Introduction to Computers

browser

A browser is software that enables users with an Internet connection to access and view webpages on a computer or mobile device.

communications device

A communications device is hardware capable of transferring items from computers and devices to transmission media and vice versa.

computer

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept date (input), process the date according to specified rules, produce information (output), and store the information for future use.

storage media

A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media. Examples of storage media are hard disks, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, and optical discs.

desktop

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

digital camera

A digital camera is a device that allows you to take photos and store the photographed images digitally.

game console

A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multi-player video games.

laptop

A laptop, also called a notebook computer, is a thin, lightweight mobile computer with a screen in its lid and a keyboard it its base.

mobile device

A mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand.

network

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media.

personal computer

A personal computer (PC) is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself and is intended to be used by one person at a time.

portable media player

A portable media player, somtimes called a personal media player, is a mobile device on which you can store, organize, and play or view digital media.

printer

A printer is an output device that produces text and graphics on a physical edium such as paper.

search engine

A search engine is a software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other information related to a specific topic.

server

A server is a computer dedicated to providing one or more services to other computers or devices on a network.

smartphone

A smartphone is an Internet-capable phone that usually also includes a callender, an appointment book, an address book, a calculator, a notepad, games, and several other apps (which are programs on a smartphone).

social networking site

A social networking site, also called an online social network, is a website that encourages members in its onlne community to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users.

storage device

A storage device records (writes) and/or retries (reads) items to and from storage media.

user

A user is anyone who interats with a computer or mobile device, or utilizes the information it generates.

web server

A web server is a computer that delivers requested webpages to your computer or mobile device.

website

A website is a collection of related webpages, which are stores on a web server.

e-book reader

An e-book reader (short for electronic book reader), or e-reader, is a mobile device that is used primarily for reading e-books.

input device

An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer or mobile device.

online social network

An online social network, also called a social network site, is a website that encourages members in its online community to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users.

output device

An output device is any hardware component that conveys information from a computer or mobile device to one or more people.

application

Application software, usually simply called an application (or app for short) consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks.

app

Application software, usually simply called an application (or app for short), consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks.

digital literacy

Digital literacy involves having a current knowledge and understanding of computers, mobile devices, the Internet, and related technologies.

webpage

Each electronic document on the web is called a webpage, which can contain text, graphics, audio, and video.

green computing

Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste when using a computer.

malware

Malware, short for malicious software, is software that acts without a user's knowledge and deliberately alters the computer's and mobile device's operations.

program

Programs, also called software, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them.

software

Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them.

Internet

The Internet is a worldwide collection of computer networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educations institutions, and individuals.

web

The web consists of a worldwide collection of electronic documents.

tablet

Usually smaller than a laptop but larger than a phone, a tablet is a thin, lighter-weight mobile computer that has a touch screen.