Computer Education and Services

ACCELERATOR CARD:  A special printed circuit board, usually plugged into one of the computer's expansion slots, that makes the computer work faster. For example, a graphics accelerator card speeds up the time it takes to display images on the computer screen.

ACTIVE WINDOW:  The last window you clicked-on.  The one that's currently highlighted is considered active.  Any keys pressed affects that window.

ACTIVE X:  ActiveX is a model for writing programs so that other programs and the operating system can call them.ActiveX technology is used with Microsoft Internet Explorer to make interactive Web pages that look and behave like computer programs, rather than static pages.With ActiveX, users can ask or answer questions, use push buttons, and interact in other ways with the Web page.ActiveX controls are often written using Visual Basic.

ADSL:  Asynchronous digital Subscriber line, in which data downloads much faster than it uploads over telephone lines.  Mainly for home use 

APPLET:   A small-scaled application that is included with Windows.  Examples are Write, Paint, WordPad, Clock, and Calculator.

APPLICATIONS:   Software programs that provide powerful tools for performing a variety of tasks in a specific area.  Examples include word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems.  Also referred to as programs.

ARCHIVE:  1.To transfer files off the computer into long-term storage. Archived files are often compressed to save space. 2.A file that has been archived. 3.A group of files which must be extracted and decompressed in order to use them; software to be installed sometimes comes in this format. 4.A file stored on a computer network, which can be retrieved by FTP or other means.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange):  A code in which each alphanumeric character is represented as a number from 0 to 127, translated into a 7-bit binary code for the computer.ASCII is used by most microcomputers and printers, and because of this, text-only files can be transferred easily between different kinds of computers.

ASSOCIATE:   To identify a document or data file with a particular application through the file's extension.  When you open a file in File Manager or Explorer whose extension has been associated with a particular application, that application will automatically start.

ATAPI (Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface):  An interface used to connect CD-ROMs, tape drives, and optical disks with the computer. 

AUTOEXEC.BAT:   The abbreviated form of "AUTOmatically EXECuted BATch" file.  In DOS, batch files list DOS commands to be performed sequentially whenever the file is run.  Such files save the operator from having to type frequently used commands over and over.  The Autoexec.bat file is a special batch file placed in the system's root directory that is automatically executed each time the computer boots or starts.

BANDWIDTH:  The speed at which a user is connected to the Internet.  The capacity a network or data connection has for carrying data.

BAUD RATE:  The speed at which data can be transmitted via the COM (serial) port of the PC.  Usually refers to the modem speed of a computer.

BETA VERSION:  A version of hardware or software that is still under development.  Beta software is often made available to internet users other than testers.  Users can download it for little or no cost.

BINARY FILE:  A file which is in machine-readable form, like and executable program.  A series of "1"s and "0"s.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System):  A special piece of firmware built into most computers.  BIOS routines control the startup process of the machines and other basic functions such as the keyboard, display, and disk drives.  BIOS is always stored in read-only memory (ROM), which isn't erased when power to the computer is shut off.

BIT:   The smallest unit of data a computer can deal with.  Eight bits make one byte which forms a character such as the letter "a".

BITMAP:   An art graphic that consists of little dots on the screen saved as bitmap files, which end with extension ".bmp".  The Paint program creates and edits BMP files.

BOOKMARKS:  Lists of web pages that saved by a user.  This allows that person to easily go back to a document or site.  These lists let users point and click names of locations instead of typing address or paging through screens of text.

BOOT:   Starting (or re-starting) a computer.  Since a computer must essentially start itself, it is said to "lift itself by its own bootstraps".  A Cold Boot refers to powering up the system or pressing a reset button, and pressing the CTRL, ALT, and DEL keys simultaneously performs a Warm Boot.

BORDER:   The edges of a window that can be changed to resize a window.

BROADBAND:  A network in which data moves at high speeds such as cable modems, ISDN, and DSL.

BROWSE:   Look through drives and directories for a file.

BROWSER:  An application that lets users download and view World Wide Web pages on their computers.  Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape are two examples of browsers.

BUFFER:   Temporary storage in memory for data or other information.  A disk cache and a print buffer are two examples.

BUTTON:   An on-screen symbol that represents an operation or command.  You click or push a button to execute its corresponding command.

BUS:   The electronic connection that links electronic devices of a computer (such as the central processing unit, expansion cards, and peripherals).  The computer's bus capacity is a major factor in determining its speed in handling crucial jobs such as displaying graphics.

