Glossary

The words and jargon used with computers can be confusing, especially to new or inexperienced users. This list will give you the definitions of the more commonly used computer terms you may find throughout Lynx and the Lynx Help System
You can use the navigation bar above to jump to a specific letter.

Access

The reading or writing of data; as a verb, to gain entry to data. Most commonly used in connection with information access, via a user ID, and qualified by an indication as to the kinds of access that are permitted. For example, read-only access means that the contents of the file may be read but not altered or erased.

Access Control List (ACL)

A list of the services available on a server, each with a list of the hosts permitted to use the service.

Account#

A unique number used to identify a customer.

Active window

The last window you clicked on (the one that's currently highlighted) is considered "active". Any keys you press affect this window.

Address

A character or group of characters that identify a register, a location or some other data source or destination.

Anode Bag

An anode bag is attached by a wire to an underground propane tank and buried along with the tank. The anode bag absorbs the dangerous electrical currents, guiding them away from your costly tank and greatly prolonging its life.

ANSI

An acronym for American National Standards Institute, which is an organization that sets standards for data communication.

AP

The abbreviation for "Accounts Payable".

Application software

An integrated set of computer programs designed to perform a specific business function. Lynx is a good example of "application software".

AR

The abbreviation for "Accounts Receivable".

Archive

Used as a verb, this is a term that describes the process of storing files off-line from your computer on tapes or diskettes.

ASCII

Pronounced "ass-key", this is an acronym for American Standard Code for Information Exchange. This is the way bits are grouped to form a standardized method for recording data.

Authentication

Process of establishing who you are.

Authorization

Permission to access non-public information or use equipment that is either fully or partially restricted. Process of establishing what you can do.

Backup

The process of copying some (or all) of your computer information to an external medium such as a diskette or ZIP drive. This gives you the ability to recover in case you have a system problem and lose the data on your computer.
Recovering this information from backup is called "restoring" your data. Lynx has built-in backup and restore features.

Bandwidth

The carrying capacity of a wire attached from one computer to another. For example, a 28.8 modem has a bandwidth (that is, its capacity) of 28,800 bits per second.

Baud

The measurement of the amount of data that can be transferred in one second. For example, a 28.8 baud modem can transfer 28,800 bits in one second.

BBS

Stands for Bulletin Board Service.

Beta

A term frequently applied to software that is still in the testing stage. Beta software is often distributed to select groups in order to get feedback on any operational or other errors (bugs) in the code.

Bill

A document that represents an amount of money owed for goods supplied or services rendered, set out in a printed or written statement of charges.

Binary

The basic system of numbering used by computers. Binary uses only ones and zeros to represent all numbers and characters.

Bit

A word created from the words "binary" and "digit". Bits are the smallest unit of storage in a computer and are grouped to make up the ASCII coding system used by most PC's.

Bitmap

A graphic (that is, a picture on your screen) consisting of bunches of little dots. They're saved as "bitmap files" which always end with the letters BMP. For instance, your company logo might be saved as a "bitmap" file named MYLOGO.BMP.

Boot

To load the Operating System (i.e. Windows Me or Windows XP) when your computer is turned on or reset.

Broadcast

A single message addressed to all nodes on a network.

Browser

A software program used for viewing or browsing on the Internet.

Bug

An error in a software program or hardware device. Bugs in software are errors in coding that cause a program to malfunction in some sort of undesirable way.

Byte

A term used to describe a unit of data or storage capacity equal to one character. Bytes are typically made up of seven or eight "bits" using the ASCII or EBCDIC coding systems.

Cable

A set of wires connecting pieces of computer hardware.

Card

A circuit board or adapter that can be plugged into a computer to add a new capability.

Case-sensitive

An expression that describes the difference between upper-case and lower-case letters.

Cathodic Protection

A technique used to control the corrosion of a metal surface by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell.

CD-ROM

An acronym for Compact Disk - Read Only Memory. A CD-ROM is much like the audio CD's you use with your stereo only instead of sound, they hold computer applications or data.

