CourseSmart Reader

Computing Essentials 2008, Complete Edition, 19th Edition

by O'Leary, Timothy; O'Leary, Linda

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Publishing Date: 2007/12/31

eText ISBN-10

0-07-725603-4

eText ISBN-13

978-0-07-725603-6

Print ISBN-10

0-07-351670-8

Print ISBN-13

978-0-07-351670-7

Saleable Print ISBN-10

0-07-351670-8

Saleable Print ISBN-13

978-0-07-351670-7

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU, 3

Information Systems, 4

System Software, 8

Application Software, 9

Types of Computers, 10

Microcomputer Hardware, 11

Connectivity, the Wireless Revolution, and the Internet, 15

Careers in IT, 16

A Look to the Future: Using and Understanding Information Technology Means Being Computer Competent, 17

Visual Summary, 18

Chapter Review, 22

Applying Technology, 25

Expanding Your Knowledge, 26

Writing About Technology, 27

Chapter 2. THE INTERNET, THE WEB, AND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE, 29

The Internet and the Web, 30

Communication, 33

Instant Messaging, 35

Making IT Work for You: Blocking Spam, 36

Social Networking, 38

Search Tools, 39

Search Engines, 40

Metasearch Engines, 41

Specialized Search Engines, 42

Content Evaluation, 42

Electronic Commerce, 42

Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce, 43

Consumer-to-Consumer E-Commerce, 44

Web Utilities, 46

Web-Based Applications, 46

Internet Security Suites, 48

Careers in IT: Webmaster, 48

A Look to the Future: Web-Accessible Refrigerators Will Automatically Restock Themselves, 49

Visual Summary, 50

Chapter Review, 54

Applying Technology, 57

Expanding Your Knowledge, 58

Writing About Technology, 59

Chapter 3. BASIC APPLICATION SOFTWARE, 61

Application Software, 62

Common Features, 62

Making IT Work for You: Speech Recognition, 64

Word Processors, 66

Spreadsheets, 69

Database Management Systems, 74

Presentation Graphics, 77

Integrated Packages, 79

Software Suites, 80

Careers in IT: Computer Trainer, 81

A Look to the Future: Agents Will Help Write Papers, Pay Bills, and Shop on the Internet, 81

Visual Summary, 82

Chapter Review, 86

Applying Technology, 89

Expanding Your Knowledge, 90

Writing About Technology, 91

Chapter 4. SPECIALIZED APPLICATION SOFTWARE, 93

Specialized Applications, 94

Desktop Publishing, 94

Image Editors, 95

Illustration Programs, 96

Image Galleries, 96

Graphics Suites, 97

Audio and Video, 97

Making IT Work for You: Digital Video Editing, 98

Multimedia, 100

Links and Buttons, 101

Developing Multimedia Presentations, 101

Multimedia Authoring Programs, 102

Web Authoring, 103

Web Site Design, 104

Web Authoring Programs, 104

Artificial Intelligence, 106

Virtual Reality, 106

Knowledge-Based (Expert) Systems, 107

Careers in IT: Desktop Publisher, 108

A Look to the Future: Robots Can Look, Act, and Think Like Us, 109

Visual Summary, 110

Chapter Review, 114

Applying Technology, 117

Expanding Your Knowledge, 118

Writing About Technology, 119

Chapter 5. SYSTEM SOFTWARE, 120

System Software, 122

Operating Systems, 123

Categories, 124

UNIX and Linux, 127

Windows Utilities, 128

Utility Suites, 131

Device Drivers, 133

Making IT Work for You: Virus Protection and Internet Security, 134

Careers in IT: Computer Support Specialist, 137

A Look to the Future: Self-Healing Computers Can Mean an End to Computer Crashes and Performance Problems, 137

