We will always write so that those who have no computer background can understand. The information below is organized in sections to allow advanced users to skip over material they already know.
Many people who have used computers for years or even decades may be familiar with common terminology without truly knowing what it means or how it all fits together. It is not absolutely necessary to know any of this; however, I find that understanding the big picture helps me to learn new subjects faster. Read on for hardware, software, operating systems, Linux, and Ubuntu.
HARDWARE:
- PC – short for Personal Computer – either desktop (larger and stationary) or laptop (portable).
- Computer hardware – the physical parts of your computer. See Basic Computer Hardware Components for more detail.
- Peripherals – Extra hardware devices you attach to your PC such as a printer, mouse, keyboard, scanner, joystick, or external storage devices.
SOFTWARE:
- Software – the instructions that control what your hardware does – also called system software or software programs. Often also used when applications or application program is more accurate.
- Application or Software Programs – collections of programming instructions used by your computer to do specific tasks. System software programs control the actions of your computer while application programs perform actions directly for the end user (you) or another application. For example, they allow us to view Web sites (using a Web browser program), write a letter (using a Word Processing Program), create a spreadsheet, and so on.
- Open Source Software – software usually developed by placing the “source code” in a public venue where many can contribute to development and the end product is free software for anyone to use.
- Source Code – the program language used to create software or the completed (or in-process) program code that controls what a software program can do.
OPERATING SYSTEMS:
- Operating System – the management program that controls the other programs and hardware on a PC or personal computer.
- GUI – the “graphical user interface” that allows you to use a mouse to point and click at graphics to control what your computer does. The Windows “GUI” is what made it easier for new users to learn to use computers.(All computers have either DOS or a type of UNIX running under what the user sees.)
LINUX:
- Unix – a family of operating systems which includes Linux, AIX (IBM’s version), HP-UX, Solaris, etc.
- Linux – Linux is the variety of Unix that serves as the free base operating system on which complete systems such as Ubuntu are built.
- GNU aka GNU/Linux – the Linux operating system used by many Linux distributions.
- Linux distribution – an operating system based on Linux which include a customized GUI and preloaded and configured applications to make it easier to use. Ubuntu is one of the most common Linux distributions .
- Linux distro – short for Linux distribution
- Kernel – the core of an operating system. The kernel is what allows your software programs to direct what the hardware in your computer does. Ubuntu uses the Linux kernel.
- Linux Kernel – a core operating system based on Linux. All Linux distributions share the same Linux kernel.
UBUNTU:
(To understand Ubuntu see also the definitions under Linux immediately above.)
- Ubuntu – considered by many to be easiest to learn for new computer users and those already familiar with Windows or Macs, Ubuntu is an Open Source operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux
- Debian aka Debian GNU/Linux – the core Linux distribution upon which Ubuntu is built. Most Linux distros are based on either Debian or Fedora (formerly known as Red Hat).
- Gnome – the GUI desktop used by the developers of Ubuntu. It controls what you see when you turn on your computer. Gnome is an acronym for GNU Network Object Model Environment. (Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron comes with Gnome as the default.)
- Shell aka Linux shell – hopefully Ubuntu users will not need to understand how to use a Linux shell.
Understanding how all these terms fit together can be confusing when you read the help files or online information about Ubuntu. Here is the synopsis:
Ubuntu is built on the Gnome GUI desktop which uses the Debian distribution of the Linux kernel.
The latest version of Ubuntu is 8.04 called Hardy Heron. The previous version was 7.10 called Gutsy Gibbon.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- What IS the Difference Between Ubuntu, Kbuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu?
- Gnome versus KDE
- GNU / Linux Distributions that include and only propose free software
- Free Software Directory
- NEW: Linux Tips and Tricks – understanding folder layouts, KDE or Gnome, shell usage, commands and other advanced skills
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the tips. I knew a lot of the info, btu all the info on Ubuntu was new to me. I have several computers at my home and I think I will have to give Ubuntu a try.
thanks for such an informative post. really it can help for understanding much about the computer to the general people.
Great list. Hi I’ve made a nice page for new Linux users. Click on the word Linux above to get to it.
Twitter: @GrowMap
@ComputerGuy I love not using Ubuntu except when I get stuck – and that still happens. One day they’ll “get” it and make it easy enough for anyone who can point and click.
