WRITING CENTER "INFORMATION PICK-UP" (S.S.C.C.)

COMPUTER TALK:

A PARTIAL GLOSSARY OF CONTEMPORARY COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY

Note to Glossary Users

Computer Talk: Computer users often seem to use a language all their own. The following is a partial basic glossary of contemporary computer terminology for the modern age.

It includes words used for word-processing, spread sheet applications, graphics programs, publishing programs, computer virus protection programs, research computers, and Internet information, printers, web-page building, and others.

The information comes from a variety of current computer applications manuals.

Basic Floppy Disk Care: New initiates to computer use should have basic information on disk and computer care. Simply, disks should never be bent; never be exposed for long periods to direct sunlight or heat or extreme cold; never be placed on top of transformers or surge protectors or places where electrical energy flows (as that can erase the contents of the disk); never be exposed to dust or water; never be brought near magnets and magnetized surfaces (as that erases the magnetism which actually holds the information on the disk); and never be touched on the actual disk surface (as that can disturb the information stored there).

Computer Care: Computers should be protected likewise from all the above. To exit a computer program, make sure that you exit all programs until you get to the C prompt. Incorrect exiting of a computer may cause problems upon re-entering a program.

Add Terms! Other terms are being added to this even now, so you are welcome to update this list as needed. Merely pass the suggestion on to the assistant in the computer lab.

The terms are alphabetized and generally defined. Copies may be made available to interested students.

(This material for the S.S.C.C. English Computer Lab and The Writing Center has been collated from a number of sources. Revised 1998. South Seattle Community College.)

A

A-drive: The disk drive on which the computer disk is usually put.

absolute reference: A cell reference that contains a dollar sign before the column letter and/or row number to indicate the absolute, or fixed, contents of specific cells. For example, the formula $A$1 + $B$1 calculates only the sum of these specific cells. (spreadsheet application)

absolute URL: The full Internet address of a page or World Wide Web (WWW) resource which usually begins with the protocol "http://" and the rest of the location.

access: To get information from something, such as a disk or an information service

active cell: The cell in which you are working, indicated by the current location of the cell pointer.

active file: Any file that has been launched or otherwise loaded into memory and is currently running. An active application is represented by a small icon in the upper right corner of the menu bar.

active hyperlink: A hyperlink that is currently selected in a Web browser.

active page: The web page being edited.

Active X control: A component that can be put into a page to provide functionality not directly available in HTML (hypertext markup language), such as animation sequences, credit-card transactions, spreadsheet calculations, and others. These controls can be implemented in various programming languages.

address: The location of a specific cell or range expressed by the coordinates of column and row; for example, A1. (spreadsheet application)

adventure game: A type of computer game that places you in a fantastic or fantasy situation and challenges you to reason (and react) your way out of simulated trouble into simulated wealth or happiness.

alignment: The horizontal placement of cell contents, for example: left, center, or right. (spreadsheet application)

anchors: Cells listed in a range address, for example, in the formula = SUM(A1:A15), A1 and A15 are anchors. (spreadsheet application)

animated GIF: A file containing a series of Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) images that are displayed in rapid sequence in some Web browsers.

anonymous FTP: A file transfer protocol (FTP) service in which any user can copy files by logging on with the "name" anonymous.

application software: Any computer program or software designed for a particular purpose, such as home finance, education, graphic design, telecommunication, database management, or word-processing.

area chart: A line chart in which each area is given a solid color or pattern to emphasize the relationships between the pieces of charted information. (spreadsheet application)

argument: A value, range of cells, or text used in a macro or function. an argument is enclosed in parentheses; for example =SUM (A1 B1). (spreadsheet application)

arithmetic operator: A symbol used in formulas, such as + or -, to perform calculations. (spreadsheet application)

arrow keys: The keys in the lower-right corner of the keyboard; in many applications, you use the arrow keys (or "cursor keys") to move the cursor or insertion point in the direction indicated by the arrow.

art application: An application program that gives you special tools for drawing, drafting, or painting on the computer screen.

article: A single entry in a discussion group or newsgroup--which can include a response to a previous article.

ascender: The part of a lowercase letter that rises above the main body of the letter.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange): The predominant method for encoding 7-bit characters on a Personal Computer. HTML tags and URLs must be in ASCII.

