Computer
Gigabyte
1 billion bytes
Gigahertz
1 billion cycles per second
Megabyte
1 million bytes
Terabyte
1 trillion bytes
Kilobyte
1000 bytes
Binary numbers
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Byte
8 bits
Status bar
A bar at the bottom of the program window that provides information about the current file and process.
Undo button
A button on the Quick Access toolbar that you can click to undo (or reverse) your last action.
Smart phone
A cell phone that includes abilities to send text messages, text messages with photos, videos, or other multimedia content, surf the web, manage email, play games, take photos and videos, and download and use apps.
Undo
A command that allows users to cancel or undo their last command or action.
Redo
A command that repeats a user's last action.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A computer chip that Carries out instructions given by the software to perform the processing cycle
Client
A computer that requests data stored on a server.
wifi adapter
A device that communicates with a wireless access point or wireless router using radio frequencies
Scanner
A device that converts printed documents into digital file formats.
Expansion cards
A device that plugs into a slot on the motherboard to provide or improve functionality.
Microphone
A device used in conjunction with software to create an audio digital file from voice or other sounds
biometric scanner
A device used to identify a person based on biological data.
Keyboard
A device used to type and input data into a computer
View
A display of the document in screen
File
A document that is stored on your computer.
AutoFormat As You Type
A feature in Word that applies built-in formats as you type.
LED
A flat panel technology that costs less than LCD
System unit
A horizontal or vertical case in which the computer's processing, memory, and main storage device are housed.
Menu
A list of commands or choices.
Sound card
An expansion card that attaches to the motherboard inside the system unit and that enables the computer to produce sounds by providing a connection for the speakers and microphone.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
An expansion card that enables a computer to connect other computers or to a cable modem to facilitate a high-speed Internet connection.
Windows
An operating system by Microsoft that incorporates a user-friendly, graphical interface.
mobile operating system
An operating system designed to be used with mobile phones and other mobile devices.
Linux
An operating system that is a UNIX clone, developed by Linus Torvalds. Linux is freely distributed and has an open source code.
Home user
Any person who spends time using technology at home
IOS
Apples mobile operating system.
Title bar
Bar at the top of a window that incentivizes the contents of a window
New
Begins a new document, located on the file menu
Menu
Item on the computer screen that contains list of commands
ROM
Memory built in the motherboard that is used for storing computer instructions that do not change
End
Moves cursor to the end of the current line
Home
Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line
Desktop
On-screen work area that has a graphical user interface.
Peripheral device
Other devices that can work or attach with a computer. (printers, scanners, headsets)
HDMI port
Port that combines DVI with high-definition television and video.
Control home
Pressed together, this moves the cursor to the top of your document
Store
Processor operation that writes a result to memory
Boot code
Program code in the first sector of the active partition; this code identifies the file system on the active partition, finds the boot loader file, and loads it into memory.
BIOS
Programming code stored on a ROM that includes instructions used when starting a computer
system software
Programs that control or maintain the operations of a computer and its devices.
USB port
Provides electric power
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification
RAM
Random Access Memory
Window
Rectangular area that displays data and information
Cut
Removes highlighted text
Paste
Removes text from clipboard and sends it back to screen
Warm boot
Restarting the computer by using a reset operation. For example, by pressing and holding down the following three keys: Control - Alt - Delete (for PC computers) and Control - Open Apple - and the Start Key (for Macintosh computers) will allow the computer to restart.
Copy
Sends a copy to clipboard
Save
Sends copy of document to storage medium
Icon
Small image displayed on a computer screen that represents a program
Hard disk drive
Storage medium for main disk drive on computer, is generally cheaper, therefore more storage space, however can be unreliable.
Folder
Subdivision on a disk that works like a filing system
non printing characters
Symbols for certain formatting commands that can help users create and edit documents.
Ethernet
Technology most commonly used in wired local area networks
Insertion point
The blinking point at the upper-left side of the document where you will begin creating your text.
