Introduction to Computers Key Terms
by Wade Talley
August 20, 2008
§ Accounting software: Software used for organizing and managing money and finances (INT 7).
§ Application software: A type of computer software which tells the computer how to perform a specific task (INT 2).
§ Cache: A region of the hard drive or RAM that temporarily stores frequently accessed data so that it can be retrieved more quickly and efficiently (INT 3).
§ Clock speed: A computer's processing speed (INT 3).
§ Collaborative Groupware: Software that helps groups of users communicate and organize activities, meetings, and events using a common interface (INT 7).
§ Communication software: Software used to transmit and receive information between computers in real time (INT 7).
§ Compact discs (CDs): Media that can store approximately 650 MB of data. Commonly used by
the software and music industry (INT 6).
§ CPU (central processing unit): The brain of the computer (INT 4).
§ Database software: Software which allows the user to collect, store, organize, modify, and extract data (INT 7).
§ Digital Audio Tape (DAT): A standard magnetic tape that resembles a basic audiocassette (INT 6).
§ Digital camera: A device which captures images in memory storage without using film (INT 4).).
§ Digital video camera: Also called a video input camcorder, a digital video camera can record live audio and video, which can then be downloaded into a computer to be edited or viewed using multimedia applications (INT 4).
§ Domain names: A part of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), also referred to as a Web address, used to locate Web sites (INT 9).
§ DVD (Digital Video Disk): DVDs are digital video disks that can store large amounts of data (approximately 4.7 gigabytes or 4,700 megabytes). (INT 6).
§ E-commerce: The business of selling and purchasing items over the Internet (INT 11).
§ Electronic bulletin board: A location for users to exchange information and hold discussions on any topic (INT 9).
§ E-mail software: Software used to send and retrieve e-mail from a mail server (INT 8).
§ Fax: A machine connected to a telephone that scans a document and translates the visual image into electronic impulses, which are then transmitted along telephone lines to another fax machine at a different location (INT 9).
§ Fax modem: A device used to transmit data, graphics, and documents similarly to a facsimile machine (INT 9).
§ File server: A minicomputer, that allows all of the computers connected to the network to access the same hard drive, to access the Internet, or to go outside the company (INT 10).
§ File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A method used to transmit files between a computer and a file server or a Web server (INT 9).
§ Flash drives: Durable, rewritable hard drives that can easily fit in a pocket or on a keychain (INT 5).
§ FLOPS: Floating point operations per second (INT 1).
§ Gigahertz (GHz): One of the terms used to measure a computer's clock speed (INT 3).
§ Graphics software packages: Used to create charts, pictures, illustrations, drawings, and 3-D images (INT 8).
§ Hackers: Irresponsible or unethical individuals who discover ways to break codes and gain access to classified files, threatening not only personal but also national security (INT 11).
§ Hard drive: An internal storage device, also known as a fixed disk (INT 5).
§ Hardware: The physical parts of the computer (INT 4).
§ HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): A programming language used to create information on the Web (INT 9).
§ Impact printer: A type of printer that uses a device that strikes a ribbon on paper (INT 4).
§ Internet: A global network of smaller computer networks each with its own unique IP (Internet Protocol) address (INT 8).
§ Internet browser software: Software used to locate, display, and interact with Web pages (INT 7).
§ Internet service provider (ISP): A business that sells access to the Internet (INT 8).
§ Intranet: A network whose access is limited to employees of a company, students in a school, or others with authorization, and it can be accessed remotely (INT 10).
§ IP (Internet Protocol): The standard that controls the routing and structure of data transmitted over the Internet (INT 8).
§ Keyboard: The most commonly used input device. It contains typewriter-like keys as well as specialized keys for entering data (INT 4).
§ LAN (local area network): An intranet that is confined to a relatively small area, such as a building or campus (INT 10).
§ Laptop computers: Portable PCs (INT 2).
§ Machine language, or programming language: Language used by programmers to write software (INT 6).
§ Mainframe: Computers which are less powerful and less expensive than a supercomputer, but still capable of storing and processing large amounts of data (INT 3).
§ Megahertz (MHz): One of the terms used to measure a computer's clock speed (INT 3).
§ Microcomputer: A small computer sometimes referred to as a PC (INT 1).
§ Microphone: A device which accepts voice input to enter data or execute commands (INT 4).
