Glossary. access verb to be able to open a file ,website, program ,database ,etc.

A

access verb to be able to open a file,website, program,database,etc.

accessory noun an extra item that is added to sth and is useful or attractive but important.

adaptor noun a device for connecting pieces of electrical equipment that were not designed to be fitted together

adjust verb to change sth slightly

affect verb to make sb/sth change

algorithm noun a set of steps or instructions for solving a particular problem

align verb to arrange things in a straight line

appear verb to come into view so that you can see sb/sth

application noun a program that is designed to do a particular job

ASCII, American Standard Code for Information Interchange noun a code used to represent Englishcharacters as numbers so that data canbe moved between computers that usedifferent programs

attachment noun a document or file that you send to sb using e-mail

audio adj connected with the recording of sound

automatically adv happening by itself, without needing a person to operate any controls

 

B

background noun the picture or colour on the first screen that appears when you turn on the computer(= the desktop)

back-up noun a copy of a computer file, etc. that can be used if the original is lost or damaged

back sth up verb to make a copy of a computer file, program, etc. that can be used in case the main one fails or needs extra support

band mode noun a control or setting on a mobile phone which can be set at ‘digital ’or ‘dual’

bandwidth noun the amount of data that can be sent or received in a fixed amount of time by a communications channel, for example wires or radio waves. The higher the bandwidth, the faster the communications channel can transmit data.

bill noun a piece of paper that shows you how much money you owe sb for goods or services

binary adj using only 0 and 1 as a system of numbers; the binary system

Broadband noun a communications medium that allows several channels of information, such as cable TV and Internet access, to pass through a single cable at the same time

browse verb to look for or look at information on the Internet

browser noun a program that lets you look at documents on the Internet

button noun (on computer screens) a small box that a user clicks, using a mouse, to tell the computer to do sth. A mouse also has left and right buttons.

 

C

carbon copy noun (abbr cc) a copy of a letter, an e-mail, etc. that is sent to sb else as well as the person it is addressed to

categorize verb to divide people or things into groups

CD-rewriter noun (abbr CD-RW) a device that can be attached to a computer and that can read and write to writable disks

CD-ROM (abbr compact disc read-only memory); a CD, for use on a computer, which has data recorder on it. The data cannot be changed or removed, unlike CD-RW disks on which data can be changed.

character noun a single letter, number or space that is typed in a computer document.

chat room noun a virtual room on the Internet where people can communicate with each other

click verb to press one of the buttons on a mouse to start an action on screen

client noun 1. a computer that is linked to a server and so can connect to a network to ask for files such as e-mail messages, web pages and programs, and can also access

stored data 2. a person who uses the services or advice of a professional person or an organization

clip art noun electronic images which you can download from the internet or copy from CD-ROMs

clipboard noun a file or memory area where computer data is kept for a short time while the user cuts or copies sth from an open document

code noun a set of written computer instructions

coding system noun a way of representing data

combine verb to join or mix two or more things together

command noun an instruction that tells a computer what to do

commerce noun the business of buying and selling things

communication noun the act of sharing or exchanging information, ideas or feelings

component noun one of several parts of which a machine, etc. is made

compose verb to produce a piece of writing etc.

computer programmer noun a person whose job is to write programs for a computer

confident adj feeling or showing that you are sure about your own abilities, opinions, etc.

confusing adj difficult to understand; not clear

connection noun a point, especially in an electrical system, where two parts connect; the state of being connected together

consistent adj not changing; always having the same opinions, standards, etc.

consumer noun a person who buys things or uses services

convenient adj suitable or practical for a particular purpose; not causing difficulty

copyright law noun a law which gives sb the legal right to print, copy, etc. a piece of original work

counter noun an electronic device or computer program for counting sth.

