3G or 4G cellular network signals that allow data to be sent to smartphones, e-readers, tablets, and other devices
Android an operating system for smartphones and tablets
antivirus program software that helps detect and destroy viruses
Apple the company that makes Mac, or Macintosh computers, which run on a different operating system than PCs. They also produce the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
application (application software, app) computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. The word app is most often used in reference to smartphones and tablets.
arrow keys keys on the keyboard that allow you to move the cursor around the screen
attachment a file sent along with an e-mail
bits per second (bps) measurement of a modem’s data-transmission speed
blog (web log) a regularly updated website where an author and/or contributors share ideas and opinions
Bluetooth a short-range radio technology between communication devices and between devices and the Internet
bookmark a website address saved to be revisited (also referred to as “favorite”)
boot up to turn on the computer
broadband high-speed communication network that allows for multiple transmissions simultaneously
browser a software program (such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer) that allows your computer to communicate with the World Wide Web
bug an error or defect in software or hardware that usually results in the computer not working properly
byte a measurement of space. A byte equals a single alphabetic or numeric character.
caps lock key a key on the keyboard that allows you to type in upper case without holding down the shift key. It is deactivated by depressing and releasing the key again.
CD-R functions like a CD-ROM, but you can also copy information from your computer onto it
CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory) a type of disk that holds files or software that can be transferred onto your computer
CD-RW (compact disc re-writable) a blank CD that is used to copy information to/from your computer
central processing unit (CPU) the part of the computer that serves as the pathway for all information
chat room place on the Internet where people communicate live by sending typed messages back and forth
click depressing and releasing the mouse button to initiate an action onscreen
click and drag an action taken with the mouse to move items on the screen, such as a file or an icon
close box the box in your title bar where you click to close a window
cloud cloud computing refers to programs and services offered over the Internet, including online storage and backup services
collapse box the box in a title bar where you click to shrink a window
computer case the part of the computer that houses the CPU, hard drive, RAM, modem, and disk drives
copy an editing tool that allows you to duplicate text and place it elsewhere in a document
crashing when an error occurs and an application or the whole computer unintentionally shuts down
cut an editing tool that allows you to remove text from a document
cyberspace a figurative reference to the intangible world of the Internet, such as the World Wide Web and e-mail
D: drive (or E: drive) a part of the computer where you insert a CD or DVD to read, listen to, view, or install its contents (see disk drive)
desktop (1) a non-laptop computer; (2) the name for the main screen display on the computer (whether it is a laptop or a desktop)
digital certificate an attachment to an electronic message used for security purposes
disk drive a part of the computer that reads information or software from a disk
domain name a person’s or organization’s chosen website name, including the suffix that identifies the type of website (for example: www.whitehouse.gov)
double-click quickly depressing and releasing the mouse button twice on an icon or text to take an action, such as to open a document or a software program
download transfer data or files from one location to another (for example, from a website to your computer)
dpi (dots per inch) refers to the resolution of an image. The more dpi, the more detailed the image.
drag see click and drag
Droid a smartphone that uses the Android operating system
DVD (digital versatile disc) a disk that holds 26 times the data of a CD; most commonly used to view movies
e-mail (electronic mail) to send or receive typed messages via the Internet
e-mail address a person’s or organization’s address where they receive e-mail (for example, abby@abbyandme.com)
emoticon a playful use of keyboard characters and symbols to represent emotional responses (also referred to as smileys), usually used in e-mail or in chat rooms (for example, >: -(means angry)
encryption a secret code added to data for data security
Enter or Return key a keyboard feature that performs actions; also can be used like a return key on a typewriter when typing a document or e-mail
e-reader a device used for reading electronic books
error message a message from the software indicating that an error has occurred. Sometimes a code or number is given in the message so a technician can identify the problem.
