COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE FOR BANK EXAMS

1. A digital communication system capable of interconnecting, a large number of computers, terminals and other peripheral devices within a limited geographical area is called–
1. LAN
2. WAN
3. Internet
4. All of the above
5. None of these

2. A secondary storage device that uses a long plastic strip coated with a magnetic material as a recording medium is–
1. Magnetic tape
2. Compact disk
3. Hard disk
4. All of the above
5. None of these

3. An E-mail protocol for storage, manage-ment and change, especially in corporate offices–
1. Message handling service
2. Postal service’s
3. Data storage
4. All of the above
5. None of these


4. Which of the following is an advantage of stored programs?
1. Reliability
2. Reduction in operation costs
3. The computers becoming general-purpose
4. All of the above
5. None of these

5. Which of the following is not true for primary storage?
1. It is a part of the CPU
2. It allows very fast access of data
3. It is relatively more expensive then other storage devices.
4. Can be removed and transported.
5. All of the above

6. Function of control unit in the CPU is–
1. To decode program instructions
2. To transfer data to primary storage
3. To perform logical operations
4. To store program instructions
5. All of the above

7. Electronic spreadsheets are useful in situation where relatively .......... data must be input
1. Small
2. Large
3. No
4. All of the above
5. None is true

8. A list of options from which a program user can select anyone in order to perform a desired action is referred as–
1. Menu
2. Index
3. Directory
4. All of the above
5. None of these

9. A method whereby messages to be transmitted between computers are all sent to a central computer, which gathers them and routes them to the appropriate destination(s) is known as–
1. Message switching
2. Message delete
3. Message accept
4. All of the above
5. None of these

10. Which of the following describe one or more characteristics of a modem computer?
1. An electronic device
2. A mechanical device
3. A electro-mechanical device
4. All of the above
5. None of these

11. Combining records from two or more ordered files into a single ordered file is called–
1. Menu
2. Merging
3. Taking
4. All of the above
5. None of these

12. The ascending order of a data hierarchy is
1. Bit-byte-record-field-file-database
2. Byte-bit-field-record-file-database
3. Byte-bit-record-file-field-database
4. Bit-byte-field-record-file-database
5. All of the above

13. A LSI chip contains the entire CPU of computer except main memory is called–
1. Microprocessor
2. Hard disk
3. Input device
4. Output device
5. All of the above

14. A storage medium that loses its contents in the event of power failure is called–
1. Volatile storage
2. Non volatile storage
3. Permanent storage
4. All of the above
5. None of these

15. One-millionth of a second is referred as–
1. Microsecond
2. Millisecond
3. Hour
4. Minute
5. All of the above

16. Alternate facilities of programs, data files, hardware equipments, etc. used in case the original one is destroyed, lost, or fail to operate is–
1. Backup
2. Forehead
3. Delete
4. All of the above
5. None of these

17. One-thousandth of a second is called–
1. Microsecond
2. Millisecond
3. Hour 4. Minute
5. All of the above

18. The CPU (central processing unit) consists of
1. Input, output, and processing
2. Control unit, primary storage, and secondary storage
3. Control unit, arithmetic-logic unit, and primary storage
4. All of the above
5. None of these

19. The product of data processing is–
1. Data
2. Information
3. Software
4. Computer
5. All of the above

20. The input device used by computer is–
1. Motherboard
2. Central processing unit
3. Keyboard
4. System unit
5. All of the above

21. The structure of interconnecting of nodes of
a computer network is referred as–
1. Network topology 2. Internet
3. Local Area Network
4. Wide Area Network
5. All of the above

22. Nible is–
1. Double of byte
2. Half of byte
3. Ten times of byte
4. Five times of byte
5. All of the above

23. Multiprogramming is the–
1. The inter-leaved execution of two or more different and independent programs by the same computer
2. The execution of single by the different computers
3. The inter-leaved execution of two or more different and independent programs by the different computers
4. All of the above
5. None of these

24. A facility available in an operating system that allows multiple functions from the same application package is referred as–
1. Multi-threading
2. Multi-programming
3. Multi-processing
4. All of the above
5. None of these

25. Narrowband channel is a communication channels–
1. That handle low volumes of data
2. Used mainly for telegraph lines and low
speed terminals
3. Both 1. and 2.
4. All of the above
5. None of these

26. Following is the example of Network–
1. LAN
2. WAN
3. Internet
4. All the above
5. None of these

27. Peer-to-peer is a description–
1. Of communications between two dissimilar devices
2. Of communications between two equal devices
3. Of communications between two different devices
4. All of the above
5. None of these

 28. Non-document files are–
1. Pure ASCII files that can be listed for any word processing software
2. Non ASCII files that can be listed for any word processing software
3. Pure ASCII files that can be listed for specific word processing software
4. Non ASCII files that can be listed for pecific word processing software
5. All of the above

29. The method of dividing a physical channel into many logical channels so that a number of independent signals may be simultaneously transmitted on it is referred as–
1. Multithreading
2. Multiprocessing
3. Multiplexing
4. All of the above
5. None of these

30. An interconnected computer configura-tions or computers with two or more independent CPUs that have the ability to simultaneously execute several programs is called–
1. Multithreading
2. Multiprocessing
3. Multiplexing
4. All of the above
5. None of these

31. Following is not a non-impact printer–
1. Thermal printer
2. Ink-jet printer
3. Laser printer
4. Dot-matrix printer
5. All of the above

32. A number system with a base of 8 is referred as–
1. Binary
2. Decimal
3. Octal
4. All of the above
5. None of these

33. Devices converts digital signals to Sine waves at the sending end and back to digital signals at the receiving end is called–
1. Modem
2. Telephone
3. Mobile phone
4. All of the above
5. None of these

34. Dividing a project into segments and smaller units in order to simplify the analysis, design and programming effort is referred as–
1. Monitoring
2. Modular approach
3. Microprocessing
4. All of the above
5. None of these

35. The technique where digital signals are converted to its analog form for transmission over an analog facility is called–
1. Modulation
2. Digitization
3. Multiprocessing
4. All of the above
5. None of these

36. Multiprocessor is a computer system–
1. Where many CPU under a common control
2. Consisting of more than one input devices under common control
3. Where many output devices under
4. All of the above
5. None of these

37. The point at which the flow of text in a document moves to the top of a new page–
1. Page break
2. Page insert
3. Page format
4. All of the above
5. None of these

