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Copyright, ii
Dedication, xvii
About the Authors, xix
Acknowledgments, xx
Reviewers, xxi
Letter from the Authors, xxv
Visual Walk-Through, xxvi
Student Textbook, xxvii
The Multimedia, xxviii
Annotated Instructor Edition, xxx
Instructor Resource CD, xxxi
Chapter 1. Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Literate, 2
Becoming a Savvy Computer User and Consumer, 4
Being Prepared for Your Career, 5
Computers in Today’s Careers, 6
Retail: Working in a Data Mine, 6
Business: Data on the Go, 6
Arts: Shall We Dance?, 7
Video Game Development: A Long Way from Pac-Man, 9
Education: Teaching and Learning, 9
Dig Deeper: What Can You Do with a Digital Home?, 10
Law Enforcement: Put Down That Mouse—You’re Under Arrest!, 12
Legal System: Welcome to the Virtual Courtroom, 14
Agriculture: High-Tech Down on the Farm, 15
Automotive Technology: Sensors and CPUs, 15
Medicine: Fact or Fiction?, 16
Medicine: The Chip Within, 18
Science: The Sims Is Just the Beginning, 19
Bits and Bytes: NASA Wants You ... to Learn, 20
Sports Science: Compute Your Way to a Better Game, 20
Nanotechnology: Careers Yet to Come, 21
Psychology: You Should Smile ... Now, 22
Understanding the Challenges Facing a Digital Society, 23
Ethics in It: Knowledge Is Power—Bridging the Digital Divide, 25
Technology in Focus: The History of the PC, 36
Chapter 2. Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts, 48
Understanding Your Computer, 50
Computers Are Data-Processing Devices, 50
Bits and Bytes: The Language of Computers, 50
Your Computer’s Hardware, 52
Input Devices, 53
Keyboards, 53
Mice and Other Pointing Devices, 57
Image Input, 59
Sound Input, 59
Input Devices for Physically Challenged Individuals, 60
Ethics in It: What Is Ethical Computing?, 61
Output Devices, 62
Monitors, 62
Printers, 64
Dig Deeper: How Inkjet and Laser Printers Work, 68
Sound Output, 69
The System Unit, 70
On the Front Panel, 70
Inside the System Unit, 76
Specialty Computers, 78
Setting It All Up, 79
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Tomorrow’s Display—You Can Take It with You!, 82
Chapter 3. Using the Internet: Making the Most of the Web’s Resources, 94
The Internet, 96
Communicating Through the Internet: E-Mail and Other Technologies, 98
Instant Messaging, 98
Podcasts and Webcasts, 98
Blogs (Weblogs) and Video Logs (Vlogs), 100
Wikis, 101
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), 102
E-Mail, 103
Group Communication, 105
Web Entertainment: Multimedia and Beyond, 106
Trends in It: Social Networking, 108
Conducting Business over the Internet: E-Commerce, 108
E-Commerce Safeguards, 110
Managing Online Annoyances, 111
Spam, 111
Cookies, 112
Malware, Adware, and Spyware, 113
Phishing and Internet Hoaxes, 114
Accessing the Web: Web Browsers, 115
Getting Around the Web: URLs, Hyperlinks, and Other Tools, 117
URLs, 117
Hyperlinks and Beyond, 118
Favorites, Live Bookmarks, and Tagging, 119
Searching the Web: Search Engines and Subject Directories, 120
Search Engines, 121
Ethics in It: What Can You Borrow from the Internet?, 122
Subject Directories, 123
Evaluating Web Sites, 124
The Internet and How It Works, 125
The Internet’s Clients and Servers, 125
Dig Deeper: Refining Your Web Searches: Boolean Operators, 126
Connecting to the Internet, 128
Broadband Connections, 128
Dial-Up Connections, 131
Choosing The Right Internet Connection Option, 132
Finding an Internet Service Provider, 132
The Future of the Internet, 133
Technology in Focus: Information Technology Ethics, 144
Chapter 4. Application Software: Programs That Let You Work and Play, 164
The Nuts and Bolts of Software, 166
More Productivity at Home, 166
Word-Processing Software, 166
Spreadsheet Software, 168
Presentation Software, 170
Database Software, 171
Personal Information Manager (PIM) Software, 172
Productivity Software Features, 172
Integrated Software Applications, 173
Software Suites, 174
