Students Of Success

EEK! A Mouse on My Desk? A Wizard in My Window! What is this
STUFF? By: Janet L. Hall

I sometimes forget, as many of you might, that not everyone I
talk or write to is as knowledge as I am using a computer or the
Internet. Now I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I do have a
lot of experience.

My computer experience started long before PC’s were on every
desk or the Internet. At first I was a key card operator. I
typed information onto a long card, a Holerith. Some of you
might remember these cards in your phone or utility bill. DO NOT
BEND, FOLD, STAPLE, or PUNCH!

I went from punching cards to teaching a software program,
ALL-IN-1. Then for almost eight years I didn’t go near a
computer. A mouse, what’s that? Windows, Instant Messaging,
Internet, Browser – I didn’t have a clue!! However because of
the limited knowledge I had acquired, I soon found myself able
to figure out and maneuver my way around a computer and the
Internet.

You are probably wondering why I’m telling you all this.

Well, last year when I was at a conference, I heard many of the
attendees asking, “Do I really need a web site or email for my
business? I don’t even know what a browser is, let alone HTML
code!”

Not everyone has the experience that you or I might. Everyday
thousands of people are turning on a computer for the first time
or getting on the Internet for the first time. Or worse, fed up
and frustrated because they don’t have any help. So here in the
Computer Corner I’d like to start a new series starting with
definitions and then taking you step-by-step through the world
of owning and creating a web site.

Ready?

Address-Location of a file or Web Page. On the Internet, also
know as the URL. Backup-Save your computer information on your
hard drive that you save to another form of media. Boot-To start
up your computer Browser-Sometimes called a Web Browser. This is
the software program you use to move around the Internet, such
as Internet Explorer, Netscape. Cache-Temporary storage area for
Windows and Internet places recently used files, or pages
visited. Case Sensitive-The difference between upper case
letters and lower case letters, such as JANET or janet.
CD-ROM-Computer Disc Read-Only Memory. High capacity storage.
Also known as a CD. CD-ROM Drive-Hardware device needed to use a
CD. Can be internal or external. Click-Press and release the
left or right side of your mouse. Clipboard-Temporary stored
information that you’ve Cut or Copied from a program, file, or
document that you might want to paste into another program,
file, or document. Command Prompt-symbol that looks like C: or
A:. A place where you might need to type instructions –
commands. CPU-Central Processing Unit, Chip in your computer
that’s responsible for executing program instructions.
Cursor-Little blinking line on your computer screen that shows
you where you are or where your next letter will appear when you
type. Default-predicted setting, such as whenever you create a
document, the font and font size are always the same setting
unless you change it. Defragmentation-Process of rewriting files
to adjacent sections of a hard disk. Parts of files can become
fragmented – spread over different areas of your hard disk
(drive) which causes slower disk speed. Dial-Up Network-A way to
connect to the Internet through a modem and telephone lines.
Directory- Disk Drive-Hardware where your files are stored,
typically labeled C: or (C:). Download-Copy files from one
computer to another, such as download a file or program from the
Internet to your computer. Driver-Software to control hardware,
such as a print driver. DSL- DVD-High-capacity compact disc that
can store data. Must have a DVD disc drive or player.
E-Mail-Electronic messages sent over the Internet or a network.
Favorite-Link to a favorite Web page you have saved the address
to. Think of this as a shortcut to pages you like to visit often
but don’t want to remember or type the address in each time you
want to visit. HTML-Hypertext Markup Language is a language used
to create Web pages. Sometimes referred to as HTML Code. Home
Page-Introductory or *main * page of a Web site. Icon-Picture
representing a program, or other items, such as the icon on your
desktop of MY Computer. Internet-Worldwide network of computers
Internet Service Provider (ISP)-Company that provides you with
Internet access using your modem or other * connecting *device,
such as DSL. Link-Text, usually blue, or a picture you can click
on to go (move or jump) from one location to another. Log
On-Identifying yourself to gain access to a computer or a Web
site, usually requiring you to type in your user name and a
password. Menu-List of commands or options that appear at the
top of most windows. Menu bar-Bar at top of screen that contains
command buttons File, Edit, View, etc. Modem-Hardware to
transmit data from one computer to another using a phone line.
Mouse-Hardware Mouse Pointer-Sometimes referred to as Pointer.
An icon, usually an arrow that appears on your screen and is
controlled by the mouse. Move your pointer to click on a menu,
link, icon, etc. Network-Two or more connected computers that
are used to share resources. Reboot-To restart your computer
without shutting down completely. Right-Click-The right button
on a mouse when clicked will display a shortcut menu. Search
Engine-Tool that searches the Web for information you are
looking for. Shortcut-Icon that links to a file, folder, or
program. Shut Down-Command that lets your computer know you are
about to turn it off. Taskbar-Tool to navigate and open
programs. Usually located at the bottom of your screen. Contains
the Start button and other icons. Toolbar-Set of buttons you can
click on to perform tasks. Universal Serial Bus-USB. Hardware
for external device connections. URL (Uniform Resource
Locator)-address, usually starts with http:// Window-Portion of
screen that displays what you are looking at or what you have
open. Wizard-Tool or instructions that will walk you through a
task. World Wide Web (Web)-Graphical multimedia portion of the
Internet.

I couldn’t possibly list all computer definitions in this
article but I hope this small list will help you understand some
of the terms and abbreviations that are second nature to some of
us. (that means grin! But that’s another lesson).

They are many places on the Internet where you can find computer
dictionaries but don’t forget you can click on Help at the top
of your screen and click on Index and type in a definition or
term you are looking for.

Smiles, not Piles, Janet L. Hall is a Professional Organizer,
Speaker, and Author and owner of OverHall Consulting. She has
developed “The 5 W’s of Organizing, a TEASER, and a “TICKLE”ã”.
She has written two organizing booklets, writes for several
Internet magazines, conducts teleclasses, and has a FREE monthly
organizing newsletter, OverHall IT! At
http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm To find out more about
her services and products, please visit her web site at
http://www.overhall.com Copyright Ó 2000 by OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved.
Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long
as article is kept intact, this copyright notice and full
information about contacting the author is attached.