Chapter 01
Chapter 01
Chapter 01
CHECKPOINT
SHORT ANSWER
1. A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce
results, and store the results for future use. Computers carry out processes using instructions,
which are the steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task. A collection of
related instructions organized for a common purpose is referred to as software. A computer
often holds data, information, and instructions in storage for future use. Instructions are the
steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task. Some people refer to the series
of input, process, output, and storage activities as the information processing cycle.
2. Prolonged or improper computer abuse can lead to injuries or disorders of the hands, wrists,
elbows, eyes, neck, and back. Two behavioral health risks are computer addiction and
technology overload. Computer addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with
using a computer. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when
deprived of computers and mobile devices. Once recognized, both computer addiction and
technology overload are treatable disorders. Computer manufacturing processes and
computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. When
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computers are discarded in landfills, they release toxic materials and potentially dangerous
levels of lead, mercury, and flame retardants.
3. A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from
any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Examples of software available as
Web applications include those that allow you to send and receive e-mail messages, prepare
your taxes, organize digital photos, create documents, and play games. Web sites such as
social networking Web sites, blogs, and Web applications are categorized as Web 2.0 sites.
The term Web 2.0 refers to Web sites that provide a means for users to share personal
information (such as social networking Web sites), allow users to modify the Web site
contents (such as some blogs), and/or have software built into the site for users to access
(such as Web applications).
4. The seven categories of computers are: personal computers, mobile computers and mobile
devices, game consoles, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded computers. A
computer’s size, speed, processing power, and price determine the category it best fits.
5. Doctors use the Web and medical software to assist with researching and diagnosing health
conditions. Many Web sites provide up-to-date medical, fitness, nutrition, or exercise
information. These Web sites also maintain lists of doctors and dentists to help you find the
one that suits your needs. They have chat rooms, so you can talk to others diagnosed with
similar conditions. Some Web sites even allow you to order prescriptions online. Through
telemedicine, health-care professionals in separate locations conduct live conferences on the
computer. For example, a doctor at one location can have a conference with a doctor at
another location to discuss a bone X-ray. With telesurgery, also called remote surgery, a
surgeon performs an operation on a patient who is not located in the same physical room as
the surgeon. Telesurgery enables surgeons to direct robots to perform an operation via
computers connected to a high-speed network.
LEARN IT ONLINE
These exercises ask students to visit Web pages that offer additional information, resources, and
activities related to topics presented in the chapter. Answers will vary.
PROBLEM SOLVING
These exercises ask students to solve practical computer problems by using outside
resources available to them, including but not limited to the Web, blogs, podcasts, videos,
magazines, newspapers, television, user guides, other individuals, electronics stores, and
computer stores. Tip Sheets, which are suggested starting points for the Problem Solving
exercises, are included within the End of Chapter Solutions folder on your Instructor Resources
disc.
Discovering Computers 2011 Chapter 1
LEARN HOW TO
These hands-on activities solidify the concepts presented in the chapter with practical
application. Answers may vary.
WEB RESEARCH
In these exercises, students use various Web resources to discover additional information related
to this chapter. Encourage students to use their browsers and the link in each exercise or a search
engine to complete selected exercises. Answers will vary for the Green Computing, Social
Networking, Blogs, and Ethics in Action exercises. Below are answers for the Search Sleuth
exercise.
SEARCH SLEUTH
Some questions have multiple answers, so student answers will vary.
1. Trek Technology develped the first commercially available USB flash drive in 2000, and
IBM soon followed later that year with its first model.;
http://www.ehow.com/about_5152489_history-usb-flash-drives.html
2. The Universal symbol on Mac applications means they will run on both Intel- and
PowerPC-based Mac computers. If installed as usual, they will run automatically at peak
performance for the Mac’s architecture.; http://www.apple.com/universal
3. AT&T Reuse and Recycle (Reuse & Recycle Program offers the option to bring
unwanted cell phones, Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) and other accessories (regardless of the
manufacturer or carrier) to an AT&T operated store or participating authorized dealer store),
Best Buy (Drop off old cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and ink-jet cartridges at the free
recycling kiosks located just inside the door of every US Best Buy store. New cell phone
customers receive free, postage-paid envelopes to mail old phones to ReCellular, Best Buy's cell
phone reuse/recycling partner. Grants are available for nonprofit organizations, cities, counties,
or public-private partnerships to help increase the recycling opportunities of a broader array of
electronic equipment (e.g., computers, TVs,) in communities across the country. The company
hosts and/or sponsors more than 100 weekend electronic recycling events each year at store
parking lots across the US.), Dell (RECONNECT [specific cities within California, Michigan,
New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas only] is a comprehensive electronics
recovery, reuse and environmentally responsible recycling partnership between Goodwill
Industries and Dell, Inc. for consumers in participating communities.), eBay (Rethink Initiative
provides information, tools and solutions that make it easy to find new users for idle computers
and electronics, and responsibly recycle unwanted products.), HP (offers Product Recycling
(including hardware, LaserJet supplies, and Inkjet supplies), Trade-In Program, and Hewlett-
Packard/Compaq Asset Recovery Services), Intel (Students Recycling Used Technology
(StRUT) provides technology-based education for K-16 students through the process of
refurbishing donated equipment for schools.), LG Electronics (Offers consumers a free mail-in
recycling program for old cell phones and their accessories (any make or model). Simply box up
your old phone and accessories, print off the pre-paid mailing label from their Web site and mail
in the phone for recycling.), Motorola (Offers consumers the ability to print postage paid labels
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(PDF) (1 pg, 112K, about PDF) from their Web site and mail in old devices (any make or model)
free of charge. Occasionally, Motorola offers incentives through programs such as Trade-Up
which allows customers to mail-in (prepaid label) or drop-off their old phones to be recycled
and, with the purchase of a new Motorola phone, receive compensation for the value of their old
phone. The Bag in a Box option offers postage paid recycling bags in new Motorola cell phone
boxes. This option is supported by some network carriers and all direct sales by Motorola.