@Branded USB Sticks One of the reasons Ubuntu is so challenging to learn is that explanations mix names for various versions of Ubuntu with Debian and GNU and Gnome and GUI and lose anyone who doesn’t have a thorough understanding of the information on this page.
Just as we can drive a car without knowing how to rebuild the components – or even know what they are! – we should be able to use Ubuntu without understanding how to get to a command line.
Yes, I know that computer techs don’t understand why EVERYONE doesn’t know DOS. Sorry, we don’t and we do not WANT to know. We only want to USE a PC to DO something – not know how to fix it.
@Linux Thank you for leaving your link. We can use all the help we can get! I have added your site as an additional resource in this post.
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nice review, to be more complete you could mention that there are other OS’s exist such as Apple Mac OS and Windows
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hello Apple,
You are correct. I did not mention them because most people are aware of Windows and Mac and know very little about Ubuntu. I wrote this post because it is a little more complicated to understand.
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Thanks for sharing such a great information.
Twitter: @thenerdsdotnet
Very informative article, now I need to get my Mom to read this so she can get a basic understanding on computers and software!
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Twitter: @GrowMap
Hello Nerds,
Great idea. That is why I write the type of posts I write. I feel everyone benefits when they have a basic understanding of the big picture.
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Currently I use window operating system . Do Linux and Ubuntu can be as good as window?
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Twitter: @GrowMap
Hello,
Yes, Ubuntu is as good as Windows and not any more difficult to USE and it comes with many applications that Windows users must pay for like Office. There are still some challenges in figuring out how to add some applications and many third party companies do not provide tech support for Unix-based systems.
If we do not wish to live beholden to monopolies we must do whatever it takes to reclaim our independence. My using Ubuntu is part of what I do to maintain my freedom of choice.
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OK if ubuntu could be as good as window. How and where I could get ubuntu? . How muchI must pay for it?
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Twitter: @GrowMap
Ubuntu is free. You can download it online and burn it to a CD or you can order it. Here are the links:
Free Download http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Ship to you (free but slow) https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
Buy (faster) http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/purchase
I do not know if there are any restrictions on shipping it to specific countries; however, that information should be available at those links.
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I have worked with computer for three years, but I still have no clear definition of harware, software or something else. Your post make me much clear now.
I too have been using windows operating system. I have never tried using Ubuntu before but have heard much about it. Is it really a good OS?
Download Freeware and Shareware Software´s last blog ..Visual TCPIP Router 1.00
It is not absolutely necessary to know any of this; however, I find that understanding the big picture helps me to learn new subjects faster.
Every time I try to help someone with their computer, it seems to be a vocabulary lesson. Perhaps I am too entrenched in the jargon of a computer, but compiling a list such as this one is nice because we can show it to people who are not too familiar and let them start picking up some of it.
shae@Linux Forum´s last blog ..Wine’s release is late; good news?
Many people are not aware of the terminology in the computer niche. I often troubleshoot my friends computers and when I ask them certain questions regarding hardware they seem to not know what I’m talking about. This is a good list of keywords to make others become familiar when working with computers.
Thanks for the Ubuntu explanation. I think most people are pretty familiar with hardware and software but when you get into things like Linux and Ubuntu, then that’s another story!
I think that most people have a pretty good understanding on software and hardware, but when it comes to Ubuntu and Linux then that’s another story.
mark@XP Drivers´s last blog ..Alienware Drivers
thanks for the helpfull information. some of which im still a little cofuesd but on my way. i like the list .. anyway thanks
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Twitter: @sachinansh
PC or personal computer is a very complex thing because it is a composition of various things. Every single unit keep it’s importance. There are lots of things to know about the computer like software, Hardware , Operating system and many more.
Great article,
Zatari.
thanks to you once again for posting this informative article.i like the contents and the way of your explanation.you mentioned everything here great work.very useful for a novice.
Linux grew from a very complicated os (from install to usage) to a very easy newbie friendly operating system. I think the most significant advantage aside from its simplicity is the file size which the whole os can fit into a small sized hard drive.With that advantage, many netbook manufacturers choose Ubuntu.