Personal Financial Software, 175
Dig Deeper: Speech-Recognition Software, 176
More Media at Home, 178
Digital Image Editing Software, 178
Digital Audio Software, 180
Digital Video Editing Software, 181
Media Management Software, 182
More Fun at Home, 183
Gaming Software, 183
Educational Software, 184
Reference Software, 185
Drawing Software, 185
Business Software, 186
Home Business Software, 186
Large Business Software, 188
Specialized Business Software, 189
Getting Help with Software, 189
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Is It Real or Is It Virtual?, 190
Buying Software, 191
Software Licenses, 191
Preinstalled Software, 192
Web-Based Application Software, 192
Discounted Software, 193
Freeware and Shareware, 194
Software Versions and Systems Requirements, 195
Installing, Uninstalling, and Opening Software, 196
Ethics in It: Can I Borrow Software That I Don’t Own?, 198
Chapter 5. Using System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management, 210
System Software Basics, 212
Operating System Categories, 212
Real-Time Operating Systems, 212
Single-User Operating Systems, 213
Multiuser Operating Systems, 214
Desktop and Notebook Operating Systems, 215
Microsoft Windows, 215
Mac OS, 216
Linux, 216
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Open Source Software: Why Isn’t Everyone Using Linux, 217
Operating Systems for Servers and Mainframes, 218
What the Operating System Does, 218
The User Interface, 219
Processor Management, 220
Memory and Storage Management, 221
Ethics in It: Sugar—The Sweet OS for Every Child, 222
Hardware and Peripheral-Device Management, 224
Software Application Coordination, 225
The Boot Process: Starting Your Computer, 226
Step 1: Activating BIOS, 226
Step 2: Performing the Power-On Self-Test, 227
Step 3: Loading the Operating System, 227
Step 4: Checking Further Configurations and Customizations, 228
Handling Errors in the Boot Process, 228
The Desktop and Windows Features, 230
Organizing Your Computer: File Management, 231
Organizing Your Files, 232
Viewing and Sorting Files and Folders, 233
Naming Files, 235
Working with Files, 237
Utility Programs, 238
Display Utilities, 239
The Add or Remove Programs Utility, 240
File Compression Utilities, 240
System Maintenance Utilities, 241
System Restore and Backup Utilities, 243
Dig Deeper: How Disk Defragmenter Utilities Work, 244
The Task Scheduler Utility, 245
Accessibility Utilities, 246
Technology in Focus: Computing Alternatives, 258
Chapter 6. Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System, 272
Is It the Computer or Me?, 274
What Is Your Ideal Computer?, 275
Evaluating a Desktop or Notebook System, 277
Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System, 277
Evaluating the CPU Subsystem, 277
Analyzing Your CPU, 280
Evaluating RAM: The Memory Subsystem, 281
Virtual Memory, 283
Adding RAM, 284
Evaluating the Storage Subsystem, 285
The Hard Drive, 285
Dig Deeper: How a Hard Disk Drive Works, 287
Portable Storage Options: Flash and Optical Drives, 288
Upgrading Your Storage Subsystem, 292
Evaluating the Video Subsystem, 293
Video Cards, 293
Monitors, 294
Ethics in It: Optical Technology: A Free Lunch—or at Least a Free Copy, 295
Evaluating the Audio Subsystem, 296
Speakers, 296
Sound Cards, 297
Evaluating Port Connectivity, 298
Adding Ports: Expansion Cards and Hubs, 300
Evaluating System Reliability, 302
Making the Final Decision, 303
Trends in It: Computers in Society: How to Donate Your Old Computer Safely, 304
Chapter 7. Networking and Security: Connecting Computers and Keeping Them Safe from Hackers and Viruses, 316
Networking Fundamentals, 318
Network Architectures, 319
Describing Networks Based on Network Administration, 319
Describing Networks Based on Distance, 320
Network Components, 320
Transmission Media, 320
Network Adapters, 321
Network Navigation Devices, 321
Networking Software, 322
Types of Peer-to-Peer Networks, 322
Wired Ethernet Networks, 322
