	(1)
Getting Ready for the Technology of Tomorrow	17	(3)
Nanoscience: The Next ``Big'' Thing	17	(1)
Biomedical Chip Implants: Combining Humans with Machines?	18	(1)
Artificial Intelligence: Will Computers Become Human?	19	(1)
Understanding the Challenges Facing a Digital Society	20	(2)
Trends in It: Ethics: Knowledge Is Power: Bridging the Digital Divide	21	(1)
Becoming Computer Fluent	22	(18)
Computers Are Data Processing Devices	22	(1)
Bits and Bytes: The Language of Computers	22	(2)
Computer Hardware	24	(1)
Computer Software	25	(1)
Computer Platforms: PCs and MACs	26	(1)
Specialty Computers	26	(2)
Dig Deeper: What Can You Do with a Digital Home?	28	(12)
Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts	40	(48)
Your Computer's Hardware	42	(1)
Input Devices	42	(6)
Keyboards	42	(3)
Mice and Other Pointing Devices	45	(2)
Inputting Sound	47	(1)
Output Devices	48	(6)
Monitors	48	(2)
Printers	50	(3)
Dig Deeper: How Ink-Jet and Laser Printers Work	53	(1)
Outputting Sound	54	(1)
The System Unit	54	(8)
On the Front Panel	55	(3)
On the Back	58	(2)
Inside the System Unit	60	(2)
Setting It All Up: Ergonomics	62	(26)
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Tomorrow's Displays	64	(12)
Technology in Focus: The History of the PC	76	(12)
Using the Internet: Making the Most of the Web's Resources	88	(42)
Internet Basics	90	(6)
The Origin of the Internet	90	(1)
The Web Versus the Internet	90	(1)
The Internet's Clients and Servers	91	(1)
Connecting to the Internet	92	(1)
Dial-Up Connections	92	(1)
Broadband Connections	93	(3)
Choosing the Right Internet Connection Option	96	(1)
Finding an Internet Service Provider	96	(1)
Choosing an ISP	97	(1)
Navigating the Web: Web Browsers	97	(1)
Getting Around the Web: URLs, Hyperlinks, and Other Tools	98	(4)
URLs	99	(1)
Hyperlinks and Beyond	100	(1)
Favorites and Bookmarks	100	(1)
Tabbed Browsing	101	(1)
Searching the Web: Search Engines and Subject Directories	102	(5)
Search Engines	102	(2)
Dig Deeper: Refining Your Web Searches: Boolean Operators	104	(2)
Subject Directories	106	(1)
Evaluating Web Sites	106	(1)
Communicating Through the Internet: E-Mail and Other Technologies	107	(4)
E-Mail	107	(1)
Weblogs (Blogs)	108	(1)
Chat Rooms	109	(1)
Instant Messaging	110	(1)
Newsgroups	110	(1)
Listservs	111	(1)
Managing Online Annoyances	111	(5)
Pop-Ups	112	(1)
Cookies	113	(1)
Spyware	113	(1)
Phishing and Internet Hoaxes	114	(1)
Trends in It: Ethics: What Can You Borrow from the Internet?	115	(1)
Conducting Business Over the Internet: E-Commerce	116	(1)
E-Commerce Safeguards	116	(1)
Web Entertainment: Multimedia and Beyond	117	(2)
The Future of the Internet	119	(11)
Application Software: Programs That Let You Work and Play	130	(60)
The Nuts and Bolts of Software	132	(1)
Productivity Software	132	(11)
Word Processing Software	132	(2)
Spreadsheet Software	134	(2)
Presentation Software	136	(1)
Database Software	137	(1)
Personal Information Manager (PIM) Software	137	(1)
Productivity Software Tools	138	(1)
Integrated Software Applications vs. Software Suites	138	(2)
Dig Deeper: Speech-Recognition Software	140	(3)
Financial and Business-Related Software	143	(3)
Personal Financial Software	143	(2)
General Business Software	145	(1)
Specialized Business Software	146	(1)
Graphics and Multimedia Software	146	(5)
Desktop Publishing Software	146	(1)
Image-Editing Software	147	(1)
Drawing Software	148	(1)
Computer-Aided Design Software	149	(1)
Video-Editing Software	149	(1)
Web Page Authoring Software	150	(1)
Educational and Reference Software	151	(1)
Educational Software	151	(1)
Reference Software	152	(1)
Entertainment Software	152	(2)
Digital Audio Software	154	(1)
Communications Software	154	(2)
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Is It Real or Is It Virtual?	155	(1)
Getting Help with Software	156	(1)
Buying Software	157	(3)
Standard Software	157	(1)
Discounted Software	158	(1)
Freeware and Shareware	158	(2)
Software Versions and Systems Requirements	160	(1)