38. Technique to implement virtual memory where memory is divided into units of fixed size memory is–
1. Paging
2. De-fragments
3. Segmentation
4. All of the above
5. None of these

39. An adder where all the bits of the two operands are added simultaneously–
1. Parallel adder
2. Half adder
3. Full adder
4. All of the above
5. None of these

40. An extra bit added to a string of bits that enables the computer to detect internal errors in the transmission of binary data–
1. Parity bit
2. Byte
3. Nibble
4. All of the above
5. None of these

41. Password is–
1. Code by which a user gains access to a computer system
2. Pass for viewing movie
3. Entrance without paying something
4. All of the above
5. None of these

42. PL 1 (Programming Language One) is–
1. High level programming language
2. Low level programming language
3. Machine language
4. Assembly language
5. All of the above

43. Pascal is–
1. A high-level programming language
2. Named after Blaise Pascal
3. Named after mathematician that facilitates structured programming techniques
4. All of the above
5. None of these

44. Storage device where time to retrieve stored information is independent of address where it is stored is called–
1. Random access memory (RAM)
2. Primary memory
3. Secondary memory
4. All of the above
5. None of these

45. Octal number system has a base–
1. Two
2. Four
3. Eight
4. Ten
5. All of the above

46. Since input and output devices are on the edge of the main processing therefore they are referred as–
1. Peripheral devices
2. Processing devices
3. Personal devices
4. All of the above
5. None of these

47. A system changeover method where complete changeover to the new system takes place incrementally over a period of time is referred as–
1. Phased replacement
2. Block replacement
3. Complete replacement
4. All of the above
5. None of these

48. One trillionth of a second is–
1. Pico second
2. Mille second
3. Micro second
4. Minute
5. All of these

49. Following is of Non-vo a storage device
1. Magnetic tape
2. Compact disk
3. Floppy disk
4. All of the above
5. None of these

50. A storage medium that retains its contents even in the absence of power is referred as–
1. Non-volatile storage
2. Volatile storage
3. Secondary storage
4. Primary storage
5. None of these

ANSWERS:

1. (1) 2. (1) 3. (1) 4. (1) 5. (1) 6. (4) 7. (1) 8. (2) 9. (1) 10. (1)
11. (1) 12. (2) 13. (4) 14. (1) 15. (1) 16. (1) 17. (1) 18. (2) 19. (3) 20. (2)
21. (3) 22. (1) 23. (2) 24. (1) 25. (1) 26. (4) 27. (4) 28. (2) 29. (1) 30. (3)
31. (2) 32. (3) 33. (3) 34. (1) 35. (2) 36. (1) 37. (1) 38. (1) 39. (1) 40. (1)
41. (1) 42. (1) 43. (1) 44. (4) 45. (3) 46. (3) 47. (1) 48. (1) 49. (1) 50. (4)

BANK EXAMS COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE STUDY MATERIAL

1. Which of the following are the major components in a computer
a) CPU, CD_Rom, Mouse, Keyboard
b) Memory, Video card, Monitor
c) Modem, Printer, Screen
d) CPU, Memory, System bus, Input H/w, Output H/w

2. How the information is transformed from one component to another component in a system?
a) System bus
b) Memory
c) Keyboard
d) Monitor

3. MS-Access, MS-Foxpro is the examples of what type of software?
a) Spread Sheet
b) Presentation Software
c) Database Management
d) None of the above

4. Windows operating system have
a) Graphical User Interface
b) Command based Interface
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

5. ___ Allows more data to be stored on a disk?
a) Data Compression
b) Disk Defragmentation
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

6. A text-based language with codes or tags used for developing web pages is called?
a) Java
b) HTML
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

7. CASE stands for?
a) Computer Aided Software Engineering
b) Common Aided Software Engineering
c) Computer Access Software Engineering
d) Computer Aided Software Engine

8. The primary job of the information system is?
a) Data collection
b)Data transfer
c) Transform inputs to information
d) None of the above

9. ___ Is the software that allows the computer to interact with users and hardware?
a) System Software
b) Application software
c) Development software
d) None of the above

10. This type of boot occurs when the computer is already on, and you restart it without turning off the power?
a) Generic boot
b) Live boot
c) Warm boot
d) Cold boot

11. A concentric ring on a hard disk is referred to as a?
a) Track
b) Sector
c) Table
d) None of the above

12. Which of the following best describes the purpose of generating a flowchart as part of the design of a computer program?
a) To test and maintain the efficiency of the overall program
b) To present the steps needed to solve the programming problem
c) To ensure that all methods are appropriately linked
d) To determine the necessary number of global and local variables

13. Which of the following would best facilitate the expansion of a computer program?
a) Incorporation of diagrams into the design documents
b) Minimal use of global variables in the source code
c) Construction of methods that are highly dependent on one another
d) Extensive use of functions, that support the debugging process

14. ___ Is/are the steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task?
a) Data
b) Instructions
c) Information
d) Documentation

15. A computer contain many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known as?
a) Software
b) Input devices
c) Output devices
d) Hardware

16. ___ Is the most widely used coding scheme used to represent data
a) ASCII
b) Unicode
c) EBCDIC
d) Multi code

17. ___ Is the most common type of volatile memory?
a) ROM
b) CMOS
c) Flash Memory
d) RAM

18. A ___ is equal to approximately 1 million bytes?
a) Kilobytes
b) Mega bytes
c) Giga bytes
d) Tera bytes

19. Two categories of software are?
a) Operating System & System Software
b) Utility Programs
c) System software and Utility Programs
d) System software and Application Software

20. Notebook computers?
a) Can run on batteries or standard power supply
b) Are less expensive than a desktop with similar capabilities
c) Facilities are less
d) None of the above

21. The world's largest computer network is?
a) Internet
b) Intranet
c) LAN
d) MAN

22. Transaction Processing Systems are the basic business systems that serve which level of the organization?
a) Middle level
b) Senior level
c) Operational level
d) None of the above

23. In batch processing?
a) Transactions are processed immediately in batches
b) Transactions are accumulated in batches until it is time to process them
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

24. Which of the following is the most powerful computer?
a) Mainframe computer
b) Micro computer
c) Super computer
d) Mini computer

