Assignment Chapter 3

Lecturer : Mr. Tri Djoko Wahjono, Ir., M.Sc

Name : Agatha Virgitia Darmawan

Student ID : 1701338122

True/False

Mark T for True and F for False.

__T__ 1. The categories of application software are mutually exclusive. (142)

__F__ 2. Public-domain software is available to the public for a fee. (143)

__F__ 3. T o click a button on the screen requires moving the pointer to the button and then pressing and holding down a button on the mouse (usually the right mouse button). (144)

__T__ 4. A dialog box is a window that provides information, presents available options, or requests a response. (145)

__T__ 5. A font is a name assigned to a specific design of characters. (149)

__T__ 6. I n a spreadsheet program, a function is a predefined formula that performs common calculations such as adding the values in a group of cells or generating a value such as the time or date. (151)

__T__ 7. Computer-aided design (CAD) software is a sophisticated type of application software that assists a professional user in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs. (160)

 __F__ 8. I mage stitching is the process of adjusting or enhancing image colors and/or adding special effects such as shadows and glows. (161)

__T__ 9. Although many word processing programs include desktop publishing (DTP) software features, users often prefer to create DTP documents using DTP software because of its enhanced features. (168)

__T__ 10. Some Web sites require you to download software in order to run their Web applications. (172)

 __T__ 11. Some communications software is considered system software because it works with hardware and transmission media. (174)

 __F__ 12. An RSS aggregator includes time-stamped articles, or posts, in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order. (174)

Multiple Choice 

Select the best answer.

 1. ____ is mass-produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs of a wide variety of users, not just a single user or company. (142)

(a.) Packaged software (b.) A Web application   (c.) Open source software           (d.) Custom software

Answer : (a.)

 2. _____ is a collection of individual programs available together as a unit. (156)

(a.) A software suite       (b.) Shareware                  (c.) Packaged software                  (d.) Custom software

Answer : (a.)

 3. _____ allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project. (157)

(a.) Accounting software(b.) Project management software       (c.) CAD software            (d.) Document management software

Answer : (b.)

 4. _____ software provides a means for sharing, distributing, and searching through documents by converting them into a format that can be viewed by any user. (158)

(a.) Database (b.) Portable Document Format (PDF) (c.) Document management (d.) Word processing

Answer : (c.)

 5. _____ helps home and small business users create newsletters, brochures, advertisements, postcards, greeting cards, letterhead, business cards, banners, calendars, logos, and Web pages. (168)

(a.) Blogware (b.) A personal information manager (c.) Personal DTP software (d.) Note taking software

Answer : (c.)

 6. With _____, you can view, organize, sort, catalog, print, and share digital photos. (169)

(a.) spreadsheet software (b.) photo management software (c.) clip art (d.) desktop publishing software

Answer : (b.)

 7. A(n) _____ is an online area where users have written discussions. (174)

(a.) FTP program              (b.) text message            (c.) newsgroup/message board                (d.) Web browser

Answer : (c.)

 8. _____ is the electronic equivalent of a user manual. (175)

(a.) Web-based training                                (b.) Online Help                                (c.) E-learning                    (d.) Distance learning

Answer : (b.)

Matching  Match

__F__ 1. button (144)

f. small symbol on the screen that moves as you move the mouse

__E__ 2. window (144)

e. rectangular area of the screen that displays data and information

__J__ 3. title bar (144)

j. horizontal space that contains the window’s name

 __B__ 4. pasting (149)

b. the process of transferring an item from a clipboard to a specific location in a document

__D__ 5. c ell (151)

d.  intersection of a row and column in a spreadsheet

 __L__ 6. database (153)

l. collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data

__A__ 7. PDF (158)

a. popular file format that document management software uses to save converted documents

__G__ 8. personal finance software (166)

g. simplified accounting program that helps home users and small office/home office users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, set up budgets, manage home inventory, track investments, and evaluate financial plans

 __K__ 9. online banking (166)

k. offers access to account balances, provides bill payment services, and allows you to download monthly transactions and statements from the Web directly to your computer

__C__ 10. Web app (172)

c. Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet

Short Answer

Write a brief answer to each of the following questions.

1.       Describe some types of utility programs. ____________

A utility program is a type of system software that assists users with controlling or maintaining the operation of a computer, its devices, or its software. Utility programs typically offer features that provide an environment conducive to successful use of application software.

For example, utility programs protect a computer against malicious software and unauthorized intrusions, manage files and disks, compress files, play media files, and burn optical discs.

What is malware? ____________

Malware, short for malicious software, is software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems.  It can appear in the form of code, scripts, active content, and other software. 'Malware' is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software.

Malware is utility programs protects a computer against malicious software.

2.       What are the features of presentation software? ____________

The features of presentation software are a variety of predefined presentation formats that define complementary colors for backgrounds, text, and graphical accents on the slides, a variety of layouts for each individual slide such as a title slide, a two-column slide, and a slide with clip art, a picture, a chart, a table, or a diagram.

What types of media might a person use to enhance a presentation? ____________

You can enhance any text, charts, and graphical images on a slide with 3-D, animation, and other special effects such as shading, shadows, and textures.

3.       How is travel and mapping software used? ____________

Using travel and mapping software, which is available both as packaged software and as Web applications, you can display maps by searching for an address, postal code, telephone number, or point of interest (such as airports, lodging, and historical sites). This software often provides driving directions when a user enters a starting and destination point. Most programs also allow you to download construction reports and calculate mileage, time, and expenses.

What are some examples of reference software? ____________

Some example of popular reference software : encyclopedias, dictionaries and health or medical guides.

4.       What is computer-based training (CBT)? ____________

CBT(Computer-based training) is a type of education in which students learn by using and completing exercises with instructional software.

List a few examples of CBT usage. ____________

CBT typically consists of self-directed, self-paced instruction about a topic. Beginning athletes, for example, use CBT programs to learn the intricacies of baseball, football, soccer, tennis, and golf. The military and airlines use CBT simulations to train pilots to fly in various conditions and environments.

5.       Describe how many Web sites utilize Web-based training. ____________

Many web sites utilize web-based training because Web-based training is popular in business, industry, and schools for teaching new skills or enhancing existing skills of employees, teachers, or students.

What are some ways that e-learning enhances communications? ____________

E-learning, short for electronic learning, is the delivery of education via some electronic method such as the Internet, networks, or optical discs. To enhance communications, e-learning systems also may include video conferencing, e-mail, blogs, wikis, newsgroups, chat rooms, and groupware.

Assignment Chapter 2

Lecturer : Mr. Tri Djoko Wahjono, Ir., M.Sc

Name : Agatha Virgitia Darmawan

Student ID : 1701338122

1. How Did the Internet Evolve?

The Internet, also called the Net, is a world- wide collection of networks that links millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. Each of the networks on the Internet provides resources that add to the abundance of goods, services, and information accessible via the Internet.

The Internet has its roots in a networking project started by the Pentagon’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. ARPA’s goal was to build a network that :

(1)  allowed scientists at different physical locations to share information and work together on military and scientific projects

(2)  could function even if part of the network were disabled or destroyed by a disaster such as a nuclear attack.

That network, called ARPANET, became functional in September 1969, linking scientific and academic researchers across the United States.

The original ARPANET consisted of four main computers, one each located at the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of California at Santa Barbara, the Stanford Research Institute, and the University of Utah. Each of these computers served as a host on the network. A host, more commonly known today as a server, is any computer that provides services and connections to other computers on a network. Hosts often use high-speed communications to transfer data and messages over a network.

As researchers and others realized the great benefit of using ARPANET to share data and information, ARPANET underwent phenomenal growth. By 1984, ARPANET had more than 1,000 individual computers linked as hosts. Today, more than 550 million hosts connect to the Internet. Some organizations connected entire networks to ARPANET to take advantage of its high-speed communications. In 1986, the National Science Foundation (NSF) connected its huge network of five supercomputer centers, called NSFnet, to ARPANET. This configuration of complex net- works and hosts became known as the Internet.

Until 1995, NSFnet handled the bulk of the communications activity, or traffic, on the Internet. In 1995, NSFnet terminated its network on the Internet and resumed its status as a research network.

Today, the Internet consists of many local, regional, national, and international networks. Numerous corporations, commercial firms, and other companies such as IBM provide networks to handle Internet traffic. Both public and private organizations own networks on the Internet. These networks, along with telephone companies such as Verizon and AT&T, cable and satellite companies, and the government, all contribute toward the internal structure of the Internet.

