Chapter 1 Introducing Computers to the Internet

Module1A Becoming Fluent with Computers and the Internet

The Need for Computer Fluency

What Is a Computer，Anyway?

Understanding the Computer：Basic Definitions

What Computers Can't Do（Yet）

The Information Processing Cycle in Action：Batch vs.Interactive Processing

So What?

Computer Systems

Introducing Hardware：The Computer's Physical Components

Input：Getting Data into the Computer

Processing：Transforming Data into Information

Output：Displaying the Information

Storage：Holding Programs and Data for Future Use

Communications Devices

Types of Computers

Introducing Software：Telling the Computer What to Do

Creating Software

Using Software

Types of Software

System Software

Operating System（OS）

System Utilities

Application Software

Packaged vs.Custom Software

Office Applications

The Internet

Module1B History of Computers and the Internet

Steps Toward Modern Computing

First Steps： Calculators

The Technological Edge：Electronics

Putting It All Together：The ENIAC

The Stored-Program Concept

The Computer's Family Tree

The First Generation（1950s）

The Second Generation（Early 1960s）

The Third Generation（Mid-1960s to Mid-1970s）

The Fourth Generation（1975 to the Present）

A Fifth Generation?

The Internet Revolution

Lessons Learned

Chapter 2 Exploring Computer Hardware：What's in the Box?

Module2A Inside the System Unit

Hardware vs.Software

Macs and PCs

Describing Hardware Performance

Bits and Bytes

Thousands′Millions′and More

Introducing the System Unit

What's on the Outside of the Box?

Power Switch

Connectors

Front Panel

Inside the System Unit

What's on the Motherboard?

System Clock

The Microprocessor

Benchmarks

Memoy

Chipset

Input/Output（I/O）Buses

How Computers Represent Data

Digital/Analog Representation

Numbering Systems

Representing Numbers

Representing Very Large and Very Small Numbers

Representing Characters

Module2B Storing Data：ElectronicFiling Cabinets

Memory vs.Storage

Why Is Storage Necessary?

Types of Storage Devices

Read/Write Media vs.Read-Only Media

Sequential vs.Random Access Storage

Storage Technologies：Magnetic and Optical

The Storage Hierarchy

Capacity of Storage Devices

Speed of Storage Devices（Access Time）

Floppy Disks and Floppy Disk Drives

What Does “Floppy” Mean?

Storage Capacities of Floppy Disks

Protecting Your Data

Floppy Disk Drives

How Floppy Drives Work

Formatting：Preparing Disks for Use

Beyond the Floppy：High-Capacity Disks and Drives

Hard Disks

Why Are Hard Disks Needed?

How Hard Disks Work

Factors Affecting Hard Disk Performance

Hard Disk Interfaces

Disk Caches：Improving a Hard Disks Performance

Hard Disk Longevity

RAID

Removable Hard Disks

Magnetic Tape：Still Useful

CD-ROM Discs and Drives

CD-R and CD-RW Discs and Recorders

DVD-ROM Discs and Drives

More Optical Storage Technologies

Storage Horizons

FMD-ROM

Storage Area Networks（SAN）

Module2C Input and Output：Data In′Information Out

Understanding Input：Not Just Data Entry

Input Devices：The Computer's“Senses”