Visual Summary, 139

Chapter Review, 142

Applying Technology, 145

Expanding Your Knowledge, 146

Writing About Technology, 147

Chapter 6. THE SYSTEM UNIT, 148

System Unit, 150

Electronic Data and Instructions, 151

Binary Coding Schemes, 152

System Board, 153

Microprocessor, 155

Microprocessor Chips, 156

Specialty Processors, 156

System Clock, 159

Expansion Slots and Cards, 159

Expansion Buses, 161

Making IT Work for You: TV Tuner Cards and Video Clips, 162

Standard Ports, 164

Specialized Ports, 165

Power Supply, 166

Careers in IT: Computer Technician, 167

A Look to the Future: As You Walk out the Door, Don't Forget Your Computer, 168

Visual Summary, 169

Chapter Review, 173

Applying Technology, 176

Expanding Your Knowledge, 177

Writing About Technology, 178

Chapter 7. INPUT AND OUTPUT, 181

What Is Input?, 182

Keyboard Entry, 182

Pointing Devices, 184

Touch Screens, 185

Light Pens, 185

Scanning Devices, 186

Optical Scanners, 186

Card Readers, 187

Bar Code Readers, 187

Character and Mark Recognition Devices, 188

Image Capturing Devices, 188

Digital Cameras, 188

Digital Video Cameras, 189

Audio-Input Devices, 189

Making IT Work for You: WebCams and Instant Messaging, 190

Voice Recognition Systems, 192

What Is Output?, 192

Cathode-Ray Tubes, 193

Flat-Panel Monitors, 193

Other Monitors, 193

Ink-Jet Printer, 195

Laser Printers, 195

Thermal Printers, 196

Other Printers, 197

Audio-Output Devices, 197

Combination Input and Output Devices, 198

Fax Machines, 198

Multifunctional Devices, 198

Internet Telephones, 199

Careers in IT: Technical Writer, 200

A Look to the Future: Crashing Through the Foreign Language Barrier, 201

Visual Summary, 202

Chapter Review, 206

Applying Technology, 209

Expanding Your Knowledge, 210

Writing About Technology, 211

Chapter 8. SECONDARY STORAGE, 213

Floppy Disks, 214

Traditional Floppy Disk, 215

High-Capacity Floppy Disks, 215

Hard Disks, 216

Internal Hard Disk, 216

Hard-Disk Cartridges, 217

Hard-Disk Packs, 218

Performance Enhancements, 219

Optical Discs, 220

Compact Disc, 220

Digital Versatile Disc, 221

High-Definition Discs, 221

Other Types of Secondary Storage, 223

Solid-State Storage, 223

Making IT Work for You: iPods and Music from the Internet, 224

Internet Hard Drives, 226

Magnetic Tape, 226

Mass Storage Devices, 227

Careers in IT: Software Engineer, 228

A Look to the Future: Your Entire Life Recorded on a Single Disk, 229

Visual Summary, 230

Chapter Review, 234

Applying Technology, 237

Expanding Your Knowledge, 238

Writing About Technology, 239

Chapter 9. COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKS, 241

Communications, 242

Connectivity, 242

The Wireless Revolution, 242

Communication Systems, 243

Communication Channels, 244

Physical Connections, 244

Wireless Connections, 245

Connection Devices, 247

Connection Service, 248

Data Transmission, 249

Network Types, 253

Local Area Networks, 253

Home Networks, 254

Metropolitan Area Networks, 254

Wide Area Networks, 254

Network Architecture, 255

Configurations, 255

Making IT Work for You: Home Networking, 256

Strategies, 260

Organizational Internets, 262

Careers in IT: Network Administrator, 264

A Look to the Future: Cars That Monitor and Respond to Your Moods, Watch Out for Pedestrians, and Communicate with Other Cars, 265

Visual Summary, 266

Chapter Review, 270

Applying Technology, 273

Expanding Your Knowledge, 274

Writing About Technology, 275

Chapter 10. PRIVACY AND SECURITY, 277

Large Databases, 278

Private Networks, 280

The Internet and the Web, 280

Making IT Work for You: Spyware Removal, 284

Major Laws on Privacy, 286

Computer Criminals, 286

Computer Crime, 287

Other Hazards, 289

Measures to Protect Computer Security, 290

Ergonomics, 293

Physical Health, 293

Mental Health, 295

Environmental Protection, 296

The Green PC, 296

Personal Responsibility, 297

Careers in IT: Cryptographer, 298

A Look to the Future: Presence Technology Will Keep Track of You, Your Friends, and Everyone Else, 299

