AGP(Accelerated Graphics Port)
A port on the computer designed for improved graphics for video games.
Antivirus Software
Programs that are designed to protect your computer from any programs that it recognizes as containing a virus.
Apple Menu
The menu located in the upper left corner represented by the Apple logo. The menu provides access to various settings, programs, and shortcut menus.
Applications
Any program that allows the user to perform functions on the computer. Software such as Word, Internet Explorer, and Excel are applications.
Bandwidth
How much information you can send through a connection. Usually measured in bits-per-second.
Browser or Web Browser
Software that is used to look at various kinds of Internet resources.
Bus
A common pathway between multiple devices. It provides a parallel data transfer path between the CPU and main memory and to the peripheral buses. Why is it called a bus? The term was coined after a real bus, the concept being that a bus stops at all the bus stops en route. In an electronic bus, the signals go to all stations connected to it.
Bytes per second (Bps)/Kilobyytes per second(Kbps)
Used to measure the speed of data transmission over lines based on the number of bytes that can be transferred per second.
CD (Compact Disk)
A digital audio disc that contains up to 74 minutes of hi-fi stereo sound.
CD-R
A recordable CD which can be recorded on once and read in a CD-ROM reader.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)
Storage media that can hold about 700 MB. CDs are flat, round and use a series of microscopic hills and valleys to store data that is read by a laser in the CD-ROM drive. CD-Rs are recordable compact discs and CD-RWs are re-writable compact discs.
CD-ROM Drive
Computer drive that plays back CD-ROMs and audio CDs.
CD-RW
A recordable CD which can be rewritten but must be read on a newer MultiRead CD or DVD drive.
Click
To Press and release the mouse button. Usually the left mouse button on a PC.
Command Key
Special key used with shortkey on a Macintosh computer.
Computer Program
A computer program (often simply called a program) is an example of computer software that prescribes the actions ("computations") that are to be carried out by a computer. Most programs consist of a loadable set of instructions which determines how the computer will react to user input when that program is running, i.e. when the instructions are 'loaded'.
Computer User (A.K.A User)
A person who uses computers for work or entertainment or communication or business.
Control Panel
A computer utility for the PC and Mac which allows the user to adjust a wide variety of computer options. This includes options such as desktop appearance.
Cookies
Small files stored on your hard drive so servers can access them when you return to Web sites you've visited before. They contain information that identifies each user, for example: login or username, passwords, shopping cart information, preferences, and so on.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The computer's brain. The most common chips today are the Pentium, K5, and the 6x86 for IBM compatible machines and the Power PC for Macintosh.
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
CRT: Cathode Ray Tube. The glass, vacuum display device found in television sets and computer terminals.
Database
A document that stores many different records, each of which is composed of several fields in which data is stored. Very similar to spreadsheets, but designed to track data and help you create reports based on that data.
Desktop
This is the first screen the user sees on the comptuer (PC or Mac). This screen normally includes shortcuts to commonly used programs and files.
The term can also refer to the computer itself, as in "Desktop or Laptop". In this case it means a computer that would be setup on a desk and would not be mobile.
Dial-Up
A temporary connection to a Network or Internet, which uses a telephone line as a means of connection.
Domain Name server
A server that relates an internet domain name (such as www.google.com) to an IP address (such as 11.125.456.3). Computers understand IP addresses and it is easier for people to read and write domain names.
Double Click
Pressing the main button on the mouse two times in succession. This is normally done to open files or programs.
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)
High-capacity optical discs used to store anything from applications to full-length movies. The capacity is much larger than a standard CD.
DVD-ROM Drive
A drive that reads both CDs and DVDs.
E-mail (Electronic Mail)
Messages sent from one person to another through the computer, and can be sent in text format or contain attachments, which hold documents or pictures that can be viewed or saved to your local computer.
E-mail Address
An address at which a specific person can be reached with e-mail. Similar to a postal address in that it directs mail being sent to correct recipient.
Ethernet
Standard networking technology that allows computers to communicate with other computers, servers, and the Internet at a maximum speed of 10 Mbps.
Ethernet Card
A device that allows a computer to connect to the Internet or a network at high speeds using specialized Ethernet cables.
FireFox
Mozilla Firefox (originally known as "Phoenix" and briefly as "Mozilla Firebird") is a free, cross-platform, graphical web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation and hundreds of volunteers
Firewall
A security measure on networks that prevents access by unauthorized users. Hardware and software that separate a network into two or more sections for security reasons.
Flat Panel Display
encompass a growing number of technologies enabling video displays that are lighter and much thinner than traditional television and video displays that use cathode ray tubes, and are usually less than 10 cm (4 inches) thick. These include:
* Plasma displays
* Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
* Organic light-emitting diode displays (OLEDs)
* Light Emitting Diode (LED)
* Electroluminescent displays (ELDs)
* Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Displays (SEDs)
* Field emission displays (FEDs)
* Nano-emissive display (NEDs)
Folder
Similar to the folders you use to file paper work. They are used to organize files created by you so that they are easily retrievable.
Font
An alternate appearance for text on a computer.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A way to login to another Internet site for the purposes of retrieving and/or sending files.