Introducing Keyboards

Using a Computer Keyboard

Alternative Keyboards

Entering International Characters

Health Risks of Keyboard Use

Speech Recognition

Pointing Devices

Types of Mice

Health Risks of Mouse Usage

More Ways to Control the Computer

More Ways to Get Data Into the Computer

Input Devices in Business′Industry and Science

Understanding Output： Making Data Meaningful

Output Devices： Engaging Our Senses

Visual Display Systems

Data Projectors

Printers

Plotters

Fax Output

Audio Output：Sound Cards and Speakers

Tactile Feedback

Chapter 3The World of Computer Software

Module3A System Software：Keeping the Computer Running Smoothly

Operating System（OS）：The Computer's Traffic Cop

Managing Programs

Managing Memory

Handling Input and Output

User Interface

Exploring Popular Operating Systems：A Guided Tour

UNIX

Xerox PARC and the First GUI

MS-DOS

Mac OS

Microsoft Windows 3.x

Microsoft Windows 95 and98

Microsoft Windows CE

Microsoft Windows NT

Microsoft Windows 2000

Linux

Starting the Computer

The BIOS Screen and Setup Program

The Power-On Self-Test （POST）

Loading the OS

Authentication

System Utilities：Tools for Housekeeping

File Management

File Finders

Backup Utilities

Antivirus Software

File Compression Utilities

Disk Scanning Utilities

File Defragmentation Programs

Module3B Application Software：Essentials for Knowledge Workers

Horizontal vs. Vertical Applications

Types of Application Soft ware

System Requirements

Commercial Programs′Shareware′and Freeware

Software Licenses

Distribution Methods

Documentation

Software Versions

Installation

Registration

Visual Metaphors：Working in Familiar Ways

Integrated Programs and Suites：The All-in-One Approach

Using Application Software

Installing Applications

Launching Applications

Understanding the Application's Window

Getting Help

Understanding Menus

Choosing Preferences

Using Popup Menus

Using Wizards

Creating New Documents

Open an Existing Document

Saving Your Work

Exiting the Application

Shutting Down Your System

Web Integration：A New Way to Get the Word Out

Chapter 4Concepts of Application Software

Module4A Writing with Word Processing Soft ware

Word Processing Software：The Electronic Scribe

Composing Your Document

Editing Your Document

Formatting

Printing

The Internet Connection

Desktop Publishing

Module4B Creating Electronic Spreadsheets

Introducing Spreadsheet Software

Exploring the Worksheet

Using a Spreadsheet Program

Selecting Cells

Entering Data in the Worksheet

Editing Data

Formatting Data

Entering Formulas

Editing the Worksheet Structure

Printing Your Worksheet

Designing an Effective Worksheet

Creating Worksheet Charts

Advanced Spreadsheet Features

Spreadsheet Risks

Module4C Designing Presentations

Introducing Presentation Graphics Software

Presentation Graphics vs.Analytical Graphics

Exploring the Application Window

Creating a Presentation

Choosing a Template

Choosing the Slide Layout

Using Placeholders

Inserting Charts′Clip Art′and Drawings

Viewing and Organizing Your Presentation

Producing the Output Media

Additional Features for On-Screen Presentations

The Internet Connection

Using Visual Aids Effectively

Module4D Building Databases

Database Concepts： The Essentials

Records and Fields

The Ideal Database System

Types of Database Programs

File Management Programs

Database Management Systems

Data Warehousing and Data Mining

Introducing Database Software

Database Objects

Designing a Database

Understanding Data Types

Creating a Table with the Table Wizard

Creating a Form with the Form Wizard

Creating a Query with the Query Wizard

Creating Reports with the Report Wizard

Client/Server Database Systems

The Internet Connection：Going Public with Data

Chapter 5Multimedia and Virtual Reality

Module5A Multimedia：Lights!Cameras!Action!

Introducing Multimedia

Multimedia Hardware

Multimedia Applications

Multimedia Resources：Introducing the Cast

Compression and Decompression（Codecs）

Paint Programs

Image Editors

Drawing Programs

Animation Programs

3-D Rendering Programs

Video Editors

Audio Software

Multimedia Authoring Systems：Writing the Script

Module5B Virtual Environments

Virtual Reality：Toward the Holodeck?

Enhancing the Immersive Experience：VR Hardware

Bringing VR to the Internet：VRML

Practical Applications of VR

Computer Games

The VR Factor

Too Much Violence?

MUDs

Chapter 6Data Communications

Module6A Telecommunications：Exchanging Data via the Telephone System

Understanding the Telephone System

Quality of Service

Local Exchange Carriers （LECs）

Long-Distance Transmission Media

Standards and Regulations

More Ways to Access the System

The PSTN in Perspective

Modems：From Digital to Analog and Back

How Modems Work

Asynchronous Communication

Modulation Protocols

Fax

Digital Telephony：Living with Twisted Pair

Bandwidth

Last Mile Technologies

Alternatives to Digital Telephony

Direct Broadcast Satellite（DBS）

Cable Modems

Electrical Power Systems

Convergence： Is It a Phone or a Computer?

The Everything PC

TV Internet Set-Tops

Personal Communication Service（PCS）

Internet Telephony

Internet Faxing

Module6B Networks：Superhighways for Digital Information

Introducing Computer Networks：Synergy at Work

What Is a Computer Network?