Each organization on the Internet is responsible only for maintaining its own network. No single person, company, institution, or government agency controls or owns the Internet. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), however, oversees research and sets standards and guidelines for many areas of the Internet. The mission of the W3C is to contribute to the growth of the Web. More than 350 organizations from around the world are members of the W3C, advising, defining standards, and addressing other issues.

2. What Are the Various Types of Internet Connections, and What Are the Differences between Broadband and Dial-Up Connections?

Many home and small business users connect to the Internet via high-speed broadband Internet service. With broadband Internet service, your computer or mobile device usually is connected to the Internet the entire time it is powered on. Examples of broadband Internet service include cable, DSL, fiber, radio signals, and satellite.

• Cable Internet service provides high-speed Internet access through the cable television network via a cable modem.

• DSL (digital subscriber line) provides high-speed Internet connections using regular copper telephone lines.

• Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) uses fiber-optic cable to provide high-speed Internet access to home and business users.

• Fixed wireless provides high-speed Internet connections using a dish-shaped antenna on your house or business to communicate with a tower location via radio signals.

 • A cellular radio network offers high-speed Internet connections to devices with built-in compatible technology or computers with wireless modems.

• A Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) network uses radio signals to provide high-speed Internet connections to compatible or properly equipped wireless computers and devices.

 • Satellite Internet service provides high-speed Internet connections via satellite to a satellite dish that communicates with a satellite modem.

Employees and students typically connect their computers to the Internet through a business or school network. The business or school network connects to a high-speed broadband Internet service. Many home users set up a Wi-Fi network, which sends signals to a communications device that is connected to a high-speed Internet service such as cable or DSL.

Instead of using broadband Internet service, however, some home users connect to the Internet via dial-up access, which is a slower-speed technology. Dial-up access takes place when the modem in your computer connects to the Internet via a standard telephone line that transmits data and information using an analog (continuous wave pattern) signal. Users may opt for dial-up access because of its lower price or because broadband access is not available in their area. Mobile users access the Internet using a variety of Internet services.

Most hotels and airports provide wired or wireless Internet connections as a service to travelers. Wireless Internet services, such as Wi-Fi networks, allow mobile users to connect easily to the Internet with notebook computers, smart phones, and other mobile devices while away from a telephone, cable, or other wired connection.

Many public locations, such as airports, hotels, schools, shopping malls, and coffee shops, are hot spots that provide Wi-Fi Internet connections to users with mobile computers or devices. At public locations, you may be required to agree to terms of service, obtain a password (for example, from the hotel’s front desk), or perform some other action in order to connect to the Internet. Some cities provide free Wi-Fi Internet connections to all residents.

Satellite Internet service provides high-speed Internet connections via satellite. Some homes and small businesses connect to the Internet with dial-up access. Dial-up access, which is slower-speed technology, takes place when the modem in your computer connects to the Internet via a standard telephone line that transmits data and information using an analog (continuous wave) pattern.

3. What Are the Types of Internet Access Providers?

An access provider is a business that provides individuals and organizations access to the Internet free or for a fee. For example, some

Wi-Fi networks provide free access while others charge a per use fee. Other access providers often charge a fixed amount for an Internet connection, offering faster speeds or more services for higher rates. Typical monthly rates range from about $5 to $24 per month for dial-up, $13 to $70 for DSL, $20 to $75 for cable, $40 to $150 for FTTP, $30 to $80 for fixed wireless, $60 to $80 for cellular networks, and $50 to  $120 for satellite. Many Internet access providers offer services such as news, weather, financial data, games, travel guides, e-mail, photo communities, and online storage to hold digital photos and other files. (A file is a named unit of storage.)

Access providers are categorized as regional or national ISPs, online service providers, and wireless Internet service providers

An ISP (Internet service provider) is a regional or national access provider. A regional ISP usually provides Internet access to a specific geographic area. A national ISP is a business that provides Internet access in cities and towns nation- wide. For dial-up access, some national ISPs provide both local and toll-free telephone numbers. Due to their larger size, national ISPs usually offer more services and have a larger technical support staff than regional ISPs. Examples of national ISPs are AT&T and EarthLink.

In addition to providing Internet access, an online service provider (OSP) also has many members-only features such as instant messaging or their own customized version of a Web browser. The two more popular OSPs are AOL (America Online) and MSN (Microsoft Network). AOL differs from many OSPs in that it provides gateway functionality to the Internet, meaning it regulates the Internet services to which members have access. AOL also provides free access to its services to any user with a broadband Internet connection.

When selecting an ISP or OSP for dial-up access, ensure it provides at least one local telephone number. Otherwise, long-distance telephone charges will apply for the time you connect to the Internet.

 A wireless Internet service provider, sometimes called a wireless data provider, is a company that provides wireless Internet access to desktop and notebook computers and mobile devices, such as smart phones and portable media players, with built-in wireless capability (such as Wi-Fi) or to computers using wireless modems or wireless access devices. Wireless modems, which usually are in the form of a USB flash drive or a card that inserts in a slot in a computer or mobile device, generally dial a telephone number to establish a connection with the wireless Internet service provider. An antenna on or built into the computer or device, wireless modem, or wireless access device typically sends signals through the airwaves to communicate with a wireless Internet service provider. Some examples of wireless Internet service providers include AT&T, Boingo Wireless, Sprint Broadband Direct, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.

 4. What Is the Purpose of an IP Address, and What Is Its Relationship to a Domain Name?

An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, is a number that uniquely identifies each computer or device connected to the Internet. The IP address usually consists of four groups of numbers, each separated by a period. The number in each group is between 0 and 255. For example, the numbers 72.14.207.99 are an IP address.

In general, the first portion of each IP address identifies the network and the last portion identifies the specific computer. These all-numeric IP addresses are difficult to remember and use. Thus, the Internet supports the use of a text name that represents one or more IP addresses. A domain name is the text version of an IP address.

As with an IP address, the components of a domain name are separated by periods. The text in the domain name up to the first period identifies the type of Internet server.

Every domain name contains a top-level domain (TLD), which is the last section of the domain name. A generic TLD (gTLD), identifies the type of organization associated with the domain. The Internet server and gTLD portions of a domain name often are not required.

The domain name system (DNS) is the method that the Internet uses to store domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. When you specify a domain name, a DNS server translates the domain name to its associated IP address so that data and information can be routed to the correct computer.

 A DNS server is an Internet server that usually is associated with an Internet access provider. The growth of the Internet has led to a shortage of IP addresses. Thus, a new IP addressing scheme, called IPv6, may increase the number of available IP addresses.

5. What Is the Purpose of a Web Browser, and What Are the Components of a Web Address?

A Web browser, or browser, is application software that allows users to access and view Web pages or access Web 2.0 programs. To browse the Web, you need a computer or mobile device that is connected to the Internet and has a Web browser. The more widely used Web browsers for personal computers are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Google Chrome. With an Internet connection established, you start a Web browser. The browser retrieves and displays a starting Web page, sometimes called the browser’s home. The initial home page that is displayed is one selected by your Web browser. You can change your browser’s home page at anytime.

Another use of the term, home page, refers to the first page that a Web site displays. Similar to a book cover or a table of contents for a Web site, the home page provides information about the Web site’s purpose and content. Many Web sites, such as iGoogle, allow you to personalize the home page so that it contains areas of interest to you. The home page usually contains links to other documents, Web pages, or Web sites. A link, short for hyperlink, is a built-in connection to another related Web page or part of a Web page.

A Web address consists of a protocol, domain name, and sometimes the path to a specific Web page or location on a Web page. Many Web page addresses begin with http://. The http, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is a set of rules that defines how pages transfer on the Internet.

To help minimize errors, many browsers and Web  sites do not require you enter the http:// and www portions of the Web address in the Address bar. If you enter an incorrect Web address, the browser may display a list of similar addresses or related Web sites from which you can select.

When you enter the Web address, http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/ wildlifeviewing.htm in the Web browser, it sends a request to the Web server that contains the nps.gov Web site. The server then retrieves the Web page named wildlifeviewing.htm that is located in the grsm/planyourvisit path and delivers it to your browser, which then displays the Web page on the screen.

To save time, many users create bookmarks for their frequently visited Web pages. A bookmark, or favorite, is a saved Web address that you access by clicking its name in a list. That is, instead of entering a Web address to display a Web page, you can click a previously saved bookmark. When you enter a Web address in a browser, you request, or pull, information from a Web server. Some Web servers also can push content to your computer at regular intervals or when- ever updates are made to the site.

