CanadaWorks!

Computers are often compared to the human brain. Looking at the model on the previous page, can you describe the process using human terms? (e.g., input would be the 5 senses)

All of the things described so far are referred to as the hardware. The other critical area to understanding computers is software. Software is an application or a program. Each program or application tells the computer (or other computerized machine) what to do.

Common Program Types are:
word processing	a program that works with words (text), useful for letters, reports etc. this application can make more
desktop publishing complicated	documents like newsletters or flyers this is a program that arranges
database information	and lets the user store it or rearrange it in different ways
spreadsheet	this is like a database but more useful for working with numbers

Some words we use with computers are also used to talk about other systems like ATMs, fax machines and photocopiers. Others are unique to computers.

user, the person using the system
open, to start a program
close, to shut down a program
exit, the same as close
run, open e.g. Word is running on my computer means the same as I am using word at the moment.
install, to put a new program into the system the first time
set up, install
input, to give the system some information or data
delete, remove permanently
enter, same as input
select, pick or choose, usually using a mouse or button
options, different choices available
menu, a group of options
maximize, make one program fill the screen of the monitor (Windows operating system)
minimize, reduce a program to a small button at the bottom of the screen (Windows operating system)
save, to keep data (information) in a file
icon, a picture button to select an action (e.g. in some programs means save)

If we just looked at the words and not the meaning, could we make good guesses about what we need to do? Try to use each word in a sentence not about computers. Do you think there is a relationship between what you meant in your sentence and the meanings above?