COMPUTERS TERMS
Random Access Memory (RAM) -memory in your computer that can hold information while your computer is on and information is lost when you turn off computer or reboot.
Read Only Memory (ROM) - memory that can hold information even when computer is off
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) -information your computer needs to know how to function like your type of hard drive or what type of memory(RAM) you have etc.
Boot - starting up computer collects information from the BIOS so it can run by gathering all of critical information needed to run the computer
Disk Operating System (DOS) an operating system (You don't see much anymore since we have Windows) that runs on old fashioned command line like DIR etc.
Local Area Network (LAN) - connected computers in one places usually get files from host server.
Network -computers that are connected to each other and have a dedicated server to handle file requests and sharing files. Think of your work, computers are all networked.
Hardware - computer equipment such as your scanner, monitor, printer, keyboard, CPU (computer)
Software - programs you use/run on your computer whether you buy it on CDROM or from your hard drive or download off the Internet.
Input - information that you type in directly into computer via keyboard
EX of Input devices - keyboard, mouse and any device you use to enter information.
Output -hardcopy information that you can get from your printer and also information is display on your monitor.
EX of Output - printouts and monitor.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) - brain of the computer that handles calculation and processing of information and handle programs.
motherboard - circuit board that hold electronice parts for computer including microchip like Intel Pentinum or Celeron processors etc
Modem - a device that lets you connect to the Internet via phone line carrying data back and forth.
Cable modem - modem that it capable of high speed access up to 5 or 6 MBs depends on your cable company which is faster than your average 56k modem. It is usually connected to your cable company's fiber optic network and to your computer with cable modem installed. You share bandwidth with your neighbors.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - a high speed access which is about 10 to 20 times faster than your average dialup modem. It is used over phone line but you can talk on the phone at the same time. You are not sharing bandwidth with your neighbor on a local network like you do when you have cable modem. It is usually offer by phone company and some ISPs.
If you have any more terms you would like to see on here. Please let me know and I will add it.
Page was updated/revised on Feb 23, 2007.