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Do you sometimes confuse the gigabytes of your hard disk with the megabytes of your RAM? What is a cache anyway? Is a serial port different than a parallel port? Or is any port safe in a storm? Check out this glossary of computer terms that are easy to understand and easy to use. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Acrobat Reader A program that views and prints information in its original format even if a copy of the original program that created the information is not available. Acrobat Reader can be a stand-alone program or plug-in to a Web browser. It is a free program that reads files with a PDF extension and can be downloaded from Adobe at www.adobe.com. Acronym A word that is formed by combining parts of other words. For instance, modem is derived from MODulator/DEModulator. Often these are the first letters of a longer phrase. For instance, BTW is the acronym for By The Way, IMHO stands for In My Humble Opinion. Active-matrix Flat-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) in which each of the screen's pixels is controlled by its own transistor. This provides sharper contrast than passive LCD displays. ActiveX A set of technologies developed by Microsoft that provides tools for creating interactive Web content and links desktop applications to the Internet. For instance, ActiveX technology allows users to view Word and Excel documents directly in a browser. Alpha Testing In-house testing of a software product. Analog In an analog mechanism, data is represented by continuously variable physical quantities. An example is an analog clock with hands that move around the clock continuously producing a stream of time. Anti-virus Program A program that searches for viruses and removes any virus that it finds. Application Software designed for a certain use, such as word processing. Also called a program. ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) A set of 128 alphanumeric and special control characters. ASCII files are also known as plain text files. Attachment Any file linked to an e-mail message is called an attachment. Avatar A graphic representation of a real person in cyberspace. Backup (v) The process of copying important files and information from the PC's hard disk to another medium, such as floppy disks or tape. (n) a disk used to store files.
Bandwidth A measurement of the volume of information that can be transmitted over a network at any given time. The higher the bandwidth, the faster the data can be broadcast. Bay Section of the computer case where equipment like floppy disk drives and CD-ROM drives can be installed. Beta Testing The testing done by a software developer that includes use and reviews by outside individuals. Bi-directional Cable A cable that allows information to flow in both directions. Used with many newer printers. Big Science An integration of the various branches of scientific study. Binary System A numbering system based on two numbers, zero and one. Biometrics The process of using a person's unique physical characteristics for computer identification. Current biometric identification methods include fingerprints, retina scans, facial scans, and voice recognition. Bios (Basic Input/Output System) A set of routines stored in the computer's read-only memory that gives the computer instructions for basic operating routines. Bit (Binary Digit) The smallest piece of information that is recognized by a computer. It represents a 1 or a 0 in the binary numbering system. Bluetooth A wireless technology that uses short-range radio frequencies to allow communication between many different devices. Bluetooth technology is superior to Infrared in many ways. Bookmark To mark a document or a specific place in a document for future reference. Boot Derived from "boot strap." To start or restart a computer. A cold boot means to start the computer by turning the power switch on. A warm boot is resetting a computer that is already on. Boot Disk (see Startup disk) Bps (Bits per second) The standard measure of data transmission speeds. Broadband A high-speed Internet connection that accommodates video, audio, or complex graphics. Typically broadband starts at 384 kilobytes per second. Browser A software program that lets you access and navigate the Internet with a graphical interface.
Bug A mistake in a computer program or system that causes a malfunction or erroneous result. Bulletin Board A computer system that allows users to post messages and correspond with other users. Bundled Software Software programs that are included with the purchase of a computer or piece of hardware. Bus The channel or path that the computer uses to transfer data. It is the main avenue for all data that moves in and out of the computer. Byte Eight bits of binary information is a byte, which can represent one letter in the alphabet. Cable Modem A modem http://www.aarp.org/comptech/learning/terms.html#M designed to operate over cable TV lines. Cache A small amount of computer memory that holds most recently used data. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) The use of hardware and software for designing products. Many architects and design engineers use computer-aided design to generate three-dimensional images of various products, such as houses, automobiles, furniture, and airplanes. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A form of stress injury that produces numbness or burning in the fingers, hands and/or wrists. CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable) A compact disc that can be written on, but cannot be erased or reused. CD-R drives can play CD-ROMs. CD-ROM (Compact Disc - Read Only Memory) A hard plastic disc that holds about 650 megabytes of computer data. This disc cannot be written on. CompactDisc- rewritable (CD- RW) A compact disc that can be read, written on, erased and reused. CD-RW drives can play CD-ROMs and CD-Rs as well. CDT (Cumulative Trauma Disorders) Physical disorders that are caused by stress on certain areas of the body. Cell A single location in a grid in a spreadsheet. CGI (Common Gateway Interface) This is a standard set of rules that describe how a Web Server communicates with another piece of software. Often used in creating financial Web applications. Chat Room A virtual meeting room where computer users can communicate with each other in real time. People from all over the world can come together in a chat room to discuss topics of mutual interest.
