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Module Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Chapter 2: The Components of the System Unit Chapter 3: Input Chapter 4 : Output Chapter 5: Application Software Chapter 6: Operating Systems and Utility Programs Chapter 7: The Internet and World Wide Web
This chapter presents a broad survey of concepts and terminology related to computers. The idea of computer literacy is introduced. You discover what a computer is and what it does. You learn about the components of a computer, the power of computers, computer software, and networks and the Internet. Categories of computers are identified, including personal computers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers. You discover how people employ computers, from home users to large business users. Finally, you learn how people use computers to provide information. Reading and understanding the material in this chapter should help you better understand these topics as they are presented in more detail in the following chapters.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig The system unit is a box-like case made from metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic components of the computer from damage. The system unit contains the central processing unit and memory. The central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic device that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Memory is a temporary holding place for data and instructions. A storage device records and retrieves data to and from a storage medium. Six common storage devices are a floppy disk drive, a Zip drive, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD-ROM drive, and a DVD+RW drive. A communications device enables computer users to communicate and exchange items such as data, instructions, and information with another computer. A modem is a communications device that enables computers to communicate usually via telephone lines or cable.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig tasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. You interact with software through its user interface. Application software consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users. Popular application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation graphics software. Application software can be packaged software (copyrighted software that meets the needs of a variety of users), custom software (tailor-made software developed at a users request), freeware (copyrighted software provided at no cost), public-domain software (software donated for public use with no copyright restrictions), or shareware (copyrighted software distributed free for a trial period).
Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide Web
The worlds largest network is the Internet, which is a worldwide collection of networks that links together millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. Users connect to the Internet to send messages, access information, shop for goods and services, meet or converse with other users, and access sources of entertainment and leisure. Most users connect to the Internet through an Internet service provider (ISP) or an online service provider (OSP). The World Wide Web is a popular segment of the Internet that contains billions of documents called Web pages. These
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig documents can contain text, graphics, sound, video, and built-in connections, or links, to other Web pages stored on computers throughout the world.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig device with a monitor and a keyboard that usually has no stand-alone processing power. A mainframe is a large, expensive, very powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously. A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive category of computer.
Chapter 2 presented the components in the system unit, described how memory stores data, instructions, and information, and discussed the sequence of operations that occur when a computer executes an instruction. The chapter included a comparison of various microprocessors on the market today.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig chips, or small pieces of semiconducting material, on which one or more integrated circuits (IC) are etched. An integrated circuit is a microscopic pathway capable of carrying electronic current. Each IC can contain millions of transistors, which act as switches for electronic signals.
Explain how the CPU uses the four steps of a machine cycle to process data
The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, significantly impacts overall computing power and manages most of a computers operations. The CPU contains the control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit. The control unit directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer. For every instruction, the control unit repeats a set of four basic operations called the machine cycle: (1) fetching the instruction or data item from memory, (2) decoding the instruction into commands the computer understands, (3) executing the commands, and, if necessary, (4) storing, or writing the result to memory. The arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) performs the execution part of the machine cycle. Specifically, the ALU carries out three operations: Arithmetic operations performing calculations, which include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division Comparison operations comparing data items to determine if the first item is greater than, equal to, or less than the other item Logical operations working with conditions and logical operators such as AND, OR, and NOT Compare and contrast various personal computer processors on the market today A personal computers CPU usually is contained on a single chip, which some call a microprocessor. Intel is a leading manufacturer of personal computer processors. Most high-performance PCs use a processor from Intel called the Pentium processor. A second Intel brand, called the Celeron, is designed
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig for less expensive PCs. Two more brands, called the Xeon and Itanium processors, are ideal for workstations and low-end servers. Intel-compatible processors have the same internal design as Intel processors and perform the same functions, but are made by other companies and often are less expensive. An alternative design to the Intel-style processor, the Motorola processor, is found in Apple Macintosh and Power Macintosh systems. A new type of processor designed for lower-costing personal computers and Internet appliances, called an integrated CPU, combines functions of a processor, memory, and a video card on a single chip. Todays processors are equipped with MMX technology, a built-in set of instructions that manipulates and processes multimedia data more efficiently. Intels SSE instructions and AMDs 3DNow! are two other technologies that improve a processors performance of multimedia, the Web, and 3-D graphics. To optimize and extend battery life for notebook computers, Intel mobile processors use SpeedStep technology and AMD processors use PowerNow! technology.
Describe the types of expansion slots and cards in the system unit
An expansion slot is an opening, or socket, where you can insert a circuit board into the motherboard. These circuit boards called cards, expansion cards, boards, expansion boards, adapters, adapter cards, interface cards, add-ins, or add-ons -- add new devices or capabilities to the computer. Four types of expansion cards found in most computers are a video card, a sound card, a network interface card, and a modem card. A video card converts computer output into a video signal that is sent through a cable to the monitor, which displays an image. A sound card enhances the sound-generating capabilities of a personal computer by allowing sound to be input through a microphone and output through speakers. A network interface card (NIC) is a communications device that allows the computer to communicate via a network. A modem card is a communications device that enables computers to communicate via telephone lines or other means. Many of todays computers support Plug and Play, a capability with which the computer automatically can configure expansion boards and other devices as you install them. Notebook and other portable computers have a special type of expansion slot used for installing a PC Card, which is a thin credit card-sized device that adds memory, disk drives, sound, fax/modem, and communications capabilities to a mobile computer.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig the system unit by transmitting data only one bit at a time. Serial ports usually connect devices that do not require fast data transmission rates, such as a mouse, keyboard, or modem. A parallel port is an interface that connects devices by transferring more than one bit at a time. Many printers connect to the system unit using a parallel port. A universal serial bus (USB) port can connect up to 127 different peripheral devices with a single connector type, greatly simplifying the process of attaching devices to a personal computer.
