This reference sheet is a glossary of the computer terms you'll need to know. Unfortunately, most computer terms are acronyms -- hence the title of this reference sheet.
8088, 286, 386, 486 These are different numbers used to describe the model of chip you have in your computer. Chip sizes/models are very much like horsepower in a car: You'd rather have a 386 horsepower engine than a 286. The original PC computers created in 1987 were called 8086s and 8088s (The 8088 is like an 8086SX -- see the description of 'SX'). Next came the 80286 (usually called a 286), the 80386 (called a 386), and the 80486 (called a 486). The 586 was created just a couple of years ago but is called the Pentium instead of a 586.
BOOT means to start up your computer and
get it running. There are two kinds of boots:
hard boot and soft boot (also called cold boot
and warm boot). A hard or cold boot is when
you turn off the power to the computer then
turn it back on. A warm or soft boot is when
you hold down the ALT and CTRL keys then
press DELETE to restart the computer. A
warm boot is easier on the electronics of the
computer.
CLONE Computers are made by many
different companies. Computers made by IBM
were used in the business market in the early
1980's. As such, IBM became the market
standard. Most other computer makers made
their computers so they would still operate like
an IBM computer -- these were called clones.
If software will work on a clone, the software is
said to be IBM compatible.
CPU Central Processing Unit. This is the main
part of the computer, often referred to as the
brain of the computer.
DATABASES are software packages which allow you to store, edit, retrieve, and print information (such as a mailing list). Database software used in our school district are Paradox and MicroSoft Works. Other popular databases used in businesses are dBase and Access.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING is a process to
combine text and graphics (pictures and charts)
on a printed page. Desktop publishing
software used in our school district are Express
Publisher and PageMaker. WordPerfect may
also be used in desktop publishing because it
allows pictures on the page.
DOS Disk Operating System. This is software that allows your disk drive and your computer to "talk" to each other. Your computer will not work without DOS. Many different companies make DOS:
MicroSoft DOS is called MS-DOS
Digital Research DOS is DR-DOS
IBM's DOS is called PC-DOS
DX These are the letters that are affixed to a
computer chip's number to signify that it is a
regular chip, not the economy model. (See
SX)
E-MAIL Electronic mail. The process of
sending messages to another person over a
computer network. The sender creates the
message on a computer and the receiver
receives the message on a computer. See the
reference sheet on Internet E-mail.
HARD DISK is a disk drive permanently mounted inside your computer. Programs and data are stored on your disk drive so you'll want as large a drive as you can afford. Most computers today come with 200+ Megs of space. Space on a hard disk and memory inside the computer (RAM) are often confused because they are both measured in Megs. Remember: A hard disk is space, RAM is memory.
Another common misconception is about
hard disks and floppy disks. A floppy disk is
one that is relatively floppy (flexible) but can be
removed from the computer. The case on a
3½-inch disk is sturdier than that of a 5¼-inch
floppy, but it is still called a floppy disk.
Remember: A 3½-inch disk is a floppy disk,
not a hard disk.
HARDWARE refers to the equipment such as
a keyboard, a printer, and a monitor.
NETWORK In computer terms, this means to
connect more than one computer together with
software and cables so the computers can
share printers, disk drives, data, e-mail, and
other services.
MEG Megabytes (millions of bytes). This is a
measurement to tell how much RAM memory
or hard disk space you have in your computer.
RAM Random Access Memory. This is the
memory your computer uses to run programs.
Most computers today come with 2+ Megs of
RAM.
SOFTWARE refers to the programs you run
on a computer. Software may be on floppy
disks or installed on a hard disk.
SPREADSHEETS are a category of software
used to store, edit, calculate, and print
numerical worksheets. Spreadsheet software
used in our district include Quattro Pro,
MicroSoft Works, and Excel. Another popular
spreadsheet package used in business is Lotus
1-2-3.
SX These are letters that are affixed to a
computer chip's number to tell you that it is a
cheaper model. A regular 386 can process and
output 16 bits at a time, a 386SX can process
at 16 bits at a time but outputs at only 8 bits at
a time. A regular 486 has a built-in math co-processor (so it can do calculations very
rapidly). A 486SX does not have a math co-processor.
WORD PROCESSOR is software used to
make writing, editing, and printing of text
easier. The two word processing packages
used in our district are MicroSoft Works and
WordPerfect.
VGA Monitors (the TV-like screen) are named according to how good they are. Various terms used are: Mono, CGA, EGA, MCGA, VGA, SVGA, and XVGA (low-end to high-end models).
