| A | B |
|---|
| Hardware | The physical components of the computer system. |
| Software | The programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do. |
| CPU | The brain of the computer or central processing unit. |
| ROM | The permanent memory that is built in your computer. This is read only. |
| RAM | The computer's working memory, sometimes called random-accessed memory. |
| Megabyte | Approximately a million bytes. |
| Gigabyte | Approximately a billion bytes (or 1,000 megabytes). |
| Input Device | The hardware that is used to pass information into the computer. |
| Output Device | The hardware that receives and dislplays information coming from the computer. |
| Modem | The device that allows your computer to talk to other computers over a telephone line. |
| Monitor | A video or computer display device. |
| Laser Printer | A printer that uses both laser and photographic technology to produce high quality output. |
| Printer | The hardware that provides printed output from the computer. |
| Hard Copy | A printed copy of computer output. |
| Compact Disc | A disc on which a laser has digitally recorded information such as audio, video, or computer data. |
| Hard Disk | A fixed, large-capacity magnetic storage medium for computer data. |
| Floppy Disk | A portable magnetic storage medium for computer data that allows users to randomly access information. |
| Graphical User Interface | The use of graphical symbols instead of text commands to control common computer functions such as copying programs and disks. |
| Icon | A small picture or symbol respresenting a computer hardware function or component. |
| Ink-jet Printer | A type of printer that forms letters on the page by shooting tiny electrically charged droplets of ink. |
| Zip Disk | About the size of a floppy except thicker and holds more information |
| Multitasking | Ability to use more than one application at a time. |
| Icons | Pictures that represent features or programs |
| Click Alt+Tab | Allows you to move between programs |
| Right click | Displays a shortcut menu |
| Mouse Pointer | Arrow on the screen is the pointer for the mouse |
| Desktop | The windows screen, area that displays icons |
| Recycle Bin | Displays files and folders that were deleted |
| Taskbar | Displays the icon and title of all programs or folders currently active on screen |
| Dialog Box | Displayed in a program and allows the user to make further choices before a command executes |
| Title Bar | Located at the top of the window anddisplays the open application name |
| Minimize Button | Looks like a minus sign and is located at the top of an open window |
| Close Button | This is a small x located at the top of the open window. Clicking on the x will close the window |
| Menu Bar | List of menus related to the application |
| Double Sided Arrow | used to change the size of your window |
| Folder | Like file folders in a cabinet, can contain files and other folders |
| Networks | Computers are linked together to allow users to share information |
| Ctrl+Alt+Del | Reboots the computer, clears unsaved data from RAM |
| USB Connection | Used to connect peripherals to a computer, do not need to shut the computer down |
| Palm sized computers | Used as personal organizers, can upload and download to a computer |
