Technology Terms~ You Need to Know ~

Blu-RayLooks like a CD.

Developed for playing high-definition (HD) video.

Also for storing large amounts of data.

DVD vs. Blu-Ray

DVD vs. Blu-Ray

Cable ModemUsed for connecting to

the Internet.

Some now come with Wi-Fi capability.

Ethernet CableMost common type of

connection computers use in a local area network (LAN).

NOTE: Looks much like a phone jack, but it is slightly wider.

Flash DriveSmall data storage

device that uses flash memory and has a built-in USB connection.

NOTE: Flash drives have many names: Jump drivesThumb drives USB keychain drives.

Hard DriveStores all your data.

Where all your files

and folders are physically located.

NOTE: Have you heard the sound?

HDMIStands for "High-

Definition Multimedia Interface."

Transmits audio and video data in a single cable.

NOTE: Supported by most HDTVs, DVD and Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and video game systems.

LCDStands for "Liquid

Crystal Display."

Super-thin displays that are used in laptop screens and flat panel monitors.

NOTE: Smaller LCDs are used in handheld TVs, PDAs, and portable video game devices.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of your computer.

NOTE: Basically, the motherboard is what makes everything in your computer work together.

ProcessorSmall chip that resides

in computers and other electronic devices.

Its job is to receive input and provide the appropriate output.

NOTE: While this may seem like a simple task, modern processors can handle trillions of calculations per second.

RAMStands for “Random

Access Memory”.

Storage made up of small memory chips.

NOTE: The more RAM your computer has, the more data can be loaded from the hard drive into the RAM, which can effectively speed up your computer.

Video CardUsed to process the

graphics portion of the processing load.

NOTE: Most of the processing done on a computer is done via the computer's central processing unit, or CPU. To give the CPU a break and help it run more efficiently a Video Card is used.