NAME:______

ETEC 546 - Quiz 3 - Computer Terminology

______- Network - A term used to describe when many computers (both PC's and larger "mainframe" computers) are linked together to share the same software and other devices (printers, hard disks, etc.). Most networks involve one master computer (a network "server") and several "local", minicomputers", or desktop computers called "stations", "clients", "terminals", etc.).

______- The computer is wired into a number of computer stations (terminals) so that many people can work with the computer. Minicomputers: They are computers just as powerful as the mainframe in many cases, but require less space. Microcomputers are also used in organizations and are wired to a number of terminals so that many people can use them.

______- The computers with which you are probably most familiar are microcomputers. Microcomputers are small computers that are normally used by one person at a time. At home, they are used for activities such as games, typing (word processing), and budgeting. At school, the microcomputer can be used to assist with instruction and teach programming.

______- An acronym for "Disk Operating System", which is the software that the entire philosophy of IBM and compatibles is based. This software is required to run these types of systems. DOS-operated software programs typically required fewer system resources (hard drive disk (HDD) space, RAM, and processor speed "Megahertz") than Windows, but are also typically less powerful and graphical. The new Windows 95 operating system includes a "DOS Shell" but does not require DOS (as we know it) to run the computer.

______- A user-defined/created section of the storage media (hard and floppy drives). Each program and resulting data should be in their own directory. Many DOS commands use the initials of actual directory commands, such as "make director" (md), "remove directory" (rm), and "change directory" (cd). The MAC equivalent to the DOS directory is Folder. PC Windows platforms also use Folder.

______- A labeling system for computer files. In DOS, filenames are limited to an 8- character main filename and three character extension (separated with a period). An example, "joe.doc". This is also true for PC Windows platforms. The main filename should be fairly descriptive, with the extension either continuing that description or tying it to a particular software package (i.e., MSWord's extension for documents). Windows 95 can bypass this 8-3 character name limitation.

______- A graphical user interface (GUI) based software operating system created by Microsoft Corporation that uses a mouse (a pointing/selecting device) and icons (pictures of programs/applications). Windows programs have many advantages (more powerful, more visual, more interactive, and more applications operation at once); and disadvantages (greater hardware requirements, such as more hard drive disk space, more RAM, and slower operating speeds) when related to regular DOS-based programs. Current versions in use include 3.1, 3.11, NT, and Windows95.

______- Garbage in garbage out.

______- What you see is what you get.

______- Joint Photographic Expert Group.

______- Motion Picture Expert Group.