| A | B |
|---|
| byte | The equivalent of 8 bits of information |
| ADSL | Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line |
| Analogue | Data that is transmitted as electromagnetic waves |
| Application Software | Software programs that allow a PC to perform specific tasks |
| AV | Anti-Virus - Software which deletes and destroys viruses |
| Back-up | Making copies of all important files |
| Browser | A piece of software enabling access to the Internet |
| CBT | Computer Based Training |
| Clock Speed | The number of cycles per second at which the processor runs |
| Computer Virus | A malicious piece of code which can cause damage to computerised systems |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit - the "engine" of a modern computer which carries out all information processing tasks |
| Database | A store of information usually consisting of fields in tables |
| Digital | Data stored/transmitted as a series of 1s and 0s |
| DPA | Data Protection Act (1984) - Legislation designed to prevent the misues of data |
| DTP | Desktop Publishing - the process of creating professional looking documents |
| DVD | Digital Versatile Disk - a high capacity storage medium used for digital media and information storage |
| Extranet | Part of an intranet that is accessible to external users |
| Formatting | Preparing a storage disk for use |
| Gigahertz | 1 billion hertz |
| Gigabyte | 1000 megabytes |
| Hard Disk Drive | A form of data storage capable of holding vast amounts of information |
| Hardware | Any physical part of a computer system |
| Hertz | One cycle per second |
| Input device | Any device that allows a user to enter data into a computer |
| Internet | A global network of linked computers |
| Intranet | An organisation's internal network |
| Integrated Services Digital Network | A system which allows the transmission of data between telephone exchanges without the need of a modem |
| ISP | Internet Service Provider |
| ICT | Information and Communication Technology |
| Keyboard | An input device used to enter information into a computer |
| Kilobyte | 1000 bytes |
| Local Area Network | A network which covers an area of less than 1 square kilometre |
| Laptop | A protable, battery operated PC |
| Mainframe | A very large computer system servicing an entire organisation |
| Megabyte | 1 million bytes |
| Megahertz | 1 million hertz |
| Modem | A device that converts information allowing it to pass from computer to computer via a telephone line |
| Monitor | A visual display device connected to a computer |
| Mouse | An input device used primarily for navigation around a comuter's desktop |
| Operating System | Software which allows all other software to run. eg Microsoft Windows, Unix |
| Output device | Any device that allows a user to bring stored data out of a computer |
| PC | Personal Computer |
| PDA | Persona Digital Assistant |
| Peripheral | A device attached to a computer eg. printer |
| Power on self test | A process which a computer carries out as it starts |
| Random Access Memory | Memory which can be written to and erased repeatedly, also known as volatile memory |
| Read Only Memory | Memory which cannot be written to |
| RSI | Repetative Strain Injury |
| Search Engine | A service which allows the searching of the web for information |
| Server | A single computer on a network from which other machines derive resources |
| Software | The programs that run on a computer |
| Speakers | Output devices which play sound |
| Terabyte | 1000 gigabytes |
| Touchscreen | A monitor which allows input from the user via touching the screen |
| Wide Area Network | A network which covers a very large area (over 1km square) |
| World Wide Web | The collection of information stored on the Internet |
| Zip disk | A form of larger capacity disk used in a zip drive |