Character

Any symbol (usually alphabetic, numeric, or punctuation) that can be entered into your computer.

Client

A computer program that uses the services of another computer program. Software that extracts information from a server; your auto-dial phone is a client, and the phone company is its server.

Client/Server

A relationship in which client software obtains services from a server on behalf of a person.

Client-Server Interface

An architecture that provides for the splitting of user requests (usually called clients) and a related server function, most commonly across a network. The combined effect is to provide the clients with access to some service such as databases, printing, etc.

Clipboard

A part of the Windows operating system that keeps track of information you've cut or copied from a program or file. It stores that information (on the "clipboard") so you can "paste" it into other programs.

Close (period)

To close a period refers to the proces of preventing any changes being made to that period again.

Close (year)

To close a year refers to the process of preventing any changes being made to that year again.

Compress

To make a file smaller so that it takes up less space on your computer.

Configuration

The particular hardware elements and their interaction in a computer system for a particular period of operation.

Copy

A function that reads data from a source, leaving the source data unchanged and writes it elsewhere. One example would be to copy a deck of punched cards onto magnetic tape.

Cost

A term used to describe how much you paid for something you bought.

CPI

Stands for characters per inch. A measure of the size of text characters, sometimes referred to as pitch.

CPU

Stands for Central Processing Unit which is the "brains" of your computer.

Crash

The sudden failure of a program or hard drive, usually resulting in the loss of unsaved data.

Cursor

A symbol on a display screen that indicates the position at which the next character entered will be displayed. The symbol often blinks so that it can be easily noticed.

Data

Any kind of information that is recorded or used for processing.

Database

An electronic collection of like-type data organized and stored in a computer.

Data entry

The entry of data into a computer or onto a computer-readable medium by an operator from a single data device, such as a card reader or keyboard.

Data Processing

The systematic performance of operations upon data, for example, handling, merging, sorting and computing.

Debug

To detect, trace and eliminate errors in computer programs.

Default

A predetermined condition or value that you have chosen previously. This eliminates having to make this decision later since the system will simply use the "default" value.

Desktop

The area on your screen where you move windows and icons around. Most people cover their desktop with "wallpaper".

Directory

A separate "folder" on a hard disk for storing files of information. Storing related files in the same directory makes them easier to find.

Disk

A storage device used for computer information. There are two basic types, "hard disks" (or hard drives) and "floppy disks" (or diskettes)

Disk Crash

A failure of a hard disk. Disk Crashes can be total losses where your data is unrecoverable. Consequently, it pays to regularly backup your data to make recovery much easier.

Disk Drive

An electromechanical device that reads data from and writes data to disks. A disk drive can be either a "hard drive" or a "floppy" drive.

Diskette

A flat piece of flexible plastic coated with a magnetic material that can record data. Often called "floppy disk". Floppy disks are removable and their most common form is 3 1/2 inch disk encased in a protective plastic jacket.

Display

A device that enables information, either textual or pictorial, to be seen but not permanently recorded. Also known as a monitor, the most widely used kind is the cathode-ray tube.

Document

A medium and the data recorded on it for human use; for example, a report sheet or book. By extension, any record that has permanence and that can be read by human or machine.

Documentation

A collection of organized documents or the information recorded in documents. Also instructional material specifying the inputs, operations and outputs of a computer program or system.

DOS

Short for Disk Operating System. This is an older operating system for running programs. Windows can run programs designed for DOS as well as programs designed for Windows.

Dot-matrix Printer

A printer that creates each character from an array of dots. The dots are formed by pins striking a ribbon against the paper, one pin for each dot position. The printer may be a serial printer (printing one character at a time) or a line printer.

Dots per inch (dpi)

A measure of screen and printer resolution. This represent the number of dots a device can print or display per inch. The bigger the number, the better the resolution.

Download

The process of moving a copy of a file from a remote computer to your computer, usually using modems. The opposite term is "Uploading" which is when you are moving a file from your computer to a remote computer.

