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Tech Lingo
- AC-3
AC-3, also known as Dolby Digital, is a perceptual digital audio coding technique that reduces the amount of data needed to produce high-quality sound. AC-3 is the sound format for digital television (DTV), digital versatile discs (DVDs), high definition television (HDTV), and digital cable and satellite transmissions. AC-3 is a 5.1 format, which means that it provides five full-bandwidth channels, front left, front right, center, surround left, and surround right
- Access Point (AP)
A base station in a wireless LAN, which is typically a wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi) LAN. Access points are typically stand-alone devices that plug into an Ethernet switch or hub. If more than one access point is used, like a mobile phone system, users can roam with their mobile devices and be handed off from one cell to another
- Acer
Acer is a leading manufacturer of notebook, tablet, handheld, and desktop computers. Other Acer products include servers, storage systems, projectors, LCD televisions, digital cameras, and computer displays.
- ADSL
A base station ADSL, an acronym for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, is used to transfer a standard telephone line into a high-speed Internet connection. ADSL is a type of broadband connection.
- AGP
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is an interface specification that enables 3-D graphics to display quickly on ordinary personal computers. AGP is designed to convey 3-D images (for example, from Web sites or CD-ROMs) much more quickly and smoothly than is possible today on any computer other than an expensive graphics workstation. It is especially useful in conjunction with gaming, three-dimensional (3D) video, and sophisticated scientific/engineering graphics programs
- All In One Printer (AIO)
AIO printers combine the ability to print, copy, fax or scan in one machine. Some or all of these capabilities are may exist depending on the machine chosen.
- AMD
AMD is a manufacturer of AMD processors. They also make flash memory, integrated circuits for networking devices, and programmable logic devices
- Anti-Virus Software
Anti-Virus software is program that searches your hard drive for any known or potential viruses and designed to prevent your computer being damaged by viruses received via the Internet or e-mail attachments.
- Asus
Taiwan-based multinational company that produces motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, PDAs, notebook computers, servers, networking products, mobile phones, computer cases, computer components, and computer cooling systems.
- Atom
A family of small, low-power CPU chips from Intel.
- Audio out sockets
An audio out socket allows a pc, laptop or a TV to be connected to an external speaker system.
- Auto-flash
Auto-flash is a camera feature that will automatically flash when the light is too dim and not flash when there is enough natural light.
- Auto Install
An auto install feature will automatically tune a TV with the channels that the aerial can detect.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
Allows copies or printouts to be made without having to feed the paper manually. i.e. the paper is fed to the printer or scanner via a tray
- Automatic Exposure
Allows cameras to adjust to the environmental lighting conditions.
- Bandwidth
Measures the transmission capacity of an electronic pathway such as a communications line, computer bus or computer channel. Bandwidth is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) the greater the bandwidth the faster the connection e.g. to the internet.
- BIOS
Basic Input/Output System. A BIOS set-up utility can be accessed just after turning on the PC by hitting the appropriate key. The BIOS performs basic yet important functions to other software, such as Windows®.
- Bit
The smallest unit of data in a computer.
- Bit Rate
?Bits per second? or bps, expresses the rate at which data is transmitted. In general, the higher the bit rate, the better the quality.
- BlackBerry
‘Blackberry' is a brand of hand held devices allowing users mobile e-mails and phone calls.
- Bluetooth
Enables data to be passed between Bluetooth compatible devices wirelessly within short distances using radio frequency.
- BPS/Mbps
Bits per second / Megabits per second are used to measure how quickly data can be transferred. 1 Mbps is equal to 1 million bits per second.
- Broadband
Broadband is a high speed, permanent, Internet connection. Broadband operates parallel to the phone line so that Internet access is independent allowing users to still use their phone line for calls.
- Browser
A browser is the software application which allows the user to navigate the Internet, e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox.
- Built-in Digital Camera Card Reader
Allows you to connect a digital camera memory card directly to your printer allowing easy print outs of photos.
- Burn
Transfer of information onto some form of removable/disposable storage device, e.g. CD or DVD.
- Byte
There are 8 bits in a byte (see ‘bit' above).
- Cache
Your PC has a cache memory so when returning to a webpage you've recently viewed; your browser retrieves it from the cache rather than the original server, making the process faster.
- Car Mount
e.g. A tray for holding hand held equipment, such as satellite navigation devices in a car.
- CD & DVD Drives
CD-ROM is used to install software and a CD-RW drive allows you to create your own CDs. Choose a CD-RW drive that doubles as a DVD drive for watching movies. Some higher end laptops offer DVD-rewritable drives, some can store up to 8.5GB on one DVD which is only required if you are storing huge files.
- CD/DVD Printing
A select number of printers have the ability to print onto CDs and/or DVDs.
- CMYK
CMYK refers to the colour system of a printer. The CMYK system is an acronym for the colours it uses; Cyan, Magenta Yellow and Key (Black).
- Compact Flash Cards
A form of memory card which uses flash memory to store data. They are relatively small and suitable for storing data for transfer between devices. They are usually used for storing digital camera images and to transfer images to printers or pc's
- Compression
The reduction or compression of a file's size – most commonly images – to ensure that a greater number of files can be stored. However, the more a file is compressed the more distorted it can become.
