Technology in Action Chapter 2 CIS 110
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All-in-One Computer
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A desktop system unit that houses the computer's processor, memory, and monitor in a single unit.
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All-in-One-Printer
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Combines the function of a printer, scanner, copier and fax into one machine.
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Application Software
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The set of programs on a computer that helps a user carry out tasks such as word processing, sending e-mail, balancing a budget, creating presentations, editing photos, taking an online course, and playing games.
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Aspect Ratio
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The width-to height proportion of a monitor.
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Binary Digit (Bit)
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A digit that corresponds to the on and off states of a computer switches that contains a value of either 0 or 1.
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Binary Language
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The language computers use to process data into information consisting of only the values of 0 and 1.
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Bluetooth
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A type of wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances used to connect printers, keyboards, or handsets.
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Blue-Ray Disc (BD)
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A method of optical storage for digital data, developed for storing high-definition media. It has the largest storage capacity of all optical storage options.
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Byte
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Eight binary digits (bits).
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
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The part of the system unit of a computer that is responsible for data processing and is the largest and most important chip in the computer (the \"brains\"). It controls all the functions performed by the computer's other components and processes all the commands issued to it by software instructions.
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Cold Boot
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The process of starting a computer from a powered-down or off state.
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Compact Disc (CD)
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A method of optical storage for digital data; originally developed for storing digital audio.
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Computer
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A data-processing device that gathers, processes, outputs, and stores data and information.
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Connectivity Port
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A port that enables the computer (or other devices) to be connected to other devices or systems such as networks, modems, and the Internet.
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Data
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Numbers, words, pictures, or sounds that represents facts, figures, or ideas.
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Desktop Computer
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A Computer intended for use at a single location that consists of a case that houses the main components of the computer, plus the peripheral devices.
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Digital Video Disc (DVD)
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Video interface technology that newer LCD monitors, as well as other multimedia devices such as television, DVD players, and projectors.
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Digital Video Interface (DVI)
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Video interface technology that newer LCD monitors, as well as other multimedia devices such as televisions, DVD players, and projectors, use to connect to a PC.
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Drive Bay
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A special shelf inside a computer that is designed to hold storage devices.
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Embedded Computer
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A specifically designed computer chip that resides inside another device, such as a car.
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Ergonomics
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How a user sets up his or her computer and other equipment to minimize risk of injury or discomfort.
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Ethernet Port
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A port that is slightly larger than a standard phone jack and transfers data at speeds up to 10, 000 Mbps; used to connect a computer to a DSL or cable modem or a network.
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Expansion Card (Adapter Cards)
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A circuit board with specific functions that augment the computer's basic functions and provide connections to the other devices.
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External Hard Drive
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A hard drive that is enclosed in a protective case to make it portable and can be connected to the computer with a data transfer cable and is often used to back up data.
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Fire Wire 400
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An interface port that transfers data at 400 Mbps.
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Fire Wire 800
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An interface port that transfers data at 400 Mbps.
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Flash Drive
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A drive that plugs into a universal serial bus (USB) port on a computer and stores data digitally.
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Flash Memory Card
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A drive that plugs into a universal serial bus (USB) port on a computer and stores data digitally. (Also called USB drive, jump drive, or thumb drive).
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Gigabyte (GB)
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A unit of computer storage equal to approximately a billion bytes.
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Gigahertz (GHz)
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One billion hertz.
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Hard Disk Drive (HDD, Hard Drive)
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A device that holds all permanently stored programs and data and can be located inside the system unit or attached to the system unit via a USB port.
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Hardware
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Any part of the computer you can physically touch.
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Hibernate
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A power-management mode that saves the current state of the current system to the computer's hard drive.
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High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
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A compact audio-video interface standard that carries both high-defintion video and uncompressed digital audio.
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Impact Printer
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A printer that has tiny hammer-like keys that strike the paper through an inked ribbon, thus making marks on the paper.
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Information
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Data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful fashion.
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Inkjet Printer
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A nonimpact printer that sprays tiny drops of ink onto a paper.
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Input
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The gathering of data or allowing the user to enter data.
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Input Device
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A hardware device used to enter, or input, data and instructions into a computer. (Examples: Keyboard, mouse, etc)
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Internal Hard Drive
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A device that holds all permanently stored programs and is located inside the system unit.
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Keyboard
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A hardware input device used to enter typed data and commands into a computer.
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Kilobyte (KB)
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A unit of computer storage equal to approximately one thousand bytes.
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Laptop (or notebook) Computer
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A portable computer with a keyboard, monitor and other devices integrated into a single compact case.
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Laser Printer
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A nonimpact printer known for quick and quiet production and high-quality printouts.
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Legacy Technology
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Comprises computing devices, software, or peripherals that use techniques, parts, and methods from an earlier time that are no longer popular.
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Light Emitting Diode (LED)
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A newer, more energy efficient type of monitor.
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Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
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The most common type of technology used in flat-panel computer monitors.
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Mainframe
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A large, expensive computer that supports hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously and executes many different programs at the same time.
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Megabyte (MB)
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A unit of computer storage equal to approximately 1 million bytes.
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Microphone (Mic)
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A device that allows the user to capture sound waves and transfer them to digital format on your computer.
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Modem Port
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A port that uses a traditional telephone signal to connect a computer to the Internet.
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Monitor (Display Screen)
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A common output device that displays text, graphics, and video as soft copies (copies that con only be seen on screen).