Fragmentation
The clusters stored on a drive needed for a document
Margin
The distance between the edge of the text in the document and the top, bottom, or side edges of the page
File explorer
The file management tool in Windows 8 used to organize files.
Universal serial port
The most common type of port that is used to connect an external device such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, or external storage media to a computer.
Resolution
The number of pixels that make up the image shown on the display screen
Page break
The point at which text stops and moves to the top of a new page in a Word 2016 document. They occur automatically when the maximum number of characters is reached or when a user creates enough space for a new page.
Ergonomics
The study of workplace equipment design or how to arrange and design devices, machines, or workspace so that people and things interact safely and most efficiently.
Format
The way text appears on a page.
Save As
WP command that allows you to name a new document or rename as existing document
Close
WP command which closes a document
Optical disk
a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc.
Disk cleanup
a Windows utility that removes unnecessary files from the hard drive
Flash memory
a chip-based storage medium that represents data using electrons
embedded computer
a combination of computer hardware and software, either fixed in capability or programmable, designed for a specific function or functions within a larger system.
personal computer
a computer designed for use by one person at a time.
Server
a computer or computer program that manages access to a centralized resource or service in a network.
Mobile device
a computing device small enough to hold in your hand
Bar code readers
a device that optically scans bar codes to identify to identify products in warehouses or at checkout counters.
Magnetic strip reader
a device that reads information magnetically encoded on the back of plastic cards
Video card
a device used to process the data needed to display the text and images on your monitor, projector, or television.
Video display projector
a device used when a computer's output needs to be projected on a large screen.
Print preview
a feature that allows the user to view a document onscreen and make necessary formatting changes prior to printing it
Windows Explorer
a file management system in Windows 7 in which you can move, copy, delete, and rename files.
Wearable device
can be worn on the body and functions while the individual is moving around
portable media player
a mobile device on which you can store, organize, and play or view digital media
File
a named unit of storage
Solid state drive
a newer type of hard disk drive technology that uses flash memory.
Plug and play
a platform in which the OS searches a newly attached device for the driver, loads it automatically, and displays a message when the device is ready for use.
Graphics card
a printed circuit board that controls the output to a display screen.
open source program
a program in which the source code is available to the public and can be freely modified or customized
backup utility
a program that allows you to back up selected files or an entire disk to a removable storage medium.
Restore utility
a program that allows you to copy files from a backup to a disk drive in their original state.
System restore
a program that will undo a recent change while leaving all documents intact.
MacOS
a proprietary operating system created by Apple.
Touchpad
a rectangular surface with buttons located below the keyboard on a notebook that is used in place of a mouse to move the pointer on the screen and manipulate objects.
POST test
a series of tests executed at boot up to make sure the computer hardware is connected properly and operating correctly.
multi-core processor
a single chip with two or more separate processor cores
all-in-one printer
a single output device that serves several functions, including printing, faxing, scanning, and copying.
Command Line Interface
a system used to interact with an OS in which you type commands on the keyboard at a prompt to tell the OS what to do.
Action center
a unified place for all system notifications and quick access to various settings. A good place to begin when something is not working
File manager
a utility program that displays a list of files and folders on a storage device
Disk Defragmenter
a utility that rearranges fragmented files back together to improve file retrieval speed and efficiency
User
anyone who interacts with a computer or mobile device, or utilizes the information it generates
Arithmetic logic unit
component of the processor that performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations
Application software
computer software created to allow the user to perform a specific job or task
virtual reality
computers used to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as a three-dimensional space
AutoCorrect
corrects errors as you type
Communications device
hardware capable of transferring items from computers and devices to transmission media and vice versa
Paragraph indent
indent in a paragraph when the entire paragraph is indented
Green computing
involves reducing the environmental waste generated when using a computer
Change case
make all capital, lowercase, etc.
laptop/notebook
mobile PC with a screen and a keyboard attached
Tablet
mobile computer with a display, circuitry, and a battery in a single unit
OLED
new technology used for tv/monitor screens, using a cathode and anode. Flexible, no backlighting required.