- Computer Memory
Memory is often used as a shorter synonym for random access memory (RAM). This kind of memory is located on one or more microchips that are physically close to the microprocessor in your computer. The more RAM you have, the less frequently the computer has to access instructions and data from the more slowly accessed hard disk form of storage.
- Console
Console is a generic term used to describe a computer which is designed for the purpose of gaming, e.g. Sony Playstation
- Cookies
A data file written to a hard drive by some Web sites, contains information the site can use to track such things as passwords, login, registration or identification, user preferences, online shopping cart information, and lists of pages visited
- CPU
(Central Processing Unit) The computing part of the computer. Also called the "processor," it is made up of the control unit and ALU. Today, the CPUs of almost all computers are contained on a single chip made primarily by AMD (above) and Intel
- DDR Memory
DDR (double-data-rate). DDR speeds up the computer system allowing quicker and easier loading, navigation and storage of data.
- DDR2
DDR2 is a faster version of DDR memory.
- DDR SDRAM
Double Data Rate SDRAM is a commonly used form of memory. Several memory chips are attached to a circuit board - there are different capabilities and speed ratings.
- DSL
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network for home and office usage.
- Desktop PC
A desktop PC is a personal computer designed to offer greater functionality and further upgrade options than a laptop for example.
- Digital Camera Card Readers
A removable memory module used for storing images in digital cameras and An alternative to plugging your digital camera into a computer and selected printers
- Digital Tuner
A digital tuner is a tuning device that allows a television or radio set to receive signals via airwaves, satellite, or cable and translates them into a signal the device can display.
- DIMM
DIMM -Dual Inline Memory Module - commonly used type of memory.
- Direct Printing
Direct printing refers to the ability of digital cameras to be connected directly to the printer with prints being produced without the aid of a computer.
- Display Resolution
The degree of sharpness of a displayed or printed character or image. Resolution is expressed as a matrix of dots.
- DMA
A dedicated microprocessor that transfers data from memory to memory without using the CPU.
- Docking Station
A hardware frame and set of electrical connections that enables a laptop to effectively serve as a desktop computer. The interfaces typically allow the notebook to communicate with a local printer, larger storage or backup drives, and possibly other devices that are not usually taken along with a notebook computer.
- Domain Name
The domain name is the name used in the web address to relate to the name of the company or organisation. For example, Eurieka?s domain name is eurieka.ie and it web address it http://www.eurieka.ie
- Download
The transferring of data or programs from a server or computer to one's own computer or device.
- DPI
The number of dots that can be printed, side by side, along a line one inch long; a measure of the resolution of a printing device, printed image or image on an electronic display screen such that a greater number of dots per inch represents higher image quality.
- Drivers
Computer program that acts as an intermediary between the operating system and a device such as a disk drive, video card, printer, or keyboard. If you have a problem with any peripheral, you can remedy many issues by downloading the latest version of drivers for that product on the Internet.
- Dual Core
Dual-core computers combine two processor chips into one allowing the computer to operate more quickly and run even more applications simultaneously in comparison to a single core processor.
- Duplex Printing
The ability to print on both sides of the paper.
- Duty Cycle
A machine's rated capacity to continuously perform work under normal conditions. It generally applies to mechanical devices such as printers, in which case it would indicate the number of pages that can be printed per month without a problem.
- DVD
An optical digital disc for storing movies and data.
- DVI/HDMI
A digital interface for audio and video signals designed as a single-cable solution for home theater and consumer electronics equipment. DVI or Digital Visual Interface is a high-bandwidth video connection that carries digital picture information. HDMI is backward compatible with DVI, and HDMI-to-DVI and DVI-to-HDMI adapters and cables let video signals be interchanged between HDMI and DVI devices.
- EEE PC(E3 PC)
Is a subnotebook / netbook computer designed by ASUS. At the time of its introduction, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux-based operating system, solid-state drive and relatively low cost. Newer models have added the option of Windows XP operating system and traditional hard disk drives.
- E-Commerce
E-Commerce meaning electronic commerce or business dealing conducted over the internet.
- E-mail
E-mail (electronic mail) The transmission of text messages and optional file attachments over a network.
- Encryption/WEP Encryption
The process of encryption is the scrambling of data and information in an attempt to secure it. This is achieved as only a sender or receiver has the ability to unscramble, or unlock, the data.
- Entertainment PC
An entertainment PC, usually more powerful than a console it has been developed with a focus on entertainment features such as gaming, watching and recording DVDs and TV, and music functionality for example will all be prominent applications.
- Ethernet
A common network cabling and signaling standard used to connect computers to a network.
- External Drives
Refers to a stand-alone magnetic disk or optical disc drive that is housed in its own case and plugs into the computer via a USB cable. Compact external drives, which are designed for transportability, derive their power directly from the USB port. For stationary use, larger external drives plug into a wall outlet.
- File
Files are collections of data and information stored on a computer.
- Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite, managed by the Mozilla Corporation. Firefox had 20.78% of the recorded usage share of web browsers as of November 2008, making it the second-most popular browser in current use worldwide, after Internet Explorer
- Firewall
Firewall allows or blocks traffic into and out of a private network or the user's computer. Firewalls are widely used to give users secure access to the Internet as well as to separate a company's public Web server from its internal network.
