AlphaSmart
A portable textwriting device with storage space for word processing documents that can be uploaded into a computer's word processing program(s).

     AverKey
A hardware device that converts computer images to a TV monitor for increased viewability.

     boot
To turn on your computer.

     cables
A flexible wire or bundle of wires, usually metal, insulated with plastic or rubber, and having connectors on the ends. The network patch cables connect your computer's central processing unit to the network via adapter plugs that look like telephone jack adapters.

     control panel
A window on the computer that is used to adjust settings such as mouse speed, screen colors, speaker volume, communications, etc.

     disk
A data storage area: a flat rotating disc covered on one or both sides with some magnetisable material. The two main types are the hard disk (your computer's main memory) and the floppy disk

     hyperlink
Displayed text that opens a viewable web page when clicked on by the user.

     logged in/logged on
To be authenticated to a network by virtue of giving user name and password. To verify login status, either right-click on the Novell network icon in the lower right-hand of your taskbar or right-click on the desktop Network Neighborhoodicon and choose "connections."

     login/logon
To start a session with a system, usually by giving a user name and password as a means of user authentication.

     network card
An adapter circuit board installed in a computer to provide a physical connection to a network.

     offline
Not directly connected to the computer, or with connection suspended.

     output
Data transfer that goes from a computer system to an outside source.

     peripherals
Hardware devices other than the central processing unit (CPU) or working memory, i.e. disks, keyboards, monitors, mice, printers, scanners, tape drives, microphones, speakers, cameras, to list just a few of the less exotic ones.

     port
The entry/exit point for data transfer.

     queue
A first-in, first-out data structure used to sequence multiple demands for a resource such as a printer, processor or communications channel. Objects are added to the tail of the queue and taken off the head.

     reboot
To restart your computer.

     scanner
An input device that takes in an optical image and digitises it into an electronic image.

     SmartBoard
A peripheral device that converts images from a computer through a data projector for large screen multimedia display accompanied by large screen interactivity features.

     Zip drive
A disk drive from Iomega Corporation which takes removable 100 megabyte hard disks. Both internal and external drives are manufactured, making the drive suitable for backup, mass storage or for moving files between computers.