Clock speed
operating speed of a computer or its microprocessor defined at the rate at which it performs internal operations and expressed in cycles per seconds (megahertz)
Monitor
output device that houses the screen on a desktop PC
Graphic
picture
Pixel
picture element
system software
programs designed to control the computer
Apps
programs used by individuals to carry out tasks or otherwise get things done.
Defaults
situations in which borrowers stop making payments on their loans
Super computer
specially designed computer that can perform complex calculations extremely rapidly
Justified margins
straight and even text, always begins at the same place
Control end
takes you to the end of the document
RAM
temporary storage
Line spacing
the amount of space between lines of text
computing platform
the combination of hardware architecture and software design that allows applications to run
Ribbon
the control center in Word
Virtual Memory
the hard disk space allocated to store RAM contents
Binary system
the location for the digital data represented by 0s and 1s temporarily stored in RAM, processed by the CPU, and eventually saved to permanent storage when you save the document.
Motherboard
the main circuit board of the computer
User Interface
the means with which you interact with the computer
Technological Convergence
the merging of several technologies into a single product
USB dongle
the most common type of external wireless adapter.
802.11 protocol
the name of the standard developed to facilitate wireless communication among several hardware providers.
Hardware
the physical parts of a computer
Storage device
the piece of hardware with the means to write new data to and read existing data from storage media.
ubiquitous computing
the possibility of computers being embedded into almost everything and potentially able to communicate
Booting
the process of starting or restarting a computer
Bit
the smallest unit of data in a computer
Instructions
the steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task
Active tab
the tab currently displayed
creating a document
typing the document
Optimize drives
A utility used to analyze a drive for the percentage of fragmentation
Webcam
A video camera for computers typically used to provide real-time video footage
Binary
A way of representing information using only two options.
Point size
A measurement that refers to the height of characters with one point equaling approximately 1/12 of an inch.
Android
A mobile operating system developed by Google.
Mobile computer
A personal computer you can carry from place to place
Folder
A placeholder name for where you want to store relating files
USB flash drive
A portable flash memory storage device that you plug in a USB port.
Sleep
A power saving mode where open documents and programs are saved to memory
Hard copy
A printed copy of a document.
laser printer
A printer that produces images using the same technology as copier machines.
parallel processing
A procedure that involves having multiple microprocessor chips or a multi core processor
Horizontal ruler
A ruler that displays along the top edge of the document window
Software
A series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them.
Document theme
A set of predefined formatting options that includes theme colors, fonts, and effects.
Operating System Software
A set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer or mobile device hardware.
Protocols
A set of rules governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices.
Hibernate
A shutdown function that saves any open documents and programs to the hard drive before removing power to the computer
Bullet
A small graphic symbol used to identify an item in a list.
Netbook
A small portable laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet
Driver
A small program that instructs the operating system on how to operate specific hardware.
Word Processing Program
A software program that includes tools for entering, editing, and formatting text and graphics.
embedded operating system
A specialized operating system that runs on GPS devices, ATMs, smartphones, and other devices
Clipboard
A storage area that temporarily stores the items for a user to paste in another location of the document or office file.
Sans Serif Font
A style of text that lacks curves or edges
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A system that presents visual images such as tiles, icons, or buttons, that you tap or click to tell the OS what you want to do
operating system
A system that provides the user interface that allows you to work with the computer
Storage
A technology consisting of computer components and recording media that are used to retain digital data
Touchscreens
A technology found on monitors and mobile devices that accepts input by allowing the user to perform a variety of finger taps and gestures directly on the screen.
Bluetooth
A technology used for wireless communication over short distances
Soft copy
A temporary display of output seen on a monitor.
Clipboard
A temporary storage area for items that are cut or copied
Landscape
A term used to refer to horizontal page orientation
Scroll bar
A tool that allows the user to move up or down within the document.
