Bitmap display (28): Display that divides the screen into a matrix of pixels.

Button (23): Graphical object that helps you make a selection. Often referred to as tools.

CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory) disk (12): Storage medium similar to a DVD disk that contains information when purchased that cannot be changed or updated.

CD-ROM drive (12): Storage device similar to a DVD drive that uses laser technology to read data from optical disks.

Central processing unit (CPU) (5): Device in which a computer processes data.

Character-based display (28): Display that divides the screen into a grid of rectangles, each of which can display one character.

Check box (22): Box that allows you to select any or all options by "checking" those you wish to select.

Command (20): An instruction you input to tell the computer to carry out a task.

Command-line interface (20): Interface that requires the user to type commands.

Compatible platforms (13): Computers that can share the same software and use the same peripheral devices.

Computer (5): A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output.

Computer network (15): Collection of computers and other devices that have been connected in order to share data, hardware, and software.

Computer platform (13): Microcomputer design.

Cursor (26): Flashing underline that indicates where on a screen characters you type will appear.

Data (5): Symbols that represent facts and ideas.

Desktop microcomputer (8): Computer that fits on a desk and runs on power from an electrical wall outlet.

Dialog box (22): Box that displays the options associated with a command.

Drop-down list (22): Lists that display options when you click an arrow button.

DVD (digital video disk) (12): Storage medium similar to a CD-ROM disk that contains information when purchased that cannot be changed or updated.

DVD drive (12): Storage device similar to a CD-ROM drive that uses laser technology to read data from optical disks.

Floppy disk (12): Popular microcomputer storage media.

Floppy disk drive (12): Storage device that writes data on floppy disks.

Function key (26): Keys located at the top of the keyboard that can be used to initiate commands.

Graphical object (23): Small picture on the screen you can manipulate using a mouse or other input device.

Graphical user interface (GUI) (24): Interface that displays menus and prompts in addition to graphical objects.

Hard disk drive (12): Hardware device that can store billions of characters on a non-removable disk platter.

Hardware (7): The electrical and mechanical devices that manipulate data.

Icon (23): Small picture that represents an object.

Input (5): Information or data put into a computer system.

Insertion point (26): Flashing vertical bar that indicates where on a screen characters you type will appear.

Internet (16): The world’s largest computer network.

Keyboard (12): Primary input device that includes letter and number keys, as well as programmable function keys.

Keyboard shortcut (26): Option that allows you to use the keyboard rather than a mouse to select menu commands.

Macintosh computer (Mac) (13): Computers manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. based on the Macintosh computer architecture.

Mainframe (10): Large, fast, expensive computers generally used by businesses, governments, and universities to provide centralized storage, processing and management for large amounts of data for many concurrent users.

Memory (5): An area of a computer that holds data waiting to be processed.

Menu (21): List of commands or options.

Microcomputer (8): Computer typically used by a single user, in a home or office. Also known as a personal computer (PC).

Minicomputer (9): More powerful than a microcomputer, a minicomputer can carry out processing tasks for several people working at terminals connected to the minicomputer.

Monitor (12): Display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen.

Mouse (12): Input device that you use to manipulate objects on the screen.

Notebook computer (8): Small, light portable computer that can run on batteries or on power form an electrical wall outlet. Also called a laptop.

Numeric keypad (26): Calculator-style input device for numbers and arithmetic symbols.

Online Help (29): Option included in most software that you select when you have a question about how to accomplish a task.

Option button (22): Round buttons that allow you to make selections. Also called radio buttons.

Output (5): Results produced by a computer.

Parameter (20): Way in which you specify exactly how you want a command carried out.

Password (15): Special set of symbols known only to you and to the network supervisor.

PC (personal computer)(13): Computers based on the architecture of the first IBM computers.

Peripheral device (7): Components that expand a computer’s input, output, and storage capabilities.

Personal digital assistant (PDA) (8): Palm-top computer that works without a keyboard, and can connect to a desktop computer.

