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Key terms and concepts

Term	Definition
Consumables	Items that need to be replaced such as toners, ink cartridges, paper, blank disks etc.
CPU	Central Processing Unit – a chip or chips on the mainboard containing the control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit, which interpret and carry out the basic instructions that operate a computer.
Disk Drives	The device that operates (reads & writes) to the floppy, HDD, DVD and CD ROM.
GUI	Graphical user interface – combines text, graphics and other visual cues to make software easier to use.
Hardware	The physical components of the computer system, e.g. keyboard, mouse, speakers etc.
LCD	Liquid Crystal Display. LCDs are super-thin displays that are used in laptop computer screens and flat panel monitors. The image is created by sandwiching an electrically reactive substance between two electrodes. The color of this substance can be changed by increasing or reducing the electrical current. Since LCD screens are based on the principle of blocking light (rather than emitting it), they use up much less power.
Modem	A communications device that converts a computer’s digital signals to analog signals so they can be transmitted over standard telephone lines.
PC	Personal computer – CPU, keyboard, mouse, monitor
Peripherals	Hardware devices which are attached to the computer, e.g. printer, speakers, scanner
Platform	A more generic way of referring to a computer's operating system and is often used when referring to what kind of computer systems a certain software program will run on. For example, a computer running Windows XP or Vista would be considered to be running on a Windows platform. An iMac, on the other hand, runs on the Macintosh platform.
Port	The interface or point of attachment an external device has to the system unit.
Power Supply	Converts wall outlet AC power into DC power, which is the type of power required by a computer.
Secondary storage	Hardware device used to record and retrieve data and instructions, e.g. removable storage device, CD, DVD.
Server	A server serves information to computers that connect to it. When users connect to a server, they can access programs, files, and other information from the server.
Software	Programs – a series of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. Also the interface between the user and the computer system.
Specifications	A description of the criteria for the construction, appearance or performance of a computer system.
The taskbar	Contains the Start button, the clock and currently running tasks.
Troubleshooting	Locating the cause of trouble and removing, fixing or treating it.
VDU	Visual Display Unit or screen or monitor.

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