computer fundamentals class

Basic Computer Termi

2006-02-13T20:52:00.000-08:00

Basic Computer Terminology
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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.
cartridge drive - a storage device, like a hard drive, in which the medium is a cartridge that can be removed.
CD-ROM - an acronym for Compact Disc Read-Only 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.
desktop - 1. the finder. 2. the shaded or colored backdrop of the screen.
desktop file - an invisible file in which the Finder stores a database of information about files and icons.
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.
document - a file you create, as opposed to the application which created it.
DOS - acronym for Disk Operating System - used in IBM PCs.
DPI - acronym for Dots Per Inch - a gauge of visual clarity on the printed page or on the computer screen.
download - to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading ).
drag - to move the mouse while its button is being depressed.
drag and drop - a feature on the Mac which allows one to drag the icon for a document on top of the icon for an application, thereby launching the application and opening the document.
driver - a file on a computer which tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment (like a printer).
Ethernet - a protocol for fast communication and file transfer across a network.
expansion slot - a connector inside the computer which allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or enhanced features.
extension - a startup program that runs when you start the Mac and then enhances its function.
fibre channel - as applied to data storage and network topology - link to FC Glossary.
file - the generic word for an application, document, control panel or other computer data.
finder - The cornerstone or home-base application in the Mac environment. The finder regulates the file management functions of the Mac (copying, renaming, deleting...)
floppy - a 3.5 inch square rigid disk which holds data. (so named for the earlier 5.25 and 8 inch disks that were flexible).
folder - an electronic subdirectory which contains files.
font - a typeface that contains the characters of an alphabet or some other letterforms.
footprint - The surface area of a desk or table which is occupied by a piece of equipment.
fragmentation - The breaking up of a file into many separate locations in memory or on a disk.
freeze - a system error which causes the cursor to lock in place.
get info - a Finder File menu command that presents an information window for a selected file icon.
gig - a gigabyte = 1024 megabytes.
hard drive - a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.
head crash - a hard disk crash caused by the heads coming in contact with the spinning disk(s).
high density disk - a 1.4 MB floppy disk.
highlight - to select by clicking once on an icon or by highlighting text in a document.
icon - a graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.
initialize - to format a disk for use in the computer; creates a new directory and arranges the tracks for the recording of data.
insertion point - in word processing, the short flashing marker which indicates where your next typing will begin.
installer - software used to install a program on your hard drive.
interrupt button - a tool used by programmers to enter the debugging mode. The button is usually next to the reset button.
K - short for kilobyte.
keyboard shortcut - a combination of keystrokes that performs some function otherwise found in a pulldown menu.
kilobyte - 1024 bytes.
landscape - in printing from a computer, to print sideways on the page.
launch - start an application.
Measurements (summary) - *a bit = one binary digit (1 or 0) *"bit" is derived from the contraction b'it (binary digit) -> 8 bits = one byte*1024 bytes = one kilobyte*K = kilobyte*Kb = kilobit*MB = megabyte*Mb = megabit*MB/s = megabytes per second*Mb/s = megabits per second*bps = bits per secondi.e., 155 Mb/s = 19.38 MB/s
MB - short for megabyte.
megabyte - 1024 kilobytes.
memory - the temporary holding area where data is stored while it is being used or changed; the amount of RAM a computer has installed.
menu - a list of program commands listed by topic.
menu bar - the horizontal bar across the top of the Mac¹s screen that lists the menus.
multi finder - a component of System 6 that allows the Mac to multi task.
multi tasking - running more than one application in memory at the same time.
nanosecond - one billionth of a second. ( or, the time between the theatrical release of a Dudley Moore film and the moment it begins to play on airplanes).
native mode - using the computers original operating system; most commonly used when talking about the PowerPC can run software written for either the 80x0 systems, or the PowerPC¹s RISC code.
