by Technophobes;the Kicking;Screaming Is This Thing On?: A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers
modem the part of the computer that allows you to connect to the Internet through a phone or cable line
monitor the part of the computer that houses the screen; measured diagonally from top corner to opposite bottom corner
mouse handheld device to move the pointer on the screen
mouse buttons controls on the top of the mouse that you click to carry out a command (see click)
mouse pad a pad that sits underneath the mouse and helps you to control its movement
netbook a small portable computer designed primarily for wireless Internet access and with most but not all the features of a larger computer
netiquette network etiquette; guidelines for how to communicate your ideas or feelings via e-mail or chat rooms (for example, USING CAPS INDICATES THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING)
newbie a person that is new to using the Internet or a particular program or website
Nook a portable e-reader designed and sold by Barnes & Noble that allows you to download and read digital books, newspapers, magazines, and other electronic publications
notebook computer a smaller version of a laptop; contains no media drive
online service provider see Internet service provider
operating software the system (such as Windows Vista or Mac OSX) that organizes and manages your computer
paste an editing tool that allows you to place text that you have cut or copied
patch computer code created to correct a problem (i.e., bug) within an existing program
PC compatible software or hardware that works with a PC (vs. a Mac)
peripherals additional pieces of hardware, such as a printer or scanner, attached to the computer
personal computer any computer intended to be used by an individual (rather than, say, a large business)—includes PCs and Macs
phishing a scam e-mail sent to elicit private information from the recipient to be used for identity theft
pirated software software that has been illegally copied
pixel (abbreviated from “Picture Element”) tiny dots that together make up images on computer screens and digital photos
podcast an audio (and sometimes video) file that can be downloaded from the Internet onto a computer, smartphone, or tablet
pointer an arrow that appears on the screen and moves according to the manipulation of the mouse; also referred to as the arrow, mouse arrow, or cursor
port a place on the computer where the cable from a different computer part is plugged in
post to submit text (often in the form of a comment or update) to a blog, message board, forum, or social networking website
ppi (pixels per inch) relates to the resolution of an item as seen on the computer screen
printer allows you to print text and images from the computer
profile a webpage on a social networking site where you list your interests, hometown, and whatever other details you choose to share with your “friends,” “connections,” or “followers”—anyone who has access to your information on the site
QR code (abbreviated from “Quick Response code”) a type of matrix barcode that consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background and that, with a QR scanner or smartphone, can be used to access encoded information or serve as a link to a website
RAM (random access memory) temporary memory used when the computer is on
resolution describes the sharpness and clarity of an image
right-click a function offered on the PC mouse that allows for more advanced tasks
router a device used to route information to/from the computer and to connect networks. It also provides a firewall.
scanner a device that copies images and text and converts them into a digital image that can be stored on a computer or emailed.
scroll bar a feature that allows you to move a page up and down in order to view all its contents
scroll box a part of the scroll bar that allows you to control the movement of the page
search engine a website where you can search the rest of the web for information on a given topic
shift key a key on the keyboard that performs several functions, including typing in uppercase and highlighting text
Skype a program that allows you to call, IM, or video call other users over the Internet at no cost
smartphone a mobile phone that, in addition to making calls and texting, allows users to surf the Internet, access e-mail, download apps, take pictures, and more
SMS (short message service) see text
snail mail a nickname for mail delivered by the postal service that negatively refers to the time it takes to be delivered in contrast to the speed with which an e-mail is sent
social networking connecting with friends and family, meeting new people, and sharing ideas, photos, etc., on the Internet
soft boot to close a program or restart the computer without completely shutting it down
spam unsolicited commercial/junk e-mail
spyware software that covertly gathers user information when connected to the Internet without the user’s knowledge
SSL (secure sockets layer) a format for transmitting private documents over the Internet. It uses a cryptographic system that involves two keys.
streaming allows you to play audio or video without it being completely downloaded first
surfing the net traveling the Internet from site to site
surge protector protects the computer from irregular electrical currents
synch an abbreviation for “synchronize.” In the context of smartphones and computers, it means to transfer information to and from the devices so they have identical copies.
