Computer Concepts and Digital Citizenship Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental computer concepts, hardware, software, operating systems, and digital citizenship across all lecture materials.

Digital Literacy

Acquiring current knowledge and understanding of computers, mobile devices, the web, and related technologies.

Digital Citizen

A person familiar with how to use technology to become an educated and productive member of the digital world.

Server

A powerful, high-capacity computer accessed using the Internet or other networks that stores files and serves them to users, usually grouped at a location called a data center.

Internet of Things (IoT)

An environment in which processors are embedded in everyday products (things) that communicate with one another via the Internet or wireless networks.

Digital Divide

The gap between those who have access to technology and its resources/information and those who do not, influenced by socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Phishing

An identity theft technique where attackers deceive individuals into revealing personal or financial information when responding to an email message or visiting a website.

Green Computing

The practice of reducing electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using computers, mobile devices, and related technologies.

ENERGY STAR

A program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help reduce the amount of electricity used by computers and related devices.

Netiquette

The code of acceptable behaviors and rules of conduct expected of individuals while online across all aspects of the Internet.

Form Factor

The physical shape, size, and dimensions of a digital device or its hardware components such as circuit boards and system units.

Slate Tablet

A portable tablet configuration featuring a narrow-frame touch-sensitive screen resembling a letter-sized pad that lacks a physical keyboard.

Convertible Tablet

A tablet computer designed with a touch screen on its lid and a physical keyboard attached to its base.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

A device that maintains continuous electrical power to computer equipment during an interruption in the primary electrical source.

Surge Suppressor

A device designed to prevent electrical power fluctuations and voltage spikes from damaging electronic components.

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

A data storage device that saves data in erasable, rewritable non-volatile circuitry, offering faster speeds and higher durability than magnetic drives.

Ergonomics

An applied science specifying the design and arrangement of items people use so that users and equipment interact efficiently and safely.

Doxing

A form of cyber-bullying in which documents (dox) containing private or personal information about an individual are shared digitally without consent.

E-waste

Electronic waste resulting from discarded digital devices, which often contains toxic metals like lead and mercury.

Computer

A multipurpose electronic device operating under stored instructions that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output.

IPOS Model

A foundational concept that defines computers by four primary operations: Input (accepting data), Process (manipulating data), Output (producing results), and Store (saving data and software).

Stored Program

A computing concept where a series of instructions for a task can be loaded directly into a computer's memory.

System Software

Programs, such as operating systems, that help a computer monitor and manage its own internal operations to function efficiently.

Application Software

A set of computer programs designed to help a person carry out specific tasks, such as creating documents, managing spreadsheets, or playing games.

Supercomputer

The fastest category of computer at the time of construction, designed to handle complex tasks like weather modeling, breaking codes, and nuclear simulations.

Microprocessor

An integrated circuit on a single chip designed to process instructions, functioning as the primary processing component of a digital device.

x86

An instruction set architecture standard based on Intel's 8086 chip family that powers a significant percentage of modern desktop and laptop microprocessors.

ARM Technology

An energy-efficient processor architecture originally created by ARM Holdings, dominating smartphones, tablets, and modern Apple Mac computers.

Clock Speed

The pace at which a microprocessor executes instructions, measured in Gigahertz (GHz), where one GHz equals one billion cycles per second.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

A volatile temporary holding area for data, application program instructions, and operating system components while actively being processed by the CPU.

Lidar

Light detection and radar technology that uses laser range finders to measure distances to obstacles, providing essential data for steering autonomous vehicles.

USB Hub

An external expansion device that connects to a host computer to provide multiple additional USB ports for attaching gadgets.

Executable File

A file containing a computer program designed to be carried out step by step within the microprocessor.

End User License Agreement (EULA)

A legal contract accompanying software that defines the specific terms and conditions under which a user may legally operate the software.

Public Domain Software

Software that is not protected by copyright because the copyright expired or was voluntarily surrendered by the author, making it free to use without restriction.

Freeware

Copyrighted software made available to users free of charge, offering full functionality without requiring payment.

Demoware

Trial software distributed for free or preinstalled on devices that limits features or time until a payment is made.

Open Source Software

Software that makes its uncompiled source code accessible to programmers for inspection, modification, and improvement under licenses like GPL or BSD.

Thin Client

A device or operating system, such as Chrome OS, that depends primarily on remote cloud servers for processing power and storage capacity.

Virtual Machine (VM)

Software that simulates the hardware and operating environment of another computer, enabling a host device to run an additional operating system within a window.