Based on the premise that information is essential to survival and that computers are essential to the best of information, this book explains how computers and information systems work, where they work and how they affect society's physical, political and ethical environment. It is a reflection of our commitment to students and their need to prepare for the demands of the Information Age. Whether a student wishes simply to undersand the use of computers to manage information in his or her own life, or to design information systems, this text offers a comprehensive, up-to-date look at computers and their considerable impact.