Chapter 3: Input
Overview
1. Describe the two types of input 2. List the characteristics of a keyboard 3. Identify various types of keyboards 4. Identify various types of pointing devices 5. Explain how a mouse works 6. Describe different mouse types 7. Explain how voice recognition works 8. Understand how to input data into a handheld computer 9. Identify the uses of a digital camera 10. Describe the various techniques used for video input 11. Describe the uses of PC video cameras and web cams 12. Explain how scanners and other reading devices work 13. Identify alternative input devices for physically challenged users
In this chapter, you learn what is input and what are input devices. The keyboard is presented and different keyboard types are described. You are introduced to various pointing devices, such as the mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, joystick, touchscreen, and pen input. Scanners and reading devices, including optical scanners, optical readers, magnetic ink character recognition readers, and data collection devices are explained. You learn about digital cameras, audio input, speech recognition, video input, and videoconferencing. Finally, input devices for physically challenged users are explored.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig keyboards transmit data via infrared light waves. Keyboards for notebook and handheld computers usually have smaller and fewer keys than desktop computers. A portable keyboard is a full-sized keyboard you can attach to and remove from a handheld computer. Some manufacturers have designed ergonomic keyboards to reduce the chance of workplace injuries. The goal of ergonomics is to incorporate comfort, efficiency, and safety into the design of workplace items.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig on the screen to an object and then press a button, or click, to perform a certain action on that object. Other operations you can perform using a mouse include right-click, double-click, drag, right-drag, rotate wheel, and press wheel button.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig is plugged into a video capture card, an expansion card that converts the analog signal into a digital signal the computer can understand. A digital video (DV) camera is a new generation of video camera that records video as digital signals, instead of using analog signals, and therefore does not require a video capture card. Video files can demand huge amounts of storage space. Video compression reduces the size of video files by recognizing that only a small portion of an image changes from frame to frame. Instead of storing every frame in its entirety, a video compression program might store an initial frame and then store only the changes from one frame to the next. A video decoder is a card that decompresses video. A video digitizer can be used to capture an individual frame from a video and save the still picture in a file.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig converts them into digital data that a computer can process. Three types of optical readers are optical character recognition, optical mark recognition, and bar code scanner. Optical character recognition (OCR) is a technology that reads typewritten, computer printed, or handwritten characters from ordinary documents and translates the images into a form that the computer can understand. Optical mark recognition (OMR) devices read hand-drawn marks such as circles or rectangles. A bar code scanner uses laser beams to read bar codes, which are identification codes consisting of vertical lines and spaces of different widths. Another type of reader, called a magnetic-ink character recognition (MICR) reader, reads text printed with magnetized ink and is used almost exclusively by the banking industry.
1. Input 2. The keyboard 3. Keyboard Types 4. Pointing devices 5. Using a mouse 6. Mouse types 7. Voice recognition
8. Handheld computer input 9. Digital cameras 10. 11. 12. 13. users Video input PC video cameras Scanners and Input devices for
Here you will find additional information that will expand and enhance your knowledge beyond that contained in your textbook. Compare this information to what may be provided in a traditional classroom by your instructor or peers.
Input
Of the four operations in the information processing cycle input, process, output, and storage input is the operation to which computer users are most closely linked and on which each subsequent action depends. Typed commands use keywords specific words, phrases, or codes that a program recognizes as instructions. Keywords are an essential element of command-driven programs, such as DOS. The problem with keywords is that: they must be memorized, and they must be entered correctly This makes command-driven programs difficult to use. Menu-driven programs and graphical user interfaces eliminate the problems of having to memorize and correctly type keywords.
The Keyboard
Data entered through the keyboard averages about one error for every 300 characters, while data entered more directly, such as with a scanning device, averages only one error for every 3 million characters. Nevertheless, the keyboard continues to be the most popular input device. Some special keys ALT, CTRL, and SHIFT almost always are used in combination with other keys. Desktop computer keyboards generally have two ways to enter numbers the numeric keypad and the row of number keys above the alphabetic keys. Think of situations in which both would be used. The numeric keypad also contains arrow keys, but these keys are active only when the keypad is turned off. Although the purpose of function keys varies, some developers have tried to standardize certain keys (such as using F1 to access online Help). In addition to the NUM LOCK key, other toggle keys are the CAPS LOCK key and the INSERT key. Unlike the CAPS LOCK key on a typewriter, the CAPS LOCK key on a computer keyboard cannot be used to print the special characters on the keys in the number row.
Keyboard Types
Keyboards are used primarily to enter alphanumeric data. Not surprisingly, keyboards for oriental languages are significantly more complex than the keyboard shown in Figure 5-3. The QWERTY keyboard was devised in 1867 by Christopher Sholes, inventor of the first practical commercial typewriter. Ironically, Sholes intent when designing the keyboard was to slow typists down; if typists worked too quickly, keys had a tendency to jam. Many feel the QWERTY keyboard is an anachronism, and its continued use is counterproductive. A more recent design, called the Dvorak keyboard (named for August Dvorak, American educator, 1895-1975) places the most frequently used keys in the middle of the typing area. Studies have shown that trained typists using the Dvorak keyboard are up to 20 times faster than trained QWERTY typists. Despite this, the Dvorak keyboard rarely is used. Repetitive stress injury (RSI) afflicts more than 1.8 million people in the United States. A
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig debilitating repetitive stress injury that plagues some keyboard users is carpal tunnel syndrome. This painful wrist injury affects sufferers not only when working at the keyboard, but when performing other tasks as well. The wrist rest on the keyboard in Figure 5-3 is designed to reduce wrist strain.
Pointing Devices
The original mouse was a one-button, cigarette-pack shaped device invented by Doug Engelbart in 1964. Today, many software manufacturers have made the mouse (or a related pointing device) an essential part of their applications. When the screen is cluttered or pointer targets are small, however, some experienced users still prefer keyboard commands if they are offered. Some people feel that a touchpad is the most difficult pointing device to use. To satisfy divergent preferences, several laptop computers include both a pointing stick and a touchpad. Although trackballs, touchpads, and pointing stick devices require less space than a mouse (making them popular for portable computers), most people find them harder to use. Because of this a smaller mouse, called Mouse2Go, has been developed for use on a small pad that clips to the side of a portable computer. Joystick concepts evolved from actual use in jet fighter airplanes, where joysticks allowed pilots to control an aircrafts movement quickl y and precisely. Although touch screen users touch a symbol on the screen, it is the location where the touch occurred, not the symbol contacted, that is important. Because they are so user-friendly, even people unfamiliar with computers are comfortable with touch screens.