ASP (Active Page Server): A method for creating programs that run on a Web server.

aspect ratio: The ratio of an image's width to its height.

attributes: The styling features such as bold, italics, and underlining that can be applied to cell contents. (spreadsheet application)

authentication database: A database on a server that matches user names to passwords.

auto-format: A feature that provides preset schemes that can be applied to instantly format a range. EXCEL comes with 16 AutoFormats, which include colors, fonts and numeric formatting--for example. (spreadsheet application)

auto-repeat: The automatic repetition of the keys on the keyboard. If you hold one key down, the computer will keep generating that character automatically until you release the key.

B

background sound: A sound file--music, voices--that you associate with a page.

backspace: A key on the keyboard which moves left and erases whatever is to the left of it.

backup copy: A copy of the contents of a disk made for safe-keeping. Backing up of files ensures that you will not lose information if the original files become lost or damaged.

balloon help: This is a feature which displays an on-screen description of an object on the screen, such as an icon or an option in a dialogue box. You turn balloons on and off by using the Show Balloons and Hide Balloons commands under the Help menu of the Finder. The Help menu is represented by a balloon icon containing a question mark in the upper right corner of the menu bar.

banner: An image usually displayed at the top of a page in a Web site, containing text and design elements (often to identify the site).

Banner Ad Manager: A design feature that shows each of a series of images for a specified number of seconds before changing to the next for transition effects.

bar chart: The bar chart displays information as a series of horizontal bars. (spreadsheet application)

base URL: A URL assigned to a page to convert "relative URLs" into "absolute URLs" by the addition of a document name or trailing slash /.

baseline: In the text, this is the imaginary line drawn along the main body of the letters.

Descenders (the part of a lowercase letter that descends below the main body of the letter) go below this baseline.

bevel: a three-dimensional effect applied to the border of an image.

bit: Contraction of the words "binary" and "digit". The smallest item of useful information a computer can handle, usually represented by a 1 or a 0. Eight bits equal one byte.

BMP: The standard bitmap image format on Windows-compatible computers and which can be saved for Windows, OS/2 systems and those which support 24-bit color.

bookmark: A named location on a page that can be the target of a hyperlink.

boot: Start up. To load an application from a disk into the memory of the computer. In computer jargon, starting up is "booting".

broken hyperlink: A hyperlink that does not correctly point to a page or other Internet file.

bug: An error in an application program or a problem with hardware.

bulleted list: A paragraph style that creates a single list element, usually indicated by a "bullet" character. This is also known as an "unordered list."

bulletin board: An electronic communications forum that hosts posted messages and articles connected to a common subject or theme or interest.

C

C-drive: This usually refers to the hard disk drive inside the computer.

CAD: (Computer-Aided Design) This refers to various software programs which allow various types of engineers, inventors, architects and others to create and design blueprints on a computer.

Cancel Button: The button pictured with an "X" on it, located on the formula bar. The Cancel button removes the changes made to the contents of the active cell and restores the previous cell contents. (spreadsheet application)

Caps Lock key: A key that can lock into place so that letters you type will come out capitalized. Caps Lock doesn't affect non-alphabetic keys (such as punctuation and symbols). To access these, you must still press the Shift key (on either side of the key board).

card: A circuit board that you can install in a slot inside the computer to expand the computer's memory or give it the means to communicate with a peripheral device.

carriage return (CR): A non-printing character that tells the computer or printer to end one line of text and start another. Carriage returns are used to end paragraphs. Even though you can't see them, you can delete carriage returns the same way you delete other characters.

cascading style sheet: An HTML syntax that gives authors control over the formatting of text in web pages.

