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| computer | an electronic device that accepts information and instructions from a user, manipulates the information according to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later |
| Computer system | includes computer hardware and software (input - processing - output) |
| cps (characters per second ) | measures the speed of dot matrix printers |
| CPU (central processing unit) | consists of transistors and electronic circuits |
| CRT (cathode ray tube) | uses gun-like services that direct beams of electrons towards the screen to activate dots of color to form the image you see on the screen |
| Data | information that describes people events things and ideas |
| Desktop computers | are computer workstation designed to sit compactly on a desk and run on power from an electrical wall outlet |
| Dot matrix printers | transfer ink to the paper by striking a ribbon with pins |
| dp (dot pitch) | the distance between pixels |
| Ergonomic | a keyboard that is designed to fit the natural placement of your hands and should reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries. Actually any equipment that is designed or placed to reduce workplace injuries |
| Flat Panel Monitor | Monitor that is light weight and easy to read |
| Gigahertz (GHz) | processort which runs at billions of cycles per second |
| Handheld computers | a small computer designed to fit in the palm of your hand and usually have more limited capabilities than PCs |
| Hardware | refers to the physical components of a computer system. The design and construction of this varies with the variety of computer |
| Inkjet printer | these printers actually spray the ink on the paper |
| Input | the data you put into the computer |
| Input devices | these devices are used to input data and issue commands. They can also receive input from a storage device |
| Keyboard | the most frequently used input device for letters, numbers, symbols, punctuation marks, commands |
| Laptop computers | small, lightweight computer, designed for portabiilty. Also is referred to as a notebook computer, and can run on power supplied by an electrical outlet or battery power. It is typically more expensive than a desktop computer. (J.C.) |
| Laser printers | A style of printer where a laser image is transferred onto paper with a powdery substance called toner |
| LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) | creates the image you can see on the screen by manipulating light within a layer of liquid crystal |
| Mainframe computers | typically used by larger businesses and government agencies to centrally store, process, and manage large amounts of data. This is a faster larger type of computer, and the price can vary from several hundred thousand to several million dollars. |
| Megahertz (MHz) | Measures in millions of cycle per seconds the clock speed |
| Monitor | a device that displays the output from a computer |
| Motherboard | main electronic component of the computer and is located inside the computer. Runs everything else |
| Mouse | the most popular pointing device for a desktop computer |
| MP3 players | handheld computers that primarily store and play music, although some models can also play digital movies or television shows |
| Output | the result of the computer processing your input |
| Output devices | store or show you the results of processing data |
| PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) | hand held computer compact enough to fit in your pocket, and run on batteries |
| Peripheral devices | additional components used to accomplish the input and output functions (monitor, printer, etc.) |
| PC (Personal Computers) | they are small computers used by one person in a home or office |
| Pixels | divides the screen into a matrix of small dots |
| Pointer | A small arrow or other symbol on the display screen |
| ppm (pages per minute) | measurement of the print speed of laser printer |
| Printer | produces a paper copy of the text or graphics processed by the computer |
| Programs | lists of instructions, the computer needs to perform a specific task |
| Resolution | the number of pixels the monitor can display |
| Scanner | a device that transfers the content on a piece of paper |
| Screen size | the diagonal measurement in inches from one corner of the computer screen to the other corner |
| Scroll wheel | a wheel on the mouse you roll to scroll the page on the screen and might function as one of the buttons |
| Software | refers to the intangible components of a computer system |
| Supercomputers | the largest and fastest computers ever made |
| Tablet PCs | they have a screen on which the user can write with a stylus |
| Toner | an image is transferred by heat (laser) with a powdery substance |
| Touch pad | a touch-sensitive device that you drag your finger over to control the pointer |
| Trackball | similar to a mouse except that the rolling ball is on the top side and you control the movement of the pointer by moving only the ball |
