Computer Vocabulary
  1. BIOS - BIOS - basic input/output system - The BIOS tells the computer how to boot up properly and load the operating system.
  2. Central processing Unit (CPU) - The "brain" of the computer.
  3. Random Access Memory(RAM) - temporary memory that is wiped clean when the computer reboots, or there is a power failure.
  4. Read Only Memory(ROM)- permanent memory that cannot be changed. This memory was created when the chip was manufactured.
  5. Hard disk - magnetic storage inside of a a computer used for storing files for long term use.
  6. Byte - (8 bits) Used to measure storage space.
  7. Bit - one binary digit that is represented either as a 0 or 1, or an "on" or "off" state. Bits are used to measure transfer speed.
  8. Hardware - part of the computer that you can physically touch
  9. Software - A program, operating system, or code that tells the computer what to do.
  10. Pixel - Short for picture element. A pixel is the smallest unit of visual information used to build an image on a computer or tv screen.
  11. Operating System- Computer software that controls the basic functions of your computer(IE- Windows 98 orXP, MacOS, UNIX, Linux)
  12. Virus - program that interferes with the normal use of a computer
  13. ASCII (plain text)- American Standard Code for Information Interchange - This ia a file format understood by all computers.
Networking Vocabulary
  1. Server - Powerful computer that shares it's files/applications with many other computers
  2. Workstation - Computer for running applications from server
  3. Bandwidth - The amount of data a cable can carry.
  4. LAN - Local Area Network - Computers connected together in one building or general area
  5. Firewall - a barrier to keep destructive forces away from your personal computer data.
  6. Proxy server - used to filter out content on the internet and to speed up internet usage.
  7. WAN - Wide Area Network(All of Wake County school's computers)
  8. Packet - A block of information with a header, data, and trailer that serves as the way information moves on a network.
  9. ISP - (Internet service provider) Companies who provide internet access to their customers. (IE-AOL, Earthlink)
  10. WWW - (World wide web) A slang term for the internet. The internet is like a huge spider's web that connects a bunch of computers.
  11. URL - (Uniform Resorce Locator) The address for a website. (IE- www.microsoft.com)
  12. HTTP - (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) The way that your computer makes connections to websites.
  13. FTP - (File Transfer Protocol) The way your computer makes connections to a web server for uploading files.