250 Computer Technology Vocabulary – Flashcards
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RAM
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a type of volatile data storage that holds software programs and data during processing
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Read-only memory
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a type of nonvolatile, permanent storage that consists of instructions (BIOS) burned onto chips by the manufacturer; basic input/output system
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input device
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any device used to input data and commands into the computer, i.e. keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone
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output device
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any device that accepts processed data (information) from the computer and presents the results to the user, i.e. monitor, printer, speakers, plotter
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printer
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an output device that prints the results of data processing, i.e. line, inkjet, laser
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projector
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an output device that projects images from the computer onto a wall or viewing screen
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CPU
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a silicon chip (microprocessor) located on the motherboard that executes instructions to process data into information; the brain of the computer; also known as the processor; abbreviation for central processing unit
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maintenance
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the act of keeping computer equipment in good working condition by making repairs, correcting problems, etc.
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upgrading
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the process of adding new features and fixing problems, such as bugs and compatibility with new hardware, operating systems, or other types of software
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operating system
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system software that controls the execution of computer programs and allows hardware and other software to communicate with each other
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application software
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programs that perform specific user tasks such as word processing, database management, or accounting
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worksheets
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the name given to an Excel spreadsheet, divided into rows and columns, meant to work with numbers
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sorting
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arranging data in a specified order, either ascending or descending order
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formulas
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equations used to calculate values in a spreadsheet cell that begins with an equal (=) sign
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functions
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pre-written formulas that include the function name and function arguments separated by commas or semicolons enclosed in parentheses.
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speaker notes
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annotations (comments) added to a slide or group of slides that are used as references during a presenation by the presenter and do not appear in the presentation itself
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graphics
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drawings, pictures, or other illustrations inserted in a document, spreadsheet, or presentation to explain data or enhance the appearance of text on a page
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virus
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programming code that has been written, usually by a hacker, to cause corruption of data on a computer; often attached to an executable file that spreads from one file to another once the program is executed
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adware
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any software program that automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer in a manner that is unexpected and unwanted by the computer user
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spyware
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a type of malware program that locates and saves data from users without them knowing about it
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web conferencing software
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software used to attend online meetings and share desktop presentations
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administrative rights
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permission allowed by a computer user to perform system modifications, such as installing or deleting software or changing network settings
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files
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collections of stored electronic data such as word processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases
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folders
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data storage containers used to organize files on a designated storage device into manageable groups
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file properties
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details that an operating system, such as Windows or Mac OS, stores about a file, such as the author, creation date and time, and modification date and time
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icons
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graphic images or symbols that represent applications, files, disk drives, documents, embedded objects, or linked objects in an operating system
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shortcuts
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keystrokes that enact the same commands available in the menus of a program, usually involving 2 or 3 keys depressed simultaneously; i.e. CTRL + S
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file corruption
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the process of files getting damaged as a result of power failure, turning off the computer without properly shutting it down, a virus, resource conflicts, outdated drivers, bad sectors or lost clusters on the hard drive, or bad software installation
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menu bar
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a horizontal strip that contains lists of available options for a certain program; in Windows, generally residing at the top of each open window; on a Macintosh, always fixed on the top of the screen
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scroll bar
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a tool in a GUI at the right side or bottom of the screen allowing up and down or left and right movement in a document or a worksheet
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magnification
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a tool that allows an increase in the apparent size of an object
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help
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a built-in system within software with components designed to train users and troubleshoot problems; F1 in Windows
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undo
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a command that allows users to cancel the last command or action; CTRL + Z in Windows
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redo
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a command that allows users to repeat the last command or action that was undone; CTRL + Y or F3 in Windows
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repeat
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a command that allows users to repeat the last command or action that was undone; CTRL + Y or F4 in Windows
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print preview
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a feature used to display a document, spreadsheet, or presentation as it will appear when printed
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ruler
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a feature that displays the location of margins, indents, columns, and tab stops for the selected paragraph(s)
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tabs
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a feature used to set positions for aligning and organizing text into groups on a page; default setting is half an inch (0.5")
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line spacing
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the amount of space between lines of text in a document
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non-printing characters
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a character that displays on the screen, but does not print, indicating where the Enter key, the Spacebar, and the Tab key were pressed; also called formatting marks
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bulleted list
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a type of unordered list that presents information in no particular order using graphical markers to identify each item
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numbered list
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a type of ordered list that presents information in a specific order using a numerical identifier for each item indicating each item's priority in the list
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multi-level list
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a type of list with two or more levels of bulleted or numbered items, also referred to as an outline numbered list
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symbols
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a word, place, character, or object that represents something else beyond its literal meaning
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special characters
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the non-alphanumeric symbols on a keyboard, such as $, @, and /, but also includes hidden characters used in software for special functions, such as a non-breaking space
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header
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content in the top margin area of a page in a document, spreadsheet, or slide, that typically contain elements such as the title, page number, or name of the author
