Computing essentials : making IT works for you / Daniel A. O'Leary, Timothy J. O'Leary, and Linda I. O'Leary

Includes glossary and index

1. Information Technology, the Internet, and You -- 2. The Internet, the Web, and electronic Commerce -- 3. Application Software -- 4. System Software -- 5. The System Unit -- 6. Input and Output -- 7. Secondary Storage -- 8. Communications and Networks -- 9. Privacy, Security, and Ethics -- 10. Information Systems -- 11. Databases -- 12. Systems Analysis and Design -- 13. Programming and Language.

The rate of change in the digital information age is clearly increasing, and computer literacy is becoming a prerequisite. The goal of the 28th edition of Computing Essentials is to provide students with an introductory understanding of the concepts necessary for success and to instill an appreciation for the effect of information technology on people, privacy, ethics, and our environment. Today's students put much effort toward the things that are relevant to them, yet it is sometimes difficult to engage them in other equally important topics like personal privacy and technological advances. Each chapter highlights a most promising career in ITincluding webmaster, software engineer, and database administratorby presenting job titles, responsibilities, educational requirements, and salary ranges. Students see the material relate directly to potential career paths. Each chapter describes how its content is relevant to students' lives today and critical to their future. Each chapter presents practical tips related to key concepts through the demonstration of interesting and relevant applications. Topics presented focus first on outputs rather than processes and then dive into the concepts and processes. Motivation and relevance are the keys. This text has several features specifically designed to engage and demonstrate the relevance of technology in our lives. These elements are combined with thorough coverage of the concepts and sound pedagogical devices. The text uses graphics to reinforce key concepts and offers unique features and benefits found in few other texts: Making IT Work for You addresses topics and discussion questions that cover issues like online entertainment, gaming, virtual assistants, and the mobile office. Look to the Future boxes in each chapter have been revised to show that the expected breakthroughs of tomorrow are rooted in today's advances.