Glossary of Parts
of the Computer Hardware
monitor It looks like a TV and lets you see your work and your files.
system box or CPU
Central Processing Unit – the brains and memory of the computer of the computer.
keyboard
The keys you use to type. Includes letters, numbers, punctuation, command, and function keys.
mouse
The hand held device you use to select and open items and programs.
floppy diskettes
Also called a floppy, or a diskette. Stores files or programs and is inserted into the A drive (also called the floppy drive).
CD-ROM
Stores programs (also called applications) and is inserted into the D drive.
hard drive
Inside the system box, stores programs and files.
Glossary of Mouse
point to
Move the mouse (on the mouse pad) so the pointer touches the item you choose.
click
Point to an item and quickly press and release the left mouse button. (This button is also known as MB1, that is mouse button 1.
right click
Point to item and press and release the right mouse button. Shows options available without going through menus.
double click
Point to an item and press the left mouse button twice quickly. This is a shortcut that selects and opens an application or file.
drag
Point to an item and press and hold the left mouse button while moving the mouse. Moves objects, resizes windows, or draws.
slide
Move the mouse on the mouse pad so a menu is highlighted.
cursor
This black, blinking, vertical line shows where text will appear if you type.
Glossary of Windows
desktop
Your electronic work area or what you see on your computer screen.
icons
Symbols used to represent applications or items.
maximize/minimize button
Changes the window to fill the whole screen or part of the screen.
menu bar
The types of menus, usually found in a bar at the top of the window.
mouse pointer
An arrow used with a mouse to choose commands, select text and graphics, and resize windows.
menus
A list of what you can do in the application.
multitasking
Using more than one program at a time.
scroll bars
On the side and bottom of a window, you use these to move through a document larger than the monitor screen.
title bar
Shows the name of the window.
window
Rectangular area on the screen that is an open program or file.
window border
The outside edge of the window. You use the border to resize the windows to make room for other windows.
Exercises
- Resize windows
- Move windows
- Playing Solitaire is good
practice using the mouse. This will give students experience clicking and
dragging and dropping.
Opening and Closing documents and files
Opening Windows 98
- Push the Power button on the system box. On some PCs the button has a light in it.
- Push the Power button on the monitor.
- After about a minute, the desktop will appear. In the bottom bar will be the Start button.
 |
The Windows 98 desktop comes with icons. To open one of
these programs, double click on the icon.
To find other programs that do not have
icons on the desktop, click the Start button in the lower left of the screen. |
- If a program does not have an icon on the desktop, use the Start button to find it or the Program Group it is in. A program has a specific icon. In the Programs figure, Accessories is a Program Group, and Microsoft Word is a program.
- Click the Start button.
- Click Programs. Programs gives a list of Program Groups and programs.
- Double click on the program
you want to open. Or Click on
the Program Group. Then double click on the program you want to open.
How to use Enter and Delete and Backspace key (Instructor will say these instructions out loud and demonstrate all
the steps)
Using the Enter key The Enter key pushes text down to the next line or moves the cursor down to the next line so that typing can begin.
Application Files
Program files environment where you can create and edit the kind of document that application makes.
Program files environment where you can create and edit the kind of document that application makes.
Click
To select an object by pressing the mouse button when the cursor is pointing to the required menu option, icon or hypertext link.
To select an object by pressing the mouse button when the cursor is pointing to the required menu option, icon or hypertext link.
Close
To close a window that has been opened for viewing and / or editing.
To close a window that has been opened for viewing and / or editing.
Computer
A general-purpose machine that processes data according to a set of instructions that are stored internally either temporarily or permanently.
A general-purpose machine that processes data according to a set of instructions that are stored internally either temporarily or permanently.
Central Processor Unit (CPU)
This term has two meanings (just to confound beginners, you understand)
1) Central Processor Unit--the main chip on the computer that makes everything go.
2) The box that holds the guts of the computer.
A faster CPU is always better than a slower one. You can never have too fast of a CPU.
This term has two meanings (just to confound beginners, you understand)
1) Central Processor Unit--the main chip on the computer that makes everything go.
2) The box that holds the guts of the computer.
A faster CPU is always better than a slower one. You can never have too fast of a CPU.
Crash
Your computer or application no longer works correctly and so you "loose" all the work you've done since the last time you saved.
Your computer or application no longer works correctly and so you "loose" all the work you've done since the last time you saved.
Creating A File
Storing data as a file with an assigned file name that is unique within the directory it resides in.
Storing data as a file with an assigned file name that is unique within the directory it resides in.
Delete
To remove an item of data from a file or to remove a file from the disk.
To remove an item of data from a file or to remove a file from the disk.
Desktop
An on-screen representation of a desktop such as used in the Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
An on-screen representation of a desktop such as used in the Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
Dialog Boxes
Takes over your screen and allows you to "dialog" with the computer.
Takes over your screen and allows you to "dialog" with the computer.
Directory (AKA Folder, sub-directory)
Allows you to organize files and other folders.
Allows you to organize files and other folders.
Disk Space
This is the place where your files live. The greater the disk space the more files you can keep. (See also Megabytes)
More disk space is always better than less. You can never have much disk space.
This is the place where your files live. The greater the disk space the more files you can keep. (See also Megabytes)
More disk space is always better than less. You can never have much disk space.
Documents
Files you create and edit.
Files you create and edit.
Document Files
Files we care about (memos, letters, pictures, etc.)
Files we care about (memos, letters, pictures, etc.)
Double Click
To press the mouse button twice in rapid succession without moving the mouse between clicks.
To press the mouse button twice in rapid succession without moving the mouse between clicks.
