Basic Computer Lingo

Although the computer has been around for so many years, a lot of people are still intimidated in using this. Perhaps it may be easy for the rest of the connected populace but for the uninitiated it could become their worst experience. To understand or use anything, you need to know the basic terms that are associated with it. In this case when you ask someone to teach you about using a computer you will not get lost in those technological jargon. We have listed some terms and definitions that is commonly use in the world of computers.

First up let’s define "Hardware". This refers to the physical aspect of the computer. As the term implies these are the hard things that you could touch and feel. Commonly associated with this is the “Software”. The software is the application that helps you to use the computer in the way you want. You will need computer software to write letters, browse the internet, listen to music, or watch a movie. Software oftentimes comes from CD-rom disc or could sometimes be taken from the internet. A good example of software is the Microsoft Internet Explorer and the Microsoft Word program.

The "Operating System" is the one that makes your computer utilize the different programs you have. Without the operating system the programs in the computer will not work. Example of these are Microsoft Windows 98/2003/XP/Vista  and Linux operating system

Now you often hear of the term “Drivers”. No, this is not all associated to automobiles rather this is about operating specific devices in your computer. These programs are required to run devices like the webcams or printers. Drivers for device are usually pre-loaded in your computer. Just in case it is not you could install it using drivers contained in the CD’s when you buy any computer device. Or you could go to the manufacturer’s website and get the drivers from there.

“Download” is when you are receiving a file from outside sources. It could be another computer or from the internet. Many files could be downloaded including applications, documents, drivers, music etc. “Upload” is just the opposite of download. In this case you are the one sending a file to an outside source. For example, you have created a blog in your computer. You need to upload it to the blog site so that it could be seen by everybody.

“File” could be any information that you save in your computer. This could be huge like a 1000 page book or tiny as in a single letter long. A lot of items could be saved as a file; it could be a photo, music, video, etc. Usually extensions are used to identify the type of file that you save. Extensions are the three letters that is found after the “dot” in the file name. Typical extensions are .doc for documents in Microsoft Word, .jpeg for picture files, .exe for executable files.

These are some of the basic things you need to learn for you to comfortably work with computers. Practice will be the key to master its usage and functions.

Bruno Auger

Tags: internet explorer, download, hardware, software, Microsoft windows vista, upload, operating system, file