Understanding Computers

by Parker, Charles S.; Morley, Deborah

• ISBN13: 9780619187125
• ISBN10: 0619187123
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-21
• Publisher: Course Technology Ptr

Summary

A dynamic, comprehensive approach to basic through intermediate computer concepts. Known for its readability and the depth of topics covered, this book also includes an interactive Web site, which contains Web Tutors, Further Explorations, and links to NEW TechTV video projects!

Table of Contents

Preface	v
MODULE Introduction	1	(80)
Introduction to the World of Computers	3	(34)
Overview	4	(1)
Computers in Your Life	4	(4)
Why Learn About Computers?	4	(1)
Computers in the Home	5	(2)
trend: Ready-to-Wear PCs	7	(1)
Computers in Our Society	7	(1)
What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?	8	(8)
Traditional and Multimedia Hardware	9	(1)
Software	10	(1)
Data, Information, and Programs	11	(3)
Users and Computer Professionals	14	(1)
inside the industry: Programs That Run Amok	15	(1)
Computer Networks and the Internet	16	(2)
The Internet	16	(1)
Accessing Networks	16	(1)
Network Servers	17	(1)
Computer Systems to Fit Every Need	18	(7)
Mobile Devices	18	(1)
how it works: Voice-Activated Internet	19	(1)
Personal Computers	20	(2)
campus close-up: Wired Med Students	22	(1)
Midrange Computers	23	(1)
Mainframe Computers	24	(1)
Supercomputers	25	(1)
Computers and Society	25	(3)
The Information Age and the New Information Revolution	26	(1)
Benefits of a Computer-Oriented Society	26	(1)
Impact of Computers, the Internet, and a Networked Economy	26	(2)
Summary	28	(2)
Key Terms	30	(1)
Review Activities	31	(2)
Projects	33	(4)
Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web	37	(44)
Overview	38	(1)
Starting Your Computer: The Boot Process	38	(1)
Using the Windows Operating System	39	(11)
The Windows Interface	40	(6)
Opening Windows and Starting Programs	46	(1)
Manipulating Windows	47	(3)
Shutting Down the Computer	50	(1)
Using the Internet and World Wide Web	50	(13)
What Is the World Wide Web?	50	(1)
What Is a Browser?	51	(2)
how it works: Internet Appliances	53
Accessing the Internet	51	(1)
Internet Addresses	52	(3)
Surfing the Web	55	(4)
Using Bookmarks and the History List	59	(1)
Searching the Web	59	(4)
E-Mail	63	(6)
trend: Shopping Bots and other Types of Intelligent Agents	64	(1)
Sending E-Mail	65	(2)
Receiving E-Mail	67	(1)
Managing E-Mail	67	(1)
Mailing Lists, Newsgroups, Chat, and Instant Messaging	67	(1)
inside the industry: Emoticons: Expressing Yourself with Your PC	68	(1)
Netiquette	68	(1)
Downloading and Installing Plug-Ins and Other Files	69	(3)
Downloading Files	70	(1)
Using Downloaded Files	70	(2)
Summary	72	(2)
Key Terms	74	(1)
Review Activities	75	(1)
Projects	76	(5)
The History of Computers Window
MODULE Hardware	81	(128)
The System Unit: Processing and Memory	83	(46)
Overview	84	(1)
Data and Program Representation	84	(9)
Digital Data Representation	84	(2)
The Binary Numbering System	86	(1)
Coding Systems for Text-Based Data	87	(2)
Coding Systems for Other Types of Data	89	(3)
how it works: MP3 Compression	92	(1)
Machine Language	92	(1)
Inside the System Unit	93	(15)
CPU	93	(3)
trend: Smart Bullets, Smart Tennis Shoes, High-Tech Pets, and Other Unusual Uses for Microchips	96	(1)
inside the industry: Moore's Law	97	(1)