CD-ROM: A compact disk on which a large amount of digitized read-only data can be stored. This stands for "compact disc read-only memory".

cell: The intersection of a row and a column in a spreadsheet ledger. A cell can hold a number, a label, a function, or a formula. This is the smallest component of a table--as part of a row or column.

cell address: Unique location identified by intersecting column and row coordinates. (spreadsheet application)

cell padding: The space between the contents and inside edges of a table cell.

cell pointer: A highlighted rectangle around a cell that indicates the active cell. (spreadsheet application)

cell reference: The address or name of a specific cell. Cell references may be used in formulas and are relative or absolute. (spreadsheet application)

cell spacing: The amount of space between cells in a table counted as the pixels of the walls of each cell.

central processing unit (CPU): The "brain" of the computer. This is the microprocessor that actually performs the computations in machine language. Some people use the term "CPU" to refer to the entire component--namely the computer--that includes the central processing unit.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface): A standard way of extending Web server functionality by executing programs or scripts on a Web server in response to Web browser requests.

channel: A technology that allows users to subscribe to a web site to browse off-line and automatically display updated pages on their screen savers through Channel Definition Format (CDF) files.

character: A letter, number or other symbol.

chart: A graphic representation of selected worksheet information. Types include 2-D and 3-D column, bar, pie, area and line charts.

chart title: The name assigned to a chart.

Chart Wizard: A feature on EXCEL that provides a series of dialogue boxes that help create or modify a chart.

check box: A square box (form field) in a dialogue box that you click to turn an option on or off. When marked, the visual is usually an "x."

child page: a page that is part of the web navigation structure and is linked to a parent page (higher on the navigation structure) from which it is accessed.

choose: To pick a command from a menu. Usually you choose a command after selecting something for the computer to act on.

circuitry: A network of wires, integrated circuits, resistors, and other electronic devices and connections, over which electrical impulses travel.

CLEAR key: A key on the numeric keypad which works the same way that Control-X does in a particular application. This helps clear the numbers. A command used to erase a cell's contents, formatting or both (in spreadsheet applications).

click: To position the pointer on an object on the screen, then press and quickly release the mouse button.

client: A program on the Internet that requests files or services from a server.

client-side program: A program on the Internet that is run on a client computer (vs. a server computer). The client-side programs do not communicate over the Internet but merely requests and receives information.

clipart: A collection of icons, pictures, buttons and other useful image files along with sound and video files that can be embedded or inserted into web pages.

clipboard: A temporary storage area on a computer for cut or copied data and graphics. You can paste the contents of the Clipboard into a file or worksheet. The clipboard holds the information until you cut or copy another piece of data or graphic.

close: A command that puts a file away but keeps the program you're in open so that you can continue to work.

color monitor: A display device that lets you display text and graphics in color.

column: 1) text-based applications, a way of designing the number of characters that fit on the computer's display. A column is one character wide.

2) In spread sheet applications, a column is a vertical arrangement of cells.

column chart: The default chart type in EXCEL. This column chart displays information as a series of vertical columns.

column selector button: The gray box containing the column letter above the column.

command: A word or character that causes the computer to do something. A command is a request or directions given to a computer.

COMMAND key: The key on the keyboard marked with both the outline of an apple and a propeller symbol (on Macs). When pressed in conjunction (together) with another key, the Command key makes the other key behave differently. The Command key has no effect if it is pressed alone.

computer: An electronic device that performs pre-defined or programmed computations at a high speed and with great accuracy; a machine that is used to store, transfer, and transform information.

computer system: A collective term for a computer and everything attached to it--printer, monitor, CD ROM drives, disk drives, scanners, microphones, and what-not.

confirmation page: A page displayed in a web browser after a form has been submitted by a user which displays the user's name and other basic data. (This is specified in the "form handler's dialog box.")

contrast knob: This is a control on your video display that lets you adjust the contrast between light and dark on the screen.