Gigabyte
One Thousand Megabytes. Another term used to denote a computer's storage space. For example, hard drives are frequently referred to as having
60 Gigabytes of space. Abbreviation - GB, Gig.
Gigahertz (GHz)
A measure of processor speed in one thousand megahertz.
Hard Drive
The physical storage unit of your computer where all of your programs and files are stored. An internal magnetic storage disk that contains application files, the operating system, documents, media files and other software.
Hardware
A concrete piece of your computer that you can actually see. Hardware comes in many forms.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
The protocol for moving hypertextfiles across the Internet. It is the most important protocol used in the World Wide Web (WWW).
Icon
A shortcut to an object, a folder, or a program which when double-clicked will launch programs and open windows.
(Internet Message Access Protocol)
IMAP is gradually replacing POP as the main protocol used by email clients in communicating with email servers.
Using IMAP an email client program can not only retrieve email but can also manipulate message stored on the server, without having to actually retrieve the messages. So messages can be deleted, have their status changed, multiple mail boxes can be managed, etc.
Install
The means of adding something to your computer. Installation is the process you must take to move a program from its host (usually a CD or floppy disc) to your computer.
Interface
The program or device that controls the way two pieces of equipment or programs work together. The term interface can also be used to describe the look and layout of a program on the screen for interaction with the user.
Internet
Often referred to as "The World Wide Web," the Internet connects millions of computers together, allowing you to chat with fellow users, download software, read news and entertainment and more.
Intranet
Similar to the Internet, an intranet is a smaller network of computers, usually within a single organization or building.
IP Address
Internet Protocol address, the address of a computer attached to a TCP/IP network. Every client and server station must have a unique IP address. Client workstations have either a permanent address or one that is dynamically assigned to them each dial-up session. IP addresses are written as four sets of numbers separated by periods; for example, 204.171.64.2.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
An institution that provides access to the Internet.
Java
A programming language invented by Sun Microsystems that is intended to be operational on any hardware/software system.
Java Applet
A small program (i.e., application) written in Java. Java applets are sent from the host computer to the end user's computer (known as the client) and is then run (or "executed").
Javascript
Scripting computer programming language that can add functionality to web pages. Examples of Javascript used in WebCT include: email, discussion board, quizzes.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
Image file format perferred for photographic images.
Keyboard
The hardware you use to type information. It is similar to the typewriter. Shortcut keys on your keyboard help to speed you through programs and your operating system with tremendous ease. Standard keyboards have 104 keys. Some keyboards come with added features and buttons and many are ergonomically designed for comfort.
LAN (Local Area Netword)
A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. It is made up of servers, workstations, a network operating system and a communications link.
Laptop
A laptop computer (also known as notebook computer) is a small mobile personal computer, usually weighing from 4 to 7 pounds.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
A display that consists of two polarizing transparent panels and a liquid crystal surface sandwiched in between. Voltage is applied to certain areas, causing the crystal to turn dark. A light source behind the panel transmits through transparent crystals and is mostly blocked by dark crystals.
Megabyte (MB)
One Million Bytes. This term is used to denote the size of the computer's memory and storage. For example, a 3.5" floppy disk holds 1.4
Megabytes of data, a computer will typically have 8 to 32 Megabytes of RAM and a Hard Drive with 500 to 4,000 Megabytes of storage. Abbreviation - MB, Meg.
Megahertz (MHz)
A measure of processor speed in one million cycles per second.
Modem
A hardware device that enables the computer to talk to other computers through the phone system. It is like a telephone for your computer.
Monitor
Monitors look like small TV screens and provide a viewing space.
Mouse
Input device that is connected to computer or keyboard that controls the movements of the cursor on the screen and can be used for making selections. Some have one button and some have two. New mice are optical which means that they do not use a small ball on the bottom for capturing the motion of the mouse.
Netbook
A term for ultra-small laptops, also known as Minis. These usually have smaller screens and keyboards than normal laptops and weight 2-4 pounds.
Operating System
The master control program that runs the computer. The operating system sets the standards for all application programs that run in the computer. Examples include: Windows XP, Linux, and Mac OS X.
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnects)
Give you high-speed connections between your CPU and its devices
PCI - X (PCI Express)
PCI-X (Peripheral Component Interconnect Extended) is a new computer bus technology that increases the speed that data can move within a computer from 66 MHz to 133 MHz. PCI-X doubles the speed and amount of data exchanged between the computer processor and peripherals. With the current PCI design, one 64-bit bus runs at 66 MHz and additional buses move 32 bits at 66 MHz or 64 bits at 33 MHz. The maximum amount of data exchanged between the processor and peripherals using the current PCI design is 532 MB per second. With PCI-X, one 64-bit bus runs at 133 MHz with the rest running at 66 MHz, allowing for a data exchange of 1.04 GB per second. PCI-X is backwards-compatible, meaning that you can, for example, install a PCI-X card in a standard PCI slot but expect a decrease in speed to 33 MHz. You can also use both PCI and PCI-X cards on the same bus but the bus speed will run at the speed of the slowest card.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Portable Document Format. An electronic document that must be read with the Adobe Acrobat computer program
Petabyte
A (derived from the SI prefix peta- ) is a unit of information or computer storage equal to one quadrillion (one long scale billiard) bytes. It is commonly abbreviated PB. It is equal to 1,024 terabytes.
