DeGeeked Tech Glossary
Browser
A software program, like Internet Explorer or Firefox, that lets you access and navigate the Internet.
Broadband
A high-speed, always-on, Internet connection.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The main component of a computer which processes all instructions and information. The brain of the computer.
Desktop
The central location on your computer screen. It has icons and windows visible to the screen is most often the first thing your will see when turning on your machine.
Driver
Software that allows the computer to operate a monitor, printer or other device. New equipment usually comes with its own driver which you will need to install on the computer, but many devices are now recognized automatically by the operating system. Most drivers can also be found on the Internet via the maker of the product you are installing.
E-Mail (Electronic Mail)
Messages sent through a computer network such as the Internet. Just like real mail, minus the paper cuts.
Firewall
A security measure that protects a computer or a computer network from unauthorized access. It can be hardware or software or a combination of both.
Gigabyte (Gb)
A unit of computer storage. Roughly equivalent to one billion bytes. (What's the difference between a megabyte and a gigabyte?)
Hard Drive
Hardware that contains the hard disk.Most often measured in Gigabytes, the hard drive size determines the storage capacity of your machine.
Hardware
Physical components of a computer system such as disk drives, monitors, printers and keyboards.
Input
Anything that goes into a computer from an input device.
Internet
A global network (or web) of computers that allows people to communicate with each other and share information.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company that allows you to connect to and use its computers to connect to the Internet. (comcast, fios, roadrunner, etc.)
Keyboard shortcut
A single key or combination of keys that sends instructions to the computer. The only way of doing so if you do not use a mouse but sorely underused by those who do.
Laptop
A small, portable computer sometimes referred to as a notebook computer.
Megabyte (Mb)
A unit of computer storage space, roughly equivalent to one million bytes. (What's the difference between a megabyte and a gigabyte?)
Motherboard
The main circuit board of the computer. The "nervous system" of your machine.
MP3
The most common type of files that contain music. Nearly all music that plays on an iPod is in MP3 format.
MP3 Player
The catch-all term for any device which can play MP3 audio files. Apple's iPod and Microsoft's Zune are both examples of MP3 players. (What's the difference between an iPod and an MP3 player?)
Netbook
A very small ultra-portable computer smaller than regular laptops. (What is a Netbook?)
Network
Two or more computers that are connected, either by cables or wirelessly, so that they can share resources such as peripheral equipment and files.
Operating System
A crucial piece of software that loads automatically when you switch on your computer and controls how the computer works. (e.g. Microsoft XP, Vista, and Mac OS X)
RAM (Random Access Memory)
This is where the computer stores temporary programs and information. For instance, when you open an application it is stored in RAM until you close it. The RAM is emptied when the computer is turned off. RAM plays the biggest role in determining how many things your machine can do at once. Adding RAM is often the fastest way to speed up your computer.
Scanner
An external device that takes a picture of a printed page or image and displays it on the screen. Just like a copier, but instead of printing out the item scanned, an electronic copy is sent to your machine. Common way for getting your old pictures onto your machine.
Software
The program or instructions that tell the computer what to do. Everything from Microsoft Word to plain old Solitaire are examples of computer programs.
Spam
This is unwanted e-mail, the Internet equivalent of junk mail.
Spyware
Programs that get installed on your computer to track your activities or pop up advertising on your screen. These are usually installed through the internet, and often without telling you.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A common way of connecting external devices to a computer. The connection is very much faster than the two traditional types or connectors - serial and parallel ports. Today, anything from a mouse to a external hard drive can be connected through your USB ports.
Virus
A program deliberately written to cause problems to a computer system. There are many different types and unscrupulous people seem to be constantly producing new viruses. An ant-virus program can be used to protect your system, but it can only detect and clear viruses that were around when it was written. Anti-virus programs need to be upgraded on a very regular basis.
Web site
An area of the World Wide Web that contains one or more 'pages'. A Web site is owned and updated by an individual, company or organization.
Zip file
A file which contains one or more other files, compressed in order to save hard drive space. (What is a zip file?)
