General Computer Glossary - A glossary of common computer terms

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Antivirus Program - A must-have program that searches for viruses and removes any it finds. Needs to be kept up to date.

Application Software - Software designed for a specific use, such as word processing. Also called a program.

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Bay - Section of the computer case where floppy disk, CD-ROM and DVD drives can be installed.

Bit (Binary Digit) - The smallest piece of information that a computer recognises.

Bluetooth - A technology that enables Internet devices, mobile telephones, laptop computers and other devices to communicate without wires.

Boot - The process a computer goes through when you start or restart it - performing a quick self-test, loading Windows, and so on.

Boot Disk - A disk containing the operating system components essential for getting a computer up and running. Usually, the boot disk is the computer's hard disk but if there is something wrong with it, a suitably-prepared floppy disk can be used.

Boot sector - Area of a disk containing instructions enabling a computer to launch an operating system (such as Windows).

Bps (Bits per second) - Standard measure of transmission speed - relates to computer and modem speeds.

Broadband - A high-speed, always on, Internet connection.

Browser - A software program, like Internet Explorer or Firefox, that lets you access and navigate the Internet.

Bug - A computer bug is an error or defect in computer hardware or software that causes the computer or computer program to malfunction.

Bundled software - Software programs that are included within the price of a computer or piece of hardware.

Byte - A byte is eight bits of binary information - see Bits.

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CD-RW (Compact Disc - Re-writable) - Also called CD-E (Compact Disc -erasable). A compact disc that can be read, written on, erased and re-used. CD-RW drives can play CD-Rs and CD-ROMs as well.

CD-R (Compact Disc - Recordable) - A compact disc that can be written on, but cannot be erased or reused. CD-R drives can play CD-ROMs.

CD-ROM (Compact Disc - Read Only Memory) - A compact disc that holds data. It cannot be written on.

Celeron - Cheaper but slower version of the Intel Pentium processor, used in budget computers but quite fast enough for most users.

Chip - A thin silicon wafer that contains integrated electronic circuits. Chips serve as the computer memory.

Click - Pressing a mouse button.

Clone - A computer that looks and functions like another, better-known computer. It is not necessarily an exact copy.

Computer Literacy - An individual's level of skill with computers and software applications.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The main component and brain of the computer. It processes all instructions and information.

Crash - A computer failure caused by a hardware or software malfunction that causes the computer or software program to stop responding.

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) - A type of computer monitor. This is the older "TV" monitor style, not the newer "LCD" (Liquid Crystal Display a.k.a. Flat Panel) monitor style.

Cursor (also called the Pointer) - A flashing shape on the screen showing where the next character you type in will appear. When entering text in a word processor, the cursor is normally a flashing vertical bar. Sometimes, the word cursor is used to describe the on-screen mouse pointer.

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Database - Information which has a formal structure that can be accessed through a computer. May be used to keep details of people, music and other collections.

Default Settings - Settings that a computer uses at the start up of a program or operating system. When you close a computer down properly, any settings you changed during the session will be saved and used next time you start up.

Desktop - A metaphor for what is happening on the screen. It has icons and windows visible to the screen.

Docking station - An add-on for a laptop when it is being used on a desk. The laptop slots into the docking station. You can permanently connect a monitor, scanner, printer, keyboard etc. to the docking station which saves unplugging from the laptop every time you take it away.

Dpi (Dots per Inch) - A measurement of the density of the output from printers and scanners. The higher the dpi, the better the resolution and the larger the file.

Driver - Software that allows the computer to operate a monitor, printer or other device. New equipment usually comes with its own driver which you will need to install on the computer, but many devices are now recognized automatically by the operating system.

DVD (Digital Video or Versatile Disc) - Looks and feels like a CD but contains much more information. Ideal for multi-media files like video, photographs, videos. Needs a DVD drive on or attached to the computer.

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E-Mail (Electronic Mail) - Messages sent through a computer network such as the Internet.

Ergonomics - A science that studies the safety and comfort of machines and furniture for humans.

Ethernet - An ethernet card enables communication between two or more computers on a network.

