The Evolution of Technology

Having sold more than 2 million copies over its lifetime, How Computers Work is the definitive illustrated guide to the world of PCs and technology. In this new edition, you’ll find detailed information not just about PCs, but about how changes in technology have evolved the giant, expensive computer dinosaurs of last century into the smaller but more powerful smartphones, tablets, and wearable computing of today. Whether your interest is in business, gaming, digital photography, entertainment, communications, or security, you’ll learn how computing is evolving the way you live.

A full-color, illustrated adventure into the wonders of TECHNOLOOGY

This full-color, fully illustrated guide to the world of technology assumes nothing and explains everything. Only the accomplished and award-winning team of writer Ron White and artist Tim Downs has the unique ability to meld descriptive text with one-of-a-kind visuals to fully explain how the electronic gear we depend on every day is made possible. In addition to all the content you’ve come to expect from prior editions, this newly revised edition includes all-new coverage of topics such as:

•   How smartphones and tablet PCs put the power of a desktop computer in your hands–literally

•   How computing technology is linking our homes, work place, entertainment, and daily communications

•   How advances such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, eBay, and smartphones are expanding our universe of friends, knowledge, and opportunity

•   How increased miniaturization leads to new products, such as smartphone, smartwatches, and Google Glass

•   How computing technology takes advantages of quantum physics and innovations no one even imagined a few years ago

For two decades, How Computers Work has helped newbies understand new technology, while hackers and IT pros have treasured it for the depth of knowledge it contains. This is the perfect book about computing to capture your imagination, delight your eyes, and expand your mind, no matter what your technical level!

Beautifully detailed illustrations and jargon-free explanations walk you through the technology that is shaping our lives. See the hidden workings inside computers, smartphones, tablets, Google Glass, and the latest tech inventions.

Ron White has been writing How Computers Work for 20 years, during which time he’s also been executive editor at PC Computing magazine, BYTE.com, and groovyPost.com. He’s been a computer columnist for Windows Sources and 80 Micro. How Computers Work was named best nonfiction computer book, and his writing has been honored by the Maggie Awards, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards, and The National Endowment for the Humanities. He and his wife, Sue, have bounced back and forth between Boston and San Francisco before finally ending up in San Antonio.

Part 1 What Makes a Computer

Ch 1  Computers, Computers Everywhere

Ch 2 How Circuits Juggle Data

Ch 3 How a Computer Comes Alive

Ch 4 How an OS Controls Hardware

Ch 5 How Computers Use Power
  
Part 2 How Microchips are the Brains of the Operation

Ch 6 How Computers Remember

Ch 7 How a Microprocessor Works
  
Part 3 How Disks Store Data

Ch 8 How Hard Drives Store Data for the Long Haul

Ch 9 How Hard Drives Pack it in Tight

Ch 10 How PCs Use Lasers to Store Data
  
Part 4 How a Computer Takes it in and Sends it Out

Ch 11 How You Control Your Computer

Ch 12 How a Computer Shows You Stuff

Ch 13 How Computers Play With Your Ears

Ch 14 How it All Goes Back and Forth
  
Part 5 How Computers Network

Ch 15 How LANs Work

Ch 16 How PCs Connect to the Internet

Ch 17 How We Reach Each Other Through the Net
  
Part 6 How Software Makes Computers Useful

Ch 18 How Programming Languages Work

Ch 19 How Windows Works

Ch 20 How Applications Do Your Work

Ch 21 How Web Browser Put It All at Your Fingertips

Ch 22 How Games Create Worlds

Ch 23 How Security Fights Off PC Invaders
  
Part 7 How Computers Capture, Scan, and Print

Ch 24 How Digital Photography Works

Ch 25 How Scanners Capture Words and Images

Ch 26 How Printing Works