computer Vocabulary
List 1
computer - A programmable electronic device for storing and processing data. Learn more here.
backspace. A key on the keyboard used to delete characters to the left of the cursor.
keyboard - A board made of keys which, along with a mouse, serves as a primary input device for a computer. Learn more here.
home row - The keys to which the four fingers of each hand should return as a base when touch typing. Learn more here.
mouse - A hand operated pointer device that, along with a keyboard, serves as a primary input device for a computer. Learn more here.
menu bar - The horizontal strip that contains lists of available menus for a certain program. Learn more here.
program - Executable software that runs on a computer. Also known as an application. Learn more here.
website - A collection of webpages. Learn more here.
internet - An international computer network used for many kinds of electronic communications. Learn more here.
software - Lines of computer code written by programmers that tell the computer what to do. Also known as a program or application. Learn more here.
hardware - the physical parts of a computer and all related devices. Learn more here.
backspace. A key on the keyboard used to delete characters to the left of the cursor.
keyboard - A board made of keys which, along with a mouse, serves as a primary input device for a computer. Learn more here.
home row - The keys to which the four fingers of each hand should return as a base when touch typing. Learn more here.
mouse - A hand operated pointer device that, along with a keyboard, serves as a primary input device for a computer. Learn more here.
menu bar - The horizontal strip that contains lists of available menus for a certain program. Learn more here.
program - Executable software that runs on a computer. Also known as an application. Learn more here.
website - A collection of webpages. Learn more here.
internet - An international computer network used for many kinds of electronic communications. Learn more here.
software - Lines of computer code written by programmers that tell the computer what to do. Also known as a program or application. Learn more here.
hardware - the physical parts of a computer and all related devices. Learn more here.
List 2
intranet - An internal or private network that is only available in one geographic location. Learn more here.
MP3 - A popular compressed file format for digital music downloads. Learn more here.
email - Messages sent electronically over a computer network. Learn more here.
byte - A series of 8 binary bits that digitally represent a single character to the computer. Example: 00000001 = 1 Learn more here.
kilobyte - Approximately 1,000 bytes. Learn more here.
megabyte - Approximately 1,000,000 bytes. Learn more here.
gigabyte - Approximately 1,000,000,000 bytes. Learn more here.
drag and drop - Using a cursor and mouse to select and then move an object on the computer screen to a new location. Learn more here.
printer - An output device that produces a paper hard copy from a computer. Learn more here.
RAM - Random Access Memory. Running programs from the computer's RAM allows for it to function without any lag time. Learn more here.
MP3 - A popular compressed file format for digital music downloads. Learn more here.
email - Messages sent electronically over a computer network. Learn more here.
byte - A series of 8 binary bits that digitally represent a single character to the computer. Example: 00000001 = 1 Learn more here.
kilobyte - Approximately 1,000 bytes. Learn more here.
megabyte - Approximately 1,000,000 bytes. Learn more here.
gigabyte - Approximately 1,000,000,000 bytes. Learn more here.
drag and drop - Using a cursor and mouse to select and then move an object on the computer screen to a new location. Learn more here.
printer - An output device that produces a paper hard copy from a computer. Learn more here.
RAM - Random Access Memory. Running programs from the computer's RAM allows for it to function without any lag time. Learn more here.
List 3
DOC - The file extension for a Microsoft Word Document. Note that in more recent versions of MS Word (after 2007) the file extension is DOCX. Learn more here.
social networking - Using the internet to create a virtual community by sharing messages, comments and other information using websites designed for that purpose. Learn more here.
desktop - The primary user interface of a computer from which users can access programs, files and folders. Learn more here.
netbook - A small laptop or notebook style computer in the $200-$400 price range that is primarily designed for web surfing. Learn more here.
laptop - Also known as notebook computers. They are portable computers that consist of a screen, keyboard and a mouse device. Learn more here.
tablet - A portable computer that uses a touchscreen as the primary input device instead of a keyboard and/or mouse. Learn more here.
smartphone - A mobile phone with advanced functions beyond just making phone calls and sending text messages (SMS). Learn more here.