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footer
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content in the bottom margin area of a page in a document, spreadsheet, or slide, that typically contain elements such as the page number and date
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styles
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a gallery of predefined formatting combinations, such as fonts, colors, and paragraph formatting, that can be applied to elements on a document, spreadsheet, or slide
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columns
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vertical areas in a worksheet identified by letters at the top of the worksheet window
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rows
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horizontal areas in a worksheet identified by numbers on the left side of the worksheet window
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cells
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the intersection of rows and columns in a worksheet identified by the column letters and row numbers of the worksheet window
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tables
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a presentation structure that displays sets of facts or figures in columns and rows
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document protection
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a set of tools which allows a user to secure a document from alteration by other users by setting permissions, passwords, and other security features
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number formats
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descriptions of how the data in a cell is displayed, such as the number of decimal places, monetary identifiers, or percentages
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borders
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a feature that places a line around the edge(s) of text, a page, a cell, or a table
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shading
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a feature that applies colors or patterns to a paragraph(s), page, text box, a cell, or a table
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alignment
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how the edges of a line, paragraph, object, or table are positioned horizontally and vertically between the margins, on a page, in a cell, or on a slide
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filter
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a feature that allows the user to display only the data that meets specific criteria identified
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absolute cell address
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a cell reference that will not change when the formula is copied to a new cell, assigned by dollar signs before the column and row identifiers; example: $A$1
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relative cell address
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a cell reference used in a formula that always refers to the cell in the same relative position to the cell containing the formula, no matter where the formula is copied into worksheet
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SUM
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a built-in spreadsheet function that adds a range of values; also known as AutoSum
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MIN
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a built-in spreadsheet function that finds the minimum (smallest) value in a range of cells
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MAX
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a built-in spreadsheet function that finds the maximum (largest) value in a range of cells
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Average
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a built-in spreadsheet function that calculates the average of a range of values
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AutoSum
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a built-in spreadsheet function that adds a range of values; also known as SUM
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slide layout
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pre-designed structures in presentation software of arrangement of placeholders on the slide
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transitions
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animation-like effects in an electronic presentation that is activated when moving from one slide to the next
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animations
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dynamic movements of objects (text, images, etc.) in an electronic presentation
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networks
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groups of interconnected computers and networks designed to share resources
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client
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a piece of computer hardware or software that accesses a service made available by a server
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server
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a computer that manages access to a centralized resource or service in a network
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LAN
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a computer network that connects computers in a limited geographical area such as a home, a school, or a building
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WAN
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a computer network that connects computers covering a broad geographic area such as a college campus with multiple buildings, across a city, from one city to another, and from one country to another
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high speed
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the rate at which data is transmitted across a medium, up to 1 Megabit/second
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broadband
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a high-capacity transmission technique that enables a large number of messages to be communicated simultaneously
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wireless
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a form of computer networking or other communication that uses radio signals and microwaves to transmit data
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wifi
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a communication medium that allows computers, smartphones, or other devices to connect to the Internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area; wireless fidelity
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attachments
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a file or folder that is sent with an electronic communication, such as an email
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spam
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irrelevant or inappropriatae unwanted messages sent on the Internet to a large number of recipients
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embedding
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the process of integrating one type of item into another so it becomes an integral part of that object, such as inserting a video in an electronic presentation
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URL
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uniform resource locator; a specific character string that constitutes a reference to an Internet resource, such as http://business.hhs.canyonsdistrict.org; also known as a web address
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netiquette
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the acceptable way of communicating on the Internet appropriately
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Internet
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a global computer network that uses TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange of information; the physical components that connect computers globally
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World Wide Web
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an Internet information system that allows access to electronic documents by hypertext links
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HTML
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hypertext markup language; a standardized system for marking up text files with tags that achieve font, color, graphic, and hyperlink effects on World Wide Web pages
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domain
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a unique string of characters that identifies a specific resource on the Internet
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home page
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the first web page of a website that serves as an introduction to a website
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wiki
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a website that allows collaborative editing of its content and structure by its users
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bookmarks
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the process of recording the web address (URL) of a website, file, or other Internet resource that enables quick access in future
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blogs
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a personal website or web page on which individual opinions or activities are posted on a regular basis; an electronic journal
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podcasts
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a digital multimedia file available on the Internet to be downloaded
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advanced search tools
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features of a search site that allow specific aspects of data other than just keywords in order to locate relevant online resources, including type of file, dates, etc.
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copyright
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the exclusive legal right assigned to the originator or creator of intellectural property to print, publish, perform, film, or record and to authorize others to do the same
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trademark
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a symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product
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plagiarism
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the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own
