Popular Features Retained in the Sixth Edition
Applications oriented. The continuing theme throughout the text is applications. Hundreds of applications are presented from on-line universities to telemedicine to robotics. Readability. All elements (photos, figures, sidebars, and so on) are integrated with the textual material to complement and reinforce learning. Presentation style. The text and all supplements are written in a style that remains pedagogically sound while communicating the energy and excitement of computers and computing to the student. Currency-plus. The material actually anticipates the emergence and implementation of computer technology. Included is coverage of digital convergence, Windows 98, ADSL, DVD (digital videodisk), webcasting, hypermedia, audio mail, NCs, online documents (HTML and PDF formats), e-money, data warehousing, intelligent agents, SDRAM, rapid application development using CASE, the Pentium II, AGP video boards, compact disk-rewritable (CD-RW), Zip and SuperDisk drives, morphing, firewalls, flaming, Internet-based videophone links, hot plugging, IrDA ports, workplace ergonomics, and applets. Flexibility. The text and its mixed-media teaching/learning system are organized to permit maximum flexibility in course design and in the selection, assignment, and presentation of material. Extensive coverage of Internet applications and concepts. Students are given an opportunity to take an extended trip on the information superhighway. Internet and general on-line capabilities and concepts are covered in detail. Analogies. Analogies are used throughout the book to help students relate information technology concepts they are learning to concepts they already understand, such as airplanes (computer systems), audio CDs (random processing), and cars/parking lots (files/disks). Colorful new Focus on IT boxes. The Focus on IT boxes combine dynamic photos with in-depth discussions of topics that are of interest to students: how chips are made, the history of computers, and how to buy a PC. Walk-through illustrations. Every attempt was made to minimize conceptual navigation between the running text and figures. This was done by including relevant information within the figures in easy-to-follow numbered walk-throughs. Mixed-media margin icons. The INTERNET BRIDGE and IT Works icons in the margin point students to interactive multimedia learning resources on the Internet and the IT Works CD-ROM. The INTERNET BRIDGE icons invite students to check out the Monthly Technology Update, do applicable Internet Exercises, and use the Interactive Study Guide to assess their grasp of the material. The IT Works icons identify applicable explorations and challenges. These resources are designed by the authors to complement this book. Chapter pedagogy. Chapter organization and pedagogy are consistent throughout the text. Each chapter is prefaced by Let's Talk (an introduction to terms used in the chapter) and Learning Objectives. In the body of the chapter, all major headings are numbered (1-1, 1-2, and so on) to facilitate selective assignment and to provide an easy cross-reference to all related material in the supplements. Important terms and phrases are highlighted in boldface type. Words and phrases to be emphasized appear in italics. Informative boxed features, photos, and "Memory Bits" (outlines of key points) are positioned strategically to complement the running text. Each chapter concludes with a Summary Outline and Important Terms, Review Exercises (concepts, discussion and problem solving), and a Self-Test. Margin icons direct students to applicable INTERNET BRIDGE and IT Works activities. [ Computers, 6th Edition ] [ Product/Author Information | Summary of Internet Exercises | Interactive Study Guide | Technology Updates ] [ PC Software Projects | Crossword Puzzles | Instructor's Resources | Search | Glossary | Feedback ] ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. A division of Pearson Education Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 Legal Statement