Access Rights

Determine who is allowed to read, write, delete and execute certain files and applications on a file server or workstation.

Applications

Computer programs written to support tasks that are useful to a computer user. Some examples of applications are Wordperfect, Claris Works, PowerPoint, Photoshop and Netscape.

Backup Copy

A copy of a disk that is made to guard against loss of files if an original disk is lost or destroyed.

Baud Rate

The speed at which data are transmitted across communications lines between computers measured in bits per second (bps); 1 baud = 1bps.

CD-ROM

Compact disk - read only memory. A removable computer storage medium that can store images and/or up to 250,000 pages of text. Offers much more storage space than conventional diskettes but without special devices you cannot write data to a CD.

Cell

The row-column position that data is stored in while using a spreadsheet.

Clip Art

One or more pieces of prepared art work, stored as files and designed to be inserted into a document such as a newsletter.

Compression

The coding of data to save storage space or transmission time. Although data is already coded in digital form it can be coded more efficiently with popular shareware programs like Winzip or Pkzip.

Cursor

A line, block, or underline usually blinking whcih is displayed on the computer screen that shows where information may be inserted.

Database

A collection of information systematized by computer software to allow storage and easy retrieval through keyword searching; the program designed to accomplish these tasks.

Driver

Software that controls a hardware component or peripheral device of a computer such as a mouse, a video card or a printer.

Electronic Mail (E-mail)

Messages sent via telecommunications from one person to one or more other people.

Field

The smallest unit of information in a database.

File Server

In a Local Area Network (LAN), the computer that houses the software and "serves" it to the attached workstations.

Floppy Disk

A computer storage medium on which data and porograms are stored through a magnetic process. Contrary to popular belief the hard plastic 3.5 diskettes are considered floppy disks even though they do not flop like their older cousins the 5.25 diskette.

Font

The type style used in a document. Examples are courier, times news roman, greek courier, palatino etc...

Footer

A line in a document that can be set to repeat automatically at the bottom of each page; usually indicates a title and/or pagination.

Format

To prepare a disk to receive files on a computer; to initialize a disk; to design the appearance of a document by manipulating fonts, type styles and type size.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

On the Internet, a way of transferring files from one computer to another over a network.

Gopher

On the Internet, a menu-based system designed to search for and retrieve files.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Often times pronounced "gooey." This is software that displays options to the user in graphic formats consisting of menus and icons, rather than text formats. Macintosh and Windows both take advantage of GUI.

Hard Disk

A computer's internal disk drive which is used to store and retreive programs and data.

Header

A line in a document that can be set to repeat automatically at the top of each page; usually indicates a title and/or pagination.

Hypermedia

Software that connects elements of a computer system through hypertext links.

Icon

A small picture intended to represent something (a file, directory or action) in a graphical user interface. When an icon is clicked on, some action is performed such as opening a directory or starting an application.

Internet

A worldwide network that connects many smaller networks with a common set of procedures (protocols) for sending and receiving information.

K (kilobyte)

A unit of computer memory or disk capacity that is roughly equivalent to 1,000 bytes.

LAN (Local Area Network)

A series of computers connected through cabling or wireless methods to share programs through a central file server computer. UNCA's computer network is a LAN.

Linear Presentation

A presentation in which information is presented in a standard sequence, generally starting at the beginning and running through to the end; a slide show.

Memory

Memory comes in several different mediums including RAM, diskettes, hard drives, and CD-ROMS. To make more space on diskettes and hard drives you would need to delete unused or old files. To make more memory available in RAM you would need t o run a program like DOS's memmaker or change memory properties within Windows 95. RAM memory can also be made available by quitting an application if you have several running at the same time.

Modem

A device that changes digital computer signals into analog frequencies that can be sent over a telephone line to another computer and changes back incoming signals into ones the computer can use.

Multimedia

A computer system or computer system product that incorporates text, sound, pictures/graphics, and/or video.

Non-Linear Presentation

A presentation in which the user is given navigational controls and can wander through the content at will. The presentation contains branches to different locations within the presentation or to another presentation.

Operating System (OS)

A type of of software that controls system operation and allows the computer to recognize and process instructions from applicatiosn software such as word processing programs. Some examples of operating systems are Windows 3.1, Windows 95, UN IX, Linux and the Macintosh Operating System.

Passwords

A word or number designed to limit access to a system to authorized users only.

Peripheral

Any part of a computer other than the CPU or working memory, i.e. disks, keyboards, monitors, mice, printers, scanners, tape drives, microphones, speakers, cameras, to list just the less exotic ones.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. This is a type of internal memory that the computer uses to temporarily store data to enable faster processing. This memory resets itself every time the computer is turned off.

Record

In a database file, several realted fields (e.g., all the information on one person).

Scanner

Hardware device that converts text, photographs, and black and white graphics into computer-readable form and transfers the information to a computer so they can be used in documents or WWW pages.

Sort

To arrange a collection of items, records, or fields in some specified order.

Spreadsheet

Software designed to store data (usually, but not always numeric) by row-column positions known as cells; can also do calculations on the data. Some examples of spreadsheet programs are Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro, MS-Works and Claris Works.

Virus

A program written with the purpose of doing harm to or bothering programs, data and/or hardware components of a computer system.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

An interconnected group of computers linked by modems and other technologies. The Internet is a WAN.

Word Processing

An applications that uses the computer for typing, editing and preparing documents.

WWW (World Wide Web)

On the Internet, a system that connects sites through hypertext links.

Zone

A logical group of network devices on an AppleTalk network.

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