Double Left-click

Two rapid depressions of the left button on the mouse.

DPI

Stands for dots per inch The dpi measures resolution of images on a screen or printed characters on paper.

Drag

A four-step mouse process that moves an object across the desktop.

First, point at an object (like an icon or a highlighted paragraph).
Second, press and hold your left mouse button.
Third, point the mouse at a location to which you'd like to move that object.
Fourth, release the mouse button.

The object is "dragged" to its new location.

Driver

Refers to a software program that sends instructions to a computer device to tell it what to do. For example, your printer driver accepts print data from your word processing application and sends instructions to your printer on how to print this data.

Drop

Step four of the "Drag" technique described above. "Dropping" is merely letting go of the mouse button and letting your object fall onto something else.

Drop-down Calendar

A graphic (and much easier way) of selecting a date. Simply left-click on the date you want and it will automatically be inserted in the date box.

Drop-down List

A list of items that are displayed by left-clicking the down arrow associated with a category of information.

Drop-down Menu

A list of functions that appear when you left-click a word on the Menu Bar.

E-mail

Shorthand term for any of several forms of sending messages between people on different computer systems.

EBCDIC

Stands for Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. This is another coding scheme (like ASCII) used by computers. EBCDIC adds an eighth "bit" to each "byte" whereas ASCII uses only seven "bits".

Edit

To enter, modify or delete data.

Encryption

Any one of several methods of coding a file of data to prevent readability or access.

Enter Key

A special function key on a keyboard used to transmit a line or screen of data from a display screen to a computer. Often used interchangeably with return key.

Erase

To remove data from a data medium, leaving the medium available for recording new data.

Error Message

A message that reports the detection of an error.

Executable

Computer software that has been compiled and is ready to be run on the computer.

FAQ

An often used abbreviation for Frequently Asked Questions.

Field

Usually the smallest data element in a record; a specified area used for a particular category of data; for example, columns used to represent a particular item of data, such as an employees wage (fixed field). The particular field is always used to record the same kind of information. In free field records, each field has an identifier that is present in the record and linked to the contents of the field.

Fiber-Optic

A relatively new style of cable being used for very high speed data transmission. Unlike normal cable, fiber-optics works by pushing (modulating) a light wave across the cable.

File

A collection of information in a format designed for computer use.

File Explorer

Previously known as Windows Explorer, is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It provides a graphical user interface for accessing the file systems.

File Format

The type of file, such as picture or text; represented as a suffix at the end of the filename (text = TXT or .txt, etc.).

File Server

A computer designated to store software, courseware, administrative tools, and other data on a local- or wide-area network. It "serves" this information to other computers via the network when users enter their personal access codes.

Filter

A term used to describe the process of limiting data to be included in a report. When you "filter" a particular type of data (by checking the associated box), you supply a FROM and THRU range. Only the data within that range will print. If you do not filter the data, it will all print.

Floppy Disks

A small 3 1/2 inch removable disk used for data storage.

Folder

An area for storing files to keep them organized (formerly called a "directory").

Font

A set of characters all in the same typeface (such as Times New Roman), style (such as italic), and weight (such as bold).

Format

The process of preparing a disk to have files written on it. "Formatting" a disk wipes it clean of all information.

Freeware

Software that is distributed for free, with no license fee.

FTP

Stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is a method of transferring files from one computer to another.

Function Keys

The keys usually located across the top or left side of your keyboard and labeled F1 through F12.

Gateway

An electronic door between one computer network and another. A device or set of devices that connects two or more networks, enabling data transfer between them. When the networks are similar, a gateway routes packets or messages. When the networks differ, a gateway also performs extensive protocol conversion.

General Ledger

A central repository for accounting data transferred from all subledgers or modules like accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, fixed assets, purchasing and projects.

Gigabyte

(GB) A term used to mean a billion bytes. Actually it's really 1,073,741,824 bytes but who cares.

