1–10

2-in-1 computer A portable computer that combines the functionality of a touchscreen tablet and traditional notebook PC.

A

Action Center The pop-up pane that appears when you click the Notifications button in the Windows taskbar; it displays system messages and quick links to key Windows functions.

address The location of an Internet host. An email address might take the form [email protected]; a web address might look like www.xyztech.com. See also URL.

all-in-one computer A desktop computer where the system unit, monitor, and speakers are housed in a single unit. Often the monitor of such a system has a touchscreen display.

app See application.

application A computer program designed for a specific task or use, such as word processing, accounting, or missile guidance.

attachment A file, such as a Word document or graphics image, attached to an email message.

B

backup A copy of important data files.

boot The process of turning on your computer system.

broadband A high-speed Internet connection; it’s faster than the older dial-up connection.

browser A program, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, used to view pages on the Web.

bug An error in a software program or the hardware.

C

CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) A CD that can be used to store computer data. A CD-ROM, similar to an audio CD, stores data in a form readable by a laser, resulting in a storage device of great capacity and quick accessibility.

computer A programmable device that can store, retrieve, and process data.

Cortana A Windows 10 app that functions as a personal productivity assistant.

CPU (central processing unit) The group of circuits that direct the entire computer system by (1) interpreting and executing program instruction and (2) coordinating the interaction of input, output, and storage devices.

Craigslist An Internet-based classified advertising forum.

cursor The highlighted area or pointer that tracks with the movement of your mouse or arrow keys onscreen.

D

data Information—on a computer, in digital format.

desktop The background in Windows upon which all other apps and utilities sit.

desktop computer A personal computer designed for use on a typical office desktop. A traditional desktop computer system consists of a system unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

device A computer file that represents some object—physical or nonphysical—installed on your system.

disk A device that stores data in magnetic or optical format.

disk drive A mechanism for retrieving information stored on a magnetic disk. The drive rotates the disk at high speed and reads the data with a magnetic head similar to those used in tape recorders.

domain The identifying portion of an Internet address. In email addresses, the domain name follows the @ sign; in website addresses, the domain name follows the www.

download A way to transfer files, graphics, or other information from the Internet to your computer.

driver A support file that tells a program how to interact with a specific hardware device, such as a hard disk controller or video display card.

DVD An optical disc, similar to a CD, that can hold a minimum of 4.7GB, enough for a full-length movie.

E

email Electronic mail; a means of corresponding with other computer users over the Internet through digital messages.

encryption A method of encoding files so only the recipient can read the information.

Ethernet A popular computer networking technology; Ethernet is used to network, or hook together, computers so that they can share information.

executable file A program you run on your computer system.

F

favorite A bookmarked site in a web browser.

file Any group of data treated as a single entity by the computer, such as a word processor document, a program, or a database.

File Explorer The utility used to navigate and display files and folders on your computer system.

firewall Computer hardware or software with special security features to safeguard a computer connected to a network or to the Internet.

folder A way to group files on a disk; each folder can contain multiple files or other folders (called subfolders). Folders are sometimes called directories.

freeware Free software available over the Internet. This is in contrast with shareware, which is available freely but usually asks the user to send payment for using the software.

G

gigabyte (GB) One billion bytes.

graphics Pictures, photographs, and clip art.

H

hard disk A sealed cartridge containing a magnetic storage disk(s) designed for long-term mass storage of computer data.

hardware The physical equipment, as opposed to the programs and procedures, used in computing.

HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) An interface for transmitting high-definition digital audio and video signals.

home page The first or main page of a website.

hotspot A public wireless Internet access point.

hover See mouse over.

hyperlink A connection between two tagged elements in a web page, or separate sites, that makes it possible to click from one to the other.

I–J

icon A graphic symbol on the display screen that represents a file, peripheral, or some other object or function.

identity theft The illegal use of a person’s personal information, typically for fraudulent purposes.

Internet The global network of networks that connects millions of computers and other devices around the world.

Internet service provider (ISP) A company that provides end-user access to the Internet via its central computers and local access lines.

K–L

keyboard The typewriter-like device used to type instructions to a personal computer.

kilobyte (KB) A unit of measure for data storage or transmission equivalent to 1024 bytes; often rounded to 1000.

LAN (local-area network) A system that enables users to connect PCs to one another or to minicomputers or mainframes.

laptop A portable computer small enough to operate on one’s lap. Also known as a notebook computer.

M–N

malware Short for malicious software, any software program designed to do damage to or take over your computer system.

megabyte (MB) One million bytes.

megahertz (MHz) A measure of microprocessing speed; 1MHz equals one million electrical cycles per second. (One thousand MHz equals 1 gigahertz, or GHz.)

memory Temporary electronic storage for data and instructions, via electronic impulses on a chip.

microprocessor A complete central processing unit assembled on a single silicon chip.

Microsoft Edge The web browser included with Windows 10.

