Term | Definition |
Application | term used to refer to the specific uses of a computer and the jobs it can perform. |
backup | a second copy of computer data made to avoid data loss in the event of a computer outrage |
case management/electronic case filing (CM/ECF) | the electronic filing system used in the federal court system |
byte | a unit that measures data. one byte is the equivalent of one letter, number, or punctuation mark. a kilobyte is one thousand bytes; a megabyte is one million byes; a gigabyte is one milion bytes |
central processing unit (CPU) | the part of a computer system where all computations, sorting, selecting, and data manipulation take place; oversees the use of the main memory and monitors input and output operations |
database | a compilation of data fields and records that is collected, stored, and organized for later retrieval through sorting, searches, queries, etc. |
database management system | software that is used to collect,store, and organize data in a database |
data source | the file that contains a set of names, addreses, phone numbers, and other types of individual information used for merging |
document management system | a computerized mechanism for naming, storing, and labeling documents for ease and accuracy of later retriveal |
electronic filing | a system used by courts, gov't agencies, attorneys, and the public to reduce paperwork and electronically file documents over the internet using a standard web browser |
email | the system of delivering and receiving messages electronically using a modem or router, telephone line or cable, and communication software |
field | one piece of info about a person or business used in a data source |
fonts | refers to the style or design for a collection of letters, numerals, symbols, and pun cation marks. |
footers | used in documents or pleadings to place the title, page number on each page as well as other documents |
graphical user interface | a system using icons and pictures to display menus and choices on a computer |
hardware | the physical elements of a computer, such as a keyboard, monitor, printer, case or chassis, modem, scanner, and joy stick. |
headers | places text and graphics at the top of the page. |
input devices | keyboard, mouse, optical character reader, imagine scanner, and voice recognition system are all examples. |
justification | refers to four types of text alignment left justification, center justification, full justification, or right justification |
links | web addresses that contain an activated linkage to another location or website on the internet |
local area network (LAN) | the linking of computers within close proximity, i.e., in the same building |
macro(s) | a computer feature that allows the operator to record multiple keystrokes and then play them back w just a few keystrokes |
mainframe computers | large, very expensive high speed machines that require trained operators and special temperature environments, used for scientific and engineering computations |
malware | a general term referring to problems that can be transmitted from cutter to computer through email or internet access, such as viruses |
metadata | data stored in a computer that shows who created, accessed or revised a document, what changers were made and by whom and the dates and times when all of this occurred |
microcomputers | small sized computers often called personal or desktop computers (PCs) |
minicomputers | mid sized, powerful computers often used as network servers |
open codes | codes that are invoked once to create a change in line spacing, margins,tab settings, font changes, justification, and page numbering which effect only text to the right of the code |
operating system | software that controls the flow of information to and from the CPU and to and from the input and output devices |
optical character recognition (OCR) | a scanner that converts and image into a character based text file |
output device | a computer peripheral such as a monitor or printer |
paired codes | codes that are turned on and off to invoke changes such as underlying, bold, italics, and styles and affect only the text appearing between the paired codes |
peripherals | devices that are connected to a computer, such as terminals, tape drives, disk drives, modems, printers and scanners |
portable computers | notebooks, laptops, handhelds, tablets, and even smartphones are portable computers |
record | made up of all the fields relating to one person or business in a data source |
redline (black lines) | the feature which allows the comparison of one document to another |
repetitive stress injury | an injury caused by physical strain due to repetitive movement; carpal tunnel is a common RSI |
software | all programs needed to instruct, control, and operate the hardware of a computer system, such as flowcharts, manuals, programs, routines, training and the like |
styles | th tool used to create a consistent appearance in a word processing document, while reducing keystrokes required to format the document |
track pad | a device found on many laptops that allows fingertip control of cursor movement |
trackball | a device with a ball on top that is rolled with fingertips to move the cursor, while the base of the device remains stationary. |
uniform resource locator | the address or code at which an internet site can be located |
USB drives | sometimes called memory sticks, flash drives, or thumb drives, theses devices plug into usb drives on a computer that contain memoir that functions like a hard drive |
virus | computer code that can be copied into an existing computer program and make itself known by impeding correction function of the program, |
web browser | a program that allows a computer user to explore the internet |
webcam | a small, inexpensive device that functions like a camera, with its images being sent over the internet |
web page or website | an individual site found on the internet |
wide area network (WAN) | the linking of computers that are located far apart, i.e., in different cities, through cables, fiber optics, or satellites |
zip drive | a poratble computer drive, now nearly obsolete due to the common usage of recordable CD and DVDs. |
accounting equation | the relationship between the three basic accounting elements; assets equal liabilities plusownders equity: A= L +OE (owners equity is also known as proprietorship.) |
balance | the difference between total debts and credits in an account |
bank draft | a check issued by a bank on its funds in another bank, usually located in another city |
blank endorsement | the simple signature of the payee which makes the check payable to bearer; also referred to as endorsement in blank |
block billing | refers to the practice of grouping all time spent on a project during the course of they day into one entry, regardless of the number or variety of tasks performed |
cashiers check | a check drawn by a bank on its own funds |
certified check | a check issued by a bank that reduces the drawers account by the amount of the check.the bank holds those funds for payment of the check and becomes responsible for its payment |
circular e- the employers tax guide | a booklet published periodically by the internal revenue service as a guide for the bookkeeper regarding payroll and withholding taxes which can also be found online at www.irs.org |
credit | an entry made on the right side of an account (abbreviated Cr.) |
debit | an entry made on the left side of an account (abbreviated Dr.) |
drawee | person to whom a check is written |
drawer | person by whom check is written and upon those funds the check is drawn. |
employer identification number | a number assigned to an employer by the IRS (in response to application form SS-4) that must be used on all reports to the IRS |
fair labor standards act | among other things, minimum wage laws, overtime pay, hours worked, etc. |
for deposit only | restrictive endorsement used on checks to be deposited |
matters | a term that refers to an individual piece of legal work for a given client; clients may have only one matter or many. matters destination allows different projects to be billed separately. |
money order | a payment document that can be purchased at a U.S. post office, bank, and many stores to use in place of a check, paid for with cash |
payee | person to whom a promissory note, bank draft, or check is issued |
payroll records | the records listing employees, earnings, deductions, and withholding. |
payroll register | a business form/ledger on which all payroll information is recorded |
principal | the amount a borrower promises to pay that is written on the face of a note |
pro bono | describes legal work or services performed free of charge |
reconciliation | to bring a bank statement and check register into agreement; a process which ensures the record of the bank and the depositor |
retainer | an advance payment made to cover anticipated work or costs. some of the expected costs of a legal action or makes an advanced payment for expect costs such as filling fees, fines, court costs, or other costs |
withholding taxes | time that is reduced or removed from a bill to create from discounted bill |
written down | funds withheld by the employer from employees payroll check for payment of federal, state, and local income taxes and social security taxes. |