CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Mind Tools for Your Future 1.1 Infotech Becomes Commonplace: Cellphones, E-Mail, the Internet, & the E-World 1.2 The "All-Purpose Machine": The Varieties of Computers 1.3 Understanding Your Computer: What If You Custom-Ordered Your Own PC? 1.4 Where Is Information Technology Headed? CHAPTER 2. THE INTERNET & THE WORLD WIDE WEB: Exploring Cyberspace 2.1 Choosing Your Internet Access Device & Physical Connection: The Quest for Broadband 2.2 Choosing Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) 2.3 Sending & Receiving E-Mail 2.4 The World Wide Web 2.5 The Online Gold Mine: More Internet Resources, Your Personal Cyberspace, E-Commerce, & the E-conomy CHAPTER 3. SOFTWARE: The Power behind the Power 3.1 System Software 3.2 Application Software: Getting Started 3.3 Word Processing 3.4 Spreadsheets 3.5 Database Software 3.6 Specialty Software 3.7 Online Software & Application Software Providers: Turning Point for the Software Industry? CHAPTER 4. HARDWARE THE CPU & STORAGE: How to Buy a Multimedia Computer System 4.1 Microchips, Miniaturization, & Mobility 4.2 The System Unit 4.3 Secondary Storage CHAPTER 5. HARDWARE--INPUT & OUTPUT: Taking Charge of Computing & Communications 5.1 Input & Output 5.2 Input Hardware 5.3 Output HardwareCHAPTER 6. TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Networks & Communications--The "New Story" in Computing 6.1 From the Analog to the Digital Age 6.2 The Practical Uses of Communications 6.3 Communications Channels: The Conduits of Communications 6.4 Networks 6.5 Cyberethics: Controversial Material, Privacy, & Intellectual Property CHAPTER 7. E-COMMERCE, FILES, & DATABASES: Digital Engines for the New Economy 7.1 Managing Files: Basic Concepts 7.2 Database Management Systems 7.3 Database Models 7.4 Databases & the New Economy: E-Commerce, Data Mining, & B2B Systems 7.5 The Ethics of Using Storage & Databases: Concerns about Accuracy & Privacy CHAPTER 8. SOCIETY & THE DIGITAL AGE 8.1 The Digital Environment: Is There a Grand Design? 8.2 Security Issues: Threats to Computers & Communications Systems 8.3 Security: Safeguarding Computers & Communications 8.4 Quality-of-Life Issues: The Environment, Mental Health, & the Workplace 8.5 Economic Issues: Employment & the Haves/Have-Nots 8.6 Artificial Intelligence 8.7 The Promised Benefits of the Digital Age APPENDIX. SYSTEMS & PROGRAMMING: Development, Programming & Languages A.1 Systems Development: The Six Phases of Systems Analysis & Design