search engine A programme, accessed on the Internet, that allows you to search large databases for information, using keywords or phrases.
serial port A small connector on the back of the computer (or keyboard) for plugging in a thin cable attached to a serial device, such as a mouse.
server A computer with a large hard disk that serves (provides information to) other computers connected to it by a network.
The Internet is a network of servers. When you send or receive
shortcut An icon on the Windows desktop that you
software A programme that you can install on a computer from a diskette, CD, DVD, Zip disk, or the Internet. See programme.
surf To jump from place to place on the Internet, searching for topics of interest, by clicking hyperlinks. See hyperlink.
surge protector A device that regulates the flow of electricity to the computer and prevents
URL (uniform resource locator) The address of a Web site, such as www.compaq.com.
USB port (universal serial bus port)
A connector for plugging in multiple,
V
virus A set of software instructions written to harm computers.
W
window A screen that displays on the Windows desktop after you select an item or open a programme.
Windows desktop The main screen you see when your computer completes startup.
Windows taskbar The gray bar across the bottom of the screen when your computer completes startup.
World Wide Web A system of Internet servers that support documents formatted in HTML. See HTML.
U
upload To send information to another computer on the Internet.
Z
zipped file A file that has been compressed to a smaller size by compression software, such as WinZip. It can be identified by the file extension .zip. See file extension.
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