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Computer Confluence: Standard
Rationale
Originally, the word computing was synonymous with counting and calculating, and a science that deals with the original sense of computing mathematical calculations. "Computing" has come to mean the operation and usage of computing machines, the electrical processes carried out within the computing hardware itself, and the theoretical concepts governing them (computer science).
The following definition of computing is given in the ACM report Computing As a Discipline:
The discipline of computing is the systematic study of algorithmic processes that describe and transform information: their theory, analysis, design, efficiency, implementation, and application. The fundamental question underlying all the computing is 'What can be (efficiently) automated?'
- Science and theory
- Hardware
- Software
- History of computing
- Business computing
- Managed Service Provider, MSP
- Human factors
- Computer security
- Data
- Mechatronics
- Classes of computers
- Companies - current
- Companies - historic
- Professional organizations
- Standards organizations and consortia
- Miscellaneous
Today's Videos
- Connect with us on http://www.youtube.com/finntrack
- Google's Play lists
Teaching and Learning Resources
Computer Currents: From Calculation to Communication, Hardware Basics. Sotware Basics
- Computer Currents: From Calculation to Communication
- Hardware Basics: Inside the Box
- Hardware Basics: Peripherals
- Software Basics: The Ghost in the Machine
Computer Hardware is the physical part of a computer, including the digital circuitry, as distinguished from the computer software that executes within the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and data, which are "soft" in the sense that they are readily created, modified or erased on the computer. Firmware is a special type of software that rarely, if ever, needs to be changed and so is stored on hardware devices such as read-only memory (ROM) where it is not readily changed (and is therefore "firm" rather than just "soft").
Most computer hardware is not seen by normal users. It is in embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, electrocardiograph machines, compact disc players, and other devices. Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, form only a small minority of computers (about 0.2% of all new computers produced in 2003) Market statistics.
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Computer Software (or simply software) is the programs that enable a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system (hardware). This includes application software such as a word processor, which enables a user to perform a task, and system software such as an operating system, which enables other software to run properly, by interfacing with hardware and with other software.
The term "software" was first used in this sense by John W. Tukey in 1957. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all computer programs. The concept of reading different sequences of instructions into the memory of a device to control computations was invented by Charles Babbage as part of his difference engine. The theory that is the basis for most modern software was first proposed by Alan Turing in his 1935 essay Computable numbers with an application to the Entscheidungsproblem. [1]
- Relationship to hardware
- Relationship to data
- Types
- Program and library
- Three layers
- Creation
- Operation
- Quality and reliability
- License
- Patents
Revolution in Writing: From Word Processing to Paperless Publishing
Tutorials
- Revolution in Writing: From Word Processing to Paperless Publishing
- Calculation, Visualization, and Simulation
- Graphics, Hypermedia, and Multimedia
- Database Applications and Implications
Readings
A Word Processor (more formally a document preparation system) is a computer application used for the production (including composition, editing, formatting, and possibly printing) of any sort of printable material.
A word processor may also refer to a stand-alone computer unit similar to a typewriter, but often including technological advancements such as a screen, advanced formatting and printing options, and the ability to save documents onto memory cards or diskettes. Word processors almost invariably allowed the user to choose between standard typing and word processing modes by way of a switch. Such word processors should not be confused with an electric typewriter.
Word processors are descended from early text formatting tools (sometimes called text justification tools, from their only real capability). Word processing was one of the earliest applications for the personal computer in office productivity.
Although early word processors used tag-based markup for document formatting, most modern word processors take advantage of a graphical user interface. Most are powerful systems consisting of one or more programs that can produce any arbitrary combination of images, graphics and text, the latter handled with type-setting capability.
Microsoft Word is the most widely used computer word processing system; Microsoft estimates over five million people use the Office suite. There are also many other commercial word processing applications, such as WordPerfect. Open-source applications such as OpenOffice's Writer and KWord are rapidly gaining in popularity.
- Word Processors at SourceForge
- "Word Processors: Stupid and Inefficient" - editorial by Allin Cottrell
- FOSS word processors compared: OOo Writer, AbiWord, and KWord by Bruce Byfield
- Citations by CiteSeer
- History of Word Processing
- Notes
A Simulation is an imitation of some real thing, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviors of a selected physical or abstract system.
Historically, the word had negative connotations:
- …for Distinction Sake, a Deceiving by Words, is commonly called a Lye, and a Deceiving by Actions, Gestures, or Behavior, is called Simulation… Robert South (1643-1716)[1]
However, the connection between simulation and dissembling later faded out and is now only of linguistic interest.
Simulation is used in many contexts, including the modeling of natural systems or human systems in order to gain insight into their functioning. Other contexts include simulation of technology for performance optimization, safety engineering, testing, training and education. Simulation can be used to show the eventual real effects of alternative conditions and courses of action.
