Visualizing Technology, Complete

Debra Geoghan is currently an associate professor of computer and information science at Bucks County Community College, teaching computer classes ranging from basic computer literacy to cybercrime, computer forensics, and networking. She has earned certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA, Apple, and others. Deb has taught at the college level since 1996 and also spent 11 years in the high school classroom. She holds a B.S. in Secondary Science Education from Temple University and an M.A. in Computer Science Education from Arcadia University.   Throughout her teaching career, Deb has worked with other educators to integrate technology across the curriculum. At BCCC, she serves on many technology committees, presents technology workshops for BCCC faculty, and runs a summer workshop for K-12 teachers interested in using technology in their classrooms. Deb is an avid user of technology which has earned her the nickname “gadget lady”.

Chapter 1. What Is a Computer?

 

What Does a Computer Do?

 

Objective 1: Explain the functions of a computer

Necessity Is the Mother of Invention

The Information Processing Cycle

 

A Brief History of Computers

Objective 2: Describe the evolution of computer hardware, and explain the importance of Moore’s Law

History of Computers

Moore’s Law

 

How To: Use QR Codes

 

Bits and Bytes

Objective 3: Describe how computers present data using binary code

Binary Code

Measuring Data

 

Let’s Get Personal

Objective 4: List the various types and characteristics of personal computers

Desktop Computers

Portable Computers

Notebooks, netbooks, tablet PCs

Mac or PC?

 

Beyond the Desktop

Objective 5: Give examples of other personal computing devices

Handheld and Mobile Devices

Smartphones and Tablets

Video Game Systems

 

Multiuser Computers

Objective 6: List the various types and characteristics of multiuser computers

Servers

Supercomputers

Distributed and Grid Computing

 

Computers are Everywhere: Ubiquitous Computing

Objective 7: Explain the terms “ubiquitous computing” and “convergence ”

Embedded Computers

Convergence

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

End of Chapter Exercises

Application Project

 

Chapter 2. Application Software

 

Making Business Work

Objective 1: Identify types and uses of business productivity software

Office Suites

Database Software

Other Types of Business Software

 

Making It Personal

Objective 2: Identify types and uses of personal software

Office Applications

Finance and Tax Preparation Software

Entertainment and Multimedia Software

Educational and Reference Software

Portable Apps

 

How To: Create a Document Using Wordpad or Textedit

 

Will It Run?

Objective 3: Assess a computer system for software compatibility

Your System Specs

System Requirements

 

Where to Get It

Objective 4: Compare various ways of obtaining software

Licensing

Free or Fee

Sources of Software

 

Your Head in the Cloud

Objective 5: Discuss the importance of cloud computing

Cloud Computing

 

How To: Edit Photos with Photoshop Express Editor Online

 

Key Terms

Summary

Application Project

End of Chapter Exercises

 

 

Chapter 3.File Management

 

A Place for Everything

Objective 1: Create folders to organize files

Navigating Your Computer

Creating and Using Folders

 

How To: Organize Your Files

 

What’s in a Name?

Objective 2: Explain the importance of file extensions

File Names and Extensions

File Properties

 

Back It Up 

Objective 3: Explain the importance of backing up files

Windows Backup

OS X Time Machine

Other Backup Software

Backup to the Cloud

Cloud Storage

 

Shrink It

Objective 4: Demonstrate how to compress files

Types of File Compression

Working with File Compression

 

How To: Create a Compressed (Zipped) Folder

 

It’s Always in the Last Place You Look

Objective 5: Use advanced search options to locate files

Using Windows to Search For Files

Searching in MAC OS X

Using Boolean Logic to Refine Searches

 

That’s Not the Program I Want to Open This File Type

Objective 6: Change the default program associated with a file type

Setting Program Defaults

Managing File Type Associations

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

Application Project

End of Chapter Exercises 

 

Chapter 4. Hardware  

 

The CPU: The Brains of the Operation

Objective 1: Explain the function of the CPU

CPU Functions

Instruction Cycle

CPU Performance

Cooling System: Air Conditioning for the Processor

 

Getting to Know Your System Unit and Motherboard

Objective 2: Identify the parts of a system unit and motherboard

The Motherboard

Memory

 

