Computer

Computer Vocabulary
1. anti-virus software - A program that finds and removes viruses from a computer.
2. backup - A copy of files from a computer's hard disk, usually made on some external medium such as CD-ROM or flash drive. A backup is made in case the hard disk file(s) are erased or damaged.
3. bit, bytes - A bit is the smallest piece of information that computers use. Forsimplicity, a PC uses bits in groups of 8 called bytes (8 bits = 1 byte).
4. Bluetooth - a way of communicating wirelessly over short distances between electronic devices (for example computer and mobile telephone)
5. boot, boot up, boot disk - You boot (or boot up) your computer when you switch it on and wait while it prepares itself. Instructions for startup are given to the computer from theboot disk, which is usually the hard disk.
6. browser, to browse - A browser is a program like Firefox or Internet Explorer. You use it to view or browse the Internet.
7. bug - A (small) defect or fault in a program.
8. cache - A kind of memory used to make a computer work faster.
9. CD-ROM - A disk for storing computer information. It looks like an audio CD.
10. CPU - CentralProcessing Unit. This is a PC's heart or "brains".
11. data - usually means the information (text, pictures, audio etc) that you create or share on a computer, as opposed to the programs that manipulate the data.
12. DOS - Disk Operating System. The original system used for PCs, where you typed in commands instead of pointing and clicking.
13. driver - A small program that tells a PChow a peripheral works.
14. ebook - an electronic book that can be downloaded and read on a computer or other device.
15. electronic mail (email, e-mail) - Messages sent from one computer to another. You can see email on the screen or print it out.
16. file - a specific computer record; it could contain data such as text (eg essay.doc), or a program such as paint.exe.
17. floppydisk - A cheap, removable disk used for storing or transferring information. It is floppy (soft) because it is plastic. (Now virtually obsolete.) See hard disk.
18. floppy drive - The device used to run a floppy disk (usually drive "A".) (Now virtually obsolete.)
19. folder (directory) - A sub-division of a computer's hard disk into which you put files.
20. font - A particular sort oflettering (on the screen or on paper). Arial is a font. Times New Roman is another.
21. format - All hard disks and floppy disks have to be electronically prepared for use by a process called formatting. Hard disks are pre-formatted by the computer manufacturer. If you buy a floppy disk that is not pre-formatted, you format it yourself, using a program that comes with your PC.
22. graphicscard - The equipment inside a computer that creates the image on the screen.
23. hard disk - The main disk inside a computer used for storing programs and information. It is hard because it is metal. See floppy disk.
24. hotspot - an area that has an available wireless signal for Internet access (usually public).
25. icon - A small image or picture on a computer screen that is a symbolfor folders, disks, peripherals, programs etc.
26. Internet - International network of computers that you connect to by telephone line. Two popular services of the Internet are the World Wide Web and electronic mail.
27. iPad - a tablet computer created by Apple.
28. Kb, Mb, Gb - kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes. Used to measure computer memory and storage.
29. Kindle - a device fordownloading and reading ebooks, developed by Amazon.com.
30. memory - Memory is for the temporary storing of information while a computer is being used. See RAM, ROM and Cache.
31. MHz - Megahertz. This describes the speed of computer equipment. The higher the MHz the better the performance.
32. modem - Equipment connected to a computer for sending/receiving digital information by...