ASCII - each character on the keyboard has an ASCII value

CADCAM - using a computer to assist the design and manufacturing process

CD ROM - Most of the software that we purchase comes on one of these.

CD-RW - You can save your data onto this backing storage medium

CNC - An automated programable lathe

CPU - Usually referred to as the 'brain' of a computer, it keeps peripherals under control.

DDE - transfers data from one application to another online

Dpi - the higher the measurement, the better the resolution or quality of hardcopy

DTP - the process of laying out a document with text, graphics, headlines etc.

EFT - sending 'money' across telephone lines and other communications links

HCI - the means of communication between computers and people

LAN - computers connected by cables, usually confined to a small area within a building

MICR - necessary for cheque processing

OCR - we couldn't automatically sort mail without this

OS - software that controls everything that happens in a computer

POS - every networked checkout in a supermarket is an example of this

RAM - the part of the computer that stores running programs and our data. It contents are erased when the computer is switched off.

WWW - an information system on the internet which allows documents to be connected to other documents by hyperlinks, enabling the user to search for information by moving from one document to another.

WYSIWYG - displays a document on the screen as it will actually appear once it has been printed.