| A | B |
|---|
| Fonts | the styles of type available on a computer |
| Command | an instruction that causes a computer to perform a task |
| Cursor | a flashing symbol on the computer screen that shows where the information you enter will appear |
| Menu | a list of commands for you to choose from |
| Hardware | physical equipment that makes up a computer system--can be seen and touched |
| Software | instructions (programs) that tell computers what to do--cannot be seen or touched |
| Stand Alone | a computer system that operates independently--its software is loaded on its hard drive and/or by disk |
| Network | a group of computers that are cabled to work off a network server that contains the programs necessary to run the system--this is what we use in our classroom |
| Monitor | screen used to view text, data, and graphic images--measured diagonally |
| CPU | central processing unit--the brains of the computer--it processess instructions i the computer's memory--386, 486, or Pentium chips are all processors |
| Disk Drive | unit into which a diskette is inserted to be read--transfers information back and forth between the computer and a disk--you have one floppy disk drive in the machines in this classroom--the "A" drive |
| Hard Drive | large capacity permanent storage device--data is read and written on the surfaces of a stack of revolving record-like disks which are made of coated magnetic material--space is measured in megabytes (possibly gigabytes--billions)--offers fast access to the information stored on it--enclosed in a unit--you do not handle it |
| Keyboard | used to enter data into and issue commands at the computer |
| Mouse | small, hand-held device used to control a pointer on the screen |
| Printer | transfers information from the computer to paper |
| Modem | a device that transmits digital information over telephone lines |
| Operating Software | software that gives the computer the operational commands that make the computer functional--Windows 95, Windows 98, DOS |
| Application Software | programs written to perform specific tasks such as word processing, presentation, spreadsheet and database functions |
| Scanner | a machine that reads text or graphics into the computer's memory--you can add a picture to your document with this machine |
| Input | information fed into the computer |
| Output | screen display, printout, or fax of information |
| MS-DOS | an operating system/program that provides the instructions that perform the basic functions fo the computer like loading and saving files; it allows the application to work for you |
| Windows | a graphic environment (icons are available) that links you with application software and DOS |
| Space Bar | used to space between words |
| Enter Key | a key that causes the cursor/insertion point to move to the next line |