Drag
To move an object on screen in which its complete movement is visible from starting location to destination.
To move an object on screen in which its complete movement is visible from starting location to destination.
Edit
To make a change to existing data.
To make a change to existing data.
File Cabinet
Metaphorically, the hard drive (and other kinds of storage media like floppy disks) which store files and folders.
Metaphorically, the hard drive (and other kinds of storage media like floppy disks) which store files and folders.
Folder (AKA Directory, Sub-Directory)
Allows you to organize files and other folders.
Allows you to organize files and other folders.
Folder Icons
Collections of documents and other folders.
Collections of documents and other folders.
Icons
In a graphical user interface (GUI), a small, pictorial, on screen representation of an object, such as a document, program, folder or disk drive.
In a graphical user interface (GUI), a small, pictorial, on screen representation of an object, such as a document, program, folder or disk drive.
Icon View
Allows you to see icons of folders and files primarily as icons with little information.
Allows you to see icons of folders and files primarily as icons with little information.
Keyboard
This if the primary text input device. It also contains certain standard function keys, such as the Escape key, tab, and arrow keys, shift and control keys, and sometimes other manufacturer-customized keys.
This if the primary text input device. It also contains certain standard function keys, such as the Escape key, tab, and arrow keys, shift and control keys, and sometimes other manufacturer-customized keys.
Kilo (K)
This is a unit of measure = 1,000. So 1,000 bytes is a KiloByte.
This is a unit of measure = 1,000. So 1,000 bytes is a KiloByte.
List View
Shows the icons but also orders the icons (often by name, but can sort the list in other ways) and shows more information about them.
Shows the icons but also orders the icons (often by name, but can sort the list in other ways) and shows more information about them.
Macintosh
The brand name of a family of personal computers (hardware) and an operating system (software) from Apple, introduced in 1984.
The brand name of a family of personal computers (hardware) and an operating system (software) from Apple, introduced in 1984.
Megabytes (Mb)
Mega = million so Mb is 1,000,000 bytes. It's enough information for the computer to store one character (e.g. "h"), so 1mb text file = 1,000,000 keystrokes in that file. Just to confound the masses, although RAM and Disk Space do something completely different we measure both in megabytes. This leads to confusion.
Mega = million so Mb is 1,000,000 bytes. It's enough information for the computer to store one character (e.g. "h"), so 1mb text file = 1,000,000 keystrokes in that file. Just to confound the masses, although RAM and Disk Space do something completely different we measure both in megabytes. This leads to confusion.
MegaHertz (Mhz)
This stands for MegaHertz. A hertz is an electronics term. 1 hz = one cycle (or wavelength) per second. 1 megahertz = 1,000,000 cycles per second.
In computer jargon, Mhz measures how *fast* your CPU chip runs. Although it's more important to know the chip than the speed, if you're comparing the same kind of CPU chip then a higher / faster CPU speed (measured in MHz) is better than a slower speed.
This stands for MegaHertz. A hertz is an electronics term. 1 hz = one cycle (or wavelength) per second. 1 megahertz = 1,000,000 cycles per second.
In computer jargon, Mhz measures how *fast* your CPU chip runs. Although it's more important to know the chip than the speed, if you're comparing the same kind of CPU chip then a higher / faster CPU speed (measured in MHz) is better than a slower speed.
Menu
Displays a list of commands, some with images next to them.
Displays a list of commands, some with images next to them.
Modifier Keys
Keys that change the meaning of what you type.
Keys that change the meaning of what you type.
Mouse
Pointing device that allows you to tell the computer what to do.
Pointing device that allows you to tell the computer what to do.
Operating System (OS)
System software that allows your computer to work.
System software that allows your computer to work.
Pointer (AKA Cursor)
The name of the arrow (or other shape) that tracks across the screen as you move the mouse (or other pointing device) around.
The name of the arrow (or other shape) that tracks across the screen as you move the mouse (or other pointing device) around.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This stands for Random Access Memory. You can think of this as the "space" where you computer does its processing. The more space you have the more processes you can run at the same time. More RAM is always better than less. You can never have much RAM.
This stands for Random Access Memory. You can think of this as the "space" where you computer does its processing. The more space you have the more processes you can run at the same time. More RAM is always better than less. You can never have much RAM.
Recycle Bin
Place where you put files and folders that you may later want to delete or get rid of. Compare Trash.
Place where you put files and folders that you may later want to delete or get rid of. Compare Trash.
Resize Box
Allows you to change the size and shape of a window.
Allows you to change the size and shape of a window.
Right click
To press the right button on the mouse. (This is Windows specific. On a Mac running System 8 or higher, you hold down the Control key and then click to get the same effect.)
To press the right button on the mouse. (This is Windows specific. On a Mac running System 8 or higher, you hold down the Control key and then click to get the same effect.)
Save
Tell the computer to create a file on disk that has the information you've put into the document (usually typing).
Tell the computer to create a file on disk that has the information you've put into the document (usually typing).
Save As
Give the file a name and/or store the file in a certain place.
Give the file a name and/or store the file in a certain place.
Scroll bar
Allows you to move around through your document.
Allows you to move around through your document.
Shut down
To quit all applications and turn off the computer.
To quit all applications and turn off the computer.
Software
Instructions that tell the computer what to do.
Instructions that tell the computer what to do.
System files
Allows our computer to work.
Allows our computer to work.
Trash
Place where you put files and folders that you want to delete or get rid of.
Place where you put files and folders that you want to delete or get rid of.
Volume Icons
Devices that hold files and folders.
Devices that hold files and folders.