A Place for Everything

Objective 3: Compare different types of storage devices

Optical Discs

Solid-State Storage

Hard Drives

 

What Goes In

Objective 4: List different input devices and their uses

Keyboards

Mouse and Other Pointing Devices

Digital Cameras and Webcams

Scanners

Microphones and Game Controllers

 

. . . Must Come Out

Objective 5: List the different video and audio output devices and their uses

Video Output Devices

Audio Output Devices

 

Pick a Printer

Objective 6: Compare the features of different types of printers

Inkjet Printers

Photo Printers

Dye-Sublimation Printers

Thermal Printers

Laser Printers

Multifunction Devices

Plotters and 3D Printers

 

How To: Manage Printing on Your Computer

 

Adaptation: Making Technology Work for You

Objective 7: Explain and provide examples of the concept of adaptive technology

Adaptive Input Devices

Adaptive Output Devices

 

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Objective 8: Discuss the different communication devices that can be used

Network Adapters

Modems

Fax Devices

 

How To: Assess Your Computer Hardware

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

End of Chapter Exercises

Application Project

 

Chapter 5. System Software (Formerly Chapter 6)

 

Who’s Being Bossy Now?

Objective 1: Explain what an operating system does

Provides User Interface

Manages Resources

Manages and Controls Hardware

Interacts with Software

 

How To: Examine and Update Your Printer Driver

 

Running the Show on Personal Computers 

Objective 2: Compare the most common stand-alone operating systems

Windows

MAC

Linux

 

How To: Your Desktop OS Up To Date

Objective 3: Recognize  the most common specialized operating systems

Embedded Operating Systems

 

The NOS Knows

Objective 4: Compare the most common network operating systems

 

Utilities You Should Use 

Objective 5: List and explain important disk utility software

Why Use Utilities?

Utilities for Disk Health

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

Application Project

End of Chapter Exercises

 

Chapter 6. Digital Devices and Multimedia

 

Digital Camera Basics

Objective 1: Explain the features of various types of digital cameras

Key Features

Types of Digital Cameras

 

Bridging the Gap: Transferring Photos

Objective 2: Compare different methods for transferring images from a digital camera

Memory Cards

USB or FireWire Cables

Wireless Transfer

Transffering to the Cloud

 

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Editing, Printing, and Sharing Photos

Objective 3: List several ways to edit and print photos

Editing Photos

Printing and Sharing Photos

Making Sense of Sound

 

How To: Edit a Photo

 

Making Sense of Sound

Objective 4: Recognize different audio file types

Audio File Types

Media Software

Speech Recognition

 

Lights, Camera, Action 

Objective 5: Describe several ways to create videos

Screen Capture

Webcams and Video Conferencing

Video Cameras

Sharing Video

 

How To: Edit Videos Using the Youtube Editor

 

On the Move With Technology
Objective 6: Compare various mobile devices

Portable Media Players

Smartphones

Tablets

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

End of Chapter Exercises

Application Project

 

Chapter 7. The Internet

 

Internet Timeline

Objective 1: Recognize the importance of the Internet

How it All Got Started

World Wide Web

Internet2 (I2)

 

Get Connected

Objective 2: Compare the types of Internet connections

So, How Do You Get Connected?

Connecting Without a Computer?

 

Get Connected 

Objective 3: Compare popular Web browsers

Browsers

Configuring Your Web Browser

Add-ons, Plug-ins, and Toolbars

 

How To: Manage Browser, Home page, Favorites, and Search

 

Navigating the Net 

Objective 4: Demonstrate how to navigate the Web

Web Addresses

Smart Searching

 

How To: Use Google Docs

 

Would I Lie to You?

Objective 5: Discuss how to evaluate the credibility of information found on the Web

Who Wrote It?

What About the Design?

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

Application Project

End of Chapter Exercises

 

Chapter 8. Communicating and Sharing: The Social Web

 

Talk to Me

Objective 1: Compare different forms of synchronous online communication

Chat and IM

VoIP

 

Leave a Message

Objective 2: Demonstrate how to use e-mail effectively

How Do You Read and Send E-mail?

