| A | B |
|---|
| knowledge workers | people who work with information: clerks, supervisors, and managers |
| data | the original facts and figures that businesses generate |
| information | data that has been processed in some meaningful way that is useful to decision makers |
| computer | a machine that processes and stores data according to instructions stored in it |
| hardware | the machine parts and anything attached to a computer |
| software | instructions that tell the computer what to do |
| personal digital assistant (PDA) | computer-like device that can be carried in a pocket and used, among other things, to send and receive messages wirelessly |
| operating system software | a master control program that manages the computer's internal functions and file systems |
| application software | refers to programs that perform specific tasks |
| Moore's Law | the amount of data that could be processed by a computer chip would double about every 18 months |
| Internet | sometimes called Net, a worldwide network of links and computers that allows users to transfer data and information from one computer to another anywhere in the world |
| World Wide Web | WWW, or web, made the internet accessible to the average person |
| hyperlink | a web page address embedded in a word, phrase, or graphic that, when clicked, transports users to that address |
| modem | an electronic device inside or outside the computer that enables it to send data over phone lines or cable |
| Internet Service Provider (ISP) | a service that provides access to the Internet through its large computers |
| browser | a program that permits you to navigate and view Web pages |
| search engine | a program that assists in locating information on the net |
| chief information officer (CIO) | the top computer executive in most major companies |
| telecommunications | the movement of information from one location to another electronically |
| local area network (LAN) | a network of linked computers that serves users in a single building or building complex |
| file server | a computer that stores data and application software for all PC workstations |
| wide area network, (WAN) | a network of linked computers that covers a wide geographic area, such as a state or country |
| intranet | a private company network that allows employees to share resources no matter where they are located |
| extranet | a private network that companies use to share certain information with selected people outside the organisation |
| firewall | special software that screens people who enter and/or exit a network by requesting specific information such as passwords |
| database | a collection of data organised in a way that makes the data easy to find, update, and manage |
| information system | a computer system that processes data into meaningful information |
| management information system (MIS) | integrates data from various departments to make it available to help managers with day-to-day business operations |
| decision support system (DSS) | helps managers consider alternatives in making specific descisions |
| executive information system (EIS) | combines and summarises ongoing transactions within the company to provide top-level executives with information needed to make decisions affecting the present and future goals and direction of an organisation |
| carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) | occurs when the tunnel in a person's wrist becomes too narrow for the nerves and tendons that support the hands, occurs from repetitive motion, like keyboards or video games |
| ergonomics | science of adapting equipment to the work and health needs of people |
