FBLA Intoduction to Technolgy Part 2 Section 1
a copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.
backup
how long it takes to locate a file.
access time -The performance of a hard drive or other storage device
The application or window at the front (foreground) on the monitor.
active program or window
a message that appears on screen, usually to tell you something went wrong.
alert (alert box)
an icon that points to a file, folder or application (System 7).
alias
on the left side of the screen header. System 6 = desk accessories System 7 = up to 50 items.
apple menu
a program in which you do your work.
application
on the right side of the screen header. Lists running applications.
application menu
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. a commonly used data format for exchanging information between computers or programs.
ASCII (pronounced ask-key )
part of the multitasking capability. A program can run and perform tasks in the background while another program is being used in the foreground.
background
the smallest piece of information used by the computer. Derived from "binary digit". In computer language, either a one (1) or a zero (0).
bit
a copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.
backup
to start up a computer.
boot
a programming error that causes a program to behave in an unexpected way.
bug
an electronic pathway through which data is transmitted between components in a computer.
bus
a piece of computer information made up of eight bits.
byte
a printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer.
card
a storage device, like a hard drive, in which the medium is a cartridge that can be removed.
cartridge drive
an acronym for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory.
CD-ROM
A desk accessory used to select a printer, or other external device, or to log onto a network.
Chooser
A portion of memory where the Mac temporarily stores information. Called a Copy Buffer in many PC applications because it is used to hold information which is to be moved, as in word processing where text is "cut" and then "pasted".
Clipboard
The instruction processing speed of a computer measured in millions of cycles per second (i.e., 200 MHz).
Clock Rate (MHz)
the act of giving an instruction to your Mac either by menu choice or keystroke.
command
a modifier key, the Command key used in conjunction with another keystroke to active some function on the Mac.
command (apple) key
a program the converts programming code into a form that can be used by a computer.
compiler
a technique that reduces the size of a saved file by elimination or encoding redundancies (i.e., JPEG, MPEG, LZW, etc.)
compression
seldom used modifier key on the Mac.
control key
a program that allows you to change settings in a program or change the way a Mac looks and/or behaves.
control panel
the Central Processing Unit. The processing chip that is the "brains" of a computer.
CPU
a system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted.
crash
The pointer, usually arrow or cross shaped, which is controlled by the mouse.
cursor
the act of stringing devices together in a series (such as SCSI).
daisy chaining
an electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched.
database
(the plural of datum) information processed by a computer.
data
(also - optimize) to concatenate fragments of data into contiguous blocks in memory or on a hard drive.
defragment
1. the finder. 2. the shaded or colored backdrop of the screen.
desktop
an invisible file in which the Finder stores a database of information about files and icons.
desktop file
an on-screen message box that appears when the Mac requires additional information before completing a command.
dialog box
to convert linear, or analog, data into digital data which can be used by the computer.
digitize
a spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material on which data can be stored.
disk
the machinery that writes the data from a disk and/or writes data to a disk.
disk drive
the window that displays the contents or directory of a disk.
disk window
a file you create, as opposed to the application which created it.
document
acronym for Disk Operating System - used in IBM PCs.
DOS
acronym for Dots Per Inch - a gauge of visual clarity on the printed page or on the computer screen.
DPI
to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading ).
download
to move the mouse while its button is being depressed.
drag
a feature on the Mac which allows one to drag the icon for a document on top of the icon for an application, thereby launching the application and opening the document.
drag and drop
a file on a computer which tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment (like a printer).
driver
a protocol for fast communication and file transfer across a network.
Ethernet
a connector inside the computer which allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or enhanced features.
expansion slot
a startup program that runs when you start the Mac and then enhances its function.
extension