Term | Definition |
Application | term used to refer tot he 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 outage |
Byte | a unit that measures data. one byte is the equivalent of one letter, number, or punctuation mark. |
Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) | the electronic filing system used in the federal court system |
CD-ROM | Compact Disk-Read Only Memory |
Central Processing Unit | 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 into a database |
Data source | the file that contains a set of names, addresses, 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 retrieval. |
Electronic filing (efiling) | a system used by courts, govt. 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 or receiving messages electronically using a modem or router, telephone line or cable, and communications software |
Field | one piece of information about a person or business used in a data source |
Fonts | refers to the style or design of a collection of letters, numerals, symbols, and punctuation marks |
Footers | used in documents and pleadings to place the title and page number on each page as well as other document information |
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 each page |
Input device | keyboard, mouse, optical character reader, imaging scanner, and voice recognition are all examples |
Justification | refers to four types of text alignment left justification, center justification, full justification, or right justification |
Links | web addressed that contain an activated linkage to another location or website on the internet |
Local area network | the linking of computers within close proximity, i.e., in the same building |
Macro | a computer feature that allows the operator to record multiple keystrokes and then play them back with 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 | the general term referring to problems that can be transmitted from computer to computer through email or internet access, such as viruses, Trojans, and keyboard scanners |
Metadata | data stored in a computer that shows who created, accessed, or revised a document, what changes 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 affect only text to the right of the code |
Operating system | software that controls the flow of information to and from the central processing unit and to and from the inout and output devices |
Optical Character Recognition | a scanner that converts an 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 undermining, bold dace, italics and styles and affect only the text appearing between the pared 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 qualify as portable computers |
Record | made up of all the fields relating to one person or business in a data source |
Redline | 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 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 | the 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 of top that is rolled with the fingertips to move the cursor, while the base of the device remains stationary |
Uniform Resource Locator | the address or code at which internet sit can be located |
USB drives | sometimes called memory sticks, flash drives, or thumb drives, these devices plug into USB drives on a computer and contain memory functions like a hard drive |
Virus | computer code that can be copied into an existing computer program and make itself known by impending correct function of the program |
Web browser | a program that allows a computer to explore the internet |
Webcam | a small, inexpensive device that functions like a camera, with its images being sent over the internet |
Webpage or webite | an individual site found on the internet |
Wide Area Network | the linking of computers that are located far apart, i.e., in different cities, through cables, fiber optics, or satellites |
Zip drive | a portable computer drive, now nearly obsolete due to the common usage of recordable CDs and DVDs |
Accounting equation | the relationship between the three basic accounting elements; assets equal liabilities owner's equity: A = L + OE |
Balance | the difference between total debits 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 the day into one entry, regardless of the number or variety of tasks performed |
Cashier's check | a check drawn by a bank on its own funds |
Certified check | a check issued by a bank that reduces the drawer's account by the amount of the check. the bank hold those funds for payment of the check and becomes responsible for its payment |
Circular E- The Employer's 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.gov |
Credit | an entry made on the right side of an account |
Debit | an entry made on the left side of an account |
Drawee | person to whom a check is written |
Drawer | person by whom a check is written and upon whose funds the check is drawn |
Employer Identification Number | a number assigned to an employer by the Internal Revenue Service 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. matter designation allows different projects to be billed separately |
Money order | a payment document that can be purchased at a United States 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 withholdings |
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 are in agreement |
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 expected costs such as filing fees, fines, court costs, or other costs |
Withholding taxes | time that is reduced or removed from a bill to create a discounted bill |
Written down | funds withheld by the employer from the employee's payroll check for payment of federal, state, and local income taxes and Social Security taxes. |