GL

The abbreviation for "General Ledger".

Graphic

A general term that refers to pictures and symbols in any of several formats.

GUI

Short for Graphical User Interface and pronounced "gooey". This refers to a computer environment where the screen contains pictures and symbols rather than just letters and numbers. Windows is a "GUI" system while the older DOS system is not.

Hardware

A general term referring to the physical parts of a computer system, like the monitor or keyboard. See "software".

Hard Drive

Also referred to as "hard disk". The primary internal storage device for your computer. This is where all or part of every application as well as your data is stored. Unlike "memory", it is not lost when your computer is turned off.

Highlighted

A selected item. Different colors usually appear over a highlighted object to show that it's been singled out for further action. You can change the color you want to use to highlight selected items from the Control Panel (go to Display, then Appearance, then Item, then
Selected Items). Yellow is a good color to use.

Host

A computer that is made available for use by multiple people simultaneously.

Host Computer

In the context of networks, a computer that directly provides service to a user. In contrast to a network server, which provides services to a user through an intermediary host computer.

Hub

A device that is a center of network activity because it connects multiple networks together.

Hyperlink

A pointer that when chosen displays the item to which it points. It typically takes the form of a button or highlighted text that points to related text, picture, video, or audio. Hyperlinks allow non-linear exploration of media that contain them.

I/O

Input/Output. The part of a computer system or the activity that is primarily dedicated to the passing of information into or out of a central processing unit.

Icon

The little picture that represents an object (like a program, a file, or a command) making it easier to figure out that object's function.

Inbox

The mailbox that holds incoming e-mail.

Index

A list of the messages contained in a conference or a mail folder. Indexes generally show the date of the message, its title (or subject), the name of the user who wrote it, and an indication (with a "*" marker) of whether you have read that message.

Ink jet

A method of printing in which each character or symbol is formed by precisely spraying ink onto paper.

Input

As a verb, to enter information, instructions, text, etc. , in a computer system or program. As a noun, the data so entered. Input devices include the keyboard and mouse.

Install

A software term describing the process of loading a program on your computer, particularly on your hard drive.

Instruction

A statement to the computer that specifies an operation to be performed and the values and locations of the data to be processed.

Interface

Any point where two different things come together. Most often when talking about computers, it is used to describe the programs between you and your computer (like Windows and Lynx). What you see on your screen is the "interface" between you and what your computer is doing.

Interrupt

A suspension of a process, such as the execution of a computer program, caused by an event external to the computer and performed in such a way that the process can be resumed. Events of this kind include sensors monitoring laboratory equipment or a user pressing an interrupt key.

Internet

A diverse global collection of networks and computers all linked together using standardized methods of access and communication.

Intranet

An internal (private) network inside a company or organization that works like the Internet.

IP Address

The numeric address of a computer connected to the Internet; also called Internet address.

Ips

Stands for inches per second. The scale used to measure printing speed.

Job: A suspension of a process, such as the execution of a computer program, caused by an event external to the computer and performed in such a way that the process can be resumed. Events of this kind include sensors monitoring laboratory equipment or a user pressing an interrupt key.

K

A shorthand term for "kilobyte" that has come to mean 1,000. For instance, 5K means 5,000. To be technically correct, one "K" is actually two to the 10th power or 1,024 but nobody seems to particularly care.

Key (noun)

An identifier in a database or file. A primary key is a unique identifier. A secondary key is typically not unique. A key may be used to specify data in a query. Example: Tag number to specify a car in a database of automobile registration information.

Key (verb)

The action or skill of writing something by means of a typewriter or computer.

Keyboard

Similar to a typewriter, contains the letters for typing text, and keys that give the computer its commands.

Kilobyte

A term used to represent approximately 1,000. Often shortened to "K".

LAN

Short for Local Area Network. A computer network technology designed to connect computers separated by a short distance. See "WAN".

Laser Printer

A electrophotographic (xerographic) printer in which a laser is used as the light source.

