By Riley Ferrier
CPU
 The "brains” of the computer, where most calculations
take place. Often referred to as the processor or central
processor.
RAM
 (random access memory). Memory that temporarily
stores data and instructions. Also called primary or
main memory.
Motherboard
 A printed circuit board containing the principal
components of a computer or other device, with
connectors into which other circuit boards can be
slotted.
Video/Graphics card
 A video card is used to process images so they can be
displayed on your monitor
Hard disc
 A rigid nonremovable magnetic disk with a large data
storage capacity.
Optical drive
 An optical drive is a type of computer disk drive that
reads and writes data from optical disks through laser
beaming.
Power supply
 A power supply is a hardware component that supplies
power to an electrical device. It receives power from an
electrical outlet.
Key board
 A panel of keys that operate a computer or typewriter.
Mouse
 A computer mouse is an input device that is most
often used with a personal computer. Moving a mouse
along a flat surface can move the on-screen cursor to
different items on the screen. Items can be moved or
selected by pressing the mouse buttons (called
clicking).
Printer
 A machine for printing text or pictures onto paper,
especially one linked to a computer.
Scanner
 Device that scans documents and converts them into
digital data.
Storage Devices
 a piece of computer equipment on which information
can be stored.
Audio/Sound Card
 The sound card is a component inside the computer
that provides audio input and output capabilities.
Video and Digital Cameras
 A camera that captures moving images and converts
them into electronic signals so that they can be saved
on a storage device, such as videotape or a hard drive,
or viewed on a monitor.
Network interface card
 A network interface card (NIC) is a computer circuit
board or card that is installed in a computer so that it
can be connected to a network.
Microphone
 an instrument capable of transforming sound waves
into changes in electric currents or voltage, used in
recording or transmitting sound.
The Purpose of an Operating
System
 An operating system (OS) is software that manages
computer hardware and software resources and
provides common services for computer programs. The
operating system is an essential component of the
system software in a computer system. Application
programs usually require an operating system to
function.
Common Interface Elements –
Office Programs
close
Save button
Undo redo buttons
ribbon
File tab
Minimize/ maximize
icons
Desk top
Quick launch programs
Start bar
Task bar
Open programs
System tray
Standalone vs. Network
Environments
 A standalone computer is a self-sufficient system. There is no
connection to any other computer. For various tasks such as writing a
memo or creating a spreadsheet, the software applications installed on
the standalone’s hard drive are used. The standalone may also have a
printer, scanner, or external hard drive attached to its CPU to use to
print or scan a document, or implement a backup system.
 A network computer is a computer that connects to one or more
computers for the main purpose of communicating.
For More Information
 Visit cs.sjam.ca
 Email rferrier7085@hwsdb.on.ca
 Follow me on twitter @sjamcs