Technology in Action Chapters 1-2 – Flashcards
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affective computing
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A type of computing that relates to emotion or deliberately tries to influence emotion.
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Bluetooth technology
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A type of wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances (approximately 30 feet for Bluetooth 1 and 60 feet for Bluetooth 2). Often used to connect peripherals such as printers and keyboards to computers or headsets to cell phones.
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computer forensics
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The application of computer systems and techniques to gather potential legal evidence; a law enforcement specialty used to fight high-tech crime.
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computer literate
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Being familiar enough with computers that you understand their capabilities and limitations and know how to use them.
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data mining
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The process by which great amounts of data are analyzed and investigated.
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digital divide
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The discrepancy between those who have access to the opportunities and knowledge computers and the Internet offer and those who do not.
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digital home
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A home that has a computer( s) and other digital devices that are all connected to a home network.
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information technology (IT)
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The set of techniques used in processing and retrieving information.
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nanoscience
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The study of molecules and nanostructures whose size ranges from 1 to 100 nanometers (one billionth of a meter).
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nanotechnology
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The science of using nanostructures to build devices on an extremely small scale.
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offshore
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The process of sending jobs formerly performed in the U.S. to other countries.
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patient simulator
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A computer-controlled mannequin that simulates human body functions and reactions. Patient simulators are used in training doctors, nurses, and emergency services personnel by simulating dangerous situations that would put live patients at risk.
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public domain
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The status of software (or other created works) that are not protected by copyright.
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radio frequency identification tag (RFID tag)
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A tag that looks like a sticker or label, is attached to a batch of merchandise, and contains a microchip that holds a unique sequence of numbers used to identify the product to which it is attached.
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software
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The set of computer programs or instructions that tells the computer what to do and enables it to perform different tasks.
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spam
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Unwanted or junk e-mail.
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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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See multifunction printer.
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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's switches. A bit 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 0 and 1.
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Blu-ray disc
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A type of wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances (approximately 30 feet for Bluetooth 1 and 60 feet for Bluetooth 2). Often used to connect peripherals such as printers and keyboards to computers or headsets to cell phones.
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brightness
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A measure of the greatest amount of light showing when a monitor is displaying pure white; measured as candelas per square meter (cd/m2) or nits.
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byte
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Eight binary digits (bits).
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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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central processing unit (CPU or processor)
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The part of the system unit of a computer that is responsible for data processing (the "brains" of the computer); it is the largest and most important chip in the computer. The CPU 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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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 device) to be connected to other devices or systems such as networks, modems, and the Internet.
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contrast ratio
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A measure of the difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the darkest black colors that a monitor can produce. If the contrast ratio is too low, colors tend to fade when the brightness is adjusted to a high or low setting.
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cursor control key
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A set of controls on standard keyboards that moves the cursor (the flashing symbol on the monitor that indicates where the next character will be inserted); also known as an arrow key.
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data
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Numbers, words, pictures, or sounds that represent facts, figures, or ideas.
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desktop computer
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A computer that is intended for use at a single location. A desktop computer consists of a case that houses the main components of the computer, plus peripheral devices.
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digital video disc (DVD)
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A method of optical storage for digital data that has greater storage capacity than compact discs.
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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 specially designed computer chip that resides inside another device, such as a car. These self-contained computer devices have their own programming and typically neither receive input from users nor interact with other systems.
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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 of 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 card)
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A circuit board with specific functions that augment the computer's basic functions and provide connections to other devices; examples include the sound card and the video card.
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external hard drive
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An internal hard drive that is enclosed in a protective case to make it portable; the drive is connected to the computer with a data transfer cable and is often used to back up data.
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FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394)
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An interface port that transfers data at 400 Mbps.
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FireWire 800
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One of the fastest ports available, moving data at 800 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. Also called USB drive, jump drive, or thumb drive.
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flash memory card
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A form of portable storage; this removable memory card is often used in digital cameras, portable media players, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
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flat-panel monitor
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A type of monitor that is lighter and more energy-efficient than a CRT monitor; often used with portable computers such as notebooks.
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gigabyte (GB)
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About a billion bytes.
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gigahertz (GHz)
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One billion hertz.
