Glossary of Computer Terms

 

Sometimes the words we use when "talking computer" are confusing or have a different meaning in the real world. To help you make more sense of the language, we've put together a list of some common computer terms that will be used throughout the workshop.

• Desktop: The desktop is simply the surface of the screen, which displays objects such as icons and windows which can be opened for viewing.

• Mouse: The mouse is a small device the size of a deck of playing cards, connected to the computer by a long, flexible cable. There are one (Macintosh) or two (PC) buttons on the top of the mouse. You hold the mouse and roll it on a flat, smooth surface. A pointer on the screen (sometimes called a cursor) follows the motion of the mouse.

• Pointer: A pointer is a small image that appears on the screen and is controlled by the mouse. It is used to select text or graphic objects, and to move or resize graphic objects. The pointer can change shape as you move over different windows and objects. Common pointer shapes include the arrow, I-beam, plus sign (cross hairs), and a hand.

• Click: To click on an object, move the mouse until the pointer rests at a point on the object. Then press the (left) button on the mouse and release it.

• Double Click: A double click is often used for opening an application or a file. Rest the pointer on the point of interest, then rapidly click the (left) mouse button twice in succession.

• Select: To select a graphical object, such as an icon or a spreadsheet cell, move the pointer until the arrow rests at the point of interest and click the (left) mouse button. To select a section of text, move the pointer until the I-beam is at the beginning of the text, press and hold the (left) mouse button down, then slide the mouse until the pointer is at the end of the text. Finally, release the mouse button.

• Drag: Dragging is used to choose a menu item, move or change the size of a graphical object, or to select as section of text. To drag, position the pointer on the object, press and hold the (left) mouse button down, then slide the mouse to move the pointer. When the desired end location is reached, release the mouse button. If you drag past the desired end location, do not release the button; just move it back to the desired location, then release it.

• Menu: The menu bar holds a list of commands and appears across the top of the screen on the Macintosh and across the top of each window in Windows. To select a command, click on a specific menu title, drag down the menu until the command you want is highlighted, then release the mouse button. Many of the commands listed in a menu can also be issued from the keyboard by holding down the command key (Macintosh) or the control key (Windows) and pressing the letter which corresponds to the command that you want. The letters to press are listed next to the commands in the menu.

• Command key (Macintosh): The key to the left of the space bar - with the apple and flower-like symbol - is called the command key. It is often used in conjunction with other keys to choose menu items.

• Control key (Windows): The key below the shift key on each side of the keyboard - with the Ctrl on it - is called the command key. It is often used in conjunction with other keys to choose menu items.

• Icon: An icon is a small picture that symbolically represents something. For instance, icons are used on the desktop to represent applications, disk files, and folders, while many software applications icons are used to represent commands (menu items) and actions.

• Window: Windows are rectangles on the desktop containing icons, application programs, the contents of a file, or even other windows. Windows can be resized, moved around, and overlapped with other windows.

• Dialog Box: A dialog box is a temporary window used for making choices and setting options. For example, a Page Setup... dialog box allows you to choose the paper size and orientation of a printed document by pressing buttons. Dialog boxes usually appear in response to a commands, then disappear when you make your choice.

• Button: An active area of a dialog box. Clicking on a button causes an action or controls an option.

• Check Box: A box with accompanying text that can be toggled on and off by clicking on it. When the button is on, a check (or an x) appears in the box next to the text.

• Radio Buttons: A collection of buttons that allow you to select one option out of many. When you click on any option, that option is selected and all other options in the collection are un-selected. Radio buttons have circle in front of the button text; the circle is filled in if the option is selected.