Memory	98	(3)
Buses	101	(2)
System Expansion	103	(2)
Ports	105	(3)
How the CPU Works	108	(5)
Typical CPU Components	108	(2)
The System Clock and the Machine Cycle	110	(3)
Making Computers Faster Now and in the Future	113	(7)
Speeding Up Your System Today	113	(1)
Strategies for Making Computers Speedier	114	(4)
Future Trends	118	(2)
Summary	120	(2)
Key Terms	122	(1)
Review Activities	123	(2)
Projects	125	(4)
Storage	129	(38)
Overview	130	(1)
Properties of Storage Systems	130	(3)
Physical Parts	130	(1)
Nonvolatility Property	131	(1)
Removable vs. Fixed Media	131	(1)
Random vs. Sequential Access	132	(1)
Logical vs. Physical Representation	132	(1)
Magnetic Disk Systems	133	(13)
Floppy Disks	134	(4)
Hard Disks	138	(8)
Optical Discs	146	(3)
CDs	146	(2)
DVDs	148	(1)
Magneto-Optical Discs	148	(1)
inside the industry: Holographic Storage	149	(1)
Other Types of Storage Systems	149	(4)
Magnetic Tape Systems	149	(1)
Online Storage	150	(1)
Smart Cards	150	(2)
how it works: Smart Cards	152	(1)
Flash Memory Devices	153	(1)
Comparing Storage Alternatives	153	(4)
trend: How Many Tomorrows Will Today's Data Last?	156	(1)
Summary	157	(2)
Key Terms	159	(1)
Review Activities	160	(2)
Projects	162	(5)
Input and Output	167	(42)
Overview	168	(1)
Input and Output	168	(1)
Keyboards	169	(1)
Pointing Devices	170	(6)
Mouse	170	(1)
Electronic Pens	171	(3)
Touch Screens	174	(1)
Other Pointing Devices	175	(1)
Scanners and Related Devices	176	(7)
Optical Scanners	177	(2)
Optical Readers	179	(1)
trend: No More Hanging Chads?	180	(2)
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Reader	182	(1)
Multimedia Input Devices	183	(4)
Digital Cameras	183	(1)
Video Cameras	184	(1)
Audio Input Devices	185	(1)
how it works: Voice Recognition	186	(1)
Display Devices	187	(5)
Size	187	(1)
Resolution	188	(1)
Graphics Standards	188	(1)
Color vs. Monochrome Displays	189	(1)
CRT vs. Flat-Panel Displays	189	(1)
HDTV	190	(2)
Printers	192	(6)
Characteristics of Printers	192	(1)
Personal Printers	193	(3)
Network Printers	196	(1)
Special-Purpose Printers	197	(1)
Multimedia Output Devices	198	(2)
Speakers	198	(1)
inside the industry: Point, Click, and . . . Smell?	199	(1)
Data and Multimedia Projectors	200	(1)
Voice-Output Systems	200	(1)
Multifunction Devices	200	(1)
Summary	201	(2)
Key Terms	203	(1)
Review Activities	204	(2)
Projects	206	(3)
MODULE Software	209	(86)
Systems Software	211	(40)
Overview	212	(1)
Systems Software vs. Application Software	212	(1)
The Operating System	213	(11)
Differences among Operating Systems	214	(2)
Functions of an Operating System	216	(4)
Processing Techniques for Increased Efficiency	220	(4)
Common Operating Systems for Desktop PCs and Servers	224	(8)
DOS	224	(1)
Windows	225	(3)
inside the industry: Project Code Names	228	(1)
Mac OS	228	(1)
Unix	229	(1)
Linux	230	(1)
NetWare	231	(1)
OS/2 and OS/2 Warp	232	(1)
Other Operating Systems	232	(2)
Alternative PC Operating Systems	232	(1)
Operating Systems for Mobile Devices	232	(2)
Operating Systems for Internet Appliances	234	(1)
Operating Systems for Larger Computers	234	(1)
Myths About Operating Systems	234	(2)
Myth 1: One Computer Can Have Only One Operating System Installed	234	(1)
Myth 2: It Is Difficult to Change or Upgrade Operating Systems	234	(1)
trend: Smart Cars	235	(1)
Myth 3: If You Don't Use Windows, You Can't Find Software	236	(1)