25. A program written in a machine language is called ___ program?
a) Object
b) Computer
c) Assembler
d) High level

26. A collection of wires that connects several devices is called?
a) Link
b) Bus
c) Cable
d) Port

27. The fastest type of memory is?
a) Tape
b) Semi conductor memory
c) Disk memory
d) Bubble memory

28. Which of the following translator program coverts assembly level language program to object program?
a) Assembler
b) Complier
c) Micro processor
d) Linker

29. Barcodes stores information by using?
a) Dots b) Thick and thin lines
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

30. Which of the following are the main problems in File Management System?
a) Data redundancy
b) Difficulty in updating
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

31. In a database related fields are grouped to form?
a) Record
b) File
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

32. Which of the following parts of a computer is necessary to enable it to play music?
a) Sound cards
b) CD-Ram
c) MIDI interface
d) Serial interface

33. Which one of the following printers is suitable for printing sprocket fed carbon copies?
a) Laser
b) Dot matrix
c) Ink jet
d) None of the above

34. To be effective a virus checker should be?
a) Replaced regularly
b) Never updated
c) Updated regularly
d) None of the above

35. Passwords enable users to?
a) Get into the system quickly
b) Make efficient use of time
c) Retain confidentiality of files
d) Simplify file structure

36. Automated transaction for the purchase of goods over the Internet is called?
a) E-Shopping
b) Web-Purchase
c) E-Commerce
d) Web-Shopping

37. Which one of the following would be the best to use to produce hundreds of letters at a time with same matter to different addresses?
a) Personal information
b) Email group
c) DTP
d) Mail merge

38. A:\ refers to?
a) A file name
b) Root directory
c) Hard drive
d) None of the above

39. Which of the following input device would be best suited to capturing images for use with a personal computer?
a) Digital camera
b) Graphics tablet
c) Touch Screen
d) Optical Mark Reader

40. The concept of "Zero Administ-ration" is associated with?
a) Network computer
b) Mini computer
c) Micro computer
d) None of the above

ANSWERS:
1) d 2) a 3) c 4) a 5) a 6) b 7) a 8) c 9) a 10) c 11) a 12) b 13) b 14) b 15) d 16) a 17) d 18) b
19) d 20) a 21) a 22) c 23) c 24) c 25) a 26) b 27) b 28) a 29) b 30) c 31) b 32) a 33) b 34) c
35) c 36) c 37) d 38) b 39) d 40) a

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE MCQs FOR BANK EXAMS

1. A framwork in which circuit boards can be mounted is...      
(A) Switch circuit   
(B) Chip
(C) Card cage       
(D) Bar code
(E) None of these
Answer: (C)

2. A convolutional code that is prone to catastrophic error propagation is...   
(A) Mnemonics       
(B) Gray code
(C) machine code
(D) Catastrophic code
(E) None of these
Answer: (D) 

3. Which one of the following input device is user-programmable?  
(A) Dumb terminal
(B) Smart terminal
(C) VDT  
(D) Intelligent terminal
(E) None of these
Answer: (D) 

4. The barcode which is used on all types of items, is read by a scanning device directly into the computer. What is the name of this scanning device?             
(A) Laser scanner  
(B) Wand
(C) OCR      
(D) MICR
(E) None of these
Answer: (A)

5. A Plastic card similar to a credit card but having some memory and a microprocessor embedded within it is (A) Punched paper tape     
(B) Chip card   
(C) Card punch   
(D) Magnetic tape
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

6. The category of operating system that you most likely have running on your PDA computer is a ____________ operating system.
(A) real-time        
(B) single-user, single-task
(C) single-user, multi-task
(D) multi-user, multi-task
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

7. Which of the following is an example of a real-time operating system?              
(A) Lynx  
(B) MS DOS
(C) Windows XP  
(D) Symbian
(E) None of these
Answer: (A)

8. A real-time operating system is most likely to be used for which of the following tasks?              
(A) Controlling access to a shared printer in a network
(B) Ensuring that the system clock works correctly on a server
(C) Managing the access to system files in a laptop computer
(D) Controlling the fuel injection system of an automobile engine
(E) None of these
Answer: (D)

9. An essential difference between the operating system that runs a typical desktop computer and the operating system that runs a typical PDA is that             
(A) the desktop OS has a graphical user interface whereas the PDA OS does not
(B) the desktop OS can run several programs simultaneously whereas the PDA OS cannot
(C) the desktop OS manages hardware resources whereas the PDA OS does not
(D) the desktop computer has an OS whereas a PDA does not
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

10.To set a register or counter to the all-zero-state is...     
(A) Rerun  
(B) Reset      
(C) Remote  
(D) Release
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

11.A set of information that defines the status of resources allocated to a process is...      
(A) Process control  
(B) ALU
(C) Register Unit
(D) Process description
(E) None of these
Answer: (D)

12. A family of polynomial block codes designed to correct burst errors is known as      
(A) Bar codes  
(A) Gray codes
(C) Fire codes  
(D) mnemonics codes
(E) None of these
Answer: (C)

13. The MS-DOS operating system is a                 
(A) graphical user interface, single-tasking operating system
(B) graphical user interface, multi-tasking operating system
(C) command-driven interface, single-tasking operating system
(D) command-driven interface, multi-tasking operating system
(E) None of these
Answer: (C)

14. Which of the following was an early desktop operating system that included an integrated graphic user interface with point-and-click features?         
(A) MS-DOS  
(B) Mac OS
(C) Unix  
(D) Gnome
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

15.CD-ROM can store upto ____ MB of data        
(A) 600 MB  
(B) 400 Floppy disk  
(C) 320 MB  
(D) Both (A) and (B)  
(E) None of these
Answer: (D)

16. The most recent version of the Mac OS is based on the ____________ operating system  
(A) Windows  
(B) Linux
(C) Unix  
(D) CMOS
(E) None of these
Answer: (C)

17. The ____________ operating system was initially created in the early 1970s at AT&T’s Bell Labs.
(A) Linux  
(B) DOS   
(C) Unix  
(D) GNU
(E) None of these
Answer: (C)

18. The essential difference between an operating system like Linux and one like Windows is that     
(A) Windows can run with an Intel processor, whereas Linux cannot
(B) Linux is proprietary, whereas Windows is not
(C) any programmer can modify Linux code, which is not permitted with Windows
(D) there are multiple versions of Linux, but only one version of Windows
(E) None of these
Answer: (C)

19. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of open-source operating systems over proprietary versions?                 
(A) Free use and distribution
(B) Availability of technical support
(C) Availability of source code
(D) Ability to modify code
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

