Application -or- Program- Software designed to carry out a set of electric instructions.

Backup- A copy of the data that is stored in case the original copy is lost or damaged.

Bios- A set of programs stored in ROM to control the system. Screen, monitor, disks, etc.

CD-ROM- A disk that uses the same principle as audio CD’s but stores computer data instead.

Clipboard-  Temporary storage area where cut or copied data is stored.

Close button- A box in the title bar of a document or application that you click to close the file or
                        application.

Command -  An instruction given to a computer to carry out an action.

CPU- Central Processing Unit. The computer’s microprocessor.

Data- The information or facts that the computer stores and processes.

Dialog box- A box that appears on your screen that allows you to interact with the computer

Cursor - A symbol that shows on the screen where the next keyboard or mouse action will be displayed.

Desktop- The screen background and graphic area presented on your Windows startup.

Desktop Publishing- The use of a personal computer as a production system for creating high-quility text
                                   & graphics.

Default- The settings that are applied automatically by the system or application unless you change them.

Driver- A set of commands used to run a peripheral device, such as a monitor, printer, CD, or the like.

File- A collection of data stored on a disk under a single file name.

FTP- File Transfer Protocol. Allows a user on any computer to get files or send files to another computer.

Function Keys- A set of keys on top of the keyboard, usually labeled F1-F12, to provide quick access to
                           features.

GUI- Graphical User Interface.

Highlight- A reverse video appearance on the video screen. This allows you to select a portion of
                           a document.

HTML- HyperText Markup Language. Format which information is sent from a web server to a browser.

HTTP- HyperText Transfer Protocol used to retrieve Web Pages from the server.

Hyperlink - A link to allow you to jump someplace else quickly. (underlined)

Icon- A small graphic image on the screen that represents a function or action.

ISP- Internet Service Provider. A commercial service that provides access to the Internet.

Insertion Point- A marker that represents the position on the screen where the next key strokes will
                           appear.
LAN- Local Area Network. A group of computers connected together in order to share resources and
                           data.

Macro- A shortcut method of carrying out a series of commands or keystrokes.

Maximize Window- The process of expanding a window to cover the entire screen.

Menu- A list of options displayed on-screen from which you can select a particular function or command.
             There are several kinds regular, drop down, shortcut, etc.

Minimize Window- The process of making a window in its smallest size.

Motherboard- The computer’s main circuit board where the CPU is located.

Mouse- A hand-held device that allows you to move a pointer on the computer’s screen.

Movement Keys- Keys on the keyboard that control movement of the cursor. They include the arrow
                           keys, Page up, Page Down, Home, End.

Multi-tasking- A process that allows a computer to perform multiple tasks or applications at the same
                           time.

Pathname- An “address” which tells the computer where to locate a particular program or file.

Pixels- The dots used to make an image on a monitor.

Point- To move the mouse until the tip of the mouse pointer rests on a particular icon, character, or item.

Port- A connection on the computer for attaching a device, such as a printer, scanner, modem.

RAM- Random Access Memory – The working space for a program and its data.

ROM- Read Only Memory. The computer memory which controls the computer.

Scanner- A device that changes a picture or text to a digitized form.

Scrolling- A technique for shifting the display to view a different portion of a document.

Start Button- The command button at the extreme bottom left of your screen.

URL- Uniform Resource Locator. An address on the World Wide Web.

User ID- When logging onto a computer system, the name that the computer recognizes as the user.

Web Browser- A program (software) that communicates with a web server to view a web page.

Web Server- A program (software) that communicates with a web browser.

WYSIWYG- What You See Is What You Get. The concept of having the screen image exactly duplicate
                            the printout