Basic Computer

Bit is short for binary digit. A bit can be a zero or a one.

BIOS stands for Basic Input and Output Software. The BIOS is software that controls the most fundamental operations of a computer and a BIOS is necessary in order to start a computer. Without a BIOS, a computer would not know how to communicate with its hard disk and other devices. The BIOS is stored on a ROM (Read-Only Memory) computer chip inside the computer. Many computers in the past few years use "Flash EPROM" chips, which means the BIOS chip can be reprogrammed with an updated BIOS. A BIOS may need to be updated to fix bugs, such as the year 2000 bug, or an update may be necessary in order to support new hardware protocols.

Async SRAM is not synchronized with the system clock, so the CPU must wait for requested data from the L2 cache.

The current window that is being used.

A keyboard shortcut for a command. For example, Ctrl + Alt + Delete is an accelerator key for the task manager in Windows 95.

When you click your mouse once and an object and hold it, while simultaneously moving that item to a different location.

Driver software is software that works as a translator between another program and some piece of hardware. In the software industry, there are generally standard ways to do things. There are many different types of hardware, however, and each piece of hardware may have its own protocol (or "language"). The driver software receives standard signals from another program, then translates these into commands for a particular piece of hardware. This way a program can be written in a standard way, and it will work with many different devices.

Any data storage device. This includes your CD-ROM drive, floppy disk drive, and hard disk drive.

A dialog box such as a File menu that contains one command until it is clicked when a number of different commands "drop-down."

Move the mouse pointer over the object you wish to drag, then hold down the left mouse button. While holding the mouse button, move the mouse pointer (and the object) to the location you want it, then let go of the mouse button. This will move or copy the object to the new location, depending on the context.

Using a modem to dial into a remote site network.

Move your mouse pointer over the object, then press the left mouse button twice in a row quickly. Be VERY careful to not move the mouse as you double-click. If you move the mouse while trying to double-click, you may end up dragging the object instead of double-clicking it.

This is a small window that is demanding your attention. You must respond before you can continue using the program that displayed the dialog box. A dialog box does not have a minimize or maximize button and does not show up on the taskbar. It is only a portion of its "parent" program. Most dialog boxes have a cancel button.

This is what you see on your computer screen when you have no windows open. It may be a solid color, or it may be graphics. On the desktop, there will be icons, including one called "My Computer" and one called "The Recycle Bin."

Retrieving a file from a BBS, an FTP site, or a remote computer.

The representation of the mouse on-screen. Depending on your settings, the cursor can be many different things.

A command button, when clicked, will cause an action to occur.

A system utility that comes with Windows that allows the use to change a variety if different Windows and system settings.

An established communication session between a server and a workstation.