Utility Programs	236	(6)
Diagnostic Programs	237	(1)
Backup Utilities	238	(1)
Uninstall Utilities	238	(1)
Disk Defragmentation Programs	238	(1)
File Compression Programs	239	(1)
The Future of Operating Systems	240	(1)
how it works: Text Compression	241	(1)
Summary	242	(2)
Key Terms	244	(1)
Review Activities	245	(2)
Projects	247	(4)
Application Software	251	(44)
Overview	252	(1)
The Basics of Application Software	252	(7)
Document-Handling Operations	252	(1)
Software Suites	253	(1)
inside the industry: Lake Bill	254	(1)
Online Help	255	(2)
Ownership and Distribution Rights	257	(2)
Word Processing Concepts	259	(7)
What Is Word Processing Software?	259	(1)
trend: Open Source Software	260	(1)
Creating and Editing Documents	261	(2)
Formatting Documents	263	(2)
Graphics, Tables, and Templates	265	(1)
Word Processing and the Web	265	(1)
Spreadsheet Concepts	266	(6)
What Is a Spreadsheet Program?	266	(1)
Creating and Editing a Worksheet	267	(2)
Formatting a Worksheet	269	(2)
Charts and Sensitivity Analysis	271	(1)
Spreadsheets and the Web	272	(1)
Database Concepts	272	(5)
What Is a Database Program?	272	(1)
Creating a Database	273	(1)
Modifying a Database	274	(1)
Queries and Reports	275	(2)
Databases and the Web	277	(1)
Presentation Graphics Concepts	277	(3)
What Is Presentation Graphics Software?	277	(1)
Creating a Presentation	278	(2)
Enhancing a Presentation	280	(1)
Presentation Graphics and the Web	280	(1)
Other Types of Application Software	280	(6)
Desktop and Personal Publishing	281	(1)
Multimedia Software	281	(2)
Personal Information Managers	283	(1)
Project Management Software	283	(1)
Accounting and Personal Finance Software	283	(1)
Education, Entertainment, and Reference Software	283	(1)
Computer-Aided Design Software	283	(1)
how it works: Creating MP3 Files and Custom Music CDs	284	(2)
Summary	286	(2)
Key Terms	288	(1)
Review Activities	289	(2)
Projects	291	(4)
MODULE Networks	295	(1)
Communications and Networks	297	(48)
Overview	298	(1)
The Communications Industry	298	(2)
The Major Players	298	(2)
The Government and Legislation	300	(1)
Communications Applications	300	(5)
Paging and Messaging	301	(1)
Wireless Phones	301	(1)
Faxing	302	(1)
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)	302	(1)
Satellite Radio	302	(1)
Videoconferencing	303	(1)
Telecommuting	303	(1)
inside the industry: Internet Telephony	304	(1)
What Is a Network?	305	(6)
Topologies	305	(1)
Local Area Networks (LANs)	306	(2)
Wide Area Networks (WANs)	308	(1)
Other Types of Networks	309	(2)
How Networks Work	311	(13)
Wired Transmission Media	311	(2)
Wireless Transmission Media	313	(4)
Sending Data Over Communications Media	317	(1)
trend: The Making of Chicken Run	318	(3)
Connecting to a Network	321	(3)
Communications Protocols	324	(5)
Ethernet	324	(1)
Token Ring	324	(2)
TCP/IP	326	(1)
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)	327	(1)
campus close-up: Wireless in Wake Forest	328	(1)
Wireless Ethernet	328	(1)
Bluetooth	328	(1)
Other Wireless Protocols	329	(1)
Network Security Issues	329	(5)
Computer Viruses	329	(1)
how it works: Bluetooth	330	(1)
Unauthorized Access	331	(3)
Firewalls	334	(1)
Network Employment Opportunities	334	(2)
The Information Systems Department	334	(1)
Certifications	334	(2)
Summary	336	(2)
Key Terms	338	(1)
Review Activities	339	(2)
