Techtionary : Cool Computer Camp Lingo!

Test your “Techs-Pertise”! Impress with this lingo!

Action Script: The programming language used in Macromedia® Flash® and more specifically means to make an object follow a programmed path.

Backing up: Making copies of important files in case the originals are damaged.

Beta Testing: The second stage in testing new software which is made available to select users, who test the software for errors under normal operating conditions.

Blogging: To author an online diary or chronology of thoughts.

Burning: To record, transfer or “write” data onto a medium such as a recordable CD-ROM.

Capture Scratch: In Digital Video editing, the Capture Scratch is a folder where all the footage used in the editing process is stored.

Chat Room: A real-time electronic forum; a virtual room where visitors can meet others and share ideas on a particular subject via the internet.

Compiler: A program that converts another program from some source language (or programming language) to machine language (object code).

Computer Camp: A summer camp which focuses on computer instruction. These camps usually operate on college campuses during the summer months due to the availability of housing, computer labs, and dining facilities. Campers are usually between 8-18 years old.

Computer camps began to appear in the United States in the late 1970s. Some computer camps focused exclusively on computers and related technology, while others included traditional camping activities like horseback riding, canoeing and campfires. Since then, many computer camps have opened, some of them operated by large companies in multiple locations.

Computer camps teach courses in a wide range of subjects such as hardware, networking, programming, game design, image manipulation, video production, web design, robotics, A+ and Network+ certification preparation, and software applications including office and productivity suites, HTML and web editors, video editors, and 3D and 2D animation and graphics programs. Although computers are the main focus, camps also offer sports and recreation programs. –Source: Wikipedia

Computer Geek: Usually self-described, a computer geek is a person who is fanatically interested and very knowledgeable about various forms of technology.

.DLL file: A file that allows programs to share code and other resources necessary to perform particular tasks. You may need to download and install a .DLL file to play games created in Video Game Creation. You can typically locate and download a free copy of this file by doing a web search for the file name: "cncs232.dll".

Downloading: The process of transferring data or programs from a server or host computer to one's own computer or device.

DVD: Digital Video Disc. An optical storage medium which has greater capacity and bandwidth than a CD. DVDs can be used for multimedia and data storage.

File transfer: To transfer a copy of a file from one computer to another.

Firewall: An electronic boundary that prevents unauthorized users from accessing certain files on a network; or, a computer used to maintain such a boundary for security purposes.

Flash: Macromedia Flash allows you to design and author interactive content rich with video, graphics, and animation for truly unique and engaging websites.

Force quit: A command that forces the computer to quit whatever program or operation it is running. The force quit is often used to escape from a condition in which an error has caused the computer to freeze.

Freeware: Software, often written by enthusiasts and distributed at no charge by user groups, email, virtual bulletin boards, or other electronic media.

Google™: The most popular search engine on the Internet. Also now used as a verb meaning “to search”. i.e. “I googled summer camps and found the site for iD Tech.”

Graphics card: A circuit board that enables a computer to display information on its screen. The resolution, number of colors, and refresh rate of a monitor is determined by the kind of graphics card used, plus the limitations of the monitor itself.

Hand Coding: Writing a program in a programming language, rather than using high-level programming software to create the program.

HTML: Hyper Text Markup Language. The language used to create World Wide Web pages.

IM'ing: Instant Messaging. A live chat and email service that enables you to find your friends when they are online and send messages or talk via a private chat room. Each user has a private list of instant messaging addresses, and the instant messaging system can be set to alert you when one of your friends is online. You can also leave a message for a user who is not available online.

Internet: The worldwide information highway is comprised of thousands of interconnected computer networks, and reaches millions of people in countries around the globe. The Internet was originally developed for the United States military in the mid 70's, and then became used for government, academic and commercial research and communications.

Java: A general-purpose programming language developed by Sun® Microsystems. Java supports programming for the Internet in the form of platform-independent Java "applets".

Key frames: In computer animation, is a frame drawn directly by the animator which is at an important point in the action, such as the beginning or end of a movement. The frames in between key frames can be generated by the computer through a process called “tweening”.

LAN: Local Area Network. A network that connects computers that are close to each other which are usually in the same building and linked by a cable.

Memory: The working space used by the computer to hold the program that is currently running, along with the data it needs, and to run programs and process data. The main memory is built from RAM chips. The amount of memory available determines the size of programs that can be run and how many programs can be simultaneously.

Modding: To modify or “mod” an existing computer game by altering and adding specific codes in the program.

Morphing: A gradual animated transformation from one image into another, partially accomplished by moving certain points in the first image to corresponding points in the second image, in stages.

Motherboard: The main circuit board inside a computer, which contains the central processing unit, the bus, memory sockets, expansion slots, and other components. Additional boards, called daughter boards, can be plugged into the motherboard.

Motion Path: The specified path that an animated object will follow (in computer animation).

Multi-platform: Programs and hardware that are usable by several types of computers and/or operating systems.

Network: A group of interconnected computers, including the hardware and software used to connect them.

Nurbs: Mathematical representations of geometric shapes used to create 3D graphics in gaming.

Operating System: (OS).The main control program of a computer that schedules tasks, manages storage, and handles communication with peripherals. The operating system presents a basic user interface when no applications are open, and all applications must communicate with the operating system.

Programming Language: A formal language of codes in which computer programs are written.

RAM: Random Access Memory. The working memory of the computer. RAM is the memory used for storing data temporarily while working on it, running application programs, etc.

Ripping: Digitally extracting audio track files from a CD which can then be stored as a file on your computer.

ROM: Read-Only Memory. Memory that can be read but not changed. Read-only memory is non-volatile storage; it holds its contents even when the power is turned off.

RPG: A computer game in which the players act out a different reality. Classic “Role-Playing Games” involve creating a character, assigning a set of attributes such as strength, dexterity, willpower, charisma and moving the character through adventures in a fantasy, historical, or futuristic environment, usually containing enemies to fight and treasures to find.

Sprite: A small graphic or image on the computer screen that can be moved around independently with a mouse or with keyboard commands. An example would be a character in a video game.

Surfing: Looking at a variety of things casually, especially while browsing the Internet or television channels.

Uploading: The process of transferring data files or programs from a computer or device to a server—usually on the World Wide Web.

Virus: A program that infects a computer by attaching itself to another program which then spreads when that program is run. A virus can cause programs to malfunction, computers to crash and destroy whole networks.

Vlog: An online video blog. See “blogging”.

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