ITF+ Chapter 4
3D Printing
3D Printing, sometimes known as additive manufacturing, is the process of creating a three-dimensional solid object from a digital file.
Windows 10 App
A Windows program that is installed and maintained through the Windows Store and uses the type of interface you would typically see on a touchscreen device.
Software Crash
A common issue in which software stops running properly, forcing you to exit and reopen the program.
System Slowness
A common issue where the software starts running more slowly than usual and every command the computer makes may be delayed by a few seconds or longer.
Operating System
A computer program that makes it so people, hardware, and software can interface with each other in a meaningful way.
Print Queue
A container that holds print jobs that are waiting to be sent to a printer that may be too busy to accept the print job.
Databases
A database is an electronic repository of information. With a database management system, businesses can store huge amounts of data about their employees, customers, and product inventory. Database administrators can create queries, which pull specific information out of the database. Databases are one of the best ways for businesses to store, analyze, and interpret large amounts of data. Microsoft Access is a database management system that ships with Microsoft Office. More robust business database solutions include Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.
Windows Registry
A database that stores settings for the operating system and other programs. These settings are stored as keys and values.
Device Drivers
A device driver is software that helps an operating system communicate with hardware devices, such as printers, video cards, scanners, and cameras. Let's use printers as an example. There are thousands of printer models available, and each one needs to get instructions from the computer in a slightly different way. It would be impossible and unnecessary for an operating system such as Windows to know how to communicate with every single kind of printer. Instead, users install the driver for their specific printer, which translates signals from the operating system into instructions the printer can understand.
Print Server
A device or computer that connects client computers to printers. Client computers send print jobs to a print server that may hold them in a print queue before forwarding them to a printer.
Windows Update
A feature of the Windows operating system that keeps the system up to date.
Print Job
A file or set of files that have been submitted to a printer.
Virtual Machine
A file that acts like a computer but in reality only exists virtually as opposed to physically.
NTFS
A journaling file system that allows you to choose which users or groups can access files and folders.
Malicious Software Infection
A kind of software that can harm a computer and compromise security.
App Store
A platform that allows users to search for a variety of apps that can be delivered to many different devices. Most apps in app stores can be downloaded for free while others must be purchased.
Shared Printer
A printer that is attached to one computer but allows printing access to multiple computers and devices connected to the same network.
Task Manager
A program used by Windows to provide information about how a computer is performing and which processes and services are running at any given time.
Device Management
A role of the operating system that determines the hardware that is connected to the system, interprets instructions from the hardware, and sends instructions to it. Device management includes managing device drivers.
Disk Management
A role of the operating system that helps keep storage devices well organized and maintained.
Application Management
A role of the operating system that manages applications or programs that are installed on a system. Applications are run, configured, and deleted through application management.
Access Control/Protection
A role of the operating system that requires users to log in with their credentials before accessing sensitive information on the computer. It also manages antivirus and antimalware software to prevent malicious files from accessing the computer.
Service Management
A role of the operating system that runs processes or programs automatically in the background. These programs are services that perform functions like indexing files for better searches, verifying that software is up to date, and backing up files.
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
A simple program that's written directly into the motherboard's hardware used to initiate hardware in the booting process.
Technical Support Specialist
A specialist that serves as the main contact for a company's help desk or support organization, often performing tasks such as recording help desk tickets, simple troubleshooting, researching a knowledge base, and providing basic support.
Accounting
A spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel can perform basic accounting functions. For a more complete accounting solution, a small business might purchase a tool like Intuit QuickBooks. Business accounting software makes it easier to process payroll, reconcile accounts, send invoices, and track expenses. These tools streamline financial management by automating time-consuming tasks.
Power-on Self Test (POST)
A test that ensures that all the system's hardware is in working order before loading the operating system. During this test, an error message may display on the screen notifying you of the faulty component.
Managed Service Provider
A third party technical support organization employed by a company in order to cut costs and focus on business operations.
Windows Application
A traditional desktop application or program.
Registry Editor
A utility of the Windows operating system which lets you view and change all the keys in the registry, giving users greater control over their computers
Although there has been a rise in various forms of digital communication, email remains the most popular. Short for electronic mail, email is much like sending a letter or note through the post, except that it's delivered electronically. To send an email, simply write a message, add the recipient's email address, and click send. In addition to its speed, email has other benefits over traditional mail such as the ability to attach files and send a single message to many recipients. There are two types of email systems: webmail and desktop clients. Webmail, such as Gmail and Yahoo! mail, are accessed through a web browser. Email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook, run as separate applications on a computer.
System Crash
An issue in which software problems cause the system to crash completely, possibly forcing the entire system to restart. This can cause data loss.
Graphical User Interface
An operating system interface that allows a user to interact with the computer by displaying pictures, icons, and other images on a screen to represent files, folders, and system controls and by accepting input from a mouse or a touch screen.
Command Line Interface
An operating system interface that allows a user to interact with the computer by displaying text on a screen and accepting input from the keyboard. The input is entered as commands. The command line is used primarily by IT and other tech professionals.