Using a Mouse
The major advantage of a mouse is that it is easy to use. The disadvantages are twofold: first, the mouse requires additional desk space, making it difficult to use in cramped locations; and second, mouse use demands that a hand be taken from the keyboard (unlike a pointing stick, which can be used without removing a hand from the keyboard). When a mouse has two buttons, one is the primary mouse button and the other is the secondary mouse button. To reverse the functions of these buttons or change other mouse options in Windows 98, point to Settings on the Start menu, click Control Panel on the Settings submenu, then double-click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel window. In the Mouse Properties dialog box that displays, the Basics tab allows you to change pointer speed, button selection, and double-click speed.
Mouse Types
Since its introduction in 1965, the mouse has gone through several transformations. Microsofts green eye mouse, an early mouse with two buttons, was released in 1983 and now is a collectors item. Other interesting mouse variations include Spectrums RingMouse (which uses infrared to point), Interlinks wireless mouse (often used for presentations), and Interlinks DuraPoint PC mouse (an incredibly durable mouse that gained the Pentagons interest). A new mouse from Immersion Corporation provides tactile sensations, with an internal motor that allows users to feel the desktop. The mouse which senses cursor position, identifies screen objects, and sends pulses to a motor beneath the surface of the mouse lets users feel icons, sense Web links, or bump through menu commands.
Voice Recognition
Some experts believe voice input eventually will be the most common way to operate a computer. Speech recognition is particularly welcome to people with certain disabilities. Although speech recognition continues to improve,
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig developers admit that advertisements touting high accuracy rates generally assume a standard vocabulary. Specialized words, regional accents, and local dialects reduce accuracy. Even a 95 percent accuracy rate, meaning that on average 1 out of every 20 words is wrong, may not inspire confidence. (Imagine if, in conversation, every 20th word spoken was misinterpreted.) Nevertheless, voice recognition systems are gaining in popularity.
Digital Cameras
Some manufacturers use dots per inch to represent a digital cameras resolution, or the sharpness and clarity of the image it produces. Dots per inch (DPI) is the number of pixels in an inch of screen display. A pixel is a single point in an electronic image. Digital cameras for the consumer range from 640 x 480 dpi to 1,792 to 1,200 dpi. The actual photographed resolution is called the optical resolution. Some manufacturers also state enhanced resolution, which uses a special formula to add pixels between those generated by the optical resolution. With the price of digital cameras decreasing, will the era of film-based cameras soon come to an end? Why or why not?
Video Input
Video input is used in a variety of ways, from developing training films to creating presentation enhancements. Video input also has been used in the workplace to record (sometimes secretly) office or assembly-line workers in an effort to find possible quality or efficiency problems. Do you think this secret recording is ethical? Why or why not?
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig The MICR font, adopted by the American Banking Association in the 1950s, is standard throughout the banking industry. The special shapes of MICR characters make them easier for a machine to read. MICR readers can interpret magnetic characters even if someone has written over them. If the magnetic ink on a check is damaged, however, the data must be typed into the system. The importance of MICR readers to the banking industry is staggering half of the U.S. population would be needed to process checks if it were done manually.
Chapter 4 : Output
Overview
1. Define the four categories of output 2. Identify the different types of display devices 3. Describe factors that affect the quality of a display device 4. Identify monitor ergonomic issues 5. Explain the differences among various types of printers 6. Describe the uses of speakers and headsets 7. Identify the purpose of data projectors, fax machines, and multifunction devices 8. Explain how a terminal is both an input and output device 9. Identify output options for physically challenged users
In this chapter, you learn what is output and what are output devices. Display devices are introduced, including CRT monitors, flat-panel displays, video cards, and high-definition television. You explore monitor quality and monitor ergonomics. Various types of printers are presented, such as impact printers, nonimpact printers, portable printers, plotters and large-format printers, and special-purpose printers. You find out about audio output and other output devices, including data projectors, facsimile machines, and multifunction devices. Finally, you become acquainted with terminals and output devices for physically challenged users.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig and paragraphs. Graphics are digital representations of nontext information such as drawings, charts, photographs, and animation (a series of still images in rapid sequence that gives the illusion of motion). Audio is music, speech, or any other sound. Video consists of images played back at speeds to provide the appearance of full motion. An output device is any computer component capable of conveying information to a user.
Identify the purpose of data projectors, fax machines, and multifunction devices
A data projector takes the image on a computer screen and projects it onto a large screen so that an audience of people can see the image. Two smaller, lower priced data projectors are an LCD projector, which uses liquid crystal display technology, and a digital light processing (DLP) projector, which uses tiny mirrors. A facsimile (fax) machine transmits and receives documents over telephone lines. A fax modem is a communication device that allows you to send (and sometimes receive) electronic documents as faxes. A multifunction device (MFD) is a single piece of equipment that looks like a copy machine but provides the functionality of a printer, scanner, copy machine, and sometimes a fax machine.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig specific tasks and contain features designed for a particular industry. A pointof-sale (POS) terminal is a special-purpose terminal used to record purchases at the point where a consumer buys a product or service. An automatic teller machine (ATM) is a self-service, special-purpose terminal used to access your bank account.
