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
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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: tanmay2346
December 2, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Twitter: @tanmay2346
Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of presentation.
.-= Prajakta@chiropractic office software´s last blog ..Special offer =-.
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: anshresh
November 28, 2009 at 2:59 am
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.
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.
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.
Great article,
Zatari.
Twitter: sachinansh
November 5, 2009 at 11:58 pm
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.
thanks for the helpfull information. some of which im still a little cofuesd but on my way. i like the list .. anyway thanks
.-= greg @ heavy duty hinges´s last blog ..Heavy Duty Gate Hinges =-.
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 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!
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.
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? =-.
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.
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 =-.
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.
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
June 22, 2009 at 10:34 pm
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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Currently I use window operating system . Do Linux and Ubuntu can be as good as window?
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Twitter: GrowMap
June 20, 2009 at 10:37 pm
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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Twitter: thenerdsdotnet
June 1, 2009 at 10:00 am
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
June 20, 2009 at 10:34 pm
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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Thanks for sharing such a great information.
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
June 20, 2009 at 10:33 pm
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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Twitter: GrowMap
April 9, 2009 at 11:34 pm
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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Great list. Hi I’ve made a nice page for new Linux users. Click on the word Linux above to get to it.
thanks for such an informative post. really it can help for understanding much about the computer to the general people.
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.
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