Secondary Storage

File Compression
File compression is a technique used in decreasing the size of a single or a bunch of files. File compression is useful because it helps reduce the consumption of space and thus easier storage or transfer of files. It also saves users from using too much bandwidth or expensive storage space to store big files.

An example of file compressor.

Head Crash
A head crash is a hard-disk failure that occurs when the head of a hard-disk drive touches its rotating platter, resulting in permanent and usually fatal damage to the hard-disk. This usually happens when the hard-disk receives a very huge impact causing the head to shake and touch the platter.

A damaged Hard-disk

Internet Hard Drive
Like a hard-disk, a Internet hard drive helps you store your computer files on the Internet and access them from any location as long as you have Internet connection. They are very low-cost and some of the storage sites even offers free storage. The downside is that information stored on the net are exposed to low-privacy and can be easily hacked, uploading also takes a lot of time too if the connection is slow.

Optical Disc Drive (ODD)
An ODD is a disc drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves to receive and store data on an optical disc. There drives are both readers and recorders so it can read retrieve and store data to or from Compact discs, DVDs and Blue-ray discs.

An ODD.

Solid-state Storage
Solid-state storage (Or Solid-state drive, SSD) is a data storage device that stores data using solid state memory. SSDs use microchips which retain data in non volatile memory chips. SDDs are usually less prone to physical shock, quieter and have lower access time and latency. They use the same interface as hard disc drives.

Input and Output

Ergonomic Keyboard
A keyboard that has it keys seperated into an obvious two halves shaped like a "V." There are keyboards with fixed or movable layouts. Ergonomic keyboards put less stress on the hands and the wrist. It is comfortable for most users.

Ergonomic Keyboard.

Ink-jet Printer
An inkjet printer is a type of computer printer that creates an image on paper by placing small droplets of ink on it. Inkjet printers are commonly used for it is quiet and relatively inexpensive.

Inkjet printer.

Laser Printer
Laser printer uses laser to imprint images on papers. It is known for printing/producing high quality text and graphics. But it is not commonly used because of it's expensive cost.

Laser Printer

Magnetic-ink Character Reader (MICR)
Magnetic-ink Character Reader is a technology mainly used by the banking industry to process cheques. Computer can read informations such as account numbers off printed documents using MICR. MICR can be easily read by and translated by humans unlike characters like Barcodes.

MICR

Optical-character Recognition (OCR)
OCR is a mechanical translation of scanned images of handwritten, typed or printed text into an encoded text. It is used to convert physical books into electronical files so on. It also has many other functions like editing text or words search.

Optical-mark Recognition (OMR)
OMR is a process in which includes the capturing of human-marked datas from certain document forms such as surveys or answer sheets from tests.

The System Unit

Flash Memory
Flash memory is a chip that can be used to store informations even without a power source. Using units of memories which are called blocks, informations on a flash memory can be erased or reprogrammed easily. It can be commonly found in USB pendrives, memory cards or MP3 players. With flash memory it is much easier to carry computer data around.

A USB pendrive.

Graphic Card
A graphic card is a hardware that is essential to be installed into a computer in order for the computer to produce images. It is a hardware that manages and manipulates information and sends information for the computer screen to project it. A high end graphic card is necessary to support programs like games or graphical applications.

Graphic Card

Sound Card
Much similar to a graphic card. Except that sound card is used for producing sound data instead. Sound cards are usually used to support a sound system such as a surround sound system or a woofer.

Sound card.

Network Interface Card
A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware that connects the computer into a local area network (LAN). Using nodes, Networked computers connect with each other using a protocol or language that transmits data. The network interface card functions as a medium for the connected computers to send data among each other on the LAN.

NIC Card.

Plug and Play
Plug and Play (PnP) is a system Microsoft developed that gives users the ability to plug a device into a computer and use it instantly. Before PnP was developed users have to specifically tell the computer system about the device connected before being able to use it.

Plug and Play.

Bus Line
The bus line enables different parts of the CPU to communicate with each other using an electronic line. The data that flows through the bus lines are called bits. A system that has more bus lines means a faster and stronger working system that is able to transfer data faster than CPU with lesser bus lines.

Bus lines on a motherboard.

HDMI
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital solution for audio and video to be played on a home theater from an electronic equipment. A HDMI cable can replace up to eleven normal cables when connecting devices such as TVs or DVD players.

HDMI Cables.

Cache Memory
A memory cache, also known as RAM cache, is memory made up of high speed dynamic Ram (DRAM) used for main memory. Memory caching is effective because most programs access the same data or instructions over and over.

Specialized Application Software

Audio Editing Software
Widely used by record companies, DJs or studios, this program provides a number of advanced functions that allows users to cut, edit, mix, refine and also do many other stuffs to an audio file. It is also possible to add effects such as fade, distortion and many more to an audio file using the software.

Adobe Audition in Action.

Bitmap Image
A bitmap image is a computer's composition of individual dots, or more widely called "pixels" where each dot or pixels has its own colour, hue or value. Bitmap files (.BMP) are used to store digital images. However, it's limitation is that if it is enlarged or stretched, the quality of the image will be affected and decreases and the image will be blur or pixelated.

A pixelated bitmap image.

Hypertext Markup Language Editor (HTML editor)
A HTML editor is a software application used to create and edit webpages. Webpages are formed by multiple codes of HTML and in order to access them and edit them with freewill, a HTML editor is needed. HTML editors not only work specifically on HTML codes, it is also applicable on CSS, XML or Javascript.

Multimedia
Multimedia adds together text, audio and visuals to compile into a composition on the computer screen. Multimedia normal consists of still images animations or videos. A very good example of the use of multimedia is websites that uses Flash.

Multimedia.

Vector Image
Vector images are pictures that are formed using geometrical elements like lines and circles. Vector images are more flexible compared to bitmap images and can easily be enlarged without getting its image blurred or pixelated.

A vector image.

Web Authoring
Web Authoring softwares are used to create and design a webpage. It enables users to develop a websites using a desktop publishing format. With the aid of the software, generated Hyper Text Markup Language can be used for encoding the layout of web pages based on the user's design plan.

Basic Application Software

Graphical User Interface
Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a program interface that uses a computer's graphic to make the computer programs much easier to use. It frees the users from having to learn complex command languages in order to use the computer adequately. Even for people who already knows command languages, they find it much easier to command with the GUI. Basic GUIs includes the mouse pointer, icons, desktops, windows and menus.

A futuristic GUI.

Word Processor
A program that allow users to compose, edit and format print materials and create a written document on the computer. With word processors, the usage of special fonts, colour editting, and graphics can be used. Examples of word processors are Microsoft Word and Notepad.

Microsoft Word.

Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet is a computer application that allows users to create a worksheet that displays multiple cells that forms a grid of rows and columns, each cell containing data of formulas, numbers or alphabets. Spreadsheet is widely used for accounting or data compiling purposes because of it's simply usage and easy-to-use calculating system. Microsoft Excel is a widely used program for spreadsheet.

Microsoft Excel

Datasbase Management System (DBMS)
A Database Management System (DBMS) is a set of computer programs that are used to edit and control the use of the database. With it, corporate organizations can control the database development. A DBMS is a software package that intergrates collections of related data records and files known as databases. Different application programs can access to the same database with the help of DBMS.


Utility Suites
A collection of utility programs that share a common use. An example of utility suite is the Security suite, it contains multiple programs that functions the same; To protect the computer from harmful data or hackers. Other than that, file utility suites contains programs that helps user the manage the files in their computer better.