Author Topic: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"  (Read 19832 times)

Offline MysteRy

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Re: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"
« Reply #90 on: April 12, 2014, 09:52:31 AM »
System Analyst

A system analyst is the person who selects and configures computer systems for an organization or business. His or her job typically begins with determining the intended purpose of the computers. This means the analyst must understand the general objectives of the business, as well as what each individual user's job requires. Once the system analyst has determined the general and specific needs of the business, he can choose appropriate systems that will help accomplish the goals of the business.

When configuring computer systems for a business, the analyst must select both hardware and software. The hardware aspect includes customizing each computer's configuration, such as the processor speed, amount of RAM, hard drive space, video card, and monitor size. It may also involve choosing networking equipment that will link the computers together. The software side includes the operating system and applications that are installed on each system. The software programs each person requires may differ greatly between users, which is why it is important that the system analyst knows the specific needs of each user.

To summarize, the system analyst's job is to choose the most efficient computer solutions for a business, while making sure the systems meet all the company's needs. Therefore, the system analyst must have a solid understanding of computer hardware and software and should keep up-to-date on all the latest technologies. He must also be willing to listen to the constant needs and complaints of the users he builds systems for.

Offline MysteRy

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Re: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"
« Reply #91 on: April 12, 2014, 09:53:05 AM »
System Hardening

Most computers offer network security features to limit outside access to the system. Software such as antivirus programs and spyware blockers prevent malicious software from running on the machine. Yet, even with these security measures in place, computers are often still vulnerable to outside access. System hardening, also called Operating System hardening, helps minimize these security vulnerabilities.

The purpose of system hardening is to eliminate as many security risks as possible. This is typically done by removing all non-essential software programs and utilities from the computer. While these programs may offer useful features to the user, if they provide "back-door" access to the system, they must be removed during system hardening.

Advanced system hardening may involve reformatting the hard disk and only installing the bare necessities that the computer needs to function. The CD drive is listed as the first boot device, which enables the computer to start from a CD or DVD if needed. File and print sharing are turned off if not absolutely necessary and TCP/IP is often the only protocol installed. The guest account is disabled, the administrator account is renamed, and secure passwords are created for all user logins. Auditing is enabled to monitor unauthorized access attempts.

While these steps are often part of operating system hardening, system administrators may choose to perform other tasks that boost system security. While both Macintosh and Windows operating systems can be hardened, system hardening is more often done on Windows machines, since they are more likely to have their security compromised.

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Re: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"
« Reply #92 on: April 12, 2014, 09:55:10 AM »
System Requirements

Whenever you purchase software or hardware for your computer, you should first make sure your computer supports the system requirements. These are the necessary specifications your computer must have in order to use the software or hardware. For example, a computer game may require you computer to have Windows XP or later, a 2.0 GHz processor, 512 MB or RAM, a 64 MB graphics card, and 500 MB or hard drive space. If your computer does not meet all of these requirements, the game will not run very well or might not run at all.

It is just as important to check system requirements for hardware devices. For example, if you buy a printer, it may require either Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.3 or later. It may also require a USB port and 80 MB of available hard drive space. If your computer does not have any USB ports, you will not be able to physically connect the printer. If your machine does not have Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.3 or later, the printer drivers may be incompatible with your operating system. This means you computer will be unable to recognize the printer.

Most hardware and software products have the system requirements printed on the side or bottom of the product packaging. When you are shopping for computer software or hardware, it is a good idea to first find out exactly what your system's specifications are and write them down on a piece of paper. The important information to record includes:

1. Operating System (i.e. Windows XP, SP 2 or Mac OS X 10.3.8 )

2. Processor Speed (i.e. Pentium 4, 3.2 GHz or Power PC G5, 2.0 GHz)3.

3. Memory, a.k.a. RAM (i.e. 512 MB)

4. Graphics Card (i.e. ATI Radeon 9800 w/ 256 MB video memory)

5. Hard Disk Space (i.e. 80 GB available)

6. I/O Ports (i.e. USB, Firewire, Serial, Parallel, SCSI, VGA, DVI ports)


By recording these specifications from your computer, you will be able to make sure your computer supports the products you are buying.

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Re: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"
« Reply #93 on: April 12, 2014, 09:55:47 AM »
System Resources

Your computer has many types of resources. They include the CPU, video card, hard drive, and memory. In most cases, the term "system resources" is used to refer to how much memory, or RAM, your computer has available.

For example, if you have 1.0 GB (1024 MB) of RAM installed on your machine, then you have a total of 1024 MB of system resources. However, as soon as your computer boots up, it loads the operating system into the RAM. This means some of your computer's resources are always being used by the operating system. Other programs and utilities that are running on your machine also use your computer's memory. If your operating system uses 300 MB of RAM and your active programs are using 200 MB, then you would have 524 MB of "available system resources." To increase your available system resources, you can close active programs or increase your total system resources by adding more RAM.

System resources can also refer to what software is installed on your machine. This includes the programs, utilities, fonts, updates, and other software that is installed on your hard drive. For example, if a file installed with a certain program is accidentally removed, the program may fail to open. The error message may read, "The program could not be opened because the necessary resources were not found."

As you can see, the term "system resources" can be a bit ambiguous. Just remember that while it usually refers to your computer's memory, it can be used to describe other hardware or software as well.

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Re: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"
« Reply #94 on: April 12, 2014, 09:56:19 AM »
System Software

System software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's operating system. System files include libraries of functions, system services, drivers for printers and other hardware, system preferences, and other configuration files. The programs that are part of the system software include assemblers, compilers, file management tools, system utilites, and debuggers.

The system software is installed on your computer when you install your operating system. You can update the software by running programs such as "Windows Update" for Windows or "Software Update" for Mac OS X. Unlike application programs, however, system software is not meant to be run by the end user. For example, while you might use your Web browser every day, you probably don't have much use for an assembler program (unless, of course, you are a computer programmer).

Since system software runs at the most basic level of your computer, it is called "low-level" software. It generates the user interface and allows the operating system to interact with the hardware. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about what the system software is doing since it just runs in the background. It's nice to think you are working at a "high-level" anyway.

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Re: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"
« Reply #95 on: April 12, 2014, 09:56:47 AM »
System Unit

This is the technical term that refers to the box that houses your computer. The system unit refers to the computer itself but does not include the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse, or any other peripherals. I suppose most people will probably know what you mean when you refer to "the box," but saying "system unit" will definitely make you sound more sophisticated.

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Re: Computer Terms Beginning with "S"
« Reply #96 on: April 12, 2014, 09:57:19 AM »
Systray

The systray, short for "system tray," is located on the right side of the Windows toolbar. It is the collection of small icons on the opposite side of the Start Menu. The volume control and the date & time are default items in the systray and many more can be added. Some common icons that get placed in the systray are virus-scan, mouse, and instant messenger icons. They usually get put in the systray (whether you like it or not) when their respective programs are installed.

The nice thing about the systray is that it allows quick and easy access to programs and control settings. Most systray icons will open a control panel or program when double-clicked. However, if you install too many of them, the area can get so cluttered, you may find it easier to just browse your hard drive and open the program.