IMPORTANT COMPUTER TERMINOLOGIES

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Active Cell
Alignment
Animated Clip Art
Anti-Virus
Application or Software
Computer Program
Arrow Keys
Ascending Order
Attachments
Backup system
Baud Rate
Bold
Bomb
Browser
Button Bar or Toolbar
Buttons
Byte
Cell
Cell range

Central Processing Unit CPU

A set of rules and guidelines that are set up to regulate Internet use and to protect
the user
In a spreadsheet, the cell you are working in. The cell is identified by a thick dark
border.
The way in which text lines up across a page. The text can be right-aligned, centered,
left-aligned, or fully aligned (justified).
A moving clip art graphic
An application or program designed to scan or search disks or hard drives for viruses
and repair files that it finds
Software that allows you to perform a task or solve a specific problem. Programs that
allow you to accomplish certain tasks such as write letters, analyze numbers, sort
files, manage finances, draw pictures, and play games.
The keys on the keyboard used to move the cursor up, down, left, or right.
One of two ways to sort a database. Numbers are arranged from smallest to largest.
Text is arranged in alphabetical order (A to Z) (See Descending)
A file you add to an email when you send it to someone else
A way of storing data in more than one location.
The speed at which data signals are sent and received by a modem. The higher the
baud rate the faster data is transferred
A style of text that makes a letter or word darker and thicker to stand out in a
document.
A type of virus designed to activate at a specific date and time on your computer
Software needed to be able to view information on the internet (See Internet
Browser)
A horizontal strip of buttons near the top of a window which provides shortcuts for
common commands. Some programs allow the user to hide or display the bar, and
customize the buttons.
A hot spot used in multimedia applications to navigate from one place to another or
to activate elements such as sound and animation.
A unit of storage usually made up of eight bits. It represents one character-a letter,
digit, or symbol.
The intersection of each row and column in a spreadsheet. Example: Cell B5, Cell
A202
A continuous group of connected cells in a spreadsheet Center align Placement of
test OR graphics in the center of a Word processing page or cell of a spreadsheet or
table
Electronic circuits that interpret and execute instructions and communicates with the
input, output, and storage devices.

Clip art
Communication Software
Compact Disc
Computer
Copy

Copyright Laws

Cursor
Data
Database file
Delete
DELETE key (Erases to the
right)
Descending Order
Desktop
Desktop Publishing
Edit
e-mail
Enter/Return
Entry bar
Filter/query
Firewall
Floppy Disk
Font

Drawings you can add to your documents, including cartoons, maps, symbols, and
flags. Clip art comes with some programs or can be purchased separately.
Provides the tools for connecting one computer with another to enable sending and
receiving information and sharing files and resources.
A disc on which a laser has digitally recorded information such as audio, video, or
computer data.
An electronic device that operates under the control of a set of instructions that is
stored in its memory unit. It accepts data from an input device and processes it into
useful information, which it makes available on its output device.
To make an exact duplicate of information in your document, so you can place the
copy in another location of your document.
Law that exist to protect those who create a new idea or product CPU (Central
Processing Unit) The brain of the computer or central processing unit. The main chip
that allows computers to do millions of calculations per second and makes it possible
for users to write letters and balance your checkbook.
The flashing vertical line on the screen that indicates where the next character will
be typed.
Raw unprocessed facts to be processed by the computer.
A collection of individual records in a database
To erase a letters, word paragraph or cell contents. Use either the BACKSPACE key
(erases to the left) or the
Delete key A key used to erase characters to the right of the cursor.
One of two ways to sort a database. Numbers are arranged from largest to smallest.
Text is arranged in reverse alphabetical order (Z to A) (See Ascending Order)
The background on the windows, menus, and dialog boxes on a PC. It is designed to
represent a desk.
Using features of word processing to format and produce more sophisticated
documents with graphics and text, such as flyer, brochures, or newsletters.
To make changes in a document or presentation and therefore make it better.
The ability to send and receive messages with a computer
The key used to begin a new line in a word processor, or to enter information into a
spreadsheet or database. It is the same as clicking OK in the dialog box.
Where the contents of the active cell in a spreadsheet are displayed
A way to do a simple or complex search in a database to find record based on specific
criteria.
Technology that prevents users from inappropriate websites and protects the
network from unauthorized users
A portable magnetic storage medium for computer data that allows users to
randomly access information.
The shape and style of text. Examples: Verdana, Arial, and Times New Roman.