 6. How Do You Use a Search Engine to Search for Information on the Web, and What Is the Difference between a Search Engine and a Subject Directory?

A search engine is helpful in locating information for which you do not know an exact Web address or are not seeking a particular Web site. Thousands of search engines are available. Some search through Web pages for all types of information. Other search engines can restrict their searches to a specific type of information, such as the following items:

• Images — pictures, diagrams, and drawings.

• Videos — home videos, music videos, television programs, and movie clips.

• Audio — music, songs, recordings, and sounds.

• Publications — news articles, journals, and books.

• Maps — maps of a business or address, or driving directions to a destination.

• People or Businesses — addresses and telephone numbers.

• Blogs — specific opinions and ideas of others.

Search engines require that you enter a word or phrase, called search text or search query, that describes the item you want to find. Each word in the search text is known as a keyword. Your search text can be broad, such as spring break destinations, or more specific, such as Walt Disney World. Search engines often respond with thousands of results, whose content varies depending on the type of information you are seeking. Some results are links to Web pages or articles; other results are media, such as images or videos. You may find that many items that appear in the search results have little or no bearing on the item you are seeking. You can eliminate the superfluous items in your search results by carefully crafting search text that limits the search. If you misspell search text, many search engines identify alternative search text. Some also provide suggested keywords, links, and/or images as you begin typing your search text.

A subject directory provides categorized lists of links arranged by subject. Using this search tool, you locate a particular topic by clicking links through different levels, moving from the general to the specific.

Each time you click a category link, the subject directory displays a list of subcategory links, from which you again choose. You continue in this fashion until the search tool displays a list of Web pages about the desired topic. The major disadvantage with a subject directory is that users have difficulty deciding which categories to choose as they work through the menus of links presented.

7. What Are the Types of Web Sites?

Portal :

 A portal is a Web site that offers a variety of Internet services from a single, convenient location. Most portals offer these free services: search engine; news; sports and weather; Web publishing; reference tools such as yellow pages, stock quotes, and maps; shopping; and e-mail and other communications services. Many portals have online communities. An online community is a Web site that joins a specific group of people with similar interests or relationships. These communities may offer online photo albums, chat rooms, and other services to facilitate communications among members. Popular portals include AltaVista, AOL, Excite, GO.com, iGoogle, Lycos, MSN, and Yahoo!. A wireless portal is a portal designed for Internet-enabled mobile devices.

News :

 A news Web site contains newsworthy material including stories and articles relating to current events, life, money, sports, and the weather. Many magazines and newspapers sponsor Web sites that provide summaries of printed articles, as well as articles not included in the printed versions. Newspapers and television and radio stations are some of the media that maintain news Web sites.

Informational :

An informational Web site contains factual information. Many United States government agencies have informational Web sites providing information such as census data, tax codes, and the congressional budget. Other organizations provide information such as public transportation schedules and published research findings.

Business/Marketing :

A business/marketing Web site contains content that promotes or sells products or services. Nearly every enterprise has a business/marketing Web site. Allstate Insurance Company, Dell Inc., General Motors Corporation, Kraft Foods Inc., and Walt Disney Company all have business/marketing Web sites. Many of these enterprises also allow you to purchase their products or services online.

Blog :

A blog, short for Weblog, is an informal Web site consisting of time-stamped articles, or posts, in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order. A blog that contains video clips is called a video blog, or vlog. A microblog allows users to publish short messages, usually between 100 and 200 characters, for others to read. Twitter is a popular microblog. The term blogosphere refers to the worldwide collection of blogs, and the vlogosphere refers to all vlogs worldwide. Blogs reflect the interests, opinions, and personalities of the author, called the blogger or  vlogger (for vlog author), and sometimes site visitors. Blogs have become an important means of worldwide communications. Businesses create blogs to communicate with employees, customers, and vendors. Teachers create blogs to collaborate with other teachers and students. Home users create blogs to share aspects of their personal life with family, friends, and others.

Wiki :

A wiki is a collaborative Web site that allows users to create, add to, modify, or delete the Web site content via their Web browser. Many wikis are open to modification by the general public. Wikis usually collect recent edits on a Web page so that some- one can review them for accuracy. The difference between a wiki and a blog is that users cannot modify original posts made by the blogger. A popular wiki is Wikipedia, a free Web encyclopedia.

Online Social Network :

An online social  network, also called a social networking Web site, is a Web site that encourages members in its online community to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users. Most include chat rooms, newsgroups, and other communications services.

Popular social networking Web sites include MySpace and Facebook, with Facebook alone boasting more than 300 million active users. In some social networking Web sites, such as Second Life, users assume an imaginary identity and interact with other users in a  role-playing type of environment. A media sharing Web site is a specific type of online social network that enables members to share media such as photos, music, and videos. Flickr, Fotki, and Webshots are popular photo sharing communities; PixelFish and YouTube are popular video sharing communities.

Educational :

An educational Web site offers exciting, challenging avenues for formal and informal teaching and learning. On the Web, you can learn how airplanes fly or how to cook a meal. For a more structured learning experience, companies provide online training to employees; and colleges offer online classes and degrees. Instructors often use the Web to enhance classroom teaching by publishing course materials, grades, and other pertinent class information.

Entertainment :

An entertainment Web site offers an interactive and engaging environment. Popular entertainment Web sites offer music, videos, sports, games, ongoing Web episodes, sweepstakes, chat rooms, and more. Sophisticated entertainment Web sites often partner with other technologies. For example, you can cast your vote about a topic on a television show.

Advocacy :

An advocacy Web site contains content that describes a cause, opinion, or idea. These Web sites usually present views of a particular group or association. Sponsors of advocacy Web sites include the Democratic National Committee, the Republican National Committee, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Society to Protect Human Rights.

Web Application :

A Web application, or Web app, is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software through a Web browser on any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Some Web applications provide free access to their software. Others offer part of their software free and charge for access to more comprehensive features or when a particular action is requested. Examples of Web applications include Google Docs (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations), TurboTax Online (tax p reparation), and Windows Live Hotmail (e-mail).

Content Aggregator :

A content aggregator is a business that gathers and organizes Web content and then distributes, or feeds, the content to subscribers for free or a fee. Examples of distributed content include news, music, video, and pictures. Subscribers select content in which they are interested. Whenever the selected content changes, it is downloaded automatically (pushed) to the subscriber’s computer or mobile device.

RSS 2.0, which stands for Really Simple Syndication, is a specification that some con- tent aggregators use to distribute content to subscribers. Atom is another specification sometimes used by content aggregators to distribute content. Some current browsers include a feature, such as Internet Explorer’s WebSlices, that enables content aggregators to mark sections of their Web pages as feeds to which users can subscribe.

Personal

A private individual or family not usually associated with any organization may maintain a personal Web site or just a single Web page. People publish personal Web pages for a variety of reasons. Some are job hunting. Others simply want to share life experiences with the world.

 8. How Do Web Pages Use Graphics, Animation, Audio, Video, Virtual Reality, and Plug-Ins?

Graphics

A graphic, or graphical image, is a digital representation of nontext information such as a drawing, chart, or photo. Today, many Web pages use colorful graphical designs and images to convey messages.

The Web contains countless images about a variety of subjects. You can download many of these images at no cost and use them for noncommercial purposes. Recall that downloading is the process of transferring an object from the Web to your computer. For example, you can insert images into greeting cards, announcements, and other documents.

Of the graphics formats that exist on the Web , the two more common are JPEG and GIF formats. JPEG (pronounced JAY-peg) is a format that compresses graphics to reduce their file size, which means the file takes up less storage space. Smaller file sizes result in faster downloading of Web pages because small files transmit faster than large files. The more compressed the file, the smaller the image and the lower the quality. The goal with JPEG graphics is to reach a balance between image quality and file size. Digital photos often use the JPEG format.

GIF (pronounced jiff) graphics also use compression techniques to reduce file sizes. The GIF format works best for images that have only a few distinct colors, such as company logos. The newer PNG (pronounced ping) graphics format improves upon the GIF format, and thus may eventually replace the GIF format. The BMP and TIFF formats may require special viewer software, and they have larger file sizes. Thus, these formats are not used on the Web as frequently as JPEG, GIF, and PNG formats.

