- Paperback: 528 pages
- Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (Aug 11 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0130194697
- ISBN-13: 978-0130194695
- Product Dimensions: 23.7 x 17.7 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 748 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #572,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Lots of circumstances conspired to make information technology what it is today. Business decisions (both wise and foolish), scientific discoveries (old and recent), marketing campaigns (founded in truth and otherwise), and plenty of random chance have played parts in defining the industrial, social and cultural phenomena that personal and business computing have become.
The Essential Guide to Computing: The Story of Information Technology tells the technical, commercial and social story behind the electronic computer and related technologies, such as telecommunications and software development. Along the way, author E. Garrison Walters reveals a lot of general knowledge about computers.
As you read this book, you can't avoid picking up the little technical facts that have become part of our culture, particularly its younger parts. What's an embedded operating system? What's object-oriented programming? What is the open-source movement? Walters teaches you enough about these subjects--and the ways they fit together--to enable you to speak intelligently about them and perform further research as your needs require.
You will enjoy this book regardless of your level of computer expertise or your area of specialisation. It's essentially a general-interest non-fiction book, and a good one at that. --David Wall
Book Description
How computers work- all the fundamentals, without the technical gobbledygook!
Friendly, accessible, up-to-date explanations of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet.
Perfect for anyone who needs a basic understanding of the key technologies underlying todays high-tech industries -- but doesnt have a technical background.
Coverage includes- microprocessors, operating systems, programming languages, applications, e-commerce, and more. The Essential Guide to Computers is an intelligent, thorough, friendly, and up-to-date explanation of computer technology. Its perfect for smart professionals who want to understand the technology -- but dont have computer science or engineering degrees! Learn how computers have evolved from early, room-sized monoliths to PCs to tomorrows "information appliances." Understand each key hardware component of a contemporary computer, including microprocessors, memory, storage, I/O, and displays. Understand the role of systems architecture in the orderly evolution of computing technology; then learn what operating systems are and how they compare. Understand the role of programming languages and what they try to achieve; including the basics of object-orientation, todays leading approach to software development. Next, learn how computers can be organized into many kinds of networks, from LANs to the Internet; and how this enables new kinds of software and applications, including e-commerce. For anyone who wants to understand the fundamentals of how computers and networks work.
Garry Walters is Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with the Ohio Board of Regents. He resides in Columbus, OH.
Friendly, accessible, up-to-date explanations of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet.
Perfect for anyone who needs a basic understanding of the key technologies underlying todays high-tech industries -- but doesnt have a technical background.
Coverage includes- microprocessors, operating systems, programming languages, applications, e-commerce, and more. The Essential Guide to Computers is an intelligent, thorough, friendly, and up-to-date explanation of computer technology. Its perfect for smart professionals who want to understand the technology -- but dont have computer science or engineering degrees! Learn how computers have evolved from early, room-sized monoliths to PCs to tomorrows "information appliances." Understand each key hardware component of a contemporary computer, including microprocessors, memory, storage, I/O, and displays. Understand the role of systems architecture in the orderly evolution of computing technology; then learn what operating systems are and how they compare. Understand the role of programming languages and what they try to achieve; including the basics of object-orientation, todays leading approach to software development. Next, learn how computers can be organized into many kinds of networks, from LANs to the Internet; and how this enables new kinds of software and applications, including e-commerce. For anyone who wants to understand the fundamentals of how computers and networks work.
Garry Walters is Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with the Ohio Board of Regents. He resides in Columbus, OH.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great coverage of the IT field,
By Ananth "booklovermpls" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Essential Guide to Computing: The Story of Information Technology (Paperback)
There is a great breadth of information presented in a very lucid fashion. The material is easy to understand, and the author adds a great sense of humor.However, with the rapid advancements in technology, the book is a bit dated. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a gain a great breadth of knowledge in the field of Information technology, in a short period of time.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review from an Experienced Marketing Manager's Perspective,
By Scott P. Noble (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Essential Guide to Computing: The Story of Information Technology (Paperback)
With 6+ years marketing management experience and an MBA, I feel this book was very helpful in understanding the many facets of technology and its evolution through time. The book is a must read for anyone who needs to build or brush up on a solid but basic understanding of technology. However, many of the newest trends in technology are only briefly covered. This is due, I believe, to the fact that many of the pervasive technologies and collaborative applications now being pushed in the marketplace didn't make the editor's draft of the book even though the published date is 2001.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A REMARKABLE FIND !,
By "marre68" (Dayton, OH, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Essential Guide to Computing: The Story of Information Technology (Paperback)
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO COMPUTING is simply an extraordinary achievement. It reflects a breadth of knowledge and clarity of presentation that is remarkable. It makes every effort to distill knowledge about computers and computing in an easy, reader-friendly, memorable way. For computer users everywhere -- in organizations, schools, colleges and universities, and individuals -- this volume gives multiple ways of getting to know more about computing in its fast changing environment. First, you get to know the foundations of how computers and computing works in practical, everyday language. Second, you get a reference book that explains key terms, key workings, and key interconnections among the parts.The most noteworthy aspect of the book is its superb coherence in presenting vast amounts of computing knowledge arranged in for easy understanding. Information and explanations in one chapter are referenced in subsequent ones, never failing to explain connections among them, with a view to present an overall picture of how computers and computing works. Each chapter highlights technical terms related to computing and information technology, provides an overview of specific aspects as for example "An Overview of How Storage Works" (Chapter 2, p.40), and highlights in grey explanations of widely used terms such as "Disks From a User's Perspective" (p. 56). Each chapter also ends with a summary list of questions that focus on self-evaluating one's grasp of the chapter's contents. E. Garrison Walters' book will continue to enrich the understanding of all who enjoy working with computers at work or for pleasure. I wish this book had been available to guide me in computing long before I found it, and, that I had written it ! It is a remarkable achievement!
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