WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
Data and Information
Information Processing Cycle
THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
Input Devices
Output Devices
System Unit
Storage Devices
Communications Devices
WHY IS A COMPUTER SO POWERFUL?
Speed
Reliability and Consistency
Accuracy
Storage
Communications
NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET
The Internet
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
System Software
Application Software
Software Development
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS
PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Desktop Computers
MOBILE COMPUTERS AND MOBILE DEVICES
Notebook Computers
Mobile Devices
MIDRANGE SERVERS
MAINFRAMES
SUPERCOMPUTERS
ELEMENTS OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM
EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER USAGE
Home User
Small Office/Home Office User
Mobile User
Large Business User
Power User
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SOCIETY
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Science
Publishing
Travel
Industry

HISTORY OF THE INTERNET
Internet2
HOW THE INTERNET WORKS
Connecting to the Internet
Access Providers
How Data Travels the Internet
Internet Addresses
THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Browsing the Web
Web Addresses
Navigating Web Pages
Searching for Information on the Web
Types of Web Sites
Multimedia on the Web
E-Commerce
OTHER INTERNET SERVICES
E-Mail
FTP
Newsgroups and Message Boards
Mailing Lists
Chat Rooms
Instant Messaging
NETIQUETTE
WEB PUBLISHING
Plan a Web Site
Analyze and Design a Web Site
Create a Web Site
Deploy a Web Site
Maintain a Web Site

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
The Role of System Software
Starting and Interacting with Application Software
BUSINESS SOFTWARE
Developing a Document
Spreadsheet Software
Database Software
Presentation Graphics Software
Note Taking Software
Personal Information Managers
PDA Business Software
Software Suite
Project Management Software
Accounting Software
GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE
Computer-Aided Design
Desktop Publishing Software (for the Professional)
Paint/Image Editing Software (for the Professional)
Video and Audio Editing Software
Multimedia Authoring Software
Web Page Authoring Software
SOFTWARE FOR HOME, PERSONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL
Software Suite (for Personal Use)
Personal Finance Software
Legal Software
Tax Preparation Software
Desktop Publishing Software (for Personal Use)
Paint/Image Editing Software (for Personal Use)
Clip Art/Image Gallery
Home Design/ Landscaping Software
Educational and Reference Software
Entertainment Software
APPLICATION SOFTWARE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
APPLICATION SOFTWARE ON THE WEB
Application Service Providers
Web-Based Training
LEARNING AIDS AND SUPPORT TOOLS FOR APPLICATION SOFTWARE

THE SYSTEM UNIT
The Motherboard
PROCESSOR
The Arithmetic Logic Unit Machine Cycle Registers
The System Clock
Comparison of Personal Computer Processors
Processor Installation and Upgrades
Heat Sinks and Heat Pipes
Coprocessors
Parallel Processing
DATA REPRESENTATION
MEMORY
RAM
Cache
ROM
Flash Memory
CMOS 200
Memory Access Times
EXPANSION SLOTS AND ADAPTER CARDS
PC Cards and Flash Memory Cards
PORTS AND CONNECTORS
Serial Ports
Parallel Ports
USB Ports
Special-Purpose Ports
BUSES
Expansion Bus
BAYS
POWER SUPPLY
MOBILE COMPUTERS AND DEVICES

WHAT IS INPUT?
WHAT ARE INPUT DEVICES?
THE KEYBOARD
Keyboard Connections
Keyboard Ergonomics
POINTING DEVICES
MOUSE
Mouse Types
Using a Mouse
OTHER POINTING DEVICES
Trackball
Touchpad
Pointing Stick
Joystick and Wheel
Light Pen
Touch Screen
Stylus, Digital Pen, and Cursor
VOICE INPUT
Audio Input
INPUT FOR PDAs, TABLET PCs, AND SMART PHONES
PDAs
Tablet PCs
Smart Phones
DIGITAL CAMERAS
Digital Camera Quality
VIDEO INPUT
PC Video Cameras
Web Cams
Video Conferencing
SCANNERS AND READING DEVICES
Optical Scanner
Optical Readers
Bar Code Reader
PRIMARY MARKET
MICR Reader
Data Collection Devices
TERMINALS
Point of Sale Terminals
Automated Teller Machines
Smart Displays
BIOMETRIC INPUT