Chapter 5: Storage
Overview
1. Differentiate between storage and memory 2. Identify various types of storage media and storage devices 3. Explain how a floppy disk stores data 4. Identify the advantages of using high-capacity disks 5. Describe how a hard disk organizes data 6. Identify the advantages of using an Internet hard drive 7. Explain how a compact disc stores data 8. Understand how to care for a compact disc 9. Differentiate between CDROMs, CD-RWs, and DVD-ROMs 10. tape 11. works 12. Explain how to use PC cards and other miniature storage media 13. Identify uses of microfilm and microfiche Understand how an enterprise storage system Identify the uses of
This chapter explains various storage media and storage devices. Students discover how memory is different from storage. Floppy disks are introduced, and characteristics of a floppy disk, floppy disk drives, care of floppy disks, and high-capacity floppy disks are presented. Hard disks are explained, and students find out about characteristics of a hard disk, how a hard disk works, removable hard disks, hard disk controllers, RAID, and maintaining data on a hard disk. Compact discs, including CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, are described. Finally, students learn about tapes, PC Cards, and other types of storage such as smart cards, microfilm and microfiche.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig magnetic patterns to store items. Data is stored in tracks and sectors. A track is a narrow recording band that forms a full circle on the surface of the disk. The disks storage locations consist of pie-shaped sections, which break the track into small arcs called sectors. For reading and writing purposes, sectors are grouped into clusters. A cluster consists of two to eight sectors and is the smallest unit of space used to store data. Formatting is the process of preparing a disk for reading and writing.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig separate areas, called partitions, each of which functions as if it were a separate hard disk drive.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig edges (do not touch the underside of the disc) and placed in its protective case, called a jewel box, when it is not being used. You can clean the bottom surface with a soft cloth and warm water or a specialized CD cleaning kit, and you can repair scratches on the bottom surface with a specialized compact disc repair kit.
1. Memory vs. storage 2. Storage media and devices 3. Floppy disks 4. High-capacity disks 5. Hard disks 6. Advantages of an Internet Hard Drive 7. Compact discs
8. Caring for compact discs 9. CD-ROMs, CD-RWs, and DVD-ROM 10. 11. 12. 13. Tape Enterprise storage PC cards and Microfilm and
Here you will find additional information that will expand and enhance your knowledge beyond that contained in your textbook. Compare this information to what may be provided in a traditional classroom by your instructor or peers.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig understanding of storage terms is very important for purchasers, and users, of storage devices. 1 Kilobyte (KB) 1 thousand bytes 1 Megabyte (MB) 1 million bytes 1 Gigabyte (GB) 1 billion bytes 1 Terabyte (TB) 1 trillion bytes 1 Petabyte (PB) 1 quadrillion bytes 1 KB stores approximately page of text. Depending on speed and size, rough costs for RAM are about $40 to $50 per megabyte, while hard disk storage costs are around $0.20 per megabyte.
Floppy Disks
Although the 5.25-inch floppy disk is physically larger, the storage capacity for a 5.25-inch floppy disk is less than for a comparable 3.5-inch floppy disk. Because of the 3.5-inch floppy disks greater durability and superior storage capacity, the 5.25-inch floppy disk at best can be considered a very endangered species. With its rigid plastic shell, it may be difficult to see the 3.5-inch disk as floppy. The name is justified, however, by the disks ancestry and the fact that, if the protective shell is removed, the disk on which the data is written is indeed floppy. Today, most new computers (although not the new Apple iMac) come with a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive; a few manufacturers still will, for a price, add a 5.25-inch floppy disk drive. The procedure for formatting a floppy disk depends on the operating system. Floppy disks are soft-sectored, meaning that the number of sectors is not predetermined. The cluster concept creates an odd situation: one file with 100,000 bytes requires less disk space (about 25 clusters at 8 sectors per cluster and 512 bytes per sector) than 1,000 small files of 100 bytes each (1,000 clusters).
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig A floppy disk spins at about 300 revolutions per minute. When writing data, the floppy disk drives read/write head generates electronic impulses that change the magnetic polarity of areas along a track to represent the 1 or 0 bits being recorded. When reading data, the read/write head senses the magnetic areas that have been recorded.
High-Capacity Disks
The three types of high-capacity disks were developed by three different manufacturers: SuperDisk is from Imation, HiFD is from Sony Electronics, Inc, and the Zip drive is from Iomega. Although manufacturers always are concerned about software piracy (unlawfully duplicating or distributing proprietary software), many recommend that users create a backup of programs before installing them on a computer. Backup guards against system failures, such as a head crash, and human errors, such as inadvertently deleting key files. If you ever accidentally delete a file, seek help immediately from a computer support person who sometimes can recover the erased file.
Hard Disks
In the early 1980s, hard disk drives were called Winchester drives because they had two 30-megabyte disks, a characteristic reminiscent of the Winchester 30-30 rifle. In addition to making hard disks more efficient and allowing the installation of multiple operating systems, large hard disks may be partitioned to: Limit software disasters (which usually are confined to one partition) Shorten path lengths and assist in file keeping Save keystrokes (operating systems usually return to the directory they left)
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig Enhance security (different partitions may warrant different safety levels) Permit variable frequencies of backup Allow unattended backups (smaller partitions may fit on a single tape) Unlike floppy disk read/write heads, hard disk read/write heads do not touch the disk surface. Because of the close tolerance between the disk head and the rotating disk surface, hard disk drives are manufactured in an extremely clean setting, typically cleaner than a hospital operating room. Many hard disk drives are warranted for five years, but most warranties are prorated, meaning that if it fails in the first year it can be replaced at 20 percent of the original cost. All warranties are void, however, if the drive is opened, because contaminated air and dust render the drive unusable. On a personal computer, a hard disk controller (HDC) is the interface for the hard disk. Many external hard drives use a USB port as their interface. Two other types of HDCs are the EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) controller, which can support up to four hard disks, and SCSI (small computer system interface) controllers, which can support multiple disk drives as well as other peripherals. A removable hard disk is a disk drive in which a plastic or metal case surrounds the hard disk so that you can remove it from the drive. Two reasonably priced, removable hard disks are the Jaz disk, which can store up to 2 GB, and the Peerless disk, which can store up to 20 GB. A RAID (redundant array of independent disks) system integrates two or more hard disks, duplicating data, instructions, and information to improve data reliability.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig When your computers hard disk is full, an Internet hard drive can provide additional storage space. Ease of use, number of features, and amount of storage space varies, based on the specific Internet hard drive Web site. Do you trust the security of online storage services? What types of information might you store online? What are other advantages and disadvantages of Internet hard drives?
