Computing essentials

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COMPLETE 2012

computing ESSENTIALS

Making IT work for you

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•

The O’Leary Series

Computing Concepts

• Computing Essentials 2010 Introductory & Complete Editions

• Computing Essentials 2011 Introductory & Complete Editions

• Computing Essentials 2012 Introductory & Complete Editions

Microsoft Office Applications

• Microsoft® Office 2010: A Case Approach

• Microsoft® Office Word 2010: A Case Approach Introductory & Complete Editions

• Microsoft® Office Excel 2010: A Case Approach Introductory & Complete Editions

• Microsoft® Office Access 2010: A Case Approach Introductory & Complete Editions

• Microsoft® Office PowerPoint 2010: A Case Approach Introductory & Complete Editions

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TM

COMPLETE 2012

computing ESSENTIALS

Making IT work for you

Timothy J. O’Leary

Professor Emeritus

Arizona State University

Linda I. O’Leary

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TM

COMPUTING ESSENTIALS 2012 COMPLETE EDITION: MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU

Published by McGraw-Hill, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of

the Americas, New York, NY, 10020. Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All

rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by

any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The

McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic

storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning.

Some ancillaries, including electronic and print components, may not be available to customers

outside the United States.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 DOW/DOW 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 978-0-07-351680-6

MHID 0-07-351680-5

Vice president/Editor in chief: Elizabeth Haefele

Vice president/Director of marketing: John E. Biernat

Executive sponsoring editor: Scott Davidson

Sponsoring editor: Barbara Owca

Developmental editor: Alan Palmer

Marketing manager: Tiffany Wendt

Lead digital product manager: Damian Moshak

Digital development editor: Kevin White

Director, Editing/Design/Production: Jess Ann Kosic

Project manager: Marlena Pechan

Buyer II: Debra R. Sylvester

Senior designer: Srdjan Savanovic

Senior photo research coordinator: Jeremy Cheshareck

Photo researcher: Allison Grimes

Media project manager: Brent dela Cruz

Media project manager: Cathy L. Tepper

Cover design: Laurie Entringer

Typeface: 10/12 New Aster

Compositor: Laserwords Private Limited

Printer: R. R. Donnelley

Cover credit: TV panels: ©IKO/Veer; Embedded images: World in hands: ©dem1,0 iStock;

Highway Sign: ©sjlocke, iStock; Compass: ©DNY59/iStock; Compass on antique map: ©gmutlu/

iStock;Balance, Justice, Scales: ©zennie/iStock.

Credits: The credits section for this book begins on page 505 and is considered an extension of

the copyright page.

The Internet addresses listed in the text were accurate at the time of publication. The inclusion

of a Web site does not indicate an endorsement by the authors or McGraw-Hill, and McGraw￾Hill does not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented at these sites.

www.mhhe.com

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• Dedication

We dedicate this edition to Carol and Steve Willis for all their invaluable assistance

in previous editions.

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vii

1 Information Technology, the Internet, and You 2

2 The Internet, the Web, and Electronic Commerce 28

3 Basic Application Software 64

4 Specialized Application Software 100

5 System Software 126

6 The System Unit 156

7 Input and Output 186

8 Secondary Storage 220

9 Communications and Networks 248

10 Privacy, Security, and Ethics 284

11 Information Systems 318

12 Databases 344

13 Systems Analysis and Design 374

14 Programming and Languages 404

15 Your Future and Information Technology 440

The Evolution of the Computer Age 462

The Buyer’s Guide: How to Buy Your Own Microcomputer System 472

The Upgrader’s Guide: How to Upgrade Your Microcomputer System 477

Glossary 481

Credits 505

Index 508

Brief Contents

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viii

1

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE

INTERNET, AND YOU 2

Introduction 4

Information Systems 5

People 6

Software 9

System Software 9

Application Software 9

Hardware 11

Types of Computers 11

Microcomputer Hardware 12

Data 15

Connectivity, the Wireless Revolution, the

Internet, and Cloud Computing 16

Careers in IT 17

A Look to the Future: Using and Understanding

Information Technology Means Being Computer

Competent 18

Visual Summary 19

Key Terms 22

Applying Technology 25

Expanding Your Knowledge 26

Writing About Technology 27

2

THE INTERNET, THE WEB, AND

ELECTRONIC COMMERCE 28

Introduction 30

The Internet and the Web 30

Access 31

Making IT work for you:

iPods and Video from the Internet 32

Providers 33

Browsers 3 3

Communication 35

E-Mail 35

Instant Messaging 36

Social Networking 37

Blogs, Microblogs, and Wikis 38

Making IT work for you: Twitter 40

Search Tools 42

Search Engines 42

Metasearch Engines 43

Specialized Search Engines 43

Content Evaluation 44

Electronic Commerce 45

Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce 45

Consumer-to-Consumer E-Commerce 46

Security 47

Cloud Computing 48

Web Utilities 49

Plug-ins 49

Filters 50

File Transfer Utilities 50

Internet Security Suites 51

Careers in IT: Webmaster 52

A Look to the Future: Web-Accessible Refrigerators

Will Automatically Restock Themselves 53

Visual Summary 54

Key Terms 58

Applying Technology 61

Expanding Your Knowledge 62

Writing About Technology 63

3

BASIC APPLICATION SOFTWARE 64

Introduction 66

Application Software 66

Common Features 66

Making IT work for you:

