August 9, 2010

Computer

A computer

Definition:

is an electronic machine 3) puts out information (output) that 1) takes in data and instructions (input) 2) works with the data (processing) Computers

Explanation:

are made of HARDWARE - input devices like the keyboard and mouse - the CPU and memory - storage devices like hard drives - output devices like printers and monitors and SOFTWARE (the instructions that tell the computer what to do) - system software - programs (application software)

August 16, 2010

Monitor

Definition:

A monitor is the TV-like part of the computer that you look at to see information.

Explanation:

Monitors are sometimes called displays or screens. "Screen" refers to the glass front only, while monitor is displayed in pixels.

"monitor" refers to the screen, the case and everything inside the case. Information on a

Sentence:

"Look at the monitor show on volcanoes." to see my slide

August 23, 2010

CPU

Definition:

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is the brains of the computer. It is also known as the processor.

is the chip

Explanation:

The CPU processes data and instructions. It does calculations and does what the software programs tell it to do. The CPU is the most important part of a computer.

Sentence:

"You might say that the CPU computer!" runs the

August 30, 2010

Disk Drive

Definition:

A part of the computer that operates the disks that store information.

Explanation:

Disk drives are called "storage devices" because they store information on portable or permanent disks (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks and Zip disks). A writes data on the disk. disk drive spins the disk around at high speeds as it reads and

Sentence:

"Put your floppy in the floppy disk drive ."

September 7, 2010

Memory

Definition:

Memory is temporary storage space on chips in your computer.

Explanation:

Memory memory holds programs and data temporarily while you use them. RAM is the most important kind of , and "memory" usually refers to RAM.

Sentence:

"I have so much memory I can run several programs at once."

September 13, 2010

Hardware

Definition:

The parts of a computer system that you can touch.

Explanation:

Examples of hardware are input devices like keyboards and mice, output devices like printers and monitors, storage devices like disk drives, and the computer itself.

Sentence:

"Let's take apart this old computer and look at its hardware ."

September 20, 2010

Peripheral

Definition:

A hardware device that is connected to a computer, usually by a cable.

Explanation:

Keyboards and mice are help us "input" information. Printers and monitors are peripherals peripherals that that "output" information.

Sentence:

"Does your computer have many peripherals connected to it?"

September 27, 2010

Scanner

Definition:

A device that "takes a picture" of something and turns it into a computerized image.

Explanation:

When you scan a picture, the picture is digitized (turned into numbers in binary code) so the computer can show it on the monitor or print it out.

Sentence:

"You'll need to use the scanner presentation." to get your photo into your

October 18, 2010

Modem

Definition:

A device that links a computer to other computers through a telephone line.

Explanation:

The modem lets a computer send and receive binary data over a telephone line by changing the bits into sound waves that can be sent over the phone lines.

Sentence:

"You can always use a faster modem ."

October 25, 2010

Hard Disk/Hard Drive

Definition:

The hard disk is a round, metal platter in the hard drive of the computer; it stores large amounts of information.

Explanation:

The hard disk hard drive has a magnetic coating. It is sealed into the and often installed inside the computer where you can't see it.

Sentence:

"Let's save our HyperStudio stack in the Student Folder on the hard drive ." Important: Storage of files on the hard drive is permanent until you delete them, as opposed to storage in memory (RAM), which is temporary.

November 1, 2010

CD-ROM

Definition:

A round, shiny portable disk that stores large amounts of software and information.

Explanation:

CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk - Read Only Memory . Years ago, you could only "read" information from most CD-ROMs . Now you can also "write" (save) information on them.

Sentence:

"Let's see if the Grolier CD-ROM information about earthquakes." has any

November 8, 2010

Backup

Definition:

An extra copy of a document, file or program.

Explanation:

You should make backups of all important work. A backup of a file on the hard drive can be saved on a flash drive. A backup of a flash drive can be on the hard drive or another flash drive.