CPU (abbr central processing unit); the part of a computer that controls all the other parts of the system, such as memory, speed and power supply

crash verb to suddenly stop working

cross-platform adj that can be used in different operating systems

cursor noun the small flashing mark on a computer screen that shows where the next character on the screen will be displayed

custom noun a way of behaving which a particular group or society has had for a long time

cut verb to remove sth. or part of sth. on a computer screen

cyberspace noun the virtual place where electronic messages, pictures, etc. exist while they are being sent between computers

 

D

data noun information that is stored by a computer

database noun a collection of data organized in a way that allows you toaccess, retrieve and use it

database administrator noun a person whose job is to design and manage a database

deal with sth phrasal verb to carry out a task or take care of sth

decrease verb to make sth smaller or less

default noun what usually happens or appears on a computer screen if you do not make any other choice or change

delete verb to remove sth that has been stored on a computer

design n oun (the process or skill of making) a drawing or plan that shows how sth new will be made, how it will work, etc.

desktop noun the first screen that appears when you turn on your computer and which displays icons that represent files, folders, documents, etc.

desktop publishing noun using a personal computer to produce books, magazines, etc.

detachable adj that can be taken off

develop verb to make sth grow slowly, increase or change into sth else

device noun a tool or a piece of equipment made for a particular purpose

dialog noun a box that appears on a computer screen asking you to choose what you want to do next by typing or clicking buttons

digital adj using an electronic system that uses the numbers 1 and 0 to storedata

dimension noun a measurement in space, for example the height, width or length of sth

directory noun a list of the files or programs stored on a computer's hard drive Display noun a particular feature ofWindows® that lets you change the way your computer screen looks by choosing your own background, screen saver, etc.

display screen noun the window where words, pictures, etc. are shown on a mobile phone

distance learning noun the act of studying a subject or preparing for an exam from your home, away from a school or university

DNS (abbr Domain Name Service); an Internet service that reads an e-mail address and translates it into a number (the IP address) that matches the e-mail address

domain name noun anIP (= Internet Protocol) address, written using text. It must have at least two parts, for example 'hotmail.com'.

double-click verb (double- click sth/on sth) to press one of the buttons on a mouse twice quickly in order to start an action on screen

download verb to copy data, such as a file, Web page or computer program from the Internet onto your computer

draft noun a piece of writing, etc. which will probably be changed and improved before the final version

drive noun the part of the computer that reads and stores information on disks

drop-down menu noun a list of possible choices that appears on a computer screen when you click on a title at the top

dual adj having or using two parts or aspects

 

E

e-commerce noun the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet

edit verb to prepare a piece of text to be published, making sure that it is correct, the right length, etc.

else adv (used after words formed with any-, no-, some-, and after question words) another, different person, thing or place

e-mail (also email) noun 1 a way of sending electronic messages or data from one computer to another 2 a message or messages sent by e-mail

emoticon noun a group of keyboard symbols that represent the expression on sb's face, used in e-mail, etc. to show the feelings of the person sending the message, for example:-) represents a smiling face

empty adj with nothing inside

EPS ( abbr Encapsulated Post Script); EPS is part of the Adobe® Systems file format that you can use with most desktop publishing and image editing programs

erase verb to remove all or part of an image in an image editing program

exclude verb to leave out or not include sb / sth in sth

existing adj that is already there or being used; present

export verb to format data so that it can be used by another application

e-zine noun an interactive magazine on the Internet

F

faceplate noun the front part of a mobile phone

FAQ (abbr (used in writing) frequently asked question(s))

feature noun something important, interesting or typical of a place or thing

fee noun the money you pay for a service or for professional advice

field noun a text box where you type in words or data

file noun a collection of information, such as a Word document or a picture, which is stored in a computer, under a particular name

file extension noun the last part of a file name, which shows you the

format of the file, for example .avi for video,.doc for MS Word files, etc.

fit verb to be the right size or shape for sb/sth

flame noun (slang) a hurtful or insulting message that is sent to sb on the Internet Flash™ noun an interactive animation technology developed by Macromedia Inc

flip cover noun a cover for a mobile phone that you can open or close by turning it over

floppy disk noun a flat disk inside a plastic cover, that is used to store information(data) in a form that a computer can read, and that can be removed from the computer folder noun a place where a number of computer files or documents can be stored together

font noun [C] the particular style of a set of letters that are used in printing, etc., such as Times New Roman

format verb to change or arrange text in a particular way on a page or screen

frame noun 1. (in videoconferencing) a single image in a video clip 2. (in HTML)

a box which divides a browser into different sections. Each frame is a different Web page. 3. (in DTP applications) a box containing text or pictures

freeware noun software which you can download free from the Internet, without having to pay for it

FTP (abbr File Transfer Protocol); a set of rules that lets you move files from one place to another over a network. An FTP server is the computer that uploads and downloads files.

function noun the purpose or special activity of sth/sb

 