- Flash
Flash is used on a camera to provide artificial light on a subject where visibility is poor.
- Floppy Disk Drive
A floppy disk drive is a drive which can read or write removable storage media known as floppy disks. Flash drives and DVDs have replaced a lot of floppy disk usage.
- Folder
Computer folders are used for organising and storing information and ‘files' (see ‘file' above).
- FSB
The primary pathway between the CPU and memory. The greater the FSB then the greater the speed and the quicker the machine will operate.
- GB (Gigabyte)
One (1) GB is approximately equal to one thousand (1,000) Megabyte (MB). The greater the number of GB, then the greater the storage memory capacity will be.
- GHz (Gigahertz)
GHz (gigahertz) is a term used for the measurement of transmission speed – i.e. GHz = One billion cycles per second how quickly a computer can exchange/transfer information. The greater the number of GHz then the quicker the machines processor can operate.
- GIF
GIF – Graphic Interchange Format – one of the two most common file formats for graphic images on the World Wide Web. The other is the JPEG.
- General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
The first high-speed digital data service provided by mobile carriers that used the GSM technology. GPRS added a packet-switched channel to GSM, which uses dedicated, circuit-switched channels for voice conversations. GPRS works on GPRS mobile phones as well as laptops and portable devices that have GPRS modems. Users have typically experienced downstream data rates up to 80 Kbps
- GPS
GPS – Global Positioning System – is a global system for position, tracking and assessing people and places via a collection of satellites. Widely used in the military, GPS is used in many other applications, including GPS car navigation systems emerged.
- Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A method for interacting with the computer that allows any image to be displayed on screen (graphics based). Although a keyboard is used to enter text, the primary way to command the computer is with a mouse or touchpad pointing device. The mouse or touchpad is used to select icons and menu options and move and resize windows that frame the application and elements within it. The major GUIs are the Windows and Mac interfaces along with CDE/Motif for Unix and the GNOME and KDE interfaces for Linux.
- Graphics Card
The graphics card sits within a computer?s hardware and reads, processes and displays the graphics on the monitor. Quality on cards differs from model to model depending on the manufacturer.
- Graphics Memory
Graphics memory how much memory storage is available to the graphics card.
- Hard Drives (also referred to as HDD)
A device which stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating platters with magnetic surfaces. Strictly speaking, "drive" refers to a device distinct from its medium, such as a tape drive and its tape, or a floppy disk drive and its floppy disk.
- Hard Drive Capacity
The hard drive capacity is how much storage space is available on a hard drive. This is generally measured in GB.
- HDCP
(High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) An encryption system for enforcing digital rights management (DRM) over DVI and HDMI interfaces.
- Headphone
Headphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, with a way of holding them close to a user's ears and a means of connecting them to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio or CD player. They are also known as earphones, earbuds, stereophones, headsets
- Headphone Socket
Allows a user to connect their headphones to a computer, monitor or television and listen to the sound without the aid of speakers.
- Hz (Hertz)
Hertz is a unit of frequency (of change in state or cycle in a sound wave, alternating current, or other cyclical waveform) of one cycle per second. Hz is used for the measurement of transmission speed ? how quickly a computer can exchange/transfer information
- Hot Spot
High-speed wireless Internet access that is provided in convenient public locations or at home. Using either a laptop or PDA that is 802.11 wirelessly enabled, people can download their e-mail attachments, watch a live webcast, or listen to streaming audio.
- Infrared (IR)
Widely used in most audio and video remote controls, infrared transmission is also used for wireless connections between computer devices and has only a short range.
- Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)
An Internet standard for directly reading and manipulating e-mail messages stored on remote servers.
- Inkjet Printers
A printer that propels droplets of ink directly onto the medium. Today, almost all inkjet printers produce color. Low-end inkjets use three ink colors (cyan, magenta and yellow), but produce a composite black that is often muddy. Four-color inkjets (CMYK) use black ink for pure black printing.
- Integrated MP3 Player
A digital music player that supports the MP3 audio format, which started a revolution in online music downloads and distribution (see MP3). All portable music players, the iPod being the leading brand, support MP3 along with one or more other audio formats. An integrated unit will have this capability already installed.
- Integrated Print Server
A computer in a network that controls one or more printers. It is either part of the network operating system or an add-on utility that stores the print-image output from users' machines and feeds it to the printer one job at a time. The computer and its printers are known as a "print server" or a file server with "print services."
- Integrated Speakers
Integrated speakers are speakers which are pre-built in to the unit casing. Most televisions and multimedia monitors will have built-in speakers of some standard i.e. integrated
- Internet
A large network made up of a number of smaller networks and or the global network of networks composed of hundreds of millions of computers in more than 150 countries to communicate and exchange, goods, services and information easily.
- Intel
Intel is a manufacturer of processors similar to AMD above.
- Intel Celeron
The Intel Celeron is an entry level processor or family of lower-cost Pentium chips from Intel which is found in most low-cost PCs and Notebooks.
- Intel Pentium D
Again produced by Intel The Pentium D processor combines two processors onto one chip for greater speed and functionality of machine.