Pixel (28): Tiny square dot used in bitmap displays.

Pointer (25): Indicator, usually shaped like an arrow, that moves across the screen as you move your mouse.

Process (5): A systematic series of actions that a computer uses to manipulate data.

Prompt (18): Message displayed by the computer that asks for input from the user.

Resolution (28): Density of pixels in a bitmap display. The more dense the pixels, the higher the resolution.

Software (7): Set of programs and data that tells a computer how to perform and complete particular tasks.

Spin box (22): Box that lets you increase or decrease a number by clicking arrow buttons.

Storage (5): The area where data can be left on a permanent basis while it is not needed for processing

Storage media (12): Physical materials that provide long-term storage for computer data.

Submenu (21): Additional set of commands that the computer displays after you make a selection form the main menu.

Supercomputer (11): Fastest and most expensive type of computer, designed for "compute-intensive" tasks.

Syntax (20): The grammatical rules of a computer language.

Syntax error (20): Mistake in which a grammar rule is violated, resulting in an error message.

System unit (12): Case or box that contains the power supply, storage devices, and circuit board with the computer’s main processor and memory.

Terminal (9): Input and output device that resembles a microcomputer, but does not have processing capability.

Toggle key (26): Key that switches back and forth between two modes.

User ID (15): Combination of letters and numbers that serve as your special identification.

User interface (17): Means through which the computer accepts input and presents you with output.

Web (16): Most popular information service on the Internet, known formally as the World Wide Web.

Web browser (31): Software that allows you to access the Internet and search for information.

Web search engine (32): Online reference source that keeps track of millions of Web-based resources.

Window (23): Rectangular area that usually contains a specific piece of work, such as a document or picture.

Windows software (13): Software designed for microcomputers.

Wizard (19): Sequence of screens that direct you through multistep software tasks.

Application software (54): Software that helps the human user carry out a task, such as a word processing package to manipulate text; a spreadsheet to crunch numbers; and a database to store and retrieve information.

Bitmap image (68): Graphic stored as a series of colored dots.

Commercial software (52): Software sold to the public that usually is distributed with a single-user license.

Communications software (73): Software that allows you to dial your connection to a remote computer.

Computer program (48): Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions written in a computer language that tells a computer what to do and how to do it.

Computer programming language (65): Set of instructions that allow a programmer to write a program using English-like instructions that are translated into electrical signals the computer can manipulate and process.

Concurrent-use license (53): License that allows a certain number of copies of software to be used at the same time.

Connectivity software (73): Software that connects your computer to a local computer network or the Internet and provides tools to take advantage of the information they offer.

Copyright (50): Form of legal protection that grants the copyright owner exclusive rights to copy, distribute, modify, or sell the software.

Database (71): Collection of related files.

Database software (71): Software that provides a flexible way to join and summarize the information in more than one file.

Desktop publishing software (67): Software that takes word processing one step further by helping you use graphic design techniques to enhance the format and appearance of a document.

Desktop video (83): Videos that are constructed using a microcomputer.

Device driver (65): System software that allows the computer to communicate with a peripheral device.

Digital animation (82): Animation created from scratch by an artist with the help of a computer.

Digital video (82): Video created with the help of a computer based on footage of real objects.

DOS (disk operating system)(62): One of the first computer operating systems that utilizes a command-line user interface.

Downwardly compatible (85): Operating systems for which you can use application software designed for earlier versions of the system.

E-mail software (73): Software that manages your computer mailbox.

Flat file (71): Files that store information in a way that can be organized, sorted, and printed using spreadsheet software.

Formatting (64): The way in which a disk is organized and compartmentalized before it can be used to store information.

Graphics card (79): Computer component that takes signals from the processor and uses them to "paint" an image on the screen.

Graphics software (68): Software that helps you create, edit, and manipulate images.

Groupware (66): Software that provides a way for more than one person to collaborate on a project by maintaining a pool of data that can be shared by members of a workgroup.