20. Use of icons and windows are characteristic of a ________ interface    
(A) command-driven
(B) windows-oriented
(C) graphical-user
(D) menu-driven
(E) None of these
Answer: (C)

22. The invention of the slide rule is attributed to ...        
(A) Babbage  
(B) Oughtred  
(C) Pascal  
 (D) Napier
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

23. The main purpose of the offline device is...         
(A) To reduce the no.of operator errors in recording data         
(B) To save computer time
(C) To save floor space in the cimputer centre
(D) All of the above
(E) None of these
Answer: (B)

24. The ability of an operating system to control the activities of multiple programs at the same time is called
(A) multitasking  
(B) multi-processing
(C) multi-operating  
(D) multi-paging
(E) None of these
Answer: (A)

25.A computer assisted method for the recording and analysing of existing hypothetical systems is known as    
(A) Distributed processing
(B) Data transmission
(C) Data link  
(D) Data flow
(E) None of these
Answer: (D)

COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY FOR IBPS EXAMS

Application: Application is another term for software program; basically a program you use on a computer, like Word, TurboTax, Outlook, etc.
Bandwidth: A measurement of a data line's transmission speed, or the amount of data a network can transfer from one computer to another in a given amount of time.
BIOS: Basic Input/Output System. This term is used to refer to ROM BIOS chip inside the computer. This chip starts and manages the computer bootup process.
Bootstrap Loader: A small program that manages a computer boot up process until the operating system can take over. The bootstrap loader’s only job is to load other software, usually in a sort of sequential chain up to the point when the operating system can get loaded into memory and start. The name "bootstrap loader" comes from the idea that the computer is pulling itself up by its "bootstraps".
Broadband: A bandwidth term that means a data line that will allow large amounts of data to be transferred very quickly. Basically a broadband line will be much, much faster than an old dial-up line.
Burn: To “burn” a CD or DVD means to write data files to it using a special piece of hardware.
Bus: A collection of (usually copper) wires through which data is transmitted from one part of a computer to another. You can think of a bus as a "highway" on which data travels within a computer.
Cable vs DSL: Cable and DSL are types of broadband data lines. Cable internet access uses the same lines that bring cable television cable to your house, and DSL (Which stands for Digital Subscriber Line) is a type of high speed data compression which runs over plain old telephone service (POTS) lines.
CMOS: A type of computer chip which is able to operate with a very small amount of electricity from a battery. The term also refers to the contents of a CMOS chip within the computer, which holds information about the computer boot devices, the date and time and its peripherals even while the system is turned off.
Computer Resource: This is a general computer terminology for the components that comprise the processing flow of a computer, including the memory, CPU, etc. You might hear someone say "this program is a resource hog", meaning it takes up a lot of the computer processing ability, and might make the computer run slower overall.
CPU: This stands for Central Processing Unit, and it can mean the box that holds the guts of the computer, or the processor “brain” of the computer. The CPU is the place where all the computer calculations happen.
CPU Sink: CPUs heat up as they work. A CPU sink is a mechanism to keep the CPU cool while it does its calculations. It usually consists of a cooling fan and an aluminum heat sink which draws the heat away the CPU chip.
Defrag: Computers write information to a hard drive by filling in open places on the drive. They don’t write files all in one big block, which means your Word document might be spread out all over your hard drive.
To defrag your computer means to basically rearrange the files on your computer’s hard drive so that file parts are closer together. Once rearranged, the computer will take less time to access the files. Defragging is usually recommended to speed up a slow computer.
Hard Drive: This is the central storage space for your computer. Almost always, the hard drive is designated as C: drive. If the drive is partitioned (i.e., split up into different sections), there might also be a D: drive.
IP address: IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are assigned to each and every computer on a TCP/IP network. They work like your home address. Mail or any other package could not get to you if you had no address.
IP addresses basically insure that data on a network goes where it is supposed to go. IP addresses look something like this: 192.168.1.25.
ISP: Internet Service Provider: This would be the company that provides your internet access.
Malware: a general term for any malicious piece of software, such as a virus, worm, or trojan.
Mother Board: The green board inside of a computer that allows all of the internal computer components to interact. Some would call it the "heart" of the computer. It routes data to and from all the other parts, including the CPU chip, the RAM, the power supply, etc.
Network Interface Card (NIC): This is a part of the computer that allows it to talk to other computers (aka, a network) via a network “protocol” or language like TCP/IP.
Operating system: This is the basic software that a computer runs on. Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Unix, and Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard are all operating systems.
Peripherals: This is a general term for computer add-ons like printers, mice, keyboards, scanners, monitor, etc..
POST: This stands for Power On Self Test. When you first turn on a computer, it checks to make sure all its parts are working; it makes sure a keyboard is attached, that memory loads, and that in general, its hardware is working and ready to load the operating system. This test is called the POST.
Processor chip (or just processor): This is the brain of the computer. You’ve probably heard the commercials for the "Intel" chip or the "Xeon" chip. They are talking about the "brain" of the computer, which does all the calculations and task processing.
RAM: this stands for Random Access Memory and is used generically as “memory”. This is the memory on a computer that allows you to hold and run a program so that you work with it on the monitor. More RAM is better.
At the risk of repeating myself, RAM is dependent on electricity, meaning it is cleared or reset when the computer's power is turned off.
So when your computer loses power or freezes up while you are writing an unsaved document, the document is lost. Train yourself to remember to press Control + S to save your documents when you are working on them. Saving them writes them to the hard drive where they will stay when the computer is turned off.
ROM: Read Only Memory. Usually seen in conjunction with BIOS, as in ROM BIOS. Usually a chip onto which the information is permanently burned. Also denotes memory that can be accessed and read, but not written to.
Routine: A series of instructions written to complete a specific but limited computing task.
TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. These are the basic data transmission protocols on which the internet and most commercial networks run.
Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS): A constantly charging battery which will act as a fail safe if the electricity shuts down while you are using your computer.
In the event of a total power failure, a UPS usually has just enough charge to power your computer for the time it takes you to save your work and shut down safely.
URL: Universal Resource Locater. The address of any website on the internet. For instance, my website home page has a URL of http://www.sensible-computer-help.com.
Worm: A worm is a virus that does not infect other programs. It makes copies of itself, and infects additional computers, usually via network connection. It does not attach itself to other programs, but it might alter, install, or destroy files and programs. It's also used in computer terminology as a short word any malware in general.

COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY

Application Files
Program files environment where you can create and edit the kind of document that application makes.
Click
To select an object by pressing the mouse button when the cursor is pointing to the required menu option, icon or hypertext link.
Close
To close a window that has been opened for viewing and / or editing.
Computer
A general-purpose machine that processes data according to a set of instructions that are stored internally either temporarily or permanently.
Central Processor Unit (CPU)
This term has two meanings (just to confound beginners, you understand)
1) Central Processor Unit--the main chip on the computer that makes everything go.
2) The box that holds the guts of the computer.
A faster CPU is always better than a slower one. You can never have too fast of a CPU.
Crash
Your computer or application no longer works correctly and so you "loose" all the work you've done since the last time you saved.
Creating A File
Storing data as a file with an assigned file name that is unique within the directory it resides in.
Delete
To remove an item of data from a file or to remove a file from the disk.
Desktop
An on-screen representation of a desktop such as used in the Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
Dialog Boxes
Takes over your screen and allows you to "dialog" with the computer.
Directory (AKA Folder, sub-directory)
Allows you to organize files and other folders.
Disk Space
This is the place where your files live. The greater the disk space the more files you can keep. (See also Megabytes)
More disk space is always better than less. You can never have much disk space.
Documents
Files you create and edit.
Document Files
Files we care about (memos, letters, pictures, etc.)
Double Click
To press the mouse button twice in rapid succession without moving the mouse between clicks.
Drag
To move an object on screen in which its complete movement is visible from starting location to destination.
Edit
To make a change to existing data.
File Cabinet
Metaphorically, the hard drive (and other kinds of storage media like floppy disks) which store files and folders.
Folder (AKA Directory, Sub-Directory)
Allows you to organize files and other folders.
Folder Icons
Collections of documents and other folders.
Icons
In a graphical user interface (GUI), a small, pictorial, on screen representation of an object, such as a document, program, folder or disk drive.
Icon View
Allows you to see icons of folders and files primarily as icons with little information.
Keyboard
This if the primary text input device. It also contains certain standard function keys, such as the Escape key, tab, and arrow keys, shift and control keys, and sometimes other manufacturer-customized keys.
Kilo (K)
This is a unit of measure = 1,000.  So 1,000 bytes is a KiloByte.
List View
Shows the icons but also orders the icons (often by name, but can sort the list in other ways) and shows more information about them.
Macintosh
The brand name of a family of personal computers (hardware) and an operating system (software) from Apple, introduced in 1984.
Megabytes (Mb)
Mega = million so Mb is 1,000,000 bytes.  It's enough information for the computer to store one character (e.g. "h"), so 1mb text file = 1,000,000 keystrokes in that file. Just to confound the masses, although RAM and Disk Space do something completely different we measure both in megabytes. This leads to confusion.
MegaHertz (Mhz)
This stands for MegaHertz. A hertz is an electronics term. 1 hz = one cycle (or wavelength) per second. 1 megahertz = 1,000,000 cycles per second.
In computer jargon, Mhz measures how *fast* your CPU chip runs. Although it's more important to know the chip than the speed, if you're comparing the same kind of CPU chip then a higher / faster CPU speed (measured in MHz) is better than a slower speed.
Menu
Displays a list of commands, some with images next to them.
Modifier Keys
Keys that change the meaning of what you type.
Mouse
Pointing device that allows you to tell the computer what to do.
Operating System (OS)
System software that allows your computer to work.
Pointer (AKA Cursor)
The name of the arrow (or other shape) that tracks across the screen as you move the mouse (or other pointing device) around.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This stands for Random Access Memory. You can think of this as the "space" where you computer does its processing. The more space you have the more processes you can run at the same time. More RAM is always better than less. You can never have much RAM.
Recycle Bin
Place where you put files and folders that you may later want to delete or get rid of. Compare Trash.
Resize Box
Allows you to change the size and shape of a window.
Right click
To press the right button on the mouse. (This is Windows specific. On a Mac running System 8 or higher, you hold down the Control key and then click to get the same effect.)
Save
Tell the computer to create a file on disk that has the information you've put into the document (usually typing).
Save As
Give the file a name and/or store the file in a certain place.
Scroll bar
Allows you to move around through your document.
Shut down
To quit all applications and turn off the computer.
Software
Instructions that tell the computer what to do.
System files
Allows our computer to work.
Trash
Place where you put files and folders that you want to delete or get rid of.
Volume Icons
Devices that hold files and folders.
Windows
1) The most widely used operating system for personal computers from Microsoft. (Software only. Other companies manufacture the hardware that runs the Windows Operating System.) Compare Macintosh. (Windows with a large "W".)
2) The thing you see on screen that contains a directory listing or the contents of a document. (Window with a small "w".)

COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY

access time - The performance of a hard drive or other storage device - how long it takes to locate a file.
active program or window - The application or window at the front (foreground) on the monitor.
alert (alert box) - a message that appears on screen, usually to tell you something went wrong.
alias - an icon that points to a file, folder or application (System 7).
apple menu - on the left side of the screen header. System 6 = desk accessories System 7 = up to 50 items.
application - a program in which you do your work.
application menu - on the right side of the screen header. Lists running applications.
ASCII (pronounced ask-key ) - American Standard Code for Information Interchange. a commonly used data format for exchanging information between computers or programs.
background - part of the multitasking capability. A program can run and perform tasks in the background while another program is being used in the foreground.
bit - the smallest piece of information used by the computer. Derived from "binary digit". In computer language, either a one (1) or a zero (0).
backup - a copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.
boot - to start up a computer.
bug - a programming error that causes a program to behave in an unexpected way.
bus - an electronic pathway through which data is transmitted between components in a computer.
byte - a piece of computer information made up of eight bits.
card - a printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer.
cartridge drive - a storage device, like a hard drive, in which the medium is a cartridge that can be removed.
CD-ROM - an acronym for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory.
Chooser - A desk accessory used to select a printer, or other external device, or to log onto a network.
Clipboard - A portion of memory where the Mac temporarily stores information. Called a Copy Buffer in many PC applications because it is used to hold information which is to be moved, as in word processing where text is "cut" and then "pasted".
Clock Rate (MHz) - The instruction processing speed of a computer measured in millions of cycles per second (i.e., 200 MHz).
command - the act of giving an instruction to your Mac either by menu choice or keystroke.
command (apple) key - a modifier key, the Command key used in conjunction with another keystroke to active some function on the Mac.
compiler - a program the converts programming code into a form that can be used by a computer.
compression - a technique that reduces the size of a saved file by elimination or encoding redundancies (i.e., JPEG, MPEG, LZW, etc.)
control key - seldom used modifier key on the Mac.
control panel - a program that allows you to change settings in a program or change the way a Mac looks and/or behaves.
CPU - the Central Processing Unit. The processing chip that is the "brains" of a computer.
crash - a system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted.
cursor - The pointer, usually arrow or cross shaped, which is controlled by the mouse.
daisy chaining - the act of stringing devices together in a series (such as SCSI).
database - an electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched.
data - (the plural of datum) information processed by a computer.
defragment - (also - optimize) to concatenate fragments of data into contiguous blocks in memory or on a hard drive.
desktop - 1. the finder. 2. the shaded or colored backdrop of the screen.
desktop file - an invisible file in which the Finder stores a database of information about files and icons.
dialog box - an on-screen message box that appears when the Mac requires additional information before completing a command.
digitize - to convert linear, or analog, data into digital data which can be used by the computer.
disk - a spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material on which data can be stored.
disk drive - the machinery that writes the data from a disk and/or writes data to a disk.
disk window - the window that displays the contents or directory of a disk.
document - a file you create, as opposed to the application which created it.
DOS - acronym for Disk Operating System - used in IBM PCs.
DPI - acronym for Dots Per Inch - a gauge of visual clarity on the printed page or on the computer screen.
download - to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading ).
drag - to move the mouse while its button is being depressed.
drag and drop - a feature on the Mac which allows one to drag the icon for a document on top of the icon for an application, thereby launching the application and opening the document.
driver - a file on a computer which tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment (like a printer).
Ethernet - a protocol for fast communication and file transfer across a network.
expansion slot - a connector inside the computer which allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or enhanced features.
extension - a startup program that runs when you start the Mac and then enhances its function.
fibre channel - as applied to data storage and network topology
file - the generic word for an application, document, control panel or other computer data.
finder - The cornerstone or home-base application in the Mac environment. The finder regulates the file management functions of the Mac (copying, renaming, deleting...)
floppy - a 3.5 inch square rigid disk which holds data. (so named for the earlier 5.25 and 8 inch disks that were flexible).
folder - an electronic subdirectory which contains files.
font - a typeface that contains the characters of an alphabet or some other letterforms.
footprint - The surface area of a desk or table which is occupied by a piece of equipment.
fragmentation - The breaking up of a file into many separate locations in memory or on a disk.
freeze - a system error which causes the cursor to lock in place.
get info - a Finder File menu command that presents an information window for a selected file icon.
gig - a gigabyte = 1024 megabytes.
hard drive - a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.
head crash - a hard disk crash caused by the heads coming in contact with the spinning disk(s).
high density disk - a 1.4 MB floppy disk.
highlight - to select by clicking once on an icon or by highlighting text in a document.
icon - a graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.
initialize - to format a disk for use in the computer; creates a new directory and arranges the tracks for the recording of data.
insertion point - in word processing, the short flashing marker which indicates where your next typing will begin.
installer - software used to install a program on your hard drive.
interrupt button - a tool used by programmers to enter the debugging mode. The button is usually next to the reset button.
K - short for kilobyte.
keyboard shortcut - a combination of keystrokes that performs some function otherwise found in a pulldown menu.
kilobyte - 1024 bytes.
landscape - in printing from a computer, to print sideways on the page.
launch - start an application.
Measurements (summary) -
*a bit = one binary digit (1 or 0) *"bit" is derived from the contraction b'it (binary digit) -> 8 bits = one byte
*1024 bytes = one kilobyte
*K = kilobyte
*Kb = kilobit
*MB = megabyte
*Mb = megabit
*MB/s = megabytes per second
*Mb/s = megabits per second
*bps = bits per second
i.e., 155 Mb/s = 19.38 MB/s

MB - short for megabyte.
megabyte - 1024 kilobytes.
memory - the temporary holding area where data is stored while it is being used or changed; the amount of RAM a computer has installed.
menu - a list of program commands listed by topic.
menu bar - the horizontal bar across the top of the Mac¹s screen that lists the menus.
multi finder - a component of System 6 that allows the Mac to multi task.
multi tasking - running more than one application in memory at the same time.
nanosecond - one billionth of a second. ( or, the time between the theatrical release of a Dudley Moore film and the moment it begins to play on airplanes).
native mode - using the computers original operating system; most commonly used when talking about the PowerPC can run software written for either the 80x0 systems, or the PowerPC¹s RISC code.
NuBus - expansion slots on the Mac which accept intelligent, self-configuring boards. NuBus is a different bus achitecture than the newer PCI bus and the boards are not interchangable.
operating system - the system software that controls the computer.
optical disk - a high-capacity storage medium that is read by a laser light.
palette - a small floating window that contains tools used in a given application.
partition - a subdivision of a hard drives surface that is defined and used as a separate drive.
paste - to insert text, or other material, from the clipboard or copy buffer.
PC - acronym for personal computer, commonly used to refer to an IBM or IBM clone computer which uses DOS.
PCI - acronym for Peripheral Component Interchange - the newer, faster bus achitecture.
peripheral - an add-on component to your computer.
point - (1/72") 12 points = one pica in printing.
pop-up menu - any menu that does not appear at the top of the screen in the menu bar. (may pop up or down)
port - a connection socket, or jack on the Mac.
Power PC - a processing chip designed by Apple, IBM and Motorola (RISC based).
Power Mac - a family of Macs built around the PowerPC chip.
print spooler - a program that stores documents to be printed on the hard drive, thereby freeing the memory up and allowing other functions to be performed while printing goes on in the background.
QuickTime - the Apple system extension that gives one the ability to compress, edit and play animation, movies and sound on the Mac.
RAM - acronym for Random-Access Memory.
reset switch - a switch on the Mac that restarts the computer in the event of a crash or freeze.
resize box - the small square at the lower right corner of a window which, when dragged, resizes the window.
RISC - acronym for Reduced Instruction Set Computing; the smaller set of commands used by the PowerPC and Power Mac.
ROM - acronym for Read Only Memory; memory that can only be read from and not written to.
root directory - the main hard drive window.
save - to write a file onto a disk.
save as - (a File menu item) to save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new name.
scroll - to shift the contents of a window to bring hidden items into view.
scroll bar - a bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows scrolling.
scroll box - the box in a scroll bar that is used to navigate through a window.
SCSI - acronym for Small Computer System Interface.
SCSI address - a number between zero and seven that must be unique to each device in a SCSI chain. Fast and Wide SCSI devices will allow up to 15 SCSI Ids (hexidecimal); however, the length restriction (3 meters) is such that it is virtually impossible to link 15 devices together.
SCSI port - a 25 pin connector on the back of a Mac (native SCSI port); used to connect SCSI devices to the CPU. Some SCSI cards (like the ATTO) have a 68 pin connector.
SCSI terminator - a device placed at the end of a SCSI chain to complete the circuit. (some SCSI devices are self-terminating, or have active termination and do not require this plug).
serial port - a port that allows data to be transmitted in a series (one after the other), such as the printer and modem ports on a Mac.
server - a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a network).
shut down - the command from the Special menu that shuts down the Mac safely.
software - files on disk that contain instructions for a computer.
spreadsheet - a program designed to look like an electronic ledger.
start up disk - the disk containing system software and is designated to be used to start the computer.
surge suppressor - a power strip that has circuits designed to reduce the effects of surge in electrical power. (not the same as a UPS)
System file - a file in the System folder that allows your Mac to start and run.
System folder - an all-important folder that contains at least the System file and the Finder.
32 bit addressing - a feature that allows the Mac to recognize and use more than 8MB of memory.
title bar - the horizontal bar at the top of a window which has the name of the file or folder it represents.
upload - to send a file from one computer to another through a network.
Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS)- a constantly charging battery pack which powers the computer. A UPS should have enough charge to power your computer for several minutes in the event of a total power failure, giving you time to save your work and safely shut down.
UPS - acronym for Uninterruptible Power Source.
vaporware - "software" advertised, and sometimes sold, that does not yet exist in a releasable for.
virtual memory - using part of your hard drive as though it were "RAM".
WORM - acronym for Write Once-Read Many; an optical disk that can only be written to once (like a CD-ROM).
zoom box - a small square in the upper right corner of a window which, when clicked, will expand the window to fill the whole screen.