Gigabyte

To set margins, tabs, font, or line spacing in layout of a document. The way a
document or piece of a document will look.
A set of instructions or directions in a particular spreadsheet cell that tells the
computer exactly what mathematical operations to do
Software written and then donated to the public, so anyone is free to copy it and
share it with their friends. This is not the same as shareware or commercial software,
because those are supposed to be paid for:
Pronounced GIF A simple file format for pictures and photographs that are
compressed so they can be sent quickly. Widely used on electronic bulletin boards
and the Internet, but cannot be used for high-end desktop publishing (See JPG).
Approximately a billion bytes (or 1, 000 megabytes).

Gigahertz (GHZ)

A billion machine cycles per second.

Graphic

Images/pictures created, edited, and/or published using a computer

The use of graphical symbols instead of text commands to control common
computer functions such as copying programs and disks.
An unauthorized person who secretly gains access to computer files

Format
Formulas
Freeware
Gif (Graphic Interchange
Format)

Graphical User Interface

Hacker
Hard Copy
Hard disk
Hardcopy
Hardware
Highlight or Select
Hoax
Home Page
Home

Host

Hyperlink or Hypertext
Icon

A printed copy of computer output.

An internal disk, a metal platter coated with magnetic oxide that can be magnetized
to hold documents, applications, or software. A fixed, large-capacity magnetic
storage medium for computer data.
Output produced by a printer. Output from a computer that is hard i.e.. You can
touch
The physical components of the computer and any equipment connected to it. Pieces
of the computer that you can touch.
To choose part of a document by clicking and dragging over it with the mouse to
highlight the text; text must be selected to make changes in formatting.
A computer virus that is intended to scare users into thinking they really do have a
virus
An introductory screen on a web site, used to welcome visitors. A home page can
include special text or graphics on which you click to jump to related information on
other pages on the Web
Row Keys on the keyboard from which all keystrokes are made. Fingers of the left
hand are on ASDF and fingers on the right hand are on JKL
Host computers are associated with computer networks, online services, or bulletin
board systems. They are usually name given to a computer that directly connects the
rest of a network to the Internet.
Special text when clicked jumps the user from their current location to another page
or topic.
A small picture or symbol representing a computer hardware function or component.

Illustration
Indent
Ink-jet Printer
Input
Input Device
Internet
Internet Browser
Jpeg (Joint Photographic
Experts Group)
Keyboard
Keyword
Label
Landscape
Laptop
Laser Printer
Licenses
Line spacing
Linear
Links
Mainframes
Megabyte (Mb)
Megahertz (MHz)
Memory

Clip art, graphics or drawings on a computer

To set the first line of a paragraph in from the margin about 5 spaces (USE THE TAB
key! ).
A type of printer that forms letters on the page by shooting tiny electrically charged
droplets of ink.
To send data, text, documents to your computer's CPU. You can use ANY input device
to do this
The hardware that is used to pass information into the computer. Any hardware
device that lets you send data to your computer (i.e.. Keyboard, mouse, scanner)
A network of computers that provides information world-wide; also known as the
information superhighway.
Provides access to the Internet through a service provider by using a graphical
interface.
A standard for shrinking graphics so they can be sent faster between modems and
take up less space on your hard drive. These graphics can be reduced to 5 percent of
their original compressing graphics to 30 or 40 percent of their original size results in
minimal loss of quality
The hardware device used to enter letters into the computer (input device).
A word or reference point to describe content on a web page that search engines use
to properly index the page
One of the three types of data you can put in a spreadsheet cell. A label is words or
text that the user need to read to understanding the meaning of the numbers.
The page setup the permits a document to be printed in a horizontal position.
A portable computer that can be taken with your where ever you to
A printer that uses both laser and photographic technology to produce high quality
output.
Special agreements in copyrighted programs that spell out what you can and cannot
to with the software you purchased, and how many computers you may put the
software on:
The span between lines of text (i.e.. Double Space, single space 1.5 spaces)
Moving in a straight line or path; a multimedia presentation that moves in a straight
line from image to image (i.e. PowerPoint presentations) See NON linear
Connections that bridge one image, page, or word to another by clicking on a
highlighted word or phrase
Classified by size, the second largest classification of computers. Much larger than
desktops or laptop computers
Approximately a million bytes.
One million machine cycles per second.
Primary storage that works with the CPU to hold instructions and data in order to be
processed.

Microcomputers
Modem
Monitor
Mouse
Multimedia

Personal computers or desktop computers.

The device that allows your computer to talk to other computers over a telephone
line.
An output device with a screen used to show computer images. A video or computer
display device.
A tool used to move the cursor and pointer on the screen (input device).

Output Device

To use a combination of text, pictures, sounds, movies, and/or animation.