WHAT IS OUTPUT?
DISPLAY DEVICES
CRT MONITORS
CRT Monitor Ergonomics
Quality of a CRT Monitor
Video Cards and CRT Monitors
FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS
LCD Monitors and Screens
LCD Technology
LCD Quality
Video Cards and LCD Monitors
Gas Plasma Monitors
Televisions and HDTVs
PRINTERS
Impact Printers
Nonimpact Printers
Ink-Jet Printers
Photo Printers
Laser Printers
Thermal Printers
Mobile Printers
Label and Postage Printers
Plotters and Large-Format Printers
Wireless Printing
SPEAKERS AND HEADSETS
OTHER OUTPUT DEVICES
Fax Machines and Fax Modems
Multifunction Peripherals
Data Projectors
Force-Feedback Joysticks and Wheels

STORAGE
FLOPPY DISKS
Floppy Disk Drives
Characteristics of a Floppy Disk
Care of Floppy Disks
ZIP DISKS
HARD DISKS
Characteristics of a Hard Disk
External and Removable Hard Disks
Hard Disk Controllers
Maintaining Data Stored on a Hard Disk
Internet Hard Drives
CDs AND DVDs
Characteristics of CDs and DVDs
Care of CDs and DVDs
CD-ROMs
Picture CDs and PhotoCDs
CD-Rsand CD-RWs
DVD-ROMs
DVD+RW and Other DVD Variations
TAPE
PC CARDs
MINIATURE MOBILE STORAGE MEDIA
USB Flash Drives
Smart Cards
MICROFILM AND MICROFICHE
ENTERPRISE STORAGE

OPERATING SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
Starting a Computer
Providing a User Interface
Managing Programs
Managing Memory
Scheduling Jobs
Configuring Devices
Establishing an Internet Connection
Monitoring Performance
Providing File Management and Other Utilities
Controlling a Network
Administering Security
OPERATING SYSTEM UTILITY PROGRAMS
File Manager
Image Viewer
Uninstaller
Disk Scanner
Disk Defragmenter
Diagnostic Utility
Backup Utility
Screen Saver
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
STAND-ALONE OPERATING SYSTEMS
DOS
Windows XP
Mac OS X
UNIX
Linux
NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEMS
NetWare
Windows Server 2003
UNIX
Linux
Solaris
EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEMS
Windows CE .NET
Windows Mobile 2003
Palm OS
Symbian OS
STAND-ALONE UTILITY PROGRAMS
Antivirus Programs
Personal Firewalls
File Compression
Personal Computer Maintenance

COMMUNICATIONS
Analog and Digital Communications
USES OF COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS
Internet Telephony
Internet Printing
Web Services
Collaboration
Groupware
Public Internet Access Points
Cybercafes
Global Positioning System
Voice Mail
Wireless Messaging Services
NETWORKS
LANs, MANs, and WANs
Network Architectures
Network Topologies
Network Communications Technologies
Ethernet
Token Ring
TCP/IP
802.11
Bluetooth
IrDA
RFID
WAP
Intranets
COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE
COMMUNICATIONS OVER THE TELEPHONE NETWORK
Dial-Up Lines
Dedicated Lines
ISDN Lines
DSL
T-carrier Lines
ATM
COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
Dial-Up Modems
ISDN and DSL Modems
Cable Modems
Network Cards
Wireless Access Points
Routers
Connecting Networks
HOME NETWORKS
Wired Home Networks
Wireless Home Networks
COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL
PHYSICAL TRANSMISSION MEDIA
Twisted-Pair Cable
Coaxial Cable
Fiber-Optic Cable
WIRELESS TRANSMISSION MEDIA
Infrared
Broadcast Radio
Cellular Radio
Communications Satellite

DATA AND INFORMATION
Data Integrity
Qualities of Valuable Information
THE HIERARCHY OF DATA
Characters, Fields, Records, Files
MAINTAINING DATA
Adding Records, Changing Records, Deleting Records, Validating Data
FILE PROCESSING VERSUS DATABASES
File Processing Systems
The Database Approach
DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Data Dictionary
File Retrieval and Maintenance
Data Security
Backup and Recovery
RELATIONAL, OBJECT-ORIENTED, AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL DATABASES
Relational Databases
Object-Oriented Databases
Multidimensional Databases
WEB DATABASES
DATABASE ADMINISTRATION
Database Design Guidelines
Role of the Database Analysts and Administrators
Role of the Employee as a User