Compact Discs
Laser disks first were developed by RCA for showing home movies. The 14-inch optical disk was a derivative of these early 1980s video disks. Advantages that compact discs offer over hard disks include: greater data density, less expense (bit for bit), increased durability, and no head crashing.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig A DVD+RW is similar to a CD-RW, except it has storage capacities up to 4.7 GB. To write on DVD+RW discs, you must have a DVD writer. Along with processor speed, amount of memory, and hard disk capacity, CDROM drive speed is a featured element of almost every personal computer advertisement. Like CD-ROM drives, DVD-ROM drive speeds are indicated with the letter X to represent the standard speed of a DVD drive. That speed, however, is considerably faster than the data transfer rate of the original CDROM. While a 24X CD-ROM drive has a data transfer rate of 3,600 KB per second, a 5X DVD-ROM has a data transfer rate of 6,750 KB per second.
Tape
Magnetic tape was developed in the mid-1950s to replace the earlier method of storing data on punched cards. To better understand the difference between sequential access and direct access (or random access), compare an audio cassette tape to a CD-ROM. An audio cassette tape is sequential; to listen to the fourth song it is necessary to listen to (or fast-forward through) the first three songs. A CD is direct; it is possible to go straight to the fourth song. For what applications would sequential storage be appropriate? For what applications would it be unsuitable? Tape cartridges can be purchased formatted or unformatted. One-quarter-inch wide cartridge tapes typically are 600 feet long. Unattended tape backup is a great time saver. Consider how many 1.44 MB floppy disks are needed and how much time is required (removing disks as they become full and inserting new disks) to back up 150 MB of data. With tape backup, you can press a key, go about other business, and return to remove the finished backup tape.
This chapter discusses the role of the system software with respect to application software. It then presents an overview of several productivity software applications, graphic design/multimedia software applications, home/personal/educational software applications, and communications software applications. The chapter then identifies various Web applications. Finally, learning aids and supports tools within application software products are presented.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig freeware, and public-domain software, these usually have fewer capabilities than retail software packages.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig used to show the program, data, and/or information. At the top of the window is a title bar that contains the windows name.
Identify the widely used products and explain the key features of productivity/business software applications graphic design/multimedia software applications home/personal/educational software applications communications software applications
People use productivity software to become more effective and efficient while performing daily activities. Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents that contain text and graphics. With word processing software, you can insert clip art into a document; change margins; find and replace text; use a spelling checker to check spelling; place a header and footer at the top and the bottom of a page; and vary font (character design), font size (character scale), and font style (character appearance). With spreadsheet software, data is organized in rows and columns, which collectively are called a worksheet. The intersection of a row and column, called a cell, can contain a label (text), a value (number), or a formula or function that performs calculations on the data and displays the result. Database software allows you to create and manage a database. A database is a collection of data organized to allow access, retrieval, and use of that data. A query is used to retrieve data according to specified criteria, which are restrictions the data must meet. Presentation graphics software is used to create presentations that communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group through a slide show. You can use a clip gallery to enhance your presentation with clip art images, pictures, video clips, and audio clips.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig A personal information manager (PIM) is software that includes an appointment calendar to schedule activities, an address book to maintain names and addresses, and a notepad to record ideas, reminders, and important information. A software suite is a collection of individual applications sold as a single package. Project management software allows you to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the progress of a project. Accounting software helps companies record and report their financial transactions. Power users often use software that allows them to work with graphics and multimedia. Computer-aided design (CAD) software assists in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs. Desktop publishing (DTP) software is used to design and produce sophisticated documents. DTP is developed specifically to support page layout, which is the process of arranging text and graphics in a document. Paint software is used to draw graphical images with various on-screen tools. Image editing software provides the capability to modify existing images. Video editing software and audio editing software can be used to modify video and audio segments. Multimedia authoring software is used to create electronic interactive presentations that can include text, images, video, audio, and animation. Web page authoring software is designed to create Web pages and to organize, manage, and maintain Web sites. Many software applications are designed specifically for use at home or for personal or educational use. Integrated software combines several productivity software applications that share a similar interface and common features into a single package. Personal finance software is an accounting program that helps pay bills, balance a checkbook, track income and expenses, follow investments, and evaluate financial plans. Legal software assists in the creation of legal documents and provides legal advice. Tax preparation software guides users through the process of filing federal taxes. Personal
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig DTP software helps develop conventional documents by asking questions, presenting predefined layouts, and supplying standard text. Photo-editing software is used to edit digital photographs. A clip art/image gallery is a collection of clip art and photographs that can be used in all types of documents. Home design/landscaping software assists with planning or remodeling. Educational software teaches a particular skill and exists for about any subject. Reference software provides valuable and thorough information for all individuals. Entertainment software includes interactive games, videos, and other programs designed to support a hobby or provide amusement. One of the main reasons people use computers is to communicate and share information. E-mail software is used to create, send, receive, forward, store, print, and delete e-mail (electronic mail). A Web browser is a software application used to access and view Web pages. A chat client is software that allows you to connect to a chat room, which permits users to chat via the computer. A newsreader is a software program used to participate in a newsgroup, which is an online area on the Web where users conduct written discussion about a particular subject. An instant messenger is a software program installed to use instant messaging (IM), a real-time communications service that notifies you when one or more people are online and then allows you to exchange messages or files. Groupware is a software application that helps groups of people on a network work together and share information. A videoconference is a meeting between two or more geographically separated people who use a network or the Internet to transmit audio and video data.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig (computer-based training) that uses Internet technology. Many Web sites offer WBT to the general public. An application service provider (ASP) is a thirdparty organization that manages and distributes software and services on the Web.
System software is an essential part of a computer system. This chapter defines system software and discusses two types of system software: operating systems and utility programs. You learn what an operating system is and explore user interfaces, operating systems features, and operating system functions. A variety of popular operating systems are described including DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows CE, the Mac OS, OS/2, UNIX, Linux, and NetWare. You discover what happens when they start a computer and why a boot disk is important. Finally, a number of utility programs are explained.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig Spooling increases efficiency by placing print jobs in a buffer (an area of memory or storage where data resides while waiting to be transferred) until the printer is ready, freeing the processor for other tasks. Configuring devices establishes communication with each device in the computer. A device driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a device. Accessing the Web may entail including a Web browser and e-mail program in the operating system. Monitoring performance helps to identify and solve system problems. A performance monitor is a program that assesses and reports information about various system resources and devices. Providing housekeeping services entails performing storage and file management functions. A file manager performs such functions as formatting and copying disks; listing the files on a storage medium; checking the amount of used and unused space on a storage medium; organizing, copying, deleting, moving, and sorting files; and creating shortcuts (icons on the desktop that run a program when clicked). Administering security involves establishing user accounts on a network. Each account typically requires a user name and a password to log on, or access, the network.
