Backup
An extra copy of a document, file or program.
Binary
The binary numeral system, or base-2 number system, is a numeral system that represents numeric values using two symbols, usually 1 and 0, or On and Off.
Bit
A bit is a binary digit, taking a value of either 0 or 1. For example, the number 10010111 is 8 bits long.
BPS
Bits per second: A measurement of the speed at which data travels from one place to another. A 57,600 bps modem can transmit about 57,600 bits of data per second.
Byte
A byte is a group of 8 bits, strung together.
CD-ROM
A round, shiny portable disk that stores large amounts of software and information.
Client
A program that depends on services from other programs or computers that are functioning as "servers" or "hosts."
CPU
Central Processing Unit: The chip which is the brains of the computer. The CPU processes data and instructions. It does calculations and does what the software programs tell it to do.
Data Encryption
Data encryption is the process of converting messages and data from an ordinary readable language into a secret coded format. While making the data readily accessible to authorized persons, encryption protects the information on your laptop from falling into the wrong hands.
Download
The process of transferring files from another computer or data source to your computer.
Electronic mail: Messages sent and received via a computer network.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions: A document or page that has answers to common questions.
GB
Gigabyte: 1,073,741,824 bytes, or approximately 1 billion bytes.
Home Page
The "main" or leading web page of an organization's or individual's web site. Also refferred to as "home."
Host
A computer that provides services to other computers on a network.
HTML
HyperText Markup Language: The language use in the internet to communicate among computers via a set of codes that tells a computer how to display the text, graphics, and other objects that comprise a web page.
Icon
An icon is a tiny picture on the screen that represents a program, file or folder.
Internet
See WWW.
IP Address
A computer's unique Internet address.
KB
Kilobyte: 1,024 bytes or approximately 1 thousand bytes
Kb
Kilobit: 1,024 bits or approximately 1 thousand bits.
MB
Megabyte: 1,048,576 bytes or approximately 1 million bytes.
Monitor
The view screen that inables you to view the information on your computer.
Network
Two or more computing devices connected together by wiring, cable, digital circuit, or other means. The Internet is a network that connects millions of computer networks.
Pixel
"Pixel" stands for Picture Element. It is the smallest part of every image you see on the monitor.
POP
Post Office Protocol: An older method used by programs like Eudora or Netscape to send and receive email from and to a mail server.
Protocol
A precise definition of how computers interact with one another on a network.
Server
Computer Server: A computer system that has been designated for running a specific server application or applications. Application Server: A program that accepts connections in order to service requests by sending back responses.
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a document which helps you organize data in rows and columns of cells.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator: A fancy term for the address of a World Wide Web page or other resource.
WWW
World Wide Web: A system of linked computers that distribute text, graphics, and multimedia information to users all over the world.