Ethernet port used to connect a computer to a DSL or cable modem as well as another computer or a local area network
external modem a modem that is housed separately from the computer case and is connected by a cable
Facebook a social networking website where you and your “friends” can view whatever ideas, photos, or links to websites you each choose to share
favorite see bookmark
file a collection of information stored in one named grouping. There are many different kinds of files (for example, data files, text files, image files).
firewall a security measure that can be turned on to protect a computer from unauthorized users
floppy disk a precursor to CD-ROMs and CD-RWs; a disk that either holds information to be installed on the computer or that you can use to copy and store information from your computer. Floppy disks are not commonly used anymore.
font a style of type
forum an online discussion site where people can read posts from others—often concerning a particular topic—and respond with their own posts
freezing when the mouse and keyboard become temporarily inoperative
function keys a set of keys on the keyboard, rarely used nowadays, that carry out special commands
gigabyte (GB) a measurement of computer hard-drive space; roughly 1,000 megabytes
hacker a highly skilled computer user who gains entry to information on computers not intended for them by “cracking” the programming codes
hard boot to shut down the computer when it is frozen, either by switching it off or by cutting off the electrical supply
hard drive (C: drive) a place in the computer where information is permanently stored
hardware the physical pieces of a computer (i.e., monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer case)
hashtag (#) the symbol that is used directly before relevant keywords in a tweet. Hashtags help categorize tweets so they show up more easily in Twitter Searches.
hertz a measurement of computer processor speed
home page the first page of any website on the Internet
hotspot a location providing public wireless connection to the Internet
http (hypertext transfer protocol) a prefix to a website address (which no longer needs to be typed in) that helps direct your browser software to the website
I-beam one of the many faces of the mouse; a cursor that fits between the characters of text to allow you to make changes
icon a small picture or image seen on the screen that represents a software program, a document, or a command
information superhighway a reference to the seemingly limitless information of the World Wide Web
installing a process where the computer reads and stores software onto the hard drive
instant messaging (IM) a real-time communication with an individual on the Internet that allows faster transmission than an e-mail and is often briefer in content
internal modem a modem that is housed inside the computer case
Internet a huge worldwide, evergrowing system of computers linked by telecommunications networks that share data
ISP (Internet service provider) a company that provides access to the Internet
keyboard used to type information into the computer
Kindle a portable e-reader designed and sold by amazon.com that allows you to download and read digital books, newspapers, magazines, and other electronic publications
laptop a portable non-desktop computer that combines the drives, keyboard, mouse, and monitor into one much smaller unit
link a website feature that allows you to click on text and be transferred to another page with information on the subject indicated
LinkedIn a social networking site for professionals. It is used to network and list or find jobs.
login name a unique name chosen by a user to identify him- or herself while on the Internet
login password private set of letters or numbers used to confirm the identity of the computer user
log off disconnecting from the Internet (also referred to as signing off)
log on connecting to the Internet (also referred to as signing on)
Mac or Macintosh see Apple
maximize box the box on a PC title bar that allows you to increase the size of a window
megabyte (MB) a measurement of computer space
megahertz (MHz) a measurement of computer processor speed
menu bar the bar that appears below the title bar in a window and offers menus of different commands
message board see forum
minimize box the box on a PC title bar that allows you to shrink a window
modem the part of the computer that allows you to connect to the Internet through a phone or cable line
monitor the part of the computer that houses the screen; measured diagonally from top corner to opposite bottom corner
mouse handheld device to move the pointer on the screen
mouse buttons controls on the top of the mouse that you click to carry out a command (see click)
mouse pad a pad that sits underneath the mouse and helps you to control its movement
netbook a small portable computer designed primarily for wireless Internet access and with most but not all the features of a larger computer
netiquette network etiquette; guidelines for how to communicate your ideas or feelings via e-mail or chat rooms (for example, USING CAPS INDICATES THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING)
newbie a person that is new to using the Internet or a particular program or website
Nook a portable e-reader designed and sold by Barnes & Noble that allows you to download and read digital books, newspapers, magazines, and other electronic publications
notebook computer a smaller version of a laptop; contains no media drive
online service provider see Internet service provider
operating software the system (such as Windows Vista or Mac OSX) that organizes and manages your computer
paste an editing tool that allows you to place text that you have cut or copied
patch computer code created to correct a problem (i.e., bug) within an existing program
PC compatible software or hardware that works with a PC (vs. a Mac)
peripherals additional pieces of hardware, such as a printer or scanner, attached to the computer
personal computer any computer intended to be used by an individual (rather than, say, a large business)—includes PCs and Macs
phishing a scam e-mail sent to elicit private information from the recipient to be used for identity theft
pirated software software that has been illegally copied
pixel (abbreviated from “Picture Element”) tiny dots that together make up images on computer screens and digital photos
podcast an audio (and sometimes video) file that can be downloaded from the Internet onto a computer, smartphone, or tablet
pointer an arrow that appears on the screen and moves according to the manipulation of the mouse; also referred to as the arrow, mouse arrow, or cursor
port a place on the computer where the cable from a different computer part is plugged in
post to submit text (often in the form of a comment or update) to a blog, message board, forum, or social networking website
ppi (pixels per inch) relates to the resolution of an item as seen on the computer screen
printer allows you to print text and images from the computer
profile a webpage on a social networking site where you list your interests, hometown, and whatever other details you choose to share with your “friends,” “connections,” or “followers”—anyone who has access to your information on the site
QR code (abbreviated from “Quick Response code”) a type of matrix barcode that consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background and that, with a QR scanner or smartphone, can be used to access encoded information or serve as a link to a website
RAM (random access memory) temporary memory used when the computer is on
resolution describes the sharpness and clarity of an image
right-click a function offered on the PC mouse that allows for more advanced tasks
router a device used to route information to/from the computer and to connect networks. It also provides a firewall.
