Online Discovery #1

 An application program (app or application for short) is a computer

program designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the
operation of the computer itself, [1] typically to be used by end-users. Word
processors, media players, and accounting software are examples.

 BIOS : a software element of a computer operating system  that allows

the CPU to communicate with connected input and output devices (such as a
keyboard or a monitor)

 A bit (short for "binary digit") is the smallest unit of measurement used to quantify
computer data. It contains a single binary value of 0 or 1.

 Broadband : This refers to high-speed data transmission in which a single cable

can carry a large amount of data at once. The most common types of Internet
broadband connections are cable modems (which use the same connection as
cable TV) and DSL modems (which use your existing phone line).

 Buses : A bus is a subsystem that is used to connect computer components and

transfer data between them.

 A byte is a data measurement unit that contains eight bits, or a series of eight

zeros and ones. A single byte can be used to represent 2 8 or 256 different
values.

 A chipset is a group of integrated circuits that work together. It may refer to the

design of a single component or may describe the relationship of multiple
components within a computer system.

 A desktop computer (or desktop PC) is a computer that is designed to stay in

a single location. It may be a tower (also known as a system unit) or an all-in-one
machine, such as an iMac. Unlike laptops and other portable devices, desktop
computers cannot be powered from an internal battery and therefore must
remain connected to a wall outlet.
 Ethernet, pronounced "E-thernet" (with a long "e"), is the standard way to
connect computers on a network over a wired connection. It provides a
simple interface and for connecting multiple devices, such computers, routers,
and switches.

 Stands for "Global Positioning System." GPS is a satellite navigation system

used to determine the ground position of an object. GPS technology was first
used by the United States military in the 1960s and expanded into civilian use
over the next few decades.

 The hard drive is what stores all your data. It houses the hard disk, where all
your files and folders are physically located. 

 Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related

devices. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and RAM.
External hardware devices include monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and
scanners.

 Information Processing Cycle : The sequence of events in processing

information, which includes (1) input, (2) processing, (3) storage and (4) output.
These processes work together and repeat over and over. 
 Information system (IS) refers to a collection of multiple pieces of equipment
involved in the collection, processing, storage, and dissemination of information.

 An Internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides customers with

Internet access. It is often referred to as just “the provider.” Data may be
transmitted using several technologies, including dial-up, DSL, cable modem,
wireless or dedicated high-speed interconnects.

 A keyboard is a peripheral device that enables a user to input text into a

computer or any other electronic machinery. A keyboard is an input device and is
the most basic way for the user to communicate with a computer. This device is
patterned after its predecessor, the typewriter, from which the keyboard inherited
its layout, although the keys or letters are arranged to function as electronic
switches. The keys include punctuation, alphanumeric and special keys like the
Windows key and various multimedia keys, which have specific functions
assigned to them.
 Mainframes are a type of computer that generally are known for their large size,
amount of storage, processing power and high level of reliability. They are
primarily used by large organizations for mission-critical applications requiring
high volumes of data processing.

 Memory refers to any information or data, often in binary format, that a machine
or technology can recall and use. There are many different kinds of memory in
conventional computers and other devices, and they differ based on the complex
design of the hardware in which they're stored.

 Microsoft Office is a productivity suite developed

for Windows and Macintosh systems. It is available it several editions, each of
which includes multiple applications. All Office editions include the three standard
programs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
 A monitor is an electronic visual computer display that includes a screen,
circuitry and the case in which that circuitry is enclosed. Older computer monitors
made use of cathode ray tubes (CRT), which made them large, heavy and
inefficient. Nowadays, flat-screen LCD monitors are used in devices like laptops,
PDAs and desktop computers because they are lighter and more energy
efficient.

A monitor is also known as a screen or a visual display unit (VDU).

 The motherboard is the main circuit board of your computer and is also known
as the mainboard or logic board. If you ever open your computer, the biggest
piece of silicon you see is the motherboard. Attached to the motherboard, you'll
find the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion slots, PCI slots, and USB ports. It
also includes controllers for devices like the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard, and
mouse. Basically, the motherboard is what makes everything in your computer
work together.

 A netbook is a small mobile computing device (a mini laptop) that has less
processing power and storage space than a laptop computer.