G

generate verb to create or produce sth

GIF (abbr Graphics Interchange Format); a file format that is good for pictures or images that only use a few colours

gigabyte noun (abbr GB) a unit of measurement used to measure the size of the hard disk. 1 gigabyte = 1,024 megabytes.

gigahertz noun (abbr GHz)a unit for measuring the speed of a CPU. One GHz represents one billion cycles per second.

graphics noun pictures or images that are used especially in the design of magazines, Web pages, etc.

guarantee noun a firm promise that sth will be done or that sth will happen

H

hard disk noun a disk inside a computer that stores all the data and programs in the computer

hardware noun the machinery and electronic parts of a computer system that you can touch, such as the keyboard, the CPU, etc.

high level language noun a programming language which is closer to human language than low-level computer languages, such as machine language

highlight verb to mark part of a text with a special colored pen, or to mark an area on a computer screen to emphasize it or make it easier to see

home page noun the first of a number of pages of information on the Internet that belongs to a person or an organization. A home page contains connections (links) to other pages of information.

HTML (abbr Hyper Text Mark up Language); a system (a Web authoring language) used to create documents for the World Wide Web

HTTP (abbr Hyper Text Transfer Protocol); the protocol (= rules) used to send and receive data on the World Wide Web

hyperlink noun a connection to a Web page or part of a Web page

 

I

icon noun a small symbol on a computer screen which represents a program, or a file

image noun a copy or picture of sth seen on a computer

import verb to use data produced by another application

income noun the money that you receive regularly as payment for your work

incoming adj arriving somewhere, or being received

increase verb to make sth bigger or greater

information technology noun the study or use of electronic equipment, especially computers, for collecting, storing and sending out information

input noun the act of putting information into a computer

insert verb to put sth into sth or between two things

instant adj happening immediately

instead of adv, prep in the place of sb/sth

integrate verb to join things together so that they become one thing or work together

interact verb (used about a computer system and its user) to communicate directly with each other >; interaction noun

interactive adj involving direct communication between a computer and the person using it

Internet noun (the Internet) a worldwide network that connects millions of computers

Internet Protocol Address (also IP address) noun a number used to identify a computer or device on a network

invasion noun the action of entering a place where you are not wanted and disturbing sb

ISDN (abbr Integrated Services Digital Network); an international communications standard for sending data over digital telephone lines

J

JavaScript noun a simple programming language that allows Web authors to-design interactive Web pages

JPEG (abbr Joint Photographic Expert Group);a file type for storing photographs and images

junk mail noun advertisements, etc. sent by post to people who have not asked for them

K

keyboard - noun the set of buttons (keys) that you press to operate a computer

keypad noun a very small keyboard or set of buttons used for operating a small electronic device such as a mobile phone

keyword noun a word or phrase that you type in when using a search engineto look for information on the Internet

L

LAN (abbr local area network);a network of computers within a single building or group of nearby buildings

link verb to make a connection between two or more people or things

locate verb to find the exact position of sb/sth

location a place where sth happens or exists

logical operator noun a word (such as and, or, not) that is used in programming languages, using search engines, etc. to give a computer more exact instructions about what it should look for or do

M

machine language noun a low-level computer language that is only made up of 1s and Os. It is the only language that a computer understands.

mail server noun a computer and/or software that runs an e-mail system

main adj most important

manual adj done or controlled by hand rather than automatically

maximize verb to make one window on a computer screen bigger in size, so that it covers the whole screen

means noun a method of doing sth

megabyte noun (abbr MB) a unit for measuring computer memory. 1 megabyte = 1,048,576 bytes. 1 byte = 1 single typed letter, number or space (character).

megahertz noun (pl megahertz) (abbr MHz)a unit for measuring the speed of a CPU. One MHz represents one million cycles per second.

menu bar noun a row of words or commands (File, Edit, etc.) that are shown at the top of a computer screen

minimize verb to make a window on a computer into an icon

mobile phone (also mobile) noun a small telephone without any wires that works by radio and that you can carry around with you

modem noun a device that connects a computer to the Internet. It changes computer data into sound which can be sent over telephone lines.

