Where to find terms:
TEK-MOM - Technology Buzzwords for Students - http://www.tekmom.com/students/
Tech Web - http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia
Education World Internet Glossary - http://www.education-world.com/help/glossary.shtml
Computer Lessons for Kids and Small Adults - http://www2.magmacom.com/~dsleeth/kids/lessons/lesson1.htm
Simple Practice test for the quiz on-line at: http://www.chapman.edu/soe/faculty/piper/EDUC551/ex/terms.htm
Computer Hardware http://www.chapman.edu/soe/faculty/piper/teachtech/hardware.htm
Glossary Online - http://www.chapman.edu/soe/faculty/piper/glossary.htm
TERMS
a:/
DRIVE: floppy disk drive (1.4 meg of
storage). Some computers may have an additional floppy disk drive (b: drive)
for a 5 ¼ inch disk holding 1.2 meg of storage.
BAUDRATE:
The number of transitions per second made by a modem.
Binary:
a number system using base 2. The binary
system is a way of counting using just the two numbers 0 and 1.
BOOKMARK:
The process of saving a URL in your web browser. This allows the user to
return to a particular site or entry by making a record of it. Called Favorites
in Internet Explorer.
Browser:
a software program that lets you explore the WWW to find text, graphics,
sound, movies, games, chats and more
BULLETIN
BOARD SYSTEM:a service dedicated to a
specific topic where users post messages that are read by others
Byte:
a group of bits (usually 8) that represents 1 character of data
CD-ROM:
A removable storage medium (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory). A
compact disc that holds text, graphics and audio stereo sound. CD-ROMs
have spiral, grooved tracks, but data CDs use a different format for recording
the audio CD player. CD-ROMs holds 650MB of data.
c:/
DRIVE: the hard drive or internal drive where all software
programs, operating system files, and personal data files are stored).
(Originally held only 20 meg – but now up to 20+ gig)
CELLS:
the intersection of a given column and
a specific row on a spreadsheet.
CHIP:
a tiny piece of silicon with electronic circuits.
The chip is the most important part of the computer.
CPU: Central Processing Unit - the brains of the computer which is responsible for interpreting and issuing instructions to the rest of the computer. The CPU completes a set of four basic operations:
Decodes the instruction
Executes the instruction
Stores the results
CONTROL
PANEL: a program used to change some
setting in the operating system or computer
CURSOR:
a flashing light that indicates on the screen
where the next character will appear
DATA
BASE: raw facts usually organized around
a topic, account number, or key to make specific items easy to find.
DIGITAL
CAMERA: a video or still camera that records images in digital
form
DOWNLOAD:
the transfer of a file or files from a remote computer to the user's computer
DNS:
(Domain Name System): A distributed client-server database systems which
links domain names with their numerical IP address.
EDITOR:
one who creates words and images by lighting and unlighting thousands of
pixels
FAQ:
Abbreviation for Frequently Asked Questions
- a document containing common questions and answers for a particular web
site or topic.
FILE
FOLDERS: a simulated folder that holds
data, applications and other folders
Floppy
Disk: a small, removable magnetic disk (PC - Floppy drive is drive
a:/)
FTP:
File Transfer Protocol - an Internet tool/software
utility which allows you to transfer files between two computers that are
connected to the Internet.
GIF:
Graphical Interchange Format is a commonly
used graphics file format for image filing on the Internet.
GUI:
Graphical User Interface - User interface that combines text, graphics,
and other visual cues to make software easier to use.
FIELD:
a data item or a column in a data base that
contains a specific type of information, such as last name or first name.
Hard
Drive: a direct-access storage device (PC - Hard drive is drive
c:/)
HARDWARE:a
set of physical components that combine to make up a computer system
HTML:
Hypertext Markup Language - the coding applied to text files that allows
them to appear as formatted hypermedia documents on the WWW
HTTP:
Abbreviation from HyperText Transfer Protocol.
Often this is the initial sequence of letters in a web address.
HYPERTEXT:
The text-based version of Hypermedia. Highlighted
text is "hot" - linked to another section of the text.
HYPERMEDIA:
A system for storing information using embedded references to other pages,
sounds, graphics used on the WWW. Links are created to media.
ICON:
On-screen pictures that represent common
computer tasks.
INPUT:The
flow of information into the computer through the keyboard, mouse, digitizer,
scanner, microphone, and other input equipment.
INTERNET:
The worldwide, interconnected system of computer
networks
IP:
Internet Protocol - a group of protocols
that specify how computers communicate over the Internet.
IP
OR INTERNET ADDRESS: Abbreviation for
Internet Protocol. A protocol that ensures data goes where it is supposed
to go on the Internet.