COMPUTER SECURITY RISKS
COMPUTER VIRUSES, WORMS, AND TROJAN HORSES
Safeguards against Computer Viruses, Worms,
and Trojan Horses
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS AND USE
Safeguards against Unauthorized Access and Use
Firewalls
Intrusion Detection Software
Access Controls and Audit Trails
HARDWARE THEFT AND VANDALISM
Safeguards against Hardware Theft and Vandalism
SOFTWARE THEFT
Safeguards against Software Theft
INFORMATION THEFT
Safeguards against Information Theft
SYSTEM FAILURE
Safeguards against System Failure
BACKING UP — THE ULTIMATE SAFEGUARD
Full, incremental, differential, archival, selective,partial
Disaster Recovery: emergency plan, test plan, policies (who-what-where)
Role of Chief Security Officer
INTERNET SECURITY RISKS
Denial of Service Attacks
Securing Internet Transactions
Securing E-Mail Messages
SECURITY PLAN
Development of a comprehensive security plan; what should it accomplish?
ETHICS AND SOCIETY
Information Accuracy
Intellectual Property Rights
Codes of Conduct
INFORMATION PRIVACY
Electronic Profiles
Cookies
Spyware
Spam
Privacy Laws
Employee Monitoring
Content Filtering
HEALTH CONCERNS OF COMPUTER USE
Computers and Health Risks
Ergonomics and Workplace Design
Computer Addiction
Green Computing

WHAT IS THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CYCLE?
Phases in the System Development Cycle
Guidelines for System Development
Who Participates in the System Development Cycle?
Project Management
Feasibility Assessment
Documentation
Data and Information Gathering Techniques
WHAT INITIATES THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CYCLE?
PLANNING PHASE
ANALYSIS PHASE
The Preliminary Investigation
Preliminary Investigation
Detailed Analysis
Process Modeling
Object Modeling
The System Proposal
DESIGN PHASE
Acquiring Necessary Hardware and Software
Identifying Technical Specifications
Soliciting Vendor Proposals
Testing and Evaluating Vendor
Proposals
Making a Decision
Hardware Acquisition
Detailed Design
Prototyping
CASE Tools
Quality Review Techniques
IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
Develop Programs
Install and Test the New System
Train Users
Implementation
SUPPORT PHASE

COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
LOW-LEVEL LANGUAGES
PROCEDURAL LANGUAGES
BASIC
COBOL
C
OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
C++
Java
Visual Programming Languages
Visual Studio .NET 2003
Delphi
PowerBuilder
NONPROCEDURAL LANGUAGES AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
RPG
4GLs
Application Generators
Macros
WEB PAGE DEVELOPMENT
HTML
Scripts, Applets, Servlets, and ActiveX Controls
Scripting Languages
Dynamic HTML
XHTML, XML, and WML
Web Page Authoring Software
MULTIMEDIA PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
OTHER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT CYCLE
What Initiates the Program Development Cycle?
STEP 1 - ANALYZE REQUIREMENTS
STEP 2 - DESIGN SOLUTION
Structured Design
Object-Oriented Design
Control Structures
Design Tools
STEP 3 - VALIDATE DESIGN
STEP 4-IMPLEMENT DESIGN
Extreme Programming
STEP 5-TEST SOLUTION
STEP 6-DOCUMENT SOLUTION

WHAT IS ENTERPRISE COMPUTING?
Organizational Structure of an Enterprise
Levels of Users
How Managers Use Information
INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE ENTERPRISE
Information Systems within Functional Units
General Purpose Information Systems
Integrated Information Systems
ENTERPRISE-WIDE TECHNOLOGIES
Portals
EDI
Data Warehouses
Extranets
Web Services
Workflow
Virtual Private Network
THE E-RETAILING MARKET SECTOR
OTHER E-COMMERCE MARKET SECTORS ON THE WEB
Finance
Entertainment and Media
Travel
Health
Other Business Services
ENTERPRISE HARDWARE
RAID
Network Attached Storage and Storage Area Networks
Enterprise Storage Systems
Blade Servers
High-Availability Systems
Scalability
Interoperability
BACKUP PROCEDURES AND SECURITY
Disaster Recovery Plan
Security in the Enterprise
Developing a Computer Security Plan

CAREERS IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY
Computer Careers in General Business
and Government Organizations
The Computer Equipment Industry
The Computer Software Industry
Computer Careers in the Service and Repair Industry
Computer Careers in Sales
The Computer Education and Training Industry
Consulting in the Computer Industry
WORKING IN AN IT DEPARTMENT
PREPARING FOR A CAREER IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY
Choosing the Right Course of Study
Attending a Trade School )
Searching for Computer-Related Jobs
Planning for Career Development
Professional Organizations
Professional Growth and Continuing Education
Computer Publications
CERTIFICATION
Certification Benefits
Choosing a Certification
Preparing for Certification
Certification Examinations
A GUIDE TO CERTIFICATION
Application Software Certifications
Operating System Certifications
Programming Certifications
Hardware Certifications
Networking Certifications
Internet Certifications
Database System Certifications

VISUAL BASIC
Basics of programming development is in the form of hands-on programming projects using Visual Basic 6.

CODING SCHEMES and NUMBER SYSTEMS
binary, decimal, and hexadecimal forms