back up
To make copies of (usually, a computer file) and keep them in case the original (file) gets deleted or corrupted.

beta testing
Testing new software on different computers before debugging and completing a final, commercial version of the product.

compatible
Equally usable on either one computer platform or another (PC and Macintosh, for instance).

compress
To reduce the size of a computer file for easier storage or for sending across the Internet.

database
Computer program with rows and columns for keeping records of any information.

default
The standard option available when no other option is specifically chosen.

downsize
To reduce in size; said of a computer graphic and, by extension, to a workforce.

duplicate
An exact copy or replica of a document.

firewall
A virtual (software) barrier preventing intruders from accessing online information or another computer.

grayscale
Referring to a visual display, in tones of gray (ranging from black to white), on a computer screen.

handwriting recognition
Software for turning someone’s handwriting into editable text.

icon
The graphical items on a computer desktop which represent files, folders or programs.

install
To install a program or operating system in a computer.

load
To bring a program or screen page into RAM memory so that it can be viewed and processed.

log in
To access (a website; a computer system).

log off
To disconnect or exit from (a computer network; the Internet).

log on
To make a connection to (a computer network; the Internet).

log out
To disconnect or exit (from a website; a computer system).

meg
A megabyte (1,000 kilobytes).

MIDI
“Musical Instrument Digital Interface”: A standard for representing musical information in a digital format. Software used for composing and editing electronic music.

OCR
“Optical character recognition”: software which converts a scanned document into editable text.

patch
A small computer program which fixes a bug in a larger program.

pixel
From “picture element”: the smallest logical unit of visual information that can be used to build an image.

plug-in
A software utility which extends the capability of a computer program.

reinstall
To install a program or operating system in a computer again.

UNIX
An object-oriented computer operating system often used on network servers.

virus definition file
A file containing descriptions of the latest computer viruses.