1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,THE INTERNET,AND YOU 2
Introduction 4
Information Systems 5
People 6
Software 8
System Software 8
Application Software 9
Hardware 9
Making IT work for you:Installing a Free Antivirus Program 10
Types of Computers 11
Microcomputer Hardware 12
Data 14
Connectivity 15
Careers in IT 17
A Look to the Future:Using and Understanding Information Technology Means Being Computer Competent 18
Open-Ended 19
Discussion 19
2 THE INTERNET,THE WEB,AND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE 22
Introduction 24
The Internet and the Web 24
Making IT work for you:Online Entertainment 26
Access 28
Providers 28
Browsers 28
Communication 31
E-mail 31
Messaging 32
Social Networking 33
Blogs,Microblogs,Webcasts,Podcasts,and Wikis 34
Making IT work for you:Twitter 36
Search Tools 38
Search Engines 39
Specialized Search Engines 39
Content Evaluation 40
Electronic Commerce 40
Security 41
Cloud Computing 42
Web Utilities 44
Plug-ins 44
Filters 45
File Transfer Utilities 45
Internet Security Suites 46
Careers in IT:Webmaster 47
A Look to the Future:Your Car's Dashboard as a Powerful,Internet-Connected Computing Device 48
Open-Ended 49
Discussion 49
3 APPLICATION SOFTWARE 52
Introduction 54
Application Software 54
User Interface 54
Common Features 56
General-Purpose Applications 56
Word Processors 56
Spreadsheets 59
Database Management Systems 61
Presentation Graphics 61
Specialized Applications 63
Graphics 63
Making IT work for you:Image Editing 65
Web Authoring Programs 67
Other Professional Specialized Applications 68
Mobile Apps 68
Apps 70
App Stores 70
Software Suites 71
Office Suites 71
Cloud Computing 71
Specialized and Utility Suites 72
Careers in IT:Software Engineer 72
Making IT work for you:Google Docs 73
A Look to the Future:Next-Generation User Interfaces 74
Open-Ended 75
Discussion 75
4 SYSTEM SOFTWARE 78
Introduction 80
System Software 80
Operating Systems 81
Functions 81
Features 82
Categories 83
Mobile Operating Systems 84
Desktop Operating System 85
Windows 85
Mac OS 86
UNIX and Linux 86
Virtualization 87
Utilities 88
Windows Utilities 88
Making IT work for you:Windows Task Manager 89
Utility Suites 93
Device Drivers 93
Careers in IT:Computer Support Specialist 95
A Look to the Future:Self-Healing Computers Could Mean an End to Computer Crashes and Performance Problems 96
Open-Ended 97
Discussion 97
5 THE SYSTEM UNIT 100
Introduction 102
System Unit 102
Desktops 102
Notebooks 102
Tablets 103
Handhelds 104
Components 104
Making IT work for you:Keeping Your Computer Cool 105
System Board 107
Microprocessor 108
Microprocessor Chips 109
Specialty Processors 110
Memory 110
RAM 110
ROM 111
Flash Memory 111
Expansion Slots and Cards 112
Bus Lines 113
Expansion Buses 113
Ports 114
Standard Ports 115
Specialized Ports 115
Cables 115
Making IT work for you:TV Tuners 116
Power Supply 117
Electronic Data and Instructions 118
Numeric Representation 118
Character Encoding 118
Careers in IT:Computer Technician 119
A Look to the Future:Chips inside Your Brain 120
Open-Ended 121
Discussion 121
6 INPUT AND OUTPUT 124
Introduction 126
What Is Input? 126
Keyboard Entry 126
Keyboards 127
Pointing Devices 128
Mice 128
Touch Screens 129
Game Controllers 129
Stylus 129
Scanning Devices 130
Optical Scanners 130
Card Readers 131
Bar Code Readers 131
RFID Readers 131
Character and Mark Recognition Devices 132
Image Capturing Devices 132
Digital Cameras 132
Webcams 133
Audio-Input Devices 133
Voice Recognition Systems 133
What Is Output? 134
Monitors 134
Features 134
Flat-panel Monitors 135
E-book Readers 135
Making IT work for you:E-Books 136
Other Monitors 137
Printers 137
Features 138
Inkjet Printers 138
Laser Printers 139
Other Printers 139
Audio and Video Devices 140
Portable Media Players 140
Combination Input and Output Devices 140
Multifunctional Devices 141
Internet Telephones 141
Robots 141
Making IT work for you:Skype 142
Virtual Reality Headgear and Gloves 144
Erogonomics 144
Careers in IT:Technical Writers 146
Displays 147
Open-Ended 148
Discussion 148
7 SECONDARV STORAGE 152
Introduction 154
Storage 154
Hard Disks 155
Internal Hard Disk 156
External Hard Drives 156
Performance Enhancements 156
Optical Discs 158
Compact Disc 158
Digital Versatile Disc 159
Blu-ray Disc 159
Solid-State Storage 160
Solid-State Drives 160
Flash Memory Cards 160
USB Drives 161
Cloud Storage 161
Making IT work for you:Cloud Storage 163
Mass Storage Devices 165
Enterprise Storage System 165
Storage Area Network 166
Careers in IT:Disaster Recovery Specialist 166
A Look to the Future:Next-Generation Storage 167
Open-Ended 168
Discussion 168
8 COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKS 170
Introduction 172
Communications 172