Sentence:

"Don't forget to make a backup book report!" of your

November 15, 2010

Cable

Definition:

A cable is a long, rubber-coated bundle of wires, with plugs on either end, that connects computer parts.

Explanation:

You need a different cable for each device you hook up to your computer. Each end plugs into a port.

Sentence:

"My printer didn't work because one end of the cable wasn't plugged in."

November 29, 2010

Software

Definition:

Software is the program that run on a computer.

Explanation:

Software is made up of instructions that tell the computer what to do. It is stored on disks in bits and bytes. ClarisWorks and KidPix are examples of software.

Sentence:

"Please load the ClarisWorks software on the computer."

December 6, 2010

Icon

Definition:

An icon is a tiny picture on the screen that represents a program, file or folder.

Explanation:

Icons make it easy to find what you are looking for. To tell the computer to open a file, folder or program, double-click on the icon . To select an item, click only once on the icon .

Sentence:

"Double-click on the KidPix icon program." to launch the

December 13, 2010

World Wide Web (WWW)

Definition:

The Web is the part of the Internet that consists of pages (documents) linked to each other around the world. These pages have pictures, sounds, and more.

Explanation:

A website can have many pages; the first is the Home Page. You use a browser to point and click your way to other pages or to do research.

Sentence:

"Do you have a site on the Web ?"

January 3, 2011

Network

Definition:

A network is a number of computers connected together to share information and hardware.

Explanation:

A Local Area Network (LAN) is small, perhaps a few computers sharing a printer. A Wide Area Network (WAN) is large, with many computers linked between towns or countries. The Internet is a network of networks that circles the globe.

Sentence:

"Let's get on the network An e-mail to Jane." and send

January 10, 2011

Browser

Definition:

A browser is a software program that lets you explore the World Wide Web to find text, graphics, sound, movies, games, chats and more.

Explanation:

A browser toolbar. helps you link to pages on websites around the world. To find a website, type in a URL (web address) or click a link or a button in the

Sentence:

"What is your favorite browser , Firefox or Explorer?"

January 18, 2011

URL

Definition:

A URL is the address of a website on the World Wide Web.

Explanation:

To visit a website, you type the URL into a browser. URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator . Other Internet resources have URL's , too, but if the URL starts with "http://" then you know it's on the World Wide Web.

Sentence:

"The URL for the NASA website is http://www.nasa.gov."

January 24, 2011

HTML

Definition:

HTML , known as "the language of the Web," is the set of codes used to make Web pages.

Explanation:

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the coded instructions that tell a browser how and where to place information, graphics and links on a web page.

Sentence:

"I changed the HTML top of my web page." to put a link to NASA at the

January 31, 2011

E-mail

Definition:

E-mail is a way of sending messages from one computer to another.

Explanation:

E-mail stands for "electronic mail." You send a message to someone, with attachments such as photos or files, using a modem or network. The message waits in another computer until the person goes online to get it.

Sentence:

"I got e-mail from Aunt Sue in Hawaii."

February 7, 2011

Download

Definition:

To download disk.

a file is to get it from someone else's computer, over a network, and save it on your own computer or floppy

Explanation:

Download means "receive." You can download many kinds of files from the Internet, including images and software.

Sentence:

"Let's download the image of Lincoln."

February 14, 2011

Virus

Definition:

A virus is a computer program that was written to purposely damage computer systems.

Explanation:

Your computer can get a through modems, networks or disks. You can protect your computer from software, and by only downloading programs from sources you trust. virus viruses from another computer, by using virus protection

Sentence:

"My computer got a virus from the Internet." from the game I downloaded

February 21, 2011

Chat

Definition:

Chat is a way people in different places can "talk" to each other by typing their words into a computer.

Explanation:

People chat on the Internet and on commercial services. Many people can chat at once in a "chat room."

Sentence:

"I had a chat with Aunt Sue over the Internet." Note: Did you know that people can surf the Web or play games while they chat? Many websites let you play checkers or bridge, race cars, browse the web, build space cities, or even play Pictionary, while you chat with the people doing these things with you.

