Computer Skills

Vocabulary Know how to communicate about technology

User interface

A user interface is the way people (users) interact with a machine.

In computers, the interface gives the

user a way to have: • Input—the user puts information into

a system

• Output---the system gives information

or a display

Graphical User Interface

graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of user interface that allows users to interact

with electronic devices (the computer, the iPhone the iPad, etc.,) through graphical icons.

desktop

(1) In graphical user interfaces, a desktop is the metaphor used

to portray file systems. Such a desktop consists of pictures,

called icons.

icon

A small picture that represents an object or program.

Basic Terms

Keyboard - A computer input device that uses a set of keys to put data

into the computer.

Terms, continued

Peripherals- Extra attachments and capabilities. Examples - modem, microphone, camera.

Output - The computer-generated information that is displayed to the user in some discernible form such as a screen display, printed page, or sound.

Output devices - Examples - monitor, printer, speakers, projector.

e.

Hardware - The physical parts of the computer system that you can touch and feel such as the CPU (central processing unit), keyboard, monitor, and computer case.

Input - The data that is entered into a computer. The act of entering data

into a computer. Input devices - Examples - keyboard, mouse, joy stick, track ball, and

scanner.

Basic Terms, continued

Software - Computer program that gives detailed set of instruction to tell the computer exactly what to do.

Application - A program that helps the user accomplish a specific task; for example, a word processing program or a spreadsheet program. Application programs should be distinguished from system programs, which control the computer and run those application programs, and utilities, which are small assistance programs.

Word Processing Terms:

Font: a typeface (also known as font family) is a set of one or more fonts each composed of glyphs that share common design features. Each font of a typeface has a specific weight, style, condensation, width, slant, italicization, ornamentation, and designer or foundry .

Word processing terms:

Style: Regular Bold Italic Bold Italic

Word Processing Font size: 12 pt 14 pt

18 pt.

24 pt.

30 pt.

Word processing:

alignment

Flush Left

Flush Right

Centered

Computer Terms

Continued

Networks - Multiple computers linked together. Server - Designed to support a computer network that allows user to

share data, software and peripherals.

Terms, continued

Internet - a global network connecting millions of computers, linking more than 100 countries for the exchange of data, news and opinions.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - the address that defines the route to a file on a Web server.

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) - The document format used on the Internet.

Browser: Short for Web browser, a software application used to locate,

retrieve and also display content on the World Wide Web, including Web pages,

images, video and other files. As a client/server model, the browser is the client

run on a computer that contacts the Web server and requests information. The

Web server sends the information back to the Web browser which displays the

results on the computer or other Internet-enabled device that supports a

browser.

Logging Off. The End.