Computers

Scope | Periodicals |
Periodical Indexes and Full-Text Periodical Databases |
Browsing the Collection | Reference Materials |
Internet Resources |

Scope

The Computers guide contains resources on hardware, software, programming languages, operating systems, networking, the Internet and World Wide Web, and use of specific applications programs.

Periodicals

Listed below are current print periodicals available in the Library that are likely to include the most information about the subject covered in this guide. Links provided are for websites that accompany the periodicals. These websites may include additional information, indexing, abstracts, full text for current issues, or complete archives. Many of these titles are also included in the subscription databases listed in the Periodical Indexes and Full-Text Periodical Databases section listed below.

Current Print Periodicals
Listed below are print periodicals currently received by the Library that are likely to include the most information about the subject covered in this booklet. Current issues of print periodicals are shelved alphabetically in the Periodicals Room on the second floor of the Library, microfilm is located in the microfilm cabinet in the Reference Room, unclassified bound volumes are shelved alphabetically by title on the lower shelves in the Periodicals Room and in the Reference Room, and classified titles are shelved by call number in the lower floor stacks with the circulating collection.

Computer Hardware & Software
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Mobile Business Advisor
PC Magazine
Wired

General Interest
Discover
DV: Digital Video
Newsweek (see EBSCOhost: Academic Search Premier)
T.H.E. Journal: Technical Horizons in Education
Time (see EBSCOhost: Academic Search Premier)

Periodical indexes and Full-text Periodical Databases

Indexes are subject guides to the articles included in periodicals. To locate articles on a specific topic, first select the index that most closely matches the subject of your research.

Online indexes and periodical databases can be accessed through any computer with Internet access. The Library's primary indexes are online and include abstracts (a short description of the article's contents) for all articles as well as full text or full image (including graphics) for many articles.

The following are indexes that are likely to include most topics related to the subjects covered in this booklet. Please keep in mind that there are other online indexes and older print indexes in the Library that may also be of use. Links to the databases listed below can be found in the Library’s online catalog (search by title and click on link in specific record) and also through the Library website (click on Online Resources button and the link to periodical database.) Passwords are required for use of these databases. Stop in at the Reference Desk or submit an online reference question form using your New England Tech e-mail account to obtain passwords.

Online Electronic Resources:
EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier (Online: 1965- )
EBSCOhost Business Source Elite (Online: 1922- )
ProQuest New York Times (Online: 1999- )

Browsing the Collection

The book and media collections are organized according to the Library of Congress classification system. This classification system is a series of letters and numbers used to locate materials on the library's shelves. These numbers are found in the online catalog below the authors and titles in the results list produced by a search, on the right of the Labeled Display screen for a specific title, and as call numbers on the spine of each book or media program. Ask a Reference Librarian or click on the Help button in the online catalog for tips on searching.

The following classification areas are most closely related to the topic of this booklet. If you were to browse through the collection, these classifications would include the highest concentration of materials for this subject area.

Reference Materials

The following is a brief listing of key reference materials found on the second floor in the Reference Room of the Library that apply to the topic of this booklet. Please remember that this is only a partial listing of reference resources. There is much more to be found either by searching the online catalog or by browsing the collection in the Reference Room. Though reference books do not circulate, there are often older editions in the collection that do circulate.

Ref. QA76.6 .C36 1996
Canton, M. P. (1996). The McGraw-Hill PC programmer's desk reference. New York: McGraw-Hill.

"The McGraw-Hill Programmer's Desk Reference is intended as a technical, illustrated dictionary." The book is arranged in alphabetical order and includes charts and illustrations. It "is designed to include core programming information for the languages C, BASIC, Pascal, and Assembly language. The host system is the IBM Personal Computer and compatible machines from 1981 to the present."

Ref. QA76.15 .E48 2000
Ralston, A., Reilly, E. D. & Hemmendinger, D. (Eds.). (2000). Encyclopedia of computer science (4th ed.). London: Nature Pub. Group.

This encyclopedia includes 605 articles of varying lengths in computer science and technology, covering topics such as: hardware, computer systems, information and data, software, the mathematics of computing, computing theory, methodologies, and applications. The longer articles contain historical and survey information. Of particular interest are the appendices, including: abbreviations and acronyms, numerical tables, a list of 50 key high-level languages, a glossary of major computer terms in five languages, and a timeline of computer milestones. Nicely illustrated.

Ref. QA76.15 .F733 2001
Freedman, A. (2001). The computer glossary: the complete illustrated dictionary (9th ed.). New York: AMACOM.

This dictionary covers basic computer vocabulary, graphics and multimedia terminology, and a sampling of cyberslang and Internet terms, plus programming, networking, UNIX, and PC jargon. Profiles on industry leaders and historic happenings makes this glossary interesting as well as useful. Definitions are tailored to the type of word. Basic terms are defined in layman's language while the specific technical jargon is defined with more technical terms.

Ref. TJ210.4 .G53 1994
Gibilisco, S. (Ed.). (1994). The McGraw-Hill illustrated encyclopedia of robotics & artificial intelligence. New York: McGraw-Hill.

A concise reference about robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) for computer/ electronic students. The book is precise but without much math or technical jargon and the illustrations are clear and functional.