Control key: A key on the keyboard that, when pressed in conjunction with another key, makes the other key behave differently. This Control key has no effect if it is pressed alone.

control panel: A program that lets you change various features, such as sound, mouse, movement and keyboard options.

converter: A program that changes a text file from one format to another such as to HTML.

cookie: A program that is dropped into a client computer to identify the user whenever he/she accesses a particular web site. Permission is usually requested before a "cookie" is dropped. Special programs remove cookies from computers as well.

copy: A command that copies the selected information and places it on the clipboard.

copy-protect: (write-protect) To make it difficult for someone to duplicate the contents of a disk by either covering over a tab or moving a small button on the back top left of a 3.5" disk to the "lock" position (leaving a square hole at the top of the disk).

crash: When a system, computer or program fails, this is called a crash.

crop: To reduce the size of an image by eliminating all parts outside of a resizable box that is dragged over the image. This term is used for desktop publishing layout programs as well as web page building ones.

cryptography: The encoding of information on a computer so that others may not access such data.

cursor: A blinking underline, rectangle, box, line or other symbol that marks you place on the screen. It shows you where your next action will take place. This is called an "insertion point".

cursor keys: The keys (usually called "arrow keys") in the lower-right corner of the keyboard. In many applications, you use these keys to move the cursor or insertion point in the direction indicated by the arrow.

custom dictionary: A list of words not in the standard dictionary but that an author wants accepted by the spell checker as correct. Additions to this dictionary could include names, acronyms, new words, and other such entries.

cut: To remove text or graphics from a document by using the Cut command. The most recent "clipping" is stored on the Clipboard of the computer so that you can paste it somewhere else if you wish.

cut and paste: To move something from one place in a document to another. Cutting and pasting is the computer equivalent of using scissors to clip something and glue to paste the clipping somewhere else.

cybercash: The term which refers "money in cyberspace" or rather to the possibility of someday converting to a system of using computers to record each individual's cash holdings vs. the use of coinage and paper money.

cyberspace: A term which refers to an indefinite place in which computer messages, files, communications, and such exist--inside the magnetized disks, in computer hard drives, and in transmission--over phone lines. This is seen as a "virtual" place, which is not fully real.

This was a term originally coined by William Gibson, a science fiction writer, when he wanted to find a name to describe the "virtual space" in a global computer network linking all people, machines and sources of information.

D

data: Information, especially raw or unprocessed information.

database application: A type of application that helps you keep track of lists of information. Database applications make it easy to recall and update information and to create reports of subsets of information.

data disk: A disk that contains your work--letters, budget, pictures, and so on.

data marker: Visible representation of a data point, such as a column or pie slice (in spreadsheet applications).

data point: Individual piece of data plotted in a chart. (in spreadsheet applications).

data series: The selected range in a worksheet that EXCEL converts into a graphic and displays as a chart. (in spreadsheet applications).

default image hyperlink: In an image map, this is the hyperlink to follow when a user clicks in an area without hotspots on the image.

default setting: Most programs have default settings which automatically provide certain information or guidelines or parameters for a certain program. The computer automatically uses these settings unless directed otherwise.

delete: A command that removes cell contents from a worksheet. Delete also merely means to erase certain information, as from a file.

desk top: This refers to the information on the (active) screen or the file(s) which the computer user has called up and is working on.

dialogue box: A window that displays when you choose a command whose name is followed by an ellipses (...). A dialogue box allows you to make selections that determine how the command affects the selected area.

directory: This is a "table of contents" of the contents of a disk drive, a disk, or file server.

disk drive light: A light, usually on the front of a disk drive, that comes on when the drive is loading information from a disk or storing information on a disk. Sometimes, this is called an "in-use light." When the light is on, it is not safe to insert or remove disks from the disk drive.

