A category of information in a database, such as name, Address or Telephone Number.

Any item stored on a computer, for example, a program, a document or an image.

A code, usually of three letters, that appears at the end of a file name to indicate its format (What type of file it is).

The way in which files created by different programs are saved. This differs from program to program, so that one program may have difficulty reading files created by another. Common file formats are listed below:
Text: .asc, .doc, .htm, .html, .msg, .txt, .wpd
Image: .bmp, .eps, .gif, .jpg, .pict, .png, .tif
Sound: .au, .mid, .ra, .snd, .wav
Video: .avi, .mov, .mpg, .qt
Compressed: .arc, .arj, .gz, .hqx, .sit, .tar, .z, zip
Program: .bat, .com, .exe

A program that enables users to organise all the items stored on a hard disk. Users can copy, rename or delete files, move them from one folder to another, and create new folders.

A program that searches a PC for a file, if given information such as the file name or creation date.

A portable data storage device. Each 3.5 inch disk can hold up to 1.44Mb of information. Often used to back up data from the hard disk. See Hard Disk.

An electronic storage compartment used to keep related files and relevant documents in the same place on the hard disk.

A particular style of type, such as Helvetica or Times New Roman. Most fonts can be displayed and printed in different sizes.

To alter the appearance of a document- for example, its typography, layout, and so on.

Programs, usually produced by hobby programmers, for which users do not pay a fee. Freeware can often be downloaded form the internet.

The 12 keys (labelled f1, f2 and so on) at the top of the keyboard. Their function depends on which program is in use. So, for instance, Shift+f7 in Word will call up the Thesaurus.