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New Perspectives on Computer Concepts, 8th Edition
Chapter 1-1
Chapter 1
Computer, Internet, Web, and E-Mail Basics
At a Glance
Instructor’s Notes
 Chapter Approach
 Chapter Notes
Computer Basics
Quick Quiz
Classroom Activity
Internet Basics
Quick Quiz
Classroom Activity
Web Basics
Quick Quiz
Classroom Activity
E-mail Basics
Quick Quiz
Classroom Activity
Tech Talk: The Boot Process
Issue: E-Mail Privacy
Computers in Context: Homeland Security


Chapter Discussion Questions
Chapter Key Terms
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Chapter 1-2
Teacher’s Notes
CHAPTER APPROACH
Chapter 1 introduces the personal computer, the Internet, the World Wide Web, and e-mail
basics. It starts from the ground up, and is designed to fill in gaps in understanding for students
whose knowledge may be spotty. It presents a lot of terminology, and discusses the history of
computers in the context of this terminology.

Section A defines the characteristics of a computer system, and provides an overview of
data, information, and files. It concludes with an introduction to application software,
operating systems, and platform compatibility. Students acquire a basic vocabulary to
discuss computer hardware and software. They learn how to distinguish one computer
system from another, and to identify the typical equipment in a personal computer
system. Students discover how computers are categorized and how they are used in
business environment. They also explore files, including data and executable files, and
learn the difference between application software and operating systems.

Section B offers an overview of the Internet, including its structure and resources.
Students learn their options for connecting to the Internet, how to choose an Internet
service provider, and what they need to access the Internet. This section also discusses
user IDs and passwords, and how to choose appropriate ones.

Section C provides tools and techniques for working with the Web. It defines
terminology, including Web sites, Web servers, URLs, HTTP, HTML, and browsers.
Students examine Web pages in Internet Explorer, and learn how to use search engines to
find information.

Section D covers e-mail basics, and explains who can use e-mail, and how to perform email tasks, such as creating, sending, replying to, and forwarding e-mail messages.
Students learn how to send files as attachments as well. Students learn to observe
accepted e-mail etiquette, the types of e-mail services they can use, and the differences
between POP and Web-based e-mail.

The TechTalk section of the chapter is devoted to the boot process. Students learn the
purpose of the boot process, the sequence of boot events, and how to interpret the
information that appears on-screen during booting. The Chapter 1 Issue section discusses
e-mail privacy, explaining who has access to e-mail messages and why.

Computers in Context focuses on the role of computers in the implementation of the U.S.
Government’s Homeland Security Act.

The Labs for this chapter give students practice in operating a personal computer, making
a dial-up connection, browsing and searching, and using e-mail.
Because this chapter sets the foundation for working with a computer and the Internet, students
should thoroughly understand the topics in each section before they complete the lab assignments.
CHAPTER NOTES
If you have a computer system in your classroom on a regular basis, you can use it as a visual aid
when you discuss computer hardware configurations. You might want to request a computer and
projection system for your classroom on a permanent basis. You can use this to project the
images and animations in the Course Presenter.
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Chapter 1-3
You might also want to project the Course Labs, many of which can be used for classroom
demonstrations, as well as Student Lab activities at the end of the chapter. If your computer labs
are scheduled to capacity, judicious use of the Course Labs as classroom demonstrations can
reduce the amount of time your students will spend in the computer labs. If students can gain
access to the network drive at the school lab files can be posted for students to work in the labs.
SECTION A: COMPUTER BASICS
A Computer Is…
This section defines computer, data, input, software, memory, and related terms. It focuses on
introducing basic definitions of computers and information processing.
Discussion topics can include:

Basic terminology. Point out that students already know a lot about computers, and this
overview section helps them organize what they already know. It also defines basic
computer terms so you can all discuss computers using a common vocabulary.

