Cat

• Hardware


  The physical components of a computer that you can touch
• Processing


  The collection of steps, decisions and operations taken to process data into information
• RAM and ROM


  • Where data, software and output results are stored
• Input


  The data and instructions given to a computer
• Program


  A set of instructions that are loaded into memory when you run the program
• User response


  Instructions given to a computer in the form of responses to questions posed by a program
• Clipboard


  An area in memory where text and other copied objects are temporarily stored
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)


  A way to communicate with the graphics on the screen (icons, menu items, buttons, etc.)
• Cursor


  A pointer on the screen that shows what you are dealing with
• Mouse


  A pointing device used to move the cursor around
• How a mouse works

  • Shining a light on the surface and sensing how light is reflected to determine direction and speed
• Ports


  Sockets on a computer used to connect peripherals
• USB port


  A commonly used port type in almost all modern devices
• Plug-and-play


  Technologies that allow the operating system to automatically detect and configure a device plugged into the computer
• Wireless mouse and keyboard

  Use short-range radio waves (usually Bluetooth) to communicate with the computer
• Bluetooth


  A technology that allows devices to communicate wirelessly over a short distance
• Output


  Everything the computer produces to provide us with the results of its processing
• Hard copy


  Printed output
• Soft copy


  Visual output on computer screens
• Monitor


  The device most commonly used to obtain output from the computer
• Monitor characteristics


  • Size, resolution, graphics card, response time, connection options
• Soft Copy


  is a flashcard to help you remember the difference: <front>Soft Copy</front> .back>A digital representation of a document or image on a device, stored on a non-tangible medium, and easily editable
• Hard Copy


  ont>Hard Copy</front> .back>A physical representation of a document or image, stored on a tangible medium, and difficult to modify or erase