386 - A type of CPU found in older computers. It is now obsolete.
486 - A type of CPU that processes one instruction at a time.
America Online (AOL) - An online service, accessible by modem, that offers news, weather, sports, computing support, popular publications, email, financial resources, other resources, and Internet access. Access requires membership and payment of a monthly fee.
Athlon - A current processor from the AMD corporation which is produced to compete with Intel's Pentium series.
BBS - A computer bulletin board system, usually operated by private individuals or companies offering support services, primarily used for message posting and downloading of public domain and shareware software files.
Boot - A term used to describe the process of turning on a computer and loading the operating system from the disk. A "startup" disk for a computer is often called a "boot" disk.
Bullet - A graphic character, such as an open or closed circle, used to set off or distinguish items on a list.
C.B.T. - Computer Based Training
CD-ROM - Compact Disk Read Only Memory - A optical storage technology that reads information stored on a CD. The 650 megabyte storage capacity makes the CD an ideal media for large reference works such as encyclopedias and multimedia titles.
Celeron - A current processor from the Intel corporation which is less expensive than the Pentium series.
Cell address - In a spreadsheet, a code that identifies a cell's location on the worksheet. A cell address is a letter (representing the current column) followed by a number (representing the current row). An example of a cell address is A1 or M42.
Cell - In a spreadsheet, the rectangle formed by the intersection of a row and a column.
Chat - The real-time interactive exchange of messages between two computer users connected via modem or a network. As users type a message or a response, it appears on the other person's screen.
Click - Press and release the button on the mouse to make a selection.
Compuserve - An online service, accessible by modem, that offers news, weather, sports, computing support, popular publications, email, financial resources, other resources, and Internet access. Access requires membership and payment of a monthly fee.
CPU - The Central Processing Unit, also called a microprocessor, is the main chip (integrated circuit) in a computer that processes instructions, performs calculations and manages the flow of information.
Cursor - The flashing line on the computer screen that indicates where the information you enter will appear. The cursor is also called an "insertion point" and is sometimes referred to as a "prompt."
Desktop publishing - A software program that allows you to combine text and graphics and to use columns, graphic lines and borders, and a variety of typefaces (fonts) to create impressive looking documents.
Disk drive - A magnetic media storage device that records information to and reads information from a disk.
Disk - A device used to store and retrieve information. Floppy disks, also called "diskettes," are removable and can be transported from one computer to another. A "hard disk" is built into the computer and cannot be easily removed.
DOS - An operating system for a personal computer that is stored on a disk. See "operating system" for more information.
Download - To transfer a file via modem from an online service, Bulletin Boadr System or from the Internet. The term is called download because the file comes down from the other (host) computer and is copied onto your hard drive.
Duron - A current, less expensive processor from the AMD corporation which is produced to compete with Intel's Celeron series.
Email - Short for "electronic mail," the messages sent from one person to another through a network.
Fax - Short for FACSimile, the transmission and reception of a printed page between two locations via telecommunications.
Field - A category in a database that represents specific information such a "last name" or "phone number." Fields containing specific information are combined to form a "record" of information about a person, place or thing.
Floppy disk - A removable device that magnetically stores data. Also called a "diskette."
Form - A custom data entry screen that is created for the purpose or easier input and viewing of information in a database.
Formatting (page) - Arranging the information on a page so it is attractive and easy to read.
Format (disk) - The process of initializing a new diskette to store information.
Function - A special-purpose formula in a spreadsheet that performs a calculation.
GUI (Graphic User Interface) - A user interface that uses the mouse and a graphics display to make the computer easier to use.
Hard disk - The internal storage device in a computer that uses metal disk platters for increased speed, capacity and reliability.
Hardware - Any part of a computer system that you can see or touch and does not include program information stored on a disk.
Hypermedia - A way for the user to jump easily from one topic to related or supplementary material found in various forms, such as text, graphics, audio, video or animation. The information can be on the users computer or on another computer on a network.
Hypertext - The ability of a word in a document to be linked to a definition, another section of the document, or another document so that selecting the hypertext word with the mouse, enter key or space bar will bring up the linked document.
Icon - The basis of a graphic user interface, the icon is a small picture on the screen which represents an object such as a command, file, feature or program.
Install - The process of copying the software from the original disks to the user's hard drive and setting it up for use. The files on the original disks are often compressed or split so they can fit onto floppy disks, and the install process also serves to uncompress the files and piece them back together while they are being copied to the hard disk. For this reason, many software programs cannot be used until they are installed.
Internet - A world-wide network of computer networks made up of thousands of computer networks to which over 30 million people connect for the purpose of exchanging information and messages.
Keyboard - An input device connected to a computer and used to enter information by typing the information or pressing keys that move the cursor on the screen.