Definition of a computer. Although the definition of computers given in this chapter is
thorough and has stood the test of time, you might want your students to come up with
their own definition of a computer. What do they see as the essential tasks of computers?
Have students share their definitions with the class and discuss how their answers
complement or differ from the definition in the text.

Tasks of a computer. Ask students to imagine tasks computers might carry out in the
future. Ask them to identify how computers could change to perform these tasks. Ask the
students to name places they use computers in just a normal day. List the places and ask
if it has made the process more efficient and accurate.

What is a computer program? What is data? What is input? What is output? Use the
chalkboard to illustrate the flow of information. Figure 1-1 is a good example.
Computer Categories
This section defines the categories of computers, including microcomputers, personal
computers, desktop computers, workstations, servers, handheld computers, videogame
consoles, mainframe computers, supercomputers and related terms.
The main point of this section is to help students begin to categorize the many different types of
computers that are available. Computers can be categorized according to function (PC vs. server),
size (handheld computer vs. mainframe) or platform (Windows vs. Mac OS).
Discussion topics can include:

Differences in design. Students should be able to describe the differences among types of
personal computers, including desktop, notebook, tablet, and handheld computers. What
makes each of these systems unique?

Differences in processing power. What are the tasks best performed by a handheld computer?
A desktop PC? A mainframe computer?

Differences in focus. What is the job of a server? Compare that to the tasks performed by a
desktop computer in someone’s home, and the role of a mainframe computer in a bank.
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Personal Computer Systems
This section defines the components of a PC, including monitor, keyboard, system unit, hard
disk drive, sound card, and related terms. Note that a more in-depth discussion of these devices
can be found later in the textbook.
Discussion topics can include:

Looking at examples of hardware. Raid the junk room in your building to find real
examples of keyboard, mice, speakers, microphones, and other devices. Take them on a
tour of the building to look at different kinds of setups, including PCs with flat screen
monitors, or oversize monitors used by people with visual impairment.

Examine floppy disks and CDs. Compare the usability of each. Talk about the future of
floppy disk drives; many home systems now come without floppy drives.

Review ads for computers. Have students bring in computer ads from magazines or stores
like Best Buy. Review the computer components discussed in the ad. This reinforces the
terminology.
Course Lab: The Course Lab 1-A “Operating a Personal Computer” deals with issues that relate
to this section of the textbook. You might want to go through the lab during class time if you have
a computer with a projection device. Or, assign this lab for students to do on their own.
Data, Information, and Files
Key terms are data, information, and files. The main idea of the section is to help students
differentiate between the two ends of the spectrum: raw data and useful information.
Discussion topics can include:

Data vs. information. Students should understand that when talking about computers,
“data” and “information” have different meanings. Ask for examples that show students
understand the difference. Or, give them examples and ask them to identify whether
something is data or information. For example what is a column of numbers that need to
be added up? (Data.) What is a Web page? (Information.)

What is a computer file? Students should have a firm grasp of what a computer file is and
what it can contain. It might be helpful to show a My Computer or Windows Explorer
window that lists many different types of files. Show the common characteristics of a file,
and what you can learn from a filename and extension.
Application Software and Operating System Basics
Key terms are application software, operating systems, platform, PC and Mac. This section
helps students understand the difference between application software and operating systems, and
explains different operating systems.
Discussion topics can include:

The role of the operating system. Students should understand the role of an operating
system. You can use the air traffic controller example. Air traffic controllers schedule and
control the takeoff, the progress, and the landing of airplanes, in the same way that an
operating system controls the opening and closing of a program.

