Click on A through Z to jump to a list of terms beginning with that letter
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Application - a type of software that allows you to perform specific tasks by providing the computer with a set of instructions to respond to your input
B
C
Computer - an electronic device for storing and processing data. Most personal computers are capable of word processing, accessing the internet, and browsing files
Cursor - a movable indicator on a computer screen indicating the point which a click will affect
Cursor - a movable indicator on a computer screen indicating the point which a click will affect
D
Desktop - the main page of your computer that can be customized to hold any files you wish
Dock - a bar at the bottom of the screen on Mac computers that is is fully customizable. You can place whatever programs you wish to on the left side of a separator, and any file or folder on the right side. To the far right is the trash, which is where you drag all unwanted files to delete them
Dock - a bar at the bottom of the screen on Mac computers that is is fully customizable. You can place whatever programs you wish to on the left side of a separator, and any file or folder on the right side. To the far right is the trash, which is where you drag all unwanted files to delete them
E
F
File - a single item on your computer
G
H
I
J
K
Keyboard - a panel of keys used to operate a computer, smartphone, tablet, and more
L
Laptop - a foldable computer that is portable and fits in most bags
M
Monitor - a screen that displays an image created by a computer
Mouse - a small, generally plastic, device that is dragged across a flat surface to point to and select items on your computer screen
Menu Bar - a set of lists of operations specific to each app at the top of the screen (OS X ONLY)
Mouse - a small, generally plastic, device that is dragged across a flat surface to point to and select items on your computer screen
Menu Bar - a set of lists of operations specific to each app at the top of the screen (OS X ONLY)
N
O
Operating System - the software that links together a computer's basic functions, both hardware and software
OS X - an operating system produced by Apple
OS X - an operating system produced by Apple
P
Program - see "Application"
Q
R
S
System Unit - the part that controls the whole system. In desktop computers, which are typically placed on desks and plugged into the wall at all times, the system unit is a rectangular box. In laptops, the system unit is housed in the bottom part, which sits on your lap
Start Menu - a menu includes shortcuts to shut down and sleep your computer, all your apps, settings, and a few tiles which you can link to an application or to show weather and news
Start Menu - a menu includes shortcuts to shut down and sleep your computer, all your apps, settings, and a few tiles which you can link to an application or to show weather and news
T
Taskbar - a bar at the bottom of the screen on Windows computers that contains the start menu button (the light blue Windows icon on the far left, a few pinned shortcuts to apps that you can customize, and smaller icons to the far right that provide the status of certain settings and processes, such as volume
U
V
W
Windows - an operating system produced by Microsoft