Horizontal market software (77): Any generic software package that can be used by many different kinds of businesses.

Installation process (85): Process during which programs and data for the software are copied to the hard disk of your computer system.

Internal services (57): Control managed by the operating system, which controls input and output, allocates system resources, manages storage space, and detects equipment failure without direction from you.

Linux (63): Variation of UNIX that has gained prominence as a server operating system for microcomputers and minicomputers.

Mac OS (Macintosh operating system) (61): One of the first graphical user interfaces, developed by Apple Computer.

Mathematical modeling software (70): Software that provides tools for solving a wide range of math, science, and engineering problems.

Microsoft Windows (59): The most popular operating system for today’s microcomputers, it uses a graphical interface and provides support for a wide variety of application software and peripheral devices.

Multimedia (78): Integrated collection of computer-based media including text, sound, graphics, animation, photo images, and video.

Multiple-user license (52): License that allows more than one person to use a particular software package.

Multi-tasking (59): A service that allows you to work on more than one project at a time.

Novell NetWare (63): Server operating system designed specifically for microcomputer networks.

Office suite (66): A number of applications that are packaged together and sold as a unit.

Online banking (76): Way to use your computer and modem to download transactions directly form your bank, transfer funds among accounts, and pay bills.

Operating system (OS) (56): Master controller for all the activities that take place within a computer.

Paint software (68): Software designed to create and edit bitmap images. Also called image editing software.

Personal finance software (76): Software that helps you keep track of investments, credit card balances, and bills.

Photo editing software (68): Software that includes features designed to fix poor-quality photos by modifying contrast and brightness, cropping out unwanted objects, and removing "red eye."

Pirated software (50): Illegally made copies of software.

Presentation software (69): Software that provides all of the tools you need for combining text, graphics, animations, and sound into a series of electronic slides.

Productivity software (66): Software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and data management software, designed to help you work more effectively.

Public domain software (54): Software owned by the public rather than the author.

Remote control software (73): Software that allows you to establish a connection between two machines and manipulate a remote compute from a near-by computer.

Rendering (68): The process of covering a wireframe with surface color and texture.

Setup program (86): Program that ushers you through the process of installing new software.

Shareware (53): Copyrighted software marketed under a "try before you buy" policy.

Shrink-wrap license (52): The practice of writing licensing terms on the outside of shrink-wrapped software, stating that breaking the packaging seal implies acceptance of license conditions.

Single-user license (52): License that limits the use of software to only one user at a time.

Site license (53): License that allows software to be used on any and all computers at a specific location.

Software (49): Computer programs and data, stored in electronic format, that tell a computer what to do and how to do it.

Software license (51): Legal contract that defines the ways in which you can use a computer program.

Software pirates (50): People who illegally copy, distribute, or modify software.

Sound card (78): Computer component that gives the computer the capability to record and play sound files as well video sound tracks.

Spreadsheet software (70): Software that performs calculations based on numbers and formulas that you enter.

Statistical software (70): Software that helps you analyze large sets of data to discover relationships and patterns.

System requirements (84): Specifications about the operating type and minimum hardware capacity needed for a software product to work correctly.

System resource (57): Any part of a computer system that might be used by a computer program.

System software (54): Software that helps the computer carry out basic operating tasks.

UNIX (63): Developed as a minicomputer operating system, but now popular for network and Web servers of all sizes.

Utilities (64): Subcategory of system software designed to augment the operating system by providing a way for a computer to control the allocation and use of hardware resources.

Vector graphics (68): Images composed of lines and filled shapes.

Vertical market software (77): Software designed to automate specialized tasks in a specific market or business.

Web authoring software (67): Software that helps you design and develop customized Web pages that you can publish electronically on the Internet.

Wireframe (68): An element of 3-D graphics software that acts like the framework for a tent, outlining three-dimensionally the object you are creating visually.

Word processing software (67): Software that is used to manipulate text, and can be used to produce documents such as letters, reports, papers, and manuscripts.