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Binary is an alternative number system which works very WELL for computers. Humans have ten fingers; that's probably why we use ten digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) in our number system (decimal), but it is easier for a computer to use only two digits (0 and 1). Ones and zeros can be represented with high or low voltage, closed or open switches, aligned or misaligned magnetic particles, etc. A byte is a group of eight bits, and it is the standard unit by which data is stored. There are 256 different combinations of zeros and ones you can make with one byte, from 00000000 to 11111111. This is enough to cover all the ASCII CHARACTERS. If more than 256 values are needed, then more than one byte can be used. With two bytes, there are 65536 possible combinations of ones and zeros. These bytes can represent any kind of data. For example, a picture may be made up of thousands of PAIRS of bytes, with each pair of bytes representing a single dot in one of 65536 COLORS. Put together all these dots (known as pixels) and you have a full-color picture (most picture data is also compressed). On systems using Microsoft WINDOWS, the meaning of data stored on a disk is determined by the file's extension. For example: if it is TXT, then it is ASCII text; if it is EXE, then it is a program (an executable).

Binary is an alternative number system which works very well for computers. Humans have ten fingers; that's probably why we use ten digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) in our number system (decimal), but it is easier for a computer to use only two digits (0 and 1). Ones and zeros can be represented with high or low voltage, closed or open switches, aligned or misaligned magnetic particles, etc. A byte is a group of eight bits, and it is the standard unit by which data is stored. There are 256 different combinations of zeros and ones you can make with one byte, from 00000000 to 11111111. This is enough to cover all the ASCII characters. If more than 256 values are needed, then more than one byte can be used. With two bytes, there are 65536 possible combinations of ones and zeros. These bytes can represent any kind of data. For example, a picture may be made up of thousands of pairs of bytes, with each pair of bytes representing a single dot in one of 65536 colors. Put together all these dots (known as pixels) and you have a full-color picture (most picture data is also compressed). On systems using Microsoft Windows, the meaning of data stored on a disk is determined by the file's extension. For example: if it is TXT, then it is ASCII text; if it is EXE, then it is a program (an executable).

A BYTE is eight binary digits. It is the smallest unit a computer works with at once. The bits of a byte can be individually MODIFIED, but a computer still works with at least one byte at a time. SEE also: Binary and my ARTICLE on Bits and BYTES.

A byte is eight binary digits. It is the smallest unit a computer works with at once. The bits of a byte can be individually modified, but a computer still works with at least one byte at a time. See also: Binary and my article on Bits and Bytes.

A button does some command in a program when it is clicked. Buttons USUALLY have a 3-dimensional look, although you MAY have to move the mouse over the button for it to look 3D. You should single-click on buttons (do not double-click).

A button does some command in a program when it is clicked. Buttons usually have a 3-dimensional look, although you may have to move the mouse over the button for it to look 3D. You should single-click on buttons (do not double-click).

Compact Disc RECORDABLE. A special type of compact disc which can have INFORMATION written onto it once. You must have a special CD-R drive to write to these discs, but most CD-ROM DRIVES can READ them.

Compact Disc Recordable. A special type of compact disc which can have information written onto it once. You must have a special CD-R drive to write to these discs, but most CD-ROM drives can read them.

To MAKE a WINDOW ACTIVE by BRINGING it to the FRONT.

To make a window active by bringing it to the front.

BIT is SHORT for BINARY digit. A bit can be a zero or a ONE.

Bit is short for binary digit. A bit can be a zero or a one.

SWIFTLY PRESSING and RELEASING a MOUSE BUTTON.

Swiftly pressing and releasing a mouse button.

An arrangement of Windows so each WINDOW is NEATLY stacked with only the title bar of each window is SHOWING.

An arrangement of Windows so each window is neatly stacked with only the title bar of each window is showing.

Async SRAM is not SYNCHRONIZED with the system clock, so the CPU MUST WAIT for requested data from the L2 CACHE.

Async SRAM is not synchronized with the system clock, so the CPU must wait for requested data from the L2 cache.

The CURRENT WINDOW that is being USED.

