Operating computers Flashcards
v.
to open a computer file (= a collection of information stored on a computer) in order to look at or change information in it
access
v.
to join a file such as a document, picture or computer program, to an email
attach
n.
a computer file which is sent together with an email message
attachment
- I’ll email my report to you as an attachment. *
- I wasn’t able to open that attachment. *
*n. *
the design and making of computer programs and websites
authoring
*authoring tools /software
web authoring *
n.
in computing, an image which represents you in online games, chat rooms , etc. and which you can move around the screen using the mouse or keys
avatar
*By typing in simple commands you can pick up objects and talk to other avatars, with your words displayed in a cartoon bubble above your head. *
n.
a computer image formed from pixels which are each stored as a value of one or more bits (= units of information)
bitmap
n.
a key on a computer keyboard that you press to make any letters you type appear as capital letters until you press it again
Caps Lock (key)
- v.
To (cause a computer instruction to) operate by pressing a button on the mouse (= small control device) of a computer
- n.
when you press a button on the mouse (= small control device) of a computer to operate it
click
1. If you want to open a file, click twice on the icon for it.
When you have selected the file you want, click the ‘Open’ box.
adj.
Describes a word or image on a computer screen which you can click on to make further information appear or a new process begin
clickable
*To find your nearest UK school, we have a clickable map dividing the UK into regions. *
v.
able to use computers well
computerate
v.
n.
to use a computer to do something that was done by people or other machines before
computerize / computerise
computerization / conmputerisation
*They’ve just computerized the whole system. *
adj.
n.
able to use computers well
computer literate
computer literacy
n.
the key on a computer keyboard that is usually marked ‘Ctrl’ and is used together with other keys to do particular operations
control key
- v.
to get into someone else’s computer system without permission and get information or do something illegal
- v. [informal]
to copy computer programs or recorded material illegally
- v. [informal]
a method of cracking someone else’s computer system
crack
*3. Find cracks for your shareware programs. *
v.
to change electronic information or signals that were stored, written or sent in the form of a secret code (= system of letters, numbers or symbols) back into a form that you can understand and use normally
decrypt
*Messages encrypted using the public key can be decrypted only by someone with the private key. *
n.
a window (= a separate area on a computer screen) that appears and gives the person using the computer information about what they are doing
dialog box
v.
to put information into the form of a series of the numbers 0 and 1, usually so that it can be processed by a computer
digitize
v.
to press the mouse (= control device) twice in order to tell the computer to do something
double-click
*Double-click (on) the icon to start the program. *
v.
to copy or move programs or information into a computer’s memory, especially from the Internet or a larger computer
download
v.
to move something on a computer screen using a mouse
drag
n.
a list of choices on a computer screen which is hidden until you choose to look at it
drop-down menu
v.
Specialized to move information from a computer’s memory to a storage device
dump
v.
to change electronic information or signals into a secret code (= system of letters, numbers or symbols) that people cannot understand or use on normal equipment
encrypt
*Your financial information is fully encrypted and cannot be accessed. *
v.
to put information into a computer, book or document
enter
*You have to enter a password to access the database. *
- v.
to press the key on a computer keyboard which allows you to leave a particular screen and return to the previous one or to interrupt a process
- n.
the key on a computer keyboard which allows you to leave a particular screen and return to the previous one or to interrupt a process
escape
- Escape from this window and return to the main menu. *
- Press Esc to return to the main menu. *
v.
to end a computer program that you are using
exit
*You have to exit the program before starting another. *
v.
If you ……. information from a computer, you copy a large amount of it either to a different part of the computer’s storage space or to another form of storage such as a floppy disk , so that it can be used for a different purpose.
export
v. [Informal]
to press the wrong button by accident when you are using a computer keyboard
fat finger syndrome
*I thought the computer wasn’t working but I must have fat-fingered my password. *
v.
to mark computer information with one of two possible values so that you can process it later
flag
*We’ll flag the records of interest in the database and then we can give you a print-out. *
n.
a piece of text, such as a title or initials, that appears at the bottom of every page of a document or book
footer
- n.
the way in which information is arranged and stored on a computer
- v.
to organize or arrange text, especially on a computer, according to a chosen pattern
- v.
to prepare a computer disk for use with a particular type of computer
format
v.
to get into someone else’s computer system without permission in order to find out information or do something illegal
hack
*Computer hacking has become very widespread over the last decade.
A programmer had managed to hack into some top-secret government data. *
n.
someone who hacks into other people’s computer systems
hacker
n.
in computing, a key that starts a particular computer program or causes a series of actions to be performed automatically, sometimes when used in combination with another key; a **shortcut (key) **
hot key
v.
to copy information from one computer or computer program to another
import
*I need to import data from the database into my word processor.
imported files *
v.
to put information into a computer or other piece of electronic equipment
input
*I’ve spent the morning inputting data into the computer. *
v.
to put a computer program onto a computer so that the computer can use it
install
*Andrew, can you help me install this software? *
adj.
adv.
describes a system or computer program which is designed to involve the user in the exchange of information
interactive
interactively
*an interactive game/video
This is an interactive museum where children can actively manipulate the exhibits. *
v.
to connect two or more pieces of equipment, such as computers
interface
*The computers must be properly interfaced. *
v.
to get information from a computer
interrogate
v.
to put information into a computer using a keyboard
keyboard
n.
someone whose job is to put information into a computer using a keyboard
keyboarder
v.
to press the button on the left of a computer mouse in order to make the computer do something
left click
n.