Ethernet Switches, 324
Ethernet Routers, 325
Wireless Ethernet Networks, 326
Power-Line Networks, 329
Choosing a Peer-to-Peer Network, 330
Configuring Software for Your Home Network, 331
Ethics in It: Don’t Let Data Walk Out the Front Door, 335
Keeping Your Home Computer Safe, 335
Computer Threats: Hackers, 336
What Hackers Steal, 337
Trojan Horses, 338
Denial of Service Attacks, 338
How Hackers Gain Access, 339
Computer Safeguards: Firewalls, 340
Trends in It: Computers in Society: Identity Theft—Is There More Than One You Out There?, 341
Dig Deeper: How Firewalls Work, 342
Types of Firewalls, 344
Is Your Computer Secure?, 344
Securing Wireless Networks, 345
Computer Threats: Computer Viruses, 347
Types of Viruses, 348
Computer Safeguards: Antivirus Software and Other Security Measures, 350
Antivirus Software, 350
Other Security Measures, 351
Trends in It: Careers: Cybercops on the Beat—Computer Security Careers, 353
Technology in Focus: Protecting Your Computer and Backing Up Your Data, 364
Chapter 8. Mobile Computing: Keeping Your Data on Hand, 378
Mobile Computing: Is It Right for You?, 380
Mobile Device Limitations, 381
Mobile Computing Devices, 382
Cellular Phones, 382
Cell Phone Hardware, 383
How Cell Phones Work, 385
Cell Phone Text Messaging, 385
Cell Phone Internet Connectivity, 387
Portable Media Players, 388
PMP Hardware, 390
PMP Flash Memory and File Transfer, 390
PMP Ethical Issues: Napster and Beyond, 391
PDA/Smartphones, 393
Hardware, 393
Operating Systems, 394
Memory and Storage, 396
File Transfer and Synchronization, 396
Software and Accessories, 397
Uses of Convergent Devices, 398
Ethics in It: The Power of GPS ... and the Threats, 400
Notebooks, 402
Notebook Hardware, 402
Tablet PCs, 402
Notebook Operating Systems and Ports, 403
Notebook Batteries and Accessories, 404
Trends in It: Ubiquitous Networking: Wherever You Go, There You Are, 405
Notebook or Desktop?, 407
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Nanotubes—The Next Big Thing Is Pretty Darn Small!, 409
Technology in Focus: Digital Entertainment, 420
Chapter 9. Behind the Scenes: A Closer Look at System Hardware, 436
Digital Data: Switches and Bits, 438
Electrical Switches, 438
The Binary Number System, 439
Dig Deeper: Advanced Binary and Hexadecimal Notations, 442
The CPU: Processing Digital Information, 444
The CPU Machine Cycle, 446
Ethics in It: Which Strategy Makes More Money—Sharing or Hiding?, 447
Stage 1: The Fetch Stage, 448
Stage 2: The Decode Stage, 450
Stage 3: The Execute Stage, 451
Stage 4: The Store Stage, 451
RAM: The Next Level of Temporary Storage, 451
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Printable Processors—The Ultimate in Flexibility, 452
Types of RAM, 453
Buses: The CPU’s Data Highway, 455
Making Computers Even Faster: Advanced CPU Designs, 457
Pipelining, 457
Specialized Multimedia Instructions, 458
Multiple Processing Efforts, 459
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Computer Technology—Changing the Face of Medicine, 460
Technology in Focus: Careers in IT, 472
Chapter 10. Behind the Scenes: Building Applications, 486
The Life Cycle of an Information System, 488
System Development Life Cycle, 488
Ethics in It: When Software Kills, 490
The Life Cycle of a Program, 492
Describing the Problem: The Problem Statement, 493
Making a Plan: Algorithm Development, 494
Developing an Algorithm: Decision Making and Design, 495
Top-Down Design, 497
Object-Oriented Analysis, 499
Coding: Speaking the Language of the Computer, 500
Categories of Programming Languages, 500
Dig Deeper: The Building Blocks of Programming Languages: Syntax, Keywords, Data Types, and Operators, 502
Creating Code: Writing The Program, 504
Compilation, 506
Coding Tools: Integrated Development Environments, 507
Debugging: Getting Rid of Errors, 508
Finishing the Project: Testing and Documentation, 509
Programming Languages: Many Languages for Many Projects, 510