The current window that is being used.

The X in the upper RIGHT CORNER of a window. When clicked, it will CLOSE the current window.

The X in the upper right corner of a window. When clicked, it will close the current window.

In Windows Explorer, SELECTING AUTO ARRANGE will lock any VISIBLE icons into a grid or pattern.

In Windows Explorer, selecting auto arrange will lock any visible icons into a grid or pattern.

A selection of colors that the USER SEES when USING Windows. These colors MAKE up the display of APPLICATIONS, dialog boxes, etc.

A selection of colors that the user sees when using Windows. These colors make up the display of applications, dialog boxes, etc.

To link a file with a CERTAIN PROGRAM. This way, when you double-click on an ASSOCIATED file, it will open the correct program.

To link a file with a certain program. This way, when you double-click on an associated file, it will open the correct program.

A program is BACKWARD compatible if it can use files from an OLDER version of itself. For a file SAVED in the program to be backward compatible, it MUST be possible to OPEN the file in a previous version of the program.

A program is backward compatible if it can use files from an older version of itself. For a file saved in the program to be backward compatible, it must be possible to open the file in a previous version of the program.

A dialog box, USUALLY square, that records an on or off VALUE.

A dialog box, usually square, that records an on or off value.

A temporary storage location in WINDOWS. The clipart will store one PIECE of information at a time when it is MANUALLY ADDED to the clipart or is copied there.

A temporary storage location in Windows. The clipart will store one piece of information at a time when it is manually added to the clipart or is copied there.

Hiding an additional level of DIRECTORIES beneath the selected DIRECTORY in My COMPUTER or WINDOWS Explorer.

Hiding an additional level of directories beneath the selected directory in My Computer or Windows Explorer.

A keyboard shortcut for a COMMAND. For EXAMPLE, Ctrl + ALT + Delete is an accelerator key for the task manager in Windows 95.

A keyboard shortcut for a command. For example, Ctrl + Alt + Delete is an accelerator key for the task manager in Windows 95.

A COMMAND BUTTON, when clicked, will CAUSE an action to OCCUR.

A command button, when clicked, will cause an action to occur.

An option form an application's MENU, or a COMMAND typed in by the user, such as at a DOS prompt or at the RUN dialog box in WINDOWS.

An option form an application's menu, or a command typed in by the user, such as at a DOS prompt or at the Run dialog box in Windows.

The representation of the MOUSE on-screen. DEPENDING on your SETTINGS, the cursor can be MANY different THINGS.

The representation of the mouse on-screen. Depending on your settings, the cursor can be many different things.

An ESTABLISHED COMMUNICATION SESSION between a SERVER and a WORKSTATION.

An established communication session between a server and a workstation.

A system utility that COMES with Windows that allows the USE to change a VARIETY if DIFFERENT Windows and system settings.

A system utility that comes with Windows that allows the use to change a variety if different Windows and system settings.

USING a MODEM to dial into a remote SITE NETWORK.

Using a modem to dial into a remote site network.

RETRIEVING a FILE from a BBS, an FTP SITE, or a REMOTE computer.

Retrieving a file from a BBS, an FTP site, or a remote computer.

Move the mouse pointer over the OBJECT you wish to drag, then hold down the left mouse button. While holding the mouse button, move the mouse pointer (and the object) to the location you want it, then let go of the mouse button. This will move or COPY the object to the NEW location, DEPENDING on the CONTEXT.

Move the mouse pointer over the object you wish to drag, then hold down the left mouse button. While holding the mouse button, move the mouse pointer (and the object) to the location you want it, then let go of the mouse button. This will move or copy the object to the new location, depending on the context.

When you CLICK your MOUSE once and an object and hold it, while simultaneously moving that item to a DIFFERENT LOCATION.

When you click your mouse once and an object and hold it, while simultaneously moving that item to a different location.

A dialog box such as a File MENU that CONTAINS one command until it is clicked when a number of DIFFERENT COMMANDS "drop-down."

A dialog box such as a File menu that contains one command until it is clicked when a number of different commands "drop-down."

