====== Open Ended ====== ===== Chapter 1 ===== - 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 are the Internet and the Web? ===== Chapter 2 ===== - 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 are the types of discussion groups? Describe any groups you participate in. - Describe the different types of search engines. Give an example of the type of search each engine is best for. ===== Chapter 3 ===== - Explain the difference between general-purpose and special-purpose applications. - 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? - Explain the difference between a linked object and an embedded object? What are the advantages of OLE? - What is the difference between an integrated package and a software suite? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? ===== Chapter 4 ===== - 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. ===== Chapter 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. ===== Chapter 6 ===== - 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 three specialized ports. ===== Chapter 7 ===== - Define input and output 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? Describe four such devices. ===== Chapter 8 ===== - Discuss the traditional and high-capacity floppy disks. - What are the three types of hard disks? Describe three ways to improve hard disk performance. - What are the two most common optical disc formats? What is hi def? Describe the basic types for each format. - Discuss solid-state storage, Internet hard drives, and magnetic tape. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? - Discuss mass storage, enterprise storage systems, and mass storage devices. ===== Chapter 9 ===== - 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 the three most common network strategies. ===== Chapter 10 ===== - Discuss the relationship between databases and privacy. - Discuss the Code of Fair Information Act. Why has this Act not been made into law? - 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? ===== Chapter 11 ===== - Name and discuss the five common functions of most organizations. - Discuss the roles of the three kinds of management in a corporation. - What are the four most common computer-based information systems? - Describe the different reports and their roles in managerial decision making. - What is the difference between an office automation system and a knowledge work system? ===== Chapter 12 ===== - Describe the five logical data groups or categories. - What is the difference between batch processing and real-time processing? - Identify and define the five parts of DBMS programs. - What are the five types of databases? Why does more than one kind of database exist? - What are some of the benefits and limitations of databases? Why is security a concern? ===== Chapter 13 ===== - What is a system? What are the six phases of the systems life cycle? Why do corporations undergo this process? - What are the tools used in the analysis phase? What is top-down analysis? How is it used? - Describe each type of system conversion. Which is the most commonly used? - What is system maintenance? When does it occur? - Explain prototyping and RAD. When might they be used by corporations? ===== Chapter 14 ===== - Identify and discuss each of the six steps of programming. - Describe CASE tools and OOP. How does CASE assist programmers? - What is meant by "generation" in reference to programming languages? What is the difference between low-level and high-level languages? - What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter? What role would these tools have in programming with natural languages? - What are logic structures? Describe the differences between the three types. ===== Chapter 15 ===== - Why is strategy important to individual success in the information age? What is your strategy? - Describe how technology changes the nature of competition. - How can your computer competencies and knowledge help you get ahead in today’s market? - What does proactive mean? What is a proactive computer user? What advantages does this type of user have over the other types? - Discuss several different careers in information technology. Which are of interest to you?