Kilobyte (K) - 1,024 bytes (approximately one thousand characters) of information.
Macintosh OS - The operating system of the Apple Macintosh series of personal computers contained in the Macintosh's read-only memory and the System file from a disk. The Mac OS is in the form of the word "System" followed by the version number, such as System 7.
Macro - A list of two or more application program commands that, when executed or retrieved, replays the commands to accomplish a task. Macros can sometimes be "recorded" while the task is initially being performed. Other macros can be created by typing the commands into a document.
Megabyte (M) - Approximately one million characters of information. The exact size of a megabyte is 1,048,576 bytes.
Menu Bar - The row of menu commands near the top of an application screen. Clicking the mouse on any of the menu bar commands will cause a drop-down menu to appear.
Merge - In word processing or database management software, a merge is the process of combining information from a data source, such as a list of names and addresses, with a document such as a form letter, catalog, labels or envelopes. The "form" document contains codes that are replaced with information from the data file when the two files are merged.
MIDI - Musical Instrument Digital Interface - a set of rules that allows computers and musical instruments to exchange information. MIDI allows you to use your computer to play, record, arrange, edit and print music.
Modem - An acronym derived from "MOdulator-DEModulator," a modem is a device that allows computers to exchange information through telephone lines.
Mouse - A hand-held pointing device that is used to move or select items that appear on the screen.
MPC - Multimedia Personal Computer - the minimum requirements for a multimedia computer system, as listed by the Multimedia Personal Computer Marketing Council.
Network - A group of computers that are connected together for the purpose of sharing programs, information and equipment.
OCR - Optical Character Recognition - allows the computer to read handwritten or printed text from a page and convert it into characters that can be understood by the computer and at produces high quality output by moving ink pens across the paper. Plotters are commonly used by computer-aided-design (CAD) software programs and high-end graphics programs such as commercial art.
Pentium - A current processor (CPU) produced by the Intel corporation. The Pentium 4 and newer processors are considered to be some of the best available.
PowerPC - A microprocessor (CPU) developed jointly by Motorola, IBM and Apple. The term is also used to describe Apple Macintosh computers (as well as personal computers from some other companies) that use this CPU.
Presentation - A visual report enhanced by text charts, graphs, illustrations and sometimes sound, video and animation. Presentations are created to be easily understood by an audience, and are usually given by projecting the images onto a large screen.
Printer - A hardware device that produces a paper copy of information from a computer.
Prodigy - An online service, accessible by modem, that offers news, weather, sports, computing support, popular publications, email, financial resources, other resources, and Internet access. Access requires membership and payment of a monthly fee.
Provider - A company that allows you, usually for a monthly fee, to connect to it's computer system via modem to access the Internet or other "on-line" information services.
Query - A question you ask the computer to find information in a database.
RAM (Random Access Memory) - Electronic memory chips (integrated circuits) that temporarily stores information in a computer while it is being created or processed. Because information stored in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off, the contents are usually copied to a disk if the information will be used again.
Reader - A program used to read a text file from a disk.
Record - A collection of information about one person, place or thing.
Report - Information that is formatted into an easily-to-read document and then printed to the printer or output to the screen.
ROM (Read Only Memory) - Programs or instructions that are stored on a chip (integrated circuit) in the computer. Because the contents of ROM are not lost when the computer is switched off, it usually contains essential system programs and information.
Scanner - A device that translates information on a page into an image file that the computer can display on the screen.
Software - Program instructions stored on a disk that allow the accomplish to perform tasks such as writing a letter or organizing information.
Sort - To arrange information in an order, such as alphabetic, numeric, size or date order.
Sound card - An electronic circuit board that improves the sound quality of a computer. Most sound cards provide digital audio (both voice and music) recording and playback.
Table - Information organized into rows and columns; also a term that refers to a collection of information in a database.
UNIX - A powerful multitasking operating system for IBM PC compatible computers. Most "Internet" servers run UNIX as an operating system because of its ability to handle a large volume of simultaneous users.
Video display adapter - The video output device that sends information to the monitor screen.
Virtual reality - An alternate reality controlled by a computer. The use of special input and output devices such as head-mounted displays, gloves, and special seats enhance the sensual perception of the simulated environment.
What-If - Refers to manipulating spreadsheet data to see how the outcome will be affected if different data was used as input.
Windows NT - A powerful multitasking operating system for IBM PC compatible computers that uses a graphic interface.
Windows95 - A newer, multitasking version of "Windows" that combines the disk operating system (DOS) and the graphic user interface.
Windows - An operating environment for IBM PC compatible computers that enhances the Disk Operating System (DOS) by adding a graphic interface and limited multitasking ability.