Customers simply place their old phone in the bag and drop it in the mail. Race to Recycle offers
accredited K-12 schools an opportunity to recycle cell phones (any brand) at the same time they
raise funds for their school. Motorola distributes a portion of the proceeds generated from
contributed intact cell phones to schools participating in the Race to Recycle program.), NEC
Display Solutions (has a Total Trade Program), Nokia (Offers a free mail-in recycling program
for old cell phones by printing a prepaid shipping label and sending in unwanted phones.
Additionally, consumers can pick up a prepaid shipping envelope at any of the Nokia flagship
stores in Chicago and New York.). Provides information and instructions for erasing personal
data from your phone.), Samsung (Offers a mail-in recycling program to customers who want to
recycle any make, model or condition of cell phone. Simply box up the old phone, print the pre-
paid mailing label from the Web site and mail in the phone for recycling.), Sony (Offers a Take
Back Recycling Program and a Notebook Trade-in Program), Sony Ericsson (Offers an event
based cell phone recycling program. Sprint (Offers two cell phone recycling programs for
consumers: The Sprint Buyback program offers Sprint customers an account credit for returning
eligible Sprint and Nextel models of phones. The Sprint Project Connect program is available to
all consumers. It accepts wireless phones, batteries, accessories and connection cards for
recycling - regardless of make, model, condition, or service provider. Sprint provides consumers
with the free cell phone data eraser tool to clear any personal information from the phone.),
Staples (EcoEasy offers consumers in-store recycling of computers, monitors, printers, desktop
copiers and other electronic waste for a fee of $10 per item. All Staples stores offer in-store
collection bins where consumers can drop-off cell phones, PDAs, chargers, other handheld
electronics, and ink and toner cartridges for recycling ($3 rebates are available for some eligible
toner cartridges.), T-Mobile (Handset Recycling Program offers both in-store drop-off locations
and a mail-in recycling option for cell phones, PDAs, and accessories. Postage paid recycling
bags are included with all purchases. Customers can also pick up a recycling envelope at any T-
Mobile store. Customers can organize a community or business based cell phone recycling drive
and can order postage paid shipping boxes.), Toshiba (Offers a Recycling and Trade-In
Program), Verizon (Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless
phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either
refurbished for reuse or recycled. Used phones can be returned to any Verizon Wireless retail
store across the country.); http://www.epa.gov/e-cycling/donate.htm
4. The GAVI Alliance, expanding childhood immunization - $1.5 billion; United Negro
College Fund, Gates Millennium Scholars Program - $1.37 billion; Alliance for a Green
Revolution in Africa (AGRA), improving seeds and soil for African farmers - $456 million;
Rotary International, polio eradication - $355 million; PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) -
$287 million; Save the Children, Saving Newborn Lives - $112 million; United Way of King
County - $85 million; World Food Programme, increasing small farmer income - $66 million;
TechnoServe, helping small coffee farmers improve crops and fetch higher prices - $47 million;
Heifer International, helping small farmers grow local and regional dairy markets - $43 million
Discovering Computers 2011 Chapter 1
Mexico, National Council on Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), Global Libraries Program -
$30 million; Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), testing and promoting the use of
information and communications technologies to deliver microfinance products - $24 million;
Achieve, Inc. and the American Diploma Project Network, assisting states in aligning high
school standards with the expectations of college and career - $23 million; Chicago Public
Schools, curriculum support - $21 million; Opportunity Online Program, multiple library
systems - $16.4 million; Opportunity International Inc., developing and expanding a network of
commercial banks in Africa - $15.4 million; Green Dot Public Schools, supporting the
transformations of Jefferson and Locke high schools in Los Angeles, Calif., into high-performing
charter high schools - $9.7 million. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/Pages/foundation-fact-
sheet.aspx
5. Google;
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/27/news/companies/mba_survey.fortune/index.htm
6. Susan Kare; http://www.kare.com/; Moof!; http://www.storybytes.com/view-
moof/articles/mim.html
7. NEC;
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/1989/11/01/85459/index.htm
CRITICAL THINKING
Thought-provoking situations exercise students’ minds and challenge them to construct creative
solutions. The Critical Thinking exercises are intended to be discussed in class, presented in
class, assigned for student research, or completed as a team. Answers will vary.