BUTTON BAR:  A row of graphical rectangles, which suggest push buttons.  Each push-button represents a command that can be executed directly by clicking the appropriate button.  Can also be called tool bars, tool palettes or other names.

BYTE:   The common unit of measurement, equivalent to one character of data.

CABLE:  A flexible wire or bundle of wires, usually metal (glass or silica in fiber-optic cable), insulated with plastic or rubber, and having connectors on the ends. Some kinds of cable, especially coaxial cable and fiber-optics cable, are used in electronics and computer networking.

CABLE MODEM:  An external device that hooks up to your computer, and instead of getting a connection through your telephone wire, you get a connection through your cable network (same place your cable TV connection comes from).

CASCADE:   A way arranging open windows on the desktop so that they overlap but still show each window's title bar.

CHECK BOXES:  Small square boxes that appear in dialog boxes.  "X" marks which options are on or active.

CLICK:   To push and release the button of a mouse.

CLIP ART:  Ready-made graphics or symbols that can be used in documents or presentations.

CLIPBOARD:   A part of Windows that keeps track of information that has been cut or copied from a program or file.  It stores that information so that you can paste it into other programs.

CLOSE:   To remove an application or document window from the desktop.

CMOS-RAM (Complimentary Metal oxide Semiconductor Random-access Memory:  This refers to a chip design that saves the computer's startup information.  It requires only minimal power (usually from a small battery) and remains intact when the computer's main power is off. 

COMMAND:   An instruction that controls the activity of a computer system normally entered by the user through the keyboard or mouse.

COMMAND PROMPT:  The symbol that looks like "C:\" or "A:\" or something similar where commands are typed in DOS.

COMPRESSED FILE:  A file that has had its data compressed, so it takes up less space in storage.  While data compression can happen in many ways, a compression program generally looks for redundancies in a file and then merges the identical pieces of data into one representative item.

COMPUTER SECURITY:  The protection of computers and the information contained in them from unauthorized access.   Data protection involves backing up all data and keeping the copies in a safe place.  Passwords are a common computer security measure.

CONFIG.SYS:   A configuration file that is read each time the computer starts.  This is where devices are loaded and other system resources are customized.

CONTROL MENU:  In application windows, allows Restore, Move, Size, Minimize/Maximize, Close and Switch To other applications.  Document windows usually have a subset of these commands.  Also called System Menu.

CONTROL PANEL:  A utility program that permits system-wide adjustments to settings for: Colors, fonts, ports, mouse, desktop, network, printers, international settings, keyboard, date/time, sound, and 386 Enhanced Mode operation.

CONVENTIONAL MEMORY:  The first 1,024K (kilobytes) of memory installed in a PC.  DOS cannot address memory beyond conventional memory, but Windows can.

COOKIE:  Information from a Web site sent to a browser and stored on a user's hard drive so the Web site can retrieve it later; used to identify visitors; can contain the user's login name, password, and preferences.

COPY:   A frequently used operation to duplicate text, data, or a file without disturbing the original.

CPU:   The "brains" of a computer, the microprocessor.  Channels and controls the computer's functions and issues instructions.  The higher the number, (e.g., 66 MHz to 200MHz) the faster the computer or it's clock speed.

CURSOR:   The little blinking line that shows where the next letter will appear when you start typing.  The insertion point.

CUT:   An editing operation that removes selected text or other data from the typing screen and places into the clipboard.

DATA:   In general, any information being processed by the computer system.

DATABASE:   An organized collection of information such as an address book.

DATA COMPRESSION:  A method of condensing information so it can be stored in less space or transmitted in less time.   Large graphics and sound files are usually compressed so they can be downloaded faster.

DEFAULT:   A value assigned or an action taken automatically by a software program unless another is specified.  Can be thought of as a "factory setting".

DEFRAGMENTATION:   The act of reorganizing a hard drive or diskette, so individual applications or files aren't fragmented, or scattered.  Defragmentation usually involves rewriting programs into contiguous (connected) clusters of information.  This speeds up loading and retrieval time of a file because the read/write head of a drive doesn't have to search for scattered bits of information.

DELETE:   To erase or to remove data form a document or file.

DESKTOP:   The surface of the screen that contains icons that are shortcuts to applications or programs.  The main Windows 9x window, the background of which can have any different "wallpapers".

DESTINATION DIRECTORY:  The directory to which you intend moving or copying files.

DEVICE:   A component of the computer's hardware system, like a mouse, printer, disk drive or modem, among others.

DEVICE DRIVER:  A software program that controls communications between the computer and a device attached to it.

DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM:  A program that compiles technical information about computer hardware and peripherals and then produces a report that can be used to diagnose technical problems.

DIALOG BOX:  A rectangular box that requests information or provides command options.

DIRECTORY:   A separate folder on a hard disk for storing files.  Windows 95/98 no longer uses the word directory and prefers the word folder instead, however, both are interchangeable.

DIRECTORY PATH:  The route from one area on a disk to another through the levels of directories and subdirectories.

DISKETTE:   A single, flexible disk that is a portable but relatively limited form of data storage.  Diskettes are often called floppies.  The most common sizes of diskettes are 3 1/2" and 5 1/4".  Each size is also available in high-density.

DISK CACHE:  Memory buffer set aside for temporarily storing data read from or to be written to a disk.  Its purpose is to make the computer run faster.

DISPLAY:   The video display device, often called the "monitor", "console", or the "screen".

DOCUMENT:   A general term for files created with a word processor.

DOWNLOAD:  To transfer files from one computer to another.  To download means to receive.  You can download files, programs, pictures, web pages from the Internet or from another computer.  To Upload means to transmit the same.

DOS:   Short for Disk Operating System, it's an older operating system for running programs.

DOTS PER INCH (dpi):  A measure of printer resolution that indicates how many dots the printer can place in one square inch.  The larger the dpi, the sharper the printed image.

DOUBLE-CLICK:   To push and release the button of a mouse rapidly twice.

DOWNLOAD:  To retrieve an application or file from another computer through a network connection or modem.   Download is synonymous with "receive", while upload is synonymous with "transmit".

DRAG:   A 4-step mouse operation that moves an object across your desktop or within a program.  1.) Point at the object--an icon, a highlighted paragraph, or something similar.  2.) Press and hold down the left mouse button.  3.) Point at the location to which you'd like to move that object  4.) Release the mouse button.

DROP:   Step 4 of the drag technique described above--merely letting go of the mouse button and letting your object fall onto something else or another location.

DROP-DOWN MENU:  List of command options that drops down from a menu bar.   Located beneath Menu Bar key words such as File, Edit, View, Insert.

DSL:  Digital subscriber line.  A technology which enables high-speed transmission of digital data over regular copper telephone lines.

DVD (Digital Video Disc):  A new generation of CD-ROMs that provide faster access speeds and holds significantly more information with even the smallest one squeezing 4.2GB onto each size.

EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture):  A PC bus that extends the ISA bus from 16 bits to 32 bits, but can still be used to plug in ISA expansion cards.

E-WALLET:  A software application that stores a user's personal, credit card, and shipping information, eliminating filling out fields.   Also stores a user's password and login for commerce sites.

EMAIL:  (Electronic Mail) A way to send messages over the Internet.  One must have an Internet Service Provider (ISP) subscription in order to send mail.  The most common way to communicate over the Internet.

EMBED:   Insert data created in one document into another, and allow the embedded object to edit just by double-clicking on it.

EMS MEMORY:  Also called expanded memory, EMS requires a special adapter board and software drivers.  The specification for EMS is called LIM because it was developed by Lotus, Intel, and Microsoft, primary to allow larger spreadsheets and other documents in applications that support it.  It allows outside DOS to address memory outside conventional memory.  Windows is shipped with a program, EMM386.EXE, which can emulate EMS memory on 386 486 computers with extended memory.

ENHANCE:  In word processing, to make specific text enhancements include underlining and boldface.

ENHANCED (386) MODE:   Special Windows operation that allows access to virtual memory and multitasking on 386 and above systems.  Runs non-Windows applications in windows, and more Windows applications at a time than Standard mode.

ENTER KEY:  Key pressed to begin the execution of a command.  Also called the "Return Key".

EXECUTABLE FILE:  Files that start programs.  You can start an executable in File Manager or Explorer by double-clicking its name.  The following extensions are reserved for executable files; .EXE, .COM, .BAT.

EXTENSIONS:  The portion of a filename, following the final point, which indicates the kind of data stored in the file.

EXTENDED MEMORY:  Memory in addition to conventional memory.  DOS cannot address extended memory, but Windows can.

FILE:  A collection of information in a format designed for computer use.

FILENAME:  A one to eight alphanumeric designation assigned to a file.  In Windows 9x, a filename can be up to 255 alphanumeric characters long.

FILENAME EXTENSION:  An optional one-to-three suffix to a DOS filename.

FIREWALL:  Software or hardware that limits certain kinds of computer access from a network or other outside sources; used to thwart hackers from infiltrating computer systems.

