Download (WWW) Definition

August 9, 2010
Computer
Definition:
A computer is an electronic machine that
1) takes in data and instructions (input)
2) works with the data (processing)
3) puts out information (output)
Explanation:
Computers are made of HARDWARE
- input devices like the keyboard and mouse
- the CPU and memory
- storage devices like hard drives
- output devices like printers and monitors
and SOFTWARE
(the instructions that tell the computer what to do)
- system software
- programs (application software)
August 16, 2010
Monitor
Definition:
A monitor is the TV-like part of the computer that you look at
to see information.
Explanation:
Monitors are sometimes called displays or screens. "Screen"
refers to the glass front only, while "monitor" refers to the
screen, the case and everything inside the case. Information on a
monitor is displayed in pixels.
Sentence:
"Look at the monitor to see my slide
show on volcanoes."
August 23, 2010
CPU
Definition:
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the chip
which is the brains of the computer. It is also
known as the processor.
Explanation:
The CPU processes data and instructions. It
does calculations and does what the software
programs tell it to do. The CPU is the most
important part of a computer.
Sentence:
"You might say that the CPU runs the
computer!"
August 30, 2010
Disk Drive
Definition:
A part of the computer that operates the disks that
store information.
Explanation:
Disk drives are called "storage devices" because they
store information on portable or permanent disks (e.g.,
floppy disks, hard disks and Zip disks). A disk drive
spins the disk around at high speeds as it reads and
writes data on the disk.
Sentence:
"Put your floppy in the floppy disk drive."
September 7, 2010
Memory
Definition:
Memory is temporary storage space on chips in your
computer.
Explanation:
Memory holds programs and data temporarily while
you use them. RAM is the most important kind of
memory, and "memory" usually refers to RAM.
Sentence:
"I have so much memory I can
run several programs at once."
September 13, 2010
Hardware
Definition:
The parts of a computer system that you can touch.
Explanation:
Examples of hardware are input devices like keyboards and mice,
output devices like printers and monitors, storage devices like disk
drives, and the computer itself.
Sentence:
"Let's take apart this old computer
and look at its hardware."
September 20, 2010
Peripheral
Definition:
A hardware device that is connected to
a computer, usually by a cable.
Explanation:
Keyboards and mice are peripherals that
help us "input" information. Printers and
monitors are peripherals that "output"
information.
Sentence:
"Does your computer have many
peripherals connected to it?"
September 27, 2010
Scanner
Definition:
A device that "takes a picture" of something and turns it into
a computerized image.
Explanation:
When you scan a picture, the picture is digitized (turned into
numbers in binary code) so the computer can show it on the
monitor or print it out.
Sentence:
"You'll need to use the scanner to get your photo into your
presentation."
October 18, 2010
Modem
Definition:
A device that links a computer to other
computers through a telephone line.
Explanation:
The modem lets a computer send and
receive binary data over a telephone line by
changing the bits into sound waves that can
be sent over the phone lines.
Sentence:
"You can always use a faster modem."
October 25, 2010
Hard Disk/Hard Drive
Definition:
The hard disk is a round, metal platter in the hard drive
of the computer; it stores large amounts of information.
Explanation:
The hard disk has a magnetic coating. It is sealed into the
hard drive and often installed inside the computer where
you can't see it.
Sentence:
"Let's save our HyperStudio stack in the
Student Folder on the hard drive."
Important: Storage of files on the hard drive is permanent until you delete them,
as opposed to storage in memory (RAM), which is temporary.
November 1, 2010
CD-ROM
Definition:
A round, shiny portable disk that stores large
amounts of software and information.
Explanation:
CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk - Read Only
Memory. Years ago, you could only "read"
information from most CD-ROMs. Now you can
also "write" (save) information on them.
Sentence:
"Let's see if the Grolier CD-ROM has any
information about earthquakes."
November 8, 2010
Backup
Definition:
An extra copy of a document, file or program.
Explanation:
You should make backups of all important work. A backup of
a file on the hard drive can be saved on a flash drive. A
backup of a flash drive can be on the hard drive or another
flash drive.
Sentence:
"Don't forget to make a backup of your
book report!"