Types of Computer Networks：LANs and WANs

Networking Synergies in a Nutshell

Network Fundamentals

Physical Media

Switching and Routing Techniques

Protocols

Network Layers

Local Area Networks（LANs）：Limited Reach,Fast Connections

Networking Hardware：Network Interface Cards（NICs）

Networking Software

Media

LAN Topologies

LAN Technologies

LAN Protocols

Wide Area Networks（WANs）：Long-Haul Carriers

How WANs Work

How WANs Are Organized

WAN Protocols

WAN Applications

Chapter 7The Internet and the Web：Welcome to Cyberspace

Module7A Understanding the Internet

Introducing the Internet：The Network of Networks

A Galactic Network

Interoperability

Leave the Lower Layers to the LANs and WANs

The Internet vs.Online Services

The Internet's History

Internet Software： Clients and Servers

Exploring Internet Services

Electronic Mail（Email）：Staying in Touch

The World Wide Web（WWW）：Accessing Information

FTP：Transferring Files

Usenet：Joining Online Discussions

IRC：Text Chatting in Real Time

Internet Telephony：Real-Time Voice and Video

More Internet Services

How the Internet Works：A Geography of Cyberspace

Configuring Your Computer for Internet Access

Accessing the Internet

Internet Service Providers（ISPs）

Backbones

The Internet Protocols（TCP/IP）

The Domain Name System

Intranets：Using TCP/IP Inside the Enterprise

The Future of the Internet

More Internet Addresses

More Bandwidth

Module7B The World Wide Web and E-Commerce

Welcome to the Web

The Hypertext Concept

Web Browsers and Web Servers

Web Addresses（URLs）

Web Protocols

Web Page Design Tools

Browsing the Web

Exploring Your Browser′s Window

Default Start Page

Accessing Web Pages

Using the Back and Forward Buttons

Using Navigation Aids

History List

Favorites and Bookmarks

Finding Information on the Web

Understanding Information Discovery Tools

Subject Guides

Search Engines

Search Techniques

Inclusion and Exclusion

Wildcards

Phrase and Boolean Searches

Evaluating the Information You've Found

Rules for Critically Evaluating Web Pages

Locating Material in Published Works

Authoritative Sources Online

Electronic Commerce

Business-to-Business E-Commerce

Online Shopping

Secure Electronic Transactions（SET）

Online Banking

Online Stock Trading

E-Postage

Module 7C Using Email

Email Fundamentals

Email Servers and Clients

Email Addresses

Email Protocols

Introducing Email Clients

Getting an Account

Setting Up Your Email Client

Exploring Your Email Clien＇s Window

Composing′ Receiving′ and Forwarding Email

Logging On to the Mail Server

Receiving Email

Replying Directly to the Author

Replying to All

Composing Email

Email Tips

Forwarding Email

Receiving Attachments：Beware!

Sending Attachments：Be Courteous

Managing Email

Organizing Your Mail

Filtering Incoming Mail

Mailing Lists

Subscribing to a Mailing List

Participating in a Mailing List

Unsubscribing

Using Email Responsibly

Using Email at Work

Backup Tapes

Additional Risks

How to Stay out of Trouble

Module7D Creating a Web Page

The Web Publishing Process

Defining Your Purpose

Defining Your Audience：Who's Reading Your Page?

Introducing HTML

Content vs.Structure

Structure vs.Presentation

HTML Markup vs.Word Processing Formats

Introducing HTML Elements

Tools for Creating HTML

Making Design Decisions

Creating Your Page

Choosing Your HTML Editor

Entering the Global Structure

Defining the Head

Creating the Body

Adding Hyperlinks

Adding Images

Testing Your Page

Publishing Your Page

Web Publishing Horizons

Learning More HTML

XML：The Web's Next Language

Introducing XML

How XML Works

Introducing XHTML

Chapter 8Creating Information Systems

Module8A Introducing Information Systems

Computerized Information Systems（CIS）：Serving an Organization's Needs

Understanding Complex Organizations：The Power Pyramid

Functional Divisions of an Organization

Chain of Command

Information：The Good Kind and the Other Kind

Characteristics of Valuable Information

Techniques of Information Reduction

Information Systems in Organizations：A Survey

Transaction Processing System（TPS）

Management Information System（MIS）

Decision Support System（DSS）

Executive Information System（EIS）

Expert System

Knowledge Management System

Computer-Supported Cooperative Work（CSCW）

Workflow Automation

Business Process Reengineering（BPR）

Data Warehousing and Data Mining

Computers in the Retail Sector

At the Checkout Stand

Retail the Wal-Mart Way

Module8B3 Systems Analysis and Design

System Analysts：Communication Counts

The Systems Development Life Cycle（SDLC）：A Problem-Solving Approach

The Five Phases of SDLC

Avoiding Mistakes

The Watertall Model

Phase1：Identifying the Problem and Opportunities

Recognizing the Need for the System

Defining the Problem

Identifying Opportunities

Developing a Plan

Determining Feasibility

Preparing the Project Proposal

Phase2：Analyzing and Documenting the Existing Information System

Analyzing the Existing System

Determining the New System's Requirements

Phase3：Designing the System

Phase4：Implementing the System

Deciding to Build or Buy

Developing the Software

Testing

Training

Converting Systems

Phase5：Supporting the System

Module8C Programming Languages and Program Development

First-Generation Languages：1s and Os

Second-Generation Languages：A Little Easier

Third-Generation Languages：Programming Comes of Age

Compilers and Interpreters

Spaghetti Code and the Great Software Crisis

Structured Programming Languages

Modular Programming Languages

Fourth-Generation Languages：Getting Away from Procedure

Object Oriented Programming：A Revolution in the Making?

