This document provides definitions for many common computer terms related to user interfaces, hardware, software, networking, and the internet. It explains that a user interface allows users to interact with devices through input like keyboards and output seen on monitors. Graphical user interfaces use icons to represent files and programs on a desktop metaphor. Basic computer parts like the CPU and peripheral devices are defined as hardware, while software provides instructions to tell the computer what to do. Networking and the internet allow computers to be connected and share resources, using protocols like HTML and URLs.

1. Computer Skills
Vocabulary
Know how to communicate about technology

2. User interface
A user interface is the way people (users)
interact with a machine.
In computers, the interface gives the
user a way to have:
Input—the user puts information into
a system
Output---the system gives information
or a display
•
•

3. Graphical User Interface
graphical user interface (GUI)
is a type of user interface that allows users to interact
with electronic devices (the computer, the iPhone the
iPad, etc.,) through graphical icons.

4. desktop
(1) In graphical user interfaces, a desktop is the metaphor used
to portray file systems. Such a desktop consists of pictures,
called icons.

5. icon
A small picture that represents an object or program.

6. Basic Terms
Keyboard - A computer input device that uses a set of keys to put data
into the computer.

7. Terms, continued
Peripherals- Extra attachments and capabilities. Examples - modem,
microphone, camera.
Output - The computer-generated information that is displayed to the
user in some discernible form such as a screen display, printed page, or
sound.
Output devices - Examples - monitor, printer, speakers, projector.

8. e.
Hardware - The physical
parts of the computer
system that you can touch
and feel such as the CPU
(central processing unit),
keyboard, monitor, and
computer case.

9. Input - The data that is entered into a computer. The act of entering data
into a computer.
Input devices - Examples - keyboard, mouse, joy stick, track ball, and
scanner.

10. Basic Terms, continued
Software - Computer program that gives detailed set of instruction to tell the
computer exactly what to do.
Application - A program that helps the user accomplish a specific task; for
example, a word processing program or a spreadsheet program. Application
programs should be distinguished from system programs, which control the
computer and run those application programs, and utilities, which are small
assistance programs.

11. Word Processing Terms:
Font: a typeface (also known as font family) is a set of one or more
fonts each composed of glyphs that share common design features.
Each font of a typeface has a specific weight, style, condensation,
width, slant, italicization, ornamentation, and designer or foundry .

12. Word processing terms:
Style:
Regular
Bold
Italic
Bold Italic

13. Word Processing
Font size:
12 pt
14 pt
18 pt.
24 pt.
30 pt.

14. Word processing:
alignment
Flush Left
Flush Right
Centered

15. Computer Terms
Continued
Networks - Multiple computers linked together.
Server - Designed to support a computer network that allows user to
share data, software and peripherals.

16. Terms, continued
Internet - a global network connecting millions of computers, linking more
than 100 countries for the exchange of data, news and opinions.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - the address that defines the route
to a file on a Web server.
HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) - The document format used on
the Internet.

17. Browser: Short for Web browser, a software application used to locate,
retrieve and also display content on the World Wide Web, including Web pages,
images, video and other files. As a client/server model, the browser is the client
run on a computer that contacts the Web server and requests information. The
Web server sends the information back to the Web browser which displays the
results on the computer or other Internet-enabled device that supports a
browser.

18. Logging Off. The End.