….. often appears in an on-screen key that you click (= press) with your mouse as part of the process to start using a computer which is connected to a computer system.
login
v.
to change one image into another, or combine them, using a computer program
morph
*The video showed a man morphing into a tiger. *
v.
to connect computers together so that they can share information
network
*Our computer system consists of about twenty personal computers networked to a powerful file-server. *
- adj.
If a computer document or program is open, it is ready to be read or used
- v.
If you open a computer document or program, you make it ready to read or use
Open
*1. Make sure the file you’re copying to is open before you click ‘Paste’. *
*2. To open a new document, click ‘File’, then click ‘New’.
Click the desktop icon to open the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. *
v.
If you ……… a computer file, you replace it with a different one.
overwrite
v.
to move a piece of text to a particular place in a computer document
paste
*Cut that paragraph and then paste it at the end of the page. *
v.
to automatically add information to a list or table on a computer
populate
*There are several ways to populate the database. *
v.
to press the button on the right of a computer mouse in order to make the computer do something
right click
*Right click on the Start button and then click on ‘Explore’. *
v.
to put information on a computer onto a computer disk
save
v.
to move text or other information on a computer screen in order to view a different part of it
scroll
*Scroll to the end of the document. *
n.
on a computer screen, a long thin strip with arrows and a sliding section at the edge of a window, used for moving its contents up, down or across
scroll bar
adj.
If computer files are searchable, it is possible to search for words, numbers, and other information in those files
searchable
*a fully searchable database *
v.
to use a computer program which makes certain that the words in a document have the correct letters in the correct order
spell check
*It’s always a good idea to run a spell check once you’ve finished writing. *
v.
to listen to or watch sound or video on a computer directly from the Internet rather than downloading it and saving it first
stream
n.
a small pointed metal or plastic stick that you use to make a PDA (= a small computer that you hold in your hand) work
stylus
n.
someone who knows a lot about a computer program and can help other people to use it
superuser
v.
to spend time visiting a lot of websites
surf
*Many towns and cities have cybercafes where you can surf the Internet/Net/Web. *
n.
the key on a computer keyboard which allows you to move the cursor (= a symbol which shows where you are working) forward a few spaces
tab key
v.
to mark computer information so that you can process it later
tag
n.
on a computer screen, a set of symbols that shows the programs you are using and allows you to change them
taskbar
n.
an office, usually in a village, provided with computers and electronic communications equipment for use by people and businesses in the area
telecottage
n.
when someone works from a telecottage
telecottaging
n.
the long narrow coloured part along the top of your computer screen that shows the title of the document or program that is open
title bar
v.
to switch a feature on a computer on and off by pressing the same button or key
toggle
*Use this key to toggle between the two typefaces.
By toggling this key, you can switch the italics on and off. *
n.
on a computer screen, a row of icons (= small pictures that you choose in order to make the computer do something)
toolbar
n.
a special area on a laptop or other computer that you touch in order to move the cursor or give an instruction
touchpad
- n.
a computer screen that you touch to get information, buy something, etc.
- adj
a touch screen
*1. Customers use a touch screen to buy tickets. *
*2. Voters in Georgia will use a touch-screen voting system.
touch-screen technology *
- v.
to remove a computer program from a computer
- adj.
describes a computer program which removes other programs from a computer
Uninstall
*1. The program ran so slowly, I had to uninstall it.
To uninstall this demo, double-click the Add/Remove icon. *
*2. There is still a lot of software that comes without an uninstall program . *
v.
to return a computer file to its original size after it has been zipped (= reduced in size so that it can be easily sent or stored)
unzip
- v.
to copy or move programs or information to a larger computer system or to the Internet
- n.
a computer program or information that can be uploaded
upload
n.
a name or other word that you sometimes need to type in together with a password before you are allowed to use a computer or the Internet
username
*Please enter your username and password. *
v.
to record information in the memory of a computer
write
*There was a problem writing to the disk in the A drive. *
v.
to compress (= reduce the size of) a computer file so that it uses less space, and can be more easily sent or stored
zip
*If you’re desperate for disk space you could zip the file (up) and stick it on a floppy. *
n.
a computer file that has been compressed (= reduced in size) so that it uses up less space
zip file
phrasal v.
to make an extra copy of computer information
back sth up
*Make sure you back up your files. *
phrasal v.
to find and show information on a computer screen
call sth up
*You can use the search facility to call up all the occurrences of a particular word in a document. *
phrasal v.
to send someone a copy of an email that you are sending to someone else
copy sb in
*I’ll copy you in on all emails relating to the project. *
phrasal v.
to look for something on a computer or website by moving from general information to more detailed information
drill down
*Many websites have some form of hyperlink navigation as you drill down. *
phrasal v.
to put information into a computer or a machine using a keyboard
*key sth in *
phrasal v.
to connect a computer to a computer system by typing your name, so that you can start working
log in/on
*Log on using your name and password. *
phrasal v.
to stop a computer being connected to a computer system, usually when you want to stop working
log off/out
*Could you all log off for a few minutes, please? *
phrasal v.
If you roll over something on a computer screen, you move the mouse over an active place so that you can see information that is hidden underneath
roll (sth) over sth
*If you roll your mouse over a word, its definition will appear. *
Expression
If you copy and paste something on a computer screen, you move it from one area to another
copy and paste
Expression
to move words or pictures from one place to another in a computer document
cut and paste
Expression
If you drag and drop something on a computer screen, you move it from one area to another using the mouse
drag and drop
