The world of computing is a fascinating and an ever evolving one. My experiences with computers began with a Sinclair spectrum ZX, which used the television as a video terminal and the tape player as the permanent storage device.  Since then, I have witnessed the rapid development that has led to the high speed computers of today.  The rapid pace of development and change in the computing field is one of the reasons this field excites me. What started out as a hobby or an interest in computing has lead me to various employment opportunities in the field of computing and ultimately to the writing of a textbook in print format that has now evolved into an online learning resource. 

The reason for writing the original book is simple: to share my fascination, understanding, and experience. My fascination with computers is at many levels and involves many different areas: applications, mathematics, physics, societal changes, ethics, and education. My formal training is in engineering, and this training has helped me understand the mathematics and physics involved in computing. My years of work experience in the computing industry have helped me to understand and analyze different applications of computing.  I was also in a position to gain practical experience, working directly with hardware and software during this time. The social changes that have been brought about by the developments in computing have also shaped my interest in computing. Finally, my teaching experiences at the elementary, middle, and high school level, in Canada and internationally, have given me an insight into the needs of the learner and how to present ideas and concepts in an easy to understand manner.

The aim of this online resource is to give the student a good conceptual foundation in the study of computer engineering. I have tried my best to focus on the concepts and avoid getting lost in the details. My hope is that you will find the study of computing as fascinating as I do through the use of this resource.

D. Muttiah