Computer+Smarts

Here is a base of technology knowledge you should be familiar with by the time you leave middle school:

=__Tech Terms__=


 * embed** - This term refers to inserting one web based element inside of another. It is usually done by copying and pasting a small peice of code from one site to anther. //Example//: A wiki or blog is often used as a "home page" for a project, but YouTube videos may be embedded into the wiki to make the wiki more interesting or informative. You can also embed things like calendars, internet bookmarks, photo slide shows, live updating weather information, sports scores, etc.


 * URL** - Stands for //Universal Resource Locator.// This term refers to the web address of a website. Often, you will want to share a URL so that others can look at your work online.

=__File Types__=

When something gets saved on a computer, the computer needs two peices of information: 1) A descriptive name for the file and 2) a 3 or 4 letter code (called a file extension) to tell the computer what kind of file it is. File extensions can refer to the specific program that made the file (.doc for Word or .ppt for PowerPoint), a specific type of file (.mp3 = music file or .jpg = photograph) ,

Common file extensions for images:


 * .png** = //portable network graphics//. These are usually web graphics and can be photos, graphics, or clip art style pics.
 * .jpg** = //jpegs// which are photographs. Your digital camera will create these types of files. Does not support transparent image backgrounds.
 * .gif** = //graphics interchange format//. These are usually graphics or clip art style pics. Supports transparent images.

Common File Extensions for specific programs:


 * .doc** = Microsoft Word (note: Word 2007 saves files with .docx)
 * .ppt** = Microsoft PowerPoint (note: PowerPoint 2007 saves docs as .pptx)
 * .pdf** = Adobe PDF file. Use [|Adobe Reader] to view these files.

__TECH TIP__: By using your knowledge of file types, you can actually covert files from one type to another. For example, in PowerPoint, a very graphics friendly program, you can save your slides as JPG images by choosing that in the File Type option box in the Save As window. You can then use your JPG slides in other programs such as Microsoft Photostory.