Basic Computer Terminology
Access time - The performance of a hard drive or other storage device - how long it takes to locate a file.
Active program or window - The application or window at the front (foreground) on the monitor.
Alert (alert box) - A message that appears on screen, usually to tell you something went wrong.
Alias - An icon that points to a file, folder or application (System 7).
Apple menu - On the left side of the screen header. System 6 = desk accessories System 7 = up to 50 items.
Application - A program in which you do your work.
Application menu - On the right side of the screen header. Lists running applications.
ASCII (pronounced ask-key ) - American Standard Code for Information Interchange. a commonly used data format for exchanging information between computers or programs.
Background - Part of the multitasking capability. A program can run and perform tasks in the background while another program is being used in the foreground.
Bit - The smallest piece of information used by the computer. Derived from "binary digit". In computer language, either a one (1) or a zero (0).
Backup - A copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.
Boot - To start up a computer.
Bug - A programming error that causes a program to behave in an unexpected way.
Bus - An electronic pathway through which data is transmitted between components in a computer.
Byte - A piece of computer information made up of eight bits.
Card - A printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer.
CD-ROM - An acronym for Compact Disc ReadOnly Memory.
Chooser - A desk accessory used to select a printer, or other external device, or to log onto a network.
Clipboard - A portion of memory where the Mac temporarily stores information. Called a Copy Buffer in many PC applications because it is used to hold information which is to be moved, as in word processing where text is "cut" and then "pasted".
Clock Rate (MHz) - The instruction processing speed of a computer measured in millions of
cycles per second (i.e., 200 MHz).
Command - The act of giving an instruction to your Mac either by menu choice or keystroke.
Command (apple) key - A modifier key, the Command key used in conjunction with another keystroke to active some function on the Mac.
Compiler - A program the converts programming code into a form that can be used by a computer.
Compression - A technique that reduces the size of a saved file by elimination or encoding redundancies (i.e., JPEG, MPEG, LZW, etc.)
Control key - Seldom used modifier key on the Mac.
Control panel - A program that allows you to change settings in a program or change the way a Mac looks and/or behaves.
CPU - The Central Processing Unit. The processing chip that is the "brains" of a computer.
Crash - A system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted.
Cursor - The pointer, usually arrow or cross shaped, which is controlled by the mouse.
Daisy chaining - The act of stringing devices together in a series (such as SCSI).
Database - An electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched.
Data - (The plural of datum) information processed by a computer.
Defragment - (also - optimize) To concatenate fragments of data into contiguous blocks in memory or on a hard drive.
Dialog box - An on-screen message box that appears when the Mac requires additional information before completing a command.
Digitize - To convert linear, or analog, data into digital data which can be used by the computer.
Disk - A spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material on which data can be stored.
Disk drive - The machinery that writes the data from a disk and/or writes data to a disk.
Disk window - The window that displays the contents or directory of a disk.
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