FOLDER:  An area for storing files to keep them organized (formerly called a directory).  Folders can contain other folders for further organization.  (See Subdirectory.)

FOOTER:  Repeated text that appears at the bottom or "foot" of each printed page.

FORMAT:  To prepare a disk to have files written on it.  The disk needs to have "electronic shelves" tacked onto it so that Win 95 can store information on it.  Formatting a disk wipes it clean of all information.

FONTS:  Different types or sets of letters, numbers, and other characters.

FREEWARE:  Software available at no cost to the user.  Often freeware is distributed through the Internet or dial-up modem connections.

FUNCTION KEYS:  Programmable keys whose purposes depend on the software program being used.  Usually labeled F1 through F10 (or F12).

GIGABYTE:  A thousand, million (or a billion in U.S.) bytes.  Abbreviated "G" or "GB".

GRAPHICS:  In MS Word, graphics are objects that can be inserted into a document to add a visual element to your work.  They include figures, text boxes, equations, table boxes, and lines.

GRIDLINES:  The lines between columns and rows on a table.

HANDLE:  Small squares appearing on a selected graphic object.  It can be dragged to change the size of the object and its contents.

HARD DRIVE:  An internal or external data storage device.  Typical capacities range from 40 megabytes to multiple gigabytes.

HARDWARE:  A general term referring to all of the physical and electrical components of the computer system.

HEADER:  Repeated text that appears at the top or "head" of each printed page.  Also the information at the top of an E-mail message that contains information about the sender and the route of the message.

HIGHLIGHTED:  A selected item that has been singled out for further action.

HOST:  A computer that shares information with other computers, or the act of sharing information with or providing services for other computers.

HOT SWAP:  To replace a computer component without turning the computer off.   (See USB)

HYPERLINK:  An icon, graphic, or word in a file or on a page that, when clicked with a mouse, automatically opens another file or page for viewing.  They can also take the user from one part of a page to another.

ICON:  The little picture that represents an object--a program, file, or command--making it easier to figure out that object's function.

INPUT:  Any data or information that goes into the computer.  Compare with Output.

INSERTION POINT:  The place text will appear when you type in a document window or dialog box.  Usually displayed as a blinking vertical bar or line.

INTERFACE:  A communication link in a computer between hardware and software components.  A user interface is the way a user communicates with a computer.  As a verb, to interface is to communicate.

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP):  An organization that lets users pay a fee to dial into its computers and connect to the Internet.  ISPs generally provide an Internet connection, an E-mail address, and perhaps Web browsing software.

INTERNET:  Also known as "the net", "the information superhighway", and "cyberspace".   A worldwide network of networks that all use the TCP/IP communications protocol and share a common address space.  It commonly supports services such as email, the World Wide Web, file transfer, and Internet Relay Chat. The Internet is experiencing tremendous growth in the number of users, hosts, and domain names.

INTRANET:  An internal network in a single office or throughout a company with several offices.  Intranets allow users to share files, storage space, printers and are run by a server(s).

INSERT MODE:  In insert mode, characters typed at the insertion point will push existing text to the right as the new characters are typed.  See Overwrite.

ISA (Industry Standard Architecture):  A PC expansion bus used for modems, video displays, speakers, and other peripherals. PCs with ISA commonly have some 8-bit and some 16-bit expansion slots.

JAVA:  A programming language designed to write programs that can be safely downloaded from the Internet to computers and immediately run without fear of viruses.  Using small Java programs called applets, World Wide Web pages can include functions such as animation, calculators, and other small applications.  Java, created by Sun Microsystems, can run on any computer with an installed Java interpreter.  Web browsing applications such as Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer include Java interpreters and can run Java applications.

JUSTIFICATION:  In word processing, arranging and spacing words and letters such that margins are smooth.   Left justification (that is, along the left margin) is common, right justification, less so.

JUMPER:  A group of small metal pins with plastic blocks covering some of the pins.  Changing the position of the blocks (which contain tiny electrical connectors) changes the settings of the corresponding hardware device.  Jumpers are found on CD-ROM cards, sound cards, graphic cards, and modem cards.

KILOBYTE:  Roughly one thousand bytes (actually 1,024).  Abbreviated "K" or "KB".

LOCAL-ARE-NETWORK (LAN):  A group of computers, usually in one building or office, physically connected in a manner that lets them communicate and interact with each other.  The network uses a server, which is a computer that holds data used by the different computers on the network.

LOAD:  To place or copy a program into memory in preparation for running it.