Changes made during April 23 Class:
XXXX - topic removed from Final
Text in blue - Description added to topic

1. Computer hardware - what makes computers valuable?
1. Instruction cycle - Fetch, Interpret, Execute, Increment
2. Accumulator - the place where the "computing" or arithmetic is done
3. Paper and Pencil Computer - given diagram, master cycle, instruction set and memory contents, carry out instruction cycles
1. XXXX This is "the von Neumann architecture", invented by John von Neumann and used by all computers to date
2. Computer software
1. Forms of computer information
1. File sizes for graphics, sound, number and program files
1. Address space Vs actual memory size
2. Formula will be given for size of sound file, as well as for graphics file. Here is the formula:
   bytes = (length in seconds) x (samples per second) x (bytes per sample) x (2 if stereo) / (Compression Factor)
3. Using computers - Access
1. Access:
1. Starting and exiting Access, opening an existing database, Save As... and Save, print (including orientation)
2. Entering data in records
3. Sorting records
4. XXXX Filtering records
5. Making a Form using a Wizard
6. XXXX Making a Join or Relationship
4. XXXX Computer programming
1. XXXX Describe what a computer program is and how one is produced.
2. XXXX Describe the difference between a source and executable file
3. XXXX Describe the difference between compilation and interpretation for computer programs
4. XXXX Describe the term "debugging."
5. Storage and peripheral hardware
1. Storage
1. Role of File Allocation Table (FAT) or equivalent
2. Division of disk into sectors and tracks (exception for CD)
3. Ratings for disks
4. Examples of specific disks - floppy, hard drive, Zip, CD, DVD, portable hard drives
2. Peripheral connections - is it serial or parallel, what is the speed, how convenient is it
1. Serial port
2. Printer port
3. USB
4. FireWire
6. Social issues
1. Write a brief essay on any two (your choice) of four topics from the "Issues" handout from the class. The brief essay should describe the background and facts of the issues, describe the range of opinion on the issue, and give your own opinion. The list of possible topics now includes Artificial Intelligence (see class handout)
2. Describe what is meant by artificial intelligence, and what impact it could have on both computers and humans if it becomes reality.
3. Describe encryption and the role it plays in computer security
4. Discuss the reasoning given in the "Social Issues" handout for why computers have not lead to net unemployment, and give your own view
5. Discuss the meaning of "convergence" in the computer field, and give several possible examples