Author Description

This edition of the popular concepts text focuses on end users and what they need to know. It is suitable for all introductory computer concepts courses, taught in liberal arts as well as business schools. Through computers, this text helps tell the story of humankind's quest for knowledge and problem-solving as it has evolved to its present state of the art. Features: * Software is discussed before hardware, establishing a strong focus on the end-user perspective. * Available bound or packaged with any of Dryden's software application manual * The chapter on computer languages has been moved to an apppenix. * "Bits of History" boxes are among the many renewed elements of a sophisticated new interior book design, featuring cover design and block openers by renowned artist Fred Birchman. * New boxed discussions include "Bytes of the Future" and "How Does It Work?" "A Quick Look" boxes, situated in margins, restate key items in the text. * A new section on computers and music is based on lecture materials developed at Indiana University. * New discussions on the Internet, the information superhighway, and power PCs. * All new and timely photo essays illustrate themes such as multimedia, telecommuting, and computers and the physically challenged. * BASIC supplement available through EXACT.