Any data storage DEVICE. This INCLUDES your CD-ROM drive, FLOPPY DISK drive, and hard disk drive.

Any data storage device. This includes your CD-ROM drive, floppy disk drive, and hard disk drive.

Driver software is software that works as a translator between another program and some PIECE of hardware. In the software industry, there are generally standard ways to do things. There are many different TYPES of hardware, however, and each piece of hardware MAY have its own protocol (or "language"). The driver software receives standard SIGNALS from another program, then translates these into commands for a particular piece of hardware. This way a program can be written in a standard way, and it will work with many different DEVICES.

Driver software is software that works as a translator between another program and some piece of hardware. In the software industry, there are generally standard ways to do things. There are many different types of hardware, however, and each piece of hardware may have its own protocol (or "language"). The driver software receives standard signals from another program, then translates these into commands for a particular piece of hardware. This way a program can be written in a standard way, and it will work with many different devices.

This is a small window that is DEMANDING your attention. You MUST RESPOND before you can continue using the program that displayed the dialog BOX. A dialog box does not have a minimize or maximize button and does not show up on the taskbar. It is only a portion of its "parent" program. Most dialog BOXES have a cancel button.

This is a small window that is demanding your attention. You must respond before you can continue using the program that displayed the dialog box. A dialog box does not have a minimize or maximize button and does not show up on the taskbar. It is only a portion of its "parent" program. Most dialog boxes have a cancel button.

MOVE your mouse pointer over the object, then PRESS the left mouse BUTTON twice in a row quickly. Be VERY careful to not move the mouse as you double-click. If you move the mouse while trying to double-click, you may END up DRAGGING the object instead of double-clicking it.

Move your mouse pointer over the object, then press the left mouse button twice in a row quickly. Be VERY careful to not move the mouse as you double-click. If you move the mouse while trying to double-click, you may end up dragging the object instead of double-clicking it.

An icon is a picture used to represent an OBJECT. Some example OBJECTS are: DATA files, program files, folders, email messages, and DRIVES. Each type of object has a DIFFERENT icon. That means that different types of files each have an icon representing its file type. MS Word files will have the MS Word icon; MS Excel files will have the MS Excel icon; Etc.

An icon is a picture used to represent an object. Some example objects are: data files, program files, folders, email messages, and drives. Each type of object has a different icon. That means that different types of files each have an icon representing its file type. MS Word files will have the MS Word icon; MS Excel files will have the MS Excel icon; Etc.

A VERTICAL flashing LINE that SHOWS the user where text will be INSERTED.

A vertical flashing line that shows the user where text will be inserted.

A WINDOW that is OPEN but is not ACTIVE.

A window that is open but is not active.

The visible layer which allows a USER to communicate with a computer.

The visible layer which allows a user to communicate with a computer.

A series of keystrokes and MOUSE CLICKS that can be ABBREVIATED into a SINGLE keystroke or mouse click.

A series of keystrokes and mouse clicks that can be abbreviated into a single keystroke or mouse click.

To MAKE a WINDOW appear at its LARGEST possible size. he maximize button is a SQUARE in the top right CORNER of the window.

To make a window appear at its largest possible size. he maximize button is a square in the top right corner of the window.

ASSOCIATING a NETWORK DRIVE. Doing this will have the drive APPEAR in My COMPUTER.

Associating a network drive. Doing this will have the drive appear in My Computer.

To MAKE a WINDOW disappear from the screen and MOVE down to the taskbar.

To make a window disappear from the screen and move down to the taskbar.

A device, USUALLY connected to a serial port of a COMPUTER, that transmits DATA over regular phone lines. Modem STANDS modulatordemodulator ; it converts a digital stream of data into sound for transmission (MODULATOR) and converts incoming sound signals into data (demodulator).

A device, usually connected to a serial port of a computer, that transmits data over regular phone lines. Modem stands modulatordemodulator ; it converts a digital stream of data into sound for transmission (modulator) and converts incoming sound signals into data (demodulator).

Restore means to MAKE a WINDOW smaller than full SCREEN, so that it can be RESIZED.

