Information Sheets

Title: Computer specification and "Jargon-Buster" Glossary
Date of issue: 07/11/02
Number: 1
Author: Neil Ashmore:
Updated by Russell Curgenven (01/11/2005)

Computer specification and "Jargon-Buster" Glossary

This information is intended to help CRN members with limited knowledge of computers work out what they need to look for in a computer.

A Glossary is included at the end to help interpret any jargon…

A desktop computer (or PC for Personal Computer) comprises:-
1. A base unit (containing all the main electronics, (the brain).
2. A display or visual display unit (VDU) - the screen - to see information!
3. A keyboard - to type information in!
4. A mouse - essential to use a modern computer with ease.
A printer may be added if required.

A laptop or notebook computer is a compact and portable 'All-in-one' version of a desktop and will usually have all above in one unit.  They tend to be more expensive than the equivalent desktop computer, but this is offset by their portability allowing you to work anywhere.  Issues to bear in mind in addition to the requirements for the desktop above is the weight of the notebook and it's maximum battery life between recharges.  For a new battery this is usually up to 4 hours though very modern machines can run for up to 8 hours on a full charge.

BASIC MINIMUM for a PC to be usable to access the internet, read and write emails, word documents and spreadsheets:-
· A Pentium or equivalent CPU with clock speed of 500MHz or more (the less this speed is, the slower the performance will be - see below)
· 64Mbytes of RAM (preferably 256Mb or more if possible - again this will affect the speed at which the PC handles larger, complex documents)
· HDD with 10Gbyte (10,000Mbytes) capacity or more.
· 14 inch or larger screen (VDU)
· Mouse and keyboard
· A CD-ROM drive
· A Modem card, USB port or LAN network card. (This is dependent upon your type of Internet conmection.  You'll need a modem for a telephone dialup connection, or if you are going to connect to the Internet using a broadband connection you will need either a USB port or a LAN network port dependent upon your broadband providers recommended modem).

The base unit will have some or all of the following basic components:-

1. Processor, E.g. "Pentium, Pentium ll, AMD-K6 or Cyrix 6x86", etc. This will have a "clock speed" measured in Mega Hertz (MHz). The higher this speed the faster the computer will perform.
See processors (CPU types and speeds), below for more info.

2. RAM (Random Access Memory), measured in Mega Bytes. This is needed to hold whatever you are currently working on. The contents of RAM are lost when the computer is switched off. The more RAM a PC has the faster it will operate, especially with modern, sophisticated programs.

3. HDD (Hard Disk Drive). This stores the programmes and the data on the computer. Anything smaller than 10 Gigabyte (Gb) will, in general, not be very useful. A Gigabyte (Gb) is 1,000 Megabytes.

4. CD-ROM - device to read CD's. Most programs are installed by CD, so a CD-ROM is pretty much essential in a computer these days.

5. Modem card - this is used to access the Internet using an ordinary phone line (and see Network card below).

6. Network card - a card used to link computers together and/or to access the internet using a high-speed system.

7. USB port - a connection used to link computers to other peripherals.  I.e. modem, printer etc and/or to access the internet using a high-speed system.

8. Floppy disk drive - useful to save and read smaller files (e.g. documents, spreadsheets, etc).

Many other options/accessories etc may be included but these are the most basic.

Processor (CPU) types and speeds

There is a bewildering array of CPU's.The clock speed in MHz (or GHz - 1 GHz = 1,000 MHz) is the most important criterion by far, other information can be ignored for basics.
The main manufacturers are Intel , AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). Others include Cyrix/IBM, Motorola & Fujitsu.
Suitable CPU types include
Intel - Pentium, Pentium MMX, Pentium Pro, Pentium ll,Pentium lll/lll Xeon, Pentium 4, Celeron, Xeon.
AMD - K5, K6, K6-lll, Athlon, Thunderbird and Duron. Cyrix - 6x86, 6x86MX.

Any CPU manufacturer/type with a clock speed of 500MHz or more will be usable (but see below). At the time of writing, the fastest clock speeds are around 3GHz (3,000MHz) and computers based on these will be very fast (and expensive). Anything less than 500MHz will be too slow, especially if using larger, complex documents - better to get 1GHz or faster if possible for anything apart from the simplest tasks.

Glossary -

Computer and related terms, most useful Selection of terms from www.jonstorm.com/glossary/ [Also see www.webopedia.com for comprehensive glossary online]

Application
Software used to carry out a particular task, such as word processing or desktop publishing. Essentially another word for program.

Bps (Bits Per Second)
A measure of how quickly information is being transferred, usually via a modem or network. Divide by ten to get an approximation of the number of characters per second (cps). See also Kbps, Mbps.

Broadband
Internet access over a connection much faster than an ordinary modem, such as ADSL or cable.

Byte
A basic unit of measurement for pieces of information; the space required to store one character. See also Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte.

