COMPUTER HARDWARE

Analog Computer:
Processes numerical data represented by some physical quantity (e.g. rotation or displacement) or electrical quantity (e.g. voltage or charge) which varies continuously.

Digital Computer:
Processes data limited to 0's and 1's only.

Central Processing Unit (CPU):
The component which controls the computer by processing instructions.

CPU Clock Speed:
Measure of digital hardware speed, including the CPU. Unit of measurement is MegaHertz  ((MHz) Millions of cycles per second).

Random-Access Memory (RAM):
Commonly composed of semi-conductors (chips) which store data for fast retrieval of instructions.

Peripheral:
Computer elements which interact with the CPU and working memory, such as disks, keyboards, monitors, mice, printers, scanners, tape drives, speakers, etc.

Input Devices
A peripheral which enters data into the computer, such as a keyboard, scanner or mouse.

Output Devices
A peripheral which displays or presents data from the computer, such as a monitor, printer or audio device.

Storage Devices
A mechanism which can hold data within a specific framework and through mechanical or electronic movement, retrieve the data. Examples: Floppy Disk, CD ROM.
 

NETWORKING

Network:
A system designed to enable communication, frequently used to refer to communication between computers.

Local Area Network (LAN):
A physically limited communication system - often constructed between rooms or buildings.

Routers:
Equipment which transfers packets of data between networks and is controlled by tables often comprised by protocols.

internet:
Any set of networks interconnected with routers.

Internet:
The largest internet.

Packet-Switching:
Communication design which uses portions or fragments of data which are transferred along a network through routers.

Server:
A computer within a network which provides a service to other computers within that network. A frequent example is a file server which provides storage with which users can access by reading and/or writing.

World-Wide Web: (WWW, W3, The Web)
Internet-based, distributed, graphically-enabled information system which was publicly introduced in 1991 and makes use of hypertext.
 

OPERATING SYSTEMS
Multi-role software which schedules tasks, moderates storage, coordinates peripherals and displays default user interface.

Interface:
The method which mediates control and display between a user and a single or set of applications.

Command Line Interface:
Normally an older application which mediates through text-only input and output. Usually more difficult for users, but generally more flexible.

Graphical User Interface (GUI):
Use of pictures (icons) to represent (and define)  words to control or present input and output. Primarily developed in 1970's at Xerox PARC.

window: [small 'w']
Graphical entities from which data is entered and displayed. Windows may often  be multiplied, tiled, and re-sized.

Windows:
Proprietary windowed operating system introduced by Microsoft in 1985.

Desktop:
A user interface. Often refers to multiple options which allow the user to direct storage, application execution and other functions thru easy commands.

Icons:
Pictorial representations of commands, normally activated through mouse input.

Mouse:
Input device which uses X,Y axis coordinates in a graphical environment, normally using a pointer or arrow icon.

Menu:
Set of options, often in graphical form such as drop-down or tool bar varieties.

Drag and Drop:
Ability to manipulate information location and/or properties by moving icons across graphical environment.

Scroll Bars:
Used to move or 'scroll' material within a given window.

Minimize / Maximize:
Control of a window, often  through iconic buttons to extend or hide within graphical environment.
 

FILE & STORAGE PROCEEDURES

Windows Explorer: Microsoft application which displays and manipulates the location of programs and data within storage.

Disk Drive Assignment: Alphabetical designation given to a particular storage device, such as CD-ROM, floppy drive, hard drive.

Network Drive: A storage device which can be accessed throughout the network.

Local Drive: A storage device which is located within a user's computer.

Folder: Also known as directories. Distinct storage areas  which can contain sub-folders and/or files of multiple types such as program or data files.

File Hierarchy: The ability to create and maintain sub-folders which are related to a parent folder.

Explorer Navigation: Ability to expand or collapse folders within their hierarchical structure.

File Path: In DOS, the actual breakdown of the file location. Example: C:\directory_name\subdirectory_name\file_name.txt

File Naming: Ability to name files - up to 255 characters each to files or folders

File Renaming: Ability to rename files.

File Copying / Deleting : Ability to multiply or erase file.

File Transfer: Ability to move files across drives, folders and subfolders.

Recycle Bin: Ability to recover deleted file.

View Menu: Ability to change the display of Windows Explorer to lists, icons, etc.

File Extension: Use of suffix preceeded by "." to associate a file with an application.

Common File Extentions:
.txt      text file
.exe    executable binary file
.gif     graphics interchange format
.jpeg  format for Joint Photographic Experts Group
.bmp  bitmap graphics format
.doc   document format - usually MS-Word association
.pdf   Adobe PDF format
.zip    compressed file
.html  hypertext markup language file
.htm   hypertext markup language file

Class Notes: Chapter Two
Internet Service Provider (I.S.P.)
Web Browser
Uniform Resource Locator:
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http)
Browser History
Refresh Button
Download
Save Option

Search Engines
File Transfer Protocol (ftp)
Bookmarks / Favorites

Newsgroups / Usenet
Plug-Ins