Selecting the Right Language, 511
Windows Applications, 511
Web Applications: HTML/XHTML and Beyond, 514
The Next Great Language, 517
Trends in It: Will It Blend? Writing Your First Video Game in Blender, 519
Chapter 11. Behind the Scenes: Databases and Information Systems, 530
Life Without Databases, 532
Database Building Blocks, 533
Advantages of Using Databases, 534
Database Terminology, 535
Primary Keys, 537
Database Types, 537
Relational Databases, 537
Object-Oriented Databases, 538
Multidimensional Databases, 538
Database Management Systems: Basic Operations, 539
Creating Databases and Entering Data, 539
Input Forms, 541
Data Validation, 541
Viewing and Sorting Data, 543
Dig Deeper: Structured Query Language (SQL), 544
Extracting or Querying Data, 546
Outputting Data, 547
Relational Database Operations, 547
Trends in It: Computers in Society: Can a Database Catch a Criminal?, 548
Normalization of Data, 548
Trends in It: Computers in Society: Need Cash? Use Databases to Find Your Property, 551
Data Storage, 553
Data Warehouses, 553
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: Web Portal Enables Krispy Kreme to Manage Its Dough ... Without Going Nuts!, 554
Populating Data Warehouses, 556
Data Staging, 556
Data Marts, 557
Managing Data: Information Systems, 557
Office Support Systems, 558
Transaction Processing Systems, 558
Management Information Systems, 559
Decision Support Systems, 559
Internal and External Data Sources, 560
Model Management Systems, 560
Knowledge-Based Systems, 560
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, 562
Data Mining, 562
Ethics in It: Data, Data Everywhere—But Who Is Viewing It and Why?, 564
Chapter 12. Behind the Scenes: Networking and Security, 576
Networking Advantages, 578
Client/Server Networks, 579
Classifications of Client/Server Networks: LANs, WANs, and MANs, 581
Constructing Client/Server Networks, 583
Servers, 584
Print Servers, 585
Application Servers, 586
Database Servers, 586
E-Mail Servers, 586
Communications Servers, 586
Web Servers, 586
Network Topologies, 586
Bus Topology, 587
Ring Topology, 588
Star Topology, 589
Comparing Topologies, 591
Transmission Media, 592
Wired Transmission Media, 592
Wireless Media Options, 595
Dig Deeper: The OSI Model: Defining Protocol Standards, 596
Comparing Transmission Media, 596
Network Operating Systems, 597
Network Adapters, 599
Network Navigation Devices, 600
MAC Addresses, 601
Repeaters and Hubs, 601
Switches and Bridges, 602
Routers, 603
Network Security, 603
Ethics in It: RFID—Friend or Foe?, 604
Authentication, 605
Ethics in It: Network Technicians’ Access to Networks—Who Is Watching the Watchers?, 606
Access Privileges, 606
Physical Protection Measures, 607
Firewalls, 608
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: WiFi Phones Keep Doctors and Nurses Connected, 609
Chapter 13. Behind the Scenes: The Internet: How It Works, 622
The Management of the Internet, 624
Internet Networking, 625
Connecting to the Internet, 625
The Network Model of the Internet, 626
Data Transmission and Protocols, 627
Packet Switching, 629
TCP/IP, 629
IP Addresses and Domain Names, 630
IP Addresses, 630
Dig Deeper: Making the Connection: Connection-Oriented Versus Connectionless Protocols, 632
Domain Names, 634
DNS Servers, 634
Other Protocols: FTP and Telnet, 635
File Transfer Protocol, 635
Telnet, 635
HTTP, HTML, and Other Web Jargon, 636
HTTP and SSL, 636
HTML/XHTML, 637
XML, 638
The Common Gateway Interface, 638
Dynamic HTML, 639
Client-Side Applications, 641
Communications over the Internet, 641
E-mail, 642
Ethics in It: Politics Web 2.0 Style, 642
E-Mail Security: Encryption and Specialized Software, 643
Instant Messaging, 645
Trends in It: Emerging Technologies: The Evolving Internet, 646
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), 648
Glossary, 661
Index, 683
Credits, 697
Single PC License Agreement and Limited Warranty, EP-1

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