ACCS – CHAPTER 1
data on a nonremovable disk platter usually inside the
algorithm Formula, procedure, or set of steps for
solving a particular problem.
application software software that enables you to
perform specific tasks—solve problems, perform work, or
entertain yourself.
artificial intelligence Group of related technologies used
for developing machines to emulate human qualities, such as
learning, reasoning, communicating, seeing, and hearing
avatar Computer depiction of a human, often found in
online videogames.
Big Data Data that is so large and complex that it
cannot be processed using conventional methods.
blogs Frequently updated sites on the World Wide Web
intended for public consumption that contain a writer's
observations, opinions, images, and links to other websites
case (aka system unit or system cabinet) the box
that houses the processor chip (CPU), the memory chips, the
motherboard, the power supply, and storage devices—hard-
disk drive and CD or DVD drive
CD drive Storage device that uses laser technology to
read data from optical disk
clients Computers and other devices connected to a server,
a central computer
cloud computing Method of storing your software
and/ or data not on your own PC or company's computers but
rather on servers on the Internet.
communications technology consists of
electromagnetic devices and systems for communicating over
any distance.
computer Programmable, multiuse machine that
accepts data—raw facts and figures—and processes
(manipulates) it into useful information, such as summaries
and totals
connectivity Ability to connect computers to one another
by communications lines to provide online information access
and/or the sharing of peripheral devices.
- foundation of the advances in Information Age
cyberspace Area that includes not only the online world
and the Internet in particular but also the whole wired and
wireless world of communications in general.
data Raw facts and figures that are processed into
information.
database Computer system with a collection of
interrelated files that is designed and built for a specific
purpose;
technology for pulling together facts that allows the slicing
and dicing and mixing and matching of data
desktop PC Microcomputer unit that sits on a desk, with
the keyboard in front and the monitor often on top.
distance learning name given to online education
programs
downloading Transferring data from a remote computer
to one's own computer.
e-mail Messages transmitted over a computer network,
most often the Internet.
e-readers Electronic devices that can download e-
books—digital versions of regular books, articles, and
magazines from various suppliers.
ethics Set of moral values or principles that govern the
conduct of an individual or a group
expansion slots Internal "plugs" used to expand the PC's
capabilities.
hard disk drive Device that stores billions of characters of
computer case.
hardware the machinery and equipment in a computer
syst
information Data that has been summarized or
otherwise transformed for use in decision making
Information Technology (IT) Technology that helps
produce, manipulate, store, communicate, and/or disseminate
information.
input Whatever is put in to a computer system.
interactivity Two-way communication; a user can
respond to information he or she receives and modify the
process
internet Worldwide computer network that connects
hundreds of thousands of smaller networks linking computers
at academic, scientific, and commercial institutions, as well as
individuals.
keyboard Input device that uses keys to convert
letters, numbers, and other characters into electrical signals
readable by the processor.
local area network Network that connects, usually by
special cable and also wirelessly, a group of desktop PCs and
other devices, such as printers, in an office or a building
mainframe Second-largest computer available, after
the supercomputer; capable of great processing speeds and
data storage.
memory chip (RAM) primary/temporary storage
micro computers small computer that fits on or next
to a desk or can be carried around.
microcontroller the smallest category of computer.
- are the tiny, specialized microprocessors built
into "smart" electronic devices, such as
appliances and automobiles.
mobile devices Fully Internet-integrated, handheld
multimedia computer highly compatible with desktop
microcomputers and laptops.
modem Device that sends and receives data over telephone
lines or cable lines, or wirelessly over a network, to and from
computers
monitorDisplay device that takes the electrical signals from
the video card and forms an image using points of colored
light on the screen
motherboard main circuit in the computer
mouse Nonkeyboard input device, called a "pointing device,"
used to manipulate objects viewed on the computer display
screen.
multimedia technology that presents information in
more than one medium—including text, graphics, animation,
video, and sound—in a single integrated communication.
nanotechnologyTechnology whereby molecule-size
nanostructures are used to create tiny machines for holding
data or performing tasks.
netbook Low-cost, lightweight computer with tiny
dimensions and with functions designed for basic tasks, such
as web searching, email, and word processing
network Communications system connecting two or
more computers
online Use of a computer or some other information device,
connected through a network, to access information and
services from another computer or information device
online relationship sites provide electronic forums
that people may join in the hope of meeting compatible
companions or mates
output Whatever is output from the computer system; the
results of processing.
peripheral device Any component or piece of