Checkbook Program A program that helps you to balance your checkbook and organize and budget your finances. Chip A thin silicon wafer that contains integrated electronic circuits. Chips perform many computer functions including serving as the computer memory. Click Pressing the mouse button. This usually refers to the left mouse button. Double click means to press the left mouse button twice in quick succession. Right-click means to press the right mouse button. Clip Art Drawings or other images that have been produced to be used in computer programs. Clipboard A special area in the computer memory that temporarily stores data which is to be copied to another location. Clone A computer that functions exactly like another, better-known product. It is not necessarily an exact copy of that product, but should be able to use the same software and file structures. Coax (Coaxial cable) The primary type of cable used by the cable television industry. Coaxial cable also carries high speed Internet connections. Competitive Upgrade Qualifying to purchase an upgrade version of a software program because you already own a similar software program from a competing company. Compression Technology that reduces the size of a file. Using compression allows a file to be transmitted over the Internet more quickly and to be stored using less space. Some common compression standards are Zip files for the PC, Stuffit files for the Mac, and MP3 files for music compression. Cookie A cookie is a tiny piece of text that is placed on a hard drive. Cookies allow a web server to store information about the user on his computer, and then retrieve that information for identification in the future. Cookies record bits of information such as shopping purchases and user name and password, to prevent having to reenter this information every time a page is revisited. CPU (Central Processing Unit) The main component of a computer system. The brain of the computer. Processes all instructions and information. Crash A serious computer failure caused by a hardware or software malfunction. A crash is said to happen when either the computer or the program stops responding. A computer crash can often be rectified by restarting the computer. Constant crashes, however, need to be eliminated by finding the source of the problem. Cursor (also called the pointer) A symbol, usually a solid rectangle, blinking underline character or arrow that signifies where on the screen the next entry will occur.
Cyberspace A metaphor for the non-physical world of the Internet. Data Representation of facts, concepts, or instructions. Database Collection of information that has been organized in a structured format that can be accessed through a computer system. Data Bit Data Compression A method of storing data in a format that requires less space than usual. Decimal System: The most common numbering system based on ten numbers, zero through nine. Default Settings The settings that the computer uses at the startup of a program or operating system. Defragment The process of taking pieces of files that are scattered or fragmented on the hard disk and unifying them. Desktop A metaphor for the on-screen computing environment. A computer desktop includes the screen background, icons, and windows visible on the computer screen. Desktop Publishing The use of computer hardware and software for page layout, typesetting and design. Diagnostic Software Software that can help you to determine what is wrong with your computer and correct it. Disk Fragmentation Docking Station An add-on for a portable computer that allows it to connect to accessories such as monitors and keyboards when it is used as a desktop computer. Domain Name An Internet domain name is an individual's or organization's unique name, which points to a specific Internet address. The domain name is the part of the Internet address that usually follows the www. For example, in the Web address http://www.aarp.org, the domain name is aarp.org.
DOS (Disk Operaing System) One of the first operating systems for personal computers. Dot-Matrix Printer A type of printer that uses the impact of pins striking against an inked ribbon to produce the appropriate characters or shapes. Download To move or copy a document, program or other data from the Internet or other computer to your computer. The opposite of upload.