diskette: a 3.5 inch storage medium, also known as a floppy, which can be 800 kilobytes or 1.4 megabytes in storage capacity

display: A general term used to describe what you see on your screen when you're using a computer. This may include video effects, tables, letters, or numbers.

document: A discrete collection of information you create with a computer program, including memos, pictures, budgets, text, and so on.

dot-matrix printer: A mid-level printer which users a series of dots to create the text and pictures on "hard copy" or paper copies of files.

double-click: To position the pointer where you want an action to take place, and then press and release the mouse button twice in quick succession without moving the mouse.

down load: To take information off of the Internet or from other sources.

drag: To position the pointer on something, press and hold the mouse button, move the mouse, and then release the mouse button. When you release the mouse button, you either highlight a selection or move an object to a new location.

drag and drop: A way of moving or copying cells, rows, and columns by dragging the data with the mouse to a new worksheet location.

drill-and-practice application: A type of educational application that presents information, tests your memory retention of the material, and gives feedback based on your answers. (in spreadsheet applications)

drive: A mechanism in a computer or an area of a network used for retrieving and storing files. Personal computers usually have one hard disk drive labeled C and two drives labeled A and B that read removable floppy disks.

drop-down menu field: A form field that presents selections in a drop-down menu style and may contain many fields or only one.

dummy column or row: Blank column or row included at the end of a range that enables a formula to adjust when columns or rows are added or deleted. (in spreadsheet applications)

E

edit: Add, delete or change the contents of a cell or worksheet or file.

Edit menu: A menu in most mouse-based programs that lists editing commands such as Copy, Cut, and Paste.

editor: An interactive program that can create or modify files of a particular type.

eject: To remove a disk from a disk drive.

electronic mail (e-mail): Messages sent over telephone lines to computer through modems or a computer network or over the Internet.

electronic spreadsheet: A computer program that performs calculations on data and organizes information. A spreadsheet is divided into columns and rows that form individual cells.

ellipses: A series of dots (...) following a command, indicating that more choices are available through a dialog box.

embedded files: Inserted clip art, images, sounds, and video clips that have been inserted on a page.

Enter key or Enter button: A key on the numeric keypad that confirms a choice or tells a program you're ready to proceed. In most cases, the Return key also serves this function.

The Enter button is used to confirm an entry into an active cell. (in spreadsheet applications)

EPS (encapsulated postscript): A type of graphics file that can be incorporated into other documents.

error message: A message that appears on the computer screen to alert you to a failure in the communication process.

ESC key: A key used in many applications to get back to a menu or cancel a procedure that is in progress. "ESC" is an abbreviation for "escape". This is usually located in the top left of your keyboard.

Ethernet: A type of local area network (LAN).

exploding pie slice: A slice of a pie chart (for statistics) that has been pulled away from a pie to add emphasis. (in spreadsheet applications)

extension: Software programs that expand the capabilities of system software. They include drivers which make it possible for the computer to use a certain printer or other device and programs that add features to the Finder or the system software.

external drive: A hard drive or removable cartridge drive that is not housed within the body of a computer.

F

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): A common document on the Internet that contains a list of questions and answers on a common subject or theme. On the WWW, questions are often hyperlinks to the answers.

fax: (short for "facsimile" which means a copy) A method or machine device for transmitting documents, drawings, photographs, or the like by telephone or radio for exact reproduction elsewhere; an exact copy or reproduction so transmitted.

field: A category of information in a database document. If your database is an address book, for example, "name" and "address" will be two of the fields.

file: A named collection of information stored on a disk--either information created by a user or pre-recorded information.

As an Internet protocol, "file" refers to those on a disk or Local Area Network (LAN).

