1.1 Identify basic IT vocabulary.
      ▪ Processor speed/cores o Single/Dual/Quad core
            ▪ Intel based / Cell based/AMD based
            ▪ GHz vs. MHz
            ▪ Procesor cache size
            ▪ Bus speed (as they relate to motherboards, memory, etc)
                  • RAM
            ▪ Single data rate, dual data rate, triple data rate
            ▪ DIMMS vs. SODIMMS
      ▪ Hard drives o RPMs
            ▪ Cache size
            ▪ Flash based vs. traditional hard drives
            ▪ SATA, SCSI, IDE
            ▪ Internal vs. external
            ▪ Local vs. network shares
      ▪ Networking o Wireless networking terms
            ▪ 802.11a/b/g/n
            ▪ Bluetooth
            ▪ RF (Radio Frequency)
            ▪ Interference
            ▪ WAP (Wireless Access Point)
            ▪ SSID
            ▪ Wireless router
      ▪ Ethernet technologies
            ▪ CAT5 connections and cables
            ▪ Home plug (Ethernet over Power)
            ▪ Broadband router
            ▪ DSL and cable modems
            ▪ Standard vs. crossover cables
            ▪ Auto-negotiating (speed and duplex)
      ▪ Internet
            ▪ Protocols
            ▪ HTTP vs. HTTPS
            ▪ FTP
            ▪ SSL
            ▪ POP3
            ▪ SMTP
            ▪ IMAP
            ▪ DNS
            ▪ DHCP
            ▪ TCP/IP (IPv4 address, IPv6 address)
            ▪ Browser features • Plug-ins
            ▪ Customization (text sizes, text styles, etc)
            ▪ Anti-phishing features
            ▪ ActiveX and Java
            ▪ Cookies
            ▪ Internet Cache

1.2 Demonstrate the proper use of the following devices:
      ▪ Monitors o Adjust monitor settings (brightness, contrast, etc)
      ▪ Desktop
      ▪ Server
      ▪ Portable o Laptop
            ▪ PDA
            ▪ Smartphone
            ▪ Netbook

1.3 Explain the characteristics and functions of internal and external storage devices
      ▪ CD/CD-RW Drive
      ▪ DVD/DVD-RW Drive
      ▪ Blu-Ray Disk Drive
      ▪ USB storage (solid state vs. magnetic disk)
      ▪ Multi-card reader and writer
      ▪ Hard drives
      ▪ Mobile media devices (e.g. MP3 player or PDAs)

1.4 Explain the characteristics and functions of peripheral devices
      ▪ Digital camera
      ▪ Web camera
      ▪ Speaker
      ▪ Tuner
      ▪ Microphone
      ▪ Printer / scanner

1.5 Explain the characteristics and functions of core input devices
      ▪ Keyboard
      ▪ Mouse
      ▪ Tablet (touch screen)
      ▪ Numeric keypad
      ▪ Gamepad

1.6 Identify the risks associated with upgrading the following technologies and equipment:
      ▪ Operating systems (open source and commercial) o Compatibility issues
            ▪ Upgrade issues
            ▪ Data loss
      ▪ PC Speed/storage capability o Compatibility issues
            ▪ Upgrade issues
            ▪ Bus differences
            ▪ Hardware failure
      ▪ Application o Minimum requirements
            ▪ Compatibility issues
      ▪ Bandwidth and contention
            ▪ VoIP
            ▪ Streaming
            ▪ Web delivered services
      ▪ Automatic application and operating system updates
            ▪ Risks of automatic updates
            ▪ Risks of not using automatic updates
            ▪ Risks of not using manufacturer websites

1.7 Demonstrate the ability to set up a basic PC workstation
      ▪ Identify differences between connector types o DVI, VGA, HDMI
            ▪ USB, PS/2
            ▪ FireWire
            ▪ Bluetooth and Wireless
            ▪ Serial
            ▪ Network connectors
            ▪ PCMCIA
            ▪ ExpressCard
            ▪ 3.5mm audio jack
            ▪ Power connectors
      ▪ Monitor types
      ▪ Computer (desktop, tower, laptop, custom cases)
      ▪ Keyboard (keyboard layout: regionalization)
      ▪ Mouse (touchpad, optical, trackball)
      ▪ Printer (USB, wireless, networked)
      ▪ Voltage and power requirements
      ▪ Turn on and use the PC and peripherals