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A

active document: a document currently available to manipulate by the user

active file: a computer file available to the user or the computer for processing

active window: the document that is currently selected and available to the user (usually the window on top of the other windows

anti-virus: a program or routine designed to detect any unauthorized alteration to a computer or program 

application: a computer program designed for a particular use (word processing or spreadsheet)

archive: a collection of files seldom used but are saved because they may be of value

aspect ratio: the relationship or proportion of the horizontal to the vertical measurement (think photos or computer screens)

available resources: 1. all of the processing capacity, memory storage and peripherals availble to a computer system 2. the resources which remain ready and available for use after a program is loaded

.avi: file extension for a video file with a sound track

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B

background processing:  computer operations that take place out of view while the user is completing tasks in the active windows of the foreground

backslash: a keyboard symbol (/) used to separate directory and file names. j:/shared/sunshine

back up: to make a copy of data for safe keeping (one of the most important but least followed computer practices)

banner: a headline, usually a name or title that stretches across the top of a document

bitmap: a computer graphic image made up of tiny dots (pixel) each of which is assigned a series of bits to record its location

blog: an online journal or web log

.bmp: a file name extension for a bitmapped image

bookmark: a user specified reference marker (can be used on the Internet  aka "Favorites)

Boolean Operators:  using the variables AND, OR, NOT, IF, THEN, +, or - in an Internet search to gain a specific result

bug: a defect in a computer system or program

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cache: a location on a hard drive where copies of web pages are downloaded and stored for faster navigation

CPU : central processing unit

copy: to make a duplicate of text or graphics

cookies: small data files that identify a user when the user revisits a web page (eg. log in identification)

control key: when used in combination with B, I, U and others, the CTRL key will perform a specific task like Bold, Italic or Underline 

crop: trimming off unwanted parts of a picture or graphic

cyberbully: a user who applies pressure to others over the Internet - usually through instant messaging

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.dat:  file name extension for a configuration file - a file with this extension

database: an application used to store and manipulate data

default: automatic settings usually defined by the manufacturer

desktop:a group of  programs that imitate items found on the desk

dialog box: a pane that appears as part of a program to furnish the user with information or to request user input

download: to copy a file from one computer or disk to another

dpi: dots per inch -  the greater the dpi the greater the resolution and higher the print quality

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edit: to make changes to a file or document

E-mail: electronic mail - correspondence transmitted over cable or telephone lines through an ISP - Internet Service Provider

embed: to place an object, graphic, sound file into another file. Embedding implies the inclusion of all data necessary to change the format of the object within the new file

encryption: the jumbling or coding or sensitive data to make it unreadable for security purposes

ethernet: a local area networking protocal for connection and interaction between computers. See also LAN

.EXE: the file name extension for an executable file. This is the file that is activated when a program is opened.

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file: a set of related information that is identified by a unique name and stored as a unit

flame: to flame someone means to write messages in anger usually through e-mail or instant messaging

format: a term referring to size, style or layout

FTP - file transfer protocol - the rules that govern the transfer of files from one place to another

function key: 1.) a button on a computer that has a specific purpose (page up, page down, home, end) or 2.) an F key - one of the 12 F keys, F1, F2, F3 etc that in combination with the Fn key or Ctrl key perform a specific task in a program

.gif: Graphics Interchange Format  - a file name extension for a graphic file

gigabyte:gb one billion bytes

graphic: the representation of a picture in a draw program

grouping: arranging or connecting data so that the data becomes on unit. see ungroup  

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hacker: one who has an acquired skill with computers, not professionally trained

hanging indent: a paragraph format where all the lines are indented except the first - very handy in making bibliography entries.

header: printed matter such as title and page numbers that appear on every page of a document

hyperlink: a device that connects documents and enables rapid switching from one to another - commonly used to link web pages

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icon: a graphic (usually found on a desktop) that activates a program with a double mouse click

install: to load, copy; and set up or configure a piece of software

ISP : Internet Service Provider - (AOL. Bellsouth, Comcast, NetZero, EarthLink, Semitsu, etc)

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.jpg: JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group - a file extension for a special compression format used for photographs

justify: to space text so that it is lined up at the margin (left justify, right justify, full justify)

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kilobyte: kb approximately 1000 bytes (specifically 1024 bytes)

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LAN: Local Area Network - two or more computers that are linked together so that information or programs can be shared between them.

LCD: Liquid Crystal Display a computer screen that uses liquid crystals to display images 

library:  a collection of resources available usually online

link: a connection between data contained in a document and another piece of data in another document

log in: to type a password which then allows the user access to his or her files, programs, and accounts

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macro: a set of instructions that are executed by a single command, hot key, or key combination. Macros are used to simplify repetitive tasks.

megabyte: mb one million bytes

memory: 1) volatile memory (short term) - the working memory that is erased when the computer is shut down; the area of the computer or printer where data is held during processing 2) Static memory (long term memory) - the hard disk, CD, thumb drive, used for longer storage

menu:  a list of options that can be called up by the user in most applications

merge:  to combine two or more files or sets of database records into a single file or database.

