Students' Guide to Information Technology

Preface1: The Information Revolution Scenario What is Information Four Kinds of Information Information Processing What is Information Technology? IT Devices The IT Revolution The Impact of the IT Revolution IT and Employment2: Computers Scenario What is a Computer? Computer Hardware Microprocessors How a Microprocessor Handles Information Binary Numbers Microprocessors and Logic Arithematic and Logic Gates Logic Circuits Microprocessors and Computers Neural Networks Digital Signal Processors Processing Speeds Computer Memory Types of Computer The Evolution of the Personal Computer3: Computer Peripherals and Applications Scenario Using a Computer Input Devices Storage Devices Output Devices: Monitors Output Devices: Printers The Benefits of Computers The Uses of Computers4: Computer Software Scenario The Importance of Software What is Software? How Software Works Programming Languages Software Reliability Program Specification Declarative Languages Object-Oriented Languages Systems Software Operating Systems How the Operating System Organizes the Disk Operating System Commands Operating Environments Windows Using Windows Other Environments for PCs Utilities Application Software Features of Application Packages5: Technological Convergence Scenario Technological Convergence Analogue and Digital Information Audio and Video Systems Technological Convergence in Audio Systems Technological Convergence in Video Systems Multimedia Interactive Video Compact Discs Compact Disc for Multimedia Applications Data Compression Virtual Reality Systems6: Communications Scenario What do we Mean by Communications? How do Electromagnetic Communications Work? Technological Convergence and Communications Fibre Optics The Telecommunications Problem Carrier Waves and Modulation Multiplexing Modems Communications Systems and Networks Inter-Computer Communications Local Area Networks Circuit-Switched Networks Packet-Switched Networks The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model Broadcast Networks Telecommunications Services On-Line Databases and Bulletin Boards Electronic Data Interchange7: Information Systems Scenario Introduction to Information Systems The Systems Project Life Cycle Systems Analysis The Essential Model Reasons for Using Graphical modeling Tools The Statement of Purpose The Context Diagram The Event List Dataflow Diagrams The Entity-Relationship Diagram The Data Dictionary Process Specifications Designing and Implementing the System8: IT in the Office Scenario Office Automation The Benefits and Implications of Office Automation Office Automation Systems Office Automation and the Paperless Office Database Software Spreadsheet Software Business Graphics and Presentations Word Processing and Desktop Publishing Personal Productivity Software Ideas Organizers9: IT in Manufacturing Scenario The Main Steps in the Manufacturing Process Data Processing Systems Expert Systems Computer-Aided Design Computer-Integrated Manufacturing The Evolution of Manufacturing Technology The Impact of CIM Creating the Integrated Factory Controlling the Integrated Factory Computer-Aided Manufacture Flexible Manufacturing SystemsIndex