Computer Basics
Hardware
File Systems
Numbering Systems and Other Stuff
EXTREMELY Obscure Comic Book Villains
100

The smallest unit of digital information, represented by a 1 or 0.

Bit

100

The main memory of a computer that can be quickly accessed by the CPU and where the computer stores data and instructions that it is actively using.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

100

The smallest container within a computer's storage system that is used to store information such as data, settings, and commands used in a computer program. The smallest container that can be copied, deleted, or moved within a file system.

File

100

A numbering system that uses two digits, 0 and 1.

Binary System

100

This Spider-Man villain rides around in a big wheel.

Big Wheel

200

A group of eight bits joined together.

Byte

200

A large, flat computer component that connects the important components of the computer, such as the CPU, RAM, and the BIOS chip. It also has power and other communications connections.

Motherboard

200

The way a file is organized. Indicated by an extension such as .jpg, .gif, .png., .mp3, .wav, .wma, .mp4, .avi, and .wmv.

File Format

200

A numbering system that uses ten digits, 0 through 9.

Decimal System

200

This Spider-Man villain is a brick wall with legs.

The Wall

300

Information that a user physically enters into a computer by pressing a key on a keyboard, clicking a mouse, tapping a touch screen, pushing a button on a game controller, speaking into a microphone, etc.

Input

300

An additional computer processor that provides graphics processing, providing better performance by relieving the CPU of this duty.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

300

The process of tracking changes to a file so that a file can be repaired or restored in case of file corruption or data loss.

Journaling

300

A numbering system that uses sixteen digits, 0 through 9, and A through F.

Hexadecimal System

300

This Batman Villain fires ketchup and mustard at people.

Condiment King

400

Information that a computer returns to a user such as images on a screen, sounds from speakers, and printed pages.

Output

400

The most common type of long-term storage that uses thick magnetic disks encased in a protective housing to store data.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

400

When parts of a single file, program, or application are stored in different areas of a physical disk.

Fragmentation

400

A short-range wireless communication technology used to connect peripherals such as wireless headphones, speakers, keyboards, mice, smart watches, printers, and game controllers to a computer, including smartphones.

Bluetooth

400

This Wonder Woman villain is a giant sentient egg.

Egg-Fu

500

The process of converting information so it cannot be understood without decrypting it using a key, especially to prevent unauthorized access.

Encryption

500

A device with similar capacity to an HDD that uses flash storage instead of magnetic disks to store data. Much faster and more durable than hard disk drives but usually are more expensive.

Solid State Devices (SSD)

500

A utility in which all fragmented files on a drive are found and reconsolidated into the same physical location on the disk.

Defragmentation

500

A way of reducing the size of files, making them easier to store.

File Compression

500

This Marvel villain has no arms and hates machines so much he dedicated his life to destroying them.

Armless Tiger Man