Twitter: @anshresh
Well there are lots of parts are available on a Personal computer so that it is very important to know about all the parts. Operating system is a nice thing because it makes a coordination between the software and the hardware. Anyways keep it up and keep continue.
This site has really worthy content to understand the hardware component of out PC. What is the work of different components in our system, we should know about that. Other wise our strain on computer is vain for us.
Twitter: @tanmay2346
Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of presentation.
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really nice piece of information.really very useful fr a novice.it is very important to have computer knowledge.i like your contents.the way you explain operating system,hardware,software is great.thanks.
Twitter: @alinkbuilder
Such an informative post and this will really help for understanding much about the computer ,software ,hardware.pretty useful for really very useful for novice.
Thanks a lot for putting things into layman terms for me! After years of using a PC I feel I can actually understand the terminology!
good job on this glossary. I learned a few things I didn’t know before (like GUI).
Linux and Ubuntu still remain mysterious to me though!
Very nice post, thx for your contribution.
You helped me clear some doubts on this subject.
Cheers
I was always curious what ubuntu was. This article helped point me in the right direction to figure it all out. I’m gonna stick around for a minute and read more about it. I’ve always been curious about using a different operating system, just never gutsy enough to actually switch. I may though, if I feel comfortable enough.
Twitter: @alinkbuilder
I do have idea regarding software ,hardware but i don’t have such idea about ubuntu ,good to read about it .thanks!
Technical inventions represent the fundamental structure of our modern world. Technology remains basic and we seem to be lost without it. One of the inventions many of us cannot do without is the PC.
I got my ubuntu operating system CD from my friend. He had got it from a postal delivery from the request he made on ubuntu website. He got it online free. Thanks for this overview over software and operating system. I like this post.
regards
cleon dann
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This is a great computer primer for new initiates as well as “old hats”. I have a fair amount of knowledge about computers in general, but zero in depth knowledge about any area! For example, I’ve hear good things about Ubuntu, but your post has taught me more than I’ve ever known about it!
Thanks
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This is all a newbie in computer should read. It has all the comprehensive details on software and hardware paraphernalia. Thanks a lot!
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actually i am from the software field so my knowledge about the hardware i pretty less and i think this post really help me in order to increase my knowledge and i must say that you always come with very knowledgeable post. keep it up.
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Twitter: @alinkbuilder
Great to read this and i had no knowledge of UBUNTU but i know LINUX ,UBUNTU sounds really wonderful ,Great share!
As i often need to write with my online site a little something the same as yours somehow you’ve made a number of nicely things here. I probably did searches on to the main subject and also discovered most visitors definitely will agree for your current blog.Great post!
Thank you for all the great posts from last year! I look forward to reading your blog, because they are always full of information that I can put to use. Thank you again, and God bless you in 2010.
just two days ago I’ve downloaded and burned my ubuntu. I intend to use it for pc troubleshooting and backup processes. I like its RAM and HDD tester.
ubuntu simply rocks!
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well i think this post is really nice in order to learn the basic of the computer since i saw so many times with so many people that they know how to run computer but don’t know the basic of it.
Rather superb entry, definitely useful stuff. Never ever considered I’d find the facts I need right here. I have been looking everywhere in the internet for some time now and had been starting to get discouraged. Fortunately, I happened across your blog and received precisely what I was searching for.
computer basics are a must, new companies require basic computer skills anyway these days. Exellent article mate.
Thanks for the informative post to help out some newbies. Very good article my friend. Nice blog.
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awesome posts.
after reading you article all my basics are cleared plus i update my knowledge thanks to you for this excellent work.
Hi,
Wow, you have shown me that I have a lot to learn about computers. Thank you for your blog and posts, I need to go back and study this one some more and read your other posts. I have much learning to do about computers and I do not like to be dumb about them. Your blog is a very nice resource.
Kevin
Kevin@Chirpractic Management Software´s last blog ..Chiropractic Software for Michigan Chiropractors
i think computer is the basic need of every business and so that everyone should know the basic concept of computer like its hardware configuration and software requirement,etc.
Twitter: @moodeyit
awesome, thanks for sharing this. great blog. these days everyone should have basic computer skills.
This article has Ubuntu explained in the most simple, precise form. I have used it very minimally but I should say it is as good as Windows.
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