 A network, in computing, is a group of two or more devices or nodes that can

communicate. The devices or nodes in question can be connected by physical or
wireless connections. The key is that there are at least two separate
components, and they are connected.
 A network adapter is the component of a computer’s internal hardware that is
used for communicating over a network with another computer. It enables a
computer to connect with another computer, server or any networking device
over an local area network (LAN) connection. A network adapter can be used
over a wired or wireless network.

 A notebook computer is a battery- or AC-powered personal computer generally

smaller than a briefcase that can easily be transported and conveniently used in
temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary offices, and at
meetings.

 An operating system (OS), in its most general sense, is software that allows a
user to run other applications on a computing device.

 Stands for "Personal computer." PCs are what most of us use on a daily basis
for work or personal use. A typical PC includes a system unit, monitor, keyboard,
and mouse. Most PCs today also have a network or Internet connection, as well
as ports for connecting peripheral devices, such as digital cameras, printers,
scanners, speakers, external hard drives, and other components.
  A pointing device is a type of input devices that allows a user to interact with a
computer by moving a cursor on a monitor to select icons and trigger desired
actions.

 A processor is an integrated electronic circuit that performs the calculations that

run a computer. A processor performs arithmetical, logical, input/output (I/O) and
other basic instructions that are passed from an operating system (OS).

 Productivity software (also called personal productivity software or office

productivity software[1]) is application software used for producing information
(such
as documents, presentations, worksheets, databases, charts, graphs, digital
paintings, electronic music and digital video).
 A router is a device that analyzes the contents of data packets transmitted within
a network or to another network. Routers determine whether the source and
destination are on the same network or whether data must be transferred from
one network type to another, which requires encapsulating the data packet with
routing protocol header information for the new network type.

 A server is a computer, a device or a program that is dedicated to managing

network resources. They are called that because they “serve” another computer,
device, or program called “client” to which they provide functionality.

 A server farm is a set of many servers interconnected together and housed

within the same physical facility. A server farm provides the combined computing
power of many servers by simultaneously executing one or more applications or
services. A server farm is generally a part of an enterprise data center or a
component of supercomputer. A server farm is also known as a server cluster or
computer ranch.

 A smartphone is a mobile phone with highly advanced features. A typical

smartphone has a high-resolution touch screen display, WiFi connectivity, Web
browsing capabilities, and the ability to accept sophisticated applications. The
majority of these devices run on any of these popular mobile operating systems:
Android, Symbian, iOS, BlackBerry OS and Windows Mobile.

 Computer software is a general term that describes computer programs.

Related terms such as software programs, applications, scripts, and instruction
sets all fall under the category of computer software.

 Stands for "Software as a Service." SaaS is software that is deployed over

the Internet rather than installed on a computer. It is often used for
enterprise applications that are distributed to multiple users. SaaS applications
typically run within a Web browser, which means users only need a compatible
browser in order to access the software.
 A software suite is a collection of two or more software programs that are
bundled and sold together. The software programs may have correlative features
and functionality, or they may be completely different from one another, but share
a similar theme.

 Supercomputer : A computer or array of computers that act as one collective

machine capable of processing enormous amounts of
data. Supercomputers are used for very complex jobs such as nuclear research
or forecasting weather patterns.

 System Unit : Alternatively referred to as a box, main unit, and system box,

a system unit is the case containing all the main parts of a computer. Below is a
picture of a computer with each of the main components that help make up a
computer. In the picture, you can see the system unit, flat-panel
display, speakers, keyboard, and mouse. We've also labeled each of the input
devices and output devices.

  A tablet, tablet computer, or tablet PC is a mobile computing device designed

to be held in one or two hands. It is approximately the size of a hardcover book
(seven inches or bigger), and resembles a large smartphone.

 A utility or software utility is computer system software intended to analyze,

configure, monitor, or help maintain a computer. Usually, a utility is smaller than
a standard program in size and may be included with an operating
system or installed separately.

 Wi-Fi is a wireless network that utilizes one of the IEEE 802.11 wireless

standards to achieve a wireless connection to a network. A home wireless
network uses a wireless access point or router to broadcast a signal
using WAP or WEP encryption to send and receive signals from wireless devices
on the network.