Animation

 Many Web pages use animation, which is the appearance of motion created by displaying a series of still images in sequence. Animation can make Web pages more visually interesting or draw attention to important information or links. For example, text that animates by scrolling across the screen can serve as a ticker to display stock updates, news, sports scores, weather, or other information. Web-based games often use animation. Web page developers add animation to Web pages using a variety of techniques. Web page authoring programs, such as Adobe Flash and Microsoft Expression Web, enable Web site developers to combine animation and interactivity in Web pages. Developers unfamiliar with Web page authoring programs can create an animated GIF, which combines several GIF images in a single GIF file.

Audio

On the Web, you can listen to audio clips and live audio. Audio includes music, speech, or any other sound. Simple applications consist of individual audio files available for download to a computer or device. Once downloaded, you can play (listen to) the contents of these files.. Audio files are compressed to reduce their file sizes. For exam ple, the MP3 format reduces an audio file to about one-tenth its original size, while preserving much of the original quality of the sound. Some music publishers have Web sites that allow users to download sample tracks free to persuade them to buy all the songs contained on the CD. Others allow a user to purchase and download an entire CD. It is legal to download copyrighted music only if the song’s copyright holder has granted permission for users to download and play the song.

To listen to an audio file on your computer, you need special software called a player. Most current operating systems contain a player, for example, Windows Media Player. Some audio files, however, might require you to download a player. Players available for download include iTunes and RealPlayer. You can download the players free from the Web; some are plug-ins, which are discussed later in this chapter. Some applications on the Web use streaming audio. Streaming is the process of transferring data in a continuous and even flow. Streaming allows users to access and use a file while it is transmitting. For example, streaming audio enables you to listen to music as it downloads to your computer. Many radio and television stations use streaming audio to broadcast music, interviews, talk shows, sporting events, music videos, news, live concerts, and other segments.

Podcasting is another popular method of distributing audio. A podcast is recorded audio, usually an MP3 file, stored on a Web site that can be downloaded to a computer or a portable media player such as an iPod. Examples of podcasts include music, radio shows, news stories, classroom lectures, political messages, and television commentaries. Podcasters register their podcasts with content aggregators. Subscribers select podcast feeds they want to be downloaded automatically whenever they connect. Most smart phone users who subscribe to a wireless Internet service provider can listen to streaming audio and podcasts.

Video

On the Web, you can view video clips or watch live video. Video consists of images displayed in motion. Most video also has accompanying audio. You can use the Internet to watch live and/or prerecorded coverage of your favorite television programs or enjoy a live performance of your favorite vocalist. You can upload, share, or view video clips at a video sharing Web site such as YouTube.

Educators, politicians, and businesses are using video blogs and video pod- casts to engage students, voters, and consumers. Simple video applications on the Web consist of individual video files, such as movie or television clips, that you must download completely before you can play them on the computer. Video files often are compressed because they are quite large in size. These clips also are short in length, usually less than 10 minutes, because they can take a long time to download. The Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) defines a popular video compression standard, a widely used one called MPEG-4 or MP4. Another popular video format is Adobe Flash. As with streaming audio, streaming video allows you to view longer or live video images as they download to your computer. Widely used standards supported by most Web browsers for transmitting streaming video data on the Internet are AVI (Audio Video Interleaved), QuickTime, Windows Media Format, and RealVideo. Like RealAudio, RealVideo is supported by RealPlayer.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computers to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as a three-dimensional (3-D) space. VR involves the display of 3-D images that users explore and manipulate interactively. Using special VR software, a Web developer creates an entire 3-D environment that contains infinite space and depth, called a VR world. A VR world, for example, might show a house for sale. Potential buyers walk through rooms in the VR house by moving an input device forward, backward, or to the side.

Games and simulations on optical disc or on the Web often use VR. Many practical applications of VR also exist. Science educators create VR models of molecules, organisms, and other structures for students to examine. Companies use VR to showcase products or create advertisements. Architects create VR models of buildings and rooms so that clients can see how a completed construction project will look before it is built.

Plug-ins

Most Web browsers have the capability of displaying basic multimedia elements on a Web page. Sometimes, a browser might need an additional program, called a plug-in. A plug-in, or add-on, is a program that extends the capability of a browser. You can download many plug-ins at no cost from various Web sites. Some plug-ins run on all sizes of personal computers and mobile devices. Others have special versions for mobile devices.

9. What Are the Steps Required for Web Publishing?

The five major steps in Web publishing are as follows:

1.       Plan a Web site.

Think about issues that could affect the design of the Web site. Identify the purpose of the Web site and the characteristics of the people whom you want to visit the Web site. Determine ways to differentiate your Web site from other similar ones.

2.       Analyze and design a Web site.

Design the layout of elements of the Web site such as links, text, graphics, animation, audio, video, and virtual reality. Required hardware may include a digital camera, Web cam, scanner, sound card, and microphone.

3.       Create a Web site.

Use a word processing program to create basic Web pages that contain text and graphics. Use Web page authoring software to create more sophisticated Web sites that include text, graphics, animation, audio, video, and special effects. For advanced features such as managing users, passwords, chat rooms, and e-mail, you may need to purchase specialized Web site management software.

4.       Deploy a Web site.

Transfer the Web pages from your computer to a Web server. Many Internet access providers offer their customers storage space on a Web server. Another option is a Web hosting service, which provides storage space on a Web server for a reasonable monthly fee. To help others locate your Web page, register your Web address with various search engines to ensure your site will appear in the hit lists for searches for certain keywords.

5.       Maintain a Web site.

Visit the Web site regularly to ensure the Web site contents are current and all links work properly.

10. What Are the Types of E-Commerce?

E-commerce, short for electronic commerce, is a business transaction that occurs over an electronic network such as the Internet. Anyone with access to a computer or mobile device, an Internet connection, and a means to pay for purchased goods or services can participate in e-commerce. Some people use the term m-commerce (mobile commerce) to identify e-commerce that takes place using mobile devices.

Popular uses of e-commerce by consumers include retail, finance, travel, entertainment, and health. Users can purchase just about any product or service on the Web, including groceries, flowers, books, computers, music, movies, cars, airline tickets, and concert tickets. They also can pay bills, invest in stocks, make airline reservations, reserve a hotel or car, and fill prescriptions. Three types of e-commerce are business- to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer, and business-to-business. Business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce consists of the sale of goods and services to the general public. For example, Apple has a B2C Web site. Instead of visiting a retail store to purchase an iPod, customers can order one directly from Apple’s Web site. A customer (consumer) visits an online business through an electronic storefront, which contains product descriptions, images, and a shopping cart. The shopping cart allows the customer to collect purchases. When ready to complete the sale, the customer enters personal data and the method of payment, which should be through a secure Internet connection. E-retail, short for electronic retail, occurs when businesses use the Web to sell products

11. How Do E-Mail, Mailing Lists, Instant Messaging, Chat Rooms, VoIP, Newsgroups and Message Boards, and FTP Work?

E-mail (short for electronic mail) is the transmission of messages and files via a computer network. E-mail was one of the original services on the Internet, enabling scientists and researchers working on government-sponsored projects to communicate with colleagues at other locations.

Today, e-mail is a primary communications method for both personal and business use.

You use an e-mail program to create, send, receive, forward, store, print, and delete e-mail messages. Outlook and Windows Live Mail are two popular desktop e-mail programs; Gmail and Windows Live Hotmail are two popular free e-mail Web applications.

A mailing list, also called an e-mail list or distribution list, is a group of e-mail names and addresses given a single name. When a message is sent to a mailing list, every person on the list receives a copy of the message in his or her mailbox. For example, your credit card company may add you to its mailing list in order to send you special offers. To add your e-mail name and address to a mailing list. To remove your name, you unsubscribe from the mailing list. Thousands of mailing lists exist about a variety of topics in areas of entertainment, business, computers, society, culture, health, recreation, and education. Many vendors use mailing lists to communicate with their customer base.

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 files or join a private chat room with them. Real time means that you and the people with whom you are conversing are online at the same time. Some IM services support voice and video conversations. Many IM services also can alert you to information such as calendar appointments, stock quotes, weather, or sports scores. They also allow you to send photos or other documents to a recipient, listen to streaming music, and play games with another online party. For IM to work, both parties must be online at the same time. Also, the receiver of a message must be willing to accept messages.

A chat is a real-time typed conversation that takes place on a computer. A chat room is a location on an Internet server that permits users to chat with each other. Anyone in the chat room can participate in the conversation, which usually is specific to a particular topic. As you type on your keyboard, a line of characters and symbols is displayed on the computer screen. Others connected to the same chat room server also see what you have typed. Some chat rooms support voice chats and video chats, in which people hear or see each other as they chat.

