| A | B |
|---|
| bar code reader | A reading tool that uses light to read universal product codes, inventory codes, and other codes created out of patterns of variable-width bars. |
| CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors | Television-style monitors used as the output device for many desktop computers. |
| CD-R | Compact disk-recordable, an optical disk you can write information on, but you cannot remove the information. |
| CD-ROM | Compact disc-read-only memory, a type of optical disk that contains data that cannot be changed; CD-ROMs are commonly used to distribute commercial software programs. |
| CD-RW | Compact disk-rewritable, an optical disk that allows writing, erasing, and rewriting. |
| digital camera | A camera that captures images and stores them as bit patterns on disks or other digital storage media instead of using film. |
| digitize | Converting information into a digital form that can be stored in the computer's memory. |
| DVD-RAM | A type of optical disk with multigigabyte capacity that can be read, written, and erased. |
| ergonomics | The science of designing work environments that enable people and things to interact efficiently and safely. |
| facsimile (fax) machine | An output device capable of sending, in effect, a photocopy through a telephone line, allowing for fast and convenient transmission of information stored on paper. |
| fax modem | Hardware peripheral that enables a computer to send onscreen documents to a receiving fax machine by translating the document into signals that can be sent over phone wires and decoded by the receiving fax machine. |
| flash memory | A type of erasable memory chip used in cell phones, pagers, portable computers, and handheld computers, among other things. |
| graphics tablet | A pressure-sensitive touch tablet used as a pointing device. The user presses on the tablet with a stylus. |
| handwriting recognition software | Software that translates the user's handwritten forms into ASCII characters. |
| hard disk | A rigid |
| hot swap | To remove and replace peripheral devices without powering down the computer and peripherals. Some modern interface standards such as USB and FireWire allow hot-swapping. |
| impact printer | Printer that forms images by physically striking paper, ribbon, and print hammer together. |
| inkjet printer | A nonimpact printer that sprays ink directly onto paper to produce printed text and graphic images. |
| interface standards | Standards for ports and other connective technology agreed upon by the hardware industry so that devices made by one manufacturer can be attached to systems made by other companies. |
| keyboard | Input device, similar to a typewriter keyboard, for entering data and commands into the computer. |
| laser printer | A nonimpact printer that uses a laser beam to create patterns of electrical charges on a rotating drum. The charged patterns attract black toner and transfer it to paper as the drum rotates. |
| liquid crystal display (LCD) displays | Flat-panels displays, once primarily used for portable computers but now replacing bulkier CRT monitors for desktops. |
| magnetic disk | Storage medium with random-access capability, accessed by the computer's disk drive. |
| magnetic ink character reader | A device that reads numbers printed with magnetic ink on checks. |
| monitor | An output device that displays text and graphics onscreen. |
| mouse | A handheld input device that, when moved around on a desktop or table, moves a pointer around the computer screen. |
| optical character recognition (OCR) | Locating and identifying printed characters embedded in an image, allowing the text to be stored as an editable document. OCR can be performed by wand readers, pen scanners, and OCR software. |
| optical disk drive | A disk drive that uses laser beams to read and write bits of information on the surface of an optical disk. |
| optical mark reader | A reading device that uses reflected light to determine the location of pencil marks on standardized test answer sheets and similar forms. |
| plotter | An automated drawing tool that produces finely scaled drawings by moving pen and/or paper in response to computer commands. |
| point-of-sale (POS) terminal | A terminal with a wand reader, barcode scanner, or other device that captures information at the check-out counter of a store. |
| radio frequency identification (RFID) reader | A reading tool that uses radio waves to communicate with RFID tags. |
| radio frequency identification (RFID) tag | A device that, when energized by a nearby RFID reader, broadcasts information to the reader for input into a computer. |
| repetitive-stress injuries | Conditions that result from repeating the same movements over long periods, such as keyboarding-induced carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful affliction of the wrist and hand. |
| resolution | Density of pixels, measured by the number of dots per inch. |
| scanner | An input device that makes a digital representation of any printed image. |
| sound card | A circuit board that allows the PC to accept microphone input, play music and other sound through speakers or headphones, and process sound in a variety of ways. |
| touch screen | Pointing device that responds when the user points to or touches different screen regions. |
| touchpad (trackpad) | A small flat-panel pointing device that is sensitive to light pressure. The user moves the pointer by dragging a finger across the pad. |
| USB (universal serial bus) | A data path standard that theoretically allows up to 126 devices, such as keyboards, digital cameras, and scanners, to be chained together from a single port, allowing for data transmission that is much faster and more flexible than through traditional serial and parallel ports. |