monitor noun a separate part of a PC with a large screen that shows information from the computer

mouse noun a small device that you move across a surface with your hand to control the movement of the cursor

multilingual adj foror including people of many different languages and races

multimedia adj using sound, pictures and video in addition to text on a screen

multiple adj involving more than one person or thing; having many parts

N

narrow verb to make sth smaller or less wide

navigate verb to use a map, etc. to move around a place or find your way somewhere

navigation noun the ability to find your way easily around somewhere/something

navigation bar noun the list of words or images at the top, bottom or side of a home page that shows you where to find everything on a website

network noun a number of computers and other devices that are connected together so that equipment and information can be shared

notebook noun (also laptop) a small personal computer that you can carry

O

offline adj,adv not connected to the Internet

online adj,adv connectedto the Internet

online community noun a groupof people who all have sth in common and who meet and communicate regularly on the Internet

operate verb to manage or use sth; to do business

optional adj that you can choose to do or not do

organize verb to put sth in order; to tidy sth

original adj new and interesting; different from its type

originate verb to happen or appear for the first time in a particular place or situation

outgoing adj going away from a particular place, or being sent

output noun the information that a computer produces

P

paint verb to electronically fill an area with colour using an image editing tool

password noun a secret word or series of numbers that you type into a text box in order to use a program or a computer

paste verb to copy or move text or graphics into a document from somewhere else

PC (abbr personal computer);the general term used for a computer, which usually consists of a monitor, a tower, a keyboard and a mouse

peer-to-peer ady from one individual computer user to another, without using a central server

performance noun how well or badly a computer, machine, etc. works or does sth

peripheral noun any piece ofhardware (= machinery, etc. that forms part of or connects to a computer) apart from the CPU and the working memory (RAM)

personal information noun details about yourself; where you live, your phone number, etc.

personalize verb to design or change sth so that it is suitable for the needs of one particular person

PICT abbr a file format for graphics, designed for Apple Macintosh computers

plug-in noun a program, a file or hardware component that adds a specific feature to a computer system

printer noun a machine that is connected to a computer and that prints on paper

privacy noun the state of not being seen or disturbed by other people

privacy policy noun a plan of action agreed by a company, which promises that any personal information you give to that company will not be passed on to anyone else

procedure noun a way of doing sth

process verb (used about a computer) to read data and use it to perform a series of tasks (operations)

program verb to give a set of instructions to a computer to make it perform a particular task

protocol noun a system of rules for transmitting data between two devices, for example Post Office Protocol

R

RAM (abbr random access memory);computer memory in which data can be changed or removed and then looked at in any order. When you switch the computer off, you lose all the data in the RAM.

random adj done, chosen, etc. without sb thinking or deciding in advance what is going to happen

real time noun the fact that there is only a very short time between a computer system receiving information and dealing with it, so that things almost happen live

recipient noun a person who receives sth

Recycle Bin noun the folder in Microsoft Windowswhere files or programs that have been deleted or removed are stored

register verb to put your name on an official list to ask for or join sth

related adj connected with sb/sth

relevant adj connected with what is happening or being talked about

reliable adj that you can trust

removable disk noun a disk that stores data and that can be taken out of the computer and carried about with you

restore verb to put sth back into the position or condition it was in before

retailer noun a person or company who sells goods to the public

retrieve verb ( used about a computer) to find information that has been stored

ring tone noun the sound or music that you program your mobile phone to play in order to tell you that sb is phoning you

rotate verb to make sth turn in a circle around a central point

run verb to use a computer program

S

save verb to make a computer store and keep data

Save as type noun the instruction or command that tells a computer how (= in what file format) you want it to store a particular file

Save in noun the instruction or command that tells a computer where (= on whichdrive, in which folder, etc.) you want it to store or keep a file

scanner noun a piece of computer hardware that can read images on paper and change the information into data that a computer can use

screen saver noun a program that runs a moving image on a computer screen when the keyboard and the mouse are not being used

scroll bar noun a tool on a computer screen that you use to move the next up and down or left and right

scroll key noun one of the buttons (keys) on a mobile phone which you press in order to move up or down inside the display screen

search verb to examine sth carefully because you are looking for sth > search noun

search engine noun a program (such as Google or Alta Vista) that lets you search the World Wide Web for information

secure adj safe; well protected or locked

security noun the state of being safe and protected from danger, thieves etc.

server noun a central computer that lets people access information on a network and that stores data and programs centrally. There are many types of servers, such as POP3 servers, network servers, and Web servers.

