Computer Terms

Free Computer Help By Mitz

All terms and definitions are only relevant to this web page.

Also read A Guide To Basic Computer Terminology

AGP: (Accelerated Graphics Port) is usually located near the white PCI slots on a Motherboard. This is where you install a video card for better graphical performance.

Application: A computer program that performs tasks that the user wishes to perform

ADSL: Short for asymmetric digital subscriber line, a new technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines

Animation: A simulation of movement created by displaying a series of pictures, or frames. Cartoons on television is one example of animation.

Attachment:  A file attached to an e-mail message. For example you could attach a picture to send with your e-mail.

Auto responder An e-mail utility that automatically replies to an e-mail message with a prewritten response. Read More.....

Bios: Basic input output system. You can access this when you start-up a computer. It will say on the screen "To enter setup press .....key". It lets you change whether the CD-ROM or hard drive boots first. There are also settings to overclock some computer systems.

Boot sequence: The order of drives that a system’s BIOS follows when looking for the operating system. For example it can go to the hard drive, the floppy drive, or the Cd rom.

Broadcast: To simultaneously send the same message to multiple recipients. Broadcasting is a useful feature in e-mail systems

Browser: A program to allow you to view and browse web pages on the internet. I use Internet Explorer.

Computer: This a general term for all the included components that make up a computer. When people say the word computer they generally mean the whole system.

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 recognize you.

CPU: (Central Processing unit) This is the brains of the computer. It is a chip attached to the motherboard and controls and calculates data and is a vital part of your computer. Sometimes known as the Processor, the CPU comes in different speeds. I have a 2.8ghz processor.

CTRL: Stands for control button. Found on both sides, bottom left and right, of the keyboard. Used to perform special functions such as selecting all (Ctrl-A).

Data: A collection of facts, information, photos, text, anything, on a computer or on the internet.

Desktop: It is everything you see when you start your computer except the taskbar. Your desktop has the icons on it that are shortcuts to programs and folders.

Ergonomic office chair This refers to a chair purposely designed to fit the comfort needs of the user with considerations such as surrounding environment taken into account.

Format: (Hard drive, re-writeable disks) To clear of all data. Clean to the original state of empty. A hard drive has to be formatted and partitioned to install an operating system.

Forward: Forward is an option found in an e-mail client, which allows you to forward a received e-mail to another recipient.

Firewall: A personal firewall is a computer program that protects your computer from malicious users by blocking incoming and outgoing unauthorized access. Windows Xp comes with a built in firewall.

Hardware:  The basic parts that make up your computer.

Html: (hyper text markup language) This is coding used to develop webpages. You can start from scratch, writing html or you can use a html editor like Frontpage that has a template to start with.

IP Address: A unique address that each computer has.

Keypad: The set of numbers on the right hand side of the keyboard.

Message Rules: Rules that you can set in Outlook Express to filter your email messages.

Motherboard: 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. Everything is connected to it.

OS: (Operating System) Is the main program that runs your computer. Windows is probably the most popular.

OSK: On screen keyboard. Windows has a built in OSK. You can type OSK in the run command window and it will appear.

Peripherals: Peripherals are those pieces of hardware that you add on to your computer. For example a mouse, keyboard, modem, monitor, etc.

PCI: (peripheral component interconnect) These are slots on the motherboard, usually white, where you can add cards onto your computer. You can add soundcards, internal modems, TV cards, and more...

Power Supply: This is a component of the computer that supplies power to all of the other components. You plug power into the back of the computer.

Print Screen (Key): The key between the letters and the keypad labelled "Prt Sc/Sys Rq". Commonly used to take photographs of the screen.

Partition: When you divide your hard drive into parts, each section of data is called a partition. A hard drive must have at least one partition on it for Windows to be installed.

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