Downstream Speed The speed at which information is received from the Internet. The speed is sometimes shown as X /Y where X is the downstream speed and Y is the upstream speed. Dpi (Dots per Inch) Way of measuring the density of output of printers and scanners. The higher the dpi, the better the resolution. DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) The type of RAM used in most personal computers. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) A modem technology that transforms ordinary telephone lines into high-speed digital lines. DSL allows an existing phone line to be used for both voice and data simultaneously and provides very fast Internet access. Depending on location and the state of telephone lines, a DSL hook up may or may not be available. DSVD Modem (Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data) A modem that allows for voice and data to be transferred simultaneously. Driver Software that the computer needs to understand how to operate a monitor, printer or other attached device. Dual-scan A system of doubling the line that can be changed to speed up the display of an LCD screen Duplex Refers to the transmission of data. Full-duplex allows for transmission of data in both directions at the same time. Half-duplex allows for transmission in one direction at one time. DVD (Digital Video Disc) High density disk that can hold from 4.7 gigabytes to 17 gigabytes of information. E-commerce business conducted online, including buying and selling of goods, etc. E-Mail (Electronic Mail) Messages sent through a computer network, such as the Internet. Electromagnetic Radiation A stream of particles or electromagnetic waves emitted from certain electrical equipment. The long-term effect of these emissions on humans is a matter of speculation at this time. Emoticon Also known as a smiley. An emoticon is a group of keyboard characters that are put together to create a picture. Smileys or emoticons often show the feelings or emotions of the sender. The most common emoticon is :-) indicating a happy or smiling person. If you don't see the smile, simply look at the emoticon while leaning your head to the left. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) Considered by many to be the first useful computer. Completed in 1946 by John Eckert and John Mauchly. Enter Key A key on the computer keyboard that is marked with the word Enter or a large arrow. (There are often more than one enter keys on the keyboard.) Pressing the enter key will move you down a line in a word processing programs. In many programs it completes your selection or your entering of data and sends that data to the computer. Escape Key The key marked esc. Usually positioned at the upper left of the keyboard. This key often allows you to return to the previous screen. Ergonomics The science which studies the safety and comfort of machines and furniture for humans. Ethernet Card A piece of computer hardware that enables communication between computers on a network. Expansion Slots The slots inside the computer which accept computer boards. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Compilation of the most commonly asked questions about a certain subject or product. Fax-back A service which allows you to order the information of your choice and have that information faxed to you. Fax-Modem A modem which is designed to send and receive faxes through a computer, as well as act as a regular modem. Field A space allocated for a certain type of information. File A collection of data. File Conversion Changing the formatting of a data file. File Transfer Protocol A set of software utilities used to transfer files from one computer to another. Firewall A type of Internet security that protect a computer or a computer network from unauthorized access. A firewall can be a piece of software or a combination of hardware and software. FireWire A type of bus standard also known as IEEE 1394. This very fast bus supports data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps. Because of its high speed, FireWire is often used for transferring video files. Found on most Apple computers, the name FireWire was originally developed by Apple. Flame To send a E-mail or post a message which is assaulting, offensive and/or very aggressive in nature. Flash BIOS The BIOS is recorded on a flash memory chip, which can be easily updated if necessary. (see BIOS) Flat Database A simple database which is contained in a single table. Floppy Disk A thin case enclosing a magnetic disk that stores computer data. Folder An object that can hold multiple documents. Used to organize information. Folders can also be called directories. Font A collection of letters and numbers in a particular typeface. Footer One or more lines of text that appear at the bottom of every page of a document. Format
(1) The specific arrangement of data Form Feed A form feed button or command advances the paper to the beginning of the next page. Forum An on-line discussion group where people exchange ideas about a common interest. Also called a newsgroup. 486 An old microprocessor for personal computers. Has been outdated by the introduction of the Pentium chip. Fragmentation The condition of a disk in which files are divided into scattered pieces. Fragmentation occurs naturally as you create, modify, and delete files. Freeware Copyrighted software given away for free by the author. You can use such software, but cannot sell it in any way. Frustration Feelings of discouragement or bewilderment that can be eliminated in the computer world with an understanding of what computers are and how they work. Function A type of procedure or routine that is used in programming computers as well as in certain computer programs, such as spreadsheets. Genealogy Program A program that helps you to trace your family tree and keep track of all historical familial information GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) A common format for image files. GIF files are often used for Web pages. Gigabyte (GB) A unit of computer storage roughly equaling one billion bytes. Hacker Someone, usually knowledgeable about computers, who accesses electronic information without permission. Hard Disk The storage disk inside of the computer that holds the operating system and programs. Hard Drive The hardware mechanism that contains the hard disk. Hardware The physical components of a