Know the difference between stand-alone operating systems and network operating systems
A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating system that works on a desktop or notebook computer. A network operating system (also called network OS or NOS) is an operating system that supports a network. A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications media and devices such as cables, telephone lines, and modems. In some networks, the server is the computer that controls access to the hardware and software on a network and provides a centralized storage area. The other computers on the network, called clients, rely on the server(s) for resources.
Discuss the purpose of the following utilities: file viewer, file compression, diagnostic, uninstaller, disk scanner, disk defragmenter, backup, and screen saver
Most operating systems include several utility programs that perform specific tasks related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. A file viewer is a utility that allows you to display and copy the contents of a file. A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file. A diagnostic utility compiles technical information about a computers hardware and certain system software programs and then prepares a report outlining any identified problems. An uninstaller is a utility that removes an application, as well as any associated entries in the system files. A disk scanner is a utility that (1) detects and corrects both physical and logical problems on a hard disk, and (2) searches for and removes unnecessary files. A disk defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes files and unused space on a computers hard disk so data can be accessed more quickly and programs can run faster. A backup utility copies, or backs up, selected files or an entire hard drive onto another disk or tape. A screen saver is a utility that causes the
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig monitors screen to display a moving image on a blank screen if no keyboard activity occurs for a specified period.
1. System software 2. Starting a computer 3. User interface 4. Features of operating systems 5. Stand-alone and network operating system
6. Stand-alone operating systems 7. Network operating systems 8. Embedded operating systems 9. Utility programs
Here you will find additional information that will expand and enhance your knowledge beyond that contained in your textbook. Compare this information to what may be provided in a traditional classroom by your instructor or peers.
System Software
Software is a key component of any information system. Of the total number of corporate dollars spent on computing, the software share is increasing while the hardware share is decreasing. Typically, different sizes of computers use different operating systems, and even the same types of computers may not use the same operating system. The operating system that a computer uses sometimes is called the software platform, or platform. Application software packages often require a specific software platform. A cross-platform application, however, is one that runs on multiple operating systems.
Starting a Computer
When you turn on a computer after it has been powered off, you are performing a cold boot. When you restart a computer that already has been powered on, you are performing a warm boot. Your typically can perform a warm boot by pressing a combination of keys on the keyboard (in Windows, CTRL+ALT+DEL), selecting options from a menu, or pressing a Reset button on the computer. If you watch the screen closely as the POST is conducted, the value for the total amount of memory can be seen to change as it is measured in the memory test. If the POST results do not match the data on the CMOS chip, an appropriate message should appear. The boot program typically is the first side, first track, and first sector of the hard disk. When you install an operating system, one of the installation steps involves making an emergency disk from which you can start your computer if the hard disk is damaged.
User Interface
You can interact with an operating system directly (as you do when copying files, moving files, formatting disks, and so on) or indirectly (as you do when working with an application program). An operating system is intended to be transparent; that is, it does not have to be understood, considered, or even known. The operating system with which an application program will work is specified on the application software package. The application programs you want to use should be considered before deciding on an operating system, and the operating system must be considered when choosing application software. A graphical user interface is designed to be easier to use (more user-friendly) than a command-line interface. As an example of this user-friendly nature, consider how a relatively simple task, such as deleting a file, is performed with a command-line interface and with a GUI. With a command-line interface, you might type del followed by the file name in quotation marks. Therefore, you
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig must remember the command, type it correctly, and use the proper syntax. On the other hand, with a GUI you need only select (click) the file name in the file manager window and then click the Delete command on a menu or the Delete button on a toolbar. Although most people find a GUI the easiest interface to use, some long-time computer virtuosos still feel a command-line user interface is more efficient.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig Processor utilization the amount of time that the processor is working and not idle is one way of monitoring system performance. In addition to the programs that come with most operating systems, several utility programs are available to monitor system performance. Formatting a disk is the process of preparing it for reading and writing. Today, most floppy and hard disks are preformatted by the manufacturer. If you format a disk that already contains data, the formatting process erases the file location information, but it does not erase the actual files on the disk. Therefore, if you accidentally format a disk, often you can unformat it with a utility program. System security usually is most important for large systems or networks. For single-user PCs, adequate system security can be a key in the users pocket.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig The inclusion of Internet Explorer in the Windows 98 operating system led to an antitrust suit against Microsoft. Prosecutors insisted that the incorporation of a browser was an attempt by Microsoft to eliminate competition from rival Web browsers (such as Netscape Navigator). Microsoft maintained that the addition simply was an enhancement to the operating system. Although Microsoft advertised Windows 98 less heavily than Windows 95, many vendors took up the slack. One retailer offered Windows 98 with the opportunity to buy a new computer for $98. The promotion evidently worked. A buyer waited in line 11 hours for a chance to buy the new operating system and discount computer. When asked if he would have come out simply for Windows 98 (his current computer ran Windows 3.1), he replied, Not a chance. Windows 2000 was released in February, 2000 and was touted as a boon for all businesses, from small companies with no more than two desktop computers to large corporations with vast networks. Windows Millennium is a result of Microsofts recognition that the needs of business and home users are different. For years, the Macintosh operating system had features that made it far easier to use than other operating systems. For example, people could give files sensible names (like Letter to Grandma) instead of the cryptic, eight character strings (like letgrand.txt) demanded by DOS and Windows 3.x. While Windows 95 incorporated many of these features, Macintosh devotees still feel their operating system is easier to use. Until recently, the Macintosh operating system was proprietary. In 1994 the operating system was licensed, but experts feel Apples promotion has been lukewarm. New standards let IBM computers run Apple software. More than 4,000 applications are designed to run under the Mac OS. Microsoft has developed the more popular Mac OS applications. IBM supplies OS/2 (Operating System/2) Warp with its high-end personal computers. OS/2 originally was developed jointly by IBM and Microsoft to replace MS-DOS. As an interim measure, Microsoft developed Windows, an
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig operating environment to work with DOS. The eventual popularity of Windows, coupled with the initial poor sales of OS/2, resulted in Microsoft and IBM going their separate ways, with Microsoft concentrating on Windows and IBM continuing to develop OS/2. Features offered in OS/2 Warp include: An enhanced graphical user interface Integrated business application software Speaker-independent speech recognition software Desktop objects that allow users to connect directly to the Internet Integrated Java programming language that allows Java applications to run without a Web browser Support for multiple CPUs using multiprocessing
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig system as the Palm but offers several additional features videogames, cell telephone, modem, MP3 player, and two-way pager at about half the cost.
