I read these books so you don’t have too. Below are my notes on the book by Lawrence Snyder. This was written for the non-technical, and broken into skills, capabilities, and concepts. All summaries below are taken from my personal notebook.
- Part 1 Defining IT
- Chapter 2
- Part 3 Basics of Networking
- Part 4 Hypertext Markup Language
- Part 5 Locating Info on the World Wide Web
- Part 6 Online Research
- Part 7 Debugging
- Part 8 Representing Info Digitally
- Part 9 Principles of Computer Ops
- Chapter 10 Algorithm Thinking
- Chapter 11 Representing Multimedia Digitally
- Chapter 12 Social Implications of IT
- Chapter 13 Privacy and Digital Secrecy
- Chapter 14 Speadsheets
- Chapter 15 Adv Spreadsheets
- Chapter 16 Database Concepts
- Chapter 18 Programming Concepts
- Chapter 20 Writing Functions
- Chapter 21 Iteration Principles
Part 1 Defining IT
Monolithic computers – all bundled together
Component – custom built PCs
Components of a PC
- Monitor – video screen
- Cables – power cables
- RGB
- Pixels – small grid on a computer monitor
- Motherboard – contains the circuitry for all components to work together
- Processor
- Memory – This is called RAM (random access memory). This memory is random access not sequential.
- Hard Disk – persistant storage
Algorithm – a precise and systematic way to solve a problem
Execution – when a computer performs instructions following them literally
Boot – A computer starting/restarting
Abstract – Remove the basic concept or idea
Generalize – Summing up a concept that applies to many situations
Operationally Attured – To apply what we know how to device works for simplicity its use
Chapter 2
Trying technology is the only way to learn. Though the use of the WYSIWYG model, you can use the GUI to design websites.
The GUI presents a simple and easy to use way for end users to interact with a page on screen. It presents feedback to a user. It’s anything that tells the computer is still working, hourglass, spinner, or loading bar.
Part 3 Basics of Networking
General communication is either (1)synchronous or (2) asynchrouous.
Synchronous communication requires the sender and reciever to be active at the same time
Asynchronous communication can be done at different times
The types of communication include other ways for servers, clients, and receivers.
Client/Server Architecture
A client clicks on a link then connects to a web server. This server sends information to the client.
IP Addresses – Unique addresses in the world to distinguish and using internet protocol.
IPv4 – 4 numbers long
IPv6 – 16 numbers long
Domains – related group of network computers
DNS – translates the number to readable names
If the DNS doesn’t know the corresponding domain it checks the ANS (authoritative name server). It contains the list of all IP Addresses and domains. These domains are all sourced through 13 root servers across the world.
Protocol
A computer has to send another computer into using a protocol or way to communicate. That is TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) it’s done by sending information in small units/packets to an address.
An IP packet has space for the unit, destination address, and seq number. Each packet is independent and go to their destination using a different destination.
Connections
WAN – Wide Area Network, designed for widely separated networks
LAN – Local Area Network, physically close enough to be connected by a cable
You can connect to a computer to the internet via ISP, computer, or enterprise network.
Wireless Networks – connection wirelessly is done by its protocol name 802.11 using a router to receive the signals
Requesting a webpage
The URL has three main parts, http://, IP Address, and file path name.
Christopher Sandoli 
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