.mid: Musical Instrument Digital Interface - file extension for data conforming to the protocol for interaction between digitized musical instruments and the computer

modem: MODulator/DEModulator - a device for translating digital signals - used for communication between computers

.mpg: MPEG - a file extension for Motion Picture Experts Group

multimedia:  describes the ability to embed a combination of sight and sound elements in a computer program such as a section of video or sound in a text document

multitasking:  the ability of a CPU to execute two or more programs or routines at the same time

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network server: a computer that stores and manages programs, data, and peripherals

online:  connected to a network

open: a file that has been copied from memory storage to RAM and is available to the user for manipulation

Open Source software: a piece of software where the source code is available for the general public to access and change

OS: Operating System  - a program that directs all the operations of the computer (Windows, Mac, Linux)

overload: a condition that can cause the computer to crash. Can be instigated by attempting to run more applications than the memory can hold or by attempting to transfer data faster than the processor can process.

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page break:  the point at which copy ends on a single page  - either by default or by using a command (Insert, Page break)

password: a series of characters - numbers, letters, and symbols by which a user gains access to a computer, application or file

pirated software: software that has been illegally copied and sold without the permission of the manufacturer

pixel: the smallest component of a computer screen image or graphic representation

pixilated: used to describe a digital image whose resolution has been reduced so much that it appears grainy, or even full of squares - pixels

plug and play: (also known as plug and pray - thanks RT) the capability of an operating system to identify a new peripheral and install it automatically-hopefully

port: any of the connections to a computer that allow the transfer of data 

Print Screen (key): a function key that commands the computer to copy data on the monitor screen to the computer

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query: a request for data, as a record or set of records from a database

queue: a list of elements that are ready for processing

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RAM: Random Access Memory 

read only: descriptive of a computer file that may be accessed but not altered

reformat: 1) to change the style of text in a document 2) to convert a computer file for use by a different application

refresh: to revive or renew volatile memory such as RAM

refresh rate: the number of times 

remote access: the ability of a computer to interact with another computer that is not in the immediate area

removable storage: any of a number of devices for storing data that are transportable outside the computer such as - CDs, removable hard disks, tapes, thumb drives, DVDs, 

resolution: the relative fineness of the image on a computer screen or produced by a printer. Resolution is usually expressed as DPI (dots per inch) for a scanner or printer and in pixels for the image on the computer screen.

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save: a program command that writes data to non-volatile memory

serial port: a connection on a computer for communicating with a peripheral device - mouse, keyboard, etc. 

snail mail:  a term used to describe the postal service in comparison to the speed of E-mail

spam: unsolicited e-mail also known as junk mail

speech recognition: the ability of a computer to be trained to recognize voice and interpret the voice as a command

speech to text: the ability of a computer or software program to recognise voice and translate it to text

spooler: a device that stores computer output so that it can be piped to the printer in sequential order to be printed later

SQL Structured Query Language: a type of computer standard for retrieving database records from a remote database

symbol: any of the characters available on the computer keyboard

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TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol - the standard procedure for regulating transmission over the Internet

.tif: TIFF Tagged Image File Format - the file anem extension for a bitmapped or graphics file

toggle: to select between two or more files or programs without closing and opening

transfer: to move data or files from one location to another

tree: a graphical representation of a hierarchical directory structure showing the directories that branch out the root directories, then subdirectories

troubleshoot: to attempt to locate the source of the hardware or software problem and correct it

truncate: to shorten by eliminating less significant parts (like eliminating leading zeros or rounding a decimal number)

.txt: file name extension for a text file - usually made with wordpad

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underscore: the _ symbol often used in file names to separate words without using spacebar

update: to add new data or alter saved data in order to reflect the most recent information available

upload: the reverse of download - to copy files from your computer to a web server

user friendly:  a description meaning intuitive, easy to learn

USB: Universal Serial Bus  - provides a connection between the computer and various peripherals, mice, microphones, printers, scanners, digital cameras, etc...

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VGA: Video Graphics Array- 

virus: unauthorized and unwanted instructions in a computer that disrupt its normal operation - often acquired from downloaded software

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.wav: waveform - file name extension for files storing recorded sound

.wmf: Windows Metafile - file name extension for a bitmapped image or graphics file

WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get - descriptive of fonts, software programs - where each is closely representative of the end product

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.XLS:  file name extension for a spreadsheet file

Yahoo/Yahooligans: search engines for adults and children. Yahooligans is a filtered search engine suitable for students.

ZAP: totally erasing of a hard drive - usually by accident - oops!

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