These terms enable clear communication and also helps newbies identify the different computer parts and their functions. To understand your computer, you must first familiarize yourself with the computing lingo. This way, you will be able to learn how to define and identify technical faults easily, and also know what to look for when buying a computer. Here are some of the most common questions that every newbie asks about computers:

Where Is the Right Mouse Button?

When an instructor tells computer students to click the right mouse button, several students might respond that it does not work because they are not familiar with it. The computer mouse has a left and right side button.  These buttons can be programmed to do anything. By default, however, the left button can be used to select pages, objects, or double clicks. The right mouse button is used to open menus, such as pop-up menus. The menus will change depending on where you are clicking.

What Is a RAR File, and How Do I Open It?

A Roshal Archive Compressed file (RAR) refers to a data container or compressed file with several folders and files inside it. It is a regular file on your computer, and its main purpose is to store and organize other files.   Unlike normal folders, RAR requires a distinct software to open the contents in it. The files stored in RAR are compressed files and created with the WinRAR archiver. The folder can be split into several volume archives, especially when dealing with large file sets. There are several ways of opening RAR files, and you should get the right opener and learn how to open RAR files on your device.

Should I Use Save or Save As? 

The computer gives users these two options when they need to save their work. When you are saving your file or a document you are working on for the first time, it will default to save because it is the original version.  When you reopen the document and make changes to it, clicking save will save the edits made to the original document, which means that you will lose the original document. However, if you choose to save as, it will allow you to create another file with the changes made and save it as a separate document leaving the original file intact. 

Where Do I Plug That In?

As much as there are many slots in computers, there is only one spot to plug that will work. A plug will fit where it is meant to without the need to force it. If you look at the end of the cord, you will find a slot that is similar to it on the back of the computer. The slot usually has a subtype connection either on the type or the front of the computer, depending on the model. If you plug in the cord correctly, the computer will let you know that it can sense it and that it is trying to read and make the connection. If the connection is new, for example, a new scanner or printer, you will have to download the drivers that go along with it before you are able to use it.

Does That Need to Be in Capitals?

When composing a document, it is important to consider using capitals for the case sensitive words. Capitals do not matter when it comes to:

Saving or naming your files User names Email addresses Website names 

However, all passwords are case sensitive. Therefore, if you create a password using any capital letter, you will have to maintain the same each time you use it. 

What Is a Computer Virus?

Much like a virus in humans that spreads from host to host and also has the ability to replicate itself and immobilize or kill its victim, a computer virus does a similar job to a computer. It is a malicious program or code written with the main agenda of altering the way a computer operates and can also spread from one computer to another. The virus is mostly loaded to a computer without the knowledge of the user, and it destroys files and other programs. Even though not all viruses are destructive, it is best to protect your computer from any virus, and that is where anti-virus software comes in.

Does Ram Store Information When the Computer Is Turned Off?

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a series of chips in your computer. It is used for the temporary storage of data. When you turn on your computer, it loads data into RAM. All the open files and programs that you use or run as you use your computer are stored in RAM. RAM is volatile, and this means that it will only store data when the computer is on, and when you switch off your computer, you will lose all the information in your RAM stick. When you reboot or restart your computer, however, the files or OS are reloaded into it mostly from an SSD or HDD.

What Is an Operating System?

All smart devices like smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops have an operating system. The system keeps track of all activities on the computer, including what the user is doing and where the files are stored.  Some of the common operating systems include MacOS and Windows on desktops and laptops and iOS and Android on smartphones and tablets.

Learn These and More Computing Lingo to Better Understand the World of Computers 

If you are non-techie learning these common terms, asking questions, and knowing more about computing lingo is the best way to know more about computers and understand how they work. You will be able to find your way around a computer efficiently. To read more interesting content, please go through our other articles.

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