computer system. Refers to objects like disk drives, monitors, keyboards, and printers. Header One or more lines of text that appear at the top of every page of a document. High-capacity Drive A floppy disk drive that can hold more information than the average floppy. They are slightly larger than conventional floppy disks, and about twice as thick. They are used for backing up hard disks and for transporting large files. Hit When used in reference to the World Wide Web, "hit" means a single request from a Web browser for a particular item from a Web server. For example, opening a Web page that contains four graphics would record five hits to the Web server: one for the HTML Web page and one for each of the four graphics. Hologram A realistic three-dimensional image that is produced by laser beams. Home Page The main page of a Web site. Hot Link A link between two application or web pages that allows for easy access between the two. (see Hypertext Link) HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) The language that is used to create graphic documents for publication on the Web. Documents that are produced with HTML are like text documents that have tags embedded in them. The tags contain coding for attaching graphics, formatting and hypertext links. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) The protocol used by the World Wide Web that defines how messages are formatted and transmitted. Hypertext Link A word that you click on when on the Web to take you to another Web page or site. These hot links are usually underlined or in a different color. IBM-compatible A computer is that provides the same functionality as an IBM PC, but is made by another company. It is capable of running any software that an IBM PC can run. ICQ A popular form of Instant Messenger. Each letter is pronounced separately to sound like I-Seek-You. Icon A small picture that represents a program, file or command in your computer system. It is activated by moving the cursor onto the icon and pressing a button or key. IEEE 1394 See FireWire IMHO A shorthand expression often used in e-mail and chat rooms which stands for In My Humble Opinion. Incremental Backup A backup procedure that backs up only those files that have been changed or modified since the previous backup. Indent To set in from the margin. Usually used in the first line of a paragraph. Industry Standard When most companies start producing products of a certain type or design, that type or design of the product is said to be the industry standard. Infrared Port (IrDA, Infrared Data Association) A port that allows the transfer of data from one device to another without any cables via infrared light waves. Both devices must have infrared ports. Ink Jet Printer A printer which produces text and images by spraying ink onto the paper. It produces a print out which is close to laser quality at less cost. Input (n) Information or data that goes into the computer. This includes information that is typed on the keyboard, as well as information that is gathered from other devices, such as mice or scanners. (v) The act of entering data into a computer. Installation Disk A floppy disk(s) or CD-ROM disk which contains the information needed to install a program to the hard disk. Instant Messenger A service that lets you know which of your friends and online buddies are available and provides the means for you to privately communicate with them. Integrated Refers to two or more components merged together to work as a single system or as several components that work together seamlessly. Integrated Pointing Device A device found in the middle of the keyboard. Used to control the movement of the cursor on the screen. Used instead of a mouse. Interface Something that connects two separate entities. It can be either hardware or software. Generally used to refer to the user interface or the part of a software program that connects the computer with a human operator (user). Interlaced A type of monitor that produces a certain amount of flickering compared to non-interlaced which reduces that flicker. Internet A global web of computers that allows individuals to communicate with each other. ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) A type of online connection that speeds up data transmission by sending information in digital form. ISDN requires a special telephone line. ISP (Internet Service Provider) A company that provides a connection to the Internet, usually for a fee. Jaz Drive A high-capacity disk drive by Iomega Corporation. Holds about 1 GB of data on one removable disk. Joystick A lever device similar to a mouse. Basically used to play games on the computer. JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) The most commonly used format for image files, often preferred for photographs. Kbps Kilobits per second (thousands of bits per second). A unit of measurement for modems that indicates the speed at which data is transferred. One kilobit is equal to 1,024 bits, but is commonly rounded to 1,000 bits. Keyboard An input device used to type programs, instructions and data into the computer. Similar to the keys on a typewriter. Keyboard Shortcut A keystroke or combination of keystrokes that is used as a substitute for a longer series of keystrokes or mouse clicks. Kilobyte Technically, a kilobyte is 1024 bytes. This figure is often rounded to a thousand bytes. LAN (Local Area Network) A computer network for an area that is usually limited to the same building or the same area in a building. Laptop Computer A small, portable computer that can sit on your lap. Laptop computers are often also referred to as notebook computers. Laser Printer Printers that produce high quality printouts. They operate like a copy machine, using lasers and toner to produce an image. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) The display screens used for many portable computers and most flat screen monitors. Linux A version of the UNIX operating system that was developed mainly by Linus Torvalds in 1990. The free program has been widely distributed with open source code, which means that other programmers and developers can easily change and augment the power of the software. It is able to run on many different processor chips and platforms including PCs, Macintoshes, and Amigas. Linux is one of the few successful competitors to the widely used Windows operating system.