tablet a small, lightweight portable computer contained entirely in a flat screen that has many, but not all of the features of a full-size personal computer and is often equipped with a rotatable touchscreen instead of a keyboard or mouse
task bar the bar that appears at the bottom of a PC screen that contains the start button as well as access to other programs and features
text to send a short text message on your cell phone
title bar the bar that appears at the top of a window and indicates the name of the software program and the document; also contains the close box
touch point type of mouse used on a laptop that uses a small rubber button for control (see mouse)
touchscreen a computer monitor or device screen that can be operated by finger touch
trackball type of mouse that uses a ball for control (see mouse)
tweet a post written on Twitter that contains 140 characters or less
Twitter a social networking website where users post messages of limited length and “follow” whoever’s thoughts are of interest to them
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) a technical name for a website address
upgrading hardware increasing the memory capacity or functionality of the computer
upgrading software installing a new and improved version of a software program already installed on the computer
upload to transfer data or files from a computer to a network (for example, transfer photos from your computer to a website)
USB (universal serial bus) the most common type of port on a computer; used to plug in a printer, scanner, etc.
user name see login name
user password see login password
virus a problem on the computer created by malcontented computer geeks. Viruses are meant to damage computers and are spread by opening e-mail attachments or links or using someone else’s disks.
virus protection software see antivirus program
webcam a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer where they can be viewed online
web page any page that follows the home page of a website
welcome page see home page
WEP (wired equivalent privacy) data encryption that utilizes a password to protect wireless communication
wi-fi (wireless fidelity) enables a c
omputer, e-reader, smartphone, among other devices, to connect to the Internet without being tethered to a modem
window the visual frame that appears on your computer screen to contain an application
Windows Vista the operating system used on more recent PCs
Windows XP the operating system used on older PCs
World Wide Web (www) a cyberspace library of information organized by website
worm a program, not unlike a virus, that replicates itself over a computer network and usually performs malicious actions
WPA (wi-fi protected access) see WEP
wrist pad a pad placed in front of a keyboard or mouse pad that helps position your hands in a way that prevents wrist strain
zoom box the box on a Mac title bar where you click to increase the size of a window
Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac
Command + A (select all)
Command + B (bold)
Command + C (copy)
Command + Control + F2 (control menu bar with the keyboard)
Command + Control + F3 (control the dock with the keyboard)
Command + End (bottom)
Command + F (find)
Command + F2 (print preview)
Command + F4 (close document)
Command + G (find next)
Command + Home (top)
Command + I (italic font)
Command + M (minimize)
Command + N (new document)
Command + O (open file)
Command + Option + L (spell check)
Command + P (print)
Command + Q (quit)
Command + S (save)
Command + V (paste)
Command + X (cut)
Command + Y (redo)
Command + Z (undo)
PC
ALT + F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
ALT + Tab (Switch between the open items)
CTRL + A (Select all)
CTRL + C (Copy)
CTRL + Down Arrow (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
CTRL + ESC (Display the Start menu)
CTRL + Left Arrow (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
CTRL + Right Arrow (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
CTRL + Up Arrow (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
CTRL + V (Paste)
CTRL + X (Cut)
CTRL + Z (Undo)
F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
F2 key (Rename the selected item)
F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
Windows Logo + D (Display the desktop)
Windows Logo + F (Search for a file or a folder)
Windows Logo + M (Minimize all of the windows)
Index
A
abbyandme.com, 177, 213, 263, 293, 295, 335, 370, 373, 400
Acer customer service, 414
action buttons, 173
address book, 194, 379–380
Adobe Acrobat portable document file (.pdf), 246, 306
Adobe Photoshop, 263
A: Drive, 16, 17, 407
ads, website, 174, 328
air conditioners, 44
airline tickets, 357–359
align left/right icons, 208
amazon.com, 330