Expansion slots - Spaces built into a computer to accept different or additional computer boards.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) - A compilation of the most frequently asked questions (and their answers) about a specific subject or product.

Firewall - A security measure that protects a computer or a computer network from unauthorised access. It can be hardware or software or a combination of both.

Floppy Disk - A thin case enclosing a magnetic disk that stores a moderate amount of computer data. Needs a floppy disk drive.

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GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) - A common format for image files.

Gigabyte (Gb) - A unit of computer storage. Roughly equivalent to one billion bytes.

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Hacker - Someone who accesses and, sometimes changes, information on other people's computers without their permission.

Hard Disk - A storage disk inside the computer that holds the operating system, programs and files.

Hard Drive - Hardware that contains the hard disk.

Hardware - Physical components of a computer system such as disk drives, monitors, printers and keyboards.

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Infrared Port (IrDA, Infrared Data Association) - Uses infrared light waves to allow devices to communicate without any cables.

Inkjet Printer - A printer that produces text and images by spraying jets of quick-drying ink onto the paper.

Input - Anything that goes into a computer from an input device.

Input device - A tool that sends data and instructions to a computer. Keyboards, scanners and mice are input devices, whereas monitors and printers are output devices.

Installation disk - A CD-ROM (or floppy disk) that contains the information needed to install a program onto the hard disk.

Internet - A global network (or web) of computers that allows people to communicate with each other and share information.

Internet Security - A general term usually referring to antivirus, firewall, anti-spyware and anti-spam software or hardware that will help protect you from malicious software and "hackers" who are trying to gain unauthorized access to your computer via the internet.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - A fast online connection - needs a special telephone line.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that allows you to connect to and use its computers to connect to the Internet.

IT (Information Technology) - A technical term for using computers to communicate and handle information.

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Joystick - A lever device, similar to but larger than a mouse. Designed for playing games on the computer it may be useful for people with poor manual dexterity.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A common format for image files, particularly photographic images. It is pronounced j - peg.

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Kbps - Kilobits (thousands of bits) per second. A measurement of data transmission speed for modems.

Keyboard - An input device used to type data and instructions into the computer.

Keyboard shortcut - A single key or combination of keys that sends instructions to the computer. The only way of doing so if you do not use a mouse but sorely underused by those who do.

Kilobyte - Usually rounded to one thousand bytes, a kilobyte is actually 1,024 bytes.

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Laptop - A small, portable computer sometimes referred to as a notebook computer.

Laser Printer - Printers that operate like a photocopier, using lasers and toners to produce high quality text and images.

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Megabyte (Mb) - A unit of computer storage space, roughly equivalent to one million bytes.

Megahertz (MHz) - A unit the number of instructions per second your computer's processor can carry out. One MHz represents one million cycles or instructions per second.

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) - A way of transforming music into data that can be "read" by a computer.

Modem (MOdulator/DEModulator) - A device that allows computers to communicate which each other over standard telephone lines.

Monitor - A screen that lets you see what your computer is doing. There are two types of monitors, CRT (television style) and LCD (flat panel).

Motherboard - The main circuit board of the computer.

Mouse - An input device that allows you to control the computer by controlling the location and action of a cursor on the screen.

MP3 - A way of compressing files that contain music.

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Network - Two or more computers that are connected, either by cables or infrared, so that they can share resources such as peripheral equipment and files.

Notebook Computer - A lightweight portable computer. Laptop computers are often called notebooks but they are usually heavier.

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OCR (Optical Character Recognition) - This is the process by which text on paper becomes text in a computer readable format that can be manipulated by the computer or edited in a word processing program. A basic version of OCR software may come with a scanner. This is OK if you have some vision, but people with no useful sight will, probably, need to upgrade to the full version of the software.

Off-line - The computer is not connected to the Internet.

On-line - The computer is connected to the Internet.

Operating System - A crucial piece of software that loads automatically when you switch on and controls how the computer works. Example: Windows.

Output - Anything that comes out of a computer like printed pages, sounds and screen images.

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Parallel Port - An interface for connecting external devices such as printers and scanners.

Peripheral - An external device, such as printer, keyboard, scanner and mouse.