JPEG:
abbreviation for Joint Photographic Experts
Group - standard for compressing still images
LAN:
Abbreviation for Local Area Network - Used to connect computers over a
short distance such as computers within the same school.
LISTSERV:
An e-mail list server. A computer program
that contains lists of e-mail addresses in order that users can participate
in an electronic discussion or conference.
Memory:
Storage - Instructions, data, and results stored by
the CPU until they are needed. (See RAM and ROM)
MICROPROCESSOR:(CPU)
the brains of the computer - the data transformer. The microprocessor usually
contains the control unit, the arithmetic/logic unit, the registers, and
the system clock.
MIDI:
Musical Instrument Digital Interface - MIDI is a standard
protocol for the interchange of musical information between musical instruments,
synthesizers and computers.
MODEM:
a
device that converts or modulates computer-generated digital signals into
corresponding analog signals so they can be carried over phone lines. (MOdulator-DEModulator).
Multimedia:
Interactive software that include elements
of text, graphics, sound, animation, and/or video.
NEWSGROUP:
A Usenet discussion group that is related
to one topic. Internet users can subscribe to many different newsgroups.
NETWORK:
A set of computers that all use the same
protocol in order to exchange information among themselves.
OUTPUT:
The flow of results from the computer going to the monitor, printer, speaker,
MIDI instrument, or other output equipment. Some equipment, such as MIDI
musical instruments or plotters can be used as input and output devices.
PARALLEL
PRINTER PORT: a socket on a computer used to connect a printer
or other parallel device via the computer's parallel interface using a
parallel port cable. Zip drives also come in parallel port
versions. Some flatbed scanners may be connected to a parallel port. You
can often daisy chain several peripherals from the parallel port.
Peripheral:
the physical devices attached to the computer
PIXEL:
Points of light on a computer screen
used to create graphic images.
PROGRAMS:
the step-by-step set of specific instructions that directs the computer
to perform a task
PPP:
Point to Point Protocol - protocol used for
sending information via a modem which is connected to the Internet.
RAM:
Random Access Memory - general purpose memory that stores program instructions
RESOLUTION:
a measure of pixel density on a computer
screen
ROM
- Read Only Memory - A memory chip that stores permanent instructions and
data that can not be altered. ROM chips store control routines in personal
computers (ROM BIOS), peripheral controllers and other electronic equipment.
SCANNER:
direct optical character recognition - printed
characters can be read directly by the computer without the need for special
ink
SCSI
port - Small Computer System Interface -SCSI, pronounced "scuzzy,"
is a hardware interface that includes an expansion board that plugs into
the computer called a SCSI host adapter or SCSI controller. SCSI peripherals
can be daisy chained together. SCSI connections are being used less since
the development of the USB port.
SEARCH
ENGINE: A tool or program which allows
keyword searching of relevant sites or information on the Internet.
SERIAL
PORT: a socket on a computer used to
connect a modem, mouse, scanner or other serial device via the computer's
serial interface
SERVICE
PROVIDER: A company that provides dial-up
or direct access to the Internet for a fee.
SHAREWARE:
Copyrighted software that is available for
personal use for a small fee, and often downloadable from the Internet.
SOFTWARE:
programs used for problem solving or that
direct the operations of the computer
SPREADSHEET:
A software program that is used when
numbers, formulas, and mathematical calculations are involved.
START
MENU: launching pad for applications
SVGA:
Super Video Graphics Array
TCP/IP:
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol - both the protocol and
the software that ensure that data sent over the internet arrive in the
correct order.
TELNET:
An Internet command that allows your computer
to directly connect and interact with remote computers.
UNIVERSAL
SERIAL BUS: (USB Port) - Universal Serial Bus Connector
is commonly used with newer scanners, digital cameras, USB zip drives, etc.
The USB interface is also used for peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse,
joystick, and printer . It also supports MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 digital video
URL:
Short for Uniform Resource Locator. A string
of characters used to uniquely identify a page of information the WWW.
This information is used by browser software to find other WWW, FTP, telnet,
gopher, etc., sites on the Internet.
VGA:
abbreviation for Video Graphics Array - the
minimum standards for PC video display
VIRUS:
Programs designed to destroy programs and data on computers of unsuspecting
users.
WAN:
Abbreviation for Wide Area Network. A network
of computers that covers a large geographical distance.
WWW:
Stands for the World Wide Web which is a popular Internet service that
organizes information using a hypertext ad hypermedia system of linking
documents, FTP sites, gopher sites, WAIS, and telnet.
ZIP
DRIVE: an internal or external extra drive made by IOMEGA (originally
stored an extra 100 megabytes of storage – now have 250 megabytes of storage)
along with JAZ DRIVE (1 gig of extra storage). These drives can connect
to your parallel port, your SCSI port (particularly on MACs), or your USB
port. (Often d:/ drive) on a single computer.