This book covers all of the traditional topics taught in a Computer Concepts, Digital Literacy, or Computer Literacy course. Visualizing Technology is a highly visual, engaging computer concepts textbook. Unlike other textbooks, Visualizing Technology does not include pages full of long paragraphs. Instead, important topics are presented in the way students are hardwired to think--with smaller sections of text, creative use of images for easier understanding, and chapters that are organized as articles with catchy headlines.   The sixth edition continues to provide a hands-on approach to learning computer concepts in which students learn a little and then apply what they are learning in a project or simulation, or watch a Viz Clip video to dive deeper into the subject matter. Each chapter has two How-To projects focused on Digital Literacy and Essential Job Skills so that students are gaining the skills needed for professional and personal success. Additionally, students learn about the important topics of ethics, green computing, and careers in every chapter. As technology continually evolves, so does the content. In this new edition, all of the content has been reviewed and updated to cover the latest technology, including Windows 10, masOS Sierra, and more coverage of troubleshooting and security. The Pearson eText 2.0 adds a new level of accessibility and interactivity, and new infographics provide a truly visual picture of key topics. Highlights of what’s new in this edition NEW. Digital Competency Badge offered through Pearson MyLab™ IT     NEW. Pearson eText 2.0 provides an interactive and accessible learning experience UPDATED. All content updated for currency ADDED. A variety of Infographics illustrate complex topics visually UPDATED. Viz Clip videos have been updated as needed ADDED. More coverage of Windows 10, macOS Sierra ADDED. More coverage of troubleshooting and security The optimal way to experience Visualizing Technology is with Pearson MyLab IT. All of the instruction, practice, review, and assessment resources are in one place, allowing you to arrange your course from an instructional perspective that gives students a consistent, measurable learning experience from chapter to chapter. Available with MyLab IT Pearson MyLab IT is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed for Information Technology (IT) courses, to engage students and improve results. MyLab IT for Computer Concepts provides activities for Instruction, Practice, Review, and Assessment in a fully integrated course, providing a seamless learning experience. The integrated Pearson eText allows students to experience continuous digital learning in an interactive environment. Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; MyLab™ & Mastering™ does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyLab & Mastering, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

Table of Contents:
1. What is a Computer What Does a Computer Do?  Objective 1. Explain the Functions of a Computer  Necessity Is the Mother of Invention The Information Processing Cycle  How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Capture a Screenshot of Your Desktop  A Brief History of Computers  Objective 2. Describe the Evolution of Computer Hardware  History of Computers  Moore’s Law  Green Computing - Smart Homes Bits and Bytes  Objective 3. Describe How Computers Represent Data Using Binary Code  Binary Code  Measuring Data  Career Spotlight - Bioinformatics Let’s Get Personal  Objective 4. List the Various Types and Characteristics of Personal Computers  Desktop Computers  Notebook Computers  MAC, PC, or Something Else? Ergonomics  Universal Design How To: Essential Job Skill - Ergonomics Beyond the Desktop  Objective 5. Give Examples of Other Personal Computing Devices  Mobile Devices Video Game Systems and Simulations Computing on a Large Scale Objective 6. List the Various Types and Characteristics of Multiuser Computers  Servers  Supercomputers  Distributed and Grid Computing  Computers Are Everywhere: Ubiquitous Computing  Objective 7. Explain Ubiquitous Computing and Convergence  Embedded Computers Convergence  Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ethics - the Internet of Things End of Chapter MindMap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 2. Application Software Making Business Work  Objective 1. Identify Types and Uses of Business Productivity Software  Office Suites  Other Types of Business Software  Making it Personal  Objective 2. Identify Types and Uses of Personal Software  Office Applications  Finance and Tax Preparation Software  Entertainment and Multimedia Software  Educational and Reference Software  Portable Apps  How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Create a Document Using WordPad or TextEdit Will It Run?  Objective 3. Assess a Computer System for Software Compatibility  Your System Specs  System Requirements  Career Spotlight - Software Trainers Where to Get It  Objective 4. Compare Various Ways of Obtaining Software  Licensing  Free or Fee  Sources of Software  Your Head in the Cloud  Objective 5. Discuss the Importance of Cloud Computing  Cloud Computing  How To: Essential Job Skill - Create a Mobile App with Appy Pie Managing Software on Your System  Objective 6. Install, Uninstall, and Update Software  Installing Software  Updating and Uninstalling Software  Green Computing - Online and Downloaded Programs vs. Store-bought Software Ethics - Sharing Software End of Chapter MindMap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 3. File Management A Place for Everything  Objective 1. Create Folders to Organize Files  Navigating Your Computer  Creating and Using Folders How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Organize Your Files What’s in a Name?  