System Software

System software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's operating system. System files include libraries of functions, system services, drivers for printers and other hardware, system preferences, and other configuration files. The programs that are part of the system software include assemblers, compilers, file management tools, system utilites, and debuggers. The system software is installed on your computer when you install your operating system. You can update the software by running programs such as "Windows Update" for Windows or "Software Update" for Mac OS X.

Hardware

The physical and mechanical components of a computer system, such as the electronic circuitry, chips, monitor, disks, disk drives, keyboard, modem, and printer.

Hot List

Some Internetters take it upon themselves to collect World Wide Web site addresses (or URLs) and post them on their Web sites. Usually, a hot list includes sites that have a topic in common, but it can just be a compendium of someone's favorite sites. Hot lists are sometimes available as text files, too.