Glossary of Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

abacus

an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or in grooves.

aberrant

a person whose behavior departs substantially from the standard.

B

bit

Short for binary digit, which is either a 1 or a 0 within the binary system of data representation in computer system.

binary system

A two state system.

byte

A group of 8 bits.

C

computer

Works with and interprets data and provides output.

D

digit

A number.

E

EISA

Extended Industry Standard Architecture- built because IBM created MCA didn't share it- 32bit-designed for the 386, 486, and Pentium- 8.3 MHz.

electronic mail

Also called e-mail; system linking computers by wired or wireless connections that allows users through their keyboards, to post messages and to read responses on their computer screens.

F

fax machine

Device that scans an image and sends it as electronic signals over transmission lines to a receiving fax machine, which recreates the image on paper.

G

H

I

integrated circuit (IC)

Collection of electrical circuits, or pathways, etched on tiny squares, or chips, or silicon half the size of a person's thumbnail. In a computer, different types of ICs perform different types of operations.

integrated port

coming off system board.

Internet

Network of approximately 11,000 local and regional computer networks that link computers at academic, industrial, and scientific institutions in more than 200 countries.

ISA

Industry Standard Architecture- 16 bit connection- 8.3 MHz through the board itself.

J

K

L

local area network (LAN)

Communications network that links users who are located near one another, as in the same building.

M

microcomputer

Small computer that fits on a desktop; used either as a personal computer or a workstation.

MCA

Micro Channel Bus Architecture- it was designed for the Bus to match 386 chip- 32bit bus- 10.33 MHz.

microprocessor

Short for "microscopic processor", the miniaturized circuitry of the computer's processor-the part that manipulates data into information-which is etched on a sliver, or "chip", of material such as silicon.

microwaves

Powerful electromagnetic waves of a different length from radio waves; used in data transmission.

modem

Device for converting a computer's digital signals to analog signals- for transmission over copper telephone wires- and then back to digital signals.

N

O

P

personal computer (PC)

Desktop or portable (laptop, notebook, or palmtop) microcomputer that can run easy-to-use, personal assistance programs such as word processing or spreadsheets.

PCMCIA

Personal Computer Memory Card International Association-Common in notebooks (PC cards)- PC card 16(ISA bus card)- CardBus(PCI bus card, 32 bit)- Card Bay(USB port).

Q

R

S

T

U

user friendly

Easy to learn and use.

V

VESA

Video Electronics Standard Association- aka VESA Local BUS- Gave video- 32bit- 33MHz- Pentium Chips and Windows 9x.

W

X

Y

Z

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