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In every parts of the world there always lie the one word that we do not understand what it means and in the world of computers there lie more just that one word. Below is a list of some the most commonly used terms and there definition explain. Applications ~ Programs or software that run on your computer such as Internet Explorer Browser ~ Software that allows you to view and explore the World Wide Web Cache ~ An area in a computer's memory used to store frequently used data for faster access. CD-ROM ~ Short for Compact Disc Read Only Memory, a compact disc that store data to be read on a computer by laser optics rather than by magnetic means. Chat ~ A real time conversation in writing via computers and the Internet. A chat program allows two or more people to converse with each other no matter where they live in the world. Clock Speed ~ The speed of the computers internal clock measured in megahertz which determines how fast the microprocessor can carry out instructions Command Prompt ~ It is also called the DOS Prompt, it is another method of sending commands to your PC Computer ~ This usually refers to the hard drive, monitor, keyboard and mouse portion of your computer Cookie ~ A message given to a Web browser by a web server. Your browser stores the message and it is then sent back to the web site each time you visit that site again. Cookies are used to customize your experience at a particular web site. Desktop ~ Refers to the functional area of your display screen, made up of your icons, tool bar, and program windows. Desktop Computer ~ A personal computer that sits on a desk as opposed to portable types of computers such as the laptop or notebook computers Download ~ The process of transmitting information or file from a remote computer to the user's computer. E-Mail ~ Short for Electronic Mail is a way to send messages from one computer to others linked by a network or by the internet. E-Mail is sent and received through an application such as Microsoft Outlook or Netscape Messenger Floppy Disk ~ A small magnetically coated plastic disk used to store and transport computer data. Game Pad ~ A pointing device like a mouse used to move an object on a computer screen. A game pad is a flat hand held pad with several control buttons connected tot he computer by a special port. These are most frequently used in computer games Hard Drive ~ The primary storage device for the computer, where all program files and data is store Hardware ~ The hard components of a computer system, such as the processor, the monitor and the keyboard, as well as peripherals Icon ~ A small picture image displayed on the screen to represent a program or function Ink-Jet Printer ~ A type of computer printer that creates images by spraying ink droplets from tiny tubes onto paper. Joystick ~ A pointing a device like a mouse, used to move an object on a computer screen. A joystick is a vertical rod mounted on a base, often also containing one or more control buttons, connected tot he computer by a serial port. They are mostly used for playing games. LAN ~ Local Area Network(LAN) it is what connects you to the network such as the internet using ADSL or cable connection. Laser Printer ~ A computer printer capable of producing very high quality images based on technology similar to that of photocopying machines. Laser printer generally produce images of a higher quality than ink-jet printers and they operate faster Local Printer ~ A printer that is attached directly to your computer and is not connect to a network Logoff ~ A way to end your computer session without shutting down and restarting the computer. Mailbox ~ A unique address assigned to your computer for the purpose of receiving e-mail messages in program MPEG ~ Short for Moving Pictures Experts Group, A file format that offers video and music. Several downloadable multimedia files are available in this format on the Internet Modem ~ Short for Modulator/Demodulator it is a device that transmits data from one computer to another over a telephone line. Modulating computer data means changing it from digital to analog form so it can be transmitted by standard telephone line. Demodulating the data means changing it back into digital form so it can can be read and displayed by the computer on the receiving end Monitor ~ The unit where the display appears. It is attached to your computer Motherboard ~ The main printed circuit board which contains the primary components of a computer, the processor and memory sockets, the keyboard controller Mouse ~ A peripheral device used as a pointing and drawing instrument NIC ~ Network Interface Card This is a part of your computer that allows it to communicate on the network. Network ~ Two or more computers linked so that they can communicate with each other Operating system ~ A master control software that runs all the activities of your computer. Including Hardware and Software PC ~ Stands for Personal Computer PDF ~ Adobe Acrobat files which are specially formatted to print and be read by Adobe Reader RAM ~ Short for Random Access Memory is a collection of chips that functions as the computers main workspace, storing data for immediate use. The amount of memory in a computer measured in megabytes determines the size and number of programs that can be run at one time as well as the amount of data that can be processed Resolution ~ The degree of sharpness of an image, printed on paper or on a computer screen. The higher the resolution the better. A higher resolution fits more of your file or image on screen or on your printed sheet of paper Shutdown ~ The proper process for closing your computer Start Menu ~ This is the starting point to run your programs. Usually located on the bottom left hand corner of your screen Switchbox ~ A device attached to your computer that controls more than one device System Tray ~ The little box in the lower right corner of your display beside the clock. The icons in the tray indicate programs running in the background of your computer. Taskbar ~ The lines across the bottom of your display that shows your start button. UPS ~ Uninterruptible power supply, it provides battery power for the computer in case of power failure Video Card ~ Also called video display board this is a hardware device within a computer that converts video data into electronic signals. These signals are transmitted tot he monitor and used there to create the screen image Virus ~ A computer virus is a mischievous or malicious program that attaches itself onto laminate programs. Zip ~ A term referring to file compression a process that makes electronic files smaller and therefore easier to transport to another computer. |