February 28, 2011

Cursor

Definition:

A blinking line or shape on the screen that tells you where the next character will go.

Explanation:

In the example above, the I-beam is used to put the cursor in place. The definition of cursor is changing; I-beams and other pointers are often called cursors.

Sentence:

"Put the cursor before the letter N."

March 7, 2011

Database

Definition:

A database is an organized collection of information. It is like a box of 3x5 cards that you can search, sort and analyze rapidly with a database program.

Explanation:

A database program lets you add, delete and change data in the database . You can create reports, lists, labels, etc.

Sentence:

"I have my recipes on a database ."

March 28, 2011

Field

Definition:

In a database, a index card file. field holds exactly one type of information about an item or subject. It is like one line written on an index card in an

Explanation:

There are many fields on a record. In the example shown, there are 4 fields on each address record: the Name field , Address field , City field and Phone Number field .

Sentence:

"Enter 'Jane Doe' in the Name field ."

April 4, 2011

Cell

Definition:

A cell is the "box" where a column and a row intersect, in a spreadsheet.

Explanation:

Each cell can contain words, a number, or a formula. Each cell has an address, based on the column and row. For example, the cell highlighted above has the address C3.

Sentence:

"Click in the cell to type your formula."

April 11, 2011

Pixel

Definition:

A pixel is a tiny dot of light on the monitor.

Explanation:

"Pixel" stands for Picture Element. It is the smallest part of every image you see on the monitor. The color of a store the pixel .

pixel is partly determined by how many bits (on/off units) are used to

Sentence:

"This icon is 32 pixels of 1024 pixels." wide by 32 pixels tall. It contains a total

April 18, 2011

(Micro) Processor

Definition:

The processor is the chip which is the brains of the computer. It is also know as the CPU (Central Processing Unit).

Explanation:

Processors have their name because they process data and instructions. The processor is the most important part of a computer.

Sentence:

"How fast is the processor in your new computer?"

April 25, 2011

RAM

Definition:

RAM RAM , also called memory, is temporary storage space on chips in your computer. stands for Random Access Memory .

Explanation:

RAM holds files and programs temporarily while you use them. When you turn off the power to the computer, everything in RAM "disappears."

Sentence:

"I need 16MB of RAM to run Netscape."

May 2, 2011

Spreadsheet

Definition:

A spreadsheet is a document which helps you organize data in rows and columns of cells.

Explanation:

Each cell can contain words, a number, or a formula. A formula does calculations with the numbers in other cells. You can make charts and graphs automatically.

Sentence:

"We analyzed our survey results with a spreadsheet ."

May 9, 2011

Megabyte

Definition:

A megabyte is a unit of measure equal to 1,048,576 bytes, which is about a million bytes.

Explanation:

"Mega" means "million." Measuring the number of counting millions of bytes.

megabytes tells you how big a file, a hard drive or your memory capacity is, by

Sentence:

"The Home Page program is 1.6 megabytes ."

May 16, 2011

Kilobyte

Definition:

A kilobyte is a unit of measure equal to 1,024 bytes, which is about a thousand bytes.

Explanation:

"Kilo" means "thousand." Measuring the number of tells you how big a file, a hard drive or your memory capacity is, by counting thousands of bytes. kilobytes

Sentence:

"My Jupiter drawing is 48 kilobytes ."

May 23, 2011

Bit

Definition:

A bit is an electronic signal which is either on (1) or off (0). It is the smallest unit of information the computer uses.

Explanation:

Bit bit stands for information. Binary Digit . Computers use the binary system to work with data. All data is stored in binary code as 1's and 0's (bits). A might be called the "on/off" unit of

Sentence:

"There are eight bits in one byte."

May 31, 2011

Byte

Definition:

A byte is a group of 8 bits, strung together.

Explanation:

A bit is either a 1 or a 0. Each byte (8 bits) means something to the computer. The byte "01000001" means the capital letter A. The byte "01000010" means the capital letter B.

Sentence:

"The phrase 'Hello World' is 11 bytes long."