Utility Programs
Utilities generally reside in storage until summoned by the user or operating system kernel. Microsoft was the target of several lawsuits for allegedly incorporating utility programs developed by others into their DOS operating system. Some versions of DOS were modified because of this litigation. In light of the ever-increasing number of utility programs included with operating systems, will a market remain for separate utility programs? In addition to the utilities mentioned in this chapter, other Windows 98 utilities include: DirectX Enhances multimedia capabilities on the computer, providing better playback of different types of multimedia and managing 3-D graphics better than console computers. Drive Converter (FAT 32) Converts the hard drive to the FAT32 file system, an enhancement that stores data more efficiently, creating extra disk space and helping programs run faster. Registry Checker Finds and fixes registry problems each time the computer is started, automatically scanning the registry for inconsistent data structures. System File Checker Keeps track of critical files that make the computer run, restoring the files if they are moved or changed. Microsoft Magnifier Makes the screen more readable by displaying a magnified portion in a separate window and making it possible to alter the color scheme and contrast of the magnification window for easier visibility.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig Some stand-alone utilities include: Desktop enhancers Change the desktop look and organization, allowing users to create and switch between multiple desktops. File conversion Converts from one file format to another so that a file can be used by another application. Internet organizers Helps in the management and use of favorite Web sites, searching the Web and reporting on site changes. Antivirus programs Prevent, detect, and remove computer viruses. Viruses and antivirus programs are explored in Chapter 12. Some utility programs are used primarily by select groups. For example, text editors -- utility programs that make it easy to work with lists and records -are popular with programmers and people who work with databases. PC Tools and Norton Utilities are popular utility software packages for personal computers.
This chapter introduces one of the most significant innovations of the past half century the Internet. The Internet is defined, and the history of the Internet is detailed. You discover how the Internet works and learn about Internet service providers and online services, connecting to the Internet, how data travels the Internet, and Internet addresses. The World Wide Web, search engines, and multimedia on the Web are explained. You become familiar with Webcasting, electronic commerce, Web publishing, and other Internet services including e-mail, FTP, Telnet, newsgroups, mailing lists, chat rooms, and instant messaging. Finally, netiquette, the Internet code of acceptable behavior by users, is described.
Identify a URL
The most widely used service on the Internet is the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web (WWW or Web) consists of a worldwide collection of electronic documents called Web pages. A browser is a software program used to access and view Web pages. Each Web page has a unique address, called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), that tells a browser where to locate the Web page. A URL consists of a protocol, domain name, and sometimes the path to a specific Web page or location on a Web page. Most URLs begin with http://, which stands for hypertext transfer protocol, the communications standard that enables pages to transfer on the Web.
Recognize how Web pages use graphics, animation, audio, video, and virtual reality
Many exciting Web pages use multimedia. Multimedia refers to any application that integrates text with one of the following elements: graphics, sound, video, virtual reality, or other media elements. A graphic is a digital representation of information such as a drawing, chart, or photograph. Two common file formats for graphical images on the Web are JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), which use compression techniques to reduce the size of graphics files and thus speed downloading. Animation is the appearance of motion created by displaying a series of still images in rapid sequence. One popular type of animation, called an animated GIF, uses computer animation and graphics software to combine several images into a single GIF file. Audio is music, speech, or any other sound. A common format for audio files on the Web is MP3, a popular technology that compresses audio. More advanced Web audio applications use streaming audio, which transfers audio data in a continuous and even flow, allowing users to listen to the sound as it downloads. Video consists of full-motion images that are played back at various speeds. Video files often are quite large in size. The Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) defines a popular video compression standard. Streaming video allows you to view longer or live video images as they are downloaded. Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computers to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as a three-dimensional (3-D) space. A VR world is an entire 3-D site that contains infinite space and depth.
Define Webcasting
Pull technology is a method of obtaining information that relies on a client such as your computer to request a Web page from a server. On the other hand, Webcasting, also called push technology, is a method of obtaining information in which a server automatically downloads content to your computer at regular intervals or whenever updates are made to the site. Webcasting saves time by delivering information at regular intervals and allows users to view Web content when they are offline, that is, when they are not connected to the Internet.
Explain how e-mail, FTP, newsgroups and message boards, mailing lists, chat rooms, and instant messaging work
A variety of services are used widely on the Internet, including e-mail, FTP, newsgroups and message boards, mailing lists, chat rooms, and instant messaging. E-mail (electronic mail) is the transmission of messages and files via a computer network. You use an e-mail program to create, send, receive,
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig forward, store, print, and delete messages. To receive messages, you need an e-mail address, which is a combination of a username and a domain name that identifies a user. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an Internet standard that allows you to upload and download files with other computers on the Internet. An FTP server is a computer that allows you to use FTP to upload files to, and download files from, an FTP site. With anonymous FTP, anyone can transfer some, if not all, available files. A newsgroup is an online area in which users conduct written discussions about a particular subject. The computer that stores and distributes newsgroup messages is called a news server. You use a program called a newsreader to access a newsgroup, read previously entered messages (called articles), and add (post) messages of your own. A thread consists of the original article and all subsequent related replies. In a moderated newsgroup, a moderator reviews articles and posts them, if appropriate. A message board is a popular Web-based type of discussion group that does not require a newsreader and typically is easier to use than a newsgroup. A mailing list is a group of e-mail names and addresses given a single name. To add your e-mail name and address to a mailing list you subscribe to it; to remove your name, you unsubscribe. A chat is real-time (meaning everyone involved in the chat is online at the same time) typed conversation that takes place on a computer. A location on an Internet server that permits users to chat is called a chat room. Some chat rooms support voice chats and video chats, where you can hear or see others and they can hear or see you as you chat. A chat client is a program on your computer that allows you to connect to a chat server and start a chat session. Instant messaging (IM) is a real-time Internet communications service that notifies you when one or more people are online and then allows you to exchange messages or join a private chat room.
