Blog da Teacher Leila

Termos usados na internet

Computer Vocabulary

anti-virus software - A program that finds and removes viruses from a computer.

backup - A copy of files from a computer's hard disk, usually made on some external medium such as CD-ROM or flash drive. A backup is made in case the hard disk file(s) are erased or damaged.

bit, bytes - A bit is the smallest piece of information that computers use. For simplicity, a PC uses bits in groups of 8 called bytes (8 bits = 1 byte).

Bluetooth - a way of communicating wirelessly over short distances between electronic devices (for example computer and mobile telephone)

boot, boot up, boot disk - You boot (or boot up) your computer when you switch it on and wait while it prepares itself. Instructions for startup are given to the computer from the boot disk, which is usually the hard disk.

browser, to browse - A browser is a program like Firefox or Internet Explorer. You use it to view or browse the Internet.

bug - A (small) defect or fault in a program.

cache - A kind of memory used to make a computer work faster.

CD-ROM - A disk for storing computer information.

CPU - Central Processing Unit. This is a PC's heart or "brains".

data - usually means the information (text, pictures, audio etc) that you create or share on a computer, as opposed to the programs that manipulate the data.

driver - A small program that tells a PC how a peripheral works.

ebook - an electronic book that can be downloaded and read on a computer or other device.

electronic mail (email, e-mail) - Messages sent from one computer to another. You can see email on the screen or print it out.

file - a specific computer record; it could contain data such as text (eg essay.doc), or a program such as paint.exe.

folder (directory) - A sub-division of a computer's hard disk into which you put files.

font - A particular sort of lettering (on the screen or on paper). Arial is a font. Times New Roman is another.

format - All hard disks have to be electronically prepared for use by a process called formatting. Hard disks are pre-formatted by the computer manufacturer. 

hard disk - The main disk inside a computer used for storing programs and information. It is hard because it is metal. 

hotspot - an area that has an available wireless signal for Internet access (usually public).

icon - A small image or picture on a computer screen that is a symbol for folders, disks, programs etc.

Internet - International network of computers that you connect to by telephone line. Two popular services of the Internet are the World Wide Web and electronic mail.

iPad - a tablet computer created by Apple.

Kb, Mb, Gb - kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes. Used to measure computer memory and storage.

Kindle - a device for downloading and reading ebooks, developed by Amazon.com.

memory - Memory is for the temporary storing of information while a computer is being used. 

modem - Equipment connected to a computer for sending/receiving digital information by telephone line.

notebook - a notebook computer; a laptop computer; a folding, portable computer.

operating system (OS) - The basic software that manages a computer (for example, Windows 7, OS X, Unix, iOS).

palmtop - a computer that is small enough to sit on the palm of the hand.

pixel - The image that you see on the screen is made of thousands of tiny dots, points or pixels.

RAM, ROM - Two types of memory. RAM (Random Access Memory) is the main memory used while the PC is working. RAM is temporary. ROM (Read Only Memory) is for information needed by the PC and cannot be changed.

scanner - Equipment for converting paper documents to electronic documents that can be used by a computer.

smartphone - a mobile phone that includes a palmtop computer or PDA and also gives access to Internet and email.

tablet - a tablet computer; a mobile computer consisting of a screen only, and controlled by touching the screen.

USB - abbreviation of "universal serial bus"; a standardized connection for attaching devices to computers etc.

USB flash drive - a small, external device for storing data

virus - A small, unauthorized program that can damage a PC.

Wi-Fi - a system for communicating without wires over a computer network.

World Wide Web, WWW, the Web - WWW are initials that stand for World Wide Web. The Web is one of the services available on the Internet. It lets you access millions of pages through a system of links. Because it is "world-wide", it was originally called the World Wide Web or WWW.

The word "Internet" is often written in capital letters

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/the_internet.htm