Computer Systems

Optical drive

(Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) An optical storage medium similar in appearance and technology to a CD but with higher storage capacity., An optical storage device that reads data on digital video discs; variations include DVD-ROM drives (read-only), DVD-R drives (record once, read many times), and DVD-RW drives (rewritable). DVDs have greater storage capacity than CDs. Digital Video Disc (DVD)

R.O.M

(computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed

PowerPoint

A Microsoft application for creating presentations, speeches, slides, etc.

Word

A Microsoft application that allows a user to create word processing documents.

Excel

A Microsoft application that allows the user to create spread sheets.

Access

A Microsoft application used to create a database.

ubuntu

A community-developed Linux-based operating system with a GUI similar to that of Windows.

Mouse

A device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen.

network port

A device used by a network cable to connect to the wired network.

Monitor

A display device for a desktop PC

Software

A general term used to describe computer programs such as applications and operating systems.

Printer

A hardware device used to make a paper copy of what is created on the computer.

Chrome

A popular web browser from Google Inc.

Internet Explorer

A popular web browser from Microsoft.

usb drive

A portable solid state storage device with a built-in connector that plugs directly in to a computer's universal serial bus.

CPU

A silicon chip located on the motherboard that is responsible for executing instructions to process data; also called microprocessor.

device driver

A software program that provides the instructions your computer needs to communicate with a device, such as a scanner.

Microphone

Allows user to input information to the computer by speaking

Keyboard

An input device that enters data with letters, numbers, symbols, and special function keys.

Linux

An open source software operating system

Speaker

An output device that allows you to hear voice, music, and other sounds from your computer.

Plotter

An output device used to produce charts, engineering plans, and other large-sized printed material with lines drawn by pens that move on rails.

input device

Any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer for example a mouse or a keyboard

output device

Any piece of computer hardware used to communicate the data processed by a computer for example a monitor

Hardware

Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and RAM. External hardware devices include monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners.

operating system

Computer programs that direct all the activities and set all the rules for how the hardware and software work together.

System Software

Consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.

Processor

Electronic component on a computer's motherboard that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Also called CPU or central processing unit. See also central processing unit (CPU).

unix

Multitasking operating system that now is available for most computers of all sizes. The Linux operating system is based on this OS.

R.A.M

The chips that make up a computer's temporary memory area. This area empties when the application is closed and fills again when the user opens a new application, or when the computer is powered off. Random Access Memory

OS X

Operating System, Software used in apple Hardware

USB port

Short for Universal Serial Bus, an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps. A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards

Application Software

Software that performs some useful task such as word processing or playing a game for a user.

utility software

Systems software that perform tasks related to managing the computer's resources, file management, diagnostics, and other specialized chores

Windows 7

The 7th generation of Windows Desktop Operating System

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a microcomputer. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards.

Harddrive

The primary storage component of a computer which holds all software and data.

Photoshop

an Adobe application that allows a user to create and modify digital photographs.

application software

consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist with personal tasks

Power Supply

converts AC power from the wall outlet into the lower voltages of DC power required to power all components of the computer

GUI

graphical user interface, An operating system characteristic that utilizes graphics and the point-and-click technology of the mouse and cursor, making the OS much more user friendly