Computer Literacy Chapter 2
Multi-core processor
A CPU that consists of two or more processors that are integrated on a single chip
Digital video camera
A camera designed to record a digital video that is easily uploaded to your computer, where it can be edited, stored, and shared
CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor)
A chip on the motherboard where the BIOS settings are stored. It is volatile memory that uses a small battery to provide it with power to keep the data in memory even when the computer is turned off
Network adapter
A communication device that establishes a connection with a network; may be onboard, and expansion card, or a USB device, and may be wired or wireless
Modem
A communication device that modulates digital data into an analog signal that can be transmitted over s phone line and, on the receiving ends, demodulates the analog signal back into digital data
Fax device (or facsimile)
A communication device that scans a document and converts it into a digital format that can be transmitted over telephone lines to a receiving fax device, which then prints or displays the document
Expansion slot
A component located on the motherboard that enables you to connect an adapter card to a computer
Drive controller
A component located on the motherboard that provides a drive interface that connects disk drives to the processor
Port
A connection point that is used to attach peripheral devices to the motherboard
Analog input devices
A device that converts data signals into continuous electronic waves or pulses
Card reader
A device that provides a slot to insert a memory card into a computer so that the data on the card can be read. Used to transfer data, such as photos and music, between a card and a computer or printer
Digital device
A device that represents audio or video data as a series of 0s and 1s
Communication deivde
A device that serves a both input and output device and enables you to connect to other devices on a network or to the internent
Input device
A device to enter data into the computer system so that it can be processed
Output device
A device, for example, a printer or monitor, that returns processed information to the user
HDMI
A digital port that can transmit both audio and video signals. It is the standard connection for high-definition TVs, video game consoles, and other media devices
DLP (digital light-processing) projector
A digital projector that has hundreds of thousands of tiny swiveling mirrors that create an image
LCD projector
A digital projector that passes light through a prism, which divides the lights into three beams - red, green, and blue - that are then passed through an LCD screen
Internal Drive
A drive located inside the system unit in an internal drive bay that is not accessible from the outside
External drive
A drive that may be attached as a peripheral device using a USB or FireWire connection
Image stabilization
A feature found on some digital cameras that accounts for camera shake and results in sharper images
Burst Mode
A feature found on some digital cameras that enables you to take several pictures in a burst by holding down the shutter button
Optical disc
A form of removable storage that stores digital data by using a laser
Ergonomic keyboard
A full-sized keyboard with a curved shape that positions the wrists in a more natural position to reduce strain
Modifier key
A keyboard key such as ctrl, alt, and shift, that you press in conjunction with other keys
Plasma screen monitor
A large display type that works by passing an electric current through gas sealed in thousands of cells inside the screen. The current excites the gas, which in turn excites the phosphors that coat the screen to pass light through an image
Interactive Whiteboard
A large interactive display with a touch sensitive surface commonly used in classrooms and business
Nonvolatile memory
A memory chip that needs no power to retain information
Near field communication (NFC)
A method that enables devices to share data with each other by touching them together or bringing them within a few centimeters of each other
OLED (organic light-emitting diode)
A monitor composed of extremely thin panels of organic molecules sandwiched between two electrodes
All-in-one printer
A multifunction device that has a built-in printer and scanner and that may also have fax capabilities
Heat sink
A part of the cooling system of a computer, mounted above the CPU and composed of metal or ceramic to draw heat away from the processor
Photo printer
A printer that prints high quality photos on special photo paper
Inkjet printer
A printer that sprays droplets of ink onto paper
Laser Printer
A printer that uses a laser beam to draw an image on a drum. The image is electrostatically charged and attracts a dry ink called toner. The drum is then rolled over paper, and the toner is deposited on the paper. Finally, the paper is heated and pressure is applied, bonding the ink to the paper
Dye-sublimation printer
A printer that uses heat to turn solid dye into a gas that is transferred to special paper
Pipelining
A process used by a single processor to process multiple instructions simultaneously; as soon as the first instruction has moved from the fetch to the decode stage, the processor fetches the next instruction
Graphics processing unit (GPU)
A processor on a video card that can contain multiple cores
BIOS (basic input output system)
A program, stored on a chip on the motherboard, that starts the computer
AMOLED (active matrix OLED) screen
A screen type found in mobile devices that has a sharper image display with a wider viewing angle than an LCD is ideal for watching movies and sports
Bluetooth
A short-range wireless technology that connects many types of peripheral devices
Keypad
A small alternative keyboard that does not contain all the alphabet keys
Memory Board
A small circuit board that contains memory chips
Adapter Card
A small circuit board that plugs directly into an expansion slot on the motherboard and enables you to connect additional peripheral devices to a computer. Also called expansion card
Expansion card
A small circuit board that plugs directly into an expansion slot on the motherboard and that enables you to connect additional peripheral devices to a computer. Also called adapter card
Flash Drive
A small, portable, solid-state drive that can hold up to 128 GB of information
Braille embosser
A special printer that translates text to Braille
Cable modem
A special type of digital modem that connects to the cable system instead of a telephone line to provide fast Internet access
IEEE 1394
A standard port type that is hot-swappable and can connect up to 63 devices per port. It also allows for peer-to-peer communication between devices, such as two video cameras, without the use of a computer
FireWire
A standard port type that is hot-swappable and can connect up to 63 devices per port. It also allows for peer-to-peer communication between devices, such as two video cameras, without the use of a computer. Also known as IEEE 1394
Memory card
A storage medium that uses flash memory to store data in a small, flat design
Capacitive screen
A touchscreen that senses the conductive properties of an object such as a finger or specially designed conductive stylus
Ethernet card
A wired network adapter with a port that resembles a telephone jack
Compact System Camera (CSC)
An advanced point-and-shoot camera that has interchangeable lenses, some manual controls, a 10x to 26x optical zoom lens, and the ability to capture HD video. Also called a mirrorless camera or superzoom
Dvorak Simplified Keyboard
An alternate keyboard designed to put the most commonly used letters where they are more easily accessed to increase efficiency and reduce fatigue
Noise-cancelling headphones
An audio output device the reduces the effect of ambient noise; especially useful in noisy environments, such as airplanes
LED (light-emitting diode)
An electronic component that emits light when an electrical current is passed through it
Magnetic Strip Reader
An input device that can read information encoded in the magnetic strip on plastic cards, such as drivers' licenses, gift cards, library cards, credit cards, and hotel door keys
Optical scanner
An input device that converts photos or documents into digital files
Microphone
An input device that converts sound into digital signals. It is used to chat in real time or as part of voice-recognition applications used in video games and for dictating text
Optical mouse
An input device that detects motion by bouncing light from a red LED (light-emitting diode) off the surface below it
Joystick
An input device that is mounted on a base and consists of a stick, buttons, and sometimes a trigger. Typically used as a game controller, especially in flight simulator games, it can also be used for such tasks as controlling robotic machinery in a factory.