- Intel Pentium M
A family of CPUs from Intel that are part of its Centrino brand for mobile computing. It is smaller in size, lighter in weight and focused on notebook functionality.
- Intel Viiv
Similar to Centrino brand this was a collection of computer technologies with a particular combination of Intel ingredients to support a "media PC" concept.
- Intelligent Shuffle Function
A feature found on audio devices such as MP3 players, CD players etc. The shuffle function will randomly select which songs/tracks to play for the user once chosen.
- Intranet
An ?internal internet? of privately maintained computer network that can be accessed only by authorized persons, especially members or employees of the organization that owns it.
- ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network) An international standard for switched, digital dial-up telephone service for voice and data. Analog telephones and fax machines are used over ISDN lines, but their signals are converted into digital by the ISDN terminal adapter
- ISP
An ISP – Internet Service Provider – provides the Internet access function. ISPs sell Internet access to the mass market.
- Java
Programming language designed to develop applications, especially ones for the Internet that can operate on different platforms.
- JavaScript
A popular scripting language that is widely supported in Web browsers and other Web tools. It adds interactive functions to HTML pages, which are otherwise static, since HTML is a display language, not a programming language. JavaScript is easier to use than Java, but not as powerful and deals mainly with the elements on the Web page.
- JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group) An ISO/ITU standard for compressing still images. Pronounced "jay-peg," the JPEG format is very popular due to its variable compression range. JPEGs are saved on a sliding resolution scale based on the quality desired. For example, an image can be saved in high quality for photo printing, in medium quality for the Web and in low quality for attaching to e-mails, the latter providing the smallest file size for fastest transmission over dial-up connections.
- KB (Kilobyte)
A kilobyte (KB) is a term used for the measurement of a computer?s storage capacity. IT is One thousand bytes (technically 1,024 bytes).
- Keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is an input device, partially modeled after the typewriter keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, which act as electronic switches. In normal usage, the keyboard is used to type text or numbers into a word processor, text editor or other program. In a modern computer, the interpretation of key presses is generally left to the software.
- KHz (Kilohertz)
(Kilohertz)One thousand cycles per second
- LAN
(Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. The "servers" hold programs and data that are shared by the clients. Printers can also be connected to the network and shared
- Laser Printers (Colour and Mono)
A printer that uses a laser to produce an image on a rotating drum before electrostatically transferring the image to paper. Laser Printers are generally more sophisticated and higher quality in comparison to Inkjet printers, and as a result are generally more expensive.
- Li-ion
A rechargeable battery technology introduced in 1991 that provides greater charge per pound than nickel metal hydride. In 1993, Toshiba introduced the first notebook in the U.S. with a Li-ion battery. Since then, it has become the most popular battery technology for notebooks, mobile phones and other handheld devices.
- Macro Mode
Allows a digital camera to take pictures extremely close-up to its subject.
- Manual Exposure
Allows camera settings to be manually adjusted by the user to suit the lighting conditions in order to offset exposure.
- Manual Focus
Allows camera settings to be manually adjusted by the user to focus in relation to the picture subject and environment.
- MB (Megabyte)
(Megabyte) One million bytes (1,000,000 bytes or 1,048,576 bytes
- Mbps / BPS
Megabits per second / Bits per second are used to measure how quickly data can be transferred. 1 Mbps is equal to 1 million bits per second.
- Media Card Reader
Allows the media card to be read on the computer without any need for cables or external adapters.
- Megapixel (MP)
A megapixel is 1 million pixels, and is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras or the number of display elements of digital displays.
- Memory Type
Digital cameras use a variety of memory storage devices. The most common types are compact flash memory cards and SD cards. (See also DDR and RAM)
- MHz (Megahertz)
(Megahertz) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock
- Micro-ATX
Developed to support latest PC technologies. It was the first PC motherboard to not only include I/O support (serial, parallel, mouse, etc.), but to place all the connectors directly on the motherboard. Prior to the ATX, only the keyboard connector was attached to the motherboard.
- Microfilter
Microfilter devices are used to split the phone line in to two also called a DSL filter it is an analog low-pass filter installed between analog devices (such as telephones or analog modems) and a POTS telephone line, in order to prevent interference between such devices and a DSL service operating on the same line. Without DSL filters, signals or echoes from analog devices at the top of their frequency range can result in reduced performance and connection problems with DSL service, while those from the DSL service at the bottom of its range can result in line noise and other issues for analog devices.
