Discovering computers : fundamentals / Gary B. Shelly, Misty E. Vermaat ; contributing authors, Jeffrey J. Quasney [and others].

Includes index.

1. Introduction to computers -- A world of computers -- What is a computer? -- Looking ahead : paying by cell phone -- The components of a computer -- Networks and the Internet -- Computer software -- Ethics and issues : what can be done to combat computer addiction? -- Categories of computers -- Personal computers -- Mobile computers and mobile devices -- Game consoles -- Servers -- Mainframes -- Supercomputers -- Embedded computers -- Examples of computer usage -- Ethics and issues : what should be done about identity theft? -- Computer applications in society -- Looking ahead : robots perform mundane, dangerous tasks -- Chapter summary -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- Special feature : timeline : milestones in computer history -- 2. The Internet and World Wide Web -- The Internet -- How the Internet works -- The World Wide Web -- Looking ahead : Internet speeds into the future -- Ethics and issues : should you trust a Wiki for academic research? -- Other Internet services -- Netiquette -- Chapter summary -- Ethics and issues : should companies be able to track your online habits -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- Special feature : making use of the Web -- 3. Application software -- Looking ahead : touch drive your computer screen -- Business software -- Graphics and multimedia software -- Ethics and issues : should it be legal to share copyrighted music or video files over a network? -- Software for home, personal, and educational use -- Application software for communications -- Ethics and issues : should companies monitor employees' e-mail and Internet traffic? -- Popular utility programs -- Web-based software -- Looking ahead : using semantics with Web 3.0.

Learning aids and support tools for application software -- Chapter summary -- Ethics and issues : copying software, a computer crime! -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- 4. The components of the system unit -- The system unit -- Processor -- Looking ahead : faster supercomputer will have petaflop speed -- Ethics and issues : discarded computer components : whose problem is it? -- Data representation -- Memory -- Ethics and issues : should schools supply computers to all students? -- Expansion slots and adapter cards -- Ports and connectors -- Buses -- Bays -- Power supply -- Mobile computers and devices -- Putting it all together -- Looking ahead : body heat may power notebook computers -- Keeping your computer clean -- Chapter summary -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- 5. Input and output -- What is input? -- Keyboard and pointing devices -- Ethics and issues : are employers responsible for medical problems related to computer use? -- Gaming and media player controllers -- Other types of input -- Ethics and issues : is the Blu-Ray and HD DVD competition good for consumers? -- Tape -- PC cards and ExpressCards modules -- Miniature mobile storage media -- Ethics and issues : should the world become a cashless society? -- Microfilm and microfiche -- Enterprise storage -- Putting it all together -- Ethics and issues : who should be looking at your medical records? -- Chapter summary -- Ethics and issues : who is responsible for maintaining your online storage? -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to.

Learn it online -- 7. Operating systems and utility programs -- System software -- Operating systems -- Operating system functions -- Ethics and issues : who should be responsible for notebook computer security? -- Operating system utility programs -- Types of operating systems -- Stand-alone operating systems -- Ethics and issues : closed source vs. open source -- Looking ahead : open-source projects promote digital identity sharing -- Network operating systems -- Embedded operating systems -- Stand-alone utility programs -- Chapter summary -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- Special feature : buyer's guide : how to purchase a personal computer -- 8. Communications and networks -- Communications -- Uses of computer communications -- Ethics and issues : high-tech cheating via wireless messaging services -- Networks -- Ethics and issues : should you worry about cell phone and cellular antenna radiation? -- Communications software -- Communications over the telephone network -- Communications devices -- Home networks -- Communications channel -- Looking ahead : technology curbs impaired drivers -- Physical transmission media -- Wireless transmission media -- Looking ahead : femto base stations enhance cell phone signals -- Chapter summary -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- 9. Database management -- Databases, data, and information -- The hierarchy of data -- Ethics and issues : are portable storage devices a threat to businesses? -- Maintaining data -- File processing versus databases -- Database management systems -- Looking ahead : archive an entire lifetime -- Ethics and issues : should people be punished for accidently accessing stolen data?

Relational, object-oriented, and multidimensional databases -- Web databases -- Ethics and issues : who should be held accountable for the rash of database security breaches? -- Database administration -- Chapter summary -- Looking ahead : barcodes identify world's animal, plant species -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- 10. Computer security, ethics, and privacy -- Computer security risks -- Internet and network attacks -- Unauthorized access and use -- Looking ahead : biometric software aids behavior detection -- Hardware theft and vandalism -- Software theft -- Information theft -- System failure -- Backing up, the ultimate safeguard -- Wireless security -- Ethics and society -- Ethics and issues : is it illegal to delete some files from your own computer? -- Information privacy -- Ethics and issues : should spyware be legal? -- Looking ahead : computer knowledge assessment using brain fingerprinting -- Health concerns of computer use -- Chapter summary -- Ethics and issues : what can be done to stop the growing threat of cybercrime? -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- Special feature : digital entertainment -- 11. Information system development and programming languages -- The system development cycle -- Looking ahead : right-brain skills essential for analysts' success -- Ethics and issues : do you work harder when someone is watching? -- Ethics and issues : how can workers overcome writer's block when preparing documentation? -- Looking ahead : training delivery becomes flexible -- Programming languages and program development tools -- Ethics and issues : who should be held accountable for macro security threats? -- The program development cycle.

Ethics and issues : who is responsible for bugs? -- Looking ahead : software factories provide low-cost programming alternatives -- Chapter summary -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- 12. Enterprise computing -- What is enterprise computing? -- Looking ahead : the CEO of the future -- Information systems in the enterprise -- Enterprise-wide technologies and methodologies -- E-commerce -- Ethics and issues : who can you trust when making purchases online? -- Looking ahead : health devices automate patients' care -- Ethics and issues : does availability of news on the Web threaten the daily newspaper? -- Enterprise hardware -- Ethics and issues : how much data should companies be required to keep? -- Backup procedures -- Chapter summary -- Companies on the cutting edge -- Technology trailblazers -- Chapter review -- Key terms -- Checkpoint -- Web research -- Learn how to -- Learn it online -- Appendix A. Quiz yourself answers -- Glossary/Index -- Photo credits.