 Left: JPEG
for the web image.
Basic Computer Terminology
by Ginger Rosenkrans
Bit: the
smallest unit of data transmitted on computers. Computer language is created in
digits of 2 numbers (1 and 0), called binary system. One bit is a binary digit.
Byte: a string
of 8 bits--the unit of data needed to store one character (e.g., a byte to make
letter A requires 8 digits 01000001.
dpi or ppi: dots per inch or pixels per inch.
Megabyte: One
million bytes of data storage. A document that contains 1 million bytes is equal
o one megabyte of storage. Floppy disk=1.4 megabytes of storage or space. ZIP
disks=100 megabytes
Gigabytes: a
billion bytes.
RAM: Random Access Memory. The amount of memory a computer has to run
programs.
BMP: a 3-character filename extension for Microsoft
Windows bitmap. See bitmap.
Pixels: picture element. Pixels are the tiny dots
that make up the computer screen. Each pixel has an intensity level and a
specific color.
Bitmap:
the
picture formed by assigning different colors to the pixels on a computer file
that specifies how to color the pixels to create such a picture
CD-ROM:
Compact Disk Read-Only Memory. The use of a Compact Disk to store
computer data . CD-ROMs can hold up to 700 MB
DVD: Digital
Versatile Disk. An optical storage medium that uses CD-size disks (120 mm
diameter) to store 4.7 GB (giga-bytes) per layer, which is seven times more than
a CD can hold. Dual-Layer DVDs can hold 8.5 GB on a single side, with 17 GB on a
double-sided, dual-layer disc.
Ethernet:
A
high-speed network topology that provides access at speeds up to 10 MB per
second, depending on how many users are connected to the network. Multiple users
on an Ethernet can cause data collisions, which require data to be resent,
causing the network to slow down.
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