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Techie Terms. Words to Know. Software. Application. A computer program (or software) that allows users to perform specific tasks such as write letters in a word processor, perform mathematical calculations in a spreadsheet or create records in a database. Software.
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Techie Terms Words to Know
Application • A computer program (or software) that allows users to perform specific tasks such as write letters in a word processor, perform mathematical calculations in a spreadsheet or create records in a database.
Software • Programs that run on computer hardware.
Beta • A piece of software released prior to complete development. Beta software is released to select groups of users or to the public so that users can review or "beta test" an application prior to its official release. This method allows software users to improve a product by making changes to an application based on user responses.
Email • Electronic messages that can be sent to one or more users over local area networks.
Mailbox • An area on a hard disk or network where in-coming electronic messages are stored.
Spam • Spam is the common term used for unsolicited or junk e-mail.
Word Processor • Program used to create various documents like letters and memos.
Spreadsheet • A type of computer program that displays a group of cells and allows for easy mathematical operations and relationships between the cells.
Database • A database is related information stored in one location in a digital format. Information can be added to, retrieved from, and sorted.
Desktop Publishing • Using computers to write, edit, design, and layout print publications, such as newsletters, magazines, and brochures.
Presentation Software • Presentation software applications are used to create slide shows or multimedia presentations
Multimedia • Technology that combines the use of full-motion video, sound, animations, graphics, and text and includes high degree interactive features.
Internet • The popular term applied to the world's largest computer network. • created by the U.S. Department of Defense to serve as a research and communications network between scientists, academic researchers, and the government • The popularity of the World-Wide Web has enabled the growth of the Internet as a vehicle for electronic commerce, popular use, and international communication.
Online • When you are online, it means actively connected to a network, like the Internet.
AUP • Acronym for "Acceptable Use Policy" • In schools, an agreement among students, teachers, and parents that sets the rules for Internet use in the school.
Webmaster • Blanket term that refers to person responsible for running a website.
Browser • An application that enables users to view hypertext-based pages on the World-Wide Web. Text, graphics, audio, video, and other multimedia files can be viewed or downloaded using Web browsers. The most commonly used of these applications are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Homepage • The first page viewed when connecting to a Web site. The first page, or home page, functions much like a table of contents or introduction to a book. Often, the home page explains the purpose of a site, describes the kind of information available, and offers an organized set of links or menu items that connects users to that information.
Hyperlink • Coding in an electronic document that connects users to another place in the same document or element, such as video, audio, or other multimedia feature placed within that document. Hyperlinks also connects users to other documents on a network, as well as on-line objects.
HTTP • Acronym for "hypertext transfer protocol" • The Hyper Text Transfer Protocol is the protocol used between a Web browser and a server to request a document and transfer its contents.
Refresh • Browsers include a refresh button that updates the currently displayed web page.
HTML • Acronym for "hypertext markup language". HTML is the coding used to write pages for the World-Wide Web and other hypertext documents. The format allows basic text, graphics, audio, and video files to co-exist in an electronic document, along with hyperlinks to additional information. HTML pages often have the file extension ".htm" or ".html"
Search Engine • An application that enables users to search for specific data on the Internet. Many search engines allow users to conduct several kinds of searches, such as using Boolean operators, keyword, exact phrasing, or browsing. Search engines retrieve an indexed list of results based on search terms requested by a user.
Netiquette • An informal standard of behavior on the Internet that promotes positive communication among users. For example, typing sentences in all CAPS is considered "screaming" in Netiquette. The use or profanity over the Internet is also considered to be bad form on line.
Virus • A program that makes unbidden copies of itself that usually have some eventual effect on the systems that are infected.
Cache • "Cache" speeds up access to frequently used data or recently visited Web sites, by storing those files in a special area of computer memory. When users visit graphic or multimedia-intensive Web pages, the elements that make up those pages are stored in a disks cache files. When a users returns to that page, he does not have to download the information all over again.
Cookie • A cookie is a text file (cookie.txt) stored in a user's browser that identifies that user to a Web server. A Web site can deliver customized information to the user based on his or her specific interests. For example, Web sites can deliver localized news, as well as customized music, travel, or health information as specified by users.
Dialog Box • Temporary boxes that appear on a computer screen to either present information or to receive input of information. For example, when a user is viewing a Web site on the Internet and then connects to a different site, a dialog box will appear letting the individual know that he or she is leaving a secure connection. Once the user acknowledges the message, it goes away.
Path • The complete location of a directory of file on a network or disk drive.
Desktop • Applications, files, and utilities that an individual uses most often are generally displayed as the default area one sees when a computer is turned on. This virtual area on one's computer is designed to function much like an actual "desk," and can include east access (called shortcuts) to applications such things as a calendar, calculator, word processor, database, spreadsheet program, or audio applications.
Shortcut • A term most commonly used in Windows. It is an icon set up to lead to either a file on the hard disk, network, software program, or the Internet. When the icon is selected, the file is executed, the program starts, or an application opens with a selected document.
Title Bar • Refers to the top portion of a window that contains the title of the window
Toolbar • Refers to any rectangular bar of buttons or icons with a set of related functions.
Menu Bar • A horizontal list of command selections placed at the top of the screen on most software applications. Menu bars feature pull-down sub-menus. A menu bar lists commands and tools that can be implemented within an application. For example, the menu bar across the top of many Windows-based applications includes file, edit, insert, format, tools, and help command listings.
Icon • A small screen image representing an object or file. An icon on a desktop may represent an executable file or program, a document, a web page, or computer directories.
Shutdown • The computer command which instructs the computer to completely power down. To turn off the computer • Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click Shut down. This action shuts down Windows so that you can safely turn off the computer power. Many computers turn the power off automatically. • When you turn on the computer power again, Windows starts automatically.
Reboot • To turn a computer off and the turn it back on again.
Login/Logon • To establish connection to a single computer, to a network, or to a Web site by entering a username and/or password, or both. For example, corporate employees often log on to a company network using individually assigned user names and passwords.
Logoff/Logout • To disconnect from a network. To server a connection to a single computer, to a network, or to a Web site.
Maximize • To open up the window of an application to the full screen size.
Minimize • In a graphical user interface, an application screen can be closed to the size of an icon, while remaining active.
Error Message • A message generated by the computer or software application that indicates something is not functioning correctly. Error messages can alert users to hardware failure, corrupt application files, or problems communicating with peripheral devices, such as printers or modems.
Freeze • When a movement on a computer screen stops and does not respond to mouse commands or keyboard input - a system is said to "freeze" or "crash" and must be turned off and restarted.
Crash • When a computer freezes, stops suddenly and fails to operate or respond to keyboard commands or mouse clicks, it is said to have a “crashed." Usually there is some sort of hardware or software failure when this happens. Sometimes, data files a user may be working on at the time are lost when this happens.
Explorer • The window in the Microsoft Windows operating system that allows users to view the files folders and directories stored on their computers.
Directory • The location or path where files are stored on a computer or disk.