To start a chat session, you connect to a chat server through a program called a chat client. Today’s browsers usually include a chat client. If yours does not, you can download a chat client from the Web. Some Web sites allow users to conduct chats without a chat client. Once you have installed a chat client, you can create or join a conversation on the chat server to which you are connected. The chat room should indicate the discussion topic. The person who creates a chat room acts as the operator and has responsibility for monitoring the conversation and disconnecting anyone who becomes disruptive. Operator status can be shared or transferred to someone else.

VoIP, (Voice over IP, or Internet Protocol) also called Internet telephony, enables users to speak to other users over the Internet. That is, VoIP uses the Internet (instead of the public switched telephone network) to connect a calling party to one or more local or long- distance called parties.

To place an Internet telephone call, you need a high-speed Internet connection (such as a DSL or cable modem); Internet telephone service; a microphone or telephone, depending on the Internet telephone service; and Internet telephone software or a VoIP router, or a telephone adapter, depending on the Internet telephone service.

 VoIP services also are available on some mobile devices that have wireless Internet service. Calls to other parties with the same Internet telephone service often are free, while calls that connect to the telephone network typically cost about $15 to $35 per month. As you speak in a microphone connected to your computer or a telephone connected to the VoIP router or telephone adapter, the Internet telephone software and the computer’s sound card or the VoIP router or telephone adapter convert your spoken words (analog signals) to digital signals and then transmit the digitized audio over the Internet to the called parties. Software and equipment at the receiving end reverse the process so that the receiving parties can hear what you have said.

Newsgroups and Message Boards

A newsgroup is an online area in which users have written discussions about a particular subject. To participate in a discussion, a user posts a message, called an article, to the newsgroup, and other users in the newsgroup read and reply to the message. A thread or threaded discussion consists of the original article and all subsequent related replies.

A computer that stores and distributes news- group messages is called a news server. Some newsgroups require you to enter a user name and password to participate in the discussion. For example, a newsgroup for students taking a college course may require a user name and password to access the newsgroup. This ensures that only students in the course participate in the discussion.

To participate in a newsgroup, typically you use a program called a newsreader. Windows Live Mail includes a newsreader. Some Web sites, such as Google Groups, that sponsor newsgroups have a built-in newsreader. A popular Web-based type of discussion group that does not require a newsreader is a message board. Many Web sites use message boards instead of newsgroups because they are easier to use.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an Internet standard that permits file uploading and downloading with other computers on the Internet. Uploading is the opposite of downloading; that is, uploading is the process of transferring documents, graphics, and other objects from your computer to a server on the Internet. Web page authors, for example, often use FTP to upload their Web pages to a Web server. Many operating systems include FTP capabilities. If yours does not, you can download FTP programs from the Web, usually for a small fee.

An FTP server is a computer that allows users to upload and/or download files using FTP. An FTP site is a collection of files including text, graphics, audio clips, video clips, and program files that reside on an FTP server. Many FTP sites have anonymous FTP, whereby anyone can transfer some, if not all, available files. Some FTP sites restrict file transfers to those who have authorized accounts (user names and pass- words) on the FTP server. Large files on FTP sites often are compressed to reduce storage space and download time. Before you can use a compressed (zipped) file, you must uncompress (unzip) it.

12. What Are the Rules of Netiquette?

Netiquette, which is short for Internet etiquette, is the code of acceptable behaviors users should follow while on the Internet; that is, it is the conduct expected of individuals while online. Netiquette includes rules for all aspects of the Internet, including the World Wide Web, e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, FTP, and newsgroups and message boards.

Assignment Chapter 1

Lecturer : Mr. Tri Djoko Wahjono, Ir., M.Sc

Name : Agatha Virgitia Darmawan

Student ID : 1701338122

  

1. Why Is Computer Literacy Vital in Today’s World?

Because  computers are everywhere  at work, at school, and at home. People use all types and sizes of computers for a variety of reasons and in a range of places. While some computers sit on top of a desk or on the floor, mobile computers and mobile devices are small enough to carry. Mobile devices, such as many cell phones, often are classified as computers. Computers are a primary means of local and global communication for billions of people. Consumers use computers to correspond with businesses, employees with other employees and customers, students with classmates and teachers, and family members and military personnel with friends and other family members. In addition to sending simple notes, people use computers to share photos, drawings, documents, calendars, journals, music, and videos. Through computers, society has instant access to information from around the globe. Local and national news, weather reports, sports scores, airline schedules, telephone directories, maps and directions, job listings, credit reports, and countless forms of educational material always are accessible. From the computer, you can make a telephone call, meet new friends, share opinions or life stories, book flights, shop, fill prescriptions, file taxes, take a course, receive alerts, and automate your home. At home or while on the road, people use computers to manage schedules and contacts, listen to voice mail messages, balance checkbooks, pay bills, transfer funds, and buy or sell stocks. Banks place ATMs (automated teller machines) all over the world, so that customers can deposit  and withdraw funds anywhere at anytime. At the grocery store, a computer tracks purchases, calculates the amount of money due, and often generates coupons customized to buying  patterns. Vehicles include onboard navigation systems that provide directions, call for emergency services, and track the vehicle if it is stolen. In the workplace, employees use computers to create correspondence such as e-mail messages, memos, and letters; manage calendars; calculate payroll; track inventory; and generate invoices. At school, teachers use computers to assist with classroom instruction. Students complete assignments and conduct research on computers in lab rooms, at home, or elsewhere. Instead of attending class on campus, some students take entire classes directly from their computer. People also spend hours of leisure time using a computer. They play games, listen to music or

radio broadcasts, watch or compose videos and movies, read books and magazines, share stories, research genealogy, retouch photos, and plan vacations.

Computer literacy, or digital literacy, involves having current knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses. The requirements that determine computer literacy change as technology changes. As computers become more a part of everyday life, many people believe that computer literacy is vital to success.

2.   What Is a Computer, and What Is the Relationship  between Data and Information?

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Relationship between data and information is, computers process data into information. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information conveys meaning and is useful to people. Many daily activities either involve the use of or depend on information from a computer. Computers process several data items to print information in the form of a cash register receipt.

Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information conveys meaning and is useful to people.

3.   List and Describe the Five Components of a Computer !

A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known as hardware. These components include input devices, output devices, a system unit, storage devices, and communications devices.

An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer. Five widely used input devices are the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner,  and Web cam. A computer keyboard contains keys you press to enter data into the computer. For security purposes, some keyboards include a fingerprint reader, which allows you to work with the computer only if your fingerprint is recognized. A mouse is a small handheld device. With the mouse, you control movement of a small symbol on the screen, called the pointer, and you make selections from the screen. A microphone allows you to speak into the computer. A scanner converts printed material (such as text and pictures) into a form the computer can use. A Web cam is a digital video camera that allows you to create movies or take pictures and store them on the computer instead of on tape or film.

An output device is any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people. Three commonly used output devices are a printer, a monitor, and speakers. A printer produces text and graphics on a physical medium such as paper. A monitor displays text, graphics, and videos on a screen. Speakers allow you to hear music, voice, and other audio (sounds).

The system unit is a case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data.

The circuitry of the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the motherboard. Two main components on the motherboard are the processor and memory. The processor, also called a CPU (central processing unit), is the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions. Although some forms of memory are permanent, most memory keeps data and instructions temporarily, which means its contents are erased when the computer is shut off.

Storage device holds data, instructions, and information for future use. For example, computers can store hundreds or millions of customer names and addresses. Storage holds these items permanently. A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media . Examples of storage media are USB flash drives, hard disks, optical discs, and memory cards. A  storage device records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media. Drives and readers/writers, which are types of storage devices, accept a specific kind of storage media. For example, a DVD drive ( storage device) accepts a DVD (storage media). Storage devices often function as a source of input because they transfer items from storage to memory. A USB flash drive is a portable storage device that is small and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket. The average USB flash drive can hold about 4 billion characters. You plug a USB flash drive in a special, easily accessible opening on the computer. A hard disk provides much greater storage capacity than a USB flash drive. The average hard disk can hold more than 320 billion characters. Hard disks are enclosed in an airtight, sealed case. Although some are portable, most are housed inside the system unit. Portable hard disks are either external or removable. An external hard disk is a separate, freestanding unit, whereas you insert and remove a removable hard disk from the computer or a device connected to the computer. An optical disc is a flat, round, portable metal disc with a plastic coating. CDs, DVDs, and Blue ray Discs are three types of optical discs. A CD can hold from 650 million to 1 billion characters. Some DVDs can store two full-length movies or 17 billion characters. Blue ray Discs can store about 46 hours of standard video, or 100 billion characters. Some mobile devices, such as digital cameras, use memory cards as the storage media. You can use a card reader/writer to transfer the stored items, such as digital photos, from the memory card to a computer or printer.
A communications device is a hardware component that enables a computer to send (transmit) and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices. A widely used communications device is a modem. Communications occur over cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks, satellites, and other transmission media. Some transmission media, such as satellites and cellular radio net- works, are wireless, which means they have no physical lines or wires.

