A: Drive

This is another name for the Floppy Disk Drive that was installed in every computer casing up to 2006. It's maximum data storage capacity was shown as 1.44 megabytes. Since the invention of the newer more versatile USB 2.0 Memory Stick (Flash Drive) and the larger capacity portable USB 2.0 Hard Disk Drive, it has become obsolete. 

Absolute URL

The full Internet address of a page or other World Wide Web resource. The absolute URL includes a protocol, such as "http," a Network location, an optional path and a file name, for example: http://anythinguwant.com 

Accelerator Card

An add-on card fitted inside the PC that makes it perform faster, such as a better graphics or sound card with faster memory on it.

Access

The name of Microsoft's very popular Database Application which is part of the Microsoft Office Suite.

Accessibility

The quality of a system incorporating hardware or software that makes it usable by people with one or more physical disabilities, such as restricted mobility, blindness, or deafness. 

Access Time

The time it takes for a device to access, or locate data. It's usually quoted in milliseconds (ms) if referring to a hard disk or nanoseconds (ns) if referring to memory. The computer industry often uses the Access Time as a benchmark (i.e. reference point) when comparing the performance of hard disks or other add-on devices. The lower the (ms) or (ns) the better the performance of the piece of equipment.

Active data Objects

Components that enable client applications to access and manipulate data in a file or server based database through an Internet service provider.

Active Desktop

The version of your Windows desktop that allows such things as Web Pages or 'Live' information to be displayed - instead of the usual boring background colours and patterns that were found on previous Windows desktops. After the introduction of Windows XP, the active desktop was automatically provided by default when the operating system was installed.

Active Partition

The primary partition that has been set up either by the computer manufacturer or by the main user of the computer so as to be read or used when it boots up (i.e. starts up). It usually contains all of the main system files on the computer that you are using right now, and it's most likely on C: Drive.

Active 'X'

A set of technologies that enable software components to interact with one another in a networked environment regardless of the language in which the components were created. Active 'X' is used primarily to develop interactive content for the World Wide Web and it can also be used in other programs and desktop applications. Active 'X' controls are often embedded into Web pages to produce animations or multimedia effects.  

Add-on

An extra bit of hardware that's added to the computer after its purchase in order to improve its performance or capability. Examples are such things as extra ram memory, a better sound or video card, or a zip drive etc.  

Address

The unique identifier assigned to a Web page - often referred to as your URL.    

ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line: Known in the UK as Broadband. This is a telephone system that is setup for a fee by your ISP in conjunction with your phone line provider. It provides connection speeds far in excess of those ever achieved by a dialup connection. The main advantage though, is the ability to make or receive telephone calls whilst connected to the Internet. 

AGP

This stands for Accelerated Graphics Port which is a type of interface that's specifically designed to accept a faster graphics card such as those used by serious PC gamers. A 128 MB Graphics Card installed in this Port would likely be the minimum required to run most games on Windows XP. 

Analogue Signal

An electrical signal that varies according to the characteristics of the information it presents. The standard telephone line in your house transmits an analogue signal. It's the job of your modem to convert the digital computer signal into an analogue one so that it can be sent down your telephone line.      

AND

This term links two or more search enquiry items together which allows you to narrow down a search. In this context it is known as a Boolean Expression. For example, if you entered the word Computer AND Tuition you would be presented with Web pages containing both words, and not just either one of them. See also: OR, NOT and NEAR. 

Animated gif

A series of individual gif images can be saved within a special animation application so that when they are combined together they form a short sequence of 'what appears to be' moving images. The advertising banners seen at the top of many commercial web pages are often animated gifs, which are designed to catch your attention.

Apple

The company responsible for the Apple Mac range of computers seen in your local computer stores. Very popular with graphic designers, art students, publishers and media people.   

Applet

A multimedia application written or embedded in the Java language in the form of sounds or animation and only viewable in a Browser enabled for Java. An applet is not usually viewable on earlier operating systems or computers over 5 years old.

Anonymous ftp

Users can gain access to a remote server using ftp without actually needing to have an account with that server. The users email address is usually given as a password and the user name: anonymous is assigned to the user by the system that is supporting this service. In a nutshell, it means that I can use my ftp program to upload your pages to your Web site using your email address as the entry password and the user name: anonymous to allow me to do it. 

Application

The name used to describe any program used by you on your computer to create something. Examples could be your word processor, painting program, desktop publisher or diary. The list is endless. All modern computers come with several applications pre-installed. If you want more, you'll have to go down to your local PC store. 

Archie

A database of anonymous file transfer protocol (ftp) sites and their contents. Archie keeps track of the entire contents of these anonymous ftp sites and allows the users to search for files on them using various kinds of filename searches.

Archive

Archives are usually large files that have been compressed, and sometimes they may even contain several other smaller files. Examples of archive file extensions are: zip, tar, arc, lzh and ARJ. 'Winzip' is the most popular computer program for home users for compressing files and it's often used to reduce the size of large ones prior to them being attached to emails. A File that has been archived in this way will have a .zip file extension after it's name, such as: areyou.zip  withit.zip  ok.zip  The recipient of a zipped file will need to have a version of the same software on their computer to be able to open these archived files.  

Archive Site 

This is a website that contains archived (i.e. compressed files) which are available for download by ftp or email. These are often large files, which are sometimes opened automatically (i.e. self-extracted) once the download has been completed. 

ARJ

An ARJ allows a user to store one or more files in a compressed format in an archive file, thus saving space both in the size of the compressed file and the amount of space it occupies when saved to your HDD. These are excellent for compressing databases, large multi-page documents and items such as diaries and address books, etc.  

ARPA

Advanced Research Projects Agency: The American Governmental Organisation who were responsible for creating an experimental Network which eventually become the start of the Internet as we know it.  

Artefact

An unwelcome fault found in a scanned image. For example: a background noise that's apparent when the image is displayed or speckles that appear, that weren't previously there. An Artefact is usually caused by limitations within the scanning software or image editing program being used. Most modern scanners however can cope with photo quality images without any problems so it's unlikely you'll see many artefacts.     

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange: A file containing only text characters, numbers, letters and standard punctuation.  Almost all the alphabetical characters in the world have been given  numbers as part of a standard code so that printers can do the same job no matter where they are.  The software concerned sends an ASCII code to the printer which then prints characters according to the numbers it receives.  Clever stuff - I'm impressed!