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Motherboard
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A special circuit board in the system unit that contains the Central Processing Unit, the memory (RAM) chips, and the slots available for expansion cards.
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Mouse
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A hardware input device used to enter user responses and commands into a computer.
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Netbook
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A computing device that runs a full-featured operating system but weighs two pounds or less.
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Network Interface Card (NIC)
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An expansion card that enables a computer to connect other computers or to a cable modem to facilitate a high-speed Internet connection.
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Nonimpact Printer
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A printer that sprays ink or uses laser beams to make marks on the paper.
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Nonvolatile Storage
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Permanent storage, as in read-only memory (ROM).
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Operating System (OS)
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The system software that controls the way in which a computer system functions, including the management of hardware, peripherals, and software.
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Optical Drive
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A hardware device that uses lasers or light to read from, and maybe even write to, CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs.
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Optical Mouse
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A mouse that uses an internal sensor or laser to control the mouse's movement.
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Organic Light-Emitting Diode Displays (OLED)
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A display that uses organic compounds to produce light when exposed to an electric current.
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Output Device
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A device that sends processed data and information out of a computer in the form of text, pictures, sound, or video.
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Peripheral Device
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A device such as a monitor, printer, or keyboard that connects to the system unit through the data port.
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Pixel
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A single point that creates the images on a computer monitor that is illuminated by an electron beam that passes rapidly back and forth.
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Plotter
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A large printer that uses a computer-controlled pen to produce oversize pictures that require precise continuous lines to be drawn.
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Port
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An interface which external devices are connected to the computer.
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Power Supply
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Regulates the wall voltage to the voltage required by the computer chips; it is housed inside the system unit.
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Printer
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A common output device that creates tangible or hard copies of text and graphics.
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Processing
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The manipulation, calculation, or organization of data into information.
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Projector
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A device that can project images from your computer onto a wall or viewing screen.
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QWERTY Keyboard
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A keyboard that gets its name from the first six letters on the top left row of alphabetic keys on the keyboard. (The type of keyboard used in many computer devices).
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Random Access Memory (RAM)
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The computer's temporary storage space or short-term memory.
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Read-Only Memory (ROM)
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A set of memory chips located on the motherboard which store data and instructions that cannot be changed or erased.
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Resolution
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The clearness or sharpness of an image, which is controlled by the number of pixels displayed on the screen.
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Scanner
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A type of input device that inputs images into a computer.
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Sleep Mode
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A low-power mode for electronic devices such as computers and saves electrical power consumption and saves the last-used settings. When device is \"woken up\" work is resumed more quickly than when a cold booting the computer.
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Smartphone
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Has productivity (application software) media player, and camera features as well as web connectivity.
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Software
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The set of computer programs or instructions that tells the computer what to do and that enables it to perform different tasks.
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Solid-State Drive (SSD)
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A storage device that uses the same kind of memory that a flash drive use, but can reach data in only a tenth of the time a flash drive requires.
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Sound Card
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An expansion card that attaches to the motherboard inside the system unit and that enables the computer to produce sounds by providing a connection for the speakers and microphone.
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Speakers
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An output device for sound.
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Stylus
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A pen-shaped device used to tap or write on touch-sensitive screens.
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Supercomputer
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A specifically designed computer that can perform complex calculations extremely rapidly (used in weather forecasting or atomic energy research).
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Surround-Sound Speaker
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Speaker systems set up in such a way that they surround an entire area with sound.
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System Software
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The set of programs that enables a computer's hardware devices and application software to work together; it includes the operating system and utility programs.
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System Unit
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The metal or plastic case that holds all the physical parts of the computer together.
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Tablet Computer
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A mobil computer integrated into a flat multitouch-sensitive screen. It uses an onscreen virtual keyboard, but separate keyboards can be connected via Bluetooth or wires. (Examples: Apple iPad or Motorola XOOM)
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Tablet PC
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A notebook computer designed specifically to work with handwriting recognition technology. (Similar to notebook but monitor swivels and folds.)
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Terabyte (TB)
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A unit of computer storage equal to approximately one trillion bytes (1,099,511,627,776 bytes or 2^40 bytes).
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Thermal Printer
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A printer that works either by melting wax-based ink onto ordinary paper or by burning dots onto specially coated paper.
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Touch Pad (Trackpad)
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A small, touch-sensitive screen at the base of a notebook keyboard that is used to direct the cursor.
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Touch Screen
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A type of monitor or display that accepts input from a user touching the screen.
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Trackpoint Device
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A small, joystick-like nub that enables you to move the cursor with the tip of your finger.
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Ultrabook
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A full-featured but lightweight laptop computer that features a low-power processor and a solid-state drive; it tries to reduce its size and weight to extend battery life without sacrificing performance.
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Universal Serial Bus Port (USB)
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A port that can connect a wide variety of peripheral devices to the computer, including keyboards, printers, mice, smartphones, PDAs, flash drives, and digital cameras.
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Video Card (Video Adapter)
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An expansion card that is installed inside a system unit to translate binary data into the images viewed on the monitor.
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Video Graphics Array (VGA)
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A port to which a CRT monitor connects.
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Volatile Storage
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Temporary storage, such as RAM, that is cleaned out when the power is off.
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Warm Boot
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The process of restarting the system while it's powered on.
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Webcam
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A small camera that sits on top of a computer monitor (connected to the computer by a cable) or that's built into a laptop computer and is usually used to transfer live video.
