Computer Basics

Server

A computer that serves up information to other computers on a network. Many businesses have file servers employees can use to store and share files. A server can look like a regular desktop computer, or it can be much larger.

File Extension

A file name extension is a suffix (separated from the base file name by a dot or space) to the name of a computer file applied to indicate the encoding (file format) of its contents or usage. Examples of file name extensions are .png , .jpeg , .exe , .dmg and .txt .

Applications

A type of software that allows you to perform specific tasks.

Word Prossesor

Allows you to write a letter, design a flyer, and create many other types of documents. The most well-known word processor is Microsoft Word.

Hardware

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

Any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task. Some examples of software include web browsers, games, and word processors.

Web Aplication

Apps that run in the cloud and do not need to be installed on your computer. These are sometimes called cloud apps.

CPU

Central Processing Unit

GUI

Graphical User Interface, the way and layout that information is displayed on the screen

Linux

Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it (Microsoft). The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from. Each distribution has a different look and feel, and the most popular ones include Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora.

Mac OS

Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on all new Macintosh computers, or Macs. All of the recent versions are known as OS X (pronounced O-S Ten), and the specific versions include Yosemite (released in 2014), Mavericks (2013), Mountain Lion (2012), Lion (2011), and Snow Leopard (2009). Apple also offers a version called Mac OS X Server, which is designed to be run on servers.

Operating Systems

Manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are many different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs

Windows OS

Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. Over the years, there have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 8 (released in 2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes preloaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

RAM

Random Access Memory, short term memory for you computer,

Booting

Restarting a computer or its operating system software. It is of two types (1) Cold booting: when the computer is started after having been switched off. (2) Warm booting: when the operating system alone is restarted (without being switched off) after a system crash or 'freeze.' Both types of booting clear out (for the time being) the bugs, bombs, memory conflicts, and other idiosyncrasies of the operating system.

Open Source

Software that can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world.

Cloud Computing

The Internet—more specifically, it's all of the things you can access remotely over the Internet. When something is in the cloud, it means it is stored on servers on the Internet instead of on your computer.

Mac

The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs are made by one company, Apple Inc., and they almost always use the Mac OS X operating system

Web Browser

The tool you use to access the Internet. Most computers come with a web browser pre-installed, but you can also download a different one if you prefer.

PC

This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in 1981. Other companies began creating similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and it typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Command Line Interface

Users type every single command to the computer and the computer would only display text.