Amazon Kindle, 395–398, 421
American Bar Association, 347
American Council of the Blind, 22
American Foundation for the Blind, 22
America Online (AOL), 70, 414
Android (Droid) phones, 388–389
annualcreditreport.com, 220
antiques websites, 416
anti-spyware software, 229
antivirus software, 411, 414, 418
Apple (company), 418
Apple customer service, 414
Apple Macintosh computer. See Mac
Apple Works document (.cwk), 246, 306
application software. See also specific types
about, 24–25, 418
apps, 384–385, 418
buying considerations, 27, 68–69
cost of, 69
customer service numbers, 414
installing, 25–26
manufacturers and technical support, 414
preinstalled, 60, 67, 92
software “suites,” 197–198
types of, 24, 68
upgrading, 28–29
applications window, icons in, 156–157
apps (applications), 384–385, 418
arrow (cursor)
becoming a hand, 109, 123, 174, 241
changing into I-beam, 109, 123, 203
changing speed settings, 147, 160
flashing vertical line, 202
left-facing, 137
right and left, 109, 140
shape changes and mouse functions, 12, 104, 109, 123
two-ended, 109, 140, 142
up-and-down, 109, 141
arrow keys, 13, 164, 418
ATM PIN, 218
attachments
about, 241, 418
common file formats, 246, 306
opening, 244–245, 412
receiving (downloading), 242–246
safety precautions, 242–243, 412
saving, 244–245
scanning for viruses, 243
sending (uploading), 247–249
too large to open, 245, 250
unrecognized file format, 245–246
AT&T customer service, 414
auction websites, 352–356, 416
audiobooks, 390
B
back arrow, 181
background, changing, 148–149, 161
“backing up” computer, 260–262, 318
back pain, 44
backspace key, 103, 104, 191
banks
giving information to, 222, 361
online banking, 184, 225, 360–362, 363
online registration, 360–361
PIN numbers, 218
Barnes & Noble Nook, 395, 396, 422
batteries
cell phone, 377
digital camera, 264
extending life of, 377
iPod, 392
laptop, 34, 35
wireless keyboard or mouse, 403
Bcc: (blind carbon copy), 191, 239
Better Business Bureau, 347
biddingforgood.com, 353
bid siphoning, 355
bill paying online, 360–362, 363
Bing, 323
bits per second (bps), 418
BlackBerry phones, 385–387, 388
blockbuster.com, 367
blogger.com, 296
blogsearch.google.com, 295–296
blogs (web logs), 295–297, 302, 416, 418
Bluetooth technology, 387, 401, 418
bold type, 207
bookmarks (favorites), 179, 327, 418
“booting up” the computer, 405–407, 418
bridge game websites, 373
brightness control, 107, 117
britannica.com, 333
broadband connection, 418. See also high-speed connections
Brother International customer service, 414
browsers, 172, 418
browsing history, clearing, 338
bug (error or defect), 418
“burning” data, 27–28, 260–262, 318
busy signals, 17, 172
bytes, 15, 16, 418
C
cable (Internet) connection, 17
cables, computer, 18, 97
cameras. See also digital cameras on cell phones, 383
Canon customer service, 414
capital letters, 171, 195
caps lock key, 171, 418
carpal tunnel syndrome, 82
carpeting, computer safety and, 43, 411–412
car websites, 416
/>
“case sensitivity,” 170–171, 325
cats, 43, 44
Cc: (carbon copy), 191
C: Drive. See hard drive (C: Drive)
CDs (compact discs)
about, 25
“burning” data onto, 27–28, 260–262, 318
CD-R, defined, 418
CD-ROM (read-only memory), 151, 418
CD-RW (re-writable), 57, 418
ejecting from drive, 152, 163
inserting into drive, 16, 26, 151–152, 162
installing software from, 25–26
music, listening to, 151–152, 162–163
storing and organizing, 412
transferring data onto, 27–28, 260–262
cell phones, 375–383. See also smartphones
adjusting settings on, 381–382
batteries, 377
Bluetooth technology and, 387, 401
buttons on, 378–379
buying strategies, 376–377
cameras on, 383
etiquette, 389–390
features, 376–377, 381–382
keyboards, 380
looking up phone numbers, 338
making phone calls on, 378–379
on/off button, 378
signal strength, 376
storing phone numbers on, 379–380
styles and sizes, 376–377
text messaging on, 382, 401
using while driving, 389
voicemail on, 380–381
vs. smartphones, 383–384
cellular network signals, 395
center icon, 208
“Certificate of Authenticity,” 102
chairs, 40, 41
chat rooms, 292–294, 418
children, and computer use, 186, 411
circle icon, 109
classifiedads.com, 356
classified websites, 356, 416
click and drag maneuver, 130, 131, 134, 141, 155, 419
click, defined, 419
click, drag, and drop maneuver, 310–311, 318
clip art, 356
close box, 107, 113, 115, 121–122, 123, 125–126, 419
cloud, defined, 419
cnn.com, 370
collapse box, 125, 419
.com (commercial websites), 176
communication
emoticons, 236
shortcuts, 267
software for, 24, 197
community websites, 416
compressed data file (.zip), 246, 306
computer case
“brain” of computer, 14–16
components contained in, 14–15
defined, 419
“on” switch, 100
shapes and sizes, 14
tower case, 14, 40
computer classes, 9