§ Minicomputers: Computers which are smaller than a mainframe and larger than a microcomputer. (INT 3).
§ MIPS: Millions of instructions per second (INT 1).
§ Mobile e-mail devices: Mobile devices used to provide access to e-mail accounts, allowing users to read and send e-mails, and view calendars and contact information that exist on their Internet-connected PCs (INT 10).
§ Modem: A device that connects a computer to a phone line or cable, allowing data to be transmitted from one computer to another (INT 9).
§ Monitor: A device which allows the user to view computer information (INT 5).
§ Network: A group of linked computers which allow computers to send e-mail, transfer data, and share software and devices, such as printers and scanners (INT 10).
§
Network
system: Another name for
an intranet. A network system allows users to transmit
e-mail messages electronically. (INT 9)
§ Non-impact printer: A type of printer that uses laser and ink-jet technology (INT 4).
§ Notebooks: Another name for laptop computers or portable PCs (INT 2).
§ Online service software: Software which provides subscribers with the ability to communicate with one another through e-mail, as well as get news, weather, and sports information (INT 8).
§ Operating system software: Controls the basic operation of the computer (INT 6).
§ Output devices: Allow the user to see or hear the information that the computer compiles (INT 4).
§ Password: A secret word or phrase used to send or retrieve messages (INT 9).
§ PC: A personal computer. (INT 1).
§ PDA: A handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, e-mail, and networking features. Information can be input into a PDA using a keyboard, a stylus (a pen-like device), or your own voice (INT 10).
§ Personal computer (PC): A computer that is small enough to fit on a desk, is relatively inexpensive, and is designed for an individual user (INT 2).
§ Presentation software: Software used to create slides that can be shown to accompany a speech or lecture (INT 7).
§ Printers: Devices that print text or graphics onto paper (INT 4).
§ Processing Unit: The brain of the computer (INT 4).
§ Random access memory (RAM): A computer's physical or main memory (INT 3).
§ Read-only memory (ROM): Computer memory on which data has been recorded on a ROM chip. It can be read but not deleted (INT 3).
§ Scanner: A device that can read text or illustrations and transmit them in a digital format to the computer screen (INT 4).
§ Server: Another term for minicomputer—It can support multiple simultaneous users at their own terminal (INT 3).
§ Software: A set of instructions that tell the computer what to do, how to do it, and when to perform tasks based on input from the user (INT 6).
§ Software program: A detailed set of instructions, that tell the computer what to do (INT 2).
§ Speakers: Internal or external devices that amplify sound (INT 5).
§ Spreadsheet software: Software used for analysis and reporting of statistical or numerical data to complete such tasks as preparing budgets, payroll, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements (INT 7).
§ Storage devices: Allow instructions and data to be saved and retrieved for future use (INT 5).
§ Supercomputer: The fastest type of computer (INT 2).
§ System software: A type of computer software which controls the way computer parts work together (INT 2).
§ Telecommuting: Allows users to use technology to perform regular work activities from a remote location, such as a home or a hotel during business travel (INT 10).
§ Teleconferencing: A way for people in different locations to see and hear one another (INT 10).
§ Videoconference: Another way for people in different locations to see and hear one another using television cameras and microphones to transmit voice and video signals through satellite networks (INT 10).
§ Virtual reality (VR): Three-dimensional graphics and special devices, such as a data glove and VR goggles, which allow the user to interact with a computing environment in “real space.” (INT 11).
§ Voice recognition: Software technology which claims a 98% accuracy rate for the computer’s ability to carry out voice commands and take dictation (INT 11).
§ Voice recognition software: Software used to create, edit, and format documents by speaking into a microphone attached to a computer (INT 8).
§ WAN (wide area network): A network of computers and peripheral devices linked by cable over a broad geographic area (INT 10).
§ Web page software: Software used to design and manage Web sites (INT 8).
§ Web server: A dedicated computer that stores and delivers Web pages (INT 9).
§ Web sites: A collection of Web pages (INT 8).
§ Webcasting: The merging of the personal computer with the television (INT 11).
§ Wireless computing: Allows you to make a connection between a computer or device and a remote network, without being connected by wires (INT 10).
§ Word processing software: Software used to edit text, and create and print documents such as letters, memos, and reports (INT 6).
§ World Wide Web: A collection of Web pages or Web sites that display information over the Internet (INT 8).
