confused and stressed when confronted with computer terminology. This language has taken on a path of its own, using words such as cookie, ram, mouse, hardware and more. However don't panic yet, just read this article and soon you will be speaking the language.

Lets start with the basics of Computer Terminology

Hardware refers to the basic parts that make up your computer. For example a hard drive, memory, and motherboard are part of the hardware of your computer.
Peripherals are those pieces of hardware that you add on to your computer. For example a mouse, keyboard, modem, monitor, etc.
Software refers to all of the programs on your computer. Software helps you get things achieved, like writing letters, sending emails, and surfing the internet.

Different types of hardware

Hard drive. This is where all your data is stored when you save it. Its size or capacity is measured in gigabytes. For Example, I have a 160GB hard drive in my computer. Obviously a 20GB hard drive is very small in comparison.

Processor or Central Processing Unit (CPU) interprets computer program instructions and processes data. The bigger your processor, the faster your computer performs your tasks. Its speed is measured in megahertz and gigahertz. 1000 megahertz equals 1 gigahertz. People still have computers that can be something like a Pentium III 933mhz, however a more up to date computer would be Pentium IV 3.0ghz.

Motherboard, systemboard, or mainboard is the central circuit board that provides electrical connections so the other components of a computer can communicate with each other. It is the main part to a computer.

Ram (random acess memory) is the memory of a computer which works with the other components of the computer to allow it to function. It stores your data when you are using it and returns it when you are finished. For example it allows your programs to run and then puts them away when you close them. Ram size is measured in megabytes and gigabytes. Most computers have at least 512mb ram but if you doubled that it would be over 1 gigabyte. (1024mb).

CD Rom, Cd burner, or Dvd burner. These are used to read cd's to install software, or access any data stored on a disk. The latest dvd burners can read most disks as well as burn both cd's and dvd's. The older type cd roms only read cd's and cd burners read and write or burn cd's.

Floppy disk drives are almost obsolete. It uses the older type 3.5" square plastic disk.

Different types of Peripherals

Keyboard allows you to type information into your computer. It has made the poor old type writer obsolete.
Mouse This is used as a pointing device that can help you control your computer tasks. It is a hand held device with a left and right click button. It performs a lot of the keyboards functions but its as easy as a click here and there.
Monitor is the screen for viewing your working computer. The older type are CRT Monitors and the nice slim screens are LCD Monitors.
Modem This device connects your computer to a phone line to enable communication between you and other computers. It allows you to view pages stored on other computers which is commonly called the internet. You will need a service provider to do this. Most people have cable internet, however in remote areas they still use dial up internet which is extremely slow.
Printer/Scanner This allows you to print pages from your computer or scan and copy pages on to your computer to view and edit. Most new printers come with a scanner incorporated and sometimes they can also print great quality photos.

Software

The main and most important piece of software a computer has is the Operating System which is most commonly called Windows. There is also software for almost anything you want to do with your computer. There is software for picture editing, movie making, music production, watching movies or TV, and more. It almost seems never ending. It all starts with an idea.

Computer Terminology relating to software

Warez A common name for illegal software.
Apps Is an abbreviation used for application software.

Common Computer terminology and meanings

Burn a cd. No this does not mean you can set fire to it! This means to write data to a disk. Maybe you want to burn a copy of your home movies on to a disk.

Desktop It is everything you see when you start your computer except the taskbar.

Wallpaper The monitor pattern or picture or other graphic representation that forms the background onto which all the icons are displayed. I like to use a photo of my own for the wallpaper on my desktop.

Cookie A text information message that is stored on your computer when you visit a web page. When you return to the page the cookie is used to recognise you.

Tweak To make small changes that fine-tune a piece of software or hardware. There are many programs that help you do this. For example XP tools, Tweak u, Ashampoo.

If you are a new computer user, you should keep this article handy for future reference, and hopefully soon this computer terminology will become your second language.

About the Author

Mitz Pantic wrote this article. See more Free Computer Education articles.

This article is free to re-produce providing that the author's bio is included and the website links are still clickable...