| Terms |
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gigahertz
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billions of clock cycles per second, a measurement of computer's clock speed
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shareware
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software that is free for the trying, with a send payment-if-you-keep-it honor system
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cell format
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a function of a spreadsheet software that enables users to change the appearance of the contents of a cell
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utility program
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software that serves as tools for doing system maintenance and some repairs that are not automatically handled by the operating system
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bit
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binary digit, the smallest unit of information. a bit can have two values: 0 or 1
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master pages
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in desktop publishing, the pages that control the general layout of the document
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desktop computer
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a personal computer designed to be set up on a desk or table and used in that place for an extended period of time
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stack chart
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stacked bars to show how proportions of a whole change over time
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integrated software
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software packages that include several applications designed to work well together
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template
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in desktop publishing, professionally designed empty documents that can be adapted to specific user needs. in spreadsheet software, worksheets that contain labels and formulas but no data values. the template produces instant answers when you fill in the blanks
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bug
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an error in programming
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processor
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part of the computer that processes information, performs arithmetic calculations, and makes basic decisions based on information values
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row
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along with columns, comprise the grid of a spreadsheet-numbers
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replication
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automatic replication of values, labels, and formulas, a feature of spreadsheet software
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bar code reader
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a reading tool that uses light to read universal product codes, inventory codes, and other codes created out of patterns of variable-width bars
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software
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the instructions that tell the hardware what to do to transform input and output
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validators
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the equivalent of spelling and grammar checkers for calculations that help users check complex worksheets for consistency of entries and formula logic
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file compression
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the process of reducing the size of a file so that you can fit more files into the same amount of disk space
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megabyte
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approx 100k or 1 million bytes
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input devices
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device for accepting input, such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or scanner
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bar chart
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a chart that shows relative values with bars, appropriate when data falls into a few categories
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memory
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stores programs and the data they need to be instantly accessible to the CPU
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laptop computer
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a flat-screen, battery-powered portable computer that you can rest on your lap
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automatic recalculation
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a spreadsheet capability that allows for easy correction of errors and makes it easy to try out different values while searching for solutions
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ASCII(American standard code for information interchange)
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a code that represents characters as 8-bit codes. allows the binary computer to work with letters, digits, and special characters
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E book (electronic book)
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a hand held device that displays digital representations of the contents of the books
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source documents
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in desktop publishing, the articles, chapters, drawings, maps, charts, and photographs that are to appear in the publication. usually produced with standard word processors and graphics programs
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menu-driven interface
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user interface that enables users to choose commands from onscreen list called menus
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malware
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malicious software, especially destructive programs such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses devised and spread by computer saboteurs
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label
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in a spreadsheet, a text entry that provides information on what a column or row represents
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output device
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device for sending information from the computer, such as a monitor, printer, speakers, or projectors
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site license
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license for multiple copies or removing restrictions on software copying and use at a network site
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camera ready
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typeset-quality pages, ready to be photographed and printed
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kilobyte
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about 100 bytes of information
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pie chart
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a round pie-shaped chart with slices that show the relative proportions of the parts to a whole
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leading
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the space between lines of text
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absolute reference
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a reference in a spreadsheet to a specific cell address
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full color
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a desktop-published document that uses a wide range of color. contrast with spot color
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terabyte
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approx 1 million Megabytes
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relative reference
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a reference to a spreadsheet cell in relation to the current cell
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DTP (desktop publishing)
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software used mainly to produce print publications. also, the process of using desktop-publishing software to produce publications
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formula
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step-by-step procedure for calculating a number on a spreadsheet
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modeling
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use of computers to make models in a simulation
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peripheral
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an external device, such as a keyboard or monitor, connected via cables to the system central processing unit
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GUI (graphical user interface)
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a user interface based on graphical displays. with a mouse, the user points to icons that represents files, folders, and disks. documents are displayed in windows. the user selects commands from menus
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cell