NuBus - expansion slots on the Mac which accept intelligent, self-configuring boards. NuBus is a different bus achitecture than the newer PCI bus and the boards are not interchangable.
operating system - the system software that controls the computer.
optical disk - a high-capacity storage medium that is read by a laser light.
palette - a small floating window that contains tools used in a given application.
partition - a subdivision of a hard drives surface that is defined and used as a separate drive.
paste - to insert text, or other material, from the clipboard or copy buffer.
PC - acronym for personal computer, commonly used to refer to an IBM or IBM clone computer which uses DOS.
PCI - acronym for Peripheral Component Interchange - the newer, faster bus achitecture.
peripheral - an add-on component to your computer.
point - (1/72") 12 points = one pica in printing.
pop-up menu - any menu that does not appear at the top of the screen in the menu bar. (may pop up or down)
port - a connection socket, or jack on the Mac.
Power PC - a processing chip designed by Apple, IBM and Motorola (RISC based).
Power Mac - a family of Macs built around the PowerPC chip.
print spooler - a program that stores documents to be printed on the hard drive, thereby freeing the memory up and allowing other functions to be performed while printing goes on in the background.
QuickTime - the Apple system extension that gives one the ability to compress, edit and play animation, movies and sound on the Mac.
RAM - acronym for Random-Access Memory.
reset switch - a switch on the Mac that restarts the computer in the event of a crash or freeze.
resize box - the small square at the lower right corner of a window which, when dragged, resizes the window.
RISC - acronym for Reduced Instruction Set Computing; the smaller set of commands used by the PowerPC and Power Mac.
ROM - acronym for Read Only Memory; memory that can only be read from and not written to.
root directory - the main hard drive window.
save - to write a file onto a disk.
save as - (a File menu item) to save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new name.
scroll - to shift the contents of a window to bring hidden items into view.
scroll bar - a bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows scrolling.
scroll box - the box in a scroll bar that is used to navigate through a window.
SCSI - acronym for Small Computer System Interface.
SCSI address - a number between zero and seven that must be unique to each device in a SCSI chain. Fast and Wide SCSI devices will allow up to 15 SCSI Ids (hexidecimal); however, the length restriction (3 meters) is such that it is virtually impossible to link 15 devices together.
SCSI port - a 25 pin connector on the back of a Mac (native SCSI port); used to connect SCSI devices to the CPU. Some SCSI cards (like the ATTO) have a 68 pin connector.
SCSI terminator - a device placed at the end of a SCSI chain to complete the circuit. (some SCSI devices are self-terminating, or have active termination and do not require this plug).
serial port - a port that allows data to be transmitted in a series (one after the other), such as the printer and modem ports on a Mac.
server - a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a network).
shut down - the command from the Special menu that shuts down the Mac safely.
software - files on disk that contain instructions for a computer.
spreadsheet - a program designed to look like an electronic ledger.
start up disk - the disk containing system software and is designated to be used to start the computer.
surge suppressor - a power strip that has circuits designed to reduce the effects of surge in electrical power. (not the same as a UPS)
System file - a file in the System folder that allows your Mac to start and run.
System folder - an all-important folder that contains at least the System file and the Finder.
32 bit addressing - a feature that allows the Mac to recognize and use more than 8MB of memory.
title bar - the horizontal bar at the top of a window which has the name of the file or folder it represents.
upload - to send a file from one computer to another through a network.
Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS)- a constantly charging battery pack which powers the computer. A UPS should have enough charge to power your computer for several minutes in the event of a total power failure, giving you time to save your work and safely shut down.
UPS - acronym for Uninterruptible Power Source.
vaporware - "software" advertised, and sometimes sold, that does not yet exist in a releasable for.
virtual memory - using part of your hard drive as though it were "RAM".
WORM - acronym for Write Once-Read Many; an optical disk that can only be written to once (like a CD-ROM).
zoom box - a small square in the upper right corner of a window which, when clicked, will expand the window to fill the whole screen.