- Microsoft Windows
The most widely used operating system for desktop and laptop computers. Developed by Microsoft, Windows primarily runs on x86-based CPUs, although some versions run on Intel's Itanium CPUs. Windows provides a graphical user interface and desktop environment in which applications are displayed in resizable, movable windows on screen. To meet the evolving needs of the consumer Microsoft has updated and released numerous versions of the Microsoft Windows Operating System;
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre
Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0
Microsoft Windows Vista
- Microsoft Windows XP
The previous client version of Windows. XP was a major upgrade to the client version of Windows 2000 with numerous changes to the user interface. XP improved support for gaming, digital photography, instant messaging, wireless networking and sharing connections to the Internet. XP Home Edition was designed for the consumer, and XP Professional was aimed at the office worker with added security and administrative options
- Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre
An optional interface in the Windows XP Pro, Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate versions of Windows that serves as a digital media server. Designed to organize and hold a multimedia collection of music, videos and photos, the output can be viewed and heard on the PC or sent to a local or remote stereo or home theater. PCs sold as "Media Center PCs" have one or more TV tuners and can function as a digital video recorder
- Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0
The Windows platform from Microsoft for handheld devices, including PDAs, mobile phones, portable media players and automobiles. The Windows CE operating system is the foundation of the various Windows Mobile environments. In 2007, the Pocket PC and Smartphone platforms were renamed Windows Mobile platforms. This software has a focus on portability functionality.
- Microsoft Windows Vista
The current version of Windows for the desktop. Released in late 2006 for businesses and early 2007 for consumers, Vista is available in six versions (see Windows Vista versions). Vista adds numerous features, including improved security (see NGSCB) and greater support for digital rights management. Requiring more memory than Windows XP, at least 1GB is recommended, with 2GB being a safer bet. The next major upgrade to follow Vista is expected in 2010 (see Windows 7).
- MIMO
MIMO – Multiple Input Multiple Output – Pronounced "my-mo," it is the use of multiple transmitters and receivers (multiple antennas) on wireless devices for improved performance. When two transmitters and two or more receivers are used, two simultaneous data streams can be sent, which double the data rate. Multiple receivers alone allow greater distances between devices. The IEEE 802.11n wireless standard
- Mini-ATX
Same as ATX but with a smaller form factor/motherboard
- Modem
A device for transmitting usually digital data over telephone wires by modulating the data into an audio signal to send it and demodulating an audio signal into data to receive it.
- Monitor
A display screen used to present output from a computer, video camera, VCR or other video generator. The clarity of a CRT monitor is based on video bandwidth, dot pitch, refresh rate and convergence, other newer available monitors include TFT/LCD
- Motherboard
Also called the "system board," it is the main printed circuit board in an electronic device, which contains sockets that accept additional boards. In a desktop computer, the motherboard contains the CPU, chipset, PCI bus slots, AGP slot, memory sockets and controller circuits for the keyboard, mouse, disks and printer. It may also have built-in controllers for modem, sound, display and network, obviating the need to plug in a card. A laptop motherboard typically has all peripheral controllers built in.
- Mouse
A small box-shaped device with wheels that is moved about by hand over a flat surface and generates signals to control the position of a cursor or pointer on a computer display.
- MPEG2
Any of a set of standards established for the compression of digital video and audio data.
- MP3
Derived from the audio sections of the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video specifications, MP3 compresses CD-quality sound by a factor of roughly 10, while retaining most of the original fidelity. For example, a 40MB CD track is turned into approximately a 4MB MP3 file. See CD DA. MP3 files are played on the computer via digital jukebox/media player software, such as Apple's iTunes and Microsoft's Windows Media Player. MP3 sound quality cannot fully match the original CD, but they can pack thousands of songs into a tiny pocket-sized player.
- MP4
MP4 files are container formats that can hold a mix of multimedia objects
- MPEG4
Is a collection of methods defining compression of audio and visual (AV) digital data. It was introduced in late 1998 and designated a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats and related technology.
- Multifunction Printers (MFPs)
An office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one. A typical MFP may act as a combination of some or all of the following devices: Printer, Scanner, Photocopier,
Fax or E-mail.
- Network
A system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information. Also called net.
- Network Printer
A computer printer connected to the network.
- NIC
A printed circuit board that plugs into the bus of both user machines (clients) and servers in a local area network (LAN). Also commonly called a "network interface card" (NIC) or "LAN card," the network adapter transmits data onto the network and receives data from the network. It works at the data link protocol level
- Nicam
(Near instantaneous companded audio multiplex) ?the format by which digital audio sound is presented through analogue television.
- Operating System
The computer's master control program. When the computer is turned on, a small "boot program" loads the operating system. Although additional modules may be loaded as needed, the main part, known as the "kernel" resides in memory at all times. The operating system (OS) sets the standards for all application programs that run in the computer. Applications "talk to" the operating system for all user interface and file management operations.
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
An original equipment manufacturer or OEM is typically a company that uses a component made by a second company in its own product, or sells the product of the second company under its own brand. The specific meaning of the term varies in different contexts.
- Optical Drives
Generally refers to the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive in a computer, see below for full list of drives
CD-ROM drive: A device that holds and reads CD-ROM discs. CD-ROM drives generally also play audio CD disc DVD-ROM drive: Plays DVDs and CDs.
CD-RW drive: Plays and records CDs.
Combo drive: Plays and records CDs, plays DVDs.
DVD±RW drive: Plays DVDs/CDs and records DVDs/CDs.
DVD dual layer: Records twice (x2) the amount of storage compared to a standard DVD recorder.
Dual format DVD recording: Records both plus (+) and (-) formats, allowing you total recording flexibility to be compatible with all types of DVD players.
Light Scribe: an optical disc recording technology that utilizes specially coated recordable CD and DVD media to produce laser-etched labels with text or graphics, as opposed to stick-on labels and printable discs.