Connectivity 172
The Wireless Revolution 173
Communication Systems 173
Communication Channels 174
Physical Connections 174
Wireless Connections 175
Connection Devices 176
Modems 176
Connection Service 177
Data Transmission 178
Bandwidth 178
Making IT work for you:Mobile Internet 179
Protocols 180
Networks 181
Terms 181
Network Types 182
Local Area Networks 182
Home Networks 183
Wireless LAN 183
Personal Area Network 184
Metropolitan Area Networks 184
Wide Area Networks 184
Network Architecture 185
Topologies 185
Strategies 186
Organizational Networks 187
Internet Technologies 187
Network Security 188
Careers in IT:Network Administrator 189
Making IT work for you:Remote Access 190
There without Actually Being There 191
Open-Ended 192
Discussion 192
9 PRIVACY,SECURITY,AND ETHICS 194
Introduction 196
People 196
Privacy 197
Large Databases 197
Private Networks 200
The Internet and the Web 201
Online Identity 204
Major Laws on Privacy 204
Security 205
Cybercrime 205
Measures to Protect Computer Security 209
Making IT work for you:Security Suites 211
Making IT work for you:Cloud-Based Backup 215
Ethics 217
Copyright and Digital Rights Management 217
Plagiarism 218
Careers in IT:IT Security Analyst 219
A Look to the Future: The End of Anonymity 220
Open-Ended 221
Discussion 221
10 INFORMATION SYSTEMS 224
Introduction 226
Organizational Information Flow 226
Functions 226
Management Levels 227
Information Flow 229
Computer-Based Information Systems 230
Transaction Processing Systems 231
Management Information Systems 233
Decision Support Systems 234
Executive Support Systems 235
Other Information Systems 237
Expert Systems 238
Careers in IT:Information Systems Manager 239
A Look to the Future:IBM's Watson:The Ultimate Information-Finding Machine 240
Using IT at DVD Direct—a case study:Information Systems at DVD Direct 241
Open-Ended 242
Discussion 242
11 DATABASES 244
Introduction 246
Data 246
Data Organization 247
Key Field 248
Batch versus Real-Time Processing 248
Databases 249
Need for Databases 250
Database Management 250
DBMS Structure 252
Hierarchical Database 252
Network Database 253
Relational Database 253
Multidimensional Database 254
Object-Oriented Database 255
Types of Databases 256
Individual 256
Company 256
Distributed 257
Commercial 257
Database Uses and Issues 258
Strategic Uses 258
Security 258
Careers in IT:Database Administrator 259
A Look to the Future:The Future of Crime Databases 260
Using IT at DVD Direct—a case study:Databases at DVD Direct 261
Open-Ended 262
Discussion 262
12 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 264
Introduction 266
Systems Analysis and Design 266
Phase 1:Preliminary Investigation 267
Defining the Problem 268
Suggesting Alternative Systems 269
Preparing a Short Report 269
Phase 2:Systems Analysis 270
Gathering Data 270
Analyzing the Data 271
Documenting Systems Analysis 273
Phase 3:Systems Design 273
Designing Altemative Systems 275
Selecting the Best System 275
Writing the Systems Design Report 275
Phase 4:Systems Development 276
Acquiring Software 276
Acquiring Hardware 276
Testing the New System 277
Phase 5:Systems Implementation 277
Types of Conversion 277
Training 279
Phase 6:Systems Maintenance 279
Prototyping and Rapid Applications Development 280
Prototyping 281
Rapid Applications Development 281
Careers in IT:Systems Analyst 281
A Look to the Future:The Challenge of Keeping Pace 282
Using IT at DVD Direct—a case study:Systems Analysis and Design at DVD Direct 283
Open-Ended 284
Discussion 284
13 PROGRAMMING AND LANGUAGES 286
Introduction 288
Programs and Programming 288
What Is a Program? 288
What Is Programming? 288
Step 1:Program Specification 289
Program Objectives 289
Desired Output 290
Input Data 290
Processing Requirements 290
Program Specifications Document 291
Step 2:Program Design 291
Top-Down Program Design 291
Pseudocode 292
Flowcharts 292
Logic Structures 293
Step 3:Program Code 296
The Good Program 297
Coding 297
Step 4:Program Test 299
Syntax Errors 300
Logic Errors 300
Testing Process 300
Step 5:Program Documentation 301
Step 6:Program Maintenance 302
Operations 302
Changing Needs 302
CASE and OOP 304
CASE Tools 304
Object-Oriented Software Development 304
Generations of Programming Languages 305
Machine Languages:The First Generation 305
Assembly Languages:The Second Generation 305
High-Level Procedural Languages:The Third Generation 306
Task-Oriented Languages:The Fourth Generation 307
Problem and Constraint Languages:The Fifth Generation 307
Careers in IT:Programmer 308
A Look to the Future:Your Own Programmable Robot 309
Using IT at DVD Direct—a case study:Programming at DVD Direct 310
Open-Ended 311
Discussion 311
The Evolution of the Computer Age 314
Glossary 325