equipment that expands a computer's input, storage, or
output capabilities.
personal digital assistant (PDA)used as a schedule
planner and address book and to prepare to-do lists and send
email and faxes.
primary storage Also called memory; internal
computer circuitry that temporarily holds data waiting to be
processed.
printer Output device that produces text and graphics on
paper.
processing The manipulation a computer does to
transform data into information.
processing chip aka processer, chip, CPU
- tiny piece of silicon that contains millions of
miniature electronic circuits used to process data
robot Automatic device that performs functions ordinarily
performed by human beings
secondary storage Also called storage; devices and
media that store data and programs permanently—such as
disks and disk drives, tape and tape drives, CDs and CD drive
server central computer in a network that holds collections
of data (databases) and programs for connecting PCs,
workstations, and other devices,
smartphone Cellphone with built-in applications,
multimedia capability, and Internet access
social networks Site on the World Wide Web that allows
users to interact and develop communities around similar
interests—and use mobile devices to research products and
compare prices.
software step-by-step electronically encoded
instructions that tell the computer hardware how to perform a
task.
sound card Special circuit board that enhances the
computer's sound-generating capabilities by allowing sound to
be output through speakers.
speakers Devices that play sounds transmitted as
electrical signals from the sound card.
supercomputer High-capacity computer with thousands of
processors; the fastest calculating device ever invented.
system software Software that enables the
computer to perform essential operating tasks
tablet computerWireless portable computer, primarily
operated via touch screen
terminal Input and output device that uses a
keyboard
- for input and a monitor for output; it cannot
process data
texting Sending and receiving short written messages
between mobile phones or other portable or fixed devices
tower PC Microcomputer unit that sits as a "tower,"
often on the floor, freeing up desk space
uploading Transferring data from one's own computer
to a remote computer
video card Circuit board that converts the processor's
output information into a video signal for transmission
through a cable to the monitor
virtual Something that is created, simulated, or carried on
by means of a computer or a computer network.
workstation Smaller than a mainframe; expensive,
poerful computer generally used for complex scientific,
mathematical, and engineering calculations and for computer-
aided design and computer-aided manufacturing
WWW The interconnected system of Internet servers that
support specially formatted documents in multimedia form—
sounds, photos, and video as well as text.
Supercomputers, Mainframe Computers, Workstations,
Microcomputers, Microcontrollers five basic
computer sizes
miniaturization, speed, affordability three directions
computers has developed
input, output, procesing, communication four
basic operations of operations
CHAPTER 2
access point Station that sends and receives data to and
from a Wi-Fi network.
adware aka pop-up generators, kind of spyware that tracks
web surfing or online buying.
animation The rapid sequencing of still images to
create the appearance of motion, as in a cartoon
antivirus software A program that scans a computer
to detect viruses and, sometimes, to destroy them
applets Small programs that can be quickly downloaded and
run by most browsers.
bandwitdth Also known as channel capacity; expression
of how much data—text, voice, video, and so on—can be sent
through a communications channel in a given amount of time.
bits per seconds (bps) 8 bits make up a character
- A unit of measurement used to track the speed
at which data travels to and from the ISP.
blogosphere The total universe of blogs.
broadband A high-speed Internet connection that is
always connected
browser hijacker A damaging kind of spyware that
changes settings in your browser without your knowledge.
business-to-business (B2B) commerce Electronic sale or
exchange of goods and services directly between companies,
cutting out traditional intermediaries
business-to-consumer (B2C) commerce Electronic sale or
exchange of goods and services directly between companies
and the public, or end users.
cable modem Device connecting a personal computer to a
cable-TV system that offers an Internet connection.
client Computer requesting data or services.
communications satellite Space station that
transmits radio waves called microwaves from earth-based
stations.
consumer-to-consumer (C2C) commerce
Electronic sale or exchange of goods and services
between individuals
cookies Little text files, such as your username, password,
and preferences, that are left on your hard disk by websites
you visit; the websites retrieve the data when you visit again.
dial-up connection Use of a telephone modem to
connect a computer to the Internet.
domain A location on the Internet; the particular web server
DSL (digital subscriber line) A hardware and software
technology that uses regular phone lines to transmit data in
megabits per second.
E-commerce (electronic commerce) Conducting key loggers spyware that can record each character you
business activities online. type and transmit that information to someone else on the
Internet.
e-mail program Software that enables you to send email
from your computer, which interacts with an email server at keyword the subject word or words that refer to the
your Internet access provider to send and receive email. topic you wish to find