Device Management
Another of the operating system's jobs is to know what hardware is connected to the system, interpret instructions from the hardware, and send instructions to it. Sometimes, you'll install a piece of hardware, like a printer, that your operating system doesn't know how to talk to. To make the printer work, you need to install a driver. Drivers are like interpreters that help the hardware and the OS to speak the same language.
Command Line Interface
Another way users interact with the operating system is using the command line interface. The command line is used primarily by IT and other tech professionals. Instead of using a mouse or touchscreen, the command line accepts input from the keyboard. The command line has a steeper learning curve, and it's possible to accidentally break the system if you don't know what you're doing. However, it also gives the user greater control over the file and operating systems and is faster than using a GUI. Interface between Applications and Hardware Operating systems provide an interface between the computer's hardware and application software. Hardware only speaks in raw physical signals, like pulses of electricity or light. Software understands things as ones and zeroes, which it can interpret as digital information. The operating system can take data from the hardware and pass it on to the software in a way it can understand, then take instructions from the software to be executed by the hardware.
Online Workspace & Document Sharing
Cloud-based solutions provide an online workspace for people to collaborate more effectively. Because documents are stored and accessed online, they can support collaborative editing, where multiple users work simultaneously on a document. Online workspaces are a great way to share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or other files in order to track revisions and provide feedback. Examples of cloud-based solutions services include: Microsoft Office 365, G-Suite by Google
Process/Memory Management
Computers work by executing lists of instructions. Sometimes, computers need to run multiple lists of instructions, or processes, at the same time. The Operating System makes sure that each process is sent to the CPU in an orderly way. Sometimes, a process will malfunction. For example, there may be a memory leak, where a badly-written program uses up space in RAM but doesn't let it go when it's done with it. If this happens, the operating system can kill the process so it doesn't clog up the computer's resources.
Device Manager
Device Manager is a Windows utility that lets you view and control peripheral devices and other hardware components. You can use Device Manager to troubleshoot hardware issues, update drivers, and view the technical properties of hardware devices.
Computer-Aided Design
Engineering and architecture firms make use of Computer-Aided Design or CAD tools, which are designed for 3D modeling and simulation. CAD software allows design engineers to test prototypes before they're manufactured. Computer-Aided Manufacturing or CAM refers to the process of loading CAD drawings into a machine that automates the manufacturing process.
File Explorer
File Explorer, formerly known as Windows Explorer, is a file management application that comes with Windows. File Explorer's main purpose is to let you view, open, copy, move, and otherwise manage your files and folders.
Firmware
Firmware is preinstalled, read-only software on a device that tells it how to work. In many ways, it's like a low-level operating system. Firmware can be found in televisions, remote controls, game consoles, printers, cameras, music players, and even automobiles. Sometimes, manufacturers release firmware updates that fix bugs and add new features. configure system settings such as security, power plans, network connections, installed applications, accessibility settings, and display settings.
Graphic Design
Graphic designers use software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create visually appealing content. They combine fonts, color, photos, and illustrations to communicate a message to customers.
Devices
In Devices, you manage peripheral devices, such as printers, the mouse, and the keyboard.
Ease of Access
In Ease of Access, you configure accessibility settings for the system.
Network & Internet
In Network and Internet, you manage your network settings when connecting the system to a network. This includes configuring the Windows Firewall and changing network adapter options.
System
In System, you will find various tools that allow you to modify the screen display, view the computer's specifications, modify or uninstall applications, and configure other system preferences.
Time & Language
In Time & Language, you set the date, time, region, and language used by the system.
Accounts
In User Accounts and Family Safety, you create and manage user accounts and set up parental controls.
Windows Settings App
In Windows 10, an application that organizes the settings and customizes how the computer looks and functions.
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging is exactly what its names implies - a way to send messages that are instantly presented to the recipient. Most conversations on instant messaging happen in real time and can include two or more people. Instant messaging is a popular form of social interaction, as well as a useful tool in the business world. Examples of instant messaging services are: WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger
Disk Management
It's important for storage hardware to be well organized. If information is scattered around a disk in a haphazard way, it takes a long time for the computer to get the information it needs, and the system slows down. Operating systems have disk management software, which helps keep storage devices well organized and maintained.
Graphical User Interfaces
One of the main functions of an operating system is to provide an interface between the computer and the user. Most modern operating systems use a graphical user interface (GUI), where pictures, icons, and other images are used to represent files, folders, and system controls, which make it easy for humans to understand and use. People interact with these graphics using a mouse, touchscreen, or keyboard. Generally speaking, GUIs are better for consumers. They're easier to learn and have safeguards against accidentally ruining the system by deleting or modifying important files.
Calendaring
Online calendars are an excellent way to coordinate the schedules of each member on a team. Usually, everyone on the team has an individual calendar where they can mark when they are busy or available. That way, it's easy to see when everyone is available to have a meeting or when a team member should be left alone.
Application Management
Operating systems manage applications installed on a system. The OS has tools to view, configure, and delete applications.
Firmware
Preinstalled, read-only software on a device that tells it how to work.
Privacy
Privacy gives you control over how your camera, microphone, and personal data are used by different apps.