What is application software? You can show common applications, such as a wordprocessing program, accounting programs, media player, and address book, and discuss
the types of tasks you can perform with them. Ask students to identify other categories of
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application software, and name particular packages in each category. You can also
discuss where a student or consumer can find or purchase software packages, and what
they might expect to pay for certain packages.
Macintosh vs. PC. Emphasize which system your students will use for class assignments. Be sure
to mention that these product lines include similar input, output, and peripheral devices. Also add
that software is often platform specific, and that software written for a Macintosh computer might
not run on a PC, and vice versa.
Quick Quiz
A personal computer or workstation that requests data from a server is known as a(n)
______________.
True/False: Operating system software is a set of computer programs that help carry out a task.
A computer file that would contain the instructions or programs that tell a computer how to
perform a task is called a(n) _______.
data file
executable
system
operating
Quick Quiz Answers
1: Client
2: False
3: b
Classroom Activity
Tablet and handheld computers do not use the same sorts of input, processing, output and storage
components that traditional desktop computers use. Have the students discuss the components of tablet and
handheld devices, and the role of each component. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the
components vs. their corresponding components in a desktop computer. For example, how does a tablet
computer’s touch screen compare to the keyboard of a desktop computer? List advantages and
disadvantages of each type of component.
Section B: Internet Basics
Internet Resources
This section introduces the Internet and its services. It begins with a definition of the Internet, and
progresses to a discussion of the internet backbone. It then defines Internet services such as e-mail, peer-topeer file sharing, Usenet, chat groups, e-commerce, and blogs.
Discussion topics can include:
Define the Internet. The Internet is a network of networks. Data travels on the Internet backbone, which
consists of the major Internet communications links. The roadmap analogy is an easy way for students to
understand this concept, and for students to understand why at times the Internet seems slow (if Internet
traffic is high).
What tasks you can perform on the Internet? Discuss the types of thing people do on the Internet and what
types of Internet resources they use. Visit a search engine and search for information, such as about your
school or community. Visit an e-commerce Web site, or a site that lets you download files.
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Where is the Internet? Discuss the distributed nature of data storage on the Internet.
Discuss the difference between the Web and the Internet. The Web is an Internet service. Many people use
the term Internet and “the Web” interchangeably; explain that this is inaccurate.
Internet Connections
This section discusses the various methods students can use to connect to the Internet. Key terms include:
dial-up connection, cable modem, ISDN, DSL, and related terms.
Discussion topics can include:
How do students connect to the Internet now? Do they understand how the computers on campus are
connected? (Probably through a network.) How their home computers connect? (Dial-up, cable modem.)
Connection speed. Many students wonder why some pages load more quickly than others, or why some
sites seem slower during certain times of the day when the speed of their modem remains constant. Review
with students the difference between connection speed and transfer rate, and discuss the reasons why data is
not always transferred at their modem’s highest speed.
Course Lab: The Course Lab 1-B “Making a Dial-up Connection” deals with issues that relate to this
section of the textbook. You might want to go through the lab during class time if you have a computer
with a projection device. Or, assign this lab for students to do on their own.
Internet Service Providers
This section provides information on services offered by Internet Service Providers, and how to choose
one.
Discussion topics include:
How to choose an ISP. There are pros and cons to all the ISP choices. Figure 1-18 provides a good
overview of the issues students should consider when choosing and ISP.
User IDs and Passwords
This section discusses the need for user IDs and passwords, and how to choose them carefully.
Discussion topics can include:
What is the difference between a user ID and a passwords? Review the tips for selecting a secure password
in Figure 1-20, and then ask students to devise effective user IDs and passwords for accessing a fictitious
network.
When do you need them? You could visit an online e-commerce site that requires passwords, such as a
