| A | B |
|---|
| BIOS | A set of instructions stored in a ROM chip in your PC. |
| Bit | may be either the digit 0 or 1. |
| Byte | is a combination of eight bits used to represent a single unit of information, such as a letter or number. |
| CD-ROM | store data permantly and cannot be altered by the user. |
| COAXIL Cable | used to connect computers in networks, similar to the wire between your VCR and TV. |
| Control Unit | directs and coordinates computer operations according to instructions stored in memory. |
| Ethernet | The most popular way to exchange information between computers on a network. |
| Expansion Slot | A circuit board you can install in your computer to add a new feature. |
| External Drive | A device in its own box outside your computer case, such as an external modem, tape drive, or CD-Rom drive. |
| File | is the smallest unit in which processed information is stored, such as a text or sound file. |
| File Server | One central computer that stores the files for everyone connected to a network. |
| Firewall | Special software designed to protect a private computer system from unauthorized access. |
| Floppy Disks | are small magnetic disks that can be removed form the computer. |
| Gigabyte | approximately a billion bytes. |
| Graphical User Interface (GUI) | The use of graphical symbols instead of using commands to control common computer functions. |
| Groupware | A type of software that helps improve the productivity of people working on a related project. |
| Hard Disks | can hold thousands of programs and files. It is built into the computer and receives and transmits data by a drive |
| Hardware | refers to the physical parts of a computer system. |
| Input devices | send information and instructions to the computer. (Include:keybaords, mouse, scanners, light pens, etc. |
| Internet | is a worldwide computer that stores information for immediate use by a microprocessor. |
| ISA Bus | A name for the electronic path (or bus) between a computers CPU and its low speed devices. |
| Keyboard | is the main device used for entering information into a computer. |
| Light Pen | enables the computer user to write words or draw pictures directly into a computer. |
| Megabyte | approximately a million bytes. |
| Microphone | translates sound into electric current |
| Microprocessors | control the computer systems and process information. It also consists of millions of switches and wires. |
| Modem | is an electronic device that communicates with other computers over telephone lines. |
| Monitors | The display unit for your computer. |
| Mouse | is a palm sized device that the computer user moves about on a flat surface. |
| Motherboard | he main circuit board inside a computer. |
| Network | is a system of two or more computers connected by high speed communication lines. |
| Operating System | is the software that controls the operation of the entire computer system. |
| Output Devices | display the work done by the computer. These devices include monitors, printers, plotters, and speakers. |
| PCI Bus | An electronic path (or bus) between a computers microprocessor and its devices, such as a monitor or hardware. |
| Plotters | use pens to create drawings, diagrams, and graphs on paper or clear plastic. |
| Printers | produce output on paper. |
| Program | is a set of instructions to be carried out by a computer. |
| RAM chip | They only store the information that is currently needed by the microprocessor. (main or internal memory) |
| ROM chip | holds its memory even when the computer is turned off. |
| Scanner | is a peripheral unit that uses light and devices that sense light to digitize photographs and other illustrations. |
| Speakers | are used to process and play sound files. |
| Storage devices | store computer files. It include hard disks, floppy disks, CD-ROM's and tapes. |
| Tape Drives | are used to store data, but are much slower than disk drives. They are mainly used for back-up. |
| TCP/IP | A common language that computers on the Internet use to communicate. |
| Trackball | Is often used instead of a mouse on laptops. |
| VGA | A video display standard for color monitors. |
| Virtual Memory | A way of using part of the hard disk to simulate more memory (RAM) than actually exists. |
| Virus | A program that disrupts the normal operation of a computer. |
| World Wide Web | is a part of the Internet that includes text, graphics, video, animation, and sound. |