Mouse
An input device that may include one or more buttons and a scroll wheel and works by moving across a smooth surface to signal movement of the printer
Biometric scanner
An input device that measures human characteristics such as fingerprints and eye retinas
Barcode scanner
An input device that scans barcodes such as those found on merchandise and library books
Keyboard
An input device that uses switches and circuits to translate keystrokes into a signal a computer understands, and the primary input device for entering text into a computer
Game controller
An input device used to interact with a video game
Pointing device
An input device, such as a mouse or touchpad, that enables you to interact with objects by moving a pointer on the computer screen
EIDE (enhanced integrated drive electronics)
An older-legacy-drive interface that may still be found on older computers
DVD (digital video disc/digital versatile disc)
An optical disc that can hold approximately 4.7 GB of information in a single layer (SL) disc. Double layer (DL) discs have a second layer to store data and can hold about 8.5 GB
Blue-ray disc
An optical disc with about five times the capacity of a DVD; the single-layer disc capacity is 25 GB, and double-layer disc capacity is 50 GB
Analog output device
An output device such as a telephone, television, or CRT monitor that translates the digital electronic pulses back into audio and video signals
Cache memory
Fast memory that stores frequently accessed information close to the processor
Headset
Headphones that also include a microphoen
Flash memory
Nonvolatile storage used in solid-state storage devices such as solid state drives (SSDs), flash drives, and memory cards
E-waste (electronic waste)
Old computers, cell phones, TVs, VCRs, and other electronic devices that are discarded
Headphones
Output devices that convert digital signals into sound, available in several different sizes and styles, ranging from tiny earbuds that fit inside your ear to full-size headphones that completely cover your outer ear
Drive Bay
Part of the system unit that holds the storage devices
eCylcing
Recycling electronics
Memory
Temporary storage that is used by a computer to hold instructions and data
Central processing unit (CPU)
The brain of a computer housed inside the system unit on the motherboard. Also known as the processor
Display adapter
The card that provides the data signal and connection for a monitor or projector. Also called a video card
Peripheral devices
The components that serve the input, output, and storage functions of a computer
Point-and-shoot
The easiest, least expensive type of digital camera
DIMM (dual in-line memory module)
The form of RAM found in most desktop computers
Instruction cycle
The four-part process used by the CPU to process each instruction: fetch, decode, execute, store. ALso called a machine cycle
Machine Cycle
The four-part process used by the CPU to process each instruction: fetch, decode, execute, store. Also called the instruction cycle
Motherboard
The main circuit board of a computer that houses the processor (CPU) and contains drive controllers and interfaces, expansion slots, data buses, ports and connectors, the BIOS, and memory. A motherboard may also include integrated peripherals, such as video, sound, and network adapters. It provides the way for devices to attach to you computer.
Digital single lens reflex (DSLR)
The most expensive and versatile type of digital camera. A high-end digital camera that enables you to change the lens, attach a hot shoe flash, manually adjust focus and exposure, and look through the viewfinder to frame your shot
CD (compact disc)
The oldest type of optical disc in use today, with a storage capacity of about 700 MB
Control Unit
The part of the CPU that manages the movement of data through the CPU
Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
The part of the CPU that performs arithmetic (addition and subtraction) and logic (AND, OR and NOT) calculations
Hardware
The physical components of a computer
Hard drive
The principal mass-storage device in a computer that stores data magnetically on metal platters
Parallel Processing
The process of using multiple processors, or multi-core processors, to divide processing tasks
Clock speed
The speed at which the processor executes the machine cycle measured in gigahertz (GHz) - billions of cycle per second
DVI (digital visual interface) port
The standard digital video port found on video cards
Pixel
The term that is the shortened version of picture element and which represents a single point on a display screen. Each pixel contains three colors; red green and blue (RGB)
LCD (liquid crystal display)
Two layers of glass glued together with a layer of liquid crystals between them. Electricity passed through the individual crystals causes them to pass or block light to create an image. Found on most desktop and notebook computers.
Data bus
Wires on the motherboard over which data flows between the components of the computer
