Here follows a list with some common words and terms used when using
computers.
| Word |
A popular GUI word processor, originally text-based and run under DOS |
| CS |
CS stands for the department of Computer Science. |
| Operating system |
Computer software used on a computer. Without the OS
the computer is pretty useless. |
| Windows |
An OS from Microsoft, used on most desktop computers today.
If you are unsure which OS you have, it is probably some version of Windows. |
| Unix |
Another OS, for a long time used on mainframes and large computers only.
Today it can be run on an ordinary computer. Linux is loosely
considered a flavour of Unix. |
| The file system |
A tree structure on computer systems where files and
directories are stored. In Windows the tree uses drive letters
(C:\, H:\), and in Unix everything lies under the same root directory (/). |
| Folder |
A folder resides in a file system and can hold files and/or other
folders. Also called directories |
| MB |
A short term for Megabyte. A byte consists of eight bits (binary
digits), which is what most often is used to store a character. Mega,
in the computer world, means 2^20 = 1048576, as opposed to the
scientific Mega (10^6), which is written Mi. MB is used to
describe file sizes, among other things.
|
| Account |
An account is a combination of a username and a password that
lets you log in to a computer system at CS. |
| Username |
This is your name in the computer systems, in our case the part
before @cs.umu.se in your e-mail address. |
| Password |
To prevent unauthorized people from logging in to another user's
account you are given a password. Keep this to yourself. |
| Logging in |
When you log in your username and password are authenticated
against the computer system, making sure that it is actually you trying
to log in. |
| Logging out |
When you are logging out the computer will get ready for another
person to log in. Make sure that you log out or someone may use
your account to perform illicit actions. |
