40 introduction

S U MMARY

TECHNOLOGY in Your Life

Chapter Objective 1: Computers and other techology appear almost everywhere in today’s world, and most
Explain why it is essential to people need to use a computer or a computerized device frequently on the job, at home,
learn about technology today at school, or while on the go. Computer literacy, which is being familiar with basic
and discuss several ways computer concepts, helps individuals feel comfortable using computers and is a neces-
computing devices are inte- sary skill for everyone today.
grated into our business and Computers abound in today’s homes, schools, workplaces, and other locations. Most
personal lives. students and employees need to use a computer for productivity, research, or other impor-
tant tasks. Individuals often use computers at home and/or carry portable computers or
smartphones with them to remain in touch with others or to use Internet resources on a
continual basis. Individuals also frequently encounter computers while on the go, such as
consumer kiosks and point-of-sale (POS) systems.

What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?

Chapter Objective 2: A computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts input; performs p ­ rocessing
Define a computer and operations; outputs the results; and provides storage for data, programs, or output when
describe its primary needed. Most computers today also have communications capabilities. This progression
operations. of input, processing, output, and storage is sometimes called the information processing
cycle.
Data is the raw, unorganized facts that are input into the computer to be processed.
Data that the computer has processed into a useful form is called information. Data can
exist in many forms, representing text, graphics, audio, and video.
Chapter Objective 3: One of the first calculating devices was the abacus. Early computing devices that pre-
List some important mile- date today’s computers include the slide rule, the mechanical calculator, and Dr. Herman
stones in computer evolution. Hollerith’s Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter. First-generation computers, such
as ENIAC and UNIVAC, were powered by vacuum tubes; second-generation computers
used transistors; and third-generation computers were possible because of the invention of
the integrated circuit (IC). Today’s fourth-generation computers use microprocessors and
are frequently connected to the Internet and other networks. Fifth-generation computers
are emerging and are, at the present time, based on artificial intelligence.
Chapter Objective 4: A computer is made up of hardware (the actual physical equipment that makes up
Identify the major parts of a the computer system) and software (the computer’s programs). Common hardware com-
personal computer, including ponents include the keyboard and mouse (input devices), the CPU (a processing device),
input, processing, output, monitors/display screens and printers (output devices), and storage media and storage
storage, and communications devices (such as DVDs, DVD drives, hard drives, USB flash drives, and flash memory
hardware. cards). Most computers today also include a modem, network adapter, or other type of
communications device to allow users to connect to the Internet or other network.
Chapter Objective 5: All computers need system software, namely an operating system (usually Windows,
Define software and under- OS X, or Linux), to function. The operating system assists with the boot process, and then
stand how it is used to controls the operation of the computer, such as to allow users to run other types of software
instruct the computer what and to manage their files. Most software programs today use a variety of graphical objects
to do. that are selected to tell the computer what to do. The basic workspace for Windows’ users
is the Windows desktop.
Programs designed to allow people to perform specific tasks or applica-
tions, such as word processing, Web browsing, photo touch-up, and so on are called
application software (apps). Software programs are written using a programming
language. Programs are written by programmers; computer users are the people who use
computers to perform tasks or obtain information.
 chapter 1 Introduction to the World of Technology 41

Computers to Fit Every Need

Embedded computers are built into products (such as cars and household appliances) to Chapter Objective 6:

INT
give them added functionality. Mobile devices are small devices (such as mobile phones List the six basic types of
and tablets) with computing or Internet capabilities; an Internet-enabled mobile phone is computers, giving at least
called a smartphone. one example of each type
Small computers used by individuals at home or work are called personal computers of computing device and
(PCs) or microcomputers. Most personal computers today are either desktop ­computers stating what that type of
or portable computers (notebook computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, device might be used for.
hybrid notebook-tablet computers, and netbooks) and typically conform to either the
PC-compatible or Mac standard. Thin clients are designed solely to access a network;
Internet appliances are ordinary devices that can be used to access the Internet.
Medium-sized computers, or servers, are used in many businesses to host data and pro-
grams to be accessed via the company network. A growing trend is­virtualization, such as
creating separate virtual environments on a single server that act as separate servers or deliv-
ering each users’ desktop to his or her device. The powerful computers used by most large
businesses and organizations to perform the information processing necessary for day-to-day
operations are called mainframe computers. The very largest, most powerful computers,
which typically run one application at a time, are supercomputers.

Computer Networks and the Internet

Computer networks are used to connect individual computers and related devices so that Chapter Objective 7:
users can share hardware, software, and data as well as communicate with one another. Explain what a network,
The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks. Typically, individual users connect the Internet, and the World
to the Internet by connecting to computers belonging to an Internet service provider Wide Web are, as well as
(ISP)—a company that provides Internet access, usually for a fee. One resource available how computers, people,
through the Internet is the World Wide Web (Web)—an enormous collection of Web and Web pages are identi-
pages located on Web servers. The starting page for a Web site (a related group of Web fied on the Internet.
pages) is called the home page for that site. Web pages are viewed with a Web browser,
are connected with hyperlinks, and can be used for many helpful activities.
To access a computer network, you need some type of modem or network adapter. Chapter Objective 8:
To access the Internet, an Internet service provider (ISP) is also used. Internet addresses Describe how to access
are used to identify resources on the Internet and include numerical IP addresses and a Web page and navigate
text-based domain names (used to identify computers), Uniform Resource Locators or through a Web site.
URLs (used to identify Web pages), and e-mail addresses (a combination of a username
and domain name that is used to send an individual e-mail messages).
Web pages are displayed by clicking hyperlinks or by typing appropriate URLs in the
browser’s Address bar. Favorites/Bookmarks and the History list can be used to redisplay a
previously visited Web page and search sites can be used to locate Web pages matching speci-
fied criteria. Electronic mail (e-mail) is used to send electronic messages over the Internet.

TECHNOLOGY and Society

Computers and devices based on related technology have become indispensable tools for Chapter Objective 9:
modern life, making ordinary tasks easier and quicker than ever before and helping make Discuss the societal impact
today’s worker more productive than ever before. In addition to the benefits, however, of computers and tech-
there are many risks and societal implications related to our heavy use of the Internet and nology, including some
the vast amount of information available through the Internet. Issues include privacy and benefits and risks related
security risks and concerns (such as malware and spam), the differences in online and to their prominence in our
offline communications, the anonymity factor, and the amount of unreliable information society.
that can be found on the Internet.