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Basic Computer Terms and Definitions

Computer

A computer is a device that executes a program or programs.

​CPU

The central processing unit or CPU, also known as the microprocessor or processor

is the brain of the computer.

Operating System – Windows

The operating system (OS) is the software that communicates with the computer

hardware. No software can be run on the computer without the operating system

Software – A program application Software is a program application; which

provides the computer with step- by-step instructions to perform a specific task.

A computer cannot function without software.

 

Computer Monitor

The computer monitor is computer screen or display unit. Types of monitors are CRTs

(large & heavy ) and flat screens (compact & light).

 

Desktop Is the display on the monitor /screen

 

Icon

An icon is a small, clickable picture that opens programs on a computer.

Computer Mouse

Is a hand held device that helps you

control the pointer on the desktop/screen.

Computer Keyboard

Is the device used in typing in the words, numbers and to perform tasks. You can also

use shortcuts using the keyboard to perform tasks quicker.

CD (Compact Disc) & USB Flash Drive

used for storage

of computer files or for media

File

A file is a block of information includes word documents , pictures, music, etc. Each file

is differentiated with the help of a unique file name.

Folder

The folder is a system that helps in organizing the files, programs

and projects on the  computer. It is similar to organizing files on a shelf in your cabinet.

Hard Drive

The hard drive is the device where the information is stored.

Hardware

Is the physical pieces of a computer ; monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, computer unit,

scanner, etc.

Internet Browser - Google Chrome - Intnernet Explorer - Firefox - Edge

The web browser is software that you use to access the internet/

World Wide Web Microsoft ’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox are 2

examples of the browsers. Internet The Internet is a worldwide network that helps connect millions of users around the world to share and exchange data, information, opinions, etc.

World Wide Web (WWW)

also known as just the web Is a service that is provided on the Internet for the users

Peripherals

Peripherals are the input /output devices that are connected to the computer. The keyboard, mouse and printer are computer peripherals.

Networks

A network is a physical or logical construction that connects different computers

together and helps them communicate.

Computer Virus Removal

A computer virus is a program that is designed to harm the

computer. They are

basically the same thing as human viruses.

File Download

or Downloading

A download is a file, program or document that is transferred from one computer to

another.

Spam Mail & Scams

Spam mail is pretty much business or people sending advertisements of their get rich

quick schemes or their products to try. They are designed to trick you into giving away your money or your personal details.

Surfing the internet

Jumping from page to page on the Web. Just as in "TV channel surfing," where one

clicks the remote to go from channel to channel.

NBN Modem

A modem is something that is connected to a computer to connect it to the internet or

other networks. This is typically in the form of a small box

that you get from your

provider.

Reboot

To restart your computer.

To do a soft reboot to your computer. Go to Start Menu, and select either Shut Down or Restart.

Or if that doesn’t work - press the Ctrl, Alt and Del buttons at the same time.

A task window will appear, click Shut Down. The last resort, turn it off; hold in the power button until it shuts off, this is called a hard shut down.

Crash

A serious computer failure;

the computer itself stops working or that a program aborts unexpectedly. A crash signifies either a hardware malfunction or a very serious software bug. If your computer crashes, it is usually not

your fault.

FILE TYPE ABBREVIATIONS

  • ABC ABC Flowcharter

  • ASC ASCII Text

  • ASF Streaming Media

  • AVI Animated Video

  • BAT DOS Batch File

  • BMP Bitmap Graphic

  • CAB Compressed Archive

  • CH3 Harvard Graphics

  • COM Program

  • DAT Data file

  • DLL Dynamic Link Library

  • DOC Microsoft Word Document

  • DOT Microsoft Word Template

  • DGN Microstation Drawing File

  • DWG AutoAD Drawing File

  • EPS Encapsulated PostScript

  • EXE Program

  • FLA Flash Movie

  • GIF Image

  • HQX Compressed Archive (MAC)

  • HTM HTML Hyper Text Markup Language

  • ICO Icon

  • INI Windows Initialization

  • JPG Image

  • LDB Microsoft Access Lock File

  • LOG Text Log

  • MAX PaperPort Scanned Image

  • MDB Microsoft Access Database

  • MID MIDI

  • MOV Quicktime Movie

  • MP3 Audio

  • MPC Microsoft Project Calendar

  • MPG Media

  • MPP Microsoft Project

  • MPV Microsoft Project View

  • NSF Lotus Notes Database

  • NTF Lotus Notes DB Template

  • OCX Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding

  • OST Microsoft Outlook Offline folder

  • PAB Microsoft Outlook Personal Address Book

  • PCX Graphic

  • PDF Adoble Acrobat Portable Document

  • PIC Bitmap Graphic

  • PIF Windows Program Information File

  • PM3 PageMaker 3

  • PM4 PageMaker 4

  • PM5 PageMaker 5

  • PNG Graphic

  • PPD Postscript Printer Description

  • PPS Microsoft PowerPoint Slide Show

  • PPT Microsoft PowerPoint

  • PST Microsoft Outlook Personal folder

  • PT3 PageMaker 3 Template

  • PT4 PageMaker 4 Template

  • PT5 PageMaker 5 Template

  • PWL Pass word List

  • RAW 24-bit Graphic

  • REG Windows Registry Data

  • RM Real Media

  • RTF Rich Text Format

  • SAM AmiPro Document

  • SAV Backup File

  • SCR Screen Saver

  • SVG Scalable Vector Graphics

  • SWF Flash Player Movie

  • SWP Swap File

  • SYS System Files

  • TIF Image

  • TMP Temporary File

  • TTF Image

  • TXT ASCII Text

  • VBS Visual Basic Script

  • VSD Visio Drawing

  • VXD Virtual Device Driver

  • WAV Audio File

  • WK1 Lotus Spreadsheet

  • WK3 Lotus Spreadsheet

  • WKS Lotus Spreadsheet

  • WPD WordPerfect Document

  • XLS Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

  • XLT MIcrosoft Excel Template

  • XLW Microsoft Excel Workspace

  • ZIP COMPRESSED FILE

  • VNC - Network Protocol Remote TCP/IP

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