User:Scoobles29/sandbox

Computer Lingo

Bit: The smallest unit of measurement for electronic data, a bit is a one on of off signal. Eight bits make one byte.

Application: A piece of software that does a particular task such as work processing, data-base management, or a game. Examples of application programs and Microsoft Word & Adobe Photoshop, also known as software or programs.

Bug: An error in a computer program or system. It got its name when a moth was found on a tube in one of the first computers.

Byte: Eight Bits. A byte is enough information to convey a single alphabetic character in a file. The number of bytes determines how much information your computer can store and retrieve.

Cache: A portion of the memory set aside for temporary storage. It can house directions to files that are frequently accessed and otherwise would have to be retrieved from the RAM. It aids in computer efficiency since it is generally higher speed than RAM.

CD-RW (Compact Disk-Rewritable): A disk and drive that is similar to a CD-ROM, except files can be saved to it.

Click: To press and release a mouse button once, usually the left one, to select something on the screen.

CPU (Central Processing Unit): The part of the computer that controls all the other parts. This chip on a computer’s system board does the main processing and controls the speed of the computer. See Processor. Occasionally, CPU can refer to the box the houses the brain of the computer. See System Unit.

Data: Numbers, characters, images, or other method of recording information in a form which can be easily assessed by a human or inputted into a computer, stored and processed there, or transmitted.

Desktop: Initial screen displayed by the computer after it has been turned on and logged in. On the desktop, icons for the software available on the computer are usually shown.

Digital Camera: A camera that takes pictures and stores them as computer files, rather than recording them on film. Digital photos are usually saved onto a memory stick inserted into the camera, which can be taken out and the pictures can then be transferred to other compatible computer equipment for printing or editing.

Disk: A physical object used for storing data. It will not forget saved data if power is lost. Generally, it is possible to write new information to a disk in addition to reading data from it. It is always used in conjunction with a disk drive. See also Drive, Floppy Disk, CD, DVD, and Memory Stick. Drive: A device used in conjunction with a disk for storing and retrieving data. Some drives (such as disk drives, zip drives, and tape drives) are typically capable of having new data written to them, but others (like CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs) can only retrieve information.

DVD (Digital Versatile Disc): An optical storage medium that can hold up to 133 minutes of a full length film, including video and audio components. DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc – Recordable): A disk and drive that can save video files as well as retrieve them. DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc – Read Only Memory): A disk and drive that can only play DVDs. New video material cannot be saved.

Error Message: A message displayed by a piece of software to inform you that something has gone wrong. Error messages often indicate the nature of mistake or problem.

Expansion Slot: A place set aside on your computer’s motherboard where you can “expand” your computer functions; this is done by installing expansion boards, which are inserted into expansion slots. For example, if you wanted to add better sound to your computer, you would buy a sound card (a type of expansion board) and place it in an expansion slot. File: A collection of data with a name attached, created with a program, and saved on a hard drive, floppy disk, CD-RW, or Flash Drive.

Flash Drive: A small device, about the size of a lipstick, which can be connected to a computer’s USB port. It is a very large form of portable memory, often holding as much information as a hard drive. It is sometimes also called a micro drive.