Key issues in simulation include acquisition of valid source information about the referent, selection of key characteristics and behaviours, the use of simplifying approximations and assumptions within the simulation, and fidelity and validity of the simulation outcomes.
- Types of simulation
- Simulation in training
- Simulation in education
- Medical Simulators
- City Simulators / Urban Simulation
- Flight simulators
- Marine simulators
- Engineering (Technology) simulation or Process simulation
- Simulation and games
- Notes
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Computer Graphics (CG) is the field of visual computing, where one utilizes computers both to generate visual images synthetically and to integrate or alter visual and spatial information sampled from the real world.
The first major advance in computer graphics was the development of Sketchpad in 1962 by Ivan Sutherland.
This field can be divided into several areas: real-time 3D rendering (often used in video games), computer animation, video capture and video creation rendering, special effects editing (often used for movies and television), image editing, and modeling (often used for engineering and medical purposes). Development in computer graphics was first fueled by academic interests and government sponsorship. However, as real-world applications of computer graphics in broadcast television and movies proved a viable alternative to more traditional special effects and animation techniques, commercial parties have increasingly funded advances in the field.
It is often thought that the first feature film to use computer graphics was 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which attempted to show how computers would be much more graphical in the future. However, all the "computer graphic" effects in that film were hand-drawn animation, and the special effects sequences were produced entirely with conventional optical and model effects.
Perhaps the first use of computer graphics specifically to illustrate computer graphics was in Futureworld (1976), which included an animation of a human face and hand--produced by Ed Catmull and Fred Parke at the University of Utah
- Spreadsheets
- Free Excel Tutorial Series
Excel for Beginners
Excel 2007 Spreadsheets
Readings
Networking and Telecommunication. Inside the Internet and the Web. From Internet to Information Infrastructure
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Readings
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of computers and devices connected by communications channels that facilitates communications among users and allows users to share resources with other users. Networks may be classified according to a wide variety of characteristics.
- Introduction
- Network classification
- Types of networks based on physical scope
- Basic hardware components
Computer Security and Risks
Tutorials
Readings
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to remain accessible and productive to its intended users. The term computer system security means the collective processes and mechanisms by which sensitive and valuable information and services are protected from publication, tampering or collapse by unauthorized activities or untrustworthy individuals and unplanned events respectively. The strategies and methodologies of computer security often differ from most other computer technologies because of its somewhat elusive objective of preventing unwanted computer behavior instead of enabling wanted computer behavior.
- Enterprise security architecture
- Security by design
- Security architecture
- Hardware mechanisms that protect computers and data
- Secure operating systems
- Secure coding
- Capabilities and access control lists
- Applications
- Cloud computing Security
- Computer security policy
- Terminology
- Notes
- Security advisories links from the Open Directory Project
- Top 5 Security No Brainers for Businesses from Network World
Systems Design and Development
Readings
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), or Software Development Life Cycle in systems engineering, information systems and software engineering, is the process of creating or altering systems, and the models and methodologies that people use to develop these systems. The concept generally refers to computer or information systems.
In software engineering the SDLC concept underpins many kinds of software development methodologies. These methodologies form the framework for planning and controlling the creation of an information system[1]: the software development process.
- Overview
- History
- Systems development phases
- Systems development life cycle topics
- Strengths and weaknesses
- US Department of Education - Lifecycle Management Document
- System Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Review Document G23 from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
- The Agile System Development Lifecycle
- Software as a Service Application Service Provider Systems Development Lifecycle
- Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation - Information Technology Solutions Lifecycle Methodology
- SDLC Industry Interest Group
- State of Maryland SDLC
- HHS Enterprise Performance Life Cycle Framework
- CMS Integrated IT Investment & System Life Cycle Framework
- Collection of All SDLC Models in One Place With External Good Resources
- Integrated System Design
Computers at Work. Computers at School and Home
Tutorials
Readings
A user is a person who uses a computer or Internet service. A user may have a user account that identifies the user by a username (also user name), screen name (also screenname), or "handle", which is derived from the identical Citizen's Band radio term. To log in to an account, a user is typically required to authenticate himself/herself/itself with a password or other credentials for the purposes of accounting, security, logging, and resource management. For a discussion of user satisfaction, see Computer user satisfaction.
Users are also widely characterized as the class of people that use a system without complete technical expertise required to fully understand the system. In most hacker-related contexts, they are also divided into lusers and power users. Both are terms of degradation, but the latter connotes a "know-it-all" attitude. See also End-user and Nomadic User.
- Luser
- Nickname
- Home directory
- Identity correlation
- User profile
- User error
- Role-based access control
Inventing the Future
Tutorials
Readings
Recommended Text
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Computer
Confluence: Standard,
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Resources