4. What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages That Users Experience When Working with Computers?

Advantages that users experience when working with computer

Benefits from using computers are possible because computers have the advantages of speed, reliability, consistency, storage, and  communications.

• Speed:

When data, instructions, and information flow along electronic circuits in a computer, they travel at incredibly fast speeds. Many computers process billions or trillions of operations in a single second. Processing involves computing (e.g., adding, subtracting), sorting (e.g., alphabetizing), organizing, displaying images, recording audio, playing music, and showing a movie or video.

 • Reliability:

The electronic components in modern computers are dependable and reliable because they rarely break or fail.

 • Consistency:

Given the same input and processes, a computer will produce the same results — consistently. A computing phrase — known as garbage in, garbage out — points out that the accuracy of a computer’s output depends on the accuracy of the input. For example, if you do not use the flash on a digital camera when indoors, the resulting pictures that are displayed on the computer screen may be unusable because they are too dark.

• Storage:

A computer can transfer data quickly from storage to memory, process it, and then store it again for future use. Many computers store enormous amounts of data and make this data available for processing anytime it is needed.

• Communications:

Most computers today can communicate with other computers, often wirelessly. Computers with this capability can share any of the four information processing cycle operations — input, process, output, and storage — with another computer or a user.

Disadvantages that users experience when working with computer

Some disadvantages of computers relate to health risks, the violation of privacy, public safety, the impact on the labor force, and the impact on the  environment.

• Health Risks:

Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to injuries or disorders of the hands, wrists, elbows, eyes, neck, and back. Computer users can protect themselves from these health risks through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Two behavioral health risks are computer addiction and technology overload. Computer addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using a computer. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when deprived of computers and mobile devices. Once recognized, both computer addiction and technology overload are treatable disorders.

• Violation of Privacy:

Nearly every life event is stored in a computer somewhere in medical records, credit reports, tax records, etc. In many instances, where personal and confidential records were not protected properly, individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.

• Public Safety:

Adults, teens, and children around the world are using computers to share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers. Protect yourself and your dependents from these criminals by being cautious in e-mail messages and on Web sites. For example, do not share information that would allow others to identify or locate you and do not disclose identification numbers, passwords, or other personal security details.

• Impact on Labor Force:

Although computers have improved productivity in many ways and created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of millions of employees have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is crucial that workers keep their education up-to-date. A separate impact on the labor force is that some companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries instead of keeping their homeland labor force employed.

 • Impact on Environment:

Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. When computers are discarded in landfills, they can release toxic materials and potentially dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and flame retardants.

Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer. Strategies that support green computing include recycling, regulating manufacturing processes, extending the life of computers, and immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers. When you purchase a new computer, some retailers offer to dispose of your old computer properly.

5.  What Is a Network, and What Are Its Benefits?

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media. When a computer connects to a network, it is online.

Benefits of network are allow computers to share resources, such as hardware, software, data, and information. Sharing resources saves time and money. In many networks, one or more computers act as a server. The server controls access to the resources on a network. The other computers on the network, each called a client or workstation, request resources from the server. The major differences between the server and client computers are that the server ordinarily has more power, more storage space, and expanded communications capabilities. Many homes and most businesses and schools network their computers and devices. Most allow users to connect their computers wirelessly to the network. Home networks usually are small, existing within a single structure. Business and school networks can be small, such as in a room or building, or widespread, connecting computers and devices across a city, country, or the globe. The world’s largest computer network is the Internet.

6.  How Are the Internet and World Wide Web Used?

The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.

More than one billion people around the world use the Internet daily for a variety of  reasons, some of which are listed below :

• Communicate with and meet other people

• Conduct research and access a wealth of information and news

 • Shop for goods and services

• Bank and invest

• Participate in online training

• Engage in entertaining activities, such as planning vacations, playing online games, listening to music, watching or editing videos, and reading books and magazines

 • Download music and videos

• Share information, photos, and videos

• Access and interact with Web applications

People connect to the Internet to share information with others around the world. E-mail allows you to send and receive messages to and from other users. With instant messaging, you can have a live conversation with another connected user. In a chat room, you can communicate with multiple users at the same time — much like a group discussion. You also can use the Internet to make a telephone call. Businesses, called access providers, offer users and organizations access to the Internet free or for a fee. By subscribing to an access provider, you can use your computer and a communications device, such as a modem, to connect to the many services of the Internet.

The Web, short for World Wide Web, is one of the more popular services on the Internet. Think of the Web as a global library of information available to anyone connected to the Internet. The Web contains billions of documents called Web pages. A Web page can contain text, graphics, animation, audio, and video. Web pages often have built-in connections, or links, to other documents, graphics, other Web pages, or Web sites. A Web site is a collection of related Web pages. Some Web sites allow users to access music and videos that can be downloaded, or transferred to storage media in a computer or portable media player. Once downloaded, you can listen to the music through speakers, headphones, or earbuds, or view the videos on a display device. Many people use the Web as a means to share personal information, photos , and videos with the world. For example, you can create a Web page and then make it available, or publish it, on the Internet for others to see.

You also can join millions of people worldwide in an online community, called a social networking Web site or an online social network, that encourages members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users. Some social networking Web sites are college oriented, some business oriented, and others are more focused. A photo sharing community, for example, is a specific type of social networking Web site that allows users to create an online photo album and store and share their digital photos. Similarly, a video sharing community is a type of social networking Web site that allows users to store and share their personal videos. Hundreds of thousands of people today also use blogs to publish their thoughts on the Web. A blog is an informal Web site consisting of time- stamped articles in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order. As others read the articles in a blog, they reply with their own thoughts. A blog that contains video clips is called a video blog. A microblog, such as Twitter, allows users to publish short messages, usually between 100 and 200 characters, for others to read. Podcasts are a popular way people verbally share information on the Web. A podcast is recorded audio stored on a Web site that can be downloaded to a computer or a portable media player such as an iPod. A video podcast is a podcast that contains video and usually audio. At a convenient time and location, the user listens to or watches the downloaded podcast. A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Examples of software available as Web applications include those that allow you to send and receive e-mail messages, prepare your taxes, organize digital photos, create documents, and play games. Web sites such as social networking Web sites, blogs, and Web applications are categorized as Web 2.0 sites. The term Web 2.0 refers to Web sites that provide a means for users to share personal information (such as social networking Web sites), allow users to modify the Web site contents (such as some blogs), and/or have soft- ware built into the site for users to access (such as Web applications).

7. How Is System Software Different from Application Software?

Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them. You interact with a program through its user interface. The user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen. Software today often has a graphical user interface. With a graphical user interface (GUI pronounced gooey), you interact with the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons. An icon is a miniature image that represents a program, an instruction, or some other object. You can use the mouse to select icons that perform operations such as starting a program. The two categories of software are system software and application software :

1.       System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices. System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. Two types of system software are the operating system and utility programs.

a.       An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices. It provides a means for users to communicate with the computer and other software. Many of today’s computers use Microsoft’s Windows, the latest version of which is shown in Figure 1-10, or Mac OS, Apple’s operating system. When a user starts a computer, portions of the operating system are copied into memory from the computer’s hard disk. These parts of the operating system remain in memory while the computer is on.

b.      A utility program allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. For example, you can use a utility program to transfer digital photos to an optical disc. Most operating systems include several utility programs for managing disk drives, printers, and other devices and media. You also can buy utility programs that allow you to perform additional computer management functions.

2.       Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/ or assist them with personal tasks. A widely used type of application software related to communications is a Web browser, which allows users with an Internet connection to access and view Web pages or access programs. Other popular application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software. Many other types of application software exist that enable users to perform a variety of tasks. These include personal information  management, note taking, project management, accounting, document management, computer- aided design, desktop publishing, paint/image editing, photo editing, audio and video editing, multimedia authoring, Web page authoring, personal finance, legal, tax preparation, home design/landscaping, travel and mapping, education, reference, and entertainment (e.g., games or simulations, etc.). Software is available at stores that sell computer products and also online at many Web sites.

