Glossary of Technology Terms

Applications            Applications software (also called end-user programs) includes database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets.

AUP                         Acceptable Use Policy

A contract specifying what a subscriber can and cannot do while using an ISP’s service or an organizations network and equipment.

Auxiliary storage     Various techniques and devices for storing large amounts of data. These include floppy disks, tape drives, zip

devices                    drives, hard disks, and optical disks.

Backup                    Copy files to a second medium (a disk or tape) as a precaution in case the first medium fails and the files are lost.

Boolean Search        A search for specific data. It implies that any condition can be searched for using the operators AND, OR, and

Logic                       NOT.

CD-ROM                 Compact Disk – Read Only Memory

                                A round silver colored disk that comes with a large amount of information embedded and ready to use.

Cold boot                 Start-up a computer from a powered-down state (when the computer is not already on).

CPU                         Central Processing Unit

                                The brain of the computer that processes instructions and manages the flow of information through computer systems.

Database                  A computerized store (collection) of related information.

Desktop                   A desktop is the metaphor to portray file systems. Such a desktop consists of pictures, called icons, which show

files, folders, and various types of documents. You can arrange the icons on the electronic desktop to suit your

particular needs.

Download                                The process of transferring software/information from the Internet to your computer.

FAQs                       Frequently Asked Questions

                                A listing of questions typically asked along with the answers to the questions. These lists are frequently

prepared to help beginners to use computer software.

Field                        In a database record, a category that holds one type of information.

Firewall                    A mechanism to keep unauthorized users from accessing parts of a network or host computer.

Folders                    A folder is an object that can contain multiple documents. Folders are used to organize information.

Format a disk           Prepare a storage medium, usually a disk, for reading and writing information.

Graphics                  A two-dimensional or three-dimensional computer image such as pictures, objects, bar graphs, or pie charts.

HTML                     HyperText Markup Language

                                The language in which World Wide Web documents is written.

Internet                    A global network connecting millions of computers.

ISP                           Internet Service Provider

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LAN                        Local Area Network

                                A group of computers and other devices dispersed over a relatively limited area and connected by a

communications link that enables any device to interact with any other device on the network.

LCD                         Liquid Crystal Display

                                A type of display used in digital watches and many portable computers.

Listserv                   An electronic mailing list used to deliver messages to the e-mail addresses of people interested in a particular topic.

Modem                    An acronym for modulator-demodulator. A device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over

telephone lines.

Multimedia              Multiple forms of communication including sound, video, video-conferencing, graphics, and text.

Newsgroup              The Internet version of an electronic discussion group in which people can leave messages or post questions.

Operating system     The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating

system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the

keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling

peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

PDF File                   Portable Document Format

The page description language used in the Acrobat document exchange system.

Peripheral device     Any device added to the computer.

RAM                        Random Access Memory

                                A type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly.

Scanner                    A device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translate the information into a format that the

computer can use.

Spreadsheet             A software tool used to organize data in a row and column format and to perform multiple calculations.

Surf                         Move from place to place on the Internet searching for topics of interest.

URL                         Universal Resource Locator

                                The global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web.

Virus                       A destructive computer program that invades by means of a normal program and damages the computer system.

WAN                       Wide Area Network

                                A communications network that connects geographically separated areas.

Warm boot               Resetting (restarting) a computer that is already turned on. Resetting it returns the computer to its initial state;

any data or programs in main memory are erased. A warm boot is sometimes necessary when a computer has

crashed or “locked-up”.

WWW                      World Wide Web

                                A hypertext-based collection of computers on the Internet that allows you to travel from one linked document to

another, even if those documents reside on many different servers.

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