ASP

A document that contains embedded server side scripting (known as an active server page). On the client side (i.e. on your computer) an ASP is a standard html web document that can be viewed in any Web Browser on any computer.

Aspect Ratio

In computer displays and graphics, it's the ratio between the width of a picture and it's height. For example: an aspect ratio of 4:1 indicates that the picture is four times as wide as it is high. Most widescreen TV's have controls that can adjust the aspect ratio to suite any program or movie that is being viewed. The aspect ratio is very important if you want to maintain the right proportions on still images being displayed on for example a web page. 

ATAPI

Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface: It's the recognized standard for connecting a CD-ROM Drive to an enhanced IDE adapter (which is what most computers use to handle their hard disk/s) and now that ATAPI is accepted as the standard it's made the installation of a CD-Rom drive a much easier task.  

Attachment 

These are files attached to email messages, and could be in the form of text, graphics, sound, video, spreadsheet, database or even an entire downloadable application.  Larger ones are usually ‘zipped’ first to speed up the time it takes to both send or receive them.  

Authentication

In a multi-user or network environment, it's the process by which the system validates a user's logon information. A users name and password are compared against an authorized list and if the system detects a match, access is granted. 

Authentication Database

A database on a server that matches user names against the passwords presented to it. 

Auto Thumbnail

A tool that creates a thumbnail image of a picture or photograph and a hyperlink to the original picture, which is often larger. 

Auto-run

The clever little process that (if activated on your computer) tells it when you've inserted a CD into your CD-Rom drive. If your computer is not set to Auto-run and you would like it to be, please contact us for assistance.

AutoSave

A handy little feature that automatically saves the file you are currently working on at regular pre-determined intervals.

AutoSum

A command often found in a good spreadsheet program that will allow you to quickly add up a column or row of figures by clicking on a special Toolbar Icon.

AVI

Audio Visual Interleave sounds very technical but it's not. It's a file format that is capable of storing moving images with sound.   

Backbone (Site or Server)

A 'strong' web site or server that is capable of processing and directing lots of traffic either on the Internet or within a Network. It performs a similar task to the CPU in a your computer and just like your backbone - has to be reliable! 

Backup

A second copy of important files or data, which can be used to restore your computer or application after a serious crash.

Banding

Commonly associated with the ability of a mobile phone to send or receive calls. A dual band phone works in the UK and Europe. A Tri Band mobile also works in the USA. A Quad Band mobile works in all of these + the rest of the world.

Bandwidth

The amount of information that can be moved across a Network at any one time. It refers to the volume of transfer (usually in bits per second) and not the speed at which the information is transferred. If you ever have problems connecting at peak times, then it's quite likely that your ISP has insufficient bandwidth to support all the data being handled by their online servers.           

.bat

A special batch file used by Dos and early versions of Windows. They both searched for it when booting up your PC. 

Baud or Baud Rate

The speed at which data travels through a dialup modem, measured in bps (bits per second). Most dialup modems ranged from 2400 to over 56,000 bps (often referred to 56K modems).

BBS

Bulletin Board System: A computer system usually run by local users which makes files available for downloading and sets up electronic discussion notice-boards that all can access and contribute to.

Beta

Short for 'before entering the arena' this is an advanced (pre-release) version of a new software package that is still being developed. Beta versions are often supplied to selected groups of industry leaders and testers for evaluation, criticism and bug-testing. Their comments, observations and criticisms are then analyzed by the software manufacturer and if necessary changes will be made to the software package before it is released to the general public.

Binary

Binary data is a direct representation of the bits stored in RAM Memory on your PC. It is much more compact and accurate than ASCII.

Bios

The internal computer chip that helps the computer think and remember what devices to use, how to communicate with the monitor, keyboard or hard drive, etc and what day it is. It actually stands for: Basic Input & Output System. To enter Bios you may have to hit Delete, F1 or F2 (for example) at startup, but don't go there unless you know what you are doing. Leave changing Bios settings to a computer expert.

Bit

The smallest unit of computerised data - often referred to as a Binary DigIT - which contains either a number 1 or a zero. A combination of bits grouped together could indicate an alphabetic character or a numerical digit. They can also perform signalling, switching and other functions within your computer. 

Blue Screen

Often referred to as the 'Blue Screen of Death', this is the blue screen that Windows generates when your computer is just about to crash.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth technology allows PDA's, mobile phones, printers and laptop computers etc to 'talk' to each other wirelessly and securely up to distances of 10 metres. For example: You can send pictures or movie clips from your bluetooth enabled mobile phone straight to a bluetooth enabled pc, portable storage device or another bluetooth enabled phone. Hands-free car kits often use bluetooth technology.

.bmp

The Bitmap is a set of bits that represent a graphic image. This file type is available in most Windows based graphical applications. A .bmp file can be quite a large one and usually contains up to 256 colours. The desktop picture on your computer at the moment is quite likely to be a bitmap (unless you've got Active Desktop enabled) in which case it's likely to be a .jpg (or .jpeg)

Body

In email terms it means the part of the message containing the text content. The term Body is also used in Web page design where it refers to the html code hidden within the <body> tags of a Web Page.    

Bookmark

Virtual bookmarks work pretty much the same as the real ones you use in your favourite novel. They record a URL or Web page to allow you to refer back to it at a later date. Bookmarks are also used to link one area (or subject) on a Web page to another one (usually on the same page) by using a hypertext link.  

Boolean

Any term such as AND, OR, NOT and NEAR (if typed in-between two other words in a search enquiry) will narrow down the search to a specific area of interest. When used in this context, these words are known as Boolean Expressions. 

Boot Diskette

A floppy disk that has the special system files on it that are needed to start up the computer using its own operating system. Since CD and DVD re-writers have became very popular, it's also possible to make a boot CD-rom or DVD-rom that will do the same thing. 

bps

Bits Per Second: The speed at which data transfer is measured. A 56k modem transfers at up to 56 kbps over a non digital (i.e. analogue) phone line. If you want a faster transfer speed then you will need an ISDN or ADSL broadband line.

Bridge

A means of connecting communications networks at more than one site.

Broadband

The term used to describe high bandwidth internet connections which are often many times faster than those achieved on narrowband using a dialup modem. With broadband, the connection is always on, and you can still use your house phone to make calls whilst online. Browser

Browser

Often called a Web Browser: This allows the user to navigate the Web and other Internet facilities using a Graphical User Interface. The most commonly used ones in the United kingdom are Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator and FireFox.