CD-ROM
(Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) A misnomer, as strictly speaking it is not memory but storage. Identical to standard music CDs. Currently the most popular medium for releasing programs on, as it can hold about 450 times as much information as a standard floppy disk, about 650 Megabytes. <br>

CD-RW
(Compact Disk-ReWriter) A CD drive which can create CDs, either audio or data, using special rewriteable CDs which are also often called CD-RWs. <br>

CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The nerve centre of the computer : everything flows through it. Often just called "the processor". The best known, thanks to a barrage of advertising, is Intel's Pentium, now in its fourth incarnation, imaginatively called the Pentium 4.

Data
Any information created by a user, such as documents, pictures or sounds. Database A program used for organising any kind of information on a computer into a searchable form, anything from a list of contacts to a complex stock control system.

Desktop
A computer designed to sit on a desk (as opposed to a laptop). Disk Generic term for a type of storage device, such as a hard disk or a floppy disk (diskette). So called because the important part, where the information is actually stored, is circular, although you can't see it because it is hidden away inside a protective shell.

Email (or e-mail) (Electronic mail; pr. "e-mail")
A way to send messages between computers, or more to the point their users, either over a network or the Internet. E-mail is usually just text. Although it is possible to send pictures, sounds or even programs as e-mail, you should check with the person you are sending to first, as some e-mail systems don't accept messages over a certain size (even the longest text message is tiny compared to a picture).

Ethernet
The most popular system used to connect a computer to a network, including most broadband internet connections. The computer needs to be fitted with a suitable expansion card, usually called an Ethernet card.

Floppy disk Also known as a diskette.
Originally called floppy disks because they were round and non-rigid, but modern floppies might as well be called rigid squares, as the actual floppy disk is enclosed inside a rigid, almost square protective casing. Most programs used to be released on floppy disks, but modern programs are so large that they are now released on CD ROM instead.
Standard floppy disks have a capacity of only
1.44 Megabytes.

GHz
Gigahertz - billions of cycles per second.
Most often used as a measurement of a PC processor chip's speed and power, with bigger numbers meaning more speed and a higher price. 1000 MHz = 1.0 GigaHertz.See also MHz.

Giga
Prefix meaning a thousand million (e.g. a Gigabyte = 1,000,000,000 bytes or 1,000 Megabytes)

Gigabyte (or Gig)
Unit of measurement for pieces of information : approximately 1 billion bytes, 1 million kilobytes, or 1000 megabytes. The gigabyte is the largest measure in common use today. Sometimes shortened to "Gig" or even just G.

Hard disk
The main (and fastest and most convenient) storage for programs and data. Originally named to distinguish it from floppy disks. All PCs are fitted with hard disks, sometimes more than one. The first (or only) hard disk is usually called C: by the computer. The most popular hard disk format is called EIDE.

Hardware
The physical parts of a computer.

HD, HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
The main data storage unit in a computer. See hard disk.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company which provides a connection to the internet, or internet services.

IT (Information Technology)
What computers are all about - using technology to manage information. The computer industry is often called the IT industry, and computer departments often refer to themselves as the IT department. Byte - unit of information (e.g. a single character - a letter or number)

Kilo (k)
prefix meaning a thousand (e.g. a kilobyte = 1,000 bytes)

Kbps (KiloBits Per Second)
A measure of speed of information flow, usually over a modem. A Kilobit is a thousand bits. See also bps, Mbps.

Kilobyte
Unit of measurement for pieces of information : actually 1024 Bytes or characters, but in practice almost always rounded down to 1000. Often written as just K, eg 250 K is 250 Kilobytes (250,000 bytes/characters - well, alright not exactly, but close enough). See also Megabyte, Gigabyte.

LAN (Local Area Network; pr."lan")
A network of computers connected together, usually in a single department or building. See also WAN.

Laptop
A portable PC, with system unit, screen and keyboard crammed into one small package. They can do everything a desktop PC can do, but are substantially more expensive because of the extra miniaturisation required. Also called a notebook.

Mbps (MegaBits Per Second)
A measure of speed of information flow over a network (and if it's measured in Mbps, it's pretty quick.) A Megabit is one million bits. See also bps, Kbps.

Mega
Prefix meaning a million (e.g. a Megabyte = 1,000,000 bytes)

Megabyte
Unit of measurement for pieces of information : approximately 1 million bytes or a thousand kilobytes. Often shortened to Meg or just M. See also Gigabyte, Kilobyte, Byte. MegaHertz See MHz.

Memory Also known as RAM.
Where the computer holds whatever you are currently working on. The contents of memory are lost when the computer is switched off.

MHz (Megahertz).
Millions of cycles per second. Most often used as a measurement of a PC processor chip's speed and power, with bigger numbers meaning more speed and a higher price. See also GHz.