- Optical Zoom
Optical zoom is the adjustment and focusing of a lens to zoom in and out of a subject. The higher the optical zoom, the better the results
- Overclocking
To speed up the computer beyond the manufacturer's specifications in order to run faster.
- PAL
PAL – Phase Alternating Line, is a colour-encoding system used in broadcast television systems in large parts of the world. Other common analogue television systems are SECAM and NTSC.
- Paper Tray Capacity
The maximum amount of sheets of paper that a printer can store in its tray at any one time.
- Parental Lock
A system feature which allows parents to control and block their children from viewing particular television programmes or websites.
- PC
PC is an acronym for Personal Computer.
- PCI
PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect – A bus standard for connecting additional input/output devices (such as graphics or modem cards) to a personal computer.
- PCI Card
A circuit board that plugs into the computer's PCI bus and contains the control electronics for a peripheral device.
- PDF
PDF – Portable Document Format – Portable Document Format) The de facto standard for document publishing from Adobe. On the Web, there are countless brochures, data sheets, white papers and technical manuals in the PDF format. Supersets of Adobe?s PostScript, PDF files are widely used for sending documents to commercial printing houses. Whereas PostScript was designed as a language to drive the printer and imagesetter hardware, PDF lets users view and interact with the document.
- Peripherals
A device/s which are usually external to a computer such as a printer or scanner.
- Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
A handheld computer for managing contacts, appointments and tasks. It typically includes a name and address database, calendar, to-do list and note taker, which are the functions in a personal information manager (see PIM). Wireless PDAs may also offer e-mail, Web browsing and mobile phone service (see Smartphone). Data are synchronized between the PDA and desktop computer via a cabled connection or wireless.
- Photo Printer
A printer specialized for smaller prints such as 4x6" and 5x7". When first introduced, photo printers used dye sublimation for high quality printing because inkjet printing was not quite up to par. Since then, inkjet technology has greatly improved, and most photo printers are inkjets. Epson, Canon and HP are major players in this market.
- Picolitre
Ink droplet size is measured in picolitres, so the smaller the picolitre volume, the more defined the image will be.
- Pictbridge
A standard from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) for printing directly from a digital camera without requiring a computer in between. Within the camera, it allows the user to identify the pictures to be printed and select options (size, number copies, cropping, etc.). The camera sends the print job to the printer, which downloads the images and prints them. PictBridge cameras and printers connect via a USB cable
- Pixel
The basic unit of the composition of an image on a television screen, computer monitor, or similar display.
- Pixel Resolution
The greater the number of pixels the sharper and the higher the resolution will appear.
- Plasma Screen TV
Also called "gas discharge display," a flat-screen technology that uses tiny cells lined with phosphor that are full of inert ionized gas (typically a mix of xenon and neon). Three cells make up one pixel (one cell has red phosphor, one green, one blue). The cells are sandwiched between x- and y-axis panels, and a cell is selected by charging the appropriate x and y electrodes. The charge causes the gas in the cell to emit ultraviolet light, which causes the phosphor to emit color. The amount of charge determines the intensity, and the combination of the different intensities of red, green and blue produce all the colors required.
- Plug and Play
A standard from Intel for peripheral expansion on a PC. On starting up the computer, Plug and Play (PnP) recognizes the attached peripheral devices and adjusts the appropriate internal settings, namely configuring the IRQ, DMA and I/O address. Windows systems boast plug and play capability which, in theory, means that devices simply have to be plugged in to be functional, without a need for additional software installation.
- Plug-in Removable Hard Drive
Allows user to Add/remove a hard disk when appropriate.
- Port Replicator
A device used to quickly connect multiple peripherals to a laptop using only one connector. The desktop devices are permanently plugged into the port replicator, which connects to the laptop via the USB port, PC Card slot or proprietary expansion port. The replicator provides a secondary set of ports for the monitor, printer, network, keyboard and mouse, equivalent to those on the laptop. A port replicator is similar to a docking station, but does not contain speakers or any PCI slots for peripheral expansion.
- Post Office Protocol (POP)
A standard interface between an e-mail client program and the mail server, defined by IETF RFC 1939. POP3 and IMAP4 are the two common mailbox access protocols used for Internet e-mail. POP3 provides a message store that holds incoming e-mail until users log in and download it. POP3 is a simple system with limited selectivity. All pending messages and attachments are downloaded when users check their mail.
- PPI(Pixels per inch)
PPI ? pixels per inch ? is the measurement for digital images. The greater the PPI then the greater definition there should be to the image.
- PPM
PPM – pages per minute – The measurement of printer speed
- Processor/Processor Type
The most important chip in a PC/laptop. There are a variety of processor types available depending on their application. Manufacturers include AMD and Intel.
- Processor Speed
Indicates the speed of a machine, the quicker the processor speed generally means the more expensive and better the machine.
- RAID
Is a technology that employs the simultaneous use of two or more hard disk drives to achieve greater levels of performance, reliability, and/or larger data volume sizes.
- RAM - Memory
A type of memory that provides direct access to any byte on the chip. This "byte addressing" means that the contents of any byte can be read or written without regard to the bytes before or after it.
