Includes index.

Contents: Module introduction: Introduction to the world of computers -- Expert insight on personal computers -- Module hardware: The System unit: processing and memory -- Storage -- Input and output -- Expert insight on hardware -- Module software: System software: operating systems and utility programs -- Application software -- Expert insight on software -- Module networks and the internet: Computer networks -- The Internet and world wide web -- Network and internet security -- Expert insight on networks and the internet -- Module business on the web: Multimedia and the web -- E-Commerce -- Expert insight on web-based multimedia and E-Commerce -- Module systems: Information systems and system development -- Program development and programming languages -- Databases and database management systems -- Expert insight on systems -- Module computers and society: Computer security and privacy -- Intellectual property rights, ethics, health, access, and the environment -- Expert insight on computers and society.