Lite Version A version of the software that does not have all the components that are found in the full version. Local Bus A data bus that connects directly, or almost directly, to the microprocessor. Log On Before using the Internet or other on-line service you are required to log on. This usually entails entering your user name and password. LOL A shorthand expression often used in e-mail and chat rooms which stands for Laughing Out Loud. Macintosh Computer A type of computer made by Apple Computer. Macintosh computers are not interchangeable with IBM-compatible computers. They have different microprocessors and file formats. There are many different Macintosh models, with varying degrees of speed and power. Mail Merge A system which allows the user to easily generate form letters by automatically inserting each different name and address into the same letter or document. MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) An application program that runs under Windows to access data from messaging application programs, like e-mail and fax. Marquee In many programs you can select items by drawing a marquee or box around them. This is usually done by dragging the mouse over the items to be selected. Megabyte (MB) A unit of computer storage roughly equaling one million bytes. Megahertz (MHz) Unit of measure used to determine the speed of microprocessors. One MHz represents one million cycles per second. This determines how many instructions per second the microprocessor can execute. For example, a chip that runs at 166MHz executes 166 million cycles per second. Menu A list of commands, options, or hyperlinks, which can be selected by the user. Use menus to choose a command to tell your computer what to do. An item can be chosen from the menu by highlighting it and then pressing the Enter or Return key, by pointing to the item with a mouse and clicking one of the mouse buttons, or, in some cases, by using a shortcut key combination such as pressing and holding down the CTRL key and the S key together. Menus reside in the menu bar which is usually at the top and/or left of the screen. Menu Bar A horizontal or vertical band that contains the menu or the commands, options, or hyperlinks that a user can choose. Menu bars usually appear at the top of a window or along the left side of a window but can be placed in other areas as well.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) The protocol for transforming music into data and vise versa. This allows electronic instruments to communicate with a computer. MMX A set of multimedia instructions built into the microprocessor enabling it to handle many multimedia functions that are normally handled by separate sound and/or video cards. Modem (MOdulator/DEModulator) A device that allows computers to communicate over telephone lines. Modems change the computer's digital signal to an analog signal that can be sent over the telephone lines. Both computers must be equipped with modems in order to communicate. Monitor A television-like screen that shows you what your computer is doing. Moore's Law More than twenty-five years ago, Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel, predicted that the number of transistors on a microprocessor would double approximately every eighteen months. His prediction has been so accurate that it is now referred to as Moore's Law. Motherboard The main circuit board of the computer. Mouse An input device that lets you control the computer by controlling the location and action of the cursor on the computer screen. MP3 The file extension for MPEG, audio layer 3. This is an excellent compression standard for music. MP3 files are small so they can easily be transferred across the Internet, and although the files are highly compressed, there is very little loss of quality. MPEG (Motion Pictures Expert Group) One of the standards for compressing full-motion digital video. Requires hardware for decompression. Netiquette Rules for maintaining etiquette while using the Internet. Network A computer network is formed when two or more computers are connected in order to share resources. A network can use either a wired or a wireless connection. Newsgroup An on-line discussion group generally geared to a specific topic or group of people. Notebook Computer A lightweight portable computer. NFR (Near-Field Recording) A type of mass storage that uses technology similar to a hard disk but which also employs a magneto-optical technology to greatly increase storage capacity. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) The process of reading text from paper and translating it into a format that the computer can understand and manipulate.