Eliminating the Program vs.Data Distinction

What Is an Object?

Classes

Inheritance

Rapid Application Development（RAD）

Middleware（Objects Across the Enterprise）

A Guide to Programming Languages：One Size Doesn't Fit All

COBOL and Fortran：For Some People，Retro Rules!

Structured and Modular Languages

Object-Oriented（OO）Languages

Introducing the Program Development Life Cycle

Phase1：Defining the Problem

Phase2：Designing the Program

Phase3：Coding the Program

Phase4：Testing and Debugging the Program

Phase5：Formalizing the Solution

Phase6：Implementing and Maintaining the Program

Chapter 9Social and Ethical Issues of Computing

Module9A Privacy and Encryption

Privacy and Anonymity in Cyberspace

The Problem：Collection of Information Without Consent

The Internet Factor

Protecting Privacy： Basic Principles

Anonymity

How Is Technology Eroding Privacy and Anonymity?

Cookies

Global Unique Identifiers （GUIDs）

Is Self-Regulation Sufficient?

Privacy at Work

Protecting Your Privacy Online

The Encryption Debate

Encryption Basics

The Problem of Key Interception

Public-Key Encryption

Security Issues of Strong Encryption

Export Restrictions

The Global Dimension

Module9B Computer Crime and Security

Scope of the Problem

Computer and Internet Crime：Tools and Techniques

Tricks for Obtaining Passwords

Salami Shaving and Data Diddling

Forgery

Security Loophole Detection Programs

Computer Viruses

More Rogue Programs

Meet the Attackers

Crackers,Cyber Gangs,and Virus Authors

Disgruntled Employees

Spies

Swindlers

Shills

Cyberstalkers and Sexual Predators

Enemies and Terrorists

What's at Stake?

Consumption of Staff Time

Downtime

Fraud and Theft

Adverse Publicity

Vandalism

Character Assassination

Loss of Privacy

Risks to Public Safety

Denial of Service

Playing It Safe

Protecting Computers from Power-Related Problems

Controlling Access

Using Firewalls

Using Encryption

Using Antivirus Programs

Backing Up Data

Avoiding Scams

Preventing Cyberstalkers

Module9C Ethics：Doing the Right Thing

Avoiding Computer-Related Legal Problems

Plagiarism

Software Piracy

Copyright Infringement

Introducing Ethics

Moral Dilemmas

Ethical Principles

Thinking Through Moral Dilemmas

Computer Ethics for Computer Users

Ten Commandments for Computer Ethics

Netiquette

Computer Ethics for Computer Professionals

Safety First

Additional Ethical Responsibilities

The ACM Code of Conduct

Programmer Liability

Computer Ethics in Business

Whistle-Blowing

Chapter 10Computers and You

Module10A Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System

Get Started the Right Way

Notebook or Desktop?

Mac or PC?

Top-of-the-Line or Bargain Bin Special?

Anticipate Your Software Needs

Choose the Right Hardware

Processors

Memory

Hard Disks

Video Cards and Monitors

Modems

Network Cards

Sound

Keyboard and Mouse

Uninterruptible Power Supply（UPS）

Get the Right Printer

Shop Wisely

Buying Used

Name-Brand Windows PCs

Generic Windows PCs

Building Your Own Windows PC

Caring for Your Computer System

Upgrading Your System

Removing the Cover

Adding Expansion Boards

Upgrading Memory

Replacing the Cover

Module10B Avoiding Risks to Your Health

Eyesight Problems

Computer Vision Syndrome（CVS）

Preventing CVS

Accessories for Eye Protection

Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Computer-Related CTDs

Symptoms

How Serious Are CTDs?

Preventing Cumulative Trauma Disorder

Accessories for CTD Prevention

Improving Computer Access for People with Disabilities

Module10C Careers and Certification

Traditional Information Technology（IT）Career Paths

Training for Traditional IT Careers

Traditional Methods of Continuing Education

Jobs for Nondegreed IT Workers

New Information Technology （IT） Career Paths

Sought-After Business Skills

Sought-After Technology Skills

New Technologies,New Jobs

Certification

The Effect of Computers on Overall Emp+loyment

Module10D Emerging Technologies

Tomorrow's Hardware：Faster,Cheaper,Connected

The Short Term

The Long Term

The Limits of Trend Extrapolation

Artificial Intelligence：Toward the Smart Machine?

Defining Intelligence

The Turing Test

Brute Force

AI Achievements

Strong AI

Selected Solutions

Acronym Finder

GlossaryG

Illustration Credits

Index