travel or news site, and then show students how to create a user ID and password for access.
Keeping track of all your IDs and passwords. Brainstorm with the class about methods to use for
remembering (or consolidating) user IDs and passwords.
Quick Quiz
The process of transferring files from a remote computer, such as server, to a local computer is called
_________.
True/False: A cable modem is device that is designed to change a computer’s signals into a form that can
travel over cable TV links.
When selecting a password to access the internet __________.
Select a password that is at least six characters long
Use both numbers and letters in your password
Use your name, nickname, social security number
Select a password that can be found in a dictionary
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Quick Quiz Answers
1: Downloading
2: True
3: b
Classroom Activity
Break the students into two groups and have them list all the different ways they connect to the Internet.
See which group has the longest list. Use the board or a flip chart to list answers.
Online Activity
Ask students to research an Internet Service Provider in their area. Using the table in Figure 1-18, have
them rate the ISP on factors such as cost, and services provided.
Section C: Web Basics
The World Wide Web
This section introduces the World Wide Web. Key terms include HTTP, Web pages, links, Web server, and
URL.
Discussion topics can include:
History of the Web. Ask students if they know when and where the Web was developed. Point out that the
Web is a relatively recent Internet service, compared to Usenet or FTP, for example.
Your school’s Web portal. Explore your school’s portal together, in class. Discuss the various resources
that you can link to from the school’s home page.
The anatomy of a URL. Use Figure 1-22 to discuss the different parts of a URL. Then visit some Web sites
together in class, and discuss what you see in the Address field.
Browsers
This section introduces browsers and HTML.
Discussion topics can include:
What is a Web browser? Start a browser and show how you can tell whether it is connected to the Internet.
Identify the parts of the browser window and ask students to explain the information these parts provide.
You can refer to Figure 1-24.
What does HTML look like? Demonstrate how to view the HTML for a Web page. Use Figure 1-25 as an
example of some not-too-complex HTML code.
Search Engines
This section discusses search engines. Key terms include query, keyword, search operator, and topic
directory
Discussion topics can include:
Demonstrating a search. Visit one or two popular search engines and show how to create a simple and an
advanced search query, how to reduce the number of results, and how to visit the Web pages the search
engine finds.
Topic directories. Open a Web page showing a topic directory and ask students to identify the best times to
use one.
Narrowing your results with search operators. Do students understand how to use “and” and “not?”
Course Lab: The Course Lab 1-C “Browsing and Searching” deals with issues that relate to this section of
the textbook. You might want to go through the lab during class time if you have a computer with a
projection device. Or, assign this lab for students to do on their own.
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Quick Quiz
The embedded codes that tell your Web browser how to display information on a Web page are called
______.
True/False: A query is any word that describes the information that you are trying to find.
Given the URL for Microsoft downloads, http://www.microsoft.com/downloads, the Web server name is
__________.
downloads
http://
www.microsoft.com
http://www.microsoft.com
Quick Quiz Answers
1: HTML tags
2: True
3: C
Classroom Activity
Ask the students to find URLS for Holiday Inn, Pier One Imports, and Home Depot. Have them record the
URLs for each, labeling each part of the URL.
Online Activity
Using a search engine, view three computer companies, such as Dell, Gateway, etc. and record the URL as
well as the URL of the page with the best PC offer of the week. Post the best value for the best money with
the Web address.
Section D: E-mail Basics
E-mail Overview
This section provides an introduction to e-mail. Key terms include e-mail account, e-mail message,
message header, e-mail attachment, and MIME.
Discussion topics can include:
E-mail clients. Because e-mail systems vary significantly, it is a good idea to familiarize your students with
a number of different e-mail programs. Consider a demonstration of the key features of programs such as
Eudora, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Outlook Express. Be sure to emphasize to students that they can
receive mail from and send mail to users who use a different e-mail program than they do.
Attachments. This can include what sort of things can be attachments, how to attach files, and the dangers
of attachments.
Course Lab: The Course Lab 1-D “Using E-Mail” deals with issues that relate to this section of the