Off-line Not connected and therefore unable to communicate. On-line Connected and able to communicate. On-line Banking Performing normal banking transactions, such as making deposits and, paying bills electronically. On-line Service A dial-up service, such as CompuServe or America Online, which provides access to the Internet and other electronic services on a subscription basis. Operating System A computer program which acts as the link between the computer and the user. Orientation In printing, the direction of the paper. Portrait means that the paper is higher than it is wide. Landscape means that the paper is wider than it is high. OS2 An operating system developed by IBM. Although it is a very good operating system, it never gained enough popularity to become a major operating system. Output Anything that comes out of a computer including screen images, printed pages and sounds. Parallel Port An interface for connecting external devices, such as printers and scanners. Parity The quality of being either odd or even. Passive-matrix Flat-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) which consists of energized, rod-shaped crystals that move and bend light. Each pixel either lets light through or blocks it. The direction of the crystals creates the picture. The picture produced is not as clear as an active-matrix display. Password A code used to gain access to a Web site, program, or computer system. Patch A correction or fix created by a software developer to correct an error in the original program. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) A local bus standard developed by Intel Corporation. PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) A standard that was adapted to enable credit card size devices to be used with computers, especially portable computers. PCMCIA cards are used for modems, hard disks and additional memory. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) A handheld device that acts as a mini-computer. It usually combines phone and fax capabilities with a personal organizer and other computer applications.
Pentium The fifth generation of computer microprocessor chip from Intel Corp. Previous processors were given numbers, such as 286, 386, 486. Because Intel discovered that it couldn't trademark its CPU numbers, it shifted to a naming scheme, starting with the Pentium processor. Pentium Pro The sixth generation of microprocessor chips from Intel Corp. Each generation of chips is faster and more powerful. Peripheral External device that connects to a computer, such as printer, mouse, scanner and keyboard. PIM (Personal Information Manager) A type of software that is used to organize information, especially, addresses, to-do lists and appointments. Pixel (Picture element) A cluster of colored dots that combine to form images on the computer screen. Plotters A output device like a printer, which draws lines with pens. Often used in architectural or engineering applications. Plug-in A smaller piece of software that adds features to a larger piece of software. Internet browsers often use plug-ins to increase the functionality of the basic program. POP (Point of Presence) or Post Office Protocol A protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a mail server. Most e-mail applications use the POP protocol. Presentation Software Software that is used to create a series of documents, slides, transparencies or video images and sounds used to exhibit a product or image. Print Driver A piece of software that acts as the interface between the computer and the printer. (see Driver) POD (Print-on-Demand) A method of book publishing using new printing technology to print books one at a time, as they are ordered. Printer Self-test A routine that a printer goes through to show that it is working properly. It usually involves printing a sample sheet without the need to be attached to the computer. Protocol A set of standards that allows two products to work together by standardizing communications between the two products. Public Domain Software Software that is not copyrighted. It is free and can be used without any restrictions. RAM (Random Access Memory) The temporary memory of the computer where programs and information are kept. The contents of this memory are lost when the computer is turned off.