File menu: A menu in mouse-based applications that lists commands that affect whole documents, such as Open, Save, Print, and Quit.

file name: The name you give your file or document before you save it on a disk. This name should help you identify and retrieve this file.

file server: A centralized computer software program which "serves" various files and computer programs to a number of computers on a network.

file system: A system for organizing the sections on a disk so that your application can keep track of where data is stored. You must initialize any disks you'll be using with a particular application for use with that application's file system.

fill down: A command that duplicates the contents of the selected cell sin the range selected below the cell pointer.

fill handle: Small square in the lower-right corner of the active cell used to copy cell contents. (in spreadsheet applications)

fill right: A command that duplicates the contents of the selected cells in the range selected to the right of the cell pointer. (in spreadsheet applications)

filter: A tool that converts an image or a file.

finger: An Internet program that shows information about the users currently logged on to a computer.

5.25-inch disk: A disk which is 5.25 inches in diameter, with a storage capacity of 143 K (the equivalent of about 70 pages of text).

folder: An icon that represents a sub-directory. Folders give you a visual representation of the way you can group related documents together on a disk.

font: Complete set of characters in one design, size, and style. The name given to a collection of characters with a specific design. Hundreds of styles are available.

footer: Text that appears at the bottom of every page or every other page in a document.

form: A set of data-entry fields on a page processed on a server. The user submits the form by clicking on a button or image, and the form is sent by a form handler.

form field: A data-entry field on a web page.

format: The physical division of space on a disk into sections--where information can be stored. A disk's format is established as part of the initialization process.

40-column display: A text mode in which 40 characters per line (rather than 80) are displayed on the screen.

formula: A set of instructions that you enter in a cell to perform numeric calculations (adding, multiplying, averaging, etc.); for example, +A1+B1. (in spreadsheet applications)

formula bar: The rectangular area, above the worksheet window, that displays a cell's contents, including numbers, text, and formulas, when you click a cell. You can use the formula bar to enter and edit data in the active cell.

frame: A named sub-window of a frames page. This may be scrollable and resizable and may have a border or outline.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): An Internet service that transfers files from one computer to another through phone lines.

function: A built-in formula that you can use in spread sheet application to calculate an average, a square root, a total, and so on.

function key: A key that tells an application to carry out a particular activity or function (e.g. print a document, save a document, etc.). Some applications use the number keys on the numeric keypad as function keys.

G

garbage: The garbled symbols and signs which a computer sometimes puts out after a computer error.

gopher: The Internet protocol where files are displayed in a hierarchical menu.

graphics: Information presented in the form of pictures or images or drawings.

graphics application: Any application program in which you work with graphics. Examples are art applications, business graphics applications, clip-art applications, desk-top or newspaper publishing.

GRAPHICS FILE FORMATS:

MacPaint: Named after the first Mac paint program, this format holds bit-maps at 72DPI, and is limited to a single 8x10 inch vertically-oriented page. MacPaint saves in this format, and several other applications can also: Digital Darkroom, PixelPant, SuperPaint, and others.

PICT: Although PICT suggests an acronym, it isn't. PICT is the oldest generic file format on the Mac. It can hold a mix of bit-maps and objects. PICT objects and bit-maps can be any of eight colors: white, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green and blue.

The PICT format can hold bit-maps with resolutions greater than 72DPI, but some programs may convert high-resolution bit-maps back to 72DPI. Suitable for medium-quality line art and low-resolution bit-maps. When graphics are copied to the clipboard, they are usually converted to PICT format.

PICT 2: This format is an extension of the original PICT version, and has two subtypes: a 16-million color version commonly called 24-bit PICT2, and the more prevalent 8-bit PICT2, which can hold up to 256 colors. Color palettes can be saved with PICT2 formatted graphics for importation into programs that can understand them. PICT2 is the preferred format for presentation graphics.

TIFF: Tag Image File Format: This is the most flexible and reliable method for storing bit-mapped images in various resolutions, shades of gray and color. It cannot, however, store object-oriented images. TIFF was created specifically for storing gray-scale data, and it is the standard for scanned images such as photographs. TIFF has three subtypes.