textbook. You might want to go through the lab during class time if you have a computer with a projection
device. Or, assign this lab for students to do on their own.
Student Edition Lab: Refer students to the New Perspectives Web site for a Student Edition Lab called
“Using E-Mail.”
Netiquette
This short section reviews the rules of netiquette.
Discussion topics can include:
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Differences between the standards used in e-mail correspondence, and in text and instant messaging.
Discourage the use of IM-style shorthand.
Mass mailings. Discuss the habit some people have of sending messages (jokes, warnings, urban legends)
to everyone in their address book. Do students like getting these kinds of messages, or are they annoyed by
them?
Review the bulleted points about netiquette on page 39.
Spam
This section discusses spam, and how to avoid it.
Discussion topics can include:
Where does spam come from? Who generates it? Why do they do so?
Spam filters. How do they work? Are they reliable? Do any students have e-mail accounts without spam
filters? If so, how much spam do they get? Compare that to an account that uses spam filtering.
E-mail Technology
This section introduces some of the more technical aspects of e-mail. Key terms include e-mail servers,
store-and-forward technology, POP, IMAP, and SMTP server.
Discussion topics can include:
Where does my message go when I click Send? The process of sending and receiving an e-mail message,
and how a POP server handles mail. Use Figure 1-37 to illustrate.
Basic differences between POP and IMAP. Stress that students in most cases won’t have a choice of which
one to use.
Web based e-mail, including how to set it up, and advantages of Web-based e-mail over an e-mail client
(and vice versa). Do students understand where their e-mail messages are stored (local hard disk vs. Web
server)?
Quick Quiz
Every e-mail message includes a(n) _________ header and the body of the message.
True/False: Netiquette is online jargon for “Internet etiquette”.
Of the three types of e-mail systems, which is the one that stores new messages on an e-mail server, then
automatically downloads those messages to your computer when you connect to your ISP and request your
mail?
POP
IMAP
Web-based email
POP3
Quick Quiz Answers
1: Message
2: True
3: a
Classroom Activity
If any students don’t have e-mail accounts, have them create them. All students should use their e-mail
accounts to send you a message. In the message they should describe what kind of e-mail system they use:
Web-based, POP or IMAP.
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TechTalk
The Boot Process
Point out the Power Up checklist in Figure 1-39. Demonstrate turning on a computer, and opening
programs for the benefit of students unfamiliar with computer use. Although many of your students may be
familiar with these steps, a review will help to alleviate anxiety for those new to computer usage.
Show students how to enter Safe Mode to solve problems.
Issue
E-mail Privacy
Ask students if they were surprised by anything they learned after reading this section. After discussing
their ideas on e-mail privacy, ask students to brainstorm a list of e-mail guidelines for use in a business
setting. What should employees keep in mind when composing e-mail messages? Write the list on a board
or make copies for students to keep and reference.
Computers in Context
Homeland Security
Discuss the different computer systems that are introduced in this section. Have any students heard of any
of these? Are they widely publicized? Why, or why not? Do computer systems like those used in Homeland
Security make students feel safer, or less safe? You could divide the class in half and have them debate
opposite sides of this argument.
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Chapter Discussion Questions
Computers are everywhere. Discuss three types of business uses of computers and how they have helped or
hindered the business environment. For example, how have scanners and self-checkouts affected your
shopping experience?
Discuss how Web sites, Web advertising and Web buying and selling has affected the economy. Is it
automatically assumed that companies with Web sites increase their revenues? Is available customer
support the same or better?
Personal computers, the Internet, the Web, and e-mail make it possible to access almost any type of
information anywhere in the world. Discuss the advantages unlimited access provides, and who benefits the
most from this access. Also discuss the dangers it invites and how to prevent them.
4.
Have you ever wondered why your computer
runs so slow or so fast? Is it the RAM, the storage, the
Internet connection, or type of computer? Explain what
makes the speed of the computer increase and how the
other components interact.
Key Terms Always-on
connection
Always connected to the Internet
Application software
A set of computer programs that helps a person carry out a
task.
Beep code
Signals a problem with a set of beeps
Bit
Each 1 or 0 in a digital format
