Synopsis
Charlie Parker's Understanding Computers 98 Edition personifies everything that is exciting in today's multimedia enhanced society. Using a bright new art program to present this, Understanding Computers, 98 Edition explains how computers are not just a tool to make our lives easier but a necessary partner in everyday life. In an engaging lively style, UC 98 details the computer's origins, its present influence and its future in global terms. A perfect introduction to computers, this concepts book is accessible to both returning students and incoming freshmen wanting to learn how they can use the computer more efficiently.
Synopsis
Understanding Computers by Charlie Parker takes the best from the past and combines it with the innovation of the future to produce the finest learning tools available today for intro computer students. Building on a foundation as one of the most successful introductory computer texts, the new edition of Understanding Computers blends a clear, straightforward presentation with the latest innovations in media technology. The result is a product that educates and entertains while also emphasizing flexibility in meeting the varying needs of a dynamic market. Features: * In a non-technical straightforward manner the text provides comprehensive coverage of all types of computers in a wide array of applications. * Readability - Concepts are explained clearly and simply. Technical points are made with realistic examples from everyday life. * "User Solution" boxes feature companies using computers to solve problems and increase profitability. * Extensive use of photos and boxed items provide a vivid portrayal of the most recent advances in technology. * Tomorrow boxes appear throughout the text and provide a glimpse into possible future developments. * Windows Photo Essays - Each of these "windows" on the world of computers is organized around a major text theme and vividly illustrates state-of-the-art uses of computer technology. New to this edition: * New and expanded topics include the Internet and the information superhighway, plug-and-play computing, Windows 95, new Intel processors and clone ships, software suites, clien-server computing, mobile computing, on-demand manufacturing and distribution, workgroup computing, CD-ROM and multimedia applications, RAID and parallel processing systems, and object-oriented languages. * Customization. The text has been designed and structured so that the customer has the flexibility to choose the combination of modules most appropriate for their intro course. (This customization is seamless and does not affect the standard full text.) The program is part of Dryden EXACT which also allows for the text to be bound and/or packaged with a variety of software application manuals. Please refer to the Mastering Today's Software series for more information concerning application manuals. * New chapter, "Fundamentals of Software Use" (TSW 2) covers many of the facts that students should know about using software with GUI's. Covers versions and releases, user interface, vendor and user support. * "Telecommunications" Chapter (TSW 1) has been revised thoroughly to reflect the growing presence of the Internet and the information superhighway. Included is a new illustrated glossary for the Internet and the superhighway. * Last chapter from the previous edition, "Computers in Our Lives: The Costs and Benefits" has been split into two separate chapters to expand coverage of social issues. "Computers in Our Lives: Today and Tomorrow" (SOC 1) covers computers outside the workplace, artificial intelligence, multimedia computing, and virtual reality. "Social Issues" (SOC 2) covers health, crime, privacy, and ethics. * Old chapter on career opportunities is now an appendix: follows "Systems Development" chapter (IS 2). * Numbering Systems Appendix has been moved behind "The Central Processing Unit and Memory" chapter (HW 1). * Appendix titled "A Brief History of Computers and Information Processing" has been moved behind "Social Issues" (Chapter SOC 2). * A Beginner's Guide to QBASIC and a Beginners Guide to BASIC are both available packaged or bound with the text. * Multimedia Support * An exciting new interactive CD-ROM designed as a presentation tool for instructors is available with the new edition of Parker. This CD contains an abundance of articles presented in a multimedia format that correspond with computer concepts from the Parker text. These articles are also linked to the full text which is available on the CD with corresponding illustrations and figures. The disc also contains a content editor which allows an instructor to pick and choose various media images and illustrations and save these in a slide-show format.
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