Buffer

A holding area that memorises and stores information, commands, keystrokes, printing requests, CD or DVD copying info/data etc, until the computer's processor (CPU) is ready to complete the requested tasks. 

BUS

A channel along which signals travel from a specific one of several locations. Modern motherboards have very fast 'BUS' speeds means that all the other assembled components can run at up to their maximum data transfer speed.     

byte

A unit of data, generally formed from 8 bits. e.g. 01101010

Cache

This holds incoming, inputted or software downloaded Web information in its memory as it's being written to the hard disk. Modern PC's have plenty of Cache which allows you to continue what you are doing without having to wait for the information to be written to the disk. Also, if you click to return to a Web page that you have just visited, Cache will reload it easily. You won't have to wait for it to be downloaded again from the Internet. 

Cached Files

Copies of all Web pages that you've looked at - are all stored here. 

Card Bus

This is a PC card standard which offers very fast connections and low power usage. 

CD-Rom

Compact Disk Read Only Memory: I'm sure you've all seen one of these, but did you know that they can store up to 650 Mb of data information or up to 730 Mb of music. A CD-Rom can only be read by a laser. 

CD-Rom Drive

Standard equipment on all PC's manufactured up to 2004 and capable of reading CD's at up to 54 times normal speed. Now mainly obsolete. The more versatile DVD Re-Writer has since become standard equipment.

CD Writer Drive

A hardware unit fitted into a PC that allows the user to make copies of their own licensed software, data or music using CDR discs. Once made, the CDR discs cannot be formatted and re-used. If you want to re-use your CDR discs, buy the next item listed, or a DVD Re-Writer.

CD Re-Writer Drive

Similar to the one listed above, but capable of erasing and formatting CD-RW discs so that they can be re-used.   

CERN

A laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland, where the concept for the WWW was first developed.

Cell

The intersecting point in a computer spreadsheet which could contain numbers, text or a mathematical formulae.    

CGI

Common Gateway Interface: An interface creation scripting program that allows you to make WWW pages on the fly, based on information from various types of fill-in forms, checkboxes and text input forms, etc.

Channel

The term used for a Chat Room on IRC (i.e. Internet Relay Chat).  

Chat Room

A bit like the premium rate chat lines that you see advertised in the Sunday Tabloids or on the late night TV channels. The main differences are that most people who enter an online internet Chat Room do not use their own name, and often provide false details to the person or persons they are chatting to - so beware!

Check-box

We've all seen these little square boxes that once clicked into, display a tick or a cross to indicate that the item has been selected. They are an essential item on many online questionnaires, and often used when you add things to your trolley whilst shopping online. 

Chips

Slang for Computer Chips, these are little blocks of silicon with embedded transistor material that process lots of computer information very fast and reliably. Ever heard of Silicon Valley? Well, that's where 80% of the World's silicon 'chips' are made. 

Chipset

This is the term used for a group of computer 'chips' working together to perform specific functions, such as 3D graphics.  

Client

In a Client Server relationship, the client is the computer running programs or applications from the server, or accessing files from it, and does the bulk of the processing of this information.

Clipart

These are ready made images, illustrations or pictures which are usually supplied on a CD or DVD-Rom. Sometimes they are supplied free with new software packages. Occasionally you may wish to install them on your PC, but more often than not (due to the shear numbers of images on these types of discs) it's better to just import the ones you want, as and when you need them. Clipart is usually supplied 'Royalty Free' and is often free of copyright.      

Clipboard

An area in the computer's ram memory where items that have been cut or copied are stored until you are ready to use them again. To make them re-appear, click on Paste. Those of you who have MS Word on your computer will have the ability to save and use several items from the clipboard.          

Clusters

The little areas on the computer's hard drive were files are stored and organized into sectors and blocks.

CMOS

A special lithium battery inside your computer that stores the BIOS information. Usually around 3.2 volts in capacity. It's very rare, but always possible, that the CMOS battery may need replacing at some time within the lifetime of your computer. 

Colour Depth

The number of colours that can be displayed on a monitor screen at the same time, usually measured in 'bits'. For example: 1-bit colour provides 2 colours (usually black and white) whereas 2-bit colour gives 4 colours, and so on. Most modern computer monitor screens now display up to 16.7 millions colour shades - which are referred to as 32-bit colour (see next entry). 

Colour (32-bit) images 

These are images that have four separate colour channels, each one of eight bits and each one capable of displaying up to 256 shades of that colour. There is one channel for each primary colour i.e. red, green and blue, plus one 8 bit channel of greyscale data to provide higher detail.

Command

An instruction given to the computer by the user which is expected to be carried out.

Compact Flash / Smart Media Memory Cards

These are small memory cards that can store small amounts of imputed data, such as photographs and text files. They can be slotted into and out of portable devices such as a digital cameras and mobile phones, as and when the user requires more data storage space. The modern replacement for a compact flash card is now the SD Card, the Micro SD Card and the XD Card, all of which can store lots of high quality digital images, as well many downloaded mp3 music tracks.    

Com Port

Early PC's often had anything up to 4 of these (as Com1 - Com4) and through these connections (which were usually on the rear panel of the PC) you could attach other peripheral devices. Nowadays, lots of USB 2.0 Ports are available for peripheral devices, so the Com Port is rarely used for anything other than the attachment of a games console.

Composite

A type of signal used by some modern camcorders, TV's and video recorders. Also found on computer systems that are set up to display pictures on normal TV screens. 

Compress

This is the act of discarding redundant or semi redundant information from a file in order to reduce its size. For example a picture may be compressed by anything up to 40% and a text document will compress down to 80% of its original size. Large pictures to be attached to emails often need compressing.

Compression

The act of squeezing computer files in such programs as DriveSpace - in order to free up much needed hard disk space. Rarely done these days, as most computers are now supplied with very large hard disk drives.    

Computer

In Theory:  A sophisticated electrical machine that can be programmed to manipulate symbols and perform complex and repetitive tasks efficiently, repeatedly, precisely, and reliably. It must also have the capability to store data, access it when requested and display it as it was - when it was originally saved by the user. 

Configuration

All of the parameters and settings that a computer program or hardware device needs in order to function. If we talk about configuring a device, we are talking about setting it up to work properly. 

Contrast Ratio

This is the ratio between the brightest white found on a TV or PC monitor, and the darkest black. The higher the contrast ratio, the more detailed an image will be. Blacks will look blacker, and whites will look whiter.