November 15, 2010
Cable
Definition:
A cable is a long, rubber-coated bundle of wires, with plugs
on either end, that connects computer parts.
Explanation:
You need a different cable for each device you hook up to
your computer. Each end plugs into a port.
Sentence:
"My printer didn't work because one end of the cable
wasn't plugged in."
November 29, 2010
Software
Definition:
Software is the program that run on a computer.
Explanation:
Software is made up of instructions that tell the computer what to
do. It is stored on disks in bits and bytes. ClarisWorks and KidPix
are examples of software.
Sentence:
"Please load the ClarisWorks software on the computer."
December 6, 2010
Icon
Definition:
An icon is a tiny picture on the screen that
represents a program, file or folder.
Explanation:
Icons make it easy to find what you are looking
for. To tell the computer to open a file, folder
or program, double-click on the icon. To select
an item, click only once on the icon.
Sentence:
"Double-click on the KidPix icon to launch the
program."
December 13, 2010
World Wide Web (WWW)
Definition:
The Web is the part of the Internet that consists of pages
(documents) linked to each other around the world. These
pages have pictures, sounds, and more.
Explanation:
A website can have many pages; the first is the Home Page.
You use a browser to point and click your way to other pages
or to do research.
Sentence:
"Do you have a site on the Web?"
January 3, 2011
Network
Definition:
A network is a number of computers connected together to
share information and hardware.
Explanation:
A Local Area Network (LAN) is small, perhaps a few computers
sharing a printer. A Wide Area Network (WAN) is large, with
many computers linked between towns or countries. The Internet
is a network of networks that circles the globe.
Sentence:
"Let's get on the network and send
An e-mail to Jane."
January 10, 2011
Browser
Definition:
A browser is a software program that lets you
explore the World Wide Web to find text,
graphics, sound, movies, games, chats and more.
Explanation:
A browser helps you link to pages on websites
around the world. To find a website, type in a URL
(web address) or click a link or a button in the
toolbar.
Sentence:
"What is your favorite browser, Firefox or
Explorer?"
January 18, 2011
URL
Definition:
A URL is the address of a website on the World Wide Web.
Explanation:
To visit a website, you type the URL into a browser. URL stands
for Uniform Resource Locator. Other Internet resources have
URL's, too, but if the URL starts with "http://" then you know
it's on the World Wide Web.
Sentence:
"The URL for the NASA website is http://www.nasa.gov."
January 24, 2011
HTML
Definition:
HTML, known as "the language of the Web," is the set
of codes used to make Web pages.
Explanation:
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the coded
instructions that tell a browser how and where to
place information, graphics and links on a web page.
Sentence:
"I changed the HTML to put a link to NASA at the
top of my web page."
January 31, 2011
E-mail
Definition:
E-mail is a way of sending messages from one
computer to another.
Explanation:
E-mail stands for "electronic mail." You send a
message to someone, with attachments such as photos
or files, using a modem or network. The message
waits in another computer until the person goes online
to get it.
Sentence:
"I got e-mail from Aunt Sue in Hawaii."
February 7, 2011
Download
Definition:
To download a file is to get it from
someone else's computer, over a network,
and save it on your own computer or floppy
disk.
Explanation:
Download means "receive." You can
download many kinds of files from the
Internet, including images and software.
Sentence:
"Let's download the image of Lincoln."
February 14, 2011
Virus
Definition:
A virus is a computer program that was written to purposely
damage computer systems.
Explanation:
Your computer can get a virus from another computer,
through modems, networks or disks. You can protect
your computer from viruses by using virus protection
software, and by only downloading programs from sources
you trust.
Sentence:
"My computer got a virus from the game I downloaded
from the Internet."
February 21, 2011
Chat
Definition:
Chat is a way people in different places can "talk" to
each other by typing their words into a computer.
Explanation:
People chat on the Internet and on commercial services.
Many people can chat at once in a "chat room."
Sentence:
"I had a chat with Aunt Sue over the Internet."
Note: Did you know that people can surf the Web or play games while
they chat? Many websites let you play checkers or bridge, race cars,
browse the web, build space cities, or even play Pictionary, while you
chat with the people doing these things with you.