8. What Are the Differences among the Types, Sizes, and Functions in the Following Categories: Personal Computers (Desktop), Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices, Game Consoles, Servers, Mainframes, Super- computers, and Embedded Computers?

Industry experts typically classify computers in seven categories: personal computers (desktop), mobile computers and mobile devices, game consoles, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded computers.

1.       A personal computer is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself. A personal computer contains a processor, memory, and one or more input, output, and storage devices. Personal computers also often contain a communications device. Two popular architectures of personal computers are the PC and the Apple. The term, PC-compatible, refers to any personal computer based on the original IBM personal computer design. Companies such as Dell, HP, and Toshiba sell PC-compatible computers. PC and PC-compatible computers usually use a Windows operating system. Apple computers usually use a Macintosh operating system (Mac OS). A desktop computer is designed so that the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table. In many models, the system unit is a tall and narrow tower, which can sit on the floor vertically — if desktop space is limited. Some desktop computers function as a server on a network. Others, such as a gaming desktop computer and home theater PC, target a specific audience. The gaming desktop computer offers high-quality audio, video, and graphics with optimal performance for sophisticated single-user and networked or Internet multiplayer games. A home theater PC (HTPC) combines the features of a high-definition video/audio entertainment system with a desktop computer that is designed to be connected to a television and includes a Blue-ray Disc, digital video recorder, and digital cable television connectivity. These high-end computers cost more than the basic desktop computer. Another expensive, powerful desktop computer is the workstation, which is geared for work that requires intense calculations and graphics capabilities. An architect uses a workstation to design buildings and homes. A graphic artist uses a workstation to create computer-animated special effects for full-length motion pictures and video games.

2.       A mobile computer is a personal computer you can carry from place to place. Similarly, a mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand. The most popular type of mobile computer is the notebook computer. The following sections discuss the notebook computer and widely used mobile devices.

3.       A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multi- player video games. Standard game consoles use a handheld controller(s) as an input device(s); a television screen as an output device; and hard disks, optical discs, and/or memory cards for storage. Weighing on average between two and nine pounds, the compact size of game consoles makes them easy to use at home, in the car, in a hotel, or any location that has an electrical outlet. Three popular models are Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii (pronounced wee), and Sony’s PlayStation 3. Read Innovative Computing 1-1 to find out how the medical field uses the Nintendo Wii.

A handheld game console is small enough to fit in one hand, making it more portable than the standard game console. With the handheld game console, the controls, screen, and speakers are built into the device. Because of their reduced size, the screens are small — three to four inches. Some models use cartridges to store games; others use a memory card or a miniature optical disc. Many handheld game consoles can communicate wirelessly with other similar consoles for multiplayer gaming. Two popular models are Nintendo DS Lite and Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP). In addition to gaming, many game console models allow users to listen to music, watch movies, keep fit, and connect to the Internet. Game consoles can cost from a couple hundred dollars to more than $500.

4.       A server controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information. Servers can support from two to several thousand connected computers at the same time. In many cases, one server accesses data, information, and programs on another server. In other cases, people use personal computers or terminals to access data, information, and programs on a server. A terminal is a device with a monitor, keyboard, and memory.

5.       A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously. Mainframes store tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information. Most major corporations use mainframes for business activities. With mainframes, enterprises are able to bill millions of customers, prepare payroll for thousands of employees, and manage thousands of items in inventory. One study reported that mainframes process more than 83 percent of transactions around the world. Mainframes also can act as servers in a network environment. Servers and other mainframes can access data and information from a mainframe. People also can access programs on the main- frame using terminals or personal computers.

6.       A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer — and the most expensive. The fastest supercomputers are capable of processing more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second. With weights that exceed 100 tons, these computers can store more than 20,000 times the data and information of an average desktop computer. Applications requiring complex, sophisticated mathematical calculations use supercomputers. Large-scale simulations and applications in medicine, aerospace, automotive design, online banking, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration use a supercomputer.

7.       An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product. Embedded computers are every- where — at home, in your car, and at work. The following list identifies a variety of everyday products that contain embedded computers :

• Consumer Electronics: mobile and digital telephones, digital televisions, cameras, video recorders, DVD players and recorders, answering machines

• Home Automation Devices: thermostats, sprinkling systems, security monitoring systems, appliances, lights

 • Automobiles: antilock brakes, engine control modules, airbag controller, cruise control

• Process Controllers and Robotics: remote monitoring systems, power monitors, machine controllers, medical devices

• Computer Devices and Office Machines: keyboards, printers, fax and copy machines

Because embedded computers are components in larger products, they usually are small and have limited hardware. These computers perform various functions, depending on the requirements of the product in which they reside. Embedded computers in printers, for example, monitor the amount of paper in the tray, check the ink or toner level, signal if a paper jam has occurred, and so on.

9. What Is the Role of Each Element in an Information System?

To be valuable, information must be accurate, organized, timely, accessible, useful, and cost- effective to produce. Generating information from a computer requires the following five elements:

• Hardware

• Software

• Data

• People

• Procedures

Together, these elements (hardware, software, data, people, and procedures) comprise an information system.

The hardware must be reliable and capable of handling the expected workload. The software must be developed carefully and tested thoroughly. The data entered into the computer must be accurate. Most companies with mid-sized and large computers have an IT (information technology) department. Staff in the IT department should be skilled and up-to-date on the latest technology. IT staff also should train users so that they understand how to use the computer properly. Today’s users also work closely with IT staff in the development of computer applications that relate to their areas of work. Finally, all the IT applications should have readily available documented procedures that address operating the computer and using its programs.

10.  How Do the Various Types of Computer Users Interact with Computers?

Every day, people around the world rely on different types of computers for a variety of applications. To illustrate the range of uses for computers, this section takes you on a visual and narrative tour of five categories of users:

• Home user

Each family member, or home user, spends time on the computer for different reasons that include personal financial management, Web access, communications, and entertainment.

On the Internet, home users access a huge amount of information, conduct research, take college classes, pay bills, manage investments, shop, listen to the radio, watch movies, read books, file taxes, book airline reservations, make telephone calls, and play.

They also communicate with others around the world through e-mail, blogs, instant messages, and chat rooms using personal computers, smart phones, and other mobile devices. Home users share ideas, interests, photos, music, and videos on social networking Web sites. With a digital camera, home users take photos and then send the electronic images to others. Using a Web cam, home users easily have live video calls with friends, family members, and others.

Many home users have a portable media player, so that they can download music or podcasts, and listen to the music and/or audio at a later time through earbuds attached to the player. They also usually have one or more game consoles to play video games individually or with friends and family members. Today’s homes also typically have one or more desktop computers. Many home users network multiple desktop computers throughout the house, often wirelessly. These small networks allow family members to share an Internet connection and a printer. Home users have a variety of software. They type letters, homework assignments, and other documents with word processing software. Personal finance software helps the home user with personal finances, investments, and family budgets. Other software assists with preparing taxes, keeping a household inventory, setting up maintenance schedules, and protecting home computers against threats and unauthorized intrusions. Reference software, such as encyclopedias, medical dictionaries, or a road atlas, provides valuable information for everyone in the family. With entertainment software, the home user can play games, compose music, research genealogy, or create greeting cards. Educational software helps adults learn to speak a foreign language and youngsters to read, write, count, and spell.

• Small office/home office (SOHO) user

Computers assist small business and home office users in managing their resources effectively. A small office/home office (SOHO) includes any company with fewer than 50 employees, as well as the self-employed who work from home. Small offices include local law practices, accounting firms, travel agencies, and florists. SOHO users typically have a desktop computer to perform some or all of their duties. Many also have smart phones or other mobile devices to manage appointments and contact information. SOHO users access the Internet — often wirelessly — to look up information such as addresses, directions, postal codes, flights, and package shipping rates or to send and receive e-mail messages or make telephone calls. 

Many have entered the e-commerce arena and conduct business on the Web. Their Web sites advertise products and services and may provide a means for taking orders. Small business Web sites sometimes use a Web cam to show the world a live view of some aspect of their business. To save money on hardware and software, small offices often network their computers. For example, the small office connects one printer to a network for all employees to share. SOHO users often work with basic business software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs that assist with document preparation and finance. They are likely to use other industry-specific types of software. An auto parts store, for example, will have software that allows for looking up parts, taking orders and payments, and updating inventory.

