Question | Answer |
App | A windows 8 application, which is an application that takes up the entire screen when it runs and provides a clean, uncluttered workspace for viewing information. |
Application software | The software you use most directly to perform tasks, such as writing a report. |
BIOS | Basic input output system, non volatile firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process (power on start up) and to provide runtime services for operating systems and programs. |
Buffer | Part of memory or storage where data waits until it can be transferred to a device. |
Bits | The smallest unit of data a computer can process; short for binary digit. |
Cache | A hardware or software component that stores data so future requests for that data can be served faster. |
Clock speed | A measure of how quickly a computer completes basic computations and operations frequently measured in HERTZ. |
Command line interface | Interacting with a computer program where the user issues commands to the program in the form of successive lines of text (command lines). |
Commercial | For company profit. |
Common file | A list of common file extensions and file types that are good to know, organized by file format. |
Computer definition | 1 input, 2 process, 3 store, 4 output, 5 communication |
Computer literacy | Having the ability to use today's computer hardware and software used by professional designers to create models of products, buildings and other objects; engineering and technical drawings; and blueprints for architectural projects. |
Data | A collection of raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, sound, images, and video. |
Database | A collection of related data organized into tables for rapid search and retrieval. |
Defragmenting | A type of disk management tool that optimizes the way files are stored on the disk. |
Desktop Computer | A computer that fits on or next to a desk, is designed to be stationary, and runs on the desktop. |
Digital divide | An economic gap between those who are computer literate and enjoy access to computer technology and those who do not. |
Documents | A written, drawn presented or memorialized representation of thought. |
Download | Slower than upload and receive a file. |
Driver | Hardware that can retrieve and usually record data on a disk. |
Embedded OS's | An operating system included in the hardware of a device, and that is designed to run the device for a specific purpose and a single type of task with little or no intervention from users. |
File system | The hierarchy of folders and files an operating system uses to organize files. |
Folders/Subfolders | Container; can have subfolders to further organize the information. |
GUI | Graphical user interface. Uses icons. |
Hardware | Physical components such as wires, transistors, and circuits and electronic devices such as a computer, printer, and monitor. |
Information | Organized data. Data processed into meaningful form. |
Information processing cycle | The series of steps that includes input, processing, output, and storage. |
Internet | A worldwide system of linked computers. |
Laptop computer | A lightweight mobile computer about the size of a paper notebook that includes the system components, keyboard, pointing device, and display screen in a single unit. |
Linux | A personal computer operating system related to UNIX. |
Machine cycle | Basic operation performed by a CPU. |
Mainframes | A powerful computer designed for intensive data processing for hundreds or thousands of users at the same time. |
Managing files | The ability to manipulate files on your PC. |
MS Office | An office suite of servers and services developed by Microsoft including Microsoft word, Excel and power point. |
Multicore | A single chip that contains more than one processor, and includes dual-core processors. |
Multiprocessing | An operating system technique that splits tasks among processors so that each processor can work on a different task at the same time. |
Multitasking | Working with more than one program at the same time. |
Multi threading | A technique that allows the operating system to handle many parts of a single program. |
Naviagtion | The ability to move from one page to another on your PC. |
Notebook | Lightweight mobile computer. |
Operating system | Software that coordinates the resources and activities on a computer. |
Page | The amount of data and instructions the operating system can swap at one time. |
Parts of a CPU | Arithmetic/ logic, Control unit and registers. |
Patch | A small program that corrects or enhances existing software. |
Performance indicators | How efficiently hardware and software perform tasks. |
Peripherals | Any device that works with the computer such as a keyboard or a mouse. |
Plug and Play | An operating system feature that finds and installs a device driver for new hardware so you can use the new hardware right away. |
POST | Power on self test; a process performed by firmware or software routines immediatly after computer is turned on. |
Presentation software | Documentation file in PowerPoint. |
TAM | Technology acceptance model; how users accept and use technology. Suggest that when users are presented with a new technology a number of factors influence their decision of how and when to use it. |
Recycle Bin | An area on your hard disk that holds deleted files until you remove them permanently. |
ROM | Circuit board, non volatile permanent. |
Server Operating systems | An operating system that resides on a server computer and is used to manage a network. |
Servers | A computer that provides network services such as sharing files and folders. |
Service pack | A collection of updates, fixes, or enhancements to software delivered as a single file. |
Shortcut | An icon or tile that provides a quick way to perform an action such as opening a folder. |
Smartphones | A cell phone that includes many features of a computer, such as an operating system and the ability to connect to the Internet. |
Software | Instructions, or programs, for controlling a computer. |
Software license (EULA) | A legal agreement that specifies how you can install and use software. |
Software registrations | An optional process of identifying yourself to the software manufacturer as the person who purchased a copy of the software. |
URL | Uniform resource locator; web address. |
Virtual memory | The part of a computer's storage space that can serve as additional RAM. |
Windows | "windows 8" The more recent version of the operating system. |
Word processing | The production, storage, and manipulation of text on a computer or word processor. |
World Wide Web | Often referred to as the Web and abbreviated as WWW or W3; a global collection of interconnected documents (web pages) and other resources. |
Zip files | Archive file format that supports lossless data compression. May contain one or more files that have been compressed. |
Bytes | Group of 8 bits. |
Shareware | Software that is able to be used and purchase later. Example Free trial. |
Freeware | Software that is free to use but is still copyrighted. |
Public domain software | Software that is free and not copyrighted. |