Digital Devices, Applications, and Computer Health & Safety

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering computer health and ergonomics, digital device classifications, core hardware components, operating systems, word processing and keyboarding, digital media formats, and open-source software ethics.

Computer Health and Safety

The practices and precautions taken to protect physical and mental well-being while using computers and other digital devices, including preventing injuries and promoting a healthy relationship with technology.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Injuries or disorders that affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and joints, commonly caused by poor computer habits such as awkward posture or slouching.

Eye Strain

A condition caused by prolonged staring at a computer screen that tires the eye muscles, with symptoms including dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, difficulty focusing, and sensitivity to light.

Melatonin

A hormone regulating sleep whose production can be disrupted by blue light emitted by computer screens and other digital devices, leading to sleep disturbances.

Ergonomics

The practice of designing and arranging your workspace to fit your body comfortably and safely.

20-20-20 Rule

An eye relaxation technique where every $20$ minutes, you look at an object at least $20\text{ feet}$ away for $20\text{ seconds}$.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Pain and damage in the hands and wrists caused by repetitive motions, which can be mitigated by keeping wrists straight and elbows close to the body while typing or mousing.

Digital Device

An electronic machine that receives, processes, stores, and transmits data using binary code ($1\text{s}$ and $0\text{s}$).

Desktop Computer

A stationary personal computer designed for regular use at a single location, possessing the most powerful processing capability among personal computers and easily upgradable components.

Laptop

A thin, lightweight mobile computer (also called a notebook computer) typically weighing $1\text{ to }3\text{ kg}$, equipped with a built-in screen, keyboard, touchpad, speakers, and rechargeable battery.

Tablet

A thin, lightweight digital device (usually under $1\text{ kg}$) with a touchscreen interface, larger than a smartphone but smaller than most laptops, offering $8\text{ to }12\text{ hours}$ of battery life.

Smartphone

A mobile phone that functions as a personal computer, featuring touchscreen capabilities, mobile internet, cameras, and downloadable applications.

Wearable Devices

Electronic gadgets designed to be worn on the body, equipped with sensors, wireless connectivity, and smart features to track fitness, health, and communication.

Internet of Things (IoT)

A network of physical devices that connect, share, collect, and exchange data over the internet.

Augmented Reality (AR)

A technology integrated into smart glasses or wearables that adds digital elements to the real-world view.

Virtual Reality (VR)

A technology that creates an entirely digital environment that replaces the user's perception of the real world.

Smart TV (Connected TV / CTV)

A traditional television set integrated with internet connectivity and interactive Web 2.0 features, enabling users to stream music and videos, browse the web, and view photos.

Digital Camera

A device that captures and stores images in digital format by using a sensor to convert light into electronic signals.

Gaming Console

A specialized computer designed for playing video games, typically connected to a TV or monitor and operated with controllers.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The primary component responsible for carrying out all instructions of a computer program, performing calculations, making decisions, and managing the flow of information.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile temporary storage where a computer holds data actively in use so the CPU can access it quickly, losing its contents when the device is powered off.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile computer memory that permanently stores essential data and startup instructions, retaining its information even when the device is turned off.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A permanent storage device that records data onto spinning magnetic platters, offering higher capacities at a lower cost, but at slower speeds than solid-state drives.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A high-speed storage device that stores data on flash memory chips, providing greater durability and energy efficiency than mechanical HDDs, typically at a higher cost.

Motherboard

A large circuit board that physically connects all components of a computer, allowing them to communicate with one another.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A hardware component that converts electricity from a wall socket into the appropriate voltage and current required by the internal computer components.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A specialized component (also called a video graphics card) responsible for rendering images, video, and animations, and sending graphical signals to the monitor.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A hardware expansion component that enables a computer to connect to a network or the internet, either via a wired cable or wirelessly through a Wi-Fi adapter.

Operating System (OS)

Software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources and provides a user interface (GUI or CLI) to interact with the device.

Word Processing

The act of using a computer and dedicated software (such as Microsoft Word or OpenOffice Writer) to create, edit, format, save, and print text documents.

Touch Typing

The method of typing without looking at the keyboard keys, relying on muscle memory to increase typing speed and accuracy while reducing errors and strain.

Digital Media

Any digitized content created for electronic devices, including streaming video, audio podcasts, digital images, and web text.

Mixed Media

Digital media forms that combine text, audio, images, and video into integrated interactive formats, such as video games and interactive web platforms.

Audacity

A free and open-source audio editing program used to record, edit, and manipulate sound for voiceovers, podcasts, and music.

GIMP

GNU Image Manipulation Program; a free and open-source graphics editing program used to edit, retouch, and create images and digital graphics.

VLC Media Player

A popular open-source media player that supports playback and basic editing across numerous audio and video file formats.

Mixpost

An open-source, self-hosted social media management platform designed for scheduling and organizing content across various channels.

Mastodon

A free, open-source platform utilized for decentralized social networking.

Tailwind CSS

A free and open-source CSS framework utilized in web development for designing digital interfaces.

Open-Source Software

Software whose source code is freely and openly available for anyone to inspect, modify, enhance, and distribute.

Freeware

Software available at no cost to the end user, but whose source code is typically not released, accessible, or permitted to be modified.

Digital Media Ethics

The moral rules and guidelines that govern the responsible creation, dissemination, and consumption of digital content, emphasizing accuracy, privacy, and intellectual property rights.

Digital Divide

The socioeconomic and geographic disparity between individuals who have access to modern information and digital technology and those who do not.

Algorithmic Bias

Systematic and unfair outcomes or discrimination produced by automated computer algorithms and decision-making systems.

