Exercise Chapter 1

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Explain the five parts of an information system. What part do people play in this system? What is system software? What kinds of programs are included in system software? Define and compare basic and specialized application software. Describe some different types of basic applications. Describe some types of specialized applications. Describe the different types of computers. What is the most common type? What are the types of microcomputers? What is connectivity? How are the wireless revolution and connectivity related? What is a computer network? What is the Internet? What is the Web?

Exercise Chapter 2

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Discuss the uses of the Internet. Which activities have you participated in? Which one do you think is the most popular? Explain the differences between the three types of providers. What are the basic elements of an e-mail message? What is social networking? Describe the three types of social networking sites. Describe the different types of search engines. Give an example of the type of search each engine is best for.

Exercise Chapter 3

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Explain the difference between general-purpose and special-purpose applications. Discuss the common features of most software programs. Describe the new interface introduced with 2007 Microsoft Office. What is the difference between a function and a formula? How is a formula related to what-if analysis? What are presentation graphics programs? How are they used? What is the difference between an integrated package and a software suite? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Exercise Chapter 4

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Describe graphics, including desktop publishers, image editors, illustration programs, image galleries, and graphics suites. Discuss audio and video editing software. What is multimedia? How are multimedia presentations developed? Describe Web authoring, including Web site design and Web authoring programs. Discuss three areas of artificial intelligence.

Exercise Chapter 5

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Describe system software. What are the four types of system programs? What are the basic functions of every operating system? What are the three basic operating system categories? Explain the differences and similarities between Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Discuss utilities. What are the five most essential utilities? What is a utility suite? Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the Add Printer Wizard and Windows Update.

Exercise Chapter 6

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Describe the four basic types of system units. Describe the two basic components of the CPU. What are the differences and similarities between the three types of memory? Identify five expansion cards and describe the function of each. Identify and describe four standard ports and four specialized ports.

Exercise Chapter 7

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Define input and input devices. Describe the different types of pointing, scanning, image capturing, and audio-input devices. Describe the three categories of output devices. Define output and output devices. What are combination input and output devices? Give examples of such devices.

Exercise Chapter 8

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Compare solid-state storage and hard disks. What are the three types of hard disks? Describe three ways to improve hard disk performance. What are the two most common optical disk formats? What is Blu-Ray? Describe the basic types for each format. Discuss Internet hard drives and magnetic tape. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Discuss mass storage, enterprise storage systems, and mass storage devices.

Exercise Chapter 9

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Define and discuss connectivity, the wireless revolution, and communications. Identify and describe the various physical and wireless communication channels. Identify the standard Internet protocol and discuss its essential features. Define and discuss the four principal network topologies. Define and discuss three common network strategies.

Exercise Chapter 10

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Discuss the impact of large databases, private networks, the Internet, and the web on privacy. Discuss the various kinds of computer criminals. What are the principal measures used to protect computer security? What is encryption? How is it used by corporations and individuals? What is ergonomics? How does computer use impact mental health? Physical health? Describe the basic elements of the Green PC and what you can do to protect the environment.