Definitions:
Binary: Most people count from 1-10 [or 0]. All numbers greater than 10 and less than 1 are derived from these basic 10 digits (11=1 and 1, 12=1 and 2, etc.), and therefore this counting system is called decimal [meaning 10]. Binary is an equivalent counting system based on only two digits, 1 and 0.

Client: A individual computer or user, typically used in reference to computers or users connecting to a server. A server can also be a client when the server connects to another server.

Computer Architecture: A basic set of operations a computer system can implement. These operations rely on two single digits, 1 and 0 [see binary]. The permissible interaction of different combinations of these two digits is the heart of computer architecture.

Distro: Short for distribution, a flavor of Unix and/or Linux offering unique features built from the initial Linux release. Because Linux was released as open source, anyone can take the source and define his own distro. There are numerous distros available for Linux, of which the most popular include Red-Hat, Debian, and Mandrake.

Driver: A file that is used by an operating system to "talk" to computer hardware. The driver file for a piece of hardware contains details about how the hardware functions and how external programs (software) may use the hardware.

Firmware: Software stored on a piece of hardware.

Graphical User Interface (GUI): Helpful tool that allows many people to bypass the "grit" of a program through the user of interface tools such as windows, buttons, and graphical menus. GUIs can range from simple to complex, but all GUIs appeal to most people because they make a program more user-friendly.

Hardware: Physical components of a computer system, such as the mouse, monitor, or keyboard. Hardware is the complement to software, as the two work together to form a complete system, but some pieces of hardware (such as a graphics card) contains firmware.

LAN: Local Area Network; most people connect to the internet via phone lines or DSL/cable modems, and the local network is the collection of computers that share the connection.

Library: A file that is stored by the operating system and contains general information that multiple programs may use. Libraries may be specific to a particular program, but most libraries are used by many programs. Therefore, libraries are stored in specific places so that each program does not need to copy the same information to multiple locations.

Minix: A flavor of Unix developed by Andrew S. Tanenbaum as a teaching tool for his students.

Open Source: Software that implies that the source code for the software is available to the public. This allows anyone who takes an interest to see how the software works.

PC: Personal computer; a computer typically found in a home designed for personal use. PCs house one or more operating systems and run numerous programs. See Workstation.

Server: Software that allows clients to connect to one central location and retrieve information such as web pages, documents, etc. Servers may be one computer or many computers distributing tasks.

Software: Abstract part of a computer system, such as the programs that run on the system. Software is the complement to hardware.

Source Code: Lines of code, or instructions, that a computer program follows in order to know what to do. Many computer languages exist with which to write source code.

UNIX: The child of MULTICS, but the father of many other operating systems. Primarily developed for multiple users, portability, and structural standardization.

Workstation: A computer used to perform daily tasks, typically work- or office-oriented. Workstations house one or more operating systems and run numerous programs. See PC.