Speech Recognition 68

Word Processors 70

Features 70

Case 71

Spreadsheets 73

Features 73

Case 75

Database Management Systems 78

Features 79

Case 79

Presentation Graphics 82

Features 82

Case 82

Contents

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CONTENTS ix

Integrated Packages 84

Case 84

Software Suites 85

Productivity Suite 85

Cloud Computing 85

Sharing between Programs 85

Specialized and Utility Suites 88

Making IT work for you:

Google Docs 86

Careers in IT: Computer Trainer 88

A Look to the Future: Agents Will Help Write Papers,

Pay Bills, and Shop on the Internet 89

Visual Summary 90

Key Terms 93

Applying Technology 96

Expanding Your Knowledge 97

Writing About Technology 98

4

SPECIALIZED APPLICATION

SOFTWARE 100

Introduction 102

Specialized Applications 102

Graphics 103

Desktop Publishing 103

Image Editors 103

Illustration Programs 103

Image Galleries 104

Graphics Suites 105

Audio and Video 105

Making IT work for you:

Digital Video Editing 106

Multimedia 108

Links and Buttons 108

Multimedia Authoring Programs 108

Web Authoring 109

Web Site Design 109

Web Authoring Programs 110

Artificial Intelligence 110

Virtual Reality 112

Knowledge-Based (Expert) Systems 112

Robotics 113

Cell Phone Apps 114

Apps 114

App Stores 114

Careers in IT: Desktop Publisher 115

A Look to the Future: Robots Can Look, Act, and

Think Like Us 116

Visual Summary 117

Key Terms 120

Applying Technology 123

Expanding Your Knowledge 124

Writing About Technology 125

5

SYSTEM SOFTWARE 126

Introduction 128

System Software 128

Operating Systems 129

Functions 129

Features 130

Categories 131

Desktop Operating Systems 132

Windows 132

Mac OS 133

UNIX and Linux 134

Virtualization 134

Mobile Phone Operating Systems 135

Utilities 136

Windows Utilities 136

Utility Suites 140

Device Drivers 140

Making IT work for you: Virus Protection

and Internet Security 142

Careers in IT: Computer Support

Specialist 144

A Look to the Future: Self-Healing Computers Could

Mean an End to Computer Crashes and Performance

Problems 145

Visual Summary 146

Key Terms 149

Applying Technology 152

Expanding Your Knowledge 153

Writing About Technology 154

6

THE SYSTEM UNIT 156

Introduction 158

System Unit 158

Categories 158

Components 160

Electronic Data and Instructions 161

Numeric Representation 161

Character Encoding 161

System Board 162

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x CONTENTS

Microprocessor 164

Microprocessor Chips 164

Specialty Processors 165

Memory 166

RAM 166

ROM 166

Flash Memory 167

Expansion Slots and Cards 167

Bus Lines 169

Expansion Buses 169

Making IT work for you: TV Tuner Cards

and Video Clips 170

Ports 172

Standard Ports 172

Specialized Ports 173

Legacy Ports 173

Cables 174

Power Supply 174

Careers in IT: Computer Technician 175

A Look to the Future: As You Walk out the Door, Don’t

Forget Your Computer 176

Visual Summary 177

Key Terms 180

Applying Technology 183

Expanding Your Knowledge 184

Writing About Technology 185

7

INPUT AND OUTPUT 186

Introduction 188

What Is Input? 188

Keyboard Entry 188

Keyboards 189

Features 189

Pointing Devices 190

Mice 190

Touch Screens 192

Joysticks 192

Stylus 192

Scanning Devices 193

Optical Scanners 193

Card Readers 194

Bar Code Readers 195

Character and Mark Recognition

Devices 195

Image Capturing Devices 196

Digital Cameras 197

Digital Video Cameras 197

Audio-Input Devices 197

Voice Recognition Systems 197

Making IT work for you: WebCams and

Instant Messaging 198

What Is Output? 200

Monitors 200

Features 200

Flat-Panel Monitors 201

Cathode-Ray Tubes 201

Other Monitors 202

Making IT work for you: Amazon

Kindle 203

Printers 204

Features 204

Ink-Jet Printers 204

Laser Printers 205

Other Printers 205

Audio-Output Devices 206

Combination Input and Output Devices 207

Fax Machines 207

Multifunctional Devices 207

Internet Telephones 208

Careers in IT: Technical Writers 208

A Look to the Future: Crashing through the Foreign

Language Barrier 210

Visual Summary 211

Key Terms 214

Applying Technology 217

Expanding Your Knowledge 218

Writing About Technology 219

8

SECONDARY STORAGE 220

Introduction 222

Storage 222

Hard Disks 223

Internal Hard Disk 224

External Hard Drives 224

Performance Enhancements 225

Optical Discs 226

Compact Disc 226

Digital Versatile Disc 227

Blu-ray Disc 227

Making IT work for you: Flash Camcorders,

YouTube, and MySpace 228

Solid-State Storage 230

Solid-State Drives 230

Flash Memory 230

USB Drives 231

Cloud Storage 231

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CONTENTS xi

Making IT work for you:

Cloud Storage 232

Mass Storage Devices 234

Enterprise Storage System 234

Storage Area Network 235

Careers in IT: Software Engineer 236

A Look to the Future: Your Entire Life Recorded on

a Single Disk 237

Visual Summary 238

Key Terms 241

Applying Technology 244

Expanding Your Knowledge 245

Writing About Technology 246

9

COMMUNICATIONS AND

NETWORKS 248

Introduction 250

Communications 250

Connectivity 250

The Wireless Revolution 251

Communication Systems 251

Communication Channels 252

Physical Connections 252

Wireless Connections 253

Connection Devices 255

Modems 255

Connection Service 256

Data Transmission 257

Bandwidth 257

Protocols 258

Networks 258

Terms 259

Network Types 260

Local Area Networks 260

Home Networks 261

Wireless LAN 261

Personal Area Network 261

Metropolitan Area Networks 262

Wide Area Networks 262

Network Architecture 262

Topologies 262

Making IT work for you: Home

Networking 264

Strategies 266

Organizational Networks 270

Internet Technologies 270

Network Security 270

Careers in IT: Network Administrator 272

A Look to the Future: Telepresence Lets You Be There

without Actually Being There 273

Visual Summary 274

Key Terms 277

Applying Technology 280

Expanding Your Knowledge 281

Writing About Technology 282

10

PRIVACY, SECURITY, AND ETHICS 284

Introduction 286

People 286

Privacy 287

Large Databases 287

Private Networks 289

The Internet and the Web 289

Online Identity 293

Major Laws on Privacy 293

Making IT work for you: Spyware

Removal 294

Security 296

Computer Criminals 296

Computer Crime 297

Other Hazards 300

Measures to Protect Computer

Security 301

Ethics 304

Copyright and Digital Rights

Management 304

Plagiarism 305

Careers in IT: Cryptographer 306

A Look to the Future: A Webcam on Every

Corner 307

Visual Summary 308

Key Terms 311

Applying Technology 314

Expanding Your Knowledge 315

Writing About Technology 316

11

INFORMATION SYSTEMS 318

Introduction 320

Organizational Information Flow 320

Functions 320

Management Levels 321

Information Flow 323

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xii CONTENTS

Visual Summary 363

Key Terms 367

Applying Technology 370

Expanding Your Knowledge 371

Writing About Technology 372

13

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 374

Introduction 376

Systems Analysis and Design 376

Phase 1: Preliminary Investigation 377

Defining the Problem 378

Suggesting Alternative Systems 379

Preparing a Short Report 379

Phase 2: Systems Analysis 380

Gathering Data 380

Analyzing the Data 381

Documenting Systems Analysis 383

Phase 3: Systems Design 385

Designing Alternative Systems 385

Selecting the Best System 385

Writing the Systems Design Report 386

Phase 4: Systems Development 386

Acquiring Software 386

Acquiring Hardware 387

Testing the New System 387

Phase 5: Systems Implementation 387

Types of Conversion 387

Training 389

Phase 6: Systems Maintenance 389

Prototyping and Rapid Applications

Development 390

Prototyping 390

Rapid Applications Development 391

Careers in IT: Systems Analyst 391

A Look to the Future: The Challenge of Keeping

Pace 392

Using IT at DVD Direct—a case study:

Systems Analysis and Design at DVD

Direct 393

Visual Summary 394

Key Terms 398

Applying Technology 401

Expanding Your Knowledge 402

Writing About Technology 403

Computer-Based Information Systems 324

Transaction Processing Systems 325

Management Information Systems 327

Decision Support Systems 328

Executive Support Systems 329

Other Information Systems 331

Careers in IT: Information Systems

Manager 333

A Look to the Future: Oftentimes, More Information

Is Too Much Information 334

Using IT at DVD Direct—a case study:

Information Systems at DVD Direct 335

Visual Summary 336

Key Terms 338

Applying Technology 341

Expanding Your Knowledge 342

Writing About Technology 343

12

DATABASES 344

Introduction 346

Data 346

Data Organization 347

Key Field 348

Batch versus Real-Time Processing 348

Databases 350

Need for Databases 350

Database Management 351

DBMS Structure 353

Hierarchical Database 353

Network Database 354

Relational Database 354

Multidimensional Database 355

Object-Oriented Database 356

Types of Databases 357

Individual 357

Company 357

Distributed 357

Commercial 358

Database Uses and Issues 359

Strategic Uses 359

Security 359

Careers in IT: Database Administrator 360

A Look to the Future: Every Book Ever Written . . . at

Your Fingertips 361

Using IT at DVD Direct—a case study:

Databases at DVD Direct 362

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