Projects	341	(4)
The Internet and World Wide Web	345	(1)
Overview	346	(1)
Evolution of the Internet2	346	(6)
From ARPANET to Internet2	346	(2)
The Internet Community Today	348	(3)
Myths About the Internet	351	(1)
Internet Connectivity Issues	352	(8)
Type of Device	353	(1)
Type of Connection	354	(2)
Type of Service Provider	356	(1)
Selecting an ISP and Setting Up Your System	357	(3)
Searching the Internet	360	(7)
Search Sites	360	(3)
Search Strategies	363	(2)
Evaluating Search Results	365	(1)
Citing Internet Resources	365	(2)
Beyond Browsing and E-Mail	367	(13)
Financial Transactions	367	(2)
how it works: Online Auctions	369	(2)
Entertainment	371	(1)
trend: Dot Cons	372	(5)
inside the industry: Napster	377	(1)
News and Research	378	(1)
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing	379	(1)
Censorship and Privacy	380	(3)
Censorship	380	(1)
Privacy	380	(3)
The Future of the Internet	383	(2)
Summary	385	(1)
Key Terms	386	(1)
Review Activities	387	(1)
Projects	388
Web Guide Window
MODULE Internet Applications	295	(308)
Multimedia and the Web	395	(42)
Overview	396	(1)
What Is Multimedia?	396	(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Multimedia	396	(1)
Multimedia Elements	397	(7)
Text	398	(1)
Graphics	398	(3)
Animation	401	(1)
Audio	402	(2)
Video	404	(1)
Multimedia Applications	404	(7)
campus close-up: Digital Sets in Akron	405	(1)
Non-Web-Based Applications	405	(2)
Web-Based Applications	407	(1)
how it works: Creating the Hollow Man	408	(3)
inside the industry: Using the Internet to Find the Next Musical Star	411	(1)
Multimedia and Web Site Design	411	(7)
Basic Design Principles	411	(1)
trend: Animated Anchors	412	(1)
Determining the Intended Audience and Objectives	413	(2)
Using Flowcharts, Page Layouts, and Storyboards	415	(1)
Navigational Design Considerations	415	(3)
Access Considerations	418	(1)
Multimedia and Web Site Development	418	(8)
Creating the Multimedia Elements	419	(3)
Creating the Application or Web Site	422	(2)
Testing the Site or Application	424	(2)
The Future of Multimedia	426	(1)
Summary	427	(2)
Key Terms	429	(1)
Review Activities	430	(2)
Projects	432	(5)
E-Business and E-Commerce	437	(40)
Overview	438	(1)
What Is E-Business and E-Commerce?	438	(5)
how it works: Smart Vending Machines	439	(1)
Benefits of E-Commerce	440	(2)
trend: Are Internet Taxes on the Way?	442	(1)
Limitations and Risks of E-Commerce	443	(1)
E-Business Applications	443	(5)
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)	443	(1)
inside the industry: The Dot-Com Fallout	444	(1)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)	445	(1)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)	446	(1)
Supply Chain Management (SCM)	446	(2)
E-Commerce	448	(1)
E-Commerce Business Models	448	(3)
Business to Consumer (B2C)	448	(1)
Business to Business (B2B)	449	(1)
Consumer to Consumer (C2C)	449	(1)
Business to Government (B2G)	449	(1)
Intermediary Hubs	449	(2)
Types of E-Commerce Web Sites	451	(3)
Manufacturer and E-Tailer Web Sites	451	(1)
E-Malls	451	(1)
Brokerage and Auction Sites	451	(3)
Implementing Web-Based E-Commerce	454	(11)
Step 1	454	(1)
Step 2	454	(1)
Step 3	454	(4)
campus close-up: Penn State ID+Smart Cards	458	(2)
Step 4	460	(1)
Step 5	460	(4)
Security Issues	464	(1)
Summary	465	(2)
Key Terms	467	(1)
Review Activities	468	(2)