Left-click

A single depression of the left button on the mouse.

Link

The definition of a link is a word or group of words that act as a way to cross reference to other documents or files on the computer.

Load (verb)

To transfer a program held on some external storage medium (such as magnetic tape or disk) into the main memory of the machine in a form suitable for execution.

Login

The opening sequence of keystrokes used via computer screen instructions to connect to a system or begin operations on a computer.

Login ID

Same as account name or user ID.

Logoff

Leave a network system, usually by typing "bye" or "q" for quit. Sometimes called "logout."

Lynx

The best software system available for the propane industry.

Machine Language

A programming language or instruction code that is immediately interpretable by the hardware of the machine concerned.

Mainframe

A somewhat inexact term used to describe the largest types of computers.

Maximize

The act of making a window fill the entire screen. You can maximize a window by left-clicking on the maximize button

(the button with the the big square inside located near the window's upper right corner).

Medium

The material used to support the transmission of data. This can be copper wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or electromagnetic wave as in microwave.

Megabyte

A term used to represent approximately one million. Actually it's 2 raised to the 20th power or 1,048,576 to be exact (not that anyone cares).

Megahertz (MHz)

A unit of measurement for CPU or microprocessor speed. The bigger the number, the faster it is.

Memory

The area inside a computer used to store on-the-fly calculations while running. Often referred to as RAM (Random Access Memory). Unlike hard disk storage, memory will not be saved when the computer is turned off.

Menu

A list of command choices in an application. They are often pull-down lists under a heading on a menu bar.

Minimize

The act of shrinking a window down to a tiny icon to temporarily get it out of the way. To minimize a window, left-click on the minimize button

(located near the window's upper right corner).

Modem

A shorthand term for MODulation and DEModulation. This is a hardware device (or board inside your computer) that changes digital computer data to analog phone line format and back again at the other end.

Monitor

The device that displays the images generated by your computer. You are looking at your monitor right now.

Mouse

A pointing device cupped in your hand and rolled on a flat surface. The mouse controls the on-screen cursor enabling you to execute software commands much faster that using the keyboard.

Multitasking

Running several different programs simultaneously on the same computer.

Network

A general term referring to any scheme for connecting computers together with cables so that people can share information or devices.

Node

A member of a network or a point where one or more functional units interconnect transmission lines.

Noise

Undesirable signals bearing no desired information and frequently capable of introducing errors into the communication process.

Offline

Not connected to a network. You can save money on pay-for-use networks by preparing your messages off-line using your word-processing software, and uploading them instead of typing them in while you're connected to (or on-line with) the network.

Online

A general term indicating something is activated and ready to go. For instance, if your printer is "online" it is properly connected to your PC, is loaded with paper, and turned on.

Open

To recall an existing file to your screen to review, make changes, or perform some other operation to it.

Operating system

Software that controls how a computer does its most basic functions (like talking to printers and controlling the operation of other programs). Windows is an operating system for instance.

Output

Information retrieved from a computer, displayed by a computer or produced by a program running on a computer.

Parallel Port

The input/output connector for a parallel interface device. Printers are often connected to your computer through the parallel port.

Password

A string of characters that a program, computer operator, or user must supply to meet security requirements before gaining access.

Period

A general term that refers to your basic accounting time frame. While some companies use a 13 period year, for most businesses the term "period" is synonymous with "month". Periods are usually formatted as YYPP where . . .
YY = the last two digits of the year and
PP = the period/month.
For example: If you use months, and you see a reference to period 0103 , that means March of the year 2001.

Peripheral

A term used in computing for devices that are connected to a PC and controlled by its microprocessor. Peripheral devices can be internal (like hard disk drives) or external (like printers).

Plug and Play

A term used for hardware or software that requires an absolute minimum of effort to install.

Pixel

The smallest element that can be displayed on a computer screen. Pixels are the building blocks for making the letters and images and all the colors you see on your computer screen.

Point of Sale (POS) Tax

A tax on a product based on the location of your customer. Tank rent is often an example of this type of tax for instance.