Control Panel

Most of your Windows Operating System Settings can be viewed from here as Icons. By double-clicking any of the icons displayed here you will be able to access most of your computer's functions and providing you know what you're doing, make several changes to them.

Convergence

Each pixel on a colour display is produced by three dots. One blue, one red and one green. The dots need to overlay (or overlap) each other in a precise manner in order to achieve a sharp image. Any deviation from this desired effect is known as a convergence error. Fortunately these are very rare nowadays as we are all using digital monitors with 32-bit screen resolutions.     

Cookie

A data file that a Web Server sends to your browser when you visit a Web site. The cookie is updated each time you return and holds info about you, which may be used later. Let's say you are browsing around an Internet Virtual Shop, each time you place something in your basket the info will be stored by the cookie. When you eventually decide to buy the items in your trolley it's the cookie job to supply the info to the server so that the order can be processed.        

CPU 

Central Processing Unit: This is the main chip inside your computer. It controls the operation of the computer and performs all of the instructions that make up the programs on it. A fast CPU is now included in all modern computers as standard.

Crash

A computer crash sometimes occurs when the hard drive fails or when a program locks up. It can also happen if the user opens up too many programs and fails to close them down properly, or if there is a fault with a device attached to the computer. 

Cursor

The flashing  |  beam that is controlled by the mouse in a word processing screen.        

Cyber Café

These are becoming very popular in big cities and in large towns throughout the World. A Cyber Café is a Snack Bar or Café that allows customers to access the Web whilst having a drink or a snack. They usually charge a fee based on every half an hour of use. Very handy if you want to pick up your email whilst out of town or keep in touch with your office whilst on holiday. 

.dat file

Digital Audio Tape File.

Data

Any type of information that is created or changed whilst working on a computer.

Database

Most of the information available on the Internet is stored in the form of a Database. Large companies set up programs that automatically update variable details on their web pages from databases stored on their host computer. A database cannot be indexed by a search engine. It can only be accessed directly from a link within the page that is being viewed.

Data Transfer Rate

The speed at which data bits are transferred along a transmission channel. The data transfer rate is usually measured in bits, kilobits or megabits  per second.

DECT

Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telephone communication, was a relatively new concept in telecommunications prior to 2004. It offered the user high quality cordless telephone transmissions and better reception on digital networks. If you have purchased a new digital home phone since 2004, then it is likely to be a DECT phone.   

Dedicated Line

A telephone line that is used solely for computer connections, and rarely anything else.

Dedicated (Server or Program)

A computer or program that is used only for one individual task i.e. for graphic design or as a web server etc.

Default

One of the most misunderstood words in the Internet Dictionary. When a computer program is designed several user options may be available, so to simplify matters the designer will set the one that he thinks will suit most people's requirements, as the Default Option. This can of course be changed if it is not to your liking. For example in MS Word the Default Font is usually 12 pts Times New Roman. You might prefer 10 pts Ariel. OK, so you go and change it and confirm the change. From now on every time you open MS Word your font setting will be 10 pts Ariel. This is now the new 'Default Setting'.

Defrag 

Short for Disk Defragmenter, it is a Windows System Program that tidies up your files and data on your hard disk so that when they are needed again they will be found more quickly.        

Desktop

This is the popular name for the Windows screen that you see when your computer has settled after startup. Desktop Shortcuts are usually displayed on it, as well as the Taskbar, and the System Tray (usually on the right hand side near the clock - if enabled). If Active Desktop is available on your PC, you will be able to select moving images, web pages or animated backgrounds to be displayed on your desktop. 

DHTML

Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language, is an extension to HTML which allows Web page designers and programmers to have more control over the appearance and position of items embedded into, or placed upon, their Web pages.   

Dialogue Box

This is the box that often appears in Windows to display warnings or messages telling you about what's going on. Usually there's a cancel button and an OK button as standard, plus other options if relevant to the program currently running.

Digital Camera

This type of camera takes digital images and stores them internally on a memory card. They can then be downloaded onto your computer and reproduced by your printer. Alternatively, you can remove the memory card from your camera and take it to your local camera shop or Asda, Tesco & Boots (etc) where all (or selected) images can be printed.   

Digital Signature

Often used by businesses as a quick way of signing large numbers of emails. The signature of the sender is saved as a file on the computer and when appropriate, is automatically imported into the bottom of the email message.     

Digitiser

A piece of equipment that can convert signals or objects into digital files that the computer can read and respond to.

DIMM

It also stands for: Dual Inline Memory Module which was an industry standard for Pentium memory chips. These were tiny circuit boards with ram chips on them that slotted into the motherboard. They are no longer used on modern computer motherboards.   

Directory Service

This is an Electronic Directory Listing of people's email addresses (and any other private details they may have submitted) so beware when creating an email account that you don't supply too much detail about your private affairs because it's often used by Marketing Companies as a means of targeting suitable persons to receive their flyers (i.e. Spam). 

Direct X

A set of files that allow your computer to access hardware such as your graphics card at the highest possible speed. It is essential to have an up to date version of Direct X on your computer if you want to play fast action games.  

.dll

Dynamically Linked Library: These are libraries of object files or executable code modules available to programmers writing code for the Windows operating system environment.

Dolby Digital 5.1

This technology brings the cinema sound experience into the home, as most modern DVD films have a Dolby Digital sound track on them. This comprises of 5 separate channels of sound + a sub-woofer channel for bass sounds, thus enabling you to feel, as well as hear, the complete range of sound frequencies and special effects.

Dolby Pro Logic II

This turns any stereo source into a highly realistic and very convincing surround-sound listening experience. The technology recognises and unlocks directional clues in the source material, then delivers a 5 channel output from your favourite TV programmes, or from a DVD played on your PC.

Dolby ® Virtual Dolby Surround

This can be found on many high quality expensive televisions, and deluxe computer displays. It's not true surround sound because it doesn't contain the room-modelling features found in Dolby Pro Logic II - but it's a virtualisation technology which delivers a surround sound experience which is wider and more enveloping than Dolby Digital 5.1

DMA

Take your pick: Direct Memory Access (if associated with Hard Drives) or Device Memory Allocation (when considering the memory allocation to a device such as a CD-ROM or a CD-Writer).     

Domain Name

A unique address that identifies an individual (or company’s) Website on the Internet. It usually contains two or more segments separated by full stops, such as www.alrightnow.com  It's a lot easier to remember a short Domain Name than it is to remember the full IP Address of the Website.