Blog
From the term WeB Log. A personal journal posted on the
Web for access by the general public.
Boot process
The sequence of events that occurs between the time that
you turn your computer on and the time that it is ready for
issuance of commands
Browser
Software program that runs on your compute computer
and helps you access Web pages.
Byte
Group of bits to represent one character
Cable modem
A device that changes a computer’s signals into a form
that can travel over cable TV links
Case sensitive
Differentiate between uppercase and lowercase
CD drive
Storage device that uses laser technology to work with
data on computer or audio CDs
New Perspectives on Computer Concepts, 8th Edition
Central processing unit (CPU)”
“Brain” of the computer, used for processing data
Chat group
Consists of several people who connect to the Internet and
communicate by typing comments to each other using
their computer keyboards
Client
Personal computer, workstation, or other software that
requests data from a server
Computer
A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data,
and produces output, all according to a series of
instructions
Computer network
Two or more computers and other devices that are
connected for the purpose of sharing data, programs, and
hardware.
Computer program
Series of instructions that tell the computer how to carry
out processing tasks
Data file
Contains the text for a document, the numbers for a
calculation, the specifications for the graph, the frames of
a video, the contents of a Web page, or the notes of a
musical passage
Data
Represent people, events, things, and ideas
Desktop computer
Personal computer
Dial-up connection
Connecting to the internet using an existing telephone line
Digital
Format for storage as series of 1s and 0s
Downloading
Process of transferring files from a remote computer to a
local computer
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line for a family of high-speed Internet
links
DSS
Digital Satellite Service offers two-way Internet access at
an average speed of 500 Kbps
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DVD drive
Can read data from computer CDs, audio CDs, computer
DVDs, or DVD movie disk
E-commerce
Electronic commerce
E-mail
Allows one person to send an electronic message to
another person or to a group of people listed in a personal
address book
E-mail account
Provides the rights to a storage area, or mailbox supplied
by an e-mail provider
E-mail attachment
Any file that travels with an email message
E-mail client software
Software installed on your computer that provides an
Inbox and an Outbox that allow you to work with your
mail, even while your computer is not online
E-mail message
A document that is composed on a computer and remains
in digital, or electronic form
E-mail servers
Computers and software that sort, store, and route mail
E-mail system
The equipment and software that carries and manipulates
e-mail messages
Executable file
Contains programs or instructions that tell a computer how
to perform a specific task
File
Collection of data that exists on a storage medium
Filename extension
Further describes a file’s content
Floppy disk drive
Storage device that reads data from and writes data to
floppy disks
Handheld computer
Designed to fit into a pocket, run on batteries and be used
while you are holding it.
Hard disk drive
Can store billions of characters of data
Home page
The Web page that appears every time you
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start your browser
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language is standard
format for Web documents
HTML tags
Embedded codes that provide formatting
information to a browser
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the
communications standard that is instrumental
I ferrying Web documents to all corners of
the Internet
IMAP
Internet Messaging Access Protocol
temporarily stores new messages in your
mailbox and gives you the option of
downloading your mail or leaving it on the
server
Information
Processed data
Input
Whatever is typed, submitted, or transmitted
to a computer system
Instant messaging
Allows two or more people to send typed
messages back and forth
Internet
Collection of local, regional, national, and
international computer networks that is linked
together to exchange data and distribute
processing tasks
Internet backbone
Main routes of the Internet
Internet telephony
Allows the telephone-style conversations to
travel over the internet to virtually anywhere
in the world
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network provides
data transfer speeds of either 64 Kbps or 128
Kbps
ISP
Internet Service Provider is a company that
maintains Internet computers and
telecommunications equipment in order to
provide Internet access to businesses,
organizations and individuals.
Keyword
Search term that describes the information
that you are trying to find
LAN
See Local area network
LCD screen
Liquid display crystal display screen
Links
Hyperlinks or connection to related