INTERNET

The concept of data communication  - transmitting data between two different places, connected via some kind of electromagnetic medium, such as radio or an electrical wire - actually predates the introduction of the first computers. Such communication systems were typically limited to point to point communication between two end devices. Telegraph systems and telex machines  can be considered early precursors of this kind of communication. The earlier computers used the technology available at the time to allow communication between the central processing unit and remote terminals. As the technology evolved new systems were devised to allow communication over longer distances (for terminals) or with higher speed (for interconnection of local devices) that were necessary for the mainframe computer  model. Using these technologies it was possible to exchange data (such as files) between remote computers. However, the point to point communication model was limited, as it did not allow for direct communication between any two arbitrary systems; a physical link was necessary. The technology was also deemed as inherently unsafe for strategic and military use, because there were no alternative paths for the communication in case of an enemy attack.
As a response, several research programs started to explore and articulate principles of communications between physically separate systems, leading to the development of the packet switching model of digital networking. These research efforts included those of the laboratories of Vinton G. Cerf at Stanford University, Donald Davies (NPL), Paul Baran (RAND Corporation), and Leonard Kleinrock at MIT and at UCLA. The research led to the development of several packet-switched networking solutions in the late 1960s and 1970s, including ARPANET, Telenet, and the X.25 protocols. Additionally, public access and hobbyist networking systems grew in popularity, including unix-to-unix copy (UUCP) and FidoNet. They were however still disjointed separate networks, served only by limited gateways between networks. This led to the application of packet switching to develop a protocol for internetworking, where multiple different networks could be joined together into a super-framework of networks. By defining a simple common network system, the Internet Protocol Suite, the concept of the network could be separated from its physical implementation. This spread of internetworking began to form into the idea of a global network that would be called the Internet, based on standardized protocols officially implemented in 1982. Adoption and interconnection occurred quickly across the advanced telecommunication networks of the western world, and then began to penetrate into the rest of the world as it became the de-facto international standard for the global network. However, the disparity of growth between advanced nations and the third-world countries led to a digital divide that is still a concern today.
Following commercialization and introduction of privately run Internet service providers in the 1980s, and the Internet's expansion for popular use in the 1990s, the Internet has had a drastic impact on culture and commerce. This includes the rise of near instant communication by electronic mail (e-mail), text based discussion forums, and the World Wide Web. Investor speculation in new markets provided by these innovations would also lead to the inflation and subsequent collapse of the Dot-com bubble. But despite this, the Internet continues to grow, driven by commerce, greater amounts of online information and knowledge and social networking known as Web 2.0.

General Search Engines
Alexa Web Search: analyzes site traffic including ranking, global users, pages linking to the site, and links to related pages of interest
AllTheWeb : returns results quickly from a database gathered by the Yahoo! crawler; offers multimedia and news searches; has a good advanced search interface
AltaVista : searches Web sites with advanced Boolean and field search options. See also Babel Fish, the AltaVista translation service.
Ask.com : general search engine enhanced by a number of specialty searches including a dictionary, thesaurus, currency converter, encyclopedia, maps, news and more
Bing : Microsoft engine that displays excerpts from sites retrieved by your search and offers related search suggestions; multimedia and other deep Web results are also displayed. Bing focuses on searches related to making a purchase decision, planning a trip, researching a health condition, and finding a local business. Also check out Bing Maps Beta.
ChaCha : search engine that offers live human guides to help answer queries; focuses on questions from mobile devices
Exalead : offers concept clustering of results, thumbnail images of retrieved sites, and customization options such as organization of results by file type, geography or modification date
Factbites : searches for full topic matches and returns meaningful, full sentence excerpts of sites in its results list
Google : Web's most popular search engine that retrieves results in real time as you type your search. Also check out Eco Smart Search.com, a Google-powered search engine with a black background display that saves energy.
Hakia : organizes results into types of information sources, including "credible " sites recommended by librarians
iSEEK Education : offers authoritative resources from university, government, and established noncommercial providers; organizes results into concept clusters, and also allows users to recommend and rate sites
Lycos : general search engine that also offers searches of a few deep Web content sources including people look-up, yellow pages, and multimedia
Quintura : displays a type of tag cloud with keywords related to your search that can be selected to generate new results
Search Edu.com : service that limits results to the .edu, domain; also offers to search well-known dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, etc.
Snappy Fingers : searches millions of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers to user queries
Sproose : searches Yahoo! and allows users to comment on and vote on its search results
Webbrain : offers results in visual layout of related terms for subsequent searching
Wolfram Alpha : enter a question or calculation, and Wolfram Alpha uses its built-in algorithms and own collection of data to compute the answer
Yahoo : portal with a general Web search and many other content services.

