Computer Literacy
Terms
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- Pixel
- 1 dot in an image on a computer monitor.
- ISP
- Internet service provider, Company who you pay for access to the Internet and web page space.
- Byte
- character in computer language, represented by eight bits. Example, 10011101
- Semiconductor
- The material that transistors in microprocessors are made from. Form of silicon.
- Dialogue box
- A window which opens over a document and demands information or input.
- First Amendment
- The right to express your opinion.
- CPU
- Central Processing Unit, the micro processor or Pentium chip
- Decode
- When a microprocessor determines what to do with an individual instruction.
- Abacus
- Adding tool with beads to keep spaces. Still used today.
- Network
- Wiring and computers (also a server see below) that are linked together and share resources.
- Copyright
- Ownership of information and names. Includes writing, pictures, etc.
- Memory
- Any method of storing information, RAM, ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM etc..
- Execute
- Microprocessor function which causes processor to perform calculation on data.
- Path
- Trail through directories to a particular document or location on a hard drive or disk.
- What does the CPU actually process?
- Math: addition, subtracting, division, and multiplication
- Desktop
- The base or home screen on Windows. Icons and programs appear on top of it.
- Hardware
- Physical parts of computer including disk that software may reside on.
- Fetch
- Microprocessor function which gets the next instruction and give to decode.
- Transistor
- An electronic device with no moving parts that acts as a switch indicated a zero more 1 in binary.
- RSI
- Repetitive strain injury, damage from repeatedly stressing or injuring a body part.
- Internet
- Network of networks creating global link of many computer networks.
- IP#
- is Internet Protocol. A 32 bit # or 4 bytes (one for each of the #s) and example would be 255.255.255.255 Every computer on the internet has its own IP #.
- Execute
- Microprocessor function which causes processor to perform calculation on data.
- Bit
- a zero or a one in binary language.
- Analog
- continuous and inaccurate. Digital is exact and accurate.
- Virus
- A small program that damages data or computers.
- Hard Drive
- Permanently installed storage drive in PC, programs and data reside on it. (Re-writable).
- Megabyte
- 1024 kilobytes. A measurement of storage volume.
- Input
- Any method for inserting information into a computer i.e. scanner, microphone, keyboard etc..
- URL
- Universal resource located, the address to a web page . The districts web page URL is as follows: http://www.capital.net/~qmstech/home/index.htm
- Power Supply
- 110 Volt AC (wall outlet) to DC power the computer can use
- Output
- Any method for displaying processed information to the user. Example: printer, monitor, etc.
- Ribbon Cable
- A gray flat cable that connects devices to the motherboard.
- Packet
- A packet is a piece of data that could be music, pictures, web pages, or email.
- Interface card
- component that plugs into an expansion slot and increases the capabilities of the computer.
- Microprocessor
- Wafer of semiconductor material with millions of transistors on it.
- ENIAC
- early digital computer that used vacuum tubes for switches.
- Server
- The central computer that controls some major function in a network, and stores all data.
- Expansion Slots
- Used to add new functions to a PC. I.e. scanner or modem.
- ROM
- Read only memory, where programs and data are permanently stored
- RAM
- Random access memory, where programs and data are temporarily stored.
- WAN
- Wide Area Network. When your network is connected to other networks. Routers - connects LANs using IP #s.
- Fab
- a clean lab where microprocessors are made
- CD-ROM
- Compact Disk Read Only Memory. Information stored digitally on an aluminum disk with pits in it.
- Extension
- Extension of three digits after file name. Example . .txt
- Binary
- Means 2, information represented as combinations of zero or one.
- Scanner
- Digitizing images for input into a computer.
- Ethics
- What is bad, good, or your moral Duty. Judgment of appropriate activities.
- Icon
- Picture that represents a function or program. Windows 95 calls it a shortcut.
- Ergonomics
- Human Factors Engineering, designing technology to meet the needs of the human body.
- Mother Board
- Main Circuit Board that all other computer components connect to.
- LAN
- Local Area Network. When computers are connected to each other and/or a server.