Forums and Discussion Boards

 

There’s a Place for Everyone …

Objective 3: Discuss the roles of social media in today’s society

Social Network Sites

Social Video, Image, and Music Sites

 

How To: Create a LinkedIn Profile

 

Get Your Word Out 

Objective 4: Locate user-generated content in the form of a blog or podcast

Blogs

Podcasts

RSS

 

How To: Create a Blog with Blogger

 

The Wisdom of the Crowd 

Objective 5: Discuss how wikis and other social media sites rely on the wisdom of the crowd

Wikis

Social Review Sites

Social Bookmarking and News Sites

 

E-Commerce

Objective 6: Explain the influence of social media on e-commerce

Types of e-Commerce

How Safe is My Credit Card?

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

End of Chapter Exercises

Application Project

 

Chapter 9. Networks and Communication

From Sneakernet to HotSpots

Objective 1: Discuss the importance of computer networks

Peer-to-Peer Networks

Client-Server Networks

 

How To: Share Files and Printers Using a Windows Homegroup

 

LANS and WANS

Objective 2: Compare different types of LANs and WANs

Small Networks

LAN topologies

Large Networks

 

Hardware 

Objective 3: List and describe the hardware used in both wired and wireless networks

Network Adapters

Network Hardware

 

Software and Protocols

Objective 4: List and describe the software and protocols used in both wired and wireless networks

Peer-to-Peer Network Software

Client-Server Network Software

Network Protocols

 

How To: Examine Network and Sharing Settings

 

Protecting Your Network

Objective 5: Explain how to protect a network

Layer 1–The Fence

Layer 2–Door Locks

Layer 3–Alarm Systems

Layer 4–Guard Dogs

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

End of Chapter Exercises

Application Project

 

Chapter 10. Security and Privacy

Cybercrime: They are Out to Get You

Objective 1: Discuss various types of cybercrime.

Personal Cybercrime

Cybercrime Against Organizations

 

Malware: Pick Your Poison

Objective 2: Differentiate between different types of malware.

Spam and Cookies

Adware and Spyware

Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Rootkits

 

Shields Up!

Objective 3: Explain how to secure a computer.

Software

Hardware

Operating System

 

How To: Configure Secure Browser Settings

 

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Objective 4: Discuss safe computing practices.

User Accounts

Securing a User Account

Encryption

Acceptable Use Policies

 

How To: Secure a Microsoft Word Document

 

The Law is On Your Side

Objective 5: Discuss laws related to computer security and privacy.

The Enforcers

Current Laws

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

Application Project

End of Chapter Exercises

 

Chapter 11. Databases



Database Basics

Objective 1: Identify the parts of a database.

Tables, Fields, and Records

Forms, Queries, and Reports

 

A Database for Every Purpose

Objective 2: Compare the four types of databases.

Flat File Databases

Relational Databases

Object-Oriented Databases

Multidimensional Databases

 

How To: Create a Form Using Google Docs

 

The Tools of the Trade

Objective 3: Explain database management systems.

Creating a Database

Data Validation

SQL

Output

 

How To: Create a Home Inventory

 

Data In . . . Information Out

Objective 4: Discuss important information systems used in business.

Office Support Systems

Transaction Processing

Management Information Systems

Decision Support Systems

Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence

 

Real World Databases

Objective 5: List examples of databases used in law enforcement and science.

Law Enforcement

Science

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

End of Chapter Exercises

Application Project

 

Chapter 12. Program Development



Getting from Idea to Product Objective 1: Describe the system development life cycle.

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Other Development Models

 

Coding the System

Objective 2: Describe the program development cycle.

Program Development Cycle

 

How To: Create a Flowchart

 

Tools of the Trade

Objective 3: Compare various programming languages.

Programming Languages

Programming Tools

Web Programming

How To: Automate a Task Using a Macro in Word

 

Artificial Intelligence

Objective 4: Explain the term artificial intelligence.

Applications

Expert Systems

Neural Networks

 

Objectives Recap

Key Terms

Summary

Application Project

End of Chapter Exercises

 

Appendix: Microsoft Office Applications Projects

Glossary

Index

Photo Credits