Computer Virus

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware  programs that do not have the reproductive ability. A true virus can spread from one computer to another (in some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive.
Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer.
As stated above, the term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, even those that do not have the reproductive ability. Malware includes computer viruses, computer worms, Trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware and other malicious and unwanted software, including true viruses. Viruses are sometimes confused with worms and Trojan horses, which are technically different. A worm can exploit security vulnerabilities to spread itself automatically to other computers through networks, while a Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless but hides malicious functions. Worms and Trojan horses, like viruses, may harm a computer system's data or performance. Some viruses and other malware have symptoms noticeable to the computer user, but many are surreptitious or simply do nothing to call attention to themselves. Some viruses do nothing beyond reproducing themselves.
Recovery methods:
Once a computer has been compromised by a virus, it is usually unsafe to continue using the same computer without completely reinstalling the operating system. However, there are a number of recovery options that exist after a computer has a virus. These actions depend on severity of the type of virus.

MICROSOFT OFFICE

Microsoft Office is an office suite of inter-related desktop applications, servers and services for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X  operating systems, introduced by Microsoft in 1989. Initially a marketing term for a bundled set of applications, the first version of Office contained Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Additionally, a "Pro" (Professional) version of Office included Microsoft Access and Schedule Plus. Over the years, Office applications have grown substantially closer with shared features such as a common spell checker, OLE data integration and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications scripting language. Microsoft also positions Office as a development platform for line-of-business software under the Office Business Applications (OBA) brand.
The current versions are Office 2010 for Windows which was released on June 15, 2010, and Office 2011 for Mac OS X, released October 26, 2010. Office 2007 and 2008 introduced a new user interface and new Office Open XML document formats (docx, xlsx, pptx). Consequently, Microsoft has made available, free of charge, an add-on known as the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack to allow Office 2000-2003 for Windows and Office 2004 for Mac editions to open, edit, and save documents created under the new formats for Office 2007.

Applications
Microsoft Word:
Microsoft Word is a word processor and was previously considered to be the main program in Office. Its proprietary DOC format is considered a de facto standard, although Word 2007 can also use a new XML-based, Microsoft Office-optimized format called .DOCX which has been standardized by Ecma International as Office Open XML and its SP2 update will support ODF and PDF. Word is also available in some editions of Microsoft Works. It is available for the Windows and Mac platforms. The first version of Word, released in the autumn of 1983, was for the MS-DOS operating system and had the distinction of introducing the mouse to a broad population. Word 1.0 could be purchased with a bundled mouse, though none was required. Following the precedents of LisaWrite and MacWrite, Word for Macintosh attempted to add closer WYSIWYG features into its package. Word for Mac was released in 1985. Word for Mac was the first graphical version of Microsoft Word. Despite its bugginess, It became one of the most popular Mac applications.
Microsoft Excel:
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program which originally competed with the dominant Lotus 1-2-3, but eventually outsold it. It is available for the Windows and Mac platforms. Microsoft released the first version of Excel for the Mac in 1985, and the first Windows version (numbered 2.05 to line up with the Mac and bundled with a standalone Windows run-time environment) in November 1987.
Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Entourage:
Microsoft Outlook (not to be confused with Outlook Express) is a personal information manager and e-mail communication software. The replacement for Windows Messaging, Microsoft Mail and Schedule+ starting in Office 97, it includes an e-mail client, calendar, task manager and address book. Office Although historically it has been offered for the Mac, the closest to an equivalent for Mac OS X is Microsoft Entourage, which offers a slightly different feature set. Office 2011 for Mac will reintroduce Outlook, replacing Entourage.
Microsoft PowerPoint:
Microsoft PowerPoint is a popular presentation program for Windows and Mac. It is used to create slideshows, composed of text, graphics, movies and other objects, which can be displayed on-screen and navigated through by the presenter or printed out on transparencies or slides. This is convenient for school or work presentations. Office Mobile for Windows Mobile 5.0 and later features a version of PowerPoint called PowerPoint Mobile. Movies, videos, sounds and music, as well as Wordart and Autoshapes can be added to slideshows.
Microsoft Publisher:
Microsoft Publisher is a program mostly used for designing brochures, labels, calendars, greeting cards, business cards, newsletters, and postcards.

History of Microsoft Windows

Microsoft began to develop the Windows graphical user interface program in 1983. The goal was to provide a more user-friendly program that worked within the MS-DOS operating system on IBM PCs. Over the course of time, a number of further developments came with each successive generation. By the early 21st century, Microsoft Windows became the most popular operating system in the world.
Version 1.0:
On November 20, 1985 the first version of Microsoft Windows was released. It worked as an operating environment within MS-DOS and featured a number of programs including a word processor, calendar and painting option.
Version 3.0:
Although a number of changes and modifications occurred in the interim, the next major success for Microsoft Windows was version 3.0, released in 1990. It offered increased virtual memory, which allowed users to multitask much easier.
Windows 95:
Windows 95 was released in 1995 by Microsoft in an effort to integrate new 32-bit programming capabilities. This version was the first to include Internet Explorer, the company's preferred Internet access program.
Windows 2000:
In 2000, Microsoft released its next Windows operating system. This version improved on the device manager program, Windows Media Player and DirectX. It was able to work on both servers and standard workstations.
Windows XP:
The following year, Windows XP was released. This version was troubled from the start with security problems, leading to a number of modifications that had to be sent out over the Internet or with specialized disks.
Windows Vista:
Windows Vista became the next generation operating system in 2007. Microsoft launched a number of different versions, each with its own features. The overall goal of the system was to offer better security as well as improved graphics.
Windows 7:
Windows 7 is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and reached general retail availability on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.
Unlike its predecessor, Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware which Windows Vista was not at the time. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements. Some standard applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not included in Windows 7; most are instead offered separately at no charge as part of the Windows Live Essentials suite.