URL - Stands for "Uniform Resource Locator". It is the address of a specific website or file on the internet. Learn more here.
webcam - A video camera used to broadcast streaming or still video using the internet. Learn more here.
e-reader - Refers to a portable hardware device that is designed to display textual data like e-books, electronic magazines and digital newspapers. Learn more here.
social networking - Using the internet to create a virtual community by sharing messages, comments and other information using websites designed for that purpose. Learn more here.
desktop - The primary user interface of a computer from which users can access programs, files and folders. Learn more here.
netbook - A small laptop or notebook style computer in the $200-$400 price range that is primarily designed for web surfing. Learn more here.
laptop - Also known as notebook computers. They are portable computers that consist of a screen, keyboard and a mouse device. Learn more here.
tablet - A portable computer that uses a touchscreen as the primary input device instead of a keyboard and/or mouse. Learn more here.
smartphone - A mobile phone with advanced functions beyond just making phone calls and sending text messages (SMS). Learn more here.
URL - Stands for "Uniform Resource Locator". It is the address of a specific website or file on the internet. Learn more here.
webcam - A video camera used to broadcast streaming or still video using the internet. Learn more here.
e-reader - Refers to a portable hardware device that is designed to display textual data like e-books, electronic magazines and digital newspapers. Learn more here.
List 4
world wide web - The collection of webpages on the internet that can be accessed by a program called a web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari or Firefox). Learn more here.
WYSIWYG - Stands for "What You See Is What You Get" and refers to software that accurately shows you what something will look like when it is printed. Learn more here.
operating system - The software that communicates with the hardware and allows other programs to run. (such as Windows XP, Windows 7, Apple OS X)
privacy rights - The right to be protected from unwanted or unsanctioned intrusions. Learn more here.
touchscreen - A display that also serves as an input device that can be used with a special pen device or fingers. Learn more here.
spreadsheet - A document that stores data in a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each cell can store a unique instance of data. Learn more here.
ISP - Stands for "Internet Service Provider" and it is the company that you contract with to supply you with a connection to the internet. Learn more here.
hard drive - A stack of rigid disks, usually inside the computer, where data is stored magnetically. Learn more here.
spam - Unwanted and unsolicited "junk" email or irrelevant postings to a newsgroup or blog. Learn more here.
GUI - Stands for "Graphical User Interface" and is pronounced "gooey". It refers to the graphics on the screen that allows users to click, drag and drop with a mouse instead of using the command prompt. Learn more here.
WYSIWYG - Stands for "What You See Is What You Get" and refers to software that accurately shows you what something will look like when it is printed. Learn more here.
operating system - The software that communicates with the hardware and allows other programs to run. (such as Windows XP, Windows 7, Apple OS X)
privacy rights - The right to be protected from unwanted or unsanctioned intrusions. Learn more here.
touchscreen - A display that also serves as an input device that can be used with a special pen device or fingers. Learn more here.
spreadsheet - A document that stores data in a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each cell can store a unique instance of data. Learn more here.
ISP - Stands for "Internet Service Provider" and it is the company that you contract with to supply you with a connection to the internet. Learn more here.
hard drive - A stack of rigid disks, usually inside the computer, where data is stored magnetically. Learn more here.
spam - Unwanted and unsolicited "junk" email or irrelevant postings to a newsgroup or blog. Learn more here.
GUI - Stands for "Graphical User Interface" and is pronounced "gooey". It refers to the graphics on the screen that allows users to click, drag and drop with a mouse instead of using the command prompt. Learn more here.
List 5
FiOS - Stands for "Fiber Optic Service" and it describes the use of fiber optic cables to transmit data via pulses of light. Learn more here.
PDF - Stands for "Portable Document Format' and it describes a file format that was developed and distributed for free by Adobe Systems. It can be used to display and print documents, text, fonts, and formatting from a variety of applications. Learn more here.
JPG - Stands for the "Joint Photographic Experts Group" which was the name of the committee that developed this format for digital pictures. It is a very common and extremely portable format for digital pictures and graphics on the internet. Learn more here.
USB - Stands for "Universal Serial Bus" and it refers to the most common type of computer port used to connect peripheral devices to computers. Learn more here.
flash memory - A type of computer memory that can be erased and programmed electrically. A common example of this kind of memory would be a memory card in a digital camera or cell phone or a USB Flash Drive. Learn more here.
CD-ROM - Stands for "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory" and it refers to a CD that can be read by a computer using an optical drive which uses a laser to read the data on the disk. Learn more here.