Pixel (Picture Element)
Pixel is an abbreviation for picture element. It is the smallest individual dot that can be displayed on a computer screen.
POP (Post Office Protocol)
An Internet email mailbox access standard which allows you to connect to a server and download all your messages.
Processor
CPU - The computing part of the computer.
Proxy Server
Serves as a relay between two networks which separates the sender and reciever to protect the individuals on the network from hackers.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Memory chips which are loaded into your computer. The amount of RAM you have installed determines how many programs you can have open at the same time and how fast certain types of applications will run.
Right Click
Pressing the right button on a two-button mouse. This will usually result in a small menu popping up by the cursor on the screen. (Left handers who change their mouse settings will actually use the left mouse button for the same result.)
ROM (Read Only Memory)
Inside the computer, this type of memory serves as the computers identity. Whenever you turn it on, the computer will look to this
memory to find out who it is and what it's supposed to do. The computer cannot "write" to this type of memory, it can only read from it.
Screen Resolution
Measure of a monitor screen's sharpness. It is related to the number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen. It is changed in the Monitor control panel on the Macintosh and in the Display control panel in Windows. WebCT recommends a minimum resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.
Serial Port
Spaces in the back of your computer that connect printers, webcams and other pieces of hardware.
Server
A special computer that provides its resources to other PCs on a network. High-speed machine that holds programs and data shared by network users.
Software
Written coded commands that tell a computer what tasks to perform. For example, Word, PhotoShop, PowerPoint, and Media Player are software programs.
Sound Card
Sound cards allow you to hear sounds associated with programs.
Swap File
A file on the hard drive that acts like an extension to the computer's RAM for some programs (most notably Windows, Windows 95 and NT). This can be compared to the yellow sticky notes that tend to accumulate on your desk, fridge, etc. It's stuff you need to do, but that you wouldn't necessarily remember (because you don't have enough RAM).
T-1
A connection capable of carrying data at a very high speed (1.544mbps total). Utica College used 6 of these to supply the campus with their Internet Connection and now uses a fractional T-3, 10 times faster than a T-1.
T-3
A specification for a transmission line, the equivalent of 29 T1 lines. T3 lines run at 44.736 Mbps.
Terabyte
A unit of measure equal to 1,000 gigabytes and is approximately 1 Trillion bytes.
Transformer
An electrical device consisting of a magnetic core and one or more windings, used to change the voltage of an AC circuit from one value to another or to isolate portions of the circuits from others.
Upgrade
A piece of software that will change applications or operating systems in some way. Often upgrades will add new features and/or fix bugs in software.
USB Port
A newer style port that supports up to 127 devices on one port on the computer because devices can be hooked together or to a USB hub which is a box that has several USB ports in it. USB is hot swappable which means that you do not have to turn off the computer to unplug or plug in a device.
Username
A unique combination of letters, numbers and/or other characters that identify a specific person to a computer system or Web site.
Video Card
An interface card installed in the computer to control visual output on a monitor. Also called display adapter.
Virus
A computer program that replicates on computer systems by incorporating itself into shared programs. They range from harmless to programs that can destroy files or disable a computer altogether.
Virus Definitions
The data used by virus detection software to maintain a list of virus signatures which are specific patterns of code known to be computer viruses. Since there are over 30,000 detected viruses and their strains, it is important to keep your definitions current.
VRAM (Video Ram)
Memory that is devoted strictly to putting the picture on the screen. Having this in a computer means that it can draw images on
the screen faster and with more colors. In ads, it is usually referred to along with the video card (i.e. a video card with 2Meg of VRAM or WRAM or EDO RAM).
WiFi (Wireless Fidelity)
Short for (wireless fidelity). A term for certain types of wireless local area networks (WLAN) that use specifications conforming to IEEE 802.11b. WiFi has gained acceptance in many environments as an alternative to a wired LAN. Many airports, hotels, and other services offer public access to WiFi networks so people can log onto the Internet and receive emails on the move. These locations are known as hotspots.
WWAN (Wireless wide area network)
WWAN stands for Wireless wide area network. Like WLAN i.e, wireless LAN WWAN works but on a wider scale. The architectural details about WWAN can be obtained from any site describing or defining wireless networks
WWW (World Wide Web)
The universe of hypertext servers (HTTP servers) which allow text, graphics, sound files, etc. to be mixed together.
Typically synonymous with the term Internet.
Can't find a file? Windows
(Windows – F) Press and hold the Windows key and hit f on the keyboard to bring up the search box. Here you can search by title or words contained in the body of a document. The Windows key located by the left alt key.
Mac
Option-Command-F Press and hold all three buttons until the search box comes up to navigate to the search field in an already-open Spotlight window. Here you can search by title or words contained in the body of a document. The Option and Command buttons are located to the left of the space bar.