Projects	470	(7)
MODULE Systems
Information Systems and Systems Development	477	(40)
Overview	478	(1)
What Is an Information System?	478	(1)
Who Uses Information Systems?	479	(1)
Executive Management	480	(1)
Middle Management	480	(1)
Operational Management	480	(1)
Nonmanagement Workers	480	(1)
Types of Information Systems	480	(11)
Office Systems	480	(2)
Transaction Processing Systems	482	(2)
Management Information Systems (MIS)	484	(1)
Decision Support Systems (DSS)	484	(1)
Enterprise-Wide Systems	485	(1)
Design and Manufacturing Systems	486	(1)
Artificial Intelligence Systems	487	(3)
how it works: Face Recognition	490	(1)
trend: Robot-Happy	491	(1)
Responsibility for Systems Development	491	(4)
The Information Systems Department	492	(1)
Outsourcing Companies	492	(2)
inside the industry: IT Perks	494	(1)
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)	495	(9)
Preliminary Investigation	496	(1)
System Analysis	496	(1)
System Design	497	(3)
System Acquisition	500	(2)
System Implementation	502	(1)
System Maintenance	502	(2)
Approaches to Systems Development	504	(2)
The Traditional Approach	504	(1)
Prototyping	504	(1)
End-User Development	505	(1)
Summary	506	(3)
Key Terms	509	(1)
Review Activities	510	(2)
Projects	512	(5)
Program Development and Programming Languages	517	(48)
Overview	518	(1)
The Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC)	518	(18)
Problem Analysis	519	(1)
Program Design	520	(8)
Program Coding	528	(5)
inside the industry: The Original Program ``Bug''	533	(1)
Program Debugging and Testing	533	(3)
Program Maintenance	536	(1)
Tools for Facilitating Program Development	536	(2)
Application Generators	536	(1)
Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE)	537	(1)
Rapid-Application Development (RAD)	538	(1)
Programming Languages	538	(11)
What Is a Programming Language?	539	(1)
Categories of Programming Languages	539	(2)
Popular Programming Languages	541	(5)
how it works: Visual Basic	546	(3)
Markup, Scripting, and Other Types of Languages	549	(6)
HTML and Other Markup Languages	549	(3)
trend: .NET	552	(1)
JavaScript and Other Scripting Languages	552	(1)
Technology Tools and Modeling Languages	553	(2)
Summary	555	(2)
Key Terms	557	(1)
Review Activities	558	(3)
Projects	561	(4)
Databases and Database Management Systems	565	(38)
Overview	566	(1)
What Is a Database?	566	(6)
Relational Databases: A Simple Example	566	(2)
File Management Systems vs. Database Management Systems	568	(1)
inside the industry: One Tech Company . . . and Hold the Fries	569	(1)
Interacting with a Database Management System	570	(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Database Approach	570	(2)
Data Concepts and Characteristics	572	(8)
Data Hierarchy	572	(1)
Data Definition	572	(2)
The Data Dictionary	574	(1)
Data Integrity and Security	575	(1)
Entity Relationships	575	(1)
Data Organization	576	(4)
Database Classifications	580	(1)
Single-User vs. Multiuser Systems	580	(1)
Client-Server Systems	580	(1)
Centralized vs. Distributed Database Systems	581	(1)
Database Models	581	(7)
The Evolution of Databases	582	(1)
Hierarchical and Network Database Models	582	(2)
The Relational Database Model	584	(3)
The Object-Oriented Database Model	587	(1)
Databases and the Web	588	(5)
Examples of Web Databases in Use	588	(2)
trend: Web-Based Customer Service	590	(1)
