Hardware-

The physical computer, Central Processing Unit (CPU), video display, keyboard, mouse and printer.

System Software

The operating system controls the computer and translates your instructions into commands that the computer can understand and process. Campus computers have the system software pre-installed. They are currently working with MS- Windows 95.

Application Software

Software that is designed to accomplish a specific task. Examples of application software are Microsoft Works 3.0 and MS Office.

RAM Memory

In order to store calculations, commands and software on a temporary basis, the computer has a fixed amount of memory that is turned on and off with the computer itself. This memory is called RAM and its size is measured in number of characters: 1 Byte = 8 characters. Each computer may have a different amount of RAM memory.

Storage Devices-

Hard Drive and Floppy disks

Since the RAM memory cannot be used to store information when the computer is off, another device is needed to save information for longer periods of time. There are two such devices:

Hard disk drive

A storage place inside the computer. Most of the software run by the computer is stored on the hard drive. Also, hard drives are used to store files with all kind of information. Hard drives come in different sizes.

3.5" floppy disk

A portable device used to transport files from one computer to another, to keep copies of files, and to store various kinds of information that cannot be left in the hard drive. Floppy disks can store more than 500 pages of double spaced work.

Basic Internet Terms

ActiveX - enables interactive content on World Wide Web sites. Web sites using this technology seem to come alive using multimedia effects, interactive objects, and applications comparable to that of a CD-ROM.

Address - (e-mail address, Internet address, and web address ) - The code (series of letters, numbers and/or symbols) by which the Internet identifies you or the location where information is stored.

Applets - Little programs that can be downloaded and used by computers equipped with a Java-capable browser.

Application - program or software; what tells the computer to do what you want it to do. Examples include Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, HTML editors, Shockwave, Quick Time, and ActiveX.

Bandwidth - The frequencies a transmission line or channel can carry: the higher the frequency the higher the bandwidth and the more information carrying capacity of a channel. Bandwidth is also used to measure the amount of time it takes for a Web page to fully load.

BBS (Bulletin Board System) - A dial-up computerized meeting and announcement system. You can carry on discussions, upload and download files.

Bitmap - a bitmap is a map of dots or "pixels". Pictures you see on a Web page are bitmaps. Bitmaps come in many file formats such as GIF, JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PICT, PCX, and DIB .a bitmap is a map of dots or "pixels".

Bookmark - method of "saving" a web site location. "Bookmarking" a web site allows you to easily return to it that page at a later time with a simple click of the mouse rather than remembering and typing in long and sometimes cryptic URLs. Bookmarks enable you to quickly find areas of the web you have visited and want to return to. Many web sites have a "links" section/page which is a collection of bookmarks.

Boolean ("boolean logic") - a system used frequently in search engines and directories for searching and retrieving information using and combining terms such as AND, OR, and NOT to sort data.

Broken link - A link or hyperlink or hotlink which no longer works when "clicked on" or which does not take you to the destination it was supposed to. This can occur for several reasons, the server hosting the web site is temporarily unavailable (for upgrading or technical problems), or the web site has moved and is no longer on the server. Also occurs if the HTML code for the hyperlink is incorrect.

Browser - A program that allows users to access documents on the World Wide Web (WWW). Browsers can be either text or graphic. They read HTML coded pages that reside on a server and interpret the coding into what we see as web pages. Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer are the best known examples of web browsers.

Cache - (sounds like 'cash') a location in the memory of your computer where data is stored for easy retrieval, allowing quicker access to data. When you return to a previously visited site your browser doesn't have to download the information all over again, instead it can grab it from the cache. This is why sometime you should refresh the page if you want to view the most current information.

Chat - The online version of having a conversation, only you can chat with many others from all over the world at the same time.

Cookies - Files stored on your hard drive that contain information about sites you have visited, newsgroups you have read, or passwords to subscription areas of sites. Generally harmless, usually expire on a set date. You can not visit some sites unless you accept their cookies.

Compressed - Large data files or programs available for download from the Internet are frequently compacted to decrease download time. File extension for compressed files is usually zip.

Dial-up connection - The most common form of Internet connection from home, this is the connection from your computer to the host computer over standard telephone lines.

Discussion group - A group of people who exchange messages about specific topics. Examples include: newsgroups, interactive message boards, thread message forums, and e-mailing lists.

Domain name - The "address" or URL of a particular Web site. Also the name at the right of the @ sign in an Internet address.

Download - To transfer files from one computer to another. 'Saves" the file or program to your computer.

E-mail address - is similar to username@hostname.com The username is the userID, account, or nickname of a specific person or machine designated to receive the e-mail. The hostname is either the name of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) the account is set up with, or the name of the computer which receives the e-mail messages. An e-mail address would be spoken as username at hostname dot com.

Emoticon - People use simple keystrokes, found on any keyboard, to express emotions, thoughts and actions. They can be thought of as the computer users body language. Also called smilies, they are commonly found in email, usenet, newsgroups, chat rooms, and mailing lists. For example ;-) is a wink.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - answers to commonly asked questions gathered into one location.

Flame - A nasty e-mail or newsgroup message. An argument can become a flame war.

Freeware - Software that is available for download free.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol - Allows the transfer of files between two computers connected to the Internet. A frequent method of uploading files for Web pages, usually requires an account and a password. Anonymous FTP allows transfer of files without an account or password.

Gateway - The computer software and hardware allowing networks of computers to connect.

GIF - Graphics Interchange Format - the most common format for images found on Web pages.

Home Page - The main or introductory page of a Web Site. Personal Web pages are frequently called home pages as well.

HTML - HyperText Markup Language - The primary language used to develop Web pages.

HTTP - HyperText Transfer Protocol - Allows communication between a server and a client computer. Web addresses usually begin with http://

Hyperlink - Also called hotlink, hypertext or link. Highlighted words in a text that can be clicked on to go to another page or site.

Hypertext - Also called hotlink, hyperlink, or link. Highlighted words in a text that can be clicked on to go to another page or site.

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network - digital high speed telephone lines allowing transfer of data, audio, and video signals.

ISP - Internet Service Provider - Agent for most peoples access to the Internet. Can be either a Dial-up or Direct connection.

IP Address - Internet Protocol Address - The name for the unique identifying number every computer on the Internet has.

Internet - Basically a bunch of computers linked together through a network so computer users in different locations can have access to the same information.Worldwide network of computers

Latency - the measure of time from when the device receives a data request to the time the first byte of data to be transferred has been sent.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator or web address) - usually starts with http://www followed by a "dot" and then a domain name and a path.

Web address (URL or Uniform Resource Locator) - usually starts with http://www followed by a "dot" and then a domain name and a path.