Record In a database, one set of information. Relational Database A somewhat complex database which uses several tables that relate to each other in some way. Reset Button A button, usually located on the front of the computer, which resets or restarts the computer software without turning the computer completely off. Resolution The term used to describe sharpness and clarity of an image. The higher the resolution, the better the image. ROM (Read Only Memory) Computer memory or disk on which data has been prerecorded. Once data has been written onto a ROM chip or disk, it can only be read and cannot be changed or re-written. RSI (Repetitive Stress Injuries) An injury that occurs because of a motion that is repeated over and over, causing stress on certain parts of the body. Scan Disk A software program, often part of an operating system, which searches the hard disk for errors and corrects them. Scanner A device that takes a picture of a printed page or image and puts it into the computer memory. Screen Saver A software program that runs some sort of animation on the computer screen when it is turned on, but not in use. Scrolling Moving the focus of your computer screen up, down, left, or right, to see more information than will fit on the screen at one time. Scrolling can be accomplished by using the keyboard arrow keys or Page Up and Page Down keys. The mouse can also be used to scroll by maneuvering an on-screen scroll bar. If a mouse is equipped with a wheel between the two buttons, turning that wheel will also scroll up and down a page, which is especially useful when surfing the Web. Scroll Bar A bar that appears on the right and/or bottom of your screen. It indicates there is more viewing area to be seen than will fit on the screen at one time. A mouse can be used to maneuver the scroll bar. SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) A high-speed interface that is used for hard drives, scanners and other devices. Search and Replace Part of a software program which allows you to search for certain words, phrases or characters and replace them with other words, phrases or characters. Self-test
Serial Port A port or interface used for serial communication. It can only transfer one bit at a time. Used for modems, mice and occasionally, printers. Server A computer or device that manages network resources. A file server is a computer and storage device that is used for storing files. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers. Service Release A compilation of software patches that are released by the software manufacturer as a group. Shareware Software that is sold by a company or individual for a nominal fee. It can be copied freely for a trial basis. If you decide to use the shareware program you are expected to pay for it. Skew To turn or place an object at an angle. Often use in drawing programs to manipulate pictures or drawings. Smiley See emoticon. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) The main protocol used to send electronic mail on the Internet. SMTP consists of a set of rules for transfer of e-mail. Software The program or instructions that tell the computer what to do. Software Licenses Nearly all software applications are licensed rather than sold. There are many different types of software licenses. Most personal computer software licenses allow you to run the program on one machine and to make copies of the software only for backup purposes. Some licenses also allow you to run the program on different computers as long as you don't use the copies simultaneously, or with other restrictions. Software Piracy Unauthorized copying of software. Sound Card An internal card in the computer which when attached to the PC speaker or external speakers allows the computer produce audio sounds. Spam To send unwanted E-mail or messages to several recipients. The electronic equivalent of junk mail. SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) A type of memory that is faster and more reliable than the more common DRAM. Start Bit In asynchronous communications, a bit that indicates that a byte has just been transmitted. Each byte of data is preceded by a start bit and followed by a stop bit. Startup Disk A floppy disk that contains the information that is necessary to start the computer when the hard drive is not functioning properly. Stop Bits Stylus A pencil-shaped instrument that is used as an input device. Sub-notebook Computer A portable computer that is smaller than a notebook computer. Subwoofer A speaker which can reproduce sound at the lowest end of the sound spectrum. Suite A group of programs that are sold together as one unit for a price less than the cost of the individual components. Surge Protector A device that protects electronic equipment from power surges or spikes. SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) A set of graphics standards that have better resolution than VGA. Included resolutions range from 800 by 600 pixels to 1600 by 1200 pixels. Tab A mechanism for setting automatic stops or margins in order to line up text or items in columns. Also a key on the keyboard that moves the cursor or pointer to the next tab stop. Table A collection of data arranged in rows and columns. Tables are commonly used in database programs, spreadsheets, and word processing programs. Tape Drive An internal or external computer drive which uses tape as the medium for reading and writing data. Since a tape must be accessed sequentially, tape drives are much slower than most other data-access methods. Taskbar The bar usually found at the bottom of a Windows screen. The taskbar shows which software programs are open. It also contains the Start button. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) A set of protocols that defines the Internet. The TCP/IP protocol is used by every major computer operating system to access the Internet. Technical Support Support that is given to the computer hardware or software user from the manufacturer of the equipment or developer of the software. This includes help in installing and using the products. Technophobia A fear of technology. Telematic In general, a combination of telecommunications and information processing. Specific to the automotive industry, telematics are embedded, in-vehicle electronic systems used for improving safely. Telematic devices can provide navigational information, links to roadside assistance, protection against theft, and connection to the Internet. Template A pattern that is used to create other like items. Often used to create documents that are similar, but have small differences.
