- Freeware
- This is a type of software distribution. The software author
retains rights to the program, but allows users to copy and use the
program without a fee. The program can't be resold or relabelled without
the consent of the author.
- Shareware
- This is software that allows the user to "try before they buy". The
author retains full rights to the package. It may be copied at will, but
shareware can't be used as will. There is generally a limited period of
use granted without fee. After that period, the user is required to pay
a licensing fee.
- Public Domain Software
- This is software that is available for unrestricted use, and can be copied
freely.
- Software Piracy
- Unauthorized use of software. This usually means unauthorized
copying, either by individuals for use by themselves or friends, or, less
commonly, by companies who sell these illegal copies to users.
- Multimedia
- This involves human-computer interaction involving text, graphics,
voice, and video.
- File Name
- an identification for a specified file, which includes a name and an
extension.
- File Extension
- A file extension is a dot (.) with a two or three letter code that
tells the user what kind of format was used to create the file. For
example the extension .txt denotes text while the extension .zip denotes
a compressed file.
- ASCII
- This stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
ASCII is used to establish a code so that every character stored will
have a particular configuration of bits. ASCII files are TEXT files that
you can read from a DOS editor or any word processor.
- Binary
- Binary files contain non-ASCII characters. If the user displays a
binary file on the screen, the user will see a screen of symbols.
Compressed files, games, picture files, music files and software are all
binary files.
- Bandwith
- This refers to the total amount of data that can be transferred in a
specific amount of time. The higher the bandwith, the faster the data
can be transferred.
- Internet
- The Internet is the largest network of computers in the world. It
connects computers all over the world. It houses vast amounts of
documents, data, software, and information.
- FTP
- This stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is an application to
move files from one computer to another. FTP is the primary method of
file transfer over the Internet. Many public databases provide a service
known as anonymous FTP. This allows anyone in the world to access the
data.
- Hardware
- This is the physical aspects of a computer. These include keyboards,
monitors, sound cards, and printers.
- Software
- These are computer programs. Some examples of software would be
Microsoft Windows, word processors, spreadsheets, and computer games.
- Virus
- A program that searches out other programs and "infects" them by
embedding a copy of itself in the program. When the file is executed,
the virus is as well. Viruses range from printing something on the
screen to damaging a file to erasing an entire hard drive. The best way
to combat a virus is to use an antivirus program like DOS's anti-virus
program or other commercial or shareware (Macfee's Antivirus) products.
- CD-ROM
- This stands for Compact Disk Read-Only Memory. CD-ROM's are used to
store large amounts of data such as databases, software, and especially
multimedia applications. The maximum capacity is about 600 megabytes.
- Floppy Disk
- A small, portable plastic disk coated in a magnetic substance used
for storing computer data.
- Sound Card
- A circuit card for a computer. It provides high-quality stereo
sound. Sound cards are usually included with CD-ROM drives.
- Soundblaster
- This is the best known family of sound cards for the computers.
- Midi
- This stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. This is one
way that a computer can make music. These files often have the ending
.mid
- Keyboard
- A hardware device consisting of a number of mechanical buttons
(keys) which the user presses to input characters to a computer
- CPU
- This stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the part of the
computer which controls all the other parts. The CPU fetches
instructions from memory and decodes them. This may cause it to transfer
data to or from memory or to cativate peripherials to perform input or
output.
- FPS
- This stands for Frames Per Second. This is a way of measuring the
recording and playback rate of digital movies and videos
- Hard Disk
- This is also known as a hard drive. A hard drive is made up of one
or more magnetic discs rotating about a central axle. The hard drive can
read data or write data to these discs.
- Ports
- Ports are sockets in the computer that allow the user to connect it
to other devices, such as a printer.
- Parallel Ports
- These are generally used to connect a printer.
- Serial Port
- A serial port is required if a user wishes to use a modem.
Sometimes a mouse is connected this way as well.
- Game Port
- A game port is needed to connect joysticks, which are used mainly
for computer games.
- RAM
- This stands for Random Access Memory. These are chips inside the
computer that help to store programs and data.
- config.sys
- This is special file that extends the operating system so that it
can handle certain hardware and software.
- autoexec.bat
- This file is a special-purpose file that can be created by the user
to tailor the system to the preferences of the user.
- Scanner
- An input device that takes in an image and "digitizes" it into an
electronic image. A scanner can be used to create a computerized version
of a photo or illustration.
- Word Processor
- A program used to create and print documents (like a typewriter).
The main advantage of a word processor is its ability to make changes
easily, such as correcting spelling, adding or deleting words, or
relocating a block of text.
- Spreadsheet
- A program that manipulates numerical and strings of data in rows and
columns (known as cells). The value in a cell is calculated from a
formula which can involve other cells. A value is also recalculated
whenever a value on which it depends changes. Some programs even let the
user create graphs from the data in the cells.
Back to Guidebook
If you have any comments, suggestions, or ideas, email can be sent to:
multimedia@cs.mun.ca