Installing/Uninstalling and Opening Software	160	(30)
Trends In It: Ethics: Can I Borrow Software That I Don't Own?	163	(11)
Technology in Focus: Digital Entertainment	174	(16)
Using System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management	190	(44)
System Software Basics	192	(1)
Operating System Categories	192	(2)
Real-Time Operating Systems	193	(1)
Single-User Operating Systems	193	(1)
Multiuser Operating Systems	194	(1)
Desktop Operating Systems	194	(4)
Microsoft Windows	195	(1)
Mac OS	196	(1)
Unix	196	(1)
Linux	196	(1)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Open-Source Software---Why Isn't Everyone Using Linux?	197	(1)
What the Operating System Does	198	(5)
The User Interface	199	(1)
Processor Management	200	(1)
Memory and Storage Management	201	(1)
Hardware and Peripheral Device Management	201	(1)
Software Application Coordination	202	(1)
The Boot Process: Starting Your Computer	203	(4)
Step 1: Activating BIOS	204	(1)
Step 2: Performing the Power-On Self-Test	204	(1)
Step 3: Loading the Operating System	204	(1)
Step 4: Checking Further Configurations and Customizations	205	(1)
Handling Errors in the Boot Process	205	(2)
The Desktop and Windows Features	207	(2)
Organizing Your Computer: File Management	209	(5)
Organizing Your Files	209	(2)
Viewing and Sorting Files and Folders	211	(1)
Naming Files	212	(2)
Working With Files	214	(1)
Utility Programs	214	(20)
Display Utilities	216	(1)
The Add or Remove Programs Utility	216	(1)
File Compression Utilities	217	(1)
System Maintenance Utilities	218	(1)
System Restore and Backup Utilities	219	(1)
Dig Deeper: How Disk Defragmenter Utilities Work	220	(2)
The Task Scheduler Utility	222	(1)
Accessibility Utilities	222	(12)
Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System	234	(56)
To Buy or to Upgrade: That Is the Question	236	(1)
What Is Your Ideal Computer?	237	(1)
Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System	238	(1)
Evaluating the CPU Subsystem	239	(3)
Upgrading Your CPU	240	(2)
Evaluating RAM: The Memory Subsystem	242	(3)
Virtual Memory	243	(1)
Adding RAM	244	(1)
Evaluating the Storage Subsystem	245	(7)
The Hard Disk Drive	245	(1)
Dig Deeper: How a Hard Disk Drive Works	246	(2)
Portable Storage Options: The Floppy and Beyond	248	(4)
Upgrading Your Storage Subsystem	252	(1)
Evaluating the Video Subsystem	252	(4)
Video Cards	252	(1)
Trends In It: Ethics: CD and DVD Technology: A Free Lunch---or at Least a Free Copy	253	(1)
Monitors	254	(2)
Evaluating the Audio Subsystem	256	(2)
Speakers	256	(1)
Sound Cards	256	(2)
Evaluating Port Connectivity	258	(4)
Adding Ports: Expansion Cards and Hubs	260	(2)
Evaluating System Reliability	262	(2)
Trends In It: Computers in Society: How to Donate Your Old Computer Safely	263	(1)
Making the Final Decision	264	(26)
Technology in Focus: Computing Alternatives	276	(14)
Networking and Security: Connecting Computers and Keeping Them Safe from Hackers and Viruses	290	(44)
Networking Fundamentals	292	(1)
Network Architectures	293	(1)
Describing Networks Based on Network Control	293	(1)
Describing Networks Based on Distance	294	(1)
Network Components	294	(2)
Transmission Media	294	(1)
Network Adapters	295	(1)
Network Navigation Devices	295	(1)
Networking Software	295	(1)
Types of Peer-to-Peer Networks	296	(8)
Wired Ethernet Networks	296	(4)
Wireless Ethernet Networks	300	(2)
Power-Line Networks	302	(1)
Phoneline Networks	303	(1)
Choosing a Peer-to-Peer Network	304	(1)
Configuring Software for Your Home Network	305	(3)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Grid Computing: Fighting Bioterrorism with Your Computer	308	(1)
Keeping Your Home Computer Safe	308	(1)
Computer Threats: Hackers	309	(5)
What Hackers Steal	310	(1)
Trojan Horses	310	(1)
Trends In It: Computers In Society: Identity Theft: Is There More Than One You Out There?	311	(1)
Denial of Service Attacks	311	(1)
How Hackers Gain Access	312	(2)
Computer Safeguards: Firewalls	314	(3)
Dig Deeper: How Firewalls Work	314	(2)