Restore means to make a window smaller than full screen, so that it can be resized.

To CLICK with the RIGHT mouse BUTTON rather than the USUAL left button.

To click with the right mouse button rather than the usual left button.

A file is a LONG SEQUENCE of bytes which represent data. Each file has a name and an extension which are separated by a dot (a PERIOD). The name, of course, identifies the file. The extension TELLS the computer what type of data is contained within the file. For example, a file called "Letter to George.DOC" is a Microsoft Word DOCUMENT. The file you are reading now is called "glossary.html". HTML stands for HyperText Markup LANGUAGE, and it is the file type for web pages.

A file is a long sequence of bytes which represent data. Each file has a name and an extension which are separated by a dot (a period). The name, of course, identifies the file. The extension tells the computer what type of data is contained within the file. For example, a file called "Letter to George.DOC" is a Microsoft Word DOCUMENT. The file you are reading now is called "glossary.html". HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, and it is the file type for web pages.

A round, flexible PIECE of magnetic media stored within a 3.5 inch square protective plastic case. One floppy disk can store 1.44 megabytes of data. Because floppy DISKS USE magnetic media, they must be kept AWAY from magnets, or the data on them could be erased! Computer speakers are magnetically shielded to prevent ERASURE of floppy disks, but standard speakers are not!

A round, flexible piece of magnetic media stored within a 3.5 inch square protective plastic case. One floppy disk can store 1.44 megabytes of data. Because floppy disks use magnetic media, they must be kept away from magnets, or the data on them could be erased! Computer speakers are magnetically shielded to prevent erasure of floppy disks, but standard speakers are not!

When you use a dialog BOX with many items to FILL out, only one of the items can be accepting input from the KEYBOARD at a time. The active item is said to be the item with the focus. You can press the TAB key to move the focus to the next item; press SHIFT+TAB to move the focus to the previous item. The item with the focus will usually have a dashed border around it, or it will have a BLINKING text cursor in it.

When you use a dialog box with many items to fill out, only one of the items can be accepting input from the keyboard at a time. The active item is said to be the item with the focus. You can press the TAB key to move the focus to the next item; press SHIFT+TAB to move the focus to the previous item. The item with the focus will usually have a dashed border around it, or it will have a blinking text cursor in it.

A folder can be thought of as a location on your hard disk or floppy disk. Folders used to be CALLED directories/subdirectories. A folder contains files and can CONTAIN NESTED folders (subfolders). Folders and subfolders are used to ORGANIZE your hard disk. For EXAMPLE, you probably already have a folder named "My Documents" on your hard disk; you could place a subfolder named "Work" under "My Documents", and place all your work documents within this subfolder. This way, you can keep your work documents separate from your personal documents.

A folder can be thought of as a location on your hard disk or floppy disk. Folders used to be called directories/subdirectories. A folder contains files and can contain nested folders (subfolders). Folders and subfolders are used to organize your hard disk. For example, you probably already have a folder named "My Documents" on your hard disk; you could place a subfolder named "Work" under "My Documents", and place all your work documents within this subfolder. This way, you can keep your work documents separate from your personal documents.

You must open a file to view or edit it. When you open a file, it is COPIED from the hard disk into the computer's high-speed memory. Memory is TEMPORARY WORKSPACE only. If you CHANGE the file, you must save it (which copies the file back to the permanent hard disk).

You must open a file to view or edit it. When you open a file, it is copied from the hard disk into the computer's high-speed memory. Memory is temporary workspace only. If you change the file, you must save it (which copies the file back to the permanent hard disk).

SELECT means to highlight data. To select text, for example, HOLD down the mouse button at the beginning of what you want to select, then move the mouse to the end of what you want to select (and let go of the mouse button). The SELECTED text will now be in INVERSE (opposite) colors. This is only to show what text is selected, it does not affect the printed DOCUMENT.

Select means to highlight data. To select text, for example, hold down the mouse button at the beginning of what you want to select, then move the mouse to the end of what you want to select (and let go of the mouse button). The selected text will now be in inverse (opposite) colors. This is only to show what text is selected, it does not affect the printed document.