flaming Writing an online message that uses derogatory, kilobits per second (KBps) thousands of bits per
obscene, or inappropriate language. second

4G Successor to 3G and 2G cellphone standards, with
the aim to provide a wide range of data rates up to
ultrabroadband (gigabit-speed) Internet access to mobile as
well as stationary users.
frame An independently controllable section of a web page.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Method whereby you can
connect to a remote computer called an FTP site and copy
publicly available files to your own microcomputer's hard disk
via TCP/IP over the Internet.
gigabits per second (GBps) billions of bits per second
hit Site that a search engine returns after running a
keyword search
home page The starting point, or the main page, of a
website that contains links to other pages at the site. This
page usually has some sort of table of contents on it and
often describes the purpose of the site.
hotspot Public access to Wi-Fi networks
mailing list Email discussion group on a special-interest
topic, in which all subscribers receive email messages sent to
the group's email address
Malware (Malicious Software) "Bad" programs that can
attack your computer systems and mobile devices. They
include viruses, worms and Trojan horses, zombies and bots,
ransomware and rootkits.
media-sharing website Online social network, such as
YouTube, Flickr, and Shutterfly, that allows members to share
media.
megabits per second (MBps) Millions of bits per second
message board Web-based discussion group that does not
require a newsreader.
metasearch engine Type of Internet search tool that
allows you to search several search engines simultaneously
modem Device that sends and receives data over telephone
lines, cables, or satellite to and from computers.

hypertext links HTML connections to other documents or narrowband Low-bandwidth connection

web pages that contain related information.
hypertext markup language (HTML) Set of special
instructions (called "tags" or "markups") used to specify web
document structure, formatting, and links to other documents
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Communications
rules that allow browsers to connect with web servers.
individual search engine Type of Internet search
tool that compiles its own searchable database on the web.
instant messaging Service that enables any user on a
given email system to send a message and have it pop up
instantly on the screen of anyone else logged onto that
system.
internet backbone High-speed, high-capacity
transmission lines that use the newest communications
technology
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN) Global, private-sector, nonprofit corporation
that was established to regulate human-friendly Internet
domain names
netiquette "Network etiquette," or appropriate online
behavior
newsgroup Also called forum; giant electronic bulletin
board on which users conduct written discussions about a
specific subject.
packet Fixed-length block of data for transmission.
password A special combination of letters and/or
numbers that limits access to information.
pharming A type of phishing in which malicious
software is implanted on a victim's computer that redirects
the user to an impostor web page even when the individual
types the correct address into his or her browser.
phishing Short for password harvesting fishing; (1)
the sending of a forged email that (2) directs recipients to a
replica of an existing web page, both of which pretend to
belong to a legitimate company.
plug-in Program that adds a specific feature or function to a
browser, allowing it to play or view certain files.