How Web Databases Work	590	(1)
how it works: Web-Based Package Tracking	591	(2)
Database Management Systems Personnel	593	(1)
Summary	594	(2)
Key Terms	596	(1)
Review Activities	597	(2)
Projects	599	(4)
MODULE Computers In Our Lives	603	(2)
Ethics, Computer Crime, Privacy, and Other Social Issues	605	(38)
Overview	606	(1)
Ethics	606	(1)
Ethical Issues Regarding Computers	606	(1)
Why Study Ethics?	607	(1)
Computer Crime and Security	607	(17)
Types of Computer Crime	608	(3)
inside the industry: A Technobabble Miniglossary	611	(2)
trend: FBI's Carnivore	613	(2)
how it works: Denial of Service Attack	615	(1)
Computer Crime Legislation	616	(1)
Computer Security and Safeguards Against Computer Crime	617	(7)
Computers and Privacy	624	(3)
Privacy and Electronic Mai	624	(1)
campus close-up: Gettysburg College, Wired for Information	625	(1)
Privacy and Marketing Databases	626	(1)
Privacy Legislation	627	(1)
Intellectual Property Rights	627	(2)
Copyrights	627	(1)
Trademarks	628	(1)
Patents	629	(1)
Health, Ergonomics, and the Environment	629	(4)
Stress-Related Concerns	629	(1)
Ergonomics-Related Concerns	630	(2)
Environment-Related Concerns	632	(1)
Summary	633	(2)
Key Terms	635	(1)
Review Activities	636	(2)
Projects	638	(5)
You and Your PC	643	(1)
Overview	644	(1)
PC System Components	644	(1)
System Units	644	(1)
Monitors, Printers, and Other Peripheral Devices	645	(1)
CPUs	645	(1)
Software	645	(1)
Selecting a PC System	645	(9)
Analyzing Needs	645	(2)
Listing Alternatives	647	(1)
inside the industry: Buying a PC	648	(4)
trend: Free Stuff	652	(1)
Evaluating Alternatives	653	(1)
Purchasing the PC System	653	(1)
Setting Up a New System	654	(3)
Unpacking the Components	654	(1)
Connecting the Devices	654	(1)
how it works: Setting Up a New PC	655	(1)
Adding Additional Hardware	656	(1)
Installing Additional Software	656	(1)
Customizing a New System	656	(1)
System Maintenance	657	(8)
Backup Procedures	658	(1)
Equipment Maintenance and Protection	659	(1)
Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance	660	(5)
Upgrading	665	(2)
Functional vs. Technological Obsolescence	665	(1)
Upgrading Hardware	665	(1)
Upgrading Software	666	(1)
Learning More About PCs	667	(3)
In Person	667	(1)
In Print	668	(1)
Videos or TV Shows	668	(1)
On the Web	668	(2)
Summary	670	(2)
Key Terms	672	(1)
Review Activities	673	(2)
Projects	675
Ubiquitous Computing Window
2003 Update
Introduction	1	(5)
Introduction to the World of Computers	2	(2)
Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web	4	(2)
MODULE Hardware
The System Unit: Processing and Memory	6	(2)
Storage	8	(2)
Input and Output	10	(2)
MODULE Software
Systems Software	12	(2)
Application Software	14	(2)
MODULE Networks
Communications and Networks	16	(2)
The Internet and World Wide Web	18	(2)
MODULE Internet Applications
Multimedia and the Web	20	(2)
E-Business and E-Commerce	22	(2)
MODULE Systems
Information Systems and Systems Development	24	(2)
Program Development and Programming Languages	26	(2)
Databases and Database Management Systems	28	(2)
MODULE Computers In Our Lives
Ethics, Computer Crime, Privacy, and Other Social Issues	30	(2)
You and Your PC	32	(2)
A Look at Computer Generations	34	(2)
Tech News Video Projects	36	(4)
Credits	40
Appendix	1	(1)
Quiz Answers	1	(1)
Credits	1	(1)
Glossary	1	(1)
Index	1