Technology Definitions

Technology Definitions:

Booting- starting up the computer using the on/off switch- Instructions from ROM tell the CPU how to start going
CD-ROM- (compact disk-read only memory)- CD’s, or compact discs, which the user can read from, but not write to, wipe off, or change. A CD can hold over 200 times more than a floppy disk.
Central Processing Unit or CPU- the “brains” of the computer- It’s a large chip or group of chips that control the operations of a computer (Fetch- Decode-Execute)
Click- pressing and releasing a mouse button (usually the left one)- double-click means to press the mouse button twice. Used to select items on the screen.
Computer- any machine where information, or data, is put in and stored (input); calculations are done on all kinds of information, such as numbers, words, pictures, and sounds (processing); the information is given out on the monitor or printed onto paper (output)
Cursor- a flashing pointer or symbol on the screen- 1) It shows you where the next character will appear. 2) You can select an instruction from the screen. 3) Tells you that the computer is ready for information. Depending on what you are using it for, the cursor can take on any of the forms below:
Database- a collection of information stored in files that can easily be found.
Delete- erase or remove
Desktop- area of the monitor where selections are made.
Digital Camera- Convert light into binary data- information stored in a code made up of zeros and ones. It can be plugged into a computer.
Diskette- or floppy disk- a device made of flexible plastic used for storing data
Download- to copy files or graphics from network or the Internet.
Drag- using your mouse, place the cursor over the item you want to move. Press down on the left mouse button and continue to hold it down as you move your mouse. After you have repositioned the item, you release the mouse button.
Format- to prepare a disk so that data can be written to it or read from it.
Hardware- the machinery part of a computer that you can touch- the solid parts- the CPU, monitor, and keyboard.
Icon- a small picture used to represent a program, group of programs, or an option.
Input- the information and instructions that are fed into the computer.
Input Hardware- devices that carry information into computers (ex. Keyboards, mouse, scanner, touch screened, joysticks, microphones, etc.)
Keyboard- the most common way to enter information into a computer- it can be used to type documents and to send instructions to the CPU.
LCD Panel- a device attached to an overhead projector and a computer- it is used to enlarge the display on the computer screen and project it onto a wall or a large screen.
Log On- gain access to a computer by typed commands
Memory- where data and instructions are stored
ROM- Read-Only Memory- a permanent memory- the instructions can only be read. You cannot change them and they will not be erased when you turn the computer off.
RAM- Random-Access Memory- a temporary memory- It stores information and Instructions while the computer is working on it. When you turn the computer off, all the information is lost.
Menu- a list of options
Microphone- A peripheral that is added to a computer, it allows the user to verbally communicate with the computer and record sound.
Modem- A device that converts the information from a computer so that it can be carried through a telephone line to another computer.
Monitor- A device that displays text (letters and numbers) and graphics (pictures) on a screen similar to a television screen.
Cathode Ray Tube Monitor- A monitor that resembles a television.
Mouse- an input device used to move a pointer on the screen- you can select an option by clicking the mouse button.
Network- Computers can be linked together so they can exchange information and share equipment. (Ex. Printers and tower in Library)
LAN- Local Area Network- Computers in a small area, such as Grove Hill Elementary School, are linked together.
WAN- Wide Area Network- Computers over a wide area are linked together, such as county wide or worldwide).
Output- the information produced by a computer- when it is displayed on the screen is called soft copy. When it is printed on paper it is called hard copy.
Output Hardware- devices that send information, such as printouts, graphics, and displays on monitor screens, to the user (ex. Monitor, printer, speaker, etc.)
Presentation Device- used when a group of people are going to be viewing the monitor’s display (ex. Large screen TV and LCD Panel)
Printer- an output device that prints out information onto paper, in the form of text or graphics.
Processing- Work that is done by the computer.
Save- to store information on a hard disk or a floppy disk (Storage devices)
Software- all of the information and instructions that can be run on a computer
Program- a set of instructions sent to a computer telling it how to do a particular task
Spreadsheet- a program that does calculations on information arranged in rows and columns-A single box in a spreadsheet is called a cell.
Speaker- a hardware device used to produce sound- the volume is controlled by a dial on the back of some computers. Others have volume controls on the speakers themselves.
Telecommunications- sending information (text, graphics, sound, or any other type of computerized data) from one computer to another on either a local network or a wide area network.
Upload-
Windows- a piece of software designed to help the user easily tell the computer what you want to do without having to type in a lot of commands.
Data- information
Graphics- diagrams, pictures, symbols, and graphs that are displayed on a screen or printed onto paper.
Text- letters and numbers
Peripheral devices- any hardware device linked to a computer (ex. mouse, keyboard, printer, speaker, scanner, digital camera, joystick, microphone, etc.)
Binary Code- the binary number system uses the two symbols 0 and 1. Computers use binary code to store and to work with letters, numbers, pictures, and sound. When information is fed into a computer, it has to be changed in to a binary code.
Bit or binary digit- a 0 or a 1
Byte- 8 bits- different patterns of 0's and 1's are stored in series of eight bits. For example, the letter B is converted to the byte 01000010.
Megabyte- 1,048,576 bytes
Gigabyte- 1024 megabits
Pixel- picture element- the smallest element that can be displayed on a video screen. The dots form images on a computer screen.
Insertion Point- a flashing vertical line that shows you where your text will be placed on the page when you begin typing.
I-Beam- the cursor takes the shape of an “I”. It is used to position the insertion point anywhere within a document.
Operating System- the instructions that tell a computer to “boot up” are built in to the computer when it is manufactured. They are permanently stored in ROM. The last part of the booting up process searches for the software that controls and organizes everything the computer does. This particular software is called the operating system. Most computers use MS-DOS.

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