- RDRAM
Pronounced "r-d-ram." A dynamic RAM chip technology from Rambus, Inc., Los Altos, CA www.rambus.com). Rambus licensed its memory designs to semiconductor companies, which manufactured the chips. In 1995, Base RDRAM was introduced with speeds up to 600 MBytes/sec. In 1997, Concurrent RDRAM increased speed to 700 MBps, and Direct RDRAM boosted speed to 1.6 GBps in 1998. Concurrent RDRAMs have been used in video games, while Direct RDRAMs have been used in computers.
- Rear Projection
Pertaining to television system in which the picture is projected on a ground-glass screen for viewing from the opposite side of the screen.
- Rechargeable Battery
Batteries that can be recharged after use rather than discarded.
- Remote Control
A detached handheld device that allows the user to access and alter the functionality of a system.
- Resolution
The degree of sharpness of a displayed or printed character or image. Resolution is expressed as a matrix of dots.
- Retractable Zoom Lens
The camera lens is retracted into the camera body when the camera is in off mode.
- Router
A network device that forwards packets from one network to another. Based on internal routing tables, routers read each incoming packet and decide how to forward it. Most routers sit in homes and small offices and do nothing more than direct Web, e-mail and other Internet transactions from the local network to the cable or DSL modem, which is connected to the ISP and Internet. Sitting at the edge of the network, they often contain a built-in firewall for security, and the firewall serves all users in the network without requiring that the personal firewall in each computer be turned on and configured.
- SATA
(Serial ATA) A serial version of the ATA (IDE) interface, which has been the de facto standard hard disk interface for desktop PCs for more than two decades. SATA provides a point-to-point channel between motherboard and drive rather than the master-slave architecture in the parallel technology
- Sat Nav (Satellite Navigation)
Is the standard generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. A GNSS allows small electronic receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude) to within a few metres using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio from satellites. Receivers on the ground with a fixed position can also be used to calculate the precise time as a reference for scientific experiments. The popularity of Sat Nav has increased recently as they have become more user friendly for motorists. Sat Nav systems today can be small dashboard mounted device which will allow a user to select and be directed along a particular route. Ideal for when a user is unfamiliar with their destination.
- SCART Cables
(Syndicat Français des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radio et Télévision connector) An audio visual connector used to hook up VCRs and DVD players to TV sets and audio equipment. Developed by Peritel in France and also known as a "EURO connector," the SCART cable uses 21-pin male plugs at both ends, while the devices use female sockets.
- SCART Sockets
The SCART sockets are the connection points for SCART cables on a television or other Audio Visual device.
- SD Cards
A flash memory card that provides storage for digital cameras, mobile phones and PDAs.
- SDRAM
Used to describe dynamic random access memory that has a synchronous interface. Traditionally, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) has an asynchronous interface which means that it responds as quickly as possible to changes in control inputs. SDRAM has a synchronous interface, meaning that it waits for a clock signal before responding to control inputs and is therefore synchronized with the computer's system bus.
- Self Timer
Allows camera user to delay taking the picture. This is most commonly used to allow the photographer to appear in the shot.
- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol(SMTP)
The standard e-mail protocol on the Internet and part of the TCP/IP protocol suite, as defined by IETF RFC 2821. SMTP defines the message format and the message transfer agent (MTA), which stores and forwards the mail. SMTP was originally designed for only plain text (ASCII text), but MIME and other encoding methods enable executable programs and multimedia files to be attached to and transported with the e-mail message
- Shockproof
Devices, such as MP3, Constructed or designed to withstand blows or jarring without interrupting their functionality.
- Single Lens Reflex (SLR)
A camera that uses the same lens for viewing and shooting. A mirror reflects the image from the lens to the viewfinder. When the shutter button is pressed, the mirror flips out of the way and the shutter opens to expose the film. These cameras are the most expensive on the market and usually offer users between 6 and 12 megapixels.
- Sleep Timer
Allows a user automatically turn-off a device at a pre arranged time.
- Software
Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a "program." The two major categories of software are "system software" and "application software." System software is made up of control programs such as the operating system and database management system (DBMS). Application software is any program that processes data for the user (inventory, payroll, spreadsheet, word processor,etc.)
- SOHO
Small Office/Home Office. Acronym used for small office/home office applications.
- Sound Card
Also called a "sound board" or "audio adapter," it is a plug-in card that records and plays back sound. Supporting both digital audio and MIDI, sound cards provide an input port for a microphone or other sound source and output ports to speakers and amplifiers. Sound circuits are typically built into the chipset on the motherboard, but can be disabled if a separate sound card is installed.
- Spam
Spam is the word given to electronic junk mail that is unsolicited.
- Speakers
A device that converts electric signals to audible sound.
- Spindle
A rotating shaft in a disk drive. In a fixed disk, the platters are attached to the spindle. In a removable disk, the spindle remains in the drive. Laptops use spindle designations to indicate the number of built-in drives. For example, a two-spindle machine contains a hard drive and a second bay for an optical drive.
- SSID
SSID – Service set identifier – The name assigned to a wireless Wi-Fi network. All devices must use this same, case-sensitive name to communicate, which is a text string up to 32 bytes long. Typically set to the equipment vendor's name, such as "Linksys," it can be manually changed by going into the configuration settings of the access point with a Web browser. The client machines will identify all the wireless networks they find when they boot up, unless the networks are hidden.