documents and media
Macs
Based on a proprietary design for a personal
computer manufactured exclusively by Apple
Computer
Mailing list server
A variation of e-mail (also called list serve), it
maintains a public list of people who are
interested in a particular topic
Mainframe computer
Large and expensive computer that is capable
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of simultaneously processing data for
hundreds or thousands of users
Memory
An area of the computer that temporarily
holds data that is waiting to be processed,
stored or output.
Message header
Includes who will received the email, subject
and attachment information
Microcomputer
CPU consists of a single “chip”
Microprocessor
Single “chip”
MIME
Multi-purpose Internet mail extensions
provides a clever way of disguising digital
photos, sounds, and other media as plain
ASCII text
Modem
Used to establish an Internet connection
Monitor
Display device
Mouse
An alternative input device designed to
manipulate on-screen graphical objects and
controls
Netiquette
Online jargon for “Internet etiquette”
Network card
Device that is designed to connect a personal
computer to a local area network
Newsgroups
Bulletin board system that contains more than
15,000 discussion forums
Notebook computer
Personnel computer called a laptop computer
Operating system
The master controller for all of the activities
that take place within a computer
Output
Result produced by a computer
Password
Different series of characters that verifies the
user ID
PCs
Based on the design for one of the first
personal computer “superstars,” the IBM PC
PDA
Personal Digital Assistant is a computer in
the hand held category used as an electronic
calendar
Peer-to-peer
Makes it possible for one person’s computer
to directly access the content of another
person’s hard drive—with permission
Peripheral device
Designates equipment that might be added to
a computer system to enhance its
functionality
Personal computer
Type of microcomputer designed to meet the
needs of an individual
Platform
Microprocessor and the operating system
POP
Post Office Protocol temporarily stores new
messages in your mailbox on an e-mail server
POP server
A computer that stores your incoming
messages until they can be transferred to your
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hard disk
Power-on self-test
Performs a set of diagnostic tests during the
boot process
Processing
Manipulation of data
Query
Describes the information that your want to
find
Safe Mode
Limited version of Windows that allows you
to use your mouse, monitor, and keyboard,
but not other peripheral devices
Search Engine
Helps catalog a huge portion of the data
stored on serves that are connected to the
Internet
Search operator
A word or symbol that describes the a
relationship between keywords
Server
“serves” the computers on the network
Smileys
Are symbols that represent emotions in emails
SMTP server
Routes outgoing mail
Software
Programs that set up a computer to do
specific tasks
Sound card
Small circuit board required for high-quality
music, narration, and sound effects
Spam
Unwanted electronic junk mail.
Spam filter
A filter that automatically routes spam e-mail
to a deleted items folder of your e-mail client.
Storage
Area where data can be left on a permanent
basis when it is not immediately needed for
processing
Store-and-forward technology
Communication method in which data that
cannot be sent directly to its destination will
be temporarily stored until transmission is
possible
Stored program
Series of instructions for a computing task
can be loaded into computer memory
Supercomputer
One of the fastest computers in the world.
System software
Software to help the computer system
monitor itself in order to function efficiently
System unit
The case that holds the main circuit boards,
microprocessor, power supply, and storage
devices.
Tablet computer
A portable computing device that features a
touch-sensitive screen that can be used as a
writing or drawing pad.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol
Topic directory
List of topics and subtopics
New Perspectives on Computer Concepts, 8th Edition
Chapter 1-17
Uploading
Process of sending a file from a local
computer to a remote computer
URL
Uniform resource locator is unique web page
address
Usenet
Worldwide bulletin board system
User Id
Series of characters that becomes a person’s
unique identifier
Videogame console
A computer but typically dedicated game
devices that connect to a TV set and provide a
pair of joysticks for input
Voiceband modem
Converts the computer’s digital signals into a
type of signal that can travel over telephone
lines
Web
World Wide Web is a collection of files
organized as a giant hypertext
Web pages
Files contain documents
Web servers
The computers and software that store and
distribute Web pages
Web site
Series of web pages
Web-based e-mail
Keeps mail at a website rather than
transferring it to your computer
Workstation
Powerful desktop computers designed for
specialize tasks