Visual Summary, 300

Chapter Review, 304

Applying Technology, 307

Expanding Your Knowledge, 308

Writing About Technology, 309

Chapter 11. INFORMATION SYSTEMS, 311

Organizational Information Flow, 312

Management Levels, 314

Information Flow, 315

Computer-Based Information Systems, 316

Transaction Processing Systems, 317

Management Information Systems, 319

Decision Support Systems, 320

Executive Support Systems, 321

Other Information Systems, 323

Careers in IT: Information Systems Manager, 325

A Look to the Future: Oftentimes, More Information Is Too Much Information, 326

A Case Study: Information Systems at DVD Direct, 327

Visual Summary, 328

Chapter Review, 331

Applying Technology, 334

Expanding Your Knowledge, 335

Writing About Technology, 336

Chapter 12. DATABASES, 339

Data Organization, 340

Batch Versus Real-Time Processing, 342

Need for Databases, 344

Database Management, 344

DBMS Structure, 346

Hierarchical Database, 346

Network Database, 347

Relational Database, 347

Multidimensional Database, 348

Object-Oriented Database, 349

Types of Databases, 350

Individual, 350

Company or Shared, 350

Distributed, 351

Proprietary, 351

Database Uses and Issues, 352

Strategic Uses, 352

Careers in IT: Database Administrator, 353

A Look to the Future: Xperanto Makes Database Searches Easier, 354

A Case Study: Databases at DVD Direct, 355

Visual Summary, 356

Chapter Review, 361

Applying Technology, 364

Expanding Your Knowledge, 365

Writing About Technology, 366

Chapter 13. SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN, 369

Systems Analysis and Design, 370

Phase 1: Preliminary Investigation, 371

Defining the Problem, 371

Suggesting Alternative Systems, 373

Preparing a Short Report, 373

Phase 2: Systems Analysis, 373

Gathering Data, 374

Analyzing the Data, 375

Documenting Systems Analysis, 377

Phase 3: Systems Design, 378

Designing Alternative Systems, 378

Selecting the Best System, 378

Writing the Systems Design Report, 379

Phase 4: Systems Development, 379

Acquiring Software, 379

Acquiring Hardware, 380

Testing the New System, 380

Phase 5: Systems Implementation, 381

Types of Conversion, 381

Phase 6: Systems Maintenance, 383

Prototyping and Rapid Applications Development, 384

Prototyping, 384

Rapid Applications Development, 384

Careers in IT: Systems Analyst, 385

A Look to the Future: The Challenge of Keeping Pace, 385

A Case Study: Systems Analysis and Design at DVD Direct, 386

Visual Summary, 387

Chapter Review, 392

Applying Technology, 395

Expanding Your Knowledge, 396

Writing About Technology, 397

Chapter 14. PROGRAMMING AND LANGUAGES, 399

Programs and Programming, 400

What Is a Program?, 400

What Is Programming?, 400

Step 1: Program Specification, 401

Program Objectives, 401

Desired Output, 402

Input Data, 402

Processing Requirements, 402

Program Specifications Document, 403

Step 2: Program Design, 403

Top-Down Program Design, 403

Pseudocode, 404

Flowcharts, 404

Logic Structures, 404

Step 3: Program Code, 407

The Good Program, 407

Step 4: Program Test, 409

Syntax Errors, 409

Logic Errors, 410

Testing Process, 410

Step 5: Program Documentation, 411

Step 6: Program Maintenance, 412

Operations, 413

Changing Needs, 414

CASE and OOP, 414

CASE Tools, 414

Object-Oriented Software Development, 415

Generations of Programming Languages, 415

Machine Languages: The First Generation, 415

Assembly Languages: The Second Generation, 416

High-Level Procedural Languages: The Third Generation, 416

Problem-Oriented Languages: The Fourth Generation, 417

Natural Languages and Visual Programming Languages: The Fifth Generation, 417

Careers in IT: Programmer, 418

A Look to the Future: Using a Wish List to Create a Program, 419

A Case Study: Programming at DVD Direct, 420

Visual Summary, 421

Chapter Review, 426

Applying Technology, 429

Expanding Your Knowledge, 430

Writing About Technology, 431

Chapter 15. YOUR FUTURE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, 433

Changing Times, 434

Technology and Organizations, 435

New Products, 435

New Enterprises, 435

New Customer and Supplier Relationships, 436

Technology and People, 436

Frustration, 437

Proactivity, 437

How You Can Be a Winner, 438

Stay Current, 438

Maintain Your Computer Competency, 438

Develop Professional Contacts, 439

Develop Specialties, 439

Making IT Work for You: Locating Job Opportunities Online, 440

Be Alert for Organizational Change, 442

Look for Innovative Opportunities, 443

Careers in IT, 444

A Look to the Future: Maintaining Computer Competency and Becoming Proactive, 445

Visual Summary, 446

Chapter Review, 450

Applying Technology, 453

Expanding Your Knowledge, 454

Writing About Technology, 455

The Evolution of the Computer Age, 456

The Buyer's Guide: How to Buy Your Own Microcomputer System, 465

The Upgrader's Guide: How to Upgrade Your Microcomputer System, 470

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