Microsoft
By far the largest software provider for PCs, they created Windows, Microsoft Office (which includes Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint), Internet Explorer and many other widely used programs.

Modem (MOdulator/DEModulator)
A device for allowing computers to communicate over a phone line. May be either an expansion card, or an external device plugged into one of the serial ports.

Monitor
The screen of a PC.

Motherboard
The main circuit board in the computer - all other bits and pieces are plugged into it.

Mouse
A device used to move a pointer around on the computer screen. Essential to get the most out of Windows, though it is not quite impossible to use Windows without one.

Network
A way of linking several computers together so that their users can share resources such as printers and documents, often via a central computer called a server. See also LAN, WAN.

Network card, Network Interface Card (NIC)
An Expansion card which lets a PC communicate with a network, required for broadband Internet access. See also Ethernet. Notebook - see Laptop Online Connected to the internet.

Palmtop
A small computer which fits into the palm of your hand. They run similar software to conventional PCs, but (unlike notebook PCs) are more limited in what they can do than desktop PCs, because of the constraints of miniaturisation.

PC (Personal Computer)
Originally just short for "personal computer", PC is now an industry standard, partly evolved in the marketplace, partly agreed annually by a committee of the major players in the computer industry.

Pentium
The best known PC processor (or CPU), manufactured by Intel. The latest generation is the Celeron. Pentium MMX, Pentium Pro, Pentium ll, Pentium lll, Pentium 4 are previous 'incarnations'

Peripheral
Anything that plugs into the computer, such as keyboard, printer etc.

Processor
The nerve centre of the computer : everything flows through it. Also called the CPU. The best known are Intel's Pentium and AMD's Athlon. The most important single specification on any PC is the speed of its processor, measured in megahertz (MHz), or gigahertz (GHz).

Program
A program is essentially a list of instructions that tell a computer how to do something - any word processor, spreadsheet, database, game or any other tool you may use on a computer is a program (often a group of programs). Also called software.

RAM (Random Access Memory)
The computer's main memory, which it uses to hold whatever you are currently working on. The contents of RAM are lost when the computer is switched off.

Scanner
A device which makes copies of printed images and text to use on a computer. Server A computer at the centre of most networks which provides files and other services to other computers. Also known as a file server.

Software
The programs that run on a computer. Without software a computer can't do anything.

Sound card (or soundcard)
An expansion card which enables the PC to make sounds more sophisticated than a simple "beep!". Almost all modern PCs are fitted with sound cards; nowadays they are often built into the motherboard instead of being added as an expansion card.

Spreadsheet
A program used for calculations and setting up financial balance sheets, indispensable for accountants and managers. The best known are Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3.

Storage
The generic term for any method of storing information which is not lost when the computer is switched off; the most common types are hard disks, CD ROMs, and floppy disks.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A new type of serial port (or connector), faster and more versatile than its predecessors. Used to attach extra devices such as a scanner to a PC. Fitted on new PCs from around 1998. USB 2.0 is a faster version of the same thing.

Virus
A program that has been deliberately created to cause computer problems, usually minor ones as a prank, but occasionally very nasty ones indeed, such as erasing your entire hard disk. Viruses were originally designed to attach themselves to programs on a disk, and then "hide" in the computer's memory once the host program is executed, and "infect" every disk they come across. Some types of virus (such as the famous "I love you") propagate by email, disguised as an attachment, which is why you should never open an attachment you are unsure of. A Trojan is a type of virus.

Virus protector
A program which guards against computer viruses, either by lurking in memory as a TSR and checking everything you run for viruses as you go along, or by scanning some or all of the files on either hard or floppy disk at a time you specify. Virus protectors need to be updated frequently to guard against new types of virus. Freely and quite effective Antiviral programs are available. I.e. AVG - www.grisoft.com

WAN (Wide Area Network)
A sort of group of networks, or LANs, connected together.

Website
A page or group of pages on the World Wide Web.

Windows
A family of operating systems from the Microsoft Corporation, standard on most PCs. Windows 95, 98 and ME (Millenium Edition) are three generations of the version intended mainly for home use; Windows NT and 2000 are intended more for use in office and network environments, supposedly more robust but usually requiring a more powerful computer. The latest version is Windows XP, intended to bring the two different "flavours" together in a unified whole.

Word Processor
A program used for creating any kind of document. By far the best known is Microsoft Word, although there are free alternatives available. I.e. AbiWord - www.abisource.com or OpenOffice - www.openoffice.org .

World Wide Web (WWW or just "the Web")
The easiest part of the Internet to understand and use, the World Wide Web consists of many millions of pages of text and images published by anyone and everyone, from governments and large corporations down to the humblest home user, in a standardised hypertext format. A particular person or company's area is called a website. Viewed with a program called a browser. Wandering around the World Wide Web is often called Websurfing or just surfing.