Internet Resoures
For a complete listing of online resources subdivided by relevant categories, see Computers
[Websites will open in new window]

4tests.com
URL: http://www.4tests.com/
4tests.com provides online practice tests including Microsoft certification exams, as well as games and puzzles to exercise or rest your mind; free registration required.
Acer Computer
URL: http://global.acer.com/
Worldwide company homepage links to all regional headquarters, including U.S. (http://www.acer.com/us). Includes: corporate news, products, services, downloads and technical support.
Apple Computer
URL: http://www.apple.com/
Company homepage includes: products, services, technical support, and corporate news.
Bandwidth Meter
URL: http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html
This CNet tool measures the speed of Internet connections.
CNET
URL: http://www.cnet.com/
CNET is a web-only computer publication that carries product reviews, technical news, downloads, comparison shopping help, a certified store and benchmark results.
CNET Reviews
URL: http://reviews.cnet.com/
Reviews of systems, peripherals, components and related items.
Compaq
URL: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/
Company homepage includes product information, promotions and support.
Cramsession
URL: http://www.cramsession.com/
This website provides training resources for IT careers and includes: skill drills and study guides for a wide variety of computer certification exams, as well as exam vouchers at affordable prices.
Dell Computer
URL: http://www.dell.com/
Company homepage includes: products, services, and technical support for business, home, school or office. Purchase programs available for educational, health, or government organizations.
Dreamweaver Websites
URL: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_12607
Adobe links to Dreamweaver- related websites. (Formerly Macromedia) [12.06]
EarthWeb
URL: http://www.earthweb.com/
From Jupiterweb, an online division of Jupitermedia, this website provides information for IT, networking, communications, and web design professionals.
EMC Corporation
URL: http://www.emc.com/
Information storage and management corporation homepage provides products, services, and news for IT specialists. Also includes: customer profiles, and investment news.
ExtremeTech
URL: http://www.extremetech.com/
This searchable website includes technology news articles, reviews, free online seminars, and downloads. Free registration required for complete access.
Flash TechNote: Websites Devoted to Macromedia Flash and Flash Developers
URL: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_12046
From Macromedia Flash technotes, you will find tutorials, forums, books and other resources for Macromedia Flash developers. [12/06]
Gateway Computer
URL: http://www.gateway.com/index.shtml
This company homepage includes news, products, services, technical support and customer service information for business, school, home or office use as well as for educational, professional and government agencies.
Hewlett-Packard
URL: http://www.hp.com/
This company homepage includes products, news, services, and technical support for home, business, school, office, and government agencies.
HTML Station
URL: http://www.december.com/html/
This web directory offers HTML tutorials, demonstrations, troubleshooting and help.
IBM United States
URL: http://www.ibm.com/us/
This company website includes news, products, services, downloads and technical support.
Living Internet
URL: http://www.livinginternet.com/
Development of this resource began in 1996. Includes just about everything related to the internet that you might want to know, and has a wealth of well-researched links. [12.06]
Lotus (IBM)
URL: http://www.lotus.com/
IBM's Lotus software products, training and certification information, downloads, more. [12.06]
Macromedia
Now owned by Adobe. Dreamweaver. [12.06]
Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology
URL: http://www.masshightech.com/
Online journal is a local weekly periodical on electronics, computers, telecommunications, and the Internet. Most content: Subscription required. [12.06]
Microsoft
URL: http://www.microsoft.com/
Corporate homepage includes news, products, updates, technical support, downloads, and security information.
Novell Worldwide
URL: http://www.novell.com/
This international company website provides webpage language translation, news, products, technical support, training and certification information.
PC Magazine: the Independent Guide to Technology
URL: http://www.pcmag.com/
This online companion to the print publication includes feature articles, downloads, product reviews, and buying guides.
Register.com
URL: http://www.register.com/
”Domain names, Web hosting, websites and email services.” Search for availability or ownership of domain names. A commercial site that does want to sell you something. [12/06]
ServerWatch
URL: http://www.serverwatch.com
From Internet.com includes: news, tutorials, downloads, server reviews, Netcraft statistics and hardware reviews.
ServerWatch Hardware Reviews
URL: http://www.serverwatch.com/hreviews/
Hardware reviews from internet.com’s serverwatch.
Sun Microsystems
URL: http://www.sun.com/index.xml
Company website includes company and event news and features, products and services, technical support, training information, and downloads.
TECHtionary
URL: http://www.techtionary.com/index_in.html
”World’s First and Largest Animated Technical Dictionary.” An animated, illustrated, technical dictionary. Subscription/registration required for tutorials. (Note: Text is extremely small even in full screen mode.)
Tek-Tips: "Technical Work Forums For Computer Professionals"
URL: http://www.tek-tips.com/
This webpage provides hardware, software, system, testing and certification forums, FAQs, and related links. Other features are available only with membership. Free registration required.
Texas Instruments
URL: http://www.ti.com/
This company website includes company and event news, products, technical support, business and educational applications information, and links to worldwide branches.
Virtual Computer History Museum
URL: http://virtualmuseum.dlib.vt.edu/
Visit this online museum, complete with ticket window and museum lobby where you choose your preferred browsing format for viewing exhibits. Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech.
Virtual Computer Library
URL: http://www.utexas.edu/computer/vcl/
University of Texas at Austin has compiled links to full-text computer journals. This website also includes related links to FAQs, organizations listings, a vendors index, online books, dictionaries and guides, and other various topics in computer technology. University of Texas at Austin. [12/06]
Webmonkey: The Web Developer's Resource
URL: http://www.webmonkey.com/
This now defunct website includes a helpful how-to library of web authoring and web design, and quick reference guides, articles for website beginners to masters. Some articles may be archived. From the Terra Lycos Network. [12/06]
Whatis?.com
URL: http://whatis.techtarget.com/
An information technology encyclopedia that also includes a “Word of the day” and “Learn more about” features, technical news, and quick references to IT topics. Also, search for vendors, products, books, and training information. Part of the TechTarget Network
WhoIs
URL: http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/whois/index.jhtml
Search for owners of domain names on this network that also includes web hosting, domain registration or transfer, website promotion and e-business information. NetworkSolutions.com

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