test 2 study guide

2006-02-13T20:50:00.000-08:00

REMEMBER, no stressing allowed. You are doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name two search engines on the internet.

http://www.yahoo.com/, http://www.google.com/ , http://www.searchthingy.com/, http://www.alltheweb.com/, http://www.webcrawler.com/, http://www.excite.com/, http://www.askjeeves.com/, http://www.msn.com/ {just to give you a few as examples, you may use these or any you know of}

This is the main brain of my computer.

CPU {Central Processing Unit}

This is a picture found on my computer, I insert in my document.

Clip Art.

The very top of the open document I am looking at is called.

The Title Bar

Directly under the title bar are words, File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Table, Window, and Help, this is known as the

Menu Bar

The very bottom of the page on Windows which lets me know what is open is known as the

Task Bar

This is a picture known as a graphic I find on my desktop and other areas of my computer {My computer, My Network Places, My Documents, etc…}and is called

An ICON

Give two examples of something you might research on the web.

There are unlimited some examples used in the power point presentation were: Lottery numbers, telephone numbers, the weather, disability issues, medical information, genealogy, social security death index, books, movies, music, etc…..

What does the “e” in e-mail stand for

Electronic

A piece of hardware that is a pointing device used with the computer is called a

Mouse

Name two types of storage disks

CD, 3.5 floppy disk, hard drive also known as C drive, memory key or travel drive.

Where can you locate the current date and time on your computer? By hovering over the time located in the task bar.

For the test you will need to demonstrate creating a new folder on your desktop. (image placeholder)

For the test you will need to demonstrate saving a file and naming it and then placing it in the folder you created.

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The next task to complete is to add clip art to your document you have saved and placed in your folder. (image placeholder)

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COMPUTER CLASS SURVEY

2006-02-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

COMPUTER CLASS SURVEY

How has the Computer Fundamentals Class assisted with your achieving your goals?

Did you have a goal to learn how to use a computer?

Do you feel more confident in using a computer since taking the Computer Fundamentals Class?

Did the instructor answer your questions?

Was the instructor courteous to you?

Was your experience with the computer class a pleasant one?

Would you recommend this class to others?

Did the class fulfill your expectations?

What else would you like to get from the Computer Class that was not provided?

Did the instructor provide learning materials in alternate formats? Examples: CD/large print/3.5 floppy disk/terminology in a folder/PowerPoint Presentations

Did the instructor encourage participation?

The following are questions that pertain to the level of knowledge you acquired during the CPU class. Please answer true or false after each one.

Find a search engine

basic computer parts

What memory is on a computer?

How to defrag your computer

What a hard disk is

Different Drive Letters

Data Storage on the computer

What a Motherboard is?

How to create a folder

How to create a shortcut

What the control panel is for

How to use the internet for research purposes

How to send an email

How to insert an attachment to an email

How to download software from the internet {MSN Messenger} and install on your computer

How to send an instant message

How to Save and name your document

How to use Save As

How to locate a saved document

How to create individual folder in email

How to create rules for email

How to insert clip art into a document

How to use the calendar in Microsoft Outlook

How to cut, copy, and paste

How to properly shut down a computer

What to do if your computer freezes

How to change accessibility within your computer

How to change the appearance of your desktop

how to's CPU class

2006-02-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

For directions to copy & paste:

First way:

Highlight area to be copied, go to tool bar, edit, copy, select area to be pasted to, click paste from tool bar, edit.

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Highlight area to be copied, go to tool bar, edit, copy, select area to be pasted to, click paste from tool bar, edit

Second Way to copy & paste

YOU MAY ALSO USE THE SHORTCUT /CTRL + C= COPY

Highlight area to be copied

Right mouse click, select copy

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Right mouse click, select copy

Right click again in the location you wish to paste

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INSERT DATE

THE SHORTCUT WAY:

PRESSING AT THE SAME TIME ALT + SHIFT + D

2/13/2006

THE SECOND WAY WHICH GIVES YOU MORE CHOICES

MENU BAR; INSERT, DATE AND TIME:

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Monday, February 13, 2006- YOU CAN ALSO SELECT TO HAVE THE DATE UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

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ADD TO FAVORITES

Click on favorites on the tool bar/click add/ it will ask you if you wish to make this available off line.
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Second Way
Go to Menu Bar/Click on Favorites/

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The same dialog box will appear as the first way/click ok

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SHORTCUTS

CTRL + B=          BOLD                         CTRL + E= CENTER

CTRL+ I=          ITALIC                    CTRL + L= LEFT

CTRL + U=          UNDERLINE                    CTRL + R= RIGHT

CTRL + N=          NEW DOCUMENT               CTRL + C= COPY

ALT + SHIFT+ D=     DATE                         CTRL+ X= CUT

CTRL + S=          SAVE                         ALT + F= FILE

CTRL + P=          PRINT                         ALT + E= EDIT

ALT +  V=          VIEW                         ALT + I= INSERT

ALT + F=          FORMAT                    ALT + T=TOOLS

ALT+ SHIFT+ T= TIME {11:32:14 PM}               ALT + H= HELP

IN OTHER WORDS USING ALT + THE FIRST LETTER OF THE MENU BAR ITEM WILL PRODUCE THE SHORTCUT

A COMPUTER CLASS ONLY BLOG SPOT

YOU CAN LOG ON AND CHECK OUT THE INFORMATION ONLINE JUST LIKE CLASS
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