Types of Firewalls	316	(1)
Is Your Computer Secure?	316	(1)
Securing Wireless Networks	317	(1)
Computer Threats: Computer Viruses	318	(3)
Types of Viruses	320	(1)
Virus Classifications	321	(1)
Computer Safeguards: Antivirus Software	321	(13)
Other Security Measures	322	(1)
Trends in It: Careers: Cybercops on the Beat: Computer Security Careers	323	(11)
Mobile Computing: Keeping Your Data on Hand	334	(52)
Mobile Computing: Is It Right for You?	336	(2)
Mobile Device Limitations	336	(2)
Mobile Computing Devices	338	(1)
Paging Devices	338	(1)
Cellular Phones	339	(4)
Cell Phone Hardware	339	(2)
How Cell Phones Work	341	(1)
Cell Phone Features: Text Messaging	341	(1)
Cell Phone Internet Connectivity	342	(1)
MP3 Players	343	(5)
MP3 Hardware	345	(1)
MP3 Flash Memory and File Transfer	345	(1)
MP3 Ethical Issues: Napster and Beyond	346	(1)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Why Carry Your Data When You Can Wear It?	347	(1)
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)	348	(6)
PDA Hardware	348	(1)
PDA Operating Systems	349	(1)
PDA Memory and Storage	350	(1)
PDA File Transfer and Synchronization	351	(1)
PDA Internet Connectivity	352	(1)
PDA Software and Accessories	353	(1)
PDA or Cell Phone?	353	(1)
Dig Deeper: The Power of GPS	354	(1)
Tablet PCs	354	(5)
Tablet PC Hardware	356	(1)
Tablet Software	357	(1)
Tablet or PDA?	357	(1)
Trends In It: Ubiquitous Networking: Wherever You Go, There You Are	358	(1)
Laptops	359	(27)
Laptop Hardware	359	(1)
Laptop Operating Systems and Ports	359	(1)
Laptop Batteries and Accessories	360	(1)
Laptop or Desktop?	361	(1)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Nanotubes: The Next Big Thing Is Pretty Darn Small!	362	(12)
Technology in Focus: Protecting Your Computer and Backing Up Your Data	374	(12)
Behind the Scenes: A Closer Look at System Hardware	386	(32)
Digital Data: Switches and Bits	388	(5)
Electronic Switches	388	(1)
The Binary Number System	389	(2)
Dig Deeper: Advanced Binary and Hexadecimal Notations	391	(2)
The CPU: Processing Digital Information	393	(6)
The CPU Machine Cycle	395	(1)
Stage 1: The Fetch Stage	396	(1)
Stage 2: The Decode Stage	397	(1)
Stage 3: The Execute Stage	398	(1)
Stage 4: The Store Stage	398	(1)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Printable Processors: The Ultimate in Flexibility	399	(1)
RAM: The Next Level of Temporary Storage	399	(2)
Types of RAM	400	(1)
Buses: The CPU's Data Highway	401	(2)
Making Computers Even Faster: Advanced CPU Designs	403	(15)
Pipelining	404	(1)
Specialized Multimedia Instructions	405	(1)
Multiple Processing Efforts	406	(1)
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Computer Technology Changing the Face of Medicine	407	(11)
Behind the Scenes: Software Programming	418	(44)
The Life Cycle of an Information System	420	(3)
System Development Life Cycle	420	(2)
Trends In It: Careers: Considering a Career in Systems Development?	422	(1)
The Life Cycle of a Program	423	(1)
Describing the Problem: The Problem Statement	424	(2)
Making a Plan: Algorithm Development	426	(5)
Developing an Algorithm: Decision Making and Design	426	(3)
Top-Down Design	429	(1)
Object-Oriented Analysis	430	(1)
Coding: Speaking the Language of the Computer	431	(8)
Categories of Programming Languages	432	(1)
Creating Code: Writing the Program	433	(1)
Dig Deeper: The Building Blocks of Programming Languages: Syntax, Keywords, Data Types, and Operators	434	(4)
Compilation	438	(1)
Coding Tools: Integrated Development Environments	438	(1)
Debugging: Getting Rid of Errors	439	(1)
Finishing the Project: Testing and Documentation	440	(1)
Programming Languages: Many Languages for Many Projects	441	(21)
Selecting the Right Language	442	(1)
Windows Applications	442	(3)
Web Applications: HTML/XHTML and Beyond	445	(4)
The Next Great Language	449	(2)
Trends In It: Computers in Society: Alice: Making Programming Fun and Approachable	451	(11)
Behind the Scenes: Databases and Information Systems	462	(42)