Internet Exchange Point (IXP) A routing computer at a podcasting Recording of Internet audio or video that
point on the Internet where several connections come can be downloaded.
together.
Point of Presence (POP) Collection of modems and
Internet Protocol (IP) address Uniquely identifies every other equipment in a local area
computer and device connected to the Internet; consists of
pop-ads Form of online advertising in which, when
four sets of numbers between 0 and 255 separated by
you visit certain websites, a new window opens, or "pops up,"
decimals
to display advertisements
Internet Service Provider (ISP) Local, regional, or national
POTS (plain old telephone system) Basic connection
organization that provides access to the Internet for a fee.
to the Internet.
internet telephony method of making phone calls via
protocol Set of communication rules for exchanging
the Internet, either one-to-one or for audioconferencing
information.
Internet2 A cooperative university/business education
push technology Software that automatically
and research project that enables high-end users to quickly
downloads information to your computer
and reliably move huge amounts of data over high-speed
networks radio button Interactive tool displayed as little circles in
front of options; selecting an option with the mouse places a
Java Complex programming language that enables
dot in the corresponding circle.
programmers to create animated and interactive web pages
using applets. RSS newsreaders Also called RSS aggregators;
programs that scour the web, sometimes hourly or more
frequently, and pull together in one place web "feeds" from
several websites.
scroll arrows Small up/down and left/right arrows located
to the bottom and side of your screen display
scrolling Moving quickly upward or downward
through text or some other screen display, using the mouse
and scroll arrows
search engine Search tool that allows you to find specific
documents through keyword searches and menu choices, in
contrast to directories, which are lists of websites classified by
topic.
Wi-Fi Short for "wireless fidelity." The name given to any
of several standards—so-called 802.11 standards—set by the
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers for wireless
transmission.
wiki Simple piece of software that can be downloaded for
free and used to make a website that can be corrected or
added to by anyone
window A rectangular area on a computer display screen that
contains a document or activity.

search hijacker A damaging kind of spyware that can wireless internet service provider (WISP)
intercept your legitimate search requests made to real search Organization that enables users with computers
engines and return results from phony search services. containing wireless modems—mostly laptops, tablets, and
smartphones—to gain access to the Internet
search service Organization that maintains databases
accessible through websites. wireless network Network that uses radio waves to
transmit data, such as Wi-Fi.
server Central computer supplying data or services.
XML (Extensible Markup Language) A web-document
showrooming Phenomenon in which shoppers browse for tagging and formatting language that two computers can use
products in stores, only to buy them from an online rival, to exchange information
frequently at a lower price

social-network aggregator technology that collects

content from all of a user's various social network profiles into
one place

social-networking site An online community that allows

members to keep track of their friends and share ideas and
media.

spam Unsolicited email in the form of advertising or chain

letters.

spider Also known as crawler, bot, or agent; special

program that crawls through the World Wide Web, following
links from one web page to another.

spoofing The forgery of an email sender name so

that the message appears to have originated from someone
or somewhere other than the actual source

spyware Deceptive software that is surreptitiously

installed on a computer via the web.

streaming audio Process of downloading audio in

which you can listen to the file while the data is being
downloaded to your computer.

subject directory Type of search engine that allows

you to search for information by selecting lists of categories
or subjects.

surf To explore the web by using your mouse to move via

a series of connected paths, or links, from one location, or
website, to another

T1 line Traditional trunk line that carries 24 normal

telephone circuits and has a transmission rate of 1.5-6 Mbps

tags Do-it-yourself labels that people can put on anything

found on the Internet, from articles to photos to videos

text box Fill-in text box

3G High-speed wireless technology that does not need

access points because it uses the existing cellphone system.

thread Also known as threaded discussion; a collection of

messages on a particular subject posted in an online
discussion.

transmission control protocol Protocol that enables all

computers to use data transmitted on the Internet

web page Document on the World Wide Web that can

include text, pictures, sound, and video

web portal Type of gateway website that functions as

an "anchor site," a major starting point, for users when they
connect to the web.

website (site) Location of a web domain name in a

computer somewhere on the Internet.