Project Management
Resource management software allows businesses to manage projects through technology. Applications like Trello, Jira, and Workfront allow teams to divide up big projects into smaller, manageable tasks. These tasks can be assigned to individuals within an organization along with due dates, detailed instructions, uploaded files, and any other pertinent information to get the task done. This is a great way to facilitate communication and collaboration.
Screen Sharing
Screen sharing allows a user to show their computer screen to people on other computers. Whenever someone might be having computer trouble and the person helping needs to look at the screen, they don't have to wait for them to come to their desk. Applications that allow screen sharing include: Skype, Chrome, Remote Desktop, HipChat
Business Software
Software designed for advanced or specialized business functions such as database management, project management, customer relationship management, accounting, desktop publishing, graphic design, and computer aided design.
Device Drivers
Software that allows an operating system to communicate with hardware devices, such as printers, video cards, scanners, and cameras.
Utility Software
Software that analyzes, configures, and optimizes the computer, including backup software, compression software, disk cleaners, and antivirus software.
Collaboration Software
Software that facilitates the sharing, processing, and management of files, documents and other data between members of a team. This software includes message boards, screen sharing, conferencing software, email, calendaring, instant messaging, text messaging, and online workspace and document sharing.
Productivity Software
Software that is used to perform common tasks in a business or home office such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, web browsing, and visual diagramming.
Task Manager
Task Manager is a system administration utility that comes with Microsoft Windows. It lets users perform tasks such as shutting down applications that are not responding, viewing which processes and applications are using system resources, viewing network usage, and disconnecting users who are accessing the system. One of the most common things you'll do with Task Manager is to end an unresponsive app. To perform this task, take the following steps: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager Select the Processes tab. Select the unresponsive app or process from the list. Select End task
Text Messaging
Text messaging, sometimes called Short Messaging Service (SMS) or texting, is similar to instant messaging because communication is done through short messages. The main difference is that text messaging is handled through your phone service, and instant messaging uses the Internet. Generally, texting is done on cell phones. A similar service is MMS, Multimedia Message Service, which allows pictures and videos to be sent in text messages.
CMOS
The CMOS, an acronym for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, is a chip where the BIOS settings are stored.
Service Management
The OS also runs services, which are processes that run automatically in the background. Services do things like indexing files for better searches, verifying that software is up to date, and backing up files.
Personalization
The Personalization option lets you change the way the display looks on the monitor. For example, you can customize the current theme by selecting which desktop background, window color, and screen saver you want to use. You can also set up a new theme to be used by the display here.
File System
The methods and structures that an operating system uses to organize files on a storage device like a hard drive. File systems often use directory structures to keep track of files.
Access Control/Protection
The next operating system role is security. Operating systems require users to log in with their credentials before accessing sensitive information on the computer. They also use antivirus and antimalware software to prevent malicious files from accessing the computer.
Virtualization
The process of running a virtual instance of a computer system on its own partition, creating a software-based version of something such as an application, server, network, or storage.
Journaling
The process of tracking changes to a file so that a file can be repaired or restored in case of file corruption or data loss.
Netiquette
The rules of etiquette that should be observed while using computer networks, such as the internet.
File
The smallest container within a computer's storage system that is used to store information such as data, settings, and commands used in a computer program. A file is the smallest container that can be copied, deleted, or moved within a file system.
File Permissions
The use of user and file attributes that control which users can read, write, move, or delete each file.
File Format
The way in which the content of a file is organized. Often, a file type is indicated by the file extension such as .jpg, .gif, .png., .mp3, .wav, .wma, .mp4, .avi, and .wmv.
Desktop Publishing
To create high-quality reports, magazines, and books, businesses use desktop publishing software such as Adobe InDesign or Microsoft Publisher. While word processors can perform simple document layout functions, they can't handle more complex editorial projects. Desktop publishing software can be used to create printed documents as well as digital publications, such as e-books and interactive web content.
UEFI
UEFI, which stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, is a graphical boot tool that is utilized to configure the BIOS for the end user, offering several advantages including faster booting, supporting larger hard drives, and providing more security features.
Utility Software
Utility software analyzes, configures, and optimizes the computer. Unlike application software, which benefits the end user directly, utility software is used to support and maintain the computer system itself. Some common types of utility software include: Backup software, which creates backup copies of data and restores them if the original data is lost or corrupted Compression software, which compresses and decompresses files, making storage more efficient. Disk cleaners, which delete temporary or unnecessary information from disk drives Antivirus software, which prevents viruses and other malware from harming the computer system
Conferencing Software
Webinars and other conferencing software allow you to connect with people through video, voice, and chat. Also known as web casts or web conferencing, webinars may be used for meetings, lectures, presentations, or training events that need to reach large audiences at remote locations.
Update & security
Windows Update lets you configure how and when updates from Microsoft are downloaded and installed on the system. In Update & security, you can also set backup and recovery options and configure settings for Windows Defender, which is anti-malware software installed by default on Windows systems.
Customer Relationship Management
With customer relationship management or CRM software, organizations can store and analyze relevant customer data. This includes tracking phone calls and other interactions, identifying and retaining top customers, responding to customer complaints, and making the sales process more efficient.
