Cache
A temporary storage area for frequently accessed data. Your web browser uses a cache on your local computer hard disk to store the images and files from web sites you visit on a regular basis, saving time as the browser does not have to fetch them every time from the remote site
CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-only Memory)
An adaptation of the original CD format used to store and play music; it is now commonly used for the storage of computer data
CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable)
A variation of the CD-ROM which can be written to only once but read many times over
CD-RW (Compact Disc ReWriteable)
Similar to the CD-R but once they are written to, they can be erased and written to again
Clipboard
A temporary storage area on a Windows computer where you can copy text or data to before ‘pasting’ it back into another file or application
Compact Flash
A type of memory card with no moving parts the size of a matchbox. Popular in first generation digital cameras but now superseded by newer memory card technologies such as Sony MemoryStick
Compressed
Compressed files are best described as a cabinet containing many smaller files. The most common compressed file format is Zip
Compression
The process of producing a compressed file archive; taking a number of files and producing one single small manageable file
Cookie
Small text files created by visited web sites to track and maintain information about the user
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The 'brain' of the computer, the speed of which is measured in Ghz (previously Mhz). The two main manufacturers of CPU’s are Intel and AMD
Crash
When the computer stops responding to user input and needs to be restarted
Cursor
The moving, on-screen pointer that indicates the position of your mouse
Cut and paste
Selecting text, images or files and moving them to the clipboard, from there you can ‘paste’ them back into another
Cybercafé
Shops or coffee shops where you pay by the minute for an internet connection
