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 outage |
Byte | A unit that ,measures data. One byte is the equivalent of one letter, number, or punctuation mark. |
Case Management / Electronic Case Fling (CM/ECF) | The electronic filing system used in the federal court system |
CD-ROM | Compact Disk-Read Only Memory |
Central processing unit (CPU) | The part of a computer system where all computations, sorting, selecting, and data manipulation takes 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, ect. |
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 the courts, government 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 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 letter, numerals, symbols, and punctuation marks |
Footers | used in a document 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 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 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 | a 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 occured |
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 stings, 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 input and output devices |
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) | 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 underlining, bold face, 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 drivers, 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 (blacklines) | the feature which allows the comparison of one document to another |
Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) | 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 | 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 allow fingertip control of cursor movement |
Trackball | a device with a ball on top that is rolled with the fingertips to move the cursor, while the base of the device remains stationary |
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) | the address or code at which an Internet site can be located |
USB drives | sometimes called memory sticks, flash drives, or thumb drives, these devices plug into the USB drives on a computer and contain memory that functions like a hard drive |
Virus | computer code that can be copied into an existing computer program and make itself known by impeding correct 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 portable computer drive, now nearly obsolete due to the common usage of recordable CDs and DVDs |