Domain Name Server 

This is a special computer connected to the Internet whose job it is to keep track of the IP Addresses and Domain Names of other computers. If required, it can take the ASCII Domain Name and convert it into the relevant numeric IP Address.

Domain Registration Fee

This is the charge made by the provider of your Domain Name when you registered it, and it will vary considerably according to the type of company you registered it with, and whether or not they are providing you with a Web Hosting support package for your website.     

Domain Transfer Fee

This is the fee that you may have to pay if you decide to transfer your domain to another ISP. Always check with your ISP to see if they charge for moving your domain. 

DOS

Disk Operating System: A simple operating system developed many years ago by Microsoft that allowed other systems to be installed and run on top of it, such as early versions of Windows.   

dot pitch 

On the tube of a monitor this is the distance between any red, green or blue dot and the closest dot of the same colour. The smaller the dot pitch the sharper the image.  Dot pitch is measured in mm and 0.28 mm is typical on a computer monitor.

Downloading

The transfer of data, software updates, music, video or printable information etc, from either a specific IP address, a Web server, or via a clickable link on a Web page - to another computer (usually your own) 'host' computer. Downloading can also be done using an FTP Program.   

dpi 

Dots Per Inch: A method of denoting the resolution of a scanned image, a digital image file or an image as displayed by an output device such as your PC Monitor. Also associated with the quality of a printed image.

Drag

The action that you perform with the left button of your mouse when you click on a file or icon, hold the mouse button down and move it across the screen to drop it into (or onto) another open application, folder or file.   

DRAM

A type of memory often used on early types of graphics cards.

Drivers

If you plug a device into a modern Windows based computer it will know it's there (because Windows is Plug & Play compatible) and the computer will then set up what's known as Drivers. These are small files that help run the device for you. They allow the computer and the new device to 'talk' to each other - which is essential if device connected to your computer is to function properly.

Drop Caps

When the first letter of a paragraph is significantly bigger than the rest of the text and it occupies more than one line.

Drop-Down

A menu that 'drops down' or 'pops-out' to reveal various selectable options. This usually happens when you click on an icon on a toolbar.

DV

Digital Video is a popular format used by camcorder viewers. It offers them very high quality pictures and digital sound, which is far superior to the old analogue sound formats previously available.   

DVD

This is a Digital Versatile Disc, that will store huge amounts of digital data including full movies, with excellent quality sound and pictures. A DVD-Rom Drive will play both DVD's and your ordinary CD-Rom discs.  

DVD-ROM Disc

This is the one that's used in the above DVD-ROM Drive. It can store up to 7 times the normal amount of data that can be stored on a CD-ROM.  E.g. a complete library of books, such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica, for example. Complete computer programs and many hours of downloaded music can be stored on this type of media disc.

DVI

Digital Visual Interface is a standard way of sending display information to a computer monitor. The signal is digital not analogue, therefore the resulting image is usually quite a lot sharper.          

Dynamic IP address

Every computer on the Internet is identified by a unique number called an IP Address, but unlike a Static IP Address, every time you connect to the Internet you'll be assigned an IP address from a pool of addresses maintained by your ISP on a first-come first-served basis, so it will be different every time. 

E-commerce 

The selling of either goods or services by advertising on the Internet. The modern way of doing business. 

EDO

Extended Data Output: A type of memory chip.

EISA

The standard abbreviation for: Extended Industry Standard Architecture.

email (electronic mail)

A method of communicating with other persons by sending and receiving electronic mail messages via an ISP’s server to other locations for the attention of another computer user at a specific email address.

Emoticons

These are the sideways smiles and frowns used in email to indicate your emotions. For example :-) would be used to represent a smile and :-( would be used to indicate a frown. 

Encryption

Files can be converted into a special code (i.e. scrambled) so that they cannot be read, except by a special decryption program. 

Ethernet

A network cabling system that allows large data transfers. To connect up to an Ethernet, your PC must have a suitable Ethernet Expansion Card fitted or an Ethernet device on-board the motherboard. 

.exe file

This is a program file, also known as an executable file, and it usually opens the program or software item that it is associated with.

Expanded Memory

A part of the computer's memory reserved for special use by software and add-on boards that need to use more than 640 kilobytes of memory.  Only seen these days on the older systems running old software applications. 

Expansion Card

One that can be fitted inside the computer to increase its functionality, e.g. a better soundcard or graphics card.  

Expansion Slot

The place inside your computer (connected to the motherboard) where any one of the above cards is fitted. It's an electrical connector. 

Extended Memory

Memory above the first MB of RAM, used by system memory managers such as hymem.sys. This allows programs to make use of available memory beyond the 640 kilobytes range.

Favourites

This is a folder that contains a list of web sites. It saves you the bother of having to retype the internet address every time you want to revisit one of your 'favourite' websites. You can add, arrange, rename or delete web addresses from your Favourites folder any time you wish. 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Question: FAQ’s and their answers (usually in text form) covering all sorts of topics can be found right across the WWW. The user can search for a question then look up the possible solution that somebody else has already tried, tested and found to work. This glossary was compiled for your use because the same questions about the jargon used on the Net came up time and time again. It's our way of answering the FAQ's we kept receiving.      

FAX (or Facsimile)

An electronically transmitted document sent via a telephone line. The transmitting Fax machine breaks down the message into a series of dots and sends them down the telephone line. The receiving Fax machine converts them back into a copy of the original document and prints it. Email has now overtaken the Fax as a more convenient and versatile method of communication.

FAT - file allocation table:

Briefly, FAT is a table kept on your hard drive that keeps track of files. There is no built-in file security, and files are not kept on the hard drive in any organized way. The largest hard drive size FAT will recognize is 2 GB. File naming is kept to an 8.3 convention i.e. xxxxxxxx.xxx  For example, a file named "organizational chart" can only use "organiza.xxx", where "xxx" is the identifying extension for the type of program in which the file was created.

FAT32; FAT32 file system:

FAT 32 uses the hard drive more efficiently and organizes the file space into smaller sections that can give you 10% or 15% more room on your hard disk drive. Additionally, since the hard drive sections are smaller, this produces a boost in the operating system speed. FAT32 supports up to a 2 terabyte hard drive, limited only by your BIOS interface. FAT32 keeps a better record of the hard drive files and is more reliable than FAT.   