setting noun one of the positions of the controls of a computer that control the way sth looks or works and that can be changed by the user

share verb to divide sth between two or more people

shareware noun software which you can download from the Internet without having to pay for it until you have tried it for a time and decided that you want to continue to use it

shortcut noun anicon that opens a program. A shortcut key is a keyboard operation that starts a command (for example pressingCntl and S together to save a document). An underscore (e.g. Save) shows a shortcut key in the menu bar. Shortcuts vary between computers and programs.

simulation noun the creating of certain conditions that exist in real life using computers, etc., usually for study or training purposes

small talk noun polite conversation, for example at a social event, about unimportant things

SMS (abbr Short Message Service (or Simple Message Service));a service for sending text messages on mobile phones

software noun the programs used by a computer

source noun a place, person or thing where sth comes or starts from or where you can get sth

spam noun advertising material, etc. that is sent by e-mail to people who have not asked for it

special effects noun effects that can be created by computer graphics

specific adj clear and exact

specification noun a detailed description of how sth is, or should be, designed or made

stand for sth phrasal verb to be an abbreviation or symbol of sth

stand-alone adj able to be operated on its own without being connected to a larger system

standard adj normal or average

store verb to keep information or data in a computer's memory

structure verb to plan or build sth in an organized way

stylish adj fashionable and attractive

subject noun the topic or heading of an e-mail; the person or thing that is being talked about

support noun help and encouragement that you give to a person or thing

surf verb to look for or look at information on the Internet

swap verb to give sth to sb else in exchange for sth

system noun a particular way of doing sth

T

techno-nerd noun a person who spends all his/her time on the Internet or working with new technology

template noun a plan of sth that is used as a model for producing other similar examples

text box noun a box that appears on a computer screen where a user can type in text or information

text editor noun a program, such as Notepad, that allows you to write and edit text files

text message noun a written message that is sent from one mobile phone to another

text wrap noun the act or process of arranging words around a picture or inside a shape in DTP programs

thesaurus noun a book that is like a dictionary, but in which words are arranged in groups that have similar meanings

3-D adj having length, width and height

TIFF (abbr Tagged Image File Format); a file format for storing photographs and images

tool noun a thing that helps you to do your job or to achieve sth

toolbar noun a row of symbols (icons), usually below the menu bar, that represent the different commands or tools that a user needs to use a program

tower noun a metal box that contains the CPU, hard disk drive and power supply for a PC

transaction noun a piece of business that is done between people

transfer verb to move sth from one place to another

translate verb to change sth written from one language into another

transmission noun the action of sending sth out from one person, machine or thing to another

trial membership noun the state of being a member of a group, club, organization, etc. for a short period of time as a test, so that you can decide if you would like to continue permanently

 

U

underscore verb to underline sth > underscore noun

unsolicited adj not asked for

untitled adj having no title or name. Agraphics program will usually store a file as 'untitled' if no other name is given.

upload verb to copy a computer file from one computer system to another, usually on the Internet

URL (abbr Uniform/Universal Resource Locator); the address of a World Wide Web page. URLs connect files across the Web.

utility noun a program or part of a program that does a particular task or service

V

videoconferencing noun a system that allows people in different parts of the world to have a meeting by watching and listening to each other using video screens

view verb to look at or be able to see sth

virtual adj made to appear to exist

virtual reality noun images created by a computer that appear to surround the person looking at them and seem almost real

virus noun a computer program that attaches itself to another program in order to destroy files or damage the hard disk of the computer

voicemail noun an electronic system which can store telephone messages, so that sb can listen to them later

W

Web camera noun (also webcam)a video camera connected to a computer that is connected to the Internet, so that its images can be seen by Internet users

Web design noun the job or activity of drawing or planning Web pages

Web page noun a collection of text, pictures, sound etc. that you see in a window on your screen when you visit a website. A website consists of several Web pages.

Web-authoring noun the process of creating Web pages by writing HTML code (= an authoring language)

Web-based adj connected to, or made available via, the Internet and the World Wide Web

website noun a place connected to the Internet, where a company, an organization, etc. puts information that can be found on the World Wide Web

Wi-Fi noun, Wireless Fidelity; a wireless technology for computers

wire cable noun a type of cable used to connect computers

word processor noun a program or computer that lets you carry out word-processing functions

(the) World Wide Web noun a worldwide collection of electronic documents formatted in HTML