scanner a device that copies images and text and converts them into a digital image that can be stored on a computer or emailed.
scroll bar a feature that allows you to move a page up and down in order to view all its contents
scroll box a part of the scroll bar that allows you to control the movement of the page
search engine a website where you can search the rest of the web for information on a given topic
shift key a key on the keyboard that performs several functions, including typing in uppercase and highlighting text
Skype a program that allows you to call, IM, or video call other users over the Internet at no cost
smartphone a mobile phone that, in addition to making calls and texting, allows users to surf the Internet, access e-mail, download apps, take pictures, and more
SMS (short message service) see text
snail mail a nickname for mail delivered by the postal service that negatively refers to the time it takes to be delivered in contrast to the speed with which an e-mail is sent
social networking connecting with friends and family, meeting new people, and sharing ideas, photos, etc., on the Internet
soft boot to close a program or restart the computer without completely shutting it down
spam unsolicited commercial/junk e-mail
spyware software that covertly gathers user information when connected to the Internet without the user’s knowledge
SSL (secure sockets layer) a format for transmitting private documents over the Internet. It uses a cryptographic system that involves two keys.
streaming allows you to play audio or video without it being completely downloaded first
surfing the net traveling the Internet from site to site
surge protector protects the computer from irregular electrical currents
synch an abbreviation for “synchronize.” In the context of smartphones and computers, it means to transfer information to and from the devices so they have identical copies.
tablet a small, lightweight portable computer contained entirely in a flat screen that has many, but not all of the features of a full-size personal computer and is often equipped with a rotatable touchscreen instead of a keyboard or mouse
task bar the bar that appears at the bottom of a PC screen that contains the start button as well as access to other programs and features
text to send a short text message on your cell phone
title bar the bar that appears at the top of a window and indicates the name of the software program and the document; also contains the close box
touch point type of mouse used on a laptop that uses a small rubber button for control (see mouse)
touchscreen a computer monitor or device screen that can be operated by finger touch
trackball type of mouse that uses a ball for control (see mouse)
tweet a post written on Twitter that contains 140 characters or less
Twitter a social networking website where users post messages of limited length and “follow” whoever’s thoughts are of interest to them
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) a technical name for a website address
upgrading hardware increasing the memory capacity or functionality of the computer
upgrading software installing a new and improved version of a software program already installed on the computer
upload to transfer data or files from a computer to a network (for example, transfer photos from your computer to a website)
USB (universal serial bus) the most common type of port on a computer; used to plug in a printer, scanner, etc.
user name see login name
user password see login password
virus a problem on the computer created by malcontented computer geeks. Viruses are meant to damage computers and are spread by opening e-mail attachments or links or using someone else’s disks.
virus protection software see antivirus program
webcam a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer where they can be viewed online
web page any page that follows the home page of a website
welcome page see home page
WEP (wired equivalent privacy) data encryption that utilizes a password to protect wireless communication
wi-fi (wireless fidelity) enables a computer, e-reader, smartphone, among other devices, to connect to the Internet without being tethered to a modem
window the visual frame that appears on your computer screen to contain an application
Windows Vista the operating system used on more recent PCs
Windows XP the operating system used on older PCs
World Wide Web (www) a cyberspace library of information organized by website
worm a program, not unlike a virus, that replicates itself over a computer network and usually performs malicious actions
WPA (wi-fi protected access) see WEP
wrist pad a pad placed in front of a keyboard or mouse pad that helps position your hands in a way that prevents wrist strain
zoom box the box on a Mac title bar where you click to increase the size of a window