Computer information

As technology is evolving, it is playing a large part in healthcare.  To take advantage of the many resources available, you may need to learn a few basic computer terms.

Hardware:
The physical computer parts of the computer, such as: keyboard, monitor, mouse, motherboard, hard drive....basically the parts of the computer you can physically touch.

Software:
programs on the computer that make it run

Operating system:
Is a specific software program that allows the hardware to communicate with the software on the computer.

Internet service providers:
Computers all around the world can be connected to each other, this is known as the internet.  To access the internet you need an internet service provider.  This is the company that will provide the service to access the internet

Wireless access:
Wireless access allows connection to the internet wirelessly.  For instance, the ability to connect to the internet on your laptop or smartphone.  This is a connection between a wired and wireless network.  To set up a wireless network in your home, you need a box, an access point that is connected to wires.  This box uses radio frequencies.

Web browsers:
A web browser is software on your computer that allows you to search the internet.  Searching words on the browser will link you to websites that contain the information you searched. 

RAM:
RAM refers to "Random Access Memory" .  This allows your computer to temporarily save information on your computer.

the Cloud:
The cloud is the ability to retrieve information that is not stored on your computer, but stored online.