Life Without Databases	464	(1)
Database Building Blocks	465	(5)
Advantages of Using Databases	466	(1)
Database Terminology	467	(2)
Primary Keys	469	(1)
Database Types	470	(1)
Relational Databases	470	(1)
Object-Oriented Databases	470	(1)
Object-Relational Databases	470	(1)
Database Management Systems: Basic Operations	471	(9)
Creating Databases and Entering Data	471	(2)
Input Forms	473	(1)
Data Validation	473	(2)
Viewing and Sorting Data	475	(1)
Dig Deeper: Structured Query Language (SQL)	476	(2)
Extracting or Querying Data	478	(1)
Trends in It: Computers in Society: Can a Database Catch a Criminal?	479	(1)
Outputting Data	480	(1)
Relational Database Operations	480	(3)
Normalization of Data	480	(3)
Data Storage	483	(3)
Data Warehouses	483	(1)
Trends In It: Computers in Society: Need Cash? Use Databases to Find Your Property	484	(1)
Populating Data Warehouses	485	(1)
Data Staging	486	(1)
Data Marts	486	(1)
Managing Data: Information Systems	486	(5)
Office Support Systems	487	(1)
Transaction Processing Systems	488	(1)
Management Information Systems	489	(1)
Decision Support Systems	489	(1)
Internal and External Data Sources	490	(1)
Model Management Systems	490	(1)
Knowledge-Based Systems	491	(1)
Data Mining	491	(13)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Web Portal Enables Krispy Kreme to Manage Its Dough . . . Without Going Nuts!	492	(12)
Behind the Scenes: Networking and Security	504	(42)
Networking Advantages	506	(1)
Client/Server Networks	506	(2)
Classifications of Client/Server Networks: LANs, WANs, and MANs	508	(2)
Constructing Client/Server Networks	510	(1)
Servers	511	(2)
Print Servers	512	(1)
Application Servers	512	(1)
Database Servers	512	(1)
E-Mail Servers	512	(1)
Communications Servers	512	(1)
Web Servers	513	(1)
Network Topologies	513	(5)
Bus Topology	513	(1)
Ring Topology	514	(2)
Star Topology	516	(2)
Comparing Topologies	518	(1)
Transmission Media	518	(4)
Wired Transmission Media	519	(2)
Wireless Media Options	521	(1)
Comparing Transmission Media	521	(1)
Network Operating Systems	522	(3)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Virtual Network Computing Is Here and It's Free	523	(1)
Dig Deeper: The OSI Model: Defining Protocol Standards	524	(1)
Network Adapters	525	(2)
Network Navigation Devices	527	(3)
MAC Addresses	527	(1)
Repeaters and Hubs	528	(1)
Switches and Bridges	528	(1)
Routers	528	(2)
Network Security	530	(16)
Authentication	530	(1)
Access Privileges	530	(1)
Physical Protection Measures	530	(2)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: Wi-Fi Phones Keep Doctors and Nurses Connected	532	(1)
Firewalls	533	(2)
Trends In It: Computers in Society: What's Shakin'? California Maintains a Reliable Network to Respond to Earthquake Emergencies	535	(11)
Behind the Scenes: The Internet: How It Works	546	(55)
The Management of the Internet	548	(1)
Internet Networking	548	(5)
Connecting Internet Service Providers	549	(1)
T Lines	550	(1)
Network Access Points	550	(2)
Points of Presence	552	(1)
The Network Model of the Internet	552	(1)
Data Transmission and Protocols	553	(2)
Packet Switching	554	(1)
TCP/IP	555	(1)
IP Addresses and Domain Names	555	(5)
Domain Names	557	(1)
DNS Servers	557	(1)
Dig Deeper: Making the Connection: Connection-Oriented Versus Connectionless Protocols	558	(2)
Other Protocols: FTP and Telnet	560	(1)
HTTP, HTML, and Beyond	561	(5)
HTTP and SSL	562	(1)
HTML/XHTML	562	(1)
The Common Gateway Interface	563	(1)
Client-Side Applications	564	(1)
XML	565	(1)
Communications Over the Internet	566	(35)
Trends In It: Careers: If You Build It, Will They Come? Web Development and Design Careers	567	(1)
E-mail	567	(2)
Trends In It: Computers in Society: Have You Ever Used an Extranet or a Virtual Private Network?	569	(1)
E-Mail Security: Encryption and Specialized Software	570	(2)
Instant Messaging	572	(2)
Trends In It: Emerging Technologies: The Evolving Internet	574	(12)
Technology in Focus: Careers in IT	586	(15)
Glossary	601	(20)
Index	621	(20)
Credits	641