Write or print the following Computer Literacy Basics.  Study and retain these notes for the upcoming exam.

Central Processing Unit (CPU):  Often called the "Motherboard",  it provides the brainpower for the PC.  It executes or  performs commands, calculations and sometimes routes information between the various parts of the system.

Random Access Memory (RAM):  The RAM holds information temporarily within the system.  When you turn off the computer, it's information is erased.  For this reason, it's commonly called the system's "working memory".  RAM is measured in megabytes.

Hard-disk/Hard-drive:  The hard-disk, actually composed of several patters of magnetic storage material stored within a mechanism called the hard drive, holds the computer's systems files, other programs, and files you create.  Today, hard disk or hard-drive space is measured in gigabytes.

Floppy Drive:  Other than storing files on the hard-drive (above), you may want to save it on a floppy disk within the floppy drive.  The floppy drive (called "A" drive) holds the 3 1/2 inch floppy disk and only holds 1.44 megabytes of information or more than a million characters. The files you carry on this disk are portable.

Keyboard:  The keyboard is the primary means of giving the computer input.  You can choose special keys or function keys (also called "F" keys) to perform a command, or you may use other keys such as the Ctrl, Alt, Insert, Delete, keys etc. to perform other commands.  A numeric keyboard  at the right side of the keyboard makes it more convenient to enter numbers.

Mouse:  The fist-sized device that rolls on your desk and connects to the system via a tail-like cable.  Rolling the mouse moves the on-screen pointer in the corresponding direction.  You can press a button on the mouse to select what's underneath the pointer. 

Pressing the left mouse button once is called "clicking", while pressing the left button twice is called "double-clicking".  Pressing and releasing the right mouse button is called "right-clicking".

CD-Rom Drive:  Called the Compact Disc-Read Only Memory Drive.  This type of drive reads a CD-ROM disc by using a laser to read information stored on the disc inserted into the drive.  Data on a CD can be audio (music) or data.

Modem:  A modem enables your computer to communicate over telephone lines.  Most home computers have modems, which allow them to connect to the internet over their telephone line.

Operating System Software:  Software which essentially operates the computer.  A user cannot open software programs or even access the internet without the Operating System Software.  Most PCs use the Windows operating system.  (Note:  Apple/Mac computers use their own operating system software called Apple OS.)

Hardware:  The physical parts of the computer.  This includes the monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.

Software:  consists of programming instructions that enable the computer to work and enable you to communicate with the computer.  An example of a software program is Microsoft Word.

Internet: A network (inter-connection) of computer networks covering the Earth.  With the Internet and Internet e-mail, e-mail messages can be sent that arrive the same day.  Information on the internet is viewed using the Internet browser software.  This software is most often called Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.