A cursor is the position indicator on a computer display screen where a user can enter text. In a program with graphics, the cursor is also a visible and moving pointer that the user controls with a mouse.
Computer hardware is the actual parts that are connected to your computer. Examples of hardware would be: printer, keyboard, mouse, floppy drive, LCD projector etc…
An operating system is a series of programs which organizes and controls a computer. Every computer comes with one set of programs already on it’s hard drive. The operating system is the most important of those programs. When the computer is turned on, the operating system tells it what gadgets are linked to the computer. The operating system, or OS, controls the hardware (keyboard, mouse, printer) and it controls the operation of the software.
We still have some older computers in our school that are running on OS 9. These are mostly the extra, student computers in the classrooms. The newer computers use OS X (10) but they also have OS 9 built into them so you can still use some older software that needs 9 to work. Operating system 9 is also called “classic”.
An application, also known as applications software, is a program or set of programs that performs a specific task. A program is a list of instructions, written in computer language, for the computer to carry out.
There are thousands of different types of applications software covering almost every topic you can imagine. There are programs for farmers, programs for games, programs for writing and programs for drawing just to name a few.
Some of the most used programs are word processing (we use Microsoft Word), data base programs (Infinite Campus is data base software), and spreadsheet software, like Excel. New programs are being developed all the time and the programs we use regularly are constantly being made better. (That’s what software updates are all about)
Many applications are already installed in our computers when we buy them. Others need to be purchased separately. If you are in the market for a new computer be sure to ask which programs are already installed to be sure you have everything you need.
URL is an acronym for uniform resource locator. It is a string of letters and symbols telling where you can find a particular site on the web. A URL is usually a web address but it can also be an email address.
Your “desktop” is basically the computer screen. It’s what you see when there are no programs/pages open. It’s where you’ll find your hard drive. Many people have folders on their desktop where they save their documents.
You can change how your desktop works by clicking on the blue apple in the upper left corner, then clicking on “system preferences”. In this window, click on “displays”
A web browser is the software one uses to access the Internet. There are several browsers to choose from. Here at Swansea we primarily use Firefox because it is more compatible with Infinite Campus.
Examples of other web browsers are: Safari, Netscape and Internet Explorer.
Safari and Internet Explorer are already installed onto your computers and you can use them should the need arise. Sometimes, a web site you are using will request that you use a specific browser.
