Introduction to Computers & Information Systems
Larry E. Long, Nancy Long · Prentice Hall eBooks · 1997
The World of Computers. The Information Society. Networking: Bringing People Together. Computers: The Essentials. Micros to Super Computers: Capabilities and Uses. A Computer System at Work. How Do We Use Computers? Inside the Computer. Data Storage: A Bit About the Bit. Encoding Systems: Bits and Bytes. Analyzing a Computer System, Bit by Bit. Describing the Processor: Distinguishing Characteristics. Inside the PC. PC Growth: Adding Capabilities. Software: Telling Computers What To Do. Software in Perspective. System Software: Maintaining Control. The Operating System: Directing the Action. Programming Languages: ComputerTalk. Platforms: Homes for Software. Interacting with the PC and Its Software. Storing and Retrieving Information: Disks and Tape Backup Units. Secondary Storage and Files: Data Keepers. Sequential and Direct Access: New Terms for Old Concepts. Magnetic Disks: Round and Round. Magnetic Tape: Ribbons of Data. Backup: Better Safe Than Sorry. Optical Laser Disks: High-Density Storage. Storage Forecast: Is There a Disk in Your Future? Input/Output: Computers in Action. I/O Devices: Lets Interface. Traditional Input Devices: Key, Point, and Draw. Source-Data Automation: Getting Closer to the Action. Output Devices: Computers Communicate With Us. Terminals: Input and Output. Networks and Networking: Linking the World. Our Weird, Wild, Wired World. Data Communications Hardware: Making It Happen. The Data Communications Channel: Data Highways. Networks: Linking Computers and People. Local Area Networks: Local Nets. LAN Software. Going Online: Information Services, the Net, and More. PC-Based Communications Software. Information Services: America Online, Compuserve, and Many More. The Internet: A World Wide Web of Computers and Information. Cruising the Net. ADDITIONAL TOPICS. Productivity Software: Form Notes to Databases. Personal Computing with Popular Productivity Packages. Word Processing: the Most Popular PC Application. Desktop Publishing: Freedom of the Press. Data Management in Practice: Bits to Databases. Spreadsheet: The Magic Matrix. Database: A Dynamic Data Tool. Graphics and Multimedia: Tickling our Senses. Adding Pizzazz. Graphics: Creating and Working with Images. Multimedia: Teaching the Computer to Sing and Dance. Software Suites: All in One Package. Information Systems: The MIS, DSS, and EIS. An End to Business As Usual. Information and Decision Making. All About Information Systems. Data Processing Systems. Management Information Systems. Decision Support Systems. Expert Systems. Software Agents: Working For Us. Computers in Society. The Virtual Frontier. The Job Outlook in the Information Society. The Work Place: Ergonomics and Green Computing. The Question of Ethics. Computer and System Security. Your Challenge. Appendix: The Windows Environment. Concepts and Terminology. Sharing Information Among Applications. Migrating to Windows 95.