A system of connected computers that allows a sharing of files and equipment. There
are two types of networks: Local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN)
Not moving in a straight line or path; a multimedia presentation that transitions from
one image to another in an order that is preset, but not necessarily in a straight path.
Example: a non-linear presentation can transition from image 1 to image 3 and back
to image 1 using menus and branching to move around the pages
A personal computer that can fit into a briefcase.
The portion of the keyboard, usually on the right hand side of a full keyboard, used to
enter numbers and basic math functions ( */) quickly.
Internet information available to a computer user
Precautions taken to protect personal information and images from being misused
by others.
The set of programs that must be on your computer for the computer to boot
properly. It controls all the overall activity of a computer and the way other program
and your desktop work. Output Central processing unit executes computer
instructions. Memory holds data and programs temporarily.
The hardware that receives and displays information coming from the computer.

Page Setup

The term in reference to the way a document is formatted to print

Password

Print

A code for the security protection to allow access to a computer or programs.

To insert the last information to be cut or copied into a document; can be used to
move information in or between documents
Classified by size, the smallest classification of computers. It is a handheld computer.
Usually performing on one or two specific functions.
The default page setup that prints the document vertically (See landscape).
Graphics Provides the tools for creating graphics that represent data in a visual,
easily understood format.
To create a paper copy (or hard copy) of the information on the computer screen.

Printer

A hardware device used to make a copy on paper (output device).

Processing

Output devices make processed data available to the user.

Software written and then donated to the public. Anyone can use and copy public
domain software free of charge, but it is not always the same quality as commercial
software

Network

Non-linear
Notebook
Numeric Keypad
Online Resources
Online Safety
Operating systems software
(OS)

Paste
PDA (Personal digital
assistant)
Portrait
Presentation

Public Domain

RAM

ROM (Read only memory)

Save
Save As
Search

Random access memory. Memory that the computer user can access. It can be
changed if necessary (resaving a word processing document). The computer's
working memory
Read ONLY Memory. Memory that contains programs and data that are permanently
recorded when the computer is built. Information stays in memory even when the
computer shuts down:
To store information on a floppy disk, hard drive or CD for later use. Work should be
saved often, every 5 or 10 minutes, to make sure the latest changes are safely
recorded
To save a document with a new name or to a new location on your hard drive

URL Address

To look for specific information on the internet or computer

Software that searches, gathers, and identifies information from a database based on
an index, keywords or titles.
There are 3 basic ways to begin a search: 1. Try to guess the URL; 2. Use Subject
directories provided by some search engines; 3. Use a Search engine for large
searches using unique keywords or combinations of keywords to narrow a search
Protection of a computer, its files, or a computer network from use without
permission of the owner or owners
A special computer used to store programs and files, and then sends it out to other
computers one or all at a time
A form of free software; however, the author of shareware hopes you will make a
voluntary contribution for using the product. Software that can be tried before you
purchase
A program that consists of instructions used to control hardware and accomplish
tasks. The programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do.
Provides the tools for working with numbers and allows you to create and edit
electronic spreadsheets in managing and analyzing information.
A computer that does not rely upon any other computer or server to work; it is not
networked and does not share resources.
A graphic organizer used for planning and developing a multimedia presentation. The
contents, layout, and formatting of each card/slide and the linking together of the
cards/slides is storyboarding.
Classified by size, the largest classification of computers.
The act of sending and receiving information, such as data, text, pictures, voice, and
video electronically. The exchange of information can be within a building or around
the globe.
Words on a page, in a spreadsheet or database
A feature in most word processors used to replace a word in a document with one
that is more suitable and adds variety to your writing
Website address Example: www.examrace.com

User Name

First part of an e-mail address.

Search Engines
Search Strategies
Security
Server
Shareware
Software
Spreadsheets
Stand Alone Computer
Storyboard
Supercomputers
Telecommunication
Text
Thesaurus

Vandalism

The intentional act of destroying computer files or computer networks.

Virus

A computer program designed to damage computer files

Web address

Universal Resource Locator (URL) Example: www.examrace.com

Using keyboarding skills to produce documents such as letters, reports, manuals, and
newsletters; used for documents that are largely text-based (words)
Provides the tools for entering and revising text, adding graphical elements,
formatting and printing documents.
When text automatically flows from one line to the beginning of the next line
without the user having to press the Enter/Return key. The computer decides where
the best place to begin the next new line is:
The typing area on your computer screen
A computer file designed to do damage that goes through a computer and possibly a
network
One small part of the Internet that allows access to text, graphics, sound, and video.
Free information can be found on the world wide web.
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get and is pronounced
wizzy wig. WYSIWYG simply means that the text and graphics shown on your
screen exactly match your printouts.

Word Processing
Word Processor
Word Wrap
Workspace
Worm
WWW (world wide web)
WYSIWYG