POP (Post Office Protocol, Point of Presence, POP3) - Protocol used to retrieve e-mail from your Internet Service Provider's server.

Presentation - Software used to create slide shows of documents, slides, transparencies, video images or sounds.

Protocol - A set of standards that allows standardized communication between two or more products.

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Nothing to list.

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RAM (Random Access Memory) - This is where the computer stores temporary programs and information. For instance, when you open an application it is stored in RAM until you close it. The RAM is emptied when the computer is turned off.

Reset Button - A button that is usually located where you can't use it accidentally. It resets the computer to the manufacturer's original settings. Use only in extreme circumstances as the results can be mixed, to say the least.

Resolution - This is a term to describe the clarity or quality of an image produced on screen, by a printer or scanner. The higher the resolution the better the image.

ROM (Read Only Memory) - Relates to data and information that has been pre-recorded and cannot be changed, re-written or over-written - as in CD-ROM.

RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) - This can happen when you perform the same physical movements repetitively like prolonged use of keyboard or mouse or moving your head constantly when reading the screen. You run the risk of injuring soft tissue such as muscles, nerves, tendons and joints. If left untreated, there can be permanent damage. Take regular breaks from the computer and position your chair, screen, keyboard and mouse where you can use them comfortably.

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Scanner - An external device that takes a picture of a printed page or image and displays it on the screen.

Serial Port - A connection that is used for serial communication. It transfers only one bit at a time and can be used for modems, mice and occasionally printers.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - The main protocol for the transfer of e-mail across the Internet.

Software - The program or instructions that tell the computer what to do.

Sound Card - A card inside the computer which allows the computer to produce sounds through internal or external speakers.

Spam - This is unwanted e-mail, the Internet equivalent of junk mail.

Spyware - Programs that get installed on your computer to track your activities or pop up advertising on your screen. These are usually installed through the internet, and often without telling you.

Startup Disk - A CD-ROM or floppy disk that can be used to start the computer if the hard drive is not working properly.

Suite - A collection of programs that are sold together. The price is less than the cost of the individual programs.

Surge Protection - A power bar with surge protection will absorb any power surges (from lightning, power spikes, etc.) without damaging the computer equipment. Without surge protection, these power problems can damage the computer.

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TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - A set of protocols that defines how the Internet is accessed by your computer's operating system.

Technical Support - Support given by the hardware manufacturer or software developer. It is usually given by telephone or e-mail and includes help in installing and using the products.

Technophobia - The computer is connected to the Internet. A fear of technology.

TFT (Thin Film Transistor) - A type of flat-panel monitor.

Toner - A dry powder used to produce print by a laser printer or photo-copier.

Track Ball - An input device used in place of a mouse. It has a large ball that is moved with the fingers to direct the cursor movement.

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Upgrade - To improve your computer by installing new components or to install a new version of software you are already using to gain new features and improvements.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - A system of addressing or naming Web sites.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) - A way of connecting external devices to a computer. The connection is very much faster than the two traditional types or connectors - serial and parallel ports.

Utility Program - A program that helps you to perform maintenance or correct problems with your computer system.

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Version - A version of a software or hardware product adds new and/or updated features and is designed to replace an older version of the same product.

Virus - A program deliberately written to cause problems to a computer system. There are many different types and unscrupulous people seem to be constantly producing new viruses. An ant-virus program can be used to protect your system, but it can only detect and clear viruses that were around when it was written. Anti-virus programs need to be upgraded on a very regular basis.

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Web Browser - A program that allows you to connect to the World Wide Web and read Web pages.

Web site - An area of the World Wide Web that contains one or more 'pages'. A Web site is owned and updated by an individual, company or organization.

Word Processor - A piece of software used t create text oriented documents. Many will also manipulate graphics and images making the software quite suitable for producing minor publications and newsletters.

WWW (World Wide Web or the Web) - This has become synonymous with the Internet but the two are different. The Internet is a massive network of computers. The Web is a very large portion of the Internet but it is just one of the ways of accessing and disseminating information over the medium of the Internet.

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Nothing to list.