| A | B |
|---|
| Data | collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio and video |
| Computer | an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules (process), produce results (output), and store the results (storage) for future use |
| Users | people who use the computer directly or use the information it provides |
| Software | detailed set of instructions that tells it exactly what to do |
| System Unit | a box-like case which houses the processor, memory and storage device |
| Input Device | any hardware component that allows you to enter data, programs, commands and user responses into a computer |
| Keyboard | an input device that contains keys you press to enter data into the computer |
| Stylus | small metal or plastic device that looks like a ballpoint pen, but uses pressure instead of ink to write, draw, or make selections |
| Mouse | a pointing device that fits comfortably under the palm of your hand |
| Pointer | is controlled by the mouse, is shown on the screen and is used to make selections |
| End Users | people who use the computer directly or use the information it provides |
| Motherboard | sometimes called a system board, is the main circuit board of the system unit |
| Processor | also called the CPU, interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit |
| Memory | also called the RAM, consists of electronic components that temporarily store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processed data (information) |
| RAM | Random Access Memory |
| Megabyte | or MB, equals approximately one million memory locations |
| Gigabyte | or GB, equals approximately one billion memory locations |
| Impact Printers | such as a dot-matrix printer, prints by striking an inked ribbon against the paper |
| Non-impact Printers | such as ink-jet or laser printers, form characters by means other than striking a ribbon against a paper |
| Monitor | a display device that is packaged as a separate unit |
| Pixels | are individual picture elements on the surface of the screen which are illuminated to form parts of a character or graphic shape on the screen |
| Storage Device | used to store instructions, data, and information when they are not being used in memory |
| Formatting | process of dividing the hard disk into tracks and sectors so the computer can locate the data, instructions and information on the disk |
| Backup | a duplicate of a file, program, or disk that you can use in case the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed |
| Access Time | is the time required to access and retrieve data |
| CD ROM | Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, a type of optical disc that users can read but not write on (record) |
| DVD ROM | Digital Versatile Disk Read-Only Memory, a very high-capacity optical disc capable of storing from 4.7 GB to 17 GB |
| USB Drive | sometimes called a pen drive or thumb drive, is a flash memory storage device that plugs into a USB port on a computer or mobile device |
| Smart Card | stores data on a thin microprocessor embedded in the card |
| Communications Device | hardware component that enables a computer to send (transmit) and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computer, example: modem |
| Wireless | communications occurring with no physical lines or wires |
| Operating System | tells the computer how to perform the functions of loading, storing and executing an application program and how to transfer data |
| Booting | the process of turning a computer on and the operating system is loaded into the computer's memory from auxiliary storage |
| Graphical User Interface | provides visual cues such as icon symbols to help the user |
| GUI | Graphical User Interface |
| Application Software | consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks |
| Word Processing | software used to create, edit, format, and print documents. Allows users to easily make changes such as correct spelling, changing margins, adding & deleting |
| Spreadsheet software | allows users to add, subtract, and perform user-defined calculations on rows and columns of numbers |
| Database software | which allows the user to enter, retrieve and update data in an organized and efficient manner |
| Presentation Graphics software | allows the user to create slides for use in a presentation to a group using special projection devices |
| Network | collection of computers and devices connected together |
| Online | when a computer is connected to a network |
| LAN | Local Area Network |
| WAN | Wide Area Network |
| Local Area Network | connects computers in a limited geographic area such as a school computer laboratory, office or group of buildings |
| Wide Area Network | covers a large geographical area, such as one that connects the district offices of a national corporation |
| Internet | world's largest network which is a worldwide collection of networks that connect millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions & individuals |
| ISP | Internet Service Provider |
| Internet Service Provider | is an organization, such as a telephone or cable company, that supplies connections to the internet for a monthly fee. Examples are Earthlink & AT&T Worldnet |
| OSP | Online Service Provider |
| Online Service Provider | provides access to the Internet, but it also provides a variety of other specialized content & services such as news, weather, financial data etc. Examples are AOL & MSN. |
| WISP | Wireless Internet Service Provider |
| Wireless Internet Service Provider | is a company that provides wireless Internet access to computers and mobile devices such as smart phones & PDAs. Examples are Boingo Wireless & Cingular Wireless. |
| WWW | World Wide Web |
| World Wide Web | also called the Web, contains billions of documents called Web pages. |
| Website | a related collection of Web pages |
| Web browser | a software program which allows visitors to access and view Web sites |
| URL | Uniform Resource Locator |
| Uniform Resource Locator | the unique address of a Web page |
| http | HyperText Transfer Protocol |
| Hypertext Transfer Protocol | the communications standard used to transfer pages on the Web |
| Web Server | the computer that delivers (serves) requested Web pages |
| E-commerce | or electronic commerce, is conducting business activities online |
| B2C | Business to Consumer e-commerce involves the sale of goods to the general public |
| C2C | Consumer to Consumer e-commerce involves one consumer selling directly to another |
| B2B | Business to Business e-commerce provides goods and services to other businesses |