Objective 2. Explain the Importance of File Extensions  File Names and Extensions  File Properties  Back It Up  Objective 3. Explain the Importance of Backing Up Files  Windows File History macOS Time Machine Other Backup Software  Backup to the Cloud  Cloud Storage Green Computing - The Paperless Office Shrink It  Objective 4. Demonstrate How to Compress Files  Types of File Compression  Working With File Compression How To: Essential Job Skill - Create a Compressed (Zipped) Folder It’s Always in the Last Place You Look  Objective 5. Use Advanced Search Options to Locate Files Using Windows to Search for Files  Searching in macOS Using Boolean Logic to Refine Searches That’s Not the Program I Want to Open This File Objective 6. Change the Default Program Associated with a File Type Setting Program Defaults Managing File Type Associations Career Spotlight - Certification of Federal Records Management End of Chapter MindMap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 4. Hardware The CPU: The Brains of the Operation Objective 1. Explain the Functions of a CPU Instruction Cycle CPU Performance Getting to Know Your System Objective 2. Identify the Parts of a System Unit and Motherboard The Motherboard Ports and Connectors BIOS and Memory A Place for Everything Objective 3. Compare Storage Devices Optical Discs Flash Memory Hard Drives Disconnecting an External Drive How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Assess Your Computer Hardware What Goes In . . . Objective 4. List and Describe Common Input Devices Keyboards The Mouse and Other Pointing Devices Digital Cameras and Webcams Scanners Microphones and Game Controllers  . . . Must Come Out Objective 5. List and Describe Essential Video and Audio Output Devices Video Output Devices Audio Output Devices Pick a Printer Objective 6. Compare Various Types of Printers Photo Printers, Inkjets, And Dye-Sublimation Printers Thermal And 3d Printers Laser Printers, Plotters, And Multifunction Devices How To: Essential Job Skill - Reduce Energy Consumption Using PowerSettings Adaptation: Making Technology Work for You Objective 7. Explain and Provide Examples of Adaptive Technology Adaptive Input Devices Adaptive Output Devices Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Objective 8. Discuss Important Communication Devices Network Adapters Modems and Fax Devices Career Spotlight - Computer Sales Green Computing- Shop Smart End of Chapter MindMap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 5. System Software Who’s the Boss?  Objective 1. Explain What an Operating System Does  Provides User Interface Manages Resources and Controls Hardware Interacts with Software  How To: Keep Your Desktop OS Up to Date Green Computing - Power Management Desktop Operating Systems Objective 2. Compare Desktop Operating Systems Windows macOS   Ethics - Hackintosh Linux Beta Software Make Your OS Work for You Objective 3. Configure a Desktop Operating System Configuring Your OS User Accounts Something Special for You Objective 4. Compare Specialized Operating Systems Embedded Operating Systems Career Spotlight - Helpdesk The NOS Knows Objective 5. Compare the Most Common Network Operating Systems What is an NOS? Utilities You Should Use Objective 6. List and Explain Important Utility Software Why Use Disk Utilities? Utilities for Disk Health Security Software Troubleshooting and Maintenance Objective 7. Troubleshoot Common Computer Problems Basic Troubleshooting Methods Saving Energy and Extending Battery Life Configuring Hardware How To: Essential Job Skill - Back Up Important Files End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 6. Digital Devices and Multimedia Digital Camera Basics  Objective 1. Explain the Features of Digital Cameras Key Features Types of Digital Cameras Bridging the Gap: Transferring Photos Objective 2. Compare Methods for Transferring Images from a Digital Camera Memory Cards Connecting Via Cable Wireless and Cloud Transfer A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Objective 3. Identify Several Ways to Edit and Print Photos Editing Photos Printing and Sharing Photos How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Edit a Photo Using Windows Photos or macOS Photos App Making Sense of Sound Objective 4. Recognize Important Audio File Types Audio File Types Ethics - DRM Media Software Speech Recognition Green Computing - E-Waste Lights, Camera, Action Objective 5. Describe Several Ways to Create Videos Videoconferencing, Webcasting, and Streaming Video Video Cameras Screen Capture Sharing Video Career Spotlight - Healthcare How To: Essential Job Skill - Create a Screen Capture Video Using Screencast-O-Matic Technology on the Move Objective 6. Compare Portable Media Players, Tablets, and Smartphones Analog vs. Digital Portable Media Players Smartphones Tablets End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter Chapter 7 The Internet Internet Timeline Objective 1. Recognize the Importance of the Internet How It All Got Started World Wide Web Internet2 Get Connected Objective 2. Compare Types of Internet Connections How do You Get Connected? Access For All Surf’s Up Objective 3. Compare Popular Web Browsers Browsers Configuring Your Web Browser Add-Ons, Plug-Ins, and Toolbars How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Use Google Drive Navigating the Net Objective 4. Demonstrate How to Navigate the Web Web Addresses Ethics - Cybersquatting Smart Searching Career Spotlight - Web Designer How To: Essential Job Skill - Create a Website Using Wix Would I Lie to You? Objective 5. Discuss How to Evaluate the Credibility of Information Found on the Web Who Wrote it? What About the Design? Green Computing - Telecommuting to Save End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 8. Communicating and Sharing: The