Graham Roberts
Home Computer
Services
Reputable & reliable computer repairs and servicing for Barlborough, Clowne, Bolsover & surrounding villages.
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Graham Roberts
Home Computer
Services Reputable & reliable computer repairs and servicing for Barlborough, Clowne, Bolsover & surrounding villages.
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Back to Latest Information page Simple Computer Terminology & Glossary
Application An application (often called "app" for short) is simply a program on your computer. Boot Starting up a PC is booting it. If the computer is already running, it is more often called rebooting. Browser A browser is a program used to browse the web. Some commonly used browsers are Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox. Bug A bug is a mistake in the design of something, especially software. A really severe bug can cause something to crash. Click To press a mouse button. When done twice in rapid succession, it is referred to as a double-click. Cursor A point of attention on the computer screen often marked with an arrow. Text typed into the computer will usually appear at the cursor. Database A database is a collection of data (like wages), typically organised to make common retrievals easy and efficient. Common database programs include Oracle, Microsoft Access and Paradox. Desktop PC A desktop PC system is a computer designed to sit in one position on a desk somewhere and not move around. Directory Also called "folder", a directory is a collection of files typically created for organisational purposes. There purpose (just like in a filing cabinet) is to organise files. Disk A disk is a physical object used for storing data. Drive A device for storing and/or retrieving data. Some drives (such as disk drives, zip drives, and tape drives) are typically capable of having new data written to them, but some others (like CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs) are not. E-book The concept behind an e-book is that it should provide all the functionality of an ordinary book but in a manner that is (overall) less expensive and more environmentally friendly. E-mail is short for electronic mail. It allows for the transfer of information from one computer user to another. File A file is a unit of (usually named) information stored on a computer. Firmware Sort of in-between hardware and software, firmware consists of modifiable programs embedded in hardware. Firmware updates should be treated with care since they can literally destroy the underlying hardare if done improperly. Floppy An extremely common type of removable disk. Floppies do not hold too much data, but most computers are capable of reading them. Format The manner in which data is stored on your hard drive or disk drives. For example, FAT 32 and NTFS. Function keys On a computer keyboard, the keys that start with an "F" that are usually (but not always) found on the top row. They are meant to perform user-defined tasks. Graphics Anything visually displayed on a computer that is not text. Hardware The physical solid components that make up the inside (like motherboard) and outside (like printer) of a computer. . Internet The Internet is the world-wide network of computers. Keyboard A keyboard on a computer is almost identical to a keyboard on a typewriter. Computer keyboards will typically have extra keys, however. Some of these keys (common examples include Control, Alt, and Meta) are meant to be used in conjunction with other keys just like shift on a regular typewriter. Other keys (common examples include Insert, Delete, Home, End, Help, function keys, etc.) are meant to be used independently and often perform editing tasks. Laptop A laptop is any computer designed to do pretty much anything a desktop system can do but run for a short time (usually two to five hours) on batteries. Memory Computer memory is used to temporarily store data. The most common types of memory are RAM, ROM, and flash. Modem A modem allows two computers to communicate over ordinary phone lines. It derives its name from modulate / demodulate, the process by which it converts digital computer data back and forth for use with a phone line. Monitor The screen for viewing computer information is called a monitor. Mouse In computer parlance a mouse can be both the physical object moved around to control a pointer on the screen, and the pointer itself. Multimedia This originally indicated a capability to work with and integrate various types of things including audio, still graphics, and especially video. Now it is more of a marketing term and has little real meaning. Historically the Amiga was the first multimedia machine. Today in addition to AmigaOS, IRIX and Solaris are popular choices for high-end multimedia work. Network Computer The term network computer refers to any (usually desktop) computer system that is designed to work as part of a network rather than as a stand-alone machine. Network A network (as applied to computers) typically means a group of computers working together. Notebook A notebook is a small laptop with similar price, performance, and battery life. Operating System The operating system is the program that manages a computer's resources. Common Operating systems include Windows, (e.g. 98, ME XP and Vista), Apple Mac and Linux. PC The term personal computer properly refers to any desktop, laptop, or notebook computer system. PDA A personal digital assistant is a small battery-powered computer intended to be carried around by the user rather than left on a desk. Printer A printer is a piece of hardware that will print computer information onto paper. Processor The processor (also called central processing unit, or CPU) is the part of the computer that actually works with the data and runs the programs. The most common ones in Windows PC’s are Pentium and AMD. Program A program is a series of instructions for a computer, telling it what to do or how to behave. The term "application" means almost the same thing. Run Running a program is how it is made to do something. The term "execute" means the same thing. Software The non-physical portion of the computer; the part that exists only as data; the programs. Another term meaning much the same is "code". Spreadsheet A program used to perform various calculations. It is especially popular for financial applications. Common spreadsheets include Lotus 123 and Excel User The operator of a computer (you). Word processor A program designed to help with the production of textual documents, like letters and memos. Microsoft Word is the most commonly used. www (World-Wide-Web) The World-Wide-Web refers more or less to all the accessible documents on the Internet. It is also sometimes just referred to as "the web". |
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