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the intersection of a row and column on the grid of a spreadsheet
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backup
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the process of saving data-especially for data recovery. many systems automatically back up data and software onto disks or tapes
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simulation
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a computer model of a real life situation used to see how a model responds under certain conditions
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function
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a predefined set of calculation, such as SUM and AVERAGE in spread sheet software
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RAM (random access memory)
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memory that stores program instructions and data temporarily
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line chart
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a chart that shows trends or relationships over time, or a relative distribution of one variable through another
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operating system
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a system of programs that performs a variety of technical operations, providing an additional layer of insulation between the user and the bits-and-bytes world of computer hardware
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motherboard
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the circuit board that contains a computer's CPU. also called a system board
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software license
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an agreement allowing the use of a software program on a single machine
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OMR (optical mark reader)
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a reading device that uses reflected light to determine the location of pencil marks on standardized test answer sheets and similar forms
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defragmenting
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eliminating fragmented files by changing the assignment of blusters to files
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bytes
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grouping of 8 bits
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wizard
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a software help agent that walks the user through a complex process
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user interface
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the look and feel of the computing experience from a human point of view
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spot color
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the relatively easy use of a single color (or sometimes two to add interest to a desktop publishing product
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software piracy
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the illegal duplication of copyrighted software
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feedback loop
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in a computer simulation, the user and computer responding to data from each other
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RFID tag
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a device that, when energized by a nearby RFID reader, broadcasts information to the reader for input into a computer
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gigabyte
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approx 1000MB
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RFID (radio frequency identification) reader
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a reading tool that uses radio waves to communicate with RFID tags
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spreadsheet software
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enables the user to control numbers, manipulating them in various ways. the software can manage budgeting, investment management, business projections, grade books, scientific simulations, check books, financial planning and speculations, and other tasks involving numbers
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page-layout software
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in desktop publishing, software used to combine various source documents into a coherent, visually appealing publication
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kerning
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the space between letter pairs in a document
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worksheet
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a spreadsheet document that appears on the screen as a grid of numbered rows and columns
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ergonomics
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the science of designing work environments that enable people and things to interact efficiently and safely
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"what if" questions
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a feature of spreadsheet software that allows speculation by providing instant answers to hypothetical questions
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RTF (rich text format)
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a standard formalized by Microsoft for specifying the format of documents
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PDF (portable document format)
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alllows documents of all types to be stored, viewed, or modified on any windows or Macintosh computer, making it possible for many organizations to reduce paper flow
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range
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a rectangular block of cells
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scatter chart
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discovers a relationship between two variables
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open-source software
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software that can be distributed and modified freely by users; linux is the best known example
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value
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the numbers that are the raw material used by spreadsheet software to perform calculations
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OCR (optical character recognition)
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locating and identifying printed characters embedded in an image, allowing the text to be stored as an editable document. OCR can be performed by wand readers, pen scanners, and OCR software
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macro
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custom-designed embedded procedure program that automates tasks in application programs
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public domain software
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free software that is not copyrighted, offered through world wide web sites, electronic bulletin boards, user groups, and other sources
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address
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in a spreadsheet, the location of a cell, determined by row number and column number
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automatic link
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a link between worksheets in a spreadsheet that ensures that a change in one worksheet is reflected in the other
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command-line interface
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user interface that requires the user to type text commands on a command-line to communicate with the operating system
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ROM (read only memory)
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memory that includes permanent information only. the computer can only read information from it; it can never write any new information on it
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commercial software
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software that must be purchased through commercial channels and is copyrighted
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PDA(personal digital assistant)
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a pocket-sized computer used to organize appointments, tasks, notes, contacts, and other personal information. sometimes called hand held computer or palmtop computer. many PDAs include additional software and hardware for wireless communication
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speech recognition software
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the identification of spoken words and sentences by a computer, making it possible for voice input to be converted into text files
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column
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along with rows, comprise the grid of a spreadsheet
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unicode
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a 65,000 character set for making letters, digits, and special characters fit into the computer's binary circuitry
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