Point of Origin Tax

A tax on a product based on the location of your business. Propane sales are usually an example of this type of tax for instance.

Pointer

The on-screen symbol, such as an arrowhead or index finger, that is controlled by a mouse and used to indicate and select locations or choices on a screen.

Port

That portion of a computer through which a peripheral device may communicate. Often identified with the various plug-in jacks on the back of your computer. On a network hub, it is the connector that receives the wire link from a node.

Portable

In computer usage, a file or program is "portable" if it can be used by a variety of software on a variety of hardware platforms. Numeric data files written as plain character format files are fairly portable.

Post

A term that refers to the process of moving a batch to the General Ledger. When this happens, the batch cannot be changed (unless it is unposted).

Price

A term used to describe how much money you received for something you sold.

Price Code

An alpha-numeric code that you create for each price you assign to a product.

Printer

An output device that converts the coded information from the processor into a readable form on paper.

Print queue

Print jobs that are sent to the printer while it is busy are stored in a waiting line, or print queue, until they can be printed.

Print Spooler

A software program in Microsoft Windows that is responsible for managing all print jobs currently being sent to the computer printer or print server.

Process

A systematic sequence of operations to produce a specified result; a unique, finite course of events defined by its purpose or by its effect and achieved under given conditions. As a verb, to perform operations on data in a process. Also an address space and the code executing in it.

Product

Specific things you sell (like residential propane).

Product ID

The unique number used to identify a Product.

Product Groups

Groupings of like-type Products (like all of your propane products).

Product Group ID

A unique number used to identify a Product Group.

Program

Another name for "software". This is specially written code that makes a computer perform some function. Lynx is an example of a set of programs.

Progress Bar

A graphic way of dynamically showing you the progress of a job while it's running. This is particularly useful for those jobs taking more than a few seconds to finish.

Propane Safety Check (PSC)

A leak test that will indicate any leaks within the propane piping system due to interruption of service or out of gas situation. The leakage test is simply testing the integrity of the system plumbing joints and the seal of the pipe joint compound.

Query

A request that specifies the manner in which data is to be extracted from one or more databases.

Queue

Pronounced "cue", this is any stack of things waiting to be processed. For instance, if you send several letters to be printed at the same time, they will be "queued" up waiting for the printer to become available.

Quit

To exit an application. Quitting an application makes its functions unavailable until the next time your launch that application.

RAM

Random Access Memory. See "memory".

Radio Button

A way of selecting a item from a list by pointing the cursor at the circle and left-clicking.

Random Access

Differs from direct access by the fact that each element can be accessed with the same ease and speed as any other.

Read

To sense and retrieve or interpret data from a form of storage or input medium.

Read/Write

A magnetic mechanism that can read, write and erase data encoded as polarized patterns on magnetic disk or tape.

Reboot

The process of restarting your computer by reloading its operating system.

Record

A collection of related data or words, treated as a unit. For example, in stock control, each invoice could constitute one record.

Recovery

The process by which data bases are rebuilt after a system fails.

Remote

Equipment or site that is located out of the way or at a distance from primary equipment or a larger or primary site. Sometimes used as the opposite of local.

Remote Access

The ability to access a computer from outside a building in which it is housed. Remote access requires communications hardware, software, and actual physical links, although this can be as simple as common carrier (telephone) lines or as complex as TELNET login to another computer across the Internet.

Resolution

A term that refers to the degree of detail achievable by a monitor or printer. With monitors, resolution is commonly measured by the number of pixels that can be displayed in a specific area. With printers, resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi).
In either case, more pixels or dots means a finer graphics image.

Restore

The process of recovering your data from whatever medium (like diskettes or ZIP drives) you used to "backup" your data to previously.

Return Key

The key on a terminal keyboard that, when struck, places the cursor at the left margin one line below its previous horizontal position. Also known as the Enter key.

Right-click

A single depression of the right button on the mouse.