DVD - Stands for "Digital Versatile Disc" and it generally refers to disc that looks similar to a CD but had much greater storage capacity and can be used for large videos and movies. These discs can also be used to store any kind of computer data. Learn more here.
GPS - Stands for "Global Positioning System" and it involves navigating using 24 satellites which are positioned above the earth. Learn more here.
blog - Short for "Web Log," this term refers to a list of journal entries posted on a Web page. Learn more here.
QWERTY - Term is used to describe a standard (Latin alphabet-based) keyboard and it refers to the letters at the top left of the keyboard. Learn more here.
PDF - Stands for "Portable Document Format' and it describes a file format that was developed and distributed for free by Adobe Systems. It can be used to display and print documents, text, fonts, and formatting from a variety of applications. Learn more here.
JPG - Stands for the "Joint Photographic Experts Group" which was the name of the committee that developed this format for digital pictures. It is a very common and extremely portable format for digital pictures and graphics on the internet. Learn more here.
USB - Stands for "Universal Serial Bus" and it refers to the most common type of computer port used to connect peripheral devices to computers. Learn more here.
flash memory - A type of computer memory that can be erased and programmed electrically. A common example of this kind of memory would be a memory card in a digital camera or cell phone or a USB Flash Drive. Learn more here.
CD-ROM - Stands for "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory" and it refers to a CD that can be read by a computer using an optical drive which uses a laser to read the data on the disk. Learn more here.
DVD - Stands for "Digital Versatile Disc" and it generally refers to disc that looks similar to a CD but had much greater storage capacity and can be used for large videos and movies. These discs can also be used to store any kind of computer data. Learn more here.
GPS - Stands for "Global Positioning System" and it involves navigating using 24 satellites which are positioned above the earth. Learn more here.
blog - Short for "Web Log," this term refers to a list of journal entries posted on a Web page. Learn more here.
QWERTY - Term is used to describe a standard (Latin alphabet-based) keyboard and it refers to the letters at the top left of the keyboard. Learn more here.
List 6
WiFi - Stands for "Wireless Fidelity" and it refers to wireless networking technology that allows computers and other devices to communicate over a wireless signal. Learn more here.
HTML - Stands for "Hyper-Text Markup Language" which is the the computer language that web pages are written in. Learn more here.
bluetooth - A wireless technology that enables communication between computer devices. It is primarily used for short range connections. Learn more here.
peer-to-peer - Also known as "P2P". In a network the "peers" and separate computer systems that are connected through the internet allowing files to be shared directly from one computer system to the other without a central server.
Learn more here.
identity theft - The crime of using some one else's personal information in order to obtain money or credit in their name. Learn more here.
pixel - Stands for "picture element" and it refers to the small dots which make up the images on a computer display. Learn more here.
MAC - Stands for "Macintosh" and also refers to the specific operating system on that line of computers as developed by the Apple Corporation. Learn more here.
PC - Stands for "Personal Computer" and refers to the specific computer format developed by the IBM Corporation that eventually became the predominate format for all computers. Today many companies make PC format computers. Learn more here.
webinar - A seminar conducted over the internet. Learn more here.
javascript - A programming language designed by Sun Microsystems that can be integrated into standard HTML pages to add some dynamic features. Learn more here.
HTML - Stands for "Hyper-Text Markup Language" which is the the computer language that web pages are written in. Learn more here.
bluetooth - A wireless technology that enables communication between computer devices. It is primarily used for short range connections. Learn more here.
peer-to-peer - Also known as "P2P". In a network the "peers" and separate computer systems that are connected through the internet allowing files to be shared directly from one computer system to the other without a central server.
Learn more here.
identity theft - The crime of using some one else's personal information in order to obtain money or credit in their name. Learn more here.
pixel - Stands for "picture element" and it refers to the small dots which make up the images on a computer display. Learn more here.
MAC - Stands for "Macintosh" and also refers to the specific operating system on that line of computers as developed by the Apple Corporation. Learn more here.
PC - Stands for "Personal Computer" and refers to the specific computer format developed by the IBM Corporation that eventually became the predominate format for all computers. Today many companies make PC format computers. Learn more here.
webinar - A seminar conducted over the internet. Learn more here.
javascript - A programming language designed by Sun Microsystems that can be integrated into standard HTML pages to add some dynamic features. Learn more here.