Computer Health and Safety

The practices and precautions taken to protect physical and mental well-being while using computers and other digital devices.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Injuries or conditions that affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and joints, frequently caused by awkward posture or poor computer habits.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of the tendons, commonly occurring in the shoulder or elbow as a result of repetitive motions such as mouse usage.

Eye Strain

A condition caused by staring at a display screen for extended periods, marked by symptoms including dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, difficulty focusing, and light sensitivity.

Melatonin

A hormone regulating the sleep cycle whose production can be disrupted by the blue light emitted from digital screens.

Ergonomics

The science and practice of designing and arranging a workspace to fit the user's body, promoting comfort and preventing injury.

20-20-20 Rule

An ergonomic practice to reduce eye strain where an individual looks at an object $20\,\text{feet}$ away for at least $20\,\text{seconds}$ every $20\,\text{minutes}$.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Damage and pain in the muscles, nerves, and tendons of the hands and wrists caused by repeated physical motions like typing or using a mouse.

Digital Device

An electronic machine that receives, processes, stores, and transmits data using binary code ($1\text{s}$ and $0\text{s}$).

Desktop Computer

A stationary personal computer designed for regular use at a single location, offering the most powerful processing capability among personal computers and easily upgradable components.

Laptop (Notebook Computer)

A thin, lightweight mobile computer typically weighing $1-3\,\text{kg}$, featuring an integrated screen, keyboard, touchpad, and rechargeable battery.

Tablet

A lightweight mobile device with a touchscreen interface, typically weighing under $1\,\text{kg}$ and offering an $8-12\,\text{hours}$ battery life.

Smartphone

A handheld mobile phone with an integrated computer, touch interface, mobile Internet, cameras, and downloadable software applications.

Wearable Devices

Body-worn electronic gadgets equipped with sensors and wireless connectivity designed to track fitness, health metrics, and communication as part of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Internet of Things (IoT)

A network of physical devices embedded with electronics and connectivity that collect, share, and exchange data over the internet.

Augmented Reality (AR)

A wearable or display technology that overlays interactive digital elements onto the physical real-world environment.

Virtual Reality (VR)

A wearable technology that creates a fully simulated, immersive digital environment that entirely replaces the real world.

Smart TV (Connected TV / CTV)

A traditional television set integrated with Internet connectivity and Web 2.0 capabilities for streaming media, browsing the web, and viewing photos.

Digital Camera

A device that utilizes an electronic sensor to convert light into digital image files stored on memory cards or cloud platforms.

Gaming Console

A specialized computer architecture optimized for playing video games using controllers and connected to a monitor or television.

Digital Component

Any physical hardware part or logical firmware/software program within a digital system that helps process, store, or transmit information.

Input Device

A peripheral or component used to enter raw data and user commands into a computer system, such as a keyboard, mouse, or microphone.

Output Device

A peripheral hardware component that displays or reproduces processed computer data for the user, such as a monitor, printer, or speakers.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The primary processor of a computer responsible for carrying out program instructions, performing calculations, making logical decisions, and managing information flow.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile temporary storage that holds active data and running programs for rapid access by the CPU, losing all contents when powered off.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile permanent storage holding critical startup instructions for the device that persists even after the system is switched off.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A secondary storage device that records data magnetically onto rotating platters; it is slower than solid-state storage but economical for large capacities.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A high-speed, non-volatile storage drive built with flash memory chips that provides faster read/write speeds, greater physical shock resistance up to $1500\,\text{g}$, and lower power draw than mechanical hard drives.

Motherboard

The primary printed circuit board that physically connects and routes communication among all computer components including the CPU, memory, and expansion cards.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A hardware device that converts alternating current (AC) from a wall outlet into the specific direct current (DC) voltages needed by the internal computer components.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A specialized processor designed to accelerate the rendering of images, 3D graphics, animations, and video signals for output to a display.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

An expansion card or internal adapter that allows a device to establish a local network or Internet connection via physical cables or wireless signals.

Operating System (OS)

System software that coordinates computer hardware, allocates system resources, and provides a graphical (GUI) or command-line (CLI) interface for running applications.

Bloatware

Pre-installed software applications that consume storage space and system memory, potentially degrading the performance of an operating system.

Linux

A free, open-source, and secure operating system that is highly customizable and efficient on older hardware, often administered via a terminal command-line interface.

Word Processing

The act of using a dedicated software program to compose, format, edit, save, and print text-based documents.

Touch Typing

A typing technique reliant on tactile muscle memory rather than sight to locate keys, enabling faster typing speeds and fewer errors.

Digital Media

Any digitized content created for electronic devices, including streaming videos, online text articles, podcasts, and digital imagery.

Mixed Media

A form of digital media that combines two or more distinct media elements, such as text, audio, images, animations, and interactive web tools.

Audacity

A free and open-source audio recording and editing application used to manipulate sounds, music, voiceovers, and podcasts.

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

A free and open-source raster graphics editor utilized for image retouching, photo manipulation, and graphic composition.

Mixpost

An open-source, self-hosted social media management tool designed to schedule, organize, and publish posts across multiple online networks.

Mastodon

A free and open-source platform designed for decentralized, federated social networking.

Tailwind CSS

A utility-first, open-source CSS framework used by developers to build and customize user interfaces directly in web markup.

Freeware

Proprietary software distributed at zero monetary cost, whose underlying source code is kept closed and cannot be legally inspected or altered by end-users.

Open-Source Software

Software provided with accessible source code under a license granting users the legal right to study, modify, enhance, and freely distribute it.

Digital Divide

The socioeconomic gap between populations that have full access to modern information and communication technology and those that lack equitable access.

Algorithmic Bias

Systematic and unfair discrimination embedded in computer algorithms and artificial intelligence systems resulting from skewed training data or flawed modeling.