Social Web Talk to Me  Objective 1. Compare Different Forms of Synchronous Online Communication Chat and IM VoIP Leave a Message Objective 2. Compare Different Forms of Asynchronous Online Communication How Do You Read and Send Email? Parts of an Email Message Text and Multimedia Messaging Forums and Discussion Boards There’s a Place for Everyone … Objective 3. Discuss the Impact of Social Media in Society Social Media Social Video, Image, and Music Sites Presenting Yourself Online Green Computing - Raising Social Awareness - ALS Ice Bucket Challenge How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Create a LinkedIn Profile Get Your Word Out Objective 4. Locate User-Generated Content in the Form of a Blog or Podcast Blogs Podcasts RSS Crowdfunding How To: Essential Job Skill - Create a Blog with Blogger The Wisdom of the Crowd Objective 5. Discuss How Wikis and Other Social Media Sites Rely on the Wisdom of the Crowd Wikis Social Review Sites Social Bookmarking and News Sites Ethics - Promoting Content E-Commerce Objective 6. Explain the Influence of Social Media on E-commerce Types of E-Commerce How Safe Is My Credit Card? Online Tools  For Business Objective 7. Compare Social Media and Other Online Technologies Used in Business Facebook Pages Twitter Search Engines Digital Communication Tools Career Spotlight - Blogger End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 9. Networks and Communication From Sneakernet to Hotspots Objective 1. Discuss the Importance of Computer Networks Peer-to-Peer Networks Client-Server Networks How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Examine Network and Sharing Settings  LANs and WANs Objective 2. Compare Different Types of LANs and WANs Small Networks Lan Topologies Large Networks  Network Hardware Objective 3. List and Describe the Hardware Used in both Wired and Wireless Networks Network Adapters Network Connectivity Hardware Software and Protocols Objective 4. List and Describe Network Software and Protocols Peer-to-Peer Network Software Client-Server Network Software Network Protocols Green Computing - Server Virtualization Career Spotlight - Network Administrator How To: Essential Job Skill - Check Your System Security Software Protecting Your Network Objective 5. Explain How to Protect a Network Layer 1: The Fence Layer 2: Door Locks Layer 3: Alarm Systems Layer 4: Guard Dogs Ethics - Piggybacking and Wardriving End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 10. Security and Privacy Cybercrime: They Are Out to Get You  Objective 1. Recognize Different Types of Cybercrime  Personal Cybercrime  Cybercrime Against Organizations  How To: Configure Secure Browser Settings Using Google Chrome Malware: Pick Your Poison  Objective 2. Differentiate between Various Types of Malware Spam and Cookies Adware and Spyware  Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Rootkits  Shields Up!  Objective 3. Explain How to Secure a Computer Software Hardware Operating System An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure Objective 4. Practice Safe Computing User Accounts Securing Accounts  Encryption Safely Installing Software Updating and Uninstalling Software Acceptable Use Policies Green Computing - Botnets How To: Essential Job Skill - Secure a Microsoft Word Document The Law Is on Your Side  Objective 5. Discuss Laws Related to Computer Security and Privacy  The Enforcers Ethics - Backdoor Encryption Keys Current Laws Career Spotlight - IT Security End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - also Grader projects in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter 11. Databases Database Basics  Objective 1. Identify the Parts of a Database  Tables, Fields, and Records Forms, Queries, and Reports Green Computing - Green Datacenters A Database for Every Purpose Objective 2. Compare the Four Types of Databases Flat Databases Relational Databases Object-Oriented Databases Multidimensional Databases How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Create a Form Using Google Drive The Tools of the Trade Objective 3. Explain Database Management Systems  Creating a Database  Data Validation  SQL  Output  Career Spotlight - Database Administrator How To: Essential Job Skill - Create a Customer Database Data In … Information Out Objective 4. Discuss Important Types of Information Systems Office Support Systems  Transaction Processing Management Information Systems Decision Support Systems Business Intelligence and Big Data Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence Real World Databases Objective 5. List Examples of Databases Used in Law Enforcement and Research Law Enforcement Science Ethics - DNA collection End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - Word project is also a Grader in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter Chapter 12 Program Development Getting from Idea to Product Objective 1. Describe the System Development Life Cycle System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Other Development Models Green Computing - Programming Efficiency Coding the System Objective 2. Describe the Program Development Cycle Program Development Cycle How To: Digital Literacy Skill - Create a Flowchart Career Spotlight - Software Development Tools of the Trade Objective 3. Compare Various Programming Languages Programming Languages Programming Tools Web Programming Mobile App Development How To: Essential Job Skill - Automate a Task Using a Macro in Word Artificial Intelligence Objective 4. Explain the Term Artificial Intelligence Applications  Expert Systems Neural Networks  Ethics - Documenting Code End of Chapter Mindmap Objective Recap Key Terms & Summary End of Chapter Exercises Application Projects - PowerPoint project is also a Grader in MIL Viz Check Quizzes throughout chapter