Discovering Computers Chapter 9

Linux

A popular, multitasking UNIXbased operating system that runs on a variety of personal computers, servers, and devices.

Virtual Memory

A portion of a storage medium, usually the hard disk, that the operating system allocates to function as additional RAM.

windows phone store

Store that provides access to additional apps and software updates.

iTunes Store

Store that provides access to music, books, podcasts, ringtones, and movies.

command language

The set of commands used to control actions in a commandline interface.

firefox OS

A Linux-based open source operating system that runs on smartphones and tablets developed by Mozilla.

Desktop Operating System

A complete operating system that works on desktops, laptops, and some tablets

stand alone operating system

A complete operating system that works on desktops, laptops, and some tablets. See also desktop operating system

UNIX

A multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s by scientists at Bell Laboratories.

Server Operating System

A multiuser operating system that organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share resources on a network.

desktop

A personal computer designed to be in a stationary location, where all of its components fit on or under a desk or table.

User Interface (UI)

Controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen.

device-dependent

A program is one that runs only on a specific type or make of computer or mobile device.

Performance Monitor

A program that assesses and reports information about various computer resources and devices.

Windows Phone

A proprietary mobile operating system that runs on some smartphones.

Driver

A small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device

device driver

A small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device.

Chromebox

A specialized desktop that runs Chrome OS.

Chromebook

A specialized laptop that runs Chrome OS.

Image Viewer

A tool that allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file, such as a photo.

screen saver

A tool that causes a display device's screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specified time.

file manager

A tool that performs functions related to file management.

uninstaller

A tool that removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files.

disk defragmenter

A tool that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer's hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster.

User Name

A unique combination of characters, such as letters of the alphabet and/or numbers, that identifies a specific user.

cross-platform application

An application that runs the same on multiple operating systems.

the open group

An industry standards organization that owns UNIX as a trademark.

Android

An open source, Linux-based mobile operating system designed by Google for smartphones and tablets.

multitasking

An operating system that 383allows two or more programs or apps to reside in memory at the same time.

wallet

App provides a centralized location for coupons, credit cards, loyalty cards, and memberships in a single, easily accessible location.

Boot Camp

Apple program that enables you to install Windows on an Apple computer.

dock

Apple screen area that contains icons used to run applications, display minimized windows, and access documents.

scrollers

Apple screen element that you drag to display more window content.

launchpad

Apple screen that you use to view, organize, and run apps.

iOS

Apple, is a proprietary Apple's mobile operating system specifically made for Apple's mobile devices.

swap file

Area of the hard disk used for virtual memory.

sleep mode

Computer power option that saves any open documents and running programs or apps to memory, turns off all unneeded functions, and then places the computer in a low-power state.

client operating system

Desktop operating systems that work in conjunction with a server operating system.

google drive

Drive that provides access to email, contacts, calendar, photos, files, and more.

bug

Error in a program.

Automatic Update

Feature that regularly provides new features or corrections to the program.

service pack

Free downloadable updates provided by software makers for users who have registered and/or activated their software.

Chrome OS

Google's Linux-based operating system designed to work primarily with web apps.

google play

Google's app store that provides access to apps, songs, books, and movies.

touch user interface

Graphical user interface designed for touch input.

nonresident

Instructions that remain on a storage medium until they are needed, at which time they transfer into memory (RAM).

OS X

Latest version of an operating system for Macintosh

Live CD and Live USB

Media that can be used to start the computer.

Internet Explorer

Microsoft's browser.

sky drive

Microsoft's cloud server.

thrashing

Occurs when an operating system spends much of its time paging, instead of executing application software.

multiuser

Operating system that enables two or more users to run programs simultaneously.

real time operating system

Operating system used by an embedded computer.

embedded operating system

Operating system used by an embedded computer. See also real-time operating system (RTOS)

multipurpose operating system

Operating systems that can function as both desktop and server operating systems.

device- independent

Operating systems that run on computers and mobile devices provided by a variety of manufacturers.

Proprietary Software

Software that is privately owned and limited to a specific vendor or computer or device model.

virtual machine

Program that enables a computer to run another operating system in addition to the one installed.

Print Spooler

Program that intercepts documents to be printed from the operating system and places them in the queue.

foreground

Program with which the user currently is interacting.

background

Programs that are running, but not in use.

firmware

ROM chips or flash memory chips that store permanent instructions, such as a computer or mobile device's start-up instructions.

memory resident

Remaining in memory while the computer or mobile device is running.

Boot Disk

Removable media, such as a CD or USB flash drive, that contains only the necessary operating system files required to start the computer.

partition

Section of memory reserved for a specific program or application.

buffer

Segment of memory or storage in which items are placed while waiting to be transferred from an input device or to an output device.

tiles

Shortcuts to apps or other content that appear on the Windows Start screen.

open source software

Software provided for use, modification, and redistribution and has no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification of the software's internal instructions and its redistribution.

paging

Technique of swapping items between memory and storage.

Plug and Play

Technology that gives a computer the capability to recognize peripheral devices as you install them.

Backward Compatible

Term used to refer to a device's capability of supporting older devices, as well as newer devices.

page

The amount of data and program instructions that can swap at a given time.

kernel

The core of an operating system that manages memory and devices, maintains the internal clock, runs programs, and assigns the resources, such as devices, programs, apps, data, and information.

Boot Drive

The drive from which your personal computer starts.

Mobile Operating System

The operating system on mobile devices and many consumer electronics.

network administrator

The person overseeing network operations.

virtualization

The practice of sharing or pooling computing resources, such as servers and storage devices.

encryption

The process of converting data that is readable by humans into encoded characters to prevent unauthorized access.

spooling

The process of sending documents to be printed to a buffer instead of sending them immediately to the printer.

cold boot

The process of starting a computer or mobile device from a state when it is powered off completely.

booting

The process of starting or restarting a computer or mobile device.

Sign In

To access resources on a network or computer.

disk cleanup

Tool that searches for and removes unnecessary files.

command-line interface

User interface in which users type commands represented by short keywords or abbreviations or presses special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions.

Natural User Interface (NUI)

User interface with which users interact with the software through ordinary, intuitive behavior.

graphical user interface (GUI)

User interface with which you interact with menus and visual images by touching, pointing, tapping, or clicking buttons and other objects to issue commands.

ribbon

Windows screen element that consists of tabs, groups, and commands that provide access to tasks.

status bar

Windows screen element that presents information about document, progress of certain tasks, status of certain commands and keys, and controls for viewing document.

scroll bars

Windows screen element that you can drag to display different portions of a document.

start button

Windows screen that contains tiles you can tap or click to run apps.

Charms Bar

Windows toolbar that includes buttons that display menus for managing files, apps, and program settings.

Queue

a list of data items, commands, etc., stored so as to be retrievable in a definite order, usually the order of insertion.

passbook

iOS app that provides a centralized location for coupons, boarding passes, loyalty cards, and mobile payment accounts in a single, easily accessible location.