- Secure Sockets Layer(SSL)
The leading security protocol on the Internet. Developed by Netscape, SSL is widely used to do two things: to validate the identity of a Web site and to create an encrypted connection for sending credit card and other personal data. Look for a lock icon at the top or bottom of your browser when you order merchandise on the Web. If the lock is closed, you are on a secure SSL or TLS connection.
- S-Video(Super Video)
An S-Video function – super video – A video color format that combines the three YUV video signals into two channels. Brightness/luma (Y) is in one channel, and color/chroma (U and V) are in another. S-video provides a sharper image than composite video, but is not as good as component video
- TFT/LCD Monitors
A low-power flat-panel display used in many laptop computers, calculators and digital watches, made up of a liquid crystal that is sandwiched between layers of glass or plastic and becomes opaque when electric current passes through it. The contrast between the opaque and transparent areas forms visible characters.
- Third generation wireless service(3G)
Typically refers to the current generation of data transmission capabilities over a mobile network for Internet access and real-time video. The major 3G technologies are EV-DO for CDMA networks and HSDPA for GSM networks, for example, the iPhone 3G, Apple's second generation iPhone, uses HSDPA
- TIFF file
TIFF – Tagged Image File Format – A widely used bitmapped graphics file format developed by Aldus and Microsoft that handles monochrome, gray scale, 8-and 24-bit color. TIFF allows for customization, and several versions have been created, which does not guarantee compatibility between all programs.
- Toner
An electrically charged ink used in copy machines and laser printers. It adheres to an invisible image that has been charged with the opposite polarity onto a plate or drum or onto the paper itself. For colour laser printing 4 four colours are required ? black, yellow, cyan and magenta.
- Touch Screen Control
A monitor screen that can detect and respond to something, such as a finger or stylus, pressing on it.
- Transparency Adapter
A device that allows a flatbed scanner to scan 35mm slides and other film transparencies. It provides a mechanism that shines light through the film. Today, most flatbed scanners support transparencies either with a removable tray or by adding or removing an attachment.
- Trojan
A program that appears legitimate, but performs some illicit activity when it is run. It may be used to locate password information or make the system more vulnerable to future entry or simply destroy programs or data on the hard disk. A Trojan is similar to a virus, except that it does not replicate itself. It stays in the computer doing its damage or allowing somebody from a remote site to take control of the computer. Trojans often sneak in attached to a free game or other utility. For information about various Trojans that are spread on the Internet, visit the Lockdown Corporation at www.lockdowncorp.com.
- TV Out
Commonly used to label the connector of equipment providing an analog video signal acceptable for a television AV input.
- TV Tuner
Allows television signals to be received by a computer. Most TV tuners also function as video capture cards, allowing them to record television programs onto a hard disk.
- Ultra Mobile
Portable PCs and notebooks which weigh less than 2kg.
- Upload
To transfer (data or programs), usually from a peripheral computer or device to a central, often remote computer.
- URL
URL – Uniform Resource Locator An Internet address (for example, http://www.eurieka.ie/techlingo), usually consisting of the access protocol (http), the domain name (wwweurieka.ie), and optionally the path to a file or resource residing on that server (techlingo).
- USB Connections
Refers to some type of network or communications controller that plugs into the computer via the USB port. It may refer to an Ethernet adapter, Bluetooth adapter or serial or parallel port adapter.
- Virtual Memory
Memory, often as simulated on a hard disk that emulates RAM, allowing an application to operate as though the computer has more memory than it actually does.
- Voice Guidance
The conversion of spoken words into computer text. Speech is first digitized and then matched against a dictionary of coded waveforms. The matches are converted into text as if the words were typed on the keyboard or a touch screen activated. Used commonly in GPS/Sat Navs.
- WAP
WAP, Wireless Application Protocol, A standard for providing mobile phones, pagers and other handhelds with secure access to e-mail and text-based Web pages.
- Webcam
A video camera that attaches to a computer typically via USB or that is built into a laptop or desktop screen. It is used mostly for video phoning over networks such as Skype as well as to continuously monitor an activity and deliver the video to a Web server for public or private viewing.
- Widescreen
Widescreen is a format of image presentation on monitors with much greater width than height.
- Wi-Fi
The popular term for a high-frequency wireless local area network. The consumer-friendly name for the 802.11b engineering standard. It lets home and office users create wireless local networks, which connect two or more computers to each other and a faster Internet line.
- WMA
WMA – Windows Media Audio – An audio compression method from Microsoft. Known originally as MSAudio, this proprietary format competes with the MP3 and AAC methods. WMA encodes rapidly and is known to be especially effective at low bit rates. Controlled and owned by Microsoft.
- XML
A Meta language written in SGML that allows one to design a markup language, used to allow for the easy interchange of documents on the World Wide Web.
- ZIP File (.ZIP)
A file that contains one or more files that have been compressed into a ZIP format. Also called a "ZIP archive," "zipped file" or "zipped archive," the ZIP algorithm is the most popular compression method in use.
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