1. The Internet 2. Accessing the Internet 3. URLs 4. Searching the Web 5. Types of Web Pages 6. How Web Pages Use Multimedia
Here you will find additional information that will expand and enhance your knowledge beyond that contained in your textbook. Compare this information to what may be provided in a traditional classroom by your instructor or peers.
The Internet
The Internet has had a profound affect on the world of computers. Microsoft CEO Bill Gates claims, The Internet is pervasive in everything were doing. The Internet also has assumed an increasing prominence in the world at large. Today, the letters www seem an omnipresent part of advertisements on buses, billboards, and magazines. The Internet, as it is known today, was born in 1983 when ARPANET was split into two interconnected networks: ARPANET and MILNET. The size of the Internet doubled when NSFnet joined the Internet in 1986. The Internet has proven to be a reliable means of transmitting data. Occasionally, however, transmission problems do occur. For 30 minutes in the spring of 1995, all of the traffic destined for MIT was sent through a small wire in Florida, a situation described as equivalent to routing all of the flights bound for OHare to a driveway.
URLs
On a Web page, a link is a built-in connection to another related Web page or part of a Web page. A link can be a word, phrase, or image. URLs make it possible to navigate using links, because each link is connected to a URL. When you click a link, the Web site or document associated with the URL is displayed. Some people refer to this activity of jumping from one Web page to another as surfing the Web. URLs are registered for a standard fee (usually about $70). To acquire an appropriate URL, some companies are willing to spend a great deal more for a URL that already has been registered. Recently, eCompanies paid an entrepreneur $7.5 million for a Web address. This more than doubled the previous record Compaqs purchase of altavista.com for $3 million.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig Personal Web pages sometimes use Web cams to provide minute-by-minute views of life in a dorm room, an apartment, a new-born babys crib, or even the inside of a refrigerator. One devotee of these personal Web pages says visitors often develop a sort of relationship with the Web page developer. Perhaps this observation is true; some personal Web pages receive more than 1,000 hits a day.
Webcasting
Some people use Webcasting to download copyrighted material, such as music, from Web sites. Many young, unknown musicians see music Web sites as a way to gain exposure, but some already-popular musicians see sharing music on Web sites as little more than theft. The heavy metal rock band Metallica sued Napster (a music Web site) for copyright violations. A number of colleges have placed a ban on music Web sites. These schools maintain that students downloading and sharing music creates a tremendous amount of traffic, clogging the schools computer systems. As a result, the schools are using filtering software to deny access to music Web sites. Several student groups have formed to protest this response.
E-Commerce
Today, more than 50 percent of Web sites are commercial. Online product sales total more than $6 billion, which represents a twelve-fold increase in just five years. These numbers should be kept in perspective in 1999, ecommerce still represented only 0.5 percent of U.S. consumer spending. Business to consumer e-commerce often allows buyers to purchase directly from businesses, eliminating the middleman and thus providing goods and services at lower costs. Other advantages of e-commerce include: twenty-four hour access global presence two-way communication decreased costs lower product display and storage costs reduced salesperson costs Businesses advertise with their own Web site or on another companys Web site. The most successful Web advertisements are on popular sites, such as search engines. In terms of audience, advertising on the Web is expensive. The cost to reach 1,000 consumers is about $75 on the Web, $60 in a newspaper, $44 in a magazine, and $5 on television. Yet, Web advertisements do offer advantages: Unlike traditional media advertising, which is passive (and often ignored by the audience), Web advertising is interactive. The audience expresses an interest in the product by clicking a hyperlink and choosing to view a Web ad. For many products, Web users are the ideal customers. Web users tend to be students or highly educated consumers in their late 30s, with average incomes of about $55,000.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig What products could benefit most from
Web Publishing
Deciding upon the purpose of the Web site and the audience for whom it is intended will make it easier to determine what should and should not be included on the Web site. Web publishing is an increasingly commonplace Internet activity. With the assistance of word processing packages, Web page authoring software, or Web sites that assist in the creation of Web pages, even elementary school children are developing personal Web pages.
Internet Services
It is estimated that the number of e-mail users has increased 300 percent during the past five years, and the number of e-mail messages sent per day has increased 400 percent. While its growth has been phenomenal, not everyone is happy with e-mails ever-increasing use. In a business setting, some feel that e-mail can be counter-productive. They contend that employees spend too much time writing and reading e-mail on inconsequential topics subjects they never would commit to paper. In a social setting, some wonder if e-mail is fitting in every situation. Although e-mail is suitable for casual messages, most believe it is inappropriate for more serious or formal communication, such as a wedding invitation. How do you feel about these reservations regarding e-mail? Many files on anonymous FTP sites are public domain software, freeware, or shareware. Public domain software is not copyrighted and therefore can be distributed at no cost. Freeware also is available at no cost but, because it is copyrighted, it cannot be resold. Shareware can be downloaded and tried for free, but a license fee must be paid if the software is kept. Shareware users who pay the license fee may receive a manual, notification of new releases or tips, and access to technical support. The quality of freeware, public domain software, and shareware varies greatly.
[CS 415 COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT] Information Technology SKSU- Kalamansig The real-time character of chat makes chat rooms different from newsgroups or mailing lists. The extent to which a chat room is monitored varies. In some chat rooms, particularly those aimed at adults, a monitors presence hardly is noticed. Chat rooms intended for minors, however, often are monitored closely. Chat rooms can be an invaluable experience for children, letting them share thoughts and ideas with people their own age from around the country, or even around the world. Yet, to ensure that content is appropriate, parents may want to oversee a childs first few chat room visits.