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Becoming A Master Student, Concise, Tenth Edition
Dave Ellis
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| | Learning The Language
Of Computers | | | | | | | |
Learning the language of computers
Computers now play a role in almost every job, from auto mechanics to corporate accounting. Computer technology is also driving many of the new careers that are being added to our job pool.
Learning the following terms is one way to promote your success in school and in the next career you choose.
For an updated list of computer terms, visit the Hot Wired glossary or got to http://netlingo.com/
application A computer program designed to accomplish a specific task-for example, word processing.
Archie A database listing the names of files located on the Internet at certain public archive sites.
baud rate The speed with which a modem can send or receive data, expressed in bits per second (bps). The higher the baud rate, the faster the modem.
BBS Short for bulletin board system, a computer system with modems that allows users to post and read messages.
bookmarks A file that you can create with a browser program to store the addresses of your favorite pages on the World Wide Web.
boot To start up a computer.
browsers Programs that search and present pages on the World Wide Web and other Internet material. Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer are two popular browsers.
byte In computer processing, the equivalent of one letter, punctuation mark, or space.
CD-ROM Short for compact disc-read-only memory. 1. A device that stores large amounts of computer data (about 600 megabytes). 2. A device that reads such devices.
central processing unit (CPU) The computer hardware and software that decodes and carries out instructions.
chat room An online service that allows people to carry on a real-time conversation by typing messages to each other at their computers.
cookie A small computer file that records your activity on a web site. This file is planted on your hard disk when you visit the site. You can set your browser to accept or reject cookies.
cursor A line, bar, or dot that appears on a computer screen. It indicates where the next character to be typed will appear.
cyberspace The software, hardware, and community of people who use the Internet.
database A computer file including records that can be searched, sorted, and resorted in a number of ways.
desktop publishing Using computer hardware and software to produce books, brochures, newsletters, and other printed materials.
dial-up Access to the Internet that takes place through a modem connected to a phone line.
directory A list of web sites, usually grouped in hierarchical categories.
disk A device for storing computer data. Disks can be pieces of flexible plastic (floppy disks) or inflexible metal (hard disks).
disk operating system (DOS) 1. Any operating system that is loaded from disks when a computer is started. 2. An operating system used by IBM and IBM-compatible computers. See also operating system.
domain The part of an Internet address that indicates a type of institution. For example, .edu denotes an educational institution, .com refers to a private company, and .gov denotes a government agency.
download To copy a file from another computer to your computer.
e-mail A system for sending and receiving messages over a computer network.
emoticon In e-mail, a combination of letters and symbols that indicates how the sender is feeling. For example, :-) (turn this page horizontally and you will see a "smiling face" just before this sentence).
FAQ Stands for Frequently Asked Questions, files that contain answers to common questions about a site on the Internet.
file A document, program, or other set of data used by a computer.
firewall Software that prevents unauthorized access to a computer network.
flame 1. An e-mail message that insults the receiver. 2. The act of sending such a message.
forum A chat room that centers on a particular topic.
ftf Short for face-to-face, a term used by Internet enthusiasts to describe live interaction between people-away from the computer.
FTP 1. Stands for File Transfer Protocol, a set of standards that allows computers to transfer files. 2. A method for transferring files. 3. A site on the Internet that allows you to download files.
gigabyte Approximately one billion bytes of computer information.
gopher Software that allows you to search the Internet by using menus. See also menu.
hacker 1. A person who is almost obsessed with computer hardware and software. 2. Someone who invades computer files to tamper with data.
hardware Physical computer equipment, such as disk drives, screens, and keyboards.
home page The first screen available at a site on the World Wide Web.
host The main computer in a system of linked computers.
HTML Stands for Hypertext Markup Language, a computer language used to create documents on the World Wide Web.
hyperlink A word or phrase that you can use to connect to another site on the World Wide Web. Hyperlinks are usually highlighted or underlined.
icon A small visual image displayed on a computer screen, usually marking some software feature that a user can control.
Internet A worldwide network of computer networks.
IP Short for Internet protocol, a set of standards that govern electronic communication on the Internet.
ISP Short for Internet service provider, a private company that offers dial-up access to the World Wide Web, usually for a monthly or hourly fee.
JPEG Short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, a method for storing and sending photographs and other images over the World Wide Web.
keyword(s) A term or phrase used by directories and search engines to retrieve World Wide Web pages and other material on the Internet.
link See hyperlink.
log on To type a series of characters that "identifies" you to a computer.
megabyte Approximately 1 million bytes (exactly 1,048,576 bytes), abbreviated as MB.
menu A list of files or options, along with a way for you to select an item on the list.
modem A hardware device that allows computers to send or receive data over phone lines.
multimedia Software that displays text, graphics, sound, and video.
Net Short for Internet.
netiquette An informal set of rules (etiquette) for communicating with people through e-mail, chat rooms, and other aspects of the Internet.
network A group of computers connected by modem or cables.
newsgroup A part of Usenet containing messages on a particular topic.
online Able to communicate with another computer.
operating system Software that controls basic hardware functions-for example,
communications between a central processing unit and a printer.
path The series of links or menu options you follow to arrive at a site on the Internet.
peripheral Devices that are connected to and controlled by a computer. Examples are disk drives, printers, and modems.
port The part of a central processing unit that can receive and send data to peripherals.
post To submit an article to a newsgroup.
RAM Stands for random access memory, a collection of data that computer users can manipulate by using software.
ROM Stands for read-only memory, a collection of data that is stored permanently; computer users cannot manipulate this data.
search engine A program that searches for web pages and other Internet sites according to specified criteria, usually keywords.
shareware Software that you can download from the Internet. The person who develops the software requests payment on the honor system.
site The location of a file on the Internet.
snail mail Mail delivered by the post office, in contrast to e-mail.
software Coded instructions that "tell" computer hardware what operations to perform. Also called programs or applications.
spam To send junk e-mail.
spreadsheet Software designed to complete financial tasks, such as accounting or forecasting expenses and income.
subscribe To add your name and e-mail address to a list maintained on the Internet.
TCP/IP Short for transmission control protocol/Internet protocol, a set of standards for sending and receiving data on the Internet.
telecommute To work at a remote site (usually a private home)
and communicate by modem with a central computer and those connected to it.
teleconference A meeting between people who link to each other via their telephones or computers, even though they are separated geographically.
telnet A protocol that allows you to log on to a remote computer on the Internet.
upload To copy a file from your computer to another computer.
URL Stands for Uniform (or Universal) Resource Locator, a series of letters and numbers giving a document's location on the World Wide Web.
Usenet A worldwide network that allows users to exchange public messages on computer bulletin boards.
username A set of letters, numbers, or both that denote your name in an e-mail address.
Veronica Software that helps users find gopher menus. See also gopher.
virus A program that destroys data or software by reproducing copies of itself or by producing meaningless text. Viruses can be transmitted by computer networks or by computer disks that are "infected" with such a program.
WAIS Short for Wide Area Information Service, a method for searching databases by using keywords.
Web Short for World Wide Web.
window A self-contained unit of text, images, or both that appears on a computer screen.
word processing Software that allows you to create and edit text.
World Wide Web A network of computer files that are connected by hyperlinks.
Zipped A computer file stored in compressed form for faster transmission over the Internet.
For an updated list of computer terms, visit the Hot Wired glossary or got to http://netlingo.com/
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