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CD-ROM
drive |
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Acronym for "compact disc, read-only
memory”. A CD-ROM drive is used to
access a CD-ROM storage medium, which can
contain up to 700 megabytes of data |
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CD-RW drive
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Acronym for "compact disc, read/write".
A CD-RW drive allows you to both read and
write data to a CD. It stores about 700
megabytes of data. |
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CPU (central
processing unit) |
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The main part of the computer that manages,
stores, and uses data. Processor speed is
typically measured in gigahertz (GHz). |
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DVD drive
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Acronym for "Digital Versatile Disc"
It's a CD format that can store up to 17
gigabytes of data (enough for a full-length
movie). This format is expected to replace
CD drives. |
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DVD-RW drive
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Acronym for "digital versatile disc,
read/write". A DVD-RW drive allows
you to both read and write data to a DVD
multiple times. It stores about 17 gigabytes
of data (or a full-length movie). |
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Ethernet
card |
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A hardware component that provides communications
between a PC and a network connection |
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Floppy drive |
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Also known as a "floppy disk drive".
It's where a portable floppy diskette, usually
3.5 inches aquare, can be inserted and used
as a data-storage device. |
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Hard drive
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Also known as the "hard disk"
or "hard disk drive". It's a large
storage area with capacity for storing gigabytes
of data. Usually known as the C-drive on
a PC (C:\). |
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Internet
Service Provider |
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A company that provides network connection
to the Internet, usually for a fee. |
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Keyboard
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An input device with alphabetic, numeric,
and function keys, and more |
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Memory |
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A computer's primary storage area (Random
Access Memory). |
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Modem |
| |
Acronym for "MOdulator-DEModulator".
A device that encodes and decodes digital
signals for transmission over telephone
lines |
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Monitor
|
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The hardware component that provides the
visual display, usually in color |
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Network
card |
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A hardware component that provides communications
between a PC and a network connection, typically
to a local area network (LAN) or an Internet
Service Provider (ISP) |
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Operating
system (OS) |
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The master program that controls the computer.
Two popular ones are Windows and Mac OS.
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Pointing
device |
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A mouse, touchpad, trackball, or other
device used for positioning the cursor on
a computer screen. |
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Software
|
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A program that can be run and stored on
a computer for specific uses, including
communications, data processing, entertainment,
and management tools. |
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Sound system
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A system usually included in a PC to provide
digital-sound capability; it includes a
hardware sound card (sound board), speakers,
and a software program that runs the system
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USB drive
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Also known as a USB flash drive, flash
drive, thumb drive, and jump drive. It is
a small, finger-sized, portable device for
data storage. To access, store, or change
data on a USB drive, it must be connected
to a computer's USB port or a USB hub. |
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Video card
|
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An interchangeable hardware component
which handles the graphics processing and
display of images |
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Zip drive
|
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A storage drive that allows 100, 250,
and 750 megabytes of data to be stored on
an inexpensive, portable disk about the
size of a floppy disk |