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hard drive
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A device that holds all permanently stored programs and data; 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-definition 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 a mark on the paper. The most common impact printer is the dot-matrix printer.
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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 paper.
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input device
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A hardware device used to enter, or input, data (text, images, and sounds) and instructions (user responses and commands) into a computer. Some input devices are keyboards and mice.
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internal hard drive
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A hard drive that is installed inside the system unit.
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keyboard
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A hardware 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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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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liquid crystal display (LCD)
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The 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 approxiately 1 million bytes.
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megahertz (MHz)
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A measure of processing speed equal to 1 million hertz.
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microphone (mic)
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A device that allows you to capture sound waves, such as those created by your voice, and transfer them to digital format on your computer.
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modem card
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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 can be seen only 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 (CPU), the memory (RAM) chips, and the slots available for expansion cards; all of the other boards (video cards, sound cards, and so on) connect to it to receive power and to communicate.
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mouse
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A hardware device used to enter user responses and commands into a computer.
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multifunction printer
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A device that combines the functions of a printer, scanner, copier, and fax into one machine.
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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. The most common nonimpact printers are inkjet and laser printers.
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nonvolatile storage
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Permanent storage, as in read-only memory (ROM).
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notebook computer
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A small, compact portable computer.
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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. The sensor sends signals to the computer, telling it where to move the pointer on the screen.
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organic light-emitting diode display
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A display that uses organic compounds to produce light when exposed to an electric current. Unlike LCDs, OLEDs do not require a backlight to function and therefore draw less power and have a much thinner display, sometimes as thin as 3 mm.
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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 (graphics), sounds (audio), 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 ports.
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pixel
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A single point that creates the images on a computer monitor. Pixels are illuminated by an electron beam that passes rapidly back and forth across the back of the screen so that the pixels appear to glow continuously.
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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, such as maps and architectural plans.
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port
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An interface through which external devices are connected to the computer.
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power supply
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A power supply regulates the wall voltage to the voltages required by 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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Manipulating or organizing 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.
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random access memory (RAM)
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The measurement (in milliseconds) of the time it takes for a pixel to change color; the lower the response time, the smoother moving images will appear on the monitor.
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S-video (super video)
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A type of technology used to transmit video signals; used on newer LCD monitors, as well as other multimedia devices such as televisions, DVD players, and projectors.
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sleep mode
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A low-power mode for electronic devices such as computers that saves electric power consumption and saves your computer settings where you left off. When the computer is "woken up," you can resume working more quickly than when cold booting the computer.
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solid state drive (SSD)
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A drive that uses the same kind of memory that flash drives 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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speaker
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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 specially designed computer that can perform complex calculations extremely rapidly; used in situations in which complex models requiring intensive mathematical calculations are needed (such as weather forecasting or atomic energy research).
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surround-sound speakers
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Speaker systems set up in such a way that they surround an entire area (and the people in it) 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, including the computer's processor (its brains), its memory, and the many circuit boards that help the computer function.
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Tablet PC
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A notebook computer designed specifically to work with handwriting recognition technology.
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terabyte (TB)
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1,099,511,627,776 bytes or 240 bytes.
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thermal printer
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A printer that works either by melting wax-based ink onto ordinary paper (in a process called thermal wax transfer printing) or by burning dots onto specially coated paper (in a process called direct thermal printing).
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touch screen
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A type of monitor (or display in a notebook or PDA) that accepts input from a user touching the screen.
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touchpad
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A small, touch-sensitive screen at the base of a notebook keyboard. To use the touchpad, you simply move your finger across the pad to direct the cursor.
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trackball mouse
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A mouse with a rollerball on top instead of on the bottom. Because you move the trackball with your fingers, it doesn't require much wrist motion, so it's considered healthier for your wrists than a traditional mouse.
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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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universal serial bus (USB) port
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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 (the 1s and 0s the computer uses) into the images viewed on the monitor.
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video graphics array (VGA) port
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A port to which a CRT monitor connects.
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viewing angle
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Measured in degrees, this tells how far you can move to the side of (or above or below) the monitor before the image quality degrades to unacceptable levels.
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volatile storage
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Temporary storage, such as in random access memory (RAM). When the power is off, the data in volatile storage is cleared out.
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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 is built into a notebook computer and is usually used to transfer live video.
