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Application |
a program designed to do a specific function |
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Background |
part of the multitasking capability. A program can run and preform task in the background while another program is being used in the foreground. |
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Backup |
a copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes. |
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Bit |
the smallest piece of information used by the computer. Derived from "binary digit." In computer language, either (1) or (0). |
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Boot |
to start up a computer |
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Bug |
a programming error, that causes a program to behave in an unexpected way. |
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Byte |
a piece of computer information made up of eight bytes |
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Card |
a printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer |
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CD-ROM |
ab acronym for Compact Disc Read Only Memory |
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Clipboard |
A portion of memory where the computer temporarily stores information. Called a copy buffer in many PC applications because it is used to hold information that is moved, as in word processing where text is "cut" and then "pasted." |
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Command |
the act of giving an instruction to your PC either by menu choice or keystroke. |
Compression |
a technique that reduces the size of a saved file by elimination of encoding redundancies (i..e..JPEG, MPEG, etc.) |
Control Panel |
a program that allows you to change setting in a program or change the way a PC looks or behaves |
CPU |
the central processing unit. The processing chip that is the "brains" of a computer. |
Crash |
a system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted. |
Cursor |
the pointer, usually an arrow or cross-shape, that is controlled by the mouse. |
Data |
(the plural of datum) information processed by the computer. |
Database |
an electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched. |
Defragmenter |
is to concatenate fragments of data into contiguous blocks in memory or on a hard drive. |
Desktop |
the shape or colored backdrop of the screen. |
Disk |
a spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material that data can be stored on. |
Disk Drive |
is the machinery that writes data from a disk, or writes data to a disk. |
Disk Window |
is the window that displayed the contents, or directory of a file. |
Document |
a file you create, as opposed to hte application that created it. |
Domain |
A group of computers that devices on a network that are administered as a unit with common rules and procedures. |
DOS |
acronym for Disk Operating System |
Download |
to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading.) |
DPI |
acronym for Dots Per Inch |
Drag |
to move the mouse while its button is being depressed. |
Drag and drop |
a feature on a PC, which allows one to drag the icon for a document on top of the icon for an application, thereby launching the application and opening the document. |
Driver |
a file on a computer that tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment (like a printer). |
Ethernet |
a protocol for fast communication and file transfer across a network. |
Expansion Slot |
a connector inside the computer that allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or enhanced features. |
File |
the generic work for an application, document, control panel or other computer data/ |
Floppy |
a 3.5-inch square rigid disk which holds data. (so named for the earlier 5.25 and 8 inch disk that were flexible). |
Folder |
an electronic subdirectory that contains files. |
Font |
a typeface that contains the characters of an alphabet or some other letterforms. |
Fragmentation |
The breaking up of a file into many separate locations in memory or on a disk. |
Freeze |
a system error that causes the cursor to lock in place. |
Function Keys |
(not always) found on the top row. They are meant to perform user-defined tasks. |
Gig |
a gigabyte = 1024 megabytes. |
Graphics |
anything visually displayed on a computer that is not text. |
Hard Drive |
a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case. |
Head Crash |
a hard disk crash caused by the heads coming in contact with the spinning disk(s). |
High-density disk |
is a 1.4 MB floppy disk |
Hypertext |
hypertext is like text but with the ability to contain links to other regions of web sites. |
Icon |
a grahic symbol for an application, file or folder. |
Initialize |
to format a disk for use in the computer, creates a new directory and arranges the tracks for the recording of data. |
Insertion Point |
is the short flashing marker that indicates where your next typing will begin, (in word processing) |
Installer |
software used to install a program on your hard drive. |
Kb |
is short for kilobyte. |
Keyboard Shortcut |
a combination of keystrokes that performs some function otherwise found in a pull down menu. |
Kilobyte |
1024 bytes |
Landscape |
printing from a computer, to print sideways on the page. |
Launch |
Start an application. |
MB |
is short for megabyte. |
Megabyte |
1024 Kilobytes |
Memory |
the temporary holding area where data is strored while it is being used or changed; the amount of RAM a computer has installed. |
Menu |
a list of program commands listed by topic. |
Menu Bar |
a list of program commands listed by topic. |
Multi tasking |
is running more than one application in memory at the same time. |
Network |
a network ( as applied to computers) typically means a group of computers working together |
Operating system |
is the system software that controls the computer (windows 98, XP, 2000). |
Optical disk |
is a high-capacity storage medium that is read by a laser light (CD/DVD's) |
Palette |
a small floating window that contains tools used in a given application. |
Partition |
a subdivision of a hard drives surface that is defined and used as a separate drive. |
Paste |
to insert text, or other material, from the clipboard or copy buffer. |
PC |
acronym for personal computer, commonly used to refer to an IBM or IBM clone computer that uses DOS. |
PCI |
acronym for Peripheral Component Interchange. |
Periphal |
an add-on component to your computer. |
Pop-up Menu |
is any menu that dies not appear at the top of the screen in the menu bar. (may pop up or down). |
| Port |
a connection socket, or jack on the PC (USB serial). |
RAM |
acronym for Random-Access Memory |
Reset Switch |
a switch on the mac that restarts the computer in the event of a crash or a freeze. |
Resize Box |
the small square at the lower right corner of a window which, when dragged, resizes the window. |
ROM |
acronym for the Read Only Memory; memory that can only be read from and not written to. |
Root Directory |
the main hard drive window. |
Save |
to write a file onto a disk. |
Save as |
(a file menu item) to save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new name. |
Scroll |
to shift the contents of a window to bring hidden items into view. |
Scroll Bar |
a bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows scrolling. |
SCSI |
is an acronym for Small Computer System Interface. |
Serial Port |
a port that allows data to be transmitted in a series (one after the other), such as the printer and modem ports on a PC. |
Server |
a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a network). |
Shut Down |
the command from the menu that shuts down the PC safely. |
Software |
files on disk that contain instructions for a computer/. |
Spreadsheet |
a program designed to look like an electronic ledger |
Spyware |
A general term for a program that surreptitously monitors your actions. While they are sometimes sinister, like a remote computer control program used by a hacker, software companies have been known to use spyware to gather data about customers. The practice is generally frowned upon. |
Start Up Disk |
The disk containing system software and is designated to be used to start the computer. |
Surge Suppressor |
a power strip that has circuits designed to reduce the effects of surge in electrical power. (not the same as a UPS) |
System file |
is a file in the system folder that contains at least the system file and the finder. |
Title bar |
the horizontal bar at the top of a window, which has the name of the file or folder it |
Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS) |
a constantly charging battery pack which power to the computer |
Upload |
to send a file from on computer to another through a network. |
Virtual Memory |
using part of your hard drive as though it were "RAM." |
Virus |
a piece of programming code inserted into other programming to cause some unexpected and usually undesirable event, such as lost or damaged files. Viruses can be transmitted by downloading programming form other sites or be present on a diskette. |
WORM |
acronym for Write Once Read Many; an optical disk that can only be written to once (like a CD-ROM) |
Zoom Box |
A small square in the upper right corner of a window which, when clicked, will expand the window to fill the whole screen. |
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