Computer Literacy Made Easy ... and Fun: Bits, Bytes, Apples and Mice - Softcover

Callan, James R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0964685035 ISBN 13: 9780964685031

Publisher: Pennant Pub, 1995

Synopsis

This book was designed to bring the language and ideas of computers to those unfamiliar with this important part of today's world. It is not a "how to" book, or a study guide. It is meant to be read and enjoyed, to provide an overview of the industry, to allow everyone to understand what people are talking about when the subject of computers invades the news, fiction, diner time discussions, TV, radio talk shows, and magazines. Even those who use computers will find helpful information, presented in an easy to follow style, complete with cartoons.

About this title

About the Author

James Callan is an expert on computers, having spent 30 years using the largest main frames to the smallest micros. He's received grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Data Processing Management Association. He's been listed in Who's Who in Computer Science, worked on research projects in AI, VLSI, real-time systems, database design, and computer security. Callan also has taught courses on computers and written dozens of magazine articles and three novels (all of which involved a computer, of course).

From the Back Cover

Mystified by the Information Super Highway? Artificial Intelligence, or Computer Viruses?

At last, a book to explain these terms, and many more, in everyday language. This is not a study guide. It takes the mystery out of what is probably the most talked about subject today, and makes it fun. In a light hearted, humorous fashion you will: understand the meaning of computer terms you read in books and newspapers, or see in movies or on TV; understand what friends, kids and spouses are talking about; no longer "tune out" when the conversation turns to computers; if you already use a computer, find out what's really going on; be more at ease talking to computer salesmen or repairmen.

"Hats off to Callan for finally bringing computer technology to everyone. Regular people can read Computer Literature Made Easy ... And Fun and smile - as well as learn. Witty and wise make this book must reading for those interested in this most fascinating and productive dimension of today's society." Robert A. Lively, VP International, Softbank Comdex.

"I teach computer classes to school kids, adults and other teachers. I wish all of them could read this book." Allene Bottom, Oklahoma teacher and President of the Oklahoma Microcomputer Association.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Can computers get sick? They act like it some times. And I certainly have seen them die. And they definitely can get a virus.

Just as with humans, a computer gets a virus from a "sick" person, someone who is mad at somebody or something or everything, or just mad. So he or she writes a very clever program. It hides on a computer and when the opportunity arises, it hops a ride to another computer. Without asking. Or telling. So it spreads, much like a virus.

A virus can be relatively harmless; it may just pop up every once in a while and say something nasty. You're sitting at the computer entering your Christmas card list and suddenly the screen goes black and in the middle of it is the message "Drop Dead, Creep." A more vicious virus might also wipe out your Christmas list. Or maybe wipe out half the information on your disk. Or trash the operating system.

But how does a virus get from one machine to another? Well, nowadays there is a great deal of communication between machines. People pass information back and forth using diskettes. A virus can hide on a diskette and you won't see it even if you print a list of files that are on that diskette. Remember modems? Computers talk to other computers over the phone lines. A virus can be transferred that way. Again, you won't see it. Then, there are public bulletin boards for computers (we haven't discussed those yet; but we will in a few pages.) Most of these try to prevent any viruses from getting on them, but it is another possible way for a virus to spread.

A hermit isn't likely to get the Hong Kong flu. But those of us who are in contact with a lot of people are certainly at risk. The same thing is true for the computer. If it doesn't communicate with other computers, doesn't bring in any diskettes from outside or talk over the telephone lines, then it isn't likely to get a virus.

As with human viruses, there are many strains. (For the computer, that means many different virus programs that people have written.) Each one does something different. But they are all bad, whether just unpleasant or really deadly.

Is there any good news? Yes. Humans can't catch a virus from a computer, no matter how robot-like a computer person might seem. (I must admit, though, I have seen several people get really sick when they discovered a virus had attacked their computer.) And while a virus may erase or garble files or directories, it won't really damage the hardware.

Just like in humans, you can inoculate your computer against viruses.

Hold it right there, you say. Do you give the computer a shot, or a pill twice a day? Just how do you inoculate a computer? Actually, you put on a special program, an Antivirus program, that watches to see if certain viruses try to transfer themselves on to your machine. It prevents them from moving in, or evicts them if they are already there. You can think of the antivirus program as the computer's boarder patrol.

Unfortunately the analogy continues: you vaccinate against specific viruses, so another type or strain of virus can still infect the computer.

But, no pills. No shots.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pennant Pub
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0964685035
• ISBN 13: 9780964685031
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 124