Field

Several well known Search Engines allow you to specify a 'Field' when conducting a search enquiry. It could be that you want to specify a date, a certain domain, or a specific area of interest. They will then proceed to look through their records for the information that you require using the 'Fields' that you have selected as a guideline in their search.   

File

A collection of computer data stored all together in a specific place on your hard drive (or backup device) until it's required again.

Filename Extension

This is the suffix (i.e. the letters after the dot) in a file name. Examples include .doc (MS Word) .xls (MS Excel) .txt (Notepad) and .pub (MS Publisher). Without a file extension at the end of the file name, Windows will not know which application to launch in order to display the file.

File Server (or Server)

A program running on a network that stores files and provides access to them. Web sites are uploaded as files to a File Server and thereafter the Web Designer has (password) access to them to update them as and when required. Everyone else has access to view them by typing the web address into their web browser when online - but they have no access to alter the files held on the server.

Fill Tool

To be found in all versions of PaintShop Pro and most other good Image Editing Programs. The Fill Tool is the one that automatically fills in your selected area with the chosen colour or texture. Also referred to as the Fill Bucket or Flood Fill Tool.  

Finger

A Unix program which can display info about a particular user, or all users logged on to any specific system. 

Firewall

A system used to prevent unauthorised access by hackers to your computer whilst you are connected to the Internet. It's an essential piece of software that will improve your online security if you are using credit cards to make purchases.

Firewire

A high speed interface for connecting peripherals such as older type digital camcorders or cameras to your computer. 

Firmware

These are software instructions embedded within memory chips or hardware that can only be re-programmed by using specialised equipment. 

Flame

An insulting or derogatory message usually sent via email as punishment for a breach of what's known as Netiquette.  

Flash Memory

A type of computer memory that retains its contents even when the power is switched off. Flash Memory is used in VCR's, Digital Cameras, portable Hard Disk Drives, USB 2.0 memory sticks and many other applications.   

Floppy Disk Drive

All early Windows based computers used to have one installed. The specifications for a Floppy Disk used to be: 3.5in HD (high density) and 1.44 MB (capacity). Since 2006 this type of drive (known as A: Drive) has become obsolete. 

Folder

Similar to its paper equivalent, it's a place where files are stored on the computers hard drive.

Font

A collection of characters with pre-defined sizes such as the favourite one used on the Web (i.e. Verdana) which is the one you are reading right now. The text in a document can be selected and the font size, type or colour changed according to your own personal preference. Most good computers offer the user at least 100 fonts.

Footprint

Big or small it makes no difference, as it's the desk area occupied by a peripheral device, such as your printer or scanner.

Format

The term used for erasing all data from any kind of computer storage disk, so that is can be re-used to store new data.     

Forms

Certain Browsers support electronic mail-forms which can be filled in by the user so that he information can be sent back to the relevant domain site or server that has requested the information. 

Fragmented

When the files on your hard disk end up being stored all over the place and not in nice neat little rows (which is advisable) they are deemed to have become fragmented. When hundreds of them get like this, it takes your computer a lot longer to load your programs and applications.  his is where Defrag comes in handy.

Frames

Often used in a Web page to divide it up into sections. Sometimes you'll see an index displayed on the left-hand side of the page and then images or a drop-down menu on the right-hand side with text in-between the two. To achieve this effect a Frame will have been used. 

Frame Rate

This is the speed at which displayed pictures or images are updated. An example of this is a banner advert. The frames of the image that you see will have been individually saved, then the Frame Rate set for each separate image. Once this is done, the whole set of images is saved as one file. This gives the appearance of a moving image, when in fact what you are seeing is really several images being displayed in a sequence, the speed of which is determined by the Frame Rate.

Frames Per Second

This is the number of frames (or images) displayed per second, in order to show a moving image. On a computer it usually refers to video files, animated clipart and special moving web art images, etc.      

Freeware

Software allowed to be distributed free and downloaded from the Internet. There are occasionally limitations, such as the version available on the Net is probably not the latest one available in the shops (for obvious reasons) and you're unlikely to be able to modify it. Also, the version offered may have limited functionality.

Freehand Import

When creating complex graphic images you may still want to use a dedicated graphics application such as Freehand.  Flash v5 (by Macromedia) allows you to import files in Freehand 7, 8 and 9 file formats while still retaining their original layer formations.  

FTP (or ftp)

File Transfer Protocol: One of the main ways that files are transferred to and from, or across, the Internet. A FTP site is one that's provided by a company or organisation as a depository for all kinds of files that its users may want to download. A FTP Server is one that is provided for users to upload their Web pages to - using a ftp program.    

FTP Mail

The process where email is used to access an FTP Site.

Function

Now this is an in-built calculation such as Max, Sum, Average and If - often used in a spreadsheet. For example: Max finds the highest figure and Min finds the lowest figure in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.     

56k

Abbreviation for a 56,000 kbps dialup modem. It's the maximum speed achievable by the modem.   

Gateway

The interface between two opposing protocols. By means of software and hardware, a gateway allows connections to be made between what would otherwise be incompatible networks.

.gif

Graphics Interchange Format: This has become the standard file format to be used when displaying small fixed or animated images on an Internet Web Page. It usually contains up to 256 colours and this allows for small accurate images to be statically displayed or in the case of animated images, several moving ones shown continuously. I'm sure you've seen lots of these. The .gif file was originally defined by CompuServe.

Gigabyte (GB or Gb)

This is 1000 megabytes .

Gopher

An Internet Gopher is a distributed document search and retrieval system that takes a request for information and then scans the Internet for it.  This means that users of desktop computers are allowed to browse, search or retrieve documents stored on multiple distribution server machines.

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service: is a mobile phone standard that provides an 'always on' connection. Nowadays associated with mobile phone technology and satellite receivers etc.

Graphics Card

An expansion card that interprets commands from the main processor and directs them to the monitor. If you want a higher resolution picture (or one somewhat better than you've got at present) update your Graphics Card from 2D to 3D and look at the difference on a good 19" monitor.

GSM

This is a global system for mobile communications and was the first digital mobile phone system to use the radio frequencies of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz for mobile communications. These were the initial frequencies used by all four of the UK mobile phone networks. 

GUI

This stands for Graphical User Interface: which in simple terms means a Windows system that uses graphical icons to represent files.  

Hackers

Unscrupulous people who break into other peoples computers or networks, with the sole intention of stealing personal or sensitive information, such as bank account and credit card details. 

Hard Coded

These are computer chips or memory that contain software instructions that have been programmed into them when they were manufactured on the production line.  