Thermal Dye Transfer Printer A printer that transforms the ink into a gas which hardens on the page to produce high quality color images that look like photos. Also called dye sublimation printer. Thermal Wax Printer A Printer that uses colored wax, heated and melted onto the paper to produce colors. Toolbar A strip of icons in a software program that usually are located at the top of the screen. Toner The type of ink used in laser printers and copy machines. It is a dry powder. Touchpad An input device that consists of a small touch-sensitive pad. The user moves his or her finger across the pad to move the cursor on the screen. Track Ball An input device used in place of a mouse which has a ball that is moved with the fingers to direct the movement of the cursor on the computer screen. Tracking In word processing or desktop publishing, to adjust the space between the characters of type. Troubleshoot To systematically investigate a problem and find a solution. Typeface A collection of letters, numbers and symbols that have the same distinctive appearance. Undo Button The icon or button in a software application that allows you to reverse, or undo your last action. Upgrade To improve your computer system by installing new components. Also to install a new version of the software that you are already using to gain new features and improvements. Upload To move or copy a document, program or other data from your computer to the Internet or another computer. The opposite of download. Upstream Speed The speed at which information is sent over the Internet. The speed is sometimes shown as X/Y where X is the downstream speed and Y is the upstream speed. USB (Universal Serial Bus) A hardware bus standard that allows users to plug a peripheral into a USB port and have it automatically configured and ready to use. Usenet A worldwide bulletin board system that can be accessed through the Internet or through many on-line services. It contains thousands of newsgroups that cover many varied topics. Uninstaller A software program which removes or uninstalls other programs. UNIX An operating system that runs many of the large computer systems. UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) A power supply that includes a battery to maintain power in case of a power outage or gap. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) A system for addressing Internet sites. Utility Programs A program that helps you perform necessary maintenance or correct problems with your computer system. Disk backup and anti-virus programs are utility programs. Version A new version of a software or hardware product is designed to replace an older version of the same product adding new and/or updated features. VGA (Video Graphics Array) The minimum standard for monitor resolution 640 by 480 pixels. Virus A unwanted file or set of instructions that replicates and attaches itself to files in your computer system, usually causing harm to your computer. Virtual Reality An artificial environment created by computer hardware and software which appears and feels like a real environment. Voice Modem A modem which is capable of processing voice as well as computer data. In data mode, the modem acts like a regular modem. In voice mode, the modem acts like a regular telephone. Voice Recognition Software which allows the computer to recognizes the spoken word in much the same way that a secretary would take dictation. With voice recognition, the computer can also perform certain functions in response to the spoken word. VRAM (Video Random-Access Memory) Memory used by video adapters. It can be accessed by two different devices simultaneously enabling faster screen redraws and faster access of graphic material than regular RAM. This type of memory helps the computer RAM process video images. WAN (Wide Area Network) A computer network that covers an area larger than a single building. Wave Table Uses recordings of actual instruments to produce sound that is more accurate and of better quality than an ordinary sound board. Web Browser A program that provides an interface that allows you to connect to the World Wide Web. Webcam A camera that allows viewing of live images through the Internet. Web Page One area of the World Wide Web. Comparable to a page in a book. Web Site A site or area on the World Wide Web that is accessed by its own Internet address. Each Web site contains a home page and may also contain additional pages. Each Web site is owned and updated by an individual, company, or organization. Wizard An assistant or helper created by a software program to help the user perform tasks. Word Processor A piece of software used to create documents which are text oriented. World Wide Web One area of the World Wide Web. Comparable to a page in a book. XML (Extensible Markup Language) A programming language used for creating and displaying Web pages. XML is a newer version of HTML. Zip Disks A removable disk that holds more information than a floppy. A 100MG zip disk holds about 70 times the amount of information on a high-density 3½" floppy disk. Zip Drive A device for storing information on a type of floppy disk which is much higher density than a floppy.
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