Learn what happens behind the scenes of operating systems Find out how operating systems work, including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Operating Systems Demystified describes the features common to most of today's popular operating systems and how they handle complex tasks. Written in a step-by-step format, this practical guide begins with an overview of what operating systems are and how they are designed. The book then offers in-depth coverage of the boot process; CPU management; deadlocks; memory, disk, and file management; network operating systems; and the essentials of system security. Detailed examples and concise explanations make it easy to understand even the technical material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce key concepts. It's a no-brainer! You'll learn about: Fundamentals of operating system design Differences between menu- and command-driven user interfaces CPU scheduling and deadlocks Management of RAM and virtual memory Device management for hard drives, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray drives Networking basics, including wireless LANs and virtual private networks Key concepts of computer and data security Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Operating Systems Demystified helps you learn the essential elements of OS design and everyday use.

This fourth edition blends operating systems theory and practice in a well-organized way. Its innovative two-part approach explores operating systems theory and development in the first section, and discusses the four most widely-used operating systems (MS-DOS, Windows, Linux, and UNIX) in the second. Each chapter has been updated for currency, and a brand-new chapter on System Security has been added.

High Performance Computing Demystified provides an overview of high performance resources and their applications across many disciplines. This book is organized into five parts encompassing 16 chapters that cover the principles, mode of operation, and practical aspects of supercomputers. The first and second parts provide a brief history of high performance computing and describe the “basic parts needed to build high performance computers, including high performance microprocessors and network topologies. The third part examines the features of multiprocessor architectures of high performance, such as the large number crunchers, massively parallel processing machines, and networks of workstations. The fourth part deals with the software paradigms for high performance, while the fifth part looks into the high performance computing resources that are available to the public, with some guide to accessing those resources. This book is intended primarily for engineers and business managers who have a basic understanding of computers and would like to learn about high performance computing.

Select, Implement, and Operate the Perfect LMS If you need to manage training and education programs for employees, customers, or students, you need an LMS. Don’t waste time and money picking the wrong one. The LMS Guidebook gets to the core of what an LMS does and how it works. This book tackles the urgent challenges you will face when putting an LMS in place: Which features are must-haves? What standards should your LMS comply with to mesh with your other technology systems? How do you migrate existing learning data into your new LMS? How can you ensure an uneventful rollout? Not all LMS products will meet your needs. E-learning consultant Steve Foreman offers a broad view of the LMS categories and features so you can ask better questions of vendors and evaluate their products. He then turns to implementation and operation, offering in-depth guidance on how to establish appropriate standards, processes, and governance that will have your LMS running smoothly. Whether you’re on the instructional or technical side of the LMS, you can make the job of selecting and managing one less painful by following the proven practices in this book.

UNDERSTANDING OPERATING SYSTEMS provides a basic understanding of operating systems theory, a comparison of the major operating systems in use, and a description of the technical and operational tradeoffs inherent in each. The effective two-part organization covers the theory of operating systems, their historical roots, and their conceptual basis (which does not change substantially), culminating with how these theories are applied in the specifics of five operating systems (which evolve constantly). The authors explain this technical subject in a not-so-technical manner, providing enough detail to illustrate the complexities of stand-alone and networked operating systems. UNDERSTANDING OPERATING SYSTEMS is written in a clear, conversational style with concrete examples and illustrations that readers easily grasp.

Learn cutting-edge MULTIMEDIA skills! Discover how to create impressive multimedia projects using state-of-the-art tools and techniques. Multimedia Demystified is filled with information on the latest technologies, as well as design and production guidelines. This practical guide provides a background on multimedia and then delves into the elements that make up a successful multimedia project. You'll learn about software and hardware tools, digital photography, sound editing, web authoring with HTML, vector graphics, file formats, computer animation, and much more. Detailed examples and concise explanations make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce key concepts. It's a no-brainer! You'll learn about: Graphics, images, text, and typography 2D and 3D animation Music, sound effects, and video Authoring for multimedia functionality Software and hardware Delivering the final project to the intended audience Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Multimedia Demystified helps you master this marketable skill.

Learning DATABASE fundamentals just got a whole lot EASIER! Now you can design, build, and manage a fully functional database with ease. Thoroughly updated to cover the latest technologies and techniques, Databases Demystified, Second Edition gives you the hands-on help you need to get started. Written in a step-by-step format, this practical guide covers methods that can be used with any database, including Microsoft Access, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle. You'll learn about relational database components, database queries, SQL, the database life cycle, logical database design using normalization, and physical database design. Data and process modeling, database security, Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), and XML are also covered. Detailed examples and concise explanations make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce learning. It's a no-brainer! You'll find out how to: Create and run database queries using the forms-based query tool in Microsoft Access Write SQL statements and queries Use entity relationship diagrams (ERDs) for data modeling Design physical tables Connect databases to users, computer systems, and applications Secure database data Handle cursor processing, transaction management, and performance tuning Integrate XML documents and objects into databases Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Databases Demystified, Second Edition is your self-paced guide to learning universal database concepts.