Word wrap
A tool that automatically wraps text to the next line as it reaches the right margin.
Format painter
A tool to copy character and paragraph formatting.
Quick Access Toolbar
A toolbar that contains commands that users use more often, such as Save, Undo, and Redo.
QR
A type of bar code that looks like a matrix of black square dots
cache memory
A type of memory used to temporarily store frequently used data or programs for quick access; similar to RAM but faster.
System unit
Case that contains the electronic components of a computer that are used to process data.
CPU
Central Processing Unit; the brain of the computer.
File
Central place for managing and sharing documents
Editing a document
Changing the content of a document, such as inserting or deleting words.
Exit
Closes a program
Save
Command copies to document storage medium file
Control unit
Component of a processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer.
Power supply
Component of the system unit that converts wall outlet AC power to the DC power that is used by a computer.
Pipelining
Concept in which the processor begins fetching a second instruction before it completes the machine cycle for the first instruction.
Ports
Connectors located at the back of a desktop PC or at the side, back, and sometimes the front of a notebook or mobile device that is used to plug in an external device.
Kernel
Core components of the OS that is loaded when the computer is first booted.
Output device
any hardware component that conveys information from a computer or mobile device to one or more people
Header and footer
Data that appears at the top of every page or at the bottom of every page in a document.
document
Data that has been created and saved under a unique title
Mouse
Device used to click, drag, scroll, and highlight
Computer
Electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result.
Delete
Erases text to the right of the cursor
Hanging indent
First line of a paragraph that is farther to the left than the rest of the paragraph.
LCD
Flat panel widescreen technology widely used for new desktop PC monitors
serif fonts
Fonts that have a tail, or stroke, at the end of some characters.
Chrome OS
Google's Linux-based operating system designed to work primarily with web apps.
Button
Graphical element that is activated to cause a specific action to occur
Peripheral device
Hardware used for input, output, connectivity or storage that you plug in or connect to your computer wirelessly.
Cache
High speed memory
Tab
Indents first line of a paragraph
Command
Instruction on menu that causes a program to perform a specific action
Located on file menu
open an existing document
Located on file menu
Print preview
Located on the file menu under PRINT
Font
Located on the home tab
Cloud storage
Log into a website and copy documents, photos, and other info
Opening a doc
This command under File allows you to access a saved document.
Spell Check and Grammar Check
This feature of a word processor matches your document to a saved dictionary, checking grammar & spelling at the same time. It is located under Review on the Ribbon.
Block
To highlight
Toggle
To switch between two options or to turn a feature on or off.
Insert
Toggle key that turns on and off the ability to add text
Cold boot
Turning on a computer that has been shut off
nonvolatile memory
Type of memory that does not lose its contents when a computer's power is turned off.
Volatile memory
Type of memory that loses its contents when a computer's power is turned off.
utility program
Type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Type of user interface that allows a user to interact with software using text, graphics, and visual images, such as icons.
information technology
Use of computers, software, networks, and other communication systems and processes to store, retrieve, send, process, and protect information
Power user
User who requires the capabilities of a powerful computer
Typeover
allows you to replace current text with newly keyed text
UNIX
an operating system that is designed for servers that originally was designed to be multi-user and multi-tasking.
inkjet printer
an output device that forms text and images on the page by spraying drops of ink from one or more ink cartridges that move back and forth across the page.
Network card
any device used to connect a computer to a network
Input device
any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer or mobile device
Tool tip
brief instructions that pop up when the mouse hovers over a control
Desktop computer
designed so that the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table.
Stylus
digital pen
Video display
electronic devices that present information from a computer visually
computer literacy
entails having the knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses
Backspace
erases text to the left of the cursor
BIOS
firmware that is used during the PC boot process
Small office/home user
users who work for a company with fewer than 50 employees or work from home
Portrait
vertical page orientation