February 28, 2011
Cursor
Definition:
A blinking line or shape on the screen that tells
you where the next character will go.
Explanation:
In the example above, the I-beam is used to put
the cursor in place. The definition of cursor is
changing; I-beams and other pointers are often
called cursors.
Sentence:
"Put the cursor before the letter N."
March 7, 2011
Database
Definition:
A database is an organized collection of
information. It is like a box of 3x5 cards
that you can search, sort and analyze
rapidly with a database program.
Explanation:
A database program lets you add, delete
and change data in the database. You can
create reports, lists, labels, etc.
Sentence:
"I have my recipes on a database."
March 28, 2011
Field
Definition:
In a database, a field holds exactly one type
of information about an item or subject. It is
like one line written on an index card in an
index card file.
Explanation:
There are many fields on a record. In the
example shown, there are 4 fields on each
address record: the Name field, Address field,
City field and Phone Number field.
Sentence:
"Enter 'Jane Doe' in the Name field."
April 4, 2011
Cell
Definition:
A cell is the "box" where a column and a row
intersect, in a spreadsheet.
Explanation:
Each cell can contain words, a number, or a
formula. Each cell has an address, based on the
column and row. For example, the cell highlighted
above has the address C3.
Sentence:
"Click in the cell to type your formula."
April 11, 2011
Pixel
Definition:
A pixel is a tiny dot of light on the monitor.
Explanation:
"Pixel" stands for Picture Element. It is the smallest part of
every image you see on the monitor. The color of a pixel is
partly determined by how many bits (on/off units) are used to
store the pixel.
Sentence:
"This icon is 32 pixels wide by 32 pixels tall. It contains a total
of 1024 pixels."
April 18, 2011
(Micro) Processor
Definition:
The processor is the chip which is the brains of
the computer. It is also know as the CPU (Central
Processing Unit).
Explanation:
Processors have their name because they process
data and instructions. The processor is the most
important part of a computer.
Sentence:
"How fast is the processor in your new computer?"
April 25, 2011
RAM
Definition:
RAM, also called memory, is temporary
storage space on chips in your computer.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory.
Explanation:
RAM holds files and programs temporarily
while you use them. When you turn off the
power to the computer, everything in RAM
"disappears."
Sentence:
"I need 16MB of RAM to run Netscape."
May 2, 2011
Spreadsheet
Definition:
A spreadsheet is a document which helps you organize data
in rows and columns of cells.
Explanation:
Each cell can contain words, a number, or a formula. A
formula does calculations with the numbers in other cells.
You can make charts and graphs automatically.
Sentence:
"We analyzed our survey results
with a spreadsheet."
May 9, 2011
Megabyte
Definition:
A megabyte is a unit of measure equal to 1,048,576 bytes,
which is about a million bytes.
Explanation:
"Mega" means "million." Measuring the number of megabytes tells
you how big a file, a hard drive or your memory capacity is, by
counting millions of bytes.
Sentence:
"The Home Page program is 1.6 megabytes."
May 16, 2011
Kilobyte
Definition:
A kilobyte is a unit of measure equal to 1,024 bytes, which
is about a thousand bytes.
Explanation:
"Kilo" means "thousand." Measuring the number of kilobytes
tells you how big a file, a hard drive or your memory
capacity is, by counting thousands of bytes.
Sentence:
"My Jupiter drawing is 48 kilobytes."
May 23, 2011
Bit
Definition:
A bit is an electronic signal which is either on
(1) or off (0). It is the smallest unit of
information the computer uses.
Explanation:
Bit stands for Binary Digit. Computers use the
binary system to work with data. All data is
stored in binary code as 1's and 0's (bits). A
bit might be called the "on/off" unit of
information.
Sentence:
"There are eight bits in one byte."
May 31, 2011
Byte
Definition:
A byte is a group of 8 bits, strung together.
Explanation:
A bit is either a 1 or a 0. Each byte (8 bits)
means something to the computer. The byte
"01000001" means the capital letter A. The byte
"01000010" means the capital letter B.
Sentence:
"The phrase 'Hello World' is 11 bytes long."