Microsoft Store Microsoft’s online store that offers Windows apps for sale and download.

modem (modulator demodulator) A device capable of converting a digital signal into an analog signal, typically used to connect to the Internet.

monitor The display device on a computer, similar to a television screen.

motherboard Typically the largest printed circuit board in a computer, housing the CPU chip and controlling circuitry.

mouse A small handheld input device connected to a computer and featuring one or more button-style switches. When moved around on a flat surface, the mouse causes a symbol on the computer screen to make corresponding movements.

mouse over The act of selecting an item by placing your cursor over an icon without clicking. Also known as hovering.

network An interconnected group of computers.

notebook computer A portable computer with all components (including keyboard, screen, and touchpad) contained in a single unit. Notebook PCs can typically be operated via either battery or wall power.

O–P

operating system A sequence of programming codes that instructs a computer about its various parts and peripherals and how to operate them. Operating systems, such as Windows, deal only with the workings of the hardware and are separate from software programs.

path The collection of folders and subfolders (listed in order of hierarchy) that hold a particular file.

peripheral A device connected to the computer that provides communication or auxiliary functions, such as a keyboard, mouse, or printer.

phishing The act of trying to “fish” for personal information via means of a deliberately deceptive email or website.

pixel The individual picture elements that combine to create a video image.

port An interface on a computer to which you can connect a device, either internally or externally.

printer The piece of computer hardware that creates hard copy printouts of documents.

Q–R

RAM (random-access memory) A temporary storage space in which data can be held on a chip rather than being stored on disk or tape. The contents of RAM can be accessed or altered at any time during a session but will be lost when the computer is turned off.

resolution The degree of clarity an image displays, typically expressed by the number of horizontal and vertical pixels or the number of dots per inch (dpi).

ribbon A toolbar-like collection of action buttons, used in many newer Windows programs.

ROM (read-only memory) A type of chip memory, the contents of which have been permanently recorded in a computer by the manufacturer and cannot be altered by the user.

root The main directory or folder on a disk.

router A piece of hardware or software that handles the connection between your home network and the Internet.

S

scanner A device that converts paper documents or photos into a format that can be viewed on a computer and manipulated by the user.

server The central computer in a network, providing a service or data access to client computers on the network.

shareware A software program distributed on the honor system; providers make their programs freely accessible over the Internet, with the understanding that those who use them will send payment to the provider after using them. See also freeware.

Skype Microsoft’s Internet-based service for audio, video, and text chatting.

software The programs and procedures, as opposed to the physical equipment, used in computing.

spam Junk email. As a verb, it means to send thousands of copies of a junk email message.

spreadsheet A program that performs mathematical operations on numbers arranged in large arrays; used mainly for accounting and other record keeping.

spyware Software used to surreptitiously monitor computer use (that is, spy on other users).

Start menu The pop-up menu, activated by clicking the Start button, that displays all installed programs on a computer.

system unit The part of a desktop computer system that looks like a big gray or black box. The system unit typically contains the microprocessor, system memory, hard disk drive, floppy disk drives, and various cards.

T–U–V

tablet computer A small, handheld computer with no keyboard or mouse, operated solely via its touchscreen display.

taskbar The bar at the edge (typically the bottom) of the Windows screen that allows quick access to apps and functions.

Task View The Windows function that enables the creation of multiple virtual desktops, each with its own collection of open apps.

terabyte (TB) One trillion bytes.

touchpad The pointing device used on most laptop PCs, in lieu of an external mouse.

touchscreen display A computer display that is touch sensitive and can be operated with a touch of the finger.

upgrade To add a new or improved peripheral or part to your system hardware. Also to install a newer version of an existing piece of software.

upload The act of copying a file from a personal computer to a website or Internet server. The opposite of download.

URL (uniform resource locator) The address that identifies a web page to a browser. Also known as a web address.

USB (universal serial bus) The most common type of port for connecting peripherals to personal computers.

virus A computer program segment or string of code that can attach itself to another program or file, reproduce itself, and spread from one computer to another. Viruses can destroy or change data and in other ways sabotage computer systems.

W–X–Y–Z

web page An HTML file, containing text, graphics, and/or mini-applications, viewed with a web browser.

website An organized, linked collection of web pages stored on an Internet server and read using a web browser. The opening page of a site is called a home page.

Wi-Fi The radio frequency (RF)–based technology used for home and small business wireless networks and for most public wireless Internet connections. Short for wireless fidelity.

window A portion of the screen display used to view simultaneously a different part of the file in use or a part of a different file than the one in use.

Windows The generic name for all versions of Microsoft’s graphical operating system.

Windows app A type of application, sold in the Microsoft Store, designed to take best advantage of Windows 10’s graphical user interface.

Windows Security The suite of tools built into Windows 10 to protect against malware, computer attacks, and other unwanted intrusions.

Windows Update The service built into Windows that automatically manages updates to the operating system.

World Wide Web (WWW) A vast network of information, particularly business, commercial, and government resources, that uses a hypertext system for quickly transmitting graphics, sound, and video over the Internet.