Computers have many different types of cache, but they all serve the same purpose. Cache stores information that was used recently. For example, a web browser will use a cache to store pages, images, sounds, etc. of web sites you visit on your hard drive. This will allow your computer to reload the web page information from your hard drive rather than downloading the information again from t April 16, 2008 rom your hard drive will allow the web page to be displayed faster; this usually speeds up web browsing.

Your computer also uses disk caching, which stores information you have recently read from your hard disk in the computer's RAM. Since accessing RAM is much faster than reading data off the hard disk, this helps speed up common functions on your computer. One other type of cache is a processor cache, which stores small amounts of information. This helps make the processing of common instructions much more efficient, thereby speeding up computing time.

A code made up of numbers that is separated by 3 dots that identifies a particular computer on the Internet. Every computer, whether it be a web server or the computer you're using right now, requires an IP address to connect to the Internet.

Term

Description

Attachment

A file attached to an e-mail or bulletin board message.

Bookmark

A bookmark acts like a marker to a web December 1, 2006">December 1, 2006 "Bookmark". Either way a bookmark will allow you to revisit a web page at a later date without having tDecember 1, 2006

Browser

A browser, or web browser, is a program that allows people to interface to the World Wide Web. It interprets HTML code, text, images, hypertext links, Java applets, etc. allowing you to view web sites and move from one site to another. The two most popular browsers are Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Cache

Computers have many different types of cache, but they all serve the same purpose. Cache stores information that was used recently. For example, a web browser will use a cache to store pages, images, sounds, etc. of web sites you visit on your hard drive. This will allow your computer to reload the web page information from your hard drive rather than downloading the information again from tDecember 1, 2006rom your hard drive will allow the web page to be displayed faster; this usually speeds up web browsing.

Your computer also uses disk caching, which stores information you have recently read from your hard disk in the computer's RAM. Since accessing RAM is much faster than reading data off the hard disk, this helps speed up common functions on your computer. One other type of cache is a processor cache, which stores small amounts of information. This helps make the processing of common instructions much more efficient, thereby speeding up computing time.

Chat

Real-time communication between two people via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either person can enter text by typing on the keyboard, and the entered text will appear on the other person's monitor.

Cut

To remove an object from a document and place it in a temporary storage area. In word processing, for example, cut means to move a section of text from a document to a temporary area.

Default

This term is used to describe a preset value for some option in a computer program.

Download

The process of sending information to your computer from the internet or from another computer.

Firewall

A firewall is used to protect a networked server from damage by those who log in to it. This can either be a computer equipped with security features, software protection, or both. A firewall allows only certain messages from the Internet to flow in and out of the internal network.

Floppy Disk

Short for floppy disk drive (FDD), a disk drive that can read and write to floppy disks.

Home page

The starting point or main page of a web site. This page usually has information about the site and links to other pages within the site

IP Address

A code made up of numbers that is separated by 3 dots that identiDecember 1, 2006her it be a web server or the computer you're using right now, requires an IP address to connect to the Internet.

Java

Java is a computer programming language developed by Sun Microsystems.

Login

User name or a code that identifies you to a certain server. It is often used in conjunction with a password to verify who is accessing the server.

Netiquette

Netiquette, or net etiquette, refers to etiquette on the Internet. Based on the Golden Rule, good netiquette is basically not doing anything online that will annoy or frustrate other people. Three areas where good netiquette is highly stressed are e-mail, online chat, and newsgroups.

Netscape

An example of browser software that allows you to design a home page and to browse links on the Internet.

Internet Explorer

An example of browser software that allows to browse links on the Internet.

Operating System

Usually referred to as the "OS", this is the software that actually "talks" with computer's hardware. Without an operating system, all software programs would be useless. The OS is what allocates memory, processes tasks, accesses disks and peripherals, and acts as the user interface.

Paste

To copy an object from a temporary storage area on your computer to a file. In word processing, text is moved from one place to another by cutting and pasting.

Upload

The process of sending information from your computer to the internet or to another computer.

Server

A computer with a special service function on a network, generally receiving and connecting incoming information traffic

Moodle

A tool that facilitates the creation of sophisticated World Wide Web-based educational environments by nontechnical users. It can be used to create entire on-line courses, or to simply publish materials that supplement existing courses.

Zip Drive

A high-capacity floppy disk drive developed by Iomega Corporation. Zip disks are slightly larger than conventional floppy disks and about twice as thick. They can hold 100 or 250 MB of data.