Contents1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU 2Introduction 4Information Systems 4People 6Software 7System Software 7Application Software 8Making IT work for you: Free Antivirus Program 9Hardware 10Types of Computers 10Personal Computer Hardware 11Data 13Connectivity and the Mobile Internet 14Careers in IT 15A Look to the Future: Using and Understanding Information Technology 16Visual Summary 17Key Terms 20Multiple Choice 21Matching 22Open-Ended 22Discussion 23Photo Credits 252 THE INTERNET, THE WEB, AND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE 26Introduction 28The Internet and the Web 28Making IT work for you: Online Entertainment 30Internet Access 32Providers 32Browsers 32Web Utilities 34Plug-ins 34Filters 34File Transfer Utilities 35Internet Security Suites 36Communication 37E-mail 37Messaging 38Social Networking 39Blogs, Microblogs, Webcasts, Podcasts, and Wikis 41Search Tools 43Search Engines 43Specialized Search Engines 43Content Evaluation 43Electronic Commerce 44Security 45Cloud Computing 46The Internet of Things 47Careers in IT 48A Look to the Future: Your Car’s Dashboard as a Powerful, Internet-Connected Computing Device 49Visual Summary 50Key Terms 54Multiple Choice 55Matching 56Open-Ended 56Discussion 57Photo Credits 593 APPLICATION SOFTWARE 60Introduction 62Application Software 62User Interface 62Common Features 64General-Purpose Applications 64Word Processors 64Spreadsheets 67Presentation Graphics 69Database Management Systems 70Specialized Applications 70Graphics 70Video Game Design Software 73Web Authoring Programs 73Other Specialized Applications 74Mobile Apps 74Apps 74App Stores 75Software Suites 76Office Suites 76Cloud Computing 76Specialized and Utility Suites 76Careers in IT 77Making IT work for you: Google Docs 78A Look to the Future: Next-Generation User Interfaces 79Visual Summary 80Key Terms 83Multiple Choice 84Matching 85Open-Ended 85Discussion 86Photo Credits 874 SYSTEM SOFTWARE 88Introduction 90System Software 90Operating Systems 91Functions 91Features 92Categories 93Mobile Operating Systems 94Desktop Operating Systems 95Windows 95Mac OS 95UNIX and Linux 96Virtualization 96Utilities 97Making IT work for you: Mac OS X Activity Monitor 98Windows Utilities 100Utility Suites 103Careers in IT 104A Look to the Future: Self-Healing Computers Could Mean an End to Computer Crashes and Performance Problems 105Visual Summary 106Key Terms 109Multiple Choice 110Matching 111Open-Ended 111Discussion 112Photo Credits 1135 THE SYSTEM UNIT 114Introduction 116System Unit 116Desktops 116Laptops 116Tablets 117Smartphones 118Wearable Computers 118Components 118System Board 119Microprocessor 120Microprocessor Chips 121Specialty Processors 121Memory 122RAM 122ROM 122Flash Memory 122Expansion Slots and Cards 123Bus Lines 124Expansion Buses 124Ports 125Standard Ports 126Specialized Ports 126Cables 126Making IT work for you: Tv Tuners 127Power Supply 128Electronic Data and Instructions 129Numeric Representation 129Character Encoding 129Careers in IT 130A Look to the Future: Chips inside Your Brain 131Visual Summary 132Key Terms 135Multiple Choice 136Matching 137Open-Ended 137Discussion 138Photo Credits 1396 INPUT AND OUTPUT 140Introduction 142What Is Input? 142Keyboard Entry 142Keyboards 143Pointing Devices 144Mouse 144Touch Screen 144Game Controllers 144Stylus 145Scanning Devices 145Optical Scanners 146Card Readers 146Bar Code Readers 146RFID Readers 147Character and Mark Recognition Devices 147Image Capturing Devices 147Digital Cameras 148Webcams 148Audio-Input Devices 148Voice Recognition Systems 148What Is Output? 149Monitors 149Features 149Flat-Panel Monitors 150Curved Monitors 150E-book Readers 150Other Monitors 151Making IT work for you: E-Books 152Print