• Mobile user

Today, businesses and schools are expanding to serve people across the country and around the world. Thus, increasingly more employees and students are mobile users, who work on a computer or mobile device while away from a main office, home office, or school. Examples of mobile users are sales representatives, real estate agents, insurance agents, meter readers, package delivery people, journalists, consultants, and students. Mobile users often have mobile computers and/or mobile devices. With these computers and devices, the mobile user connects to other computers on a network or the Internet, often wirelessly accessing services such as e-mail and the Web. Mobile users can transfer information between their mobile device and another computer, such as one at the main office or school. For entertainment, the mobile user plays video games on a handheld game console and listens to music or watches movies on a portable media player. The mobile user works with basic business software such as word processing. With presentation software, the mobile user can create and deliver presentations to a large audience by connecting a mobile computer or device to a video projector that displays the presentation on a full screen. Many scaled-down programs are available for mobile devices such as smart phones.

 • Power user

Another category of user, called a power user, requires the capabilities of a workstation or other type of powerful computer. Examples of power users include engineers, scientists, architects, desk- top publishers, and graphic artists. Power users often work with multimedia, combining text, graphics, audio, and video into one application. These users need computers with extremely fast processors because of the nature of their work. The power user’s workstation often contains industry specific software. For example, engineers and architects use software to draft and design floor plans, mechanical assemblies, or vehicles. A desktop publisher uses software to prepare marketing literature. A graphic artist uses software to create sophisticated drawings. This software usually is expensive because of its specialized design. Power users exist in all types of businesses. Some work at home. Their computers typically have network connections and Internet access.

• Enterprise user

An enterprise has hundreds or thousands of employees or customers that work in or do business with offices across a region, the country, or the world. Each employee or customer who uses a computer in the enterprise is an enterprise user. Many large companies use the words, enterprise computing, to refer to the huge net- work of computers that meets their diverse computing needs. The network facilitates communications among employees at all locations. Users access the network of servers or mainframes through desktop computers, mobile computers, and mobile devices. Enterprises use computers and the computer network to process high volumes of transactions in a single day. Although they may differ in size and in the products or services offered, all generally use computers for basic business activities. For example, they bill millions of customers, prepare payroll for thousands of employees, and manage thousands of items in inventory. Some enterprises use blogs to open communications among employees, customers, and/or vendors. Enterprises typically have e-commerce Web sites, allowing customers and vendors to conduct business online. The Web site also showcases products, services, and other company information. The marketing department in an enterprise uses desktop publishing software to prepare marketing literature. The accounting department uses software for accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, general ledger, and payroll activities. The employees in the information technology (IT) department keep the computers and the net- work running. They determine when the company requires new hardware or software. Enterprise users work with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation soft- ware. They also may use calendar programs to post their schedules on the network. And, they might use smart phones or mobile devices to maintain contact information. E-mail programs and Web browsers enable communications among employees, vendors, and customers. Many employees of enterprises telecom- mute. Telecommuting is a work arrangement in which employees work away from a company’s standard workplace and often communicate with the office through the computer. Employees who telecommute have flexible work schedules so that they can combine work and personal responsibilities, such as child care.

11.   How Does Society Use Computers in Education, Finance, Government, Health Care, Science, Publishing, Travel, and Manufacturing?

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge. In the traditional model, people learn from other people such as parents, teachers, and employers. Many forms of printed material such as books and manuals are used as learning tools. Today, educators also are turning to computers to assist with education. Many schools and companies equip labs and classrooms with computers. Some schools require students to have a mobile computer or mobile device to access the school’s network or Internet wirelessly. To promote education by computer, many vendors offer substantial student discounts on software. Sometimes, the delivery of education occurs at one place while the learning occurs at other locations. For example, students can take a class on the Web. Some classes are blended; that is, part of the learning occurs in a classroom and the other part occurs on the Web. More than 70 percent of colleges offer distance learning classes. A few even offer entire degrees online.

Finance : Many people and companies use computers to help manage their finances. Some use finance software to balance checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, manage investments, and evaluate financial plans. This software usually includes a variety of online services. For example, computer users can track investments and do online banking. With online banking, users access account balances, pay bills, and copy monthly transactions from the bank’s computer right into their personal computers. Many financial institutions’ Web sites also offer online banking. When using a Web site instead of finance software on your computer, all your account information is stored on the bank’s computer. The advantage is you can access your financial records from anywhere in the world. Investors often use online investing to buy and sell stocks and bonds — without using a broker. With online investing, the transaction fee for each trade usually is much less than when trading through a broker.

A government provides society with direction by making and administering policies. To provide citizens with up-to-date information, most government offices have Web sites. People in the United States access government Web sites to file taxes, apply for permits and licenses, pay parking tickets, buy stamps, report crimes, apply for financial aid, and renew vehicle  registrations and driver’s licenses. To provide these services, some Web sites require users provide personal information. Employees of government agencies use computers as part of their daily routine. North American 911 call centers use computers to dispatch calls for fire, police, and medical assistance. Military and other agency officials use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s network of information about domestic security threats to help protect against terrorist attacks. Law enforcement officers have online access to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) through in-vehicle notebook computers, fingerprint readers, and mobile devices. The NCIC contains more than 52 million missing persons and criminal records, including names, fingerprints, parole/probation records, mug shots, and other information.

Health Care : nearly every area of health care today uses computers. Whether you are visiting a family doctor for a regular checkup, having lab work or an outpatient test, or being rushed in for emergency surgery, the medical staff around you will be using computers for various purposes: • Hospitals and doctors use computers and mobile devices to maintain and access patient records.

 • Computers monitor patients’ vital signs in hospital rooms and at home.

 •  Robots deliver medication to nurse stations in hospitals.

•  Computers and computerized devices assist doctors, nurses, and technicians with medical tests.

 •  Doctors use the Web and medical software to assist with researching and diagnosing health conditions.

 • Doctors use e-mail to correspond with patients.

• Pharmacists use computers to file insurance claims.

• Surgeons implant computerized devices, such as pacemakers, that allow patients to live longer.

• Surgeons use computer-controlled devices to provide them with greater precision during operations, such as for laser eye surgery and robot-assisted heart surgery.

Science : all branches of science, from biology to  astronomy to meteorology, use computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and  modeling data. Scientists also use the Internet to communicate with colleagues around the world. Breakthroughs in surgery, medicine, and treatments often result from scientists’ use of computers. Tiny computers now imitate functions of the central nervous system, retina of the eye, and cochlea of the ear. A cochlear implant allows a deaf person to listen. Electrodes implanted in the brain stop tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease. Cameras small enough to swallow — sometimes called a camera pill — take pictures inside your body to detect polyps, cancer, and other abnormalities. A neural network is a system that attempts to imitate the behavior of the human brain. Scientists create neural networks by connecting thousands of processors together much like the neurons in the brain are connected. The capability of a personal computer to recognize spoken words is a direct result of scientific experimentation with neural networks.

Publishing is the process of making works available to the public. These works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and video. Special software assists graphic designers in developing pages that include text, graphics, and photos; artists in composing and enhancing songs; filmmakers in creating and editing film; and journalists and mobile users in capturing and modifying video clips. Many publishers make their works available online. Some Web sites allow you to copy the work, such as a book or music, to your desktop computer, mobile computer, smart phone, or other mobile device.

Traveling : whether traveling by car or airplane, your goal is to arrive safely at your destination. As you make the journey, you may interact with some of the latest technology. Vehicles manufactured today often include some type of onboard navigation system, such as OnStar. Many mobile devices such as smart phones have built-in navigation systems. Some mobile users prefer to carry specialized hand- held navigation devices. For a technical discussion about how navigation devices determine your location. In preparing for a trip, you may need to reserve a car, hotel, or flight. Many Web sites offer these services to the public. For example, you can order airline tickets on the Web. If you plan to drive somewhere and are unsure of the road to take to your destination, you can print directions and a map from the Web.

Manufacturing :

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) refers to the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly. Industries use CAM to reduce product development costs, shorten a product’s time to market, and stay ahead of the competition. Often, robots carry out processes in a CAM environment. CAM is used by a variety of industries, including oil drilling, power generation, food production, and automobile manufacturing. Automobile plants, for example, have an entire line of industrial robots that assemble a car. Special computers on the shop floor record actual labor, material, machine, and computer time used to manufacture a particular product. The computers process this data and automatically update inventory, production, payroll, and accounting records on the company’s network.

source : 

Shelly, Gary B . Vermaat, Misty E. Discovering Computers 2011: Living in Digital World. United States of America : Course Technology Cengage Learning, 2011