Hard Disk or Hard Drive

The main storage area within the computer where the operating system and all of your data is stored. Usually referred to as C:drive. On early Windows PC's the size of the Hard Disk was measured in Megabytes. Nowadays they are measured in 100's of Gigabytes.

Hardware

Any physical part of a computer system that you can rap your knuckles on e.g. monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, camera, speakers or external plug-in device. 

Hardware Acceleration

Better quality, more expensive graphics cards have their own processor. This takes the strain off the main pc processor and speeds up the task of displaying fast moving images - like those seen in the modern computer games.    

Hard Wired

This refers to devices, ports and chips etc, all connected to the motherboard of the computer as it's being assembled. It doesn't include any cards that may be plugged in and out after production is completed in the factory.  

Header

In email terms, it's the part of the message indicating who the sender is, and usually includes some other brief details such as the subject of the email message.

Heads

The part of the computer's drive that scans and reads files from either the hard disk or other types of disks.

Histogram

This is a bar chart, often found in graphics programs that is capable of showing the distribution of tonal values in the image being currently displayed within the program.  

Hit

A single request from a web browser for a single item from a web server. Each time you request a web page you score a one Hit on the index page, and every time you click on a graphical image on that index page (or visit another web page from the index page) you score another Hit.  

Hit Counter

A special program or utility that records the number of 'hits' on a website, or on specific pages within that website.   

Home Page

This is the main navigation page of a website. It's known as the index.htm (or index.html) page and it's the first page you see when you visit a website. The Home Page usually contains links (hyperlinks) to other pages within the website and occasionally may contain links to other external websites of interest.  

Host

The name given to the host computer (the one that you are using right now as you read this page) each time you access the Internet or operate individually on any kind of Network.

Hot Key

Also known as a keyboard shortcut, this is the combination of two keys used together to perform a task in an application. For example: if you were looking at a bunch of files or images on your PC and you were to click on the first one (just to highlight it) then press Ctrl + A (both together) the result would be that all the files (or images) would be selected - as your have just used the Hotkey (or keyboard shortcut) for Select All. Other common Hotkeys are: Ctrl + C (copy) Ctrl + V (paste) and Ctrl + P (print). There are many, many more! 

Hot Swappable

Devices that can be inserted or removed without the need to switch off your Notebook Computer are known as Hot Swappable. The action therefore referred to as Hot Swapping.

HTML (or html)

Hypertext Mark-Up Language: The tagging language used to format Web pages. It allows pictures and text to be combined to create web documents and the most common feature is hypertext - which makes it possible to link between different pages or documents within a website.   

HTML Editor

A software program that lets a Web Designer view and edit the hidden html code within a web page. Some modern html editors will both create the code for the designer and modify it as and when required. Very handy if you are a novice Web designer.   

HTTP

Hypertext Transport Protocol: Used on the Web since the early 1990’s, this application protocol is an essential tool in the distribution of information throughout the whole of the Web and is used for communications between the clients web browser and the servers on the Web.

Hub

This is a device that connects together all computers in a star-type formation network. Think of a wheel with several spokes all starting from a Hub. Now you've got the right idea.

Hue, Luminosity and Saturation

These three terms are collectively used in image processing to define colours by assigning them numbers. Hue is the colour value in an image, Luminosity is how bright or dull that colour is, and Saturation is the purity of the colour used.   

Hyperlink (or Hypertext Link)

Those funny little hands that appear like magic whenever you move your mouse over a heading or subject title, are Hyperlinks.

Icon

A picture or symbol displayed in the form of a graphic image on pop-down menus, toolbars or on your desktop, etc to identify and activate (if clicked on) an application, computer program, command, file or event, etc.  

IDE

Integrated Device (or Drive) Electronics: is one of the standard interfaces for connecting devices to a computer motherboard. Most modern computers have two IDE slots and each one is capable of supporting up to two devices (via special 40, or 80 pin ribbon cables. The maximum number of devices that IDE can support is usually four. 

IEE1394

A super fast data link provided between your computer and a digital camcorder, or digital camera. Often referred to in your PC handbook as a FireWire connection.

Image Editing Program

There are lots of these available in the shops, each one having its own special interface and appeal. The one we use the most is PaintShop Pro because it's user friendly, which is a must for a beginner, and it can be used to manipulate scanned, downloaded, or imported images and do all sorts of wonderful things to them. The resulting images can then be saved in all sorts of different file formats with several variations of each file format being available. Professional photographers often prefer to use a more advanced image editor, like Adobe Photoshop.      

Image Map

An image with clickable 'hot spots' which allow several hyperlinks from a single image file. An example would be an image of a country, split into different areas, each of which could be clickable and hyperlinked to a larger view of that specific area.

Infrared Port

An infrared port allows data to be transmitted between two infrared devices using light waves instead of cables. Remember the video remote control; well, this is just one example of the use of an Infrared Port.

Inkjet

A type of modern printer where ink is sprayed onto the paper through very tiny holes or 'jets'. Epson, Canon, Lexmark and Hewlett Packard are the four biggest named suppliers of these types of printers in the UK. Most modern inkjets are capable of producing near photo quality printouts.

Install

When you copy an application or program onto the hard drive of a computer, from a software disc, you are installing it. 

Interface

How a monitor displays the information. The projected image displayed on the monitor screen is shown in rows of pixels. Each row is being redrawn separately, so this means that the quality of the resulting image will be lower than if it were non-interlaced (i.e. using joined together pixels) which refresh each pixel independently. 

Interface Card

A special card that slots into a Notebook or Desktop PC which then allows the user to connect to an office network.   

internet

When spelt with a lower case 'i' it is a group of two or more networks linked together.

Internet

When spelt with a capital 'I' it’s the collection of ALL the interconnected networks in the world, often simply called the Net.

Interpolation

One way of increasing the resolution of an image, is to add extra pixels to it that are automatically calculated by those around them. The result is a larger image - but there will be no new detail, or any improvement in the quality of the image.   

IP

Internet Protocol: This is the main type of protocol used on the Internet. 

IP Address

The unique four number code designated to every Domain on the Internet. Each Domain also has a Domain Name as well as an IP address to make site addresses easier to remember.

IRC

Internet Relay Chat: A world wide electronic chat program that allows the user to communicate with other people across the globe and have public, or private conversations with them, using typed messages  - using their name, or more often a 'guest' name.   

IRQ

Settings that determine the memory addresses and processor usage for computer add-on cards.

