| A | B |
|---|
| resolution | sharpness, or detail of the visual image |
| pixel | represents the smallest piece of screen that can be controlled |
| image | composed of thousands of pixels and the screen's resolution |
| PC graphics card | graphics processor, video memory, RAMDAC, driver software |
| color signals used to desplay pixels | red, blue, green |
| monitor | screen that displays information from computer |
| video card | determines th enumber of colors and screen reolution which the monitor can display |
| keyboard | used to type information and instructions into the computer |
| hardware | mechanical devices which are the foundation of computing |
| ports | connecting sockets usually located on the rear panel of the CPU |
| CPU | central processing unit which houses microprocessor, memory chips, disk drives, external ports, and video cards |
| micro processor | brain of the computer |
| disk | reusable storage device that holds information |
| hard disk | non removeable disk housed inside CPU |
| mouse | small hand-held pointing device which allows easy movement of cursor on the screen |
| printer | produces a printed report of the information processed by the computer |
| RAM | random access memory that exists only for the current computing session |
| function keys | assigned for special operations or provides clear shortcuts for lengthy processes |
| modem | communication device that connects one computer with other computers and information services via telephone lines |
| software applications | specific end-user programs |
| hardware devices | monitors, disk drives, keyboards |
| byte | amount of storage space required to hold a single character |
| megabyte | 1 million bytes |
| operating system | a cushion between hardware and software applications which allows the user and software applications to communicate sucessfully with hardware |
| CD-ROM | compact disc - read only memory |