ROM

Stands for Read Only Memory. This is a type of computer memory that cannot be changed (that is, it can only be read).

Root Directory

The directory that contains all other directories.

Router

A device connecting separate networks that forwards a packet from one network to another based only on the network address for the protocol being used. For example, an IP router looks only at the IP network number.

Run

To start and operate a program such as an operating system or an application.

Scalable font

A font that can be readily increased or decreased in size.

Scanner

A hardware device used for converting text or graphics on a sheet of paper into a digital image inside a computer.

Screen

The surface of a monitor on which information can be viewed.

Scroll

To move all or part of the display image vertically or horizontally to view data otherwise excluded. Scrolling can be performed with a mouse in the horizontal/vertical bars on each window or by using the page up/down - home/end - or arrow keys.

Scroll Bar

A vertical or horizontal bar at the side or bottom of a window that allows you to quickly move around a document.

Serial Port

An input/output connection that allows you to attach a variety of devices to your computer. Modems, mice, joysticks, and scanners are examples of devices that can be plugged into serial ports.

Shell

A term that usually refers to the user interface of an operating system. A shell is the command processor that is the actual interface between the kernel and the user. The C shell or the Bourne shell are the primary user interfaces on UNIX systems. Contrasts with the kernel, which interacts with the computer at low levels.

Shortcut

A Windows icon that serves as a push button for doing something (like loading a file or starting a program). Usually by just left-clicking twice on the icon, that function will be performed.

Shut down

The process of telling Windows to save all its settings and files so that you can turn off your computer.

Software

A general term referring to the programs that a computer uses. Windows and Lynx are examples of "software". See "hardware".

Sort

To arrange a set of items in sequence according to keys; for example, to arrange the records of a personnel file into alphabetical order by using the employee names as sort keys.

Start button

The button in the bottom left corner of your screen where you can begin working. Left-clicking the Start button brings up the Start menu.

Start menu

A menu of options that appears when the Start button is left-clicked. From the Start menu you can load programs, load files, change your computer settings, find programs, go to Help, or shut down your computer so you can turn it off.

Storage

A device or medium that can retain data for subsequent retrieval.

SVGA

Stands for Super Video Graphics Adapter. This is a newer and higher quality type monitor compared to the older and lower quality "VGA".

Task

A separately dispatchable function on a computer.

Task bar

The bar across the bottom of your screen that lists all currently running programs and open folders.

Telecommunication

Communicating with other people through the computer using communication software and modems.

Text Box

An area of a screen used to display or key in information.

Thumb Drive

See "USB Drive".

Undo

A command found in Windows (and other software) that lets you reverse some action you just completed erroneously. Very handy!!!

UNIX

This is a type of Operating system (like Windows is an operating system) developed years ago by AT&T.

Update (verb)

The process of making a file more current. When you update a file, you replace it with its more current version.

Update (noun)

A term that refers to an interim version of a software product. "Updates" are usually produced and distributed to correct errors or "bugs" while a new version is being developed.

Upload

The process of moving a copy of a file from your computer to a remote computer, usually using modems. The opposite term is "Downloading" which is when you are moving a file from a remote computer to your computer.

USB Drive

A data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated USB interface. It is typically removable, rewritable and much smaller than an optical disc.

User interface

The part of the application that you actually interact with, such as the icons and graphics on a screen.

Vendor

A company (or person) you buy things from and make payments to.

Vendor#

A unique number used to identify a vendor.

VGA

Stands for Video Graphics Adapter. This is a lower level color monitor. See "SVGA".

Wallpaper

Graphics spread across the background of your computer screen.

WAN

Short for Wide Area Network., A computer network that spans a long distance and uses specialized computers to connect smaller networks. See "LAN".

Window

An on-screen box that contains information for you to look at or work with. Programs (like Lynx) run in "windows" on your screen.

ZIP Drive

A brand name for a storage medium that can store 100 Gigabytes of information on a single disk. Very handy for backing up your system.