ISA

These used to be the 'Industry Standard' special slots inside your computer for connecting modems, soundcards and other add-ins. They have now been largely replaced by PCI slots.   

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network: The forerunner to ADSL Broadband. A digital telephone line allowing faster data transfer rates than existing analogue lines by using simultaneous transfer of voice, data and video information. 

ISP

Internet Service Provider: Any company or organisation that is dedicated to providing business or private users access to the Internet. 

Java

A web programming language which supports online multimedia effects such as animations, background music, interactive web buttons and continuously updated information within displayed Web pages. 

Java Applets

Java Applets allow web developers to create interactive or dynamic web pages with broader functionality. They are small, portable Java programs embedded into the html code of the pages that you see, and they run automatically when the pages are viewed.   See us - if you want to know how to do this.

Joke programs

Joke programs are ordinary executable programs, but with one difference. They often contain pornographic images which the user of the computer might find offensive. Most good Internet Security programs can be setup to remove them before they can cause offence.   

Joystick Port

This is a 15-pin (female) socket on the rear panel of your PC that allows you to plug in a joystick, steering wheel or game pad.

.jpg (or .jpeg)

Joint Photographic Experts Group: This is the most popular compressed file format used for images displayed on web pages, and it's become the standard format for use in digital photography. 

Jumper

A physical switch used to change the settings of a computer device. The jumper usually consists of two parts: a bank of metal pins and a cap [or caps] that are usually plastic with a metal lining, that can be fitted over the pins. By doing so (in accordance with the manufacturers instructions) an electrical connection can be made between the two pins covered. This jumper is then said to be 'closed'. Unconnected jumper pins are known as 'open'.

Kbps

The speed of a dialup modem inside a computer is measured by the number of data 'bits' it is capable of transferring every second. The most widely used analogue modem at the moment is capable of transferring up to 56,000 'bits' per second (or 56 kbps) so that's why it's often known as a 56K modem. 

Keystroke

The action of pressing a single key, or a combination of keys on the keyboard to complete a task or command.    

Kilobyte

1024 bytes. Because it’s such a small amount, it’s usually rounded down to a thousand bytes.

LAN

Local Area Network: This is the name given to a group of computers linked together either by means of a network of connecting cables, or via an Internet Service Provider network connection, such as used on an ADSL Broadband enabled telephone line.   

Laser Printer

This is one that produces very high quality text and graphics by using a laser beam to draw characters as tiny dots onto a drum. This drum then attracts ink powder (known as toner) to the tiny dots and the result is then transferred to paper. It may sound rather long-winded but it's extremely efficient and the resulting text or image is usually first class. A laser printer is normally standard equipment in a business environment due to the high quality of the finished documents it produces.

Layers

If you create different effects on separate layers within an image it's easier to change individual elements without affecting the whole image. For example in Microsoft Publisher you can design a logo, place it on a page, add a text box, add some clipart, draw a fancy shape and import an image. This is known as Layering the content.       

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display. Often seen on the early flat screens monitors used in notebook computers and flat desktop monitors. Also used in the displays of calculators, microwaves, clocks and hi-fi's etc. The newer more reliable TFT monitor is fast becoming its replacement.

Leased Line

A rented, high-speed phone line for private users, usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Link

Links are the connections between hypertext pages. Every time you click on highlighted text to go to another page you are following a link. They often appear as a ‘hand’. The A-Z index at the top of this page provides Links to all of the sections within it and Links to the top of the page and the email program.  

Log on (or Log in)

It's the term used to describe what you do when you first connect your computer to a Network, or you sign into a Windows session.  

Macro

A new command created by combining several existing ones. In other words, a single command that will activate several others at the same time simultaneously. Often used in repetitive tasks such as creating a letterhead on the top of a document. For example: Type your name and address details and save them as a Macro. Now, next time you want to add them to a new document find and select your Macro and they'll automatically be inserted in the agreed position. 

Mailbox

The folder in your email application that receives your incoming messages.

Mail Server

The computers at your ISP that sort, retrieve and direct your incoming and outgoing email messages.

Malware

A general 'slang term' often used to refer to an unexpected or malicious programs, or code, such as a Trojan or Worm Virus, or a Joke Program.

Managed Server Hosting

If an ISP offers you this kind of service, they will be hosting your server and maintaining it for you, for a fee. 

Maximise

When you Maximise a window it will expand to fill the viewing area. It's the opposite of Minimise. 

Megabyte (MB or Mb)

The unit of measurement for a thousand Kilobytes, or a million bytes. It roughly translates to a million characters of text or approximately 180,000 words - which is more than the total amount used in the average sized novel.

Megapixels

This is quite simply, a million pixels, which is the minimum number you will need to be able to reproduce a photo quality image of 6" x 4" in size.  The general rule is that the more megapixels you have (in for example a digital camera lens or in a mobile phone lens) the better the images will be. It therefore follows that if you want to be able to enlarge your photos and print them at A4, A5 or even larger sized paper, you will need to use a lens that has at least 5.1 (or better) megapixels. The number of megapixels being quoted nowadays for digital camera lenses and camera phones is increasing every year, and also with almost every new model being released onto the high street.   

Memory

The ability to remember things on a computer is known as Memory (or RAM) which stands for Random Access Memory. The difference between human memory and computer memory is that in a computer it's only a temporary storage area which is emptied and lost when the computer is switched off.  

Memory Cards

Generally associated with digital cameras, mobile phones, satellite navigation equipment and the like, these are the thin memory cards that can be slotted into the unit to enable the user to store more data. Digital Memory Cards come in various forms, the most popular being SD, Micro-SD and XD.

Menu

Similar to its paper equivalent, this is the available options displayed when you click on a heading or title. 

MHz

Pronounced: Mega-Hurtz. A means of measuring the speed of the processor inside an early type of Windows based computer. For example, a 900 MHz processor was capable of carrying out 900 million operations per second. These processors are now obsolete.

MIDI

A MIDI or Musical Instrument Digital Interface allows you to plug an electronic drum machine or keyboard etc into a computer's sound card and hear the results through you existing sound system and speakers.      

MIME

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions: A format originally designed to support static and animated images, sounds or other background features within email messages.

Minimise

If you click on the Minimise Tab (at the top right-hand corner of any page displayed on a monitor screen) the program or application that is running will hide itself on your Taskbar, and whilst it's hidden, an icon will appear there to show that it's still running in the background.   

