Computer Safety and Maintenance

Touchpad

A touchpad—also called a trackpad— Is an alternative to a mouse. It is a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the pointer by making a drawing motion with your finger. Touchpads are common on laptop computers.

Router

A hardware device that allows you to connect several computers and other devices to a single Internet connection.

Server

is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network

Mouse

is another important tool for communicating with computers. Commonly known as a pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the screen, click on them, and move them.

Hardware

is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the keyboard or mouse. It also includes all of the computer's internal parts

Software

is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it.

Keyboard

is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are many different types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the same basic tasks.

Computer Case

is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer, including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply.

Two main mouse types

optical andmechanical

Peripherals

the many different types of devices that can be plugged into the ports on your computer. Some examples are: printers, scanners, speakers, microphones, web cameras, game controllers, digital cameras, and mobile phones

Laptop Computer

Laptops are battery-powered computers that are more portable than desktops, allowing you to use them almost anywhere

Three most common operating systems

Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux

Expansion cards

One or more of these can be used to boost the performance of your computer or update the capabilities of an older computer.

Network card

This allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection (Wi-Fi) Usually built in on motherboard or can be added to an expansion slot.

Power supply unit

This converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer. It sends power through cables to the motherboard and other components.

Bluetooth card

This is a technology for wireless communication over short distances. Usually used to communicate to wireless keyboards, mice, and printers.

Trackball

This is an alternative to a mouse.It has a ball that can rotate freely. Instead of moving the device like a mouse, you can roll the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.

Mbps (megabits per second)

This is how internet speeds are measured. Usually a slower connection is needed to email or for social networking. A higher connection is needed for downloading music or streaming

Video card

This is something that can be added to an expansion slot if you like playing graphics-intensive games.

Windows operating system

This was created in the mid-1980's by Microsoft. Over the years there have been many different versions. It is usually preloaded on new PCs, which helps make it the most popular operating system in the world.

Three types of computers

desktop, laptop, and tablet

Desktop Applications

Allow you to perform tasks on your computer.

CPU (central processing unit)

Also called the processor, it's located inside the computer case on the motherboard. It is sometimes known as the brain of the computer and it's job is to carry out commands.

Web applications

Apps that run in the cloud and do not need to be installed on your computer. Examples are: Facebook, Pixlr, and Google Docs,

GPU

Graphics processing unit built into the motherboard.

Linux

Is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different versions to choose from.

Mac OS X

Is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on all new Macs. Mac users make up a much lower percentage of Windows users on a global scene.

Apple iOS

Is an operating system developed specifically for iphones and ipads.

Google Android

Is an operating system developed specifically for phones and tablets using Windows.

Home network

Is connecting several computers and other devices to a single Internet connection.

GHz (gigahertz)

Is one way the processor's speed is measured. (billions of instructions per second)

MHz (megahertz)

Is one way the processor's speed is measured. (millions of instructions per second)

Sound card

Is responsible for what you hear in the speakers or headphones. Most motherboards have an integrated them but you can upgrade to a dedicated card for higher-quality.

Operating System

Is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. This is what allows you to communicate with the computer without speaking the computer's language. Without this the computer is useless.

Hard drive

Is your computers long-term storage, it is where documents and such should be saved to avoid losing it.

RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY)

Is your system's short-term memory. This memory disappears when the computer is turned off. It is measured in megabytes and gigabytes. The more you have the more your computer can do at the same time.

The cloud

Simply using the internet for storage, it enables you to access things you have saved remotely.

Motherboard

The computers main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports. It connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer.

Modem

The primary piece of hardware needed to connect to the Internet. The type on Internet access you choose will determine the type of modem needed. Types include dial-up, DSL, cable modem, and satellite adapter.

Wireless routers

These allow you to create a home wireless network commonly known as a Wi-Fi network.

Expansion slots

These are slots on the motherboard that allow you to add various types of expansion cards.

AC adapter

a specialized power cable designed to be used with most laptops. They are usually brand/style specific.

Tablet Computer

are handheld computers that are more portable than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation.

Desktop Computer

are meant to be set on a desk and are typically made up of a few different parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse (typically used for work, home, and school)

GUI (graphical user interface)

used by an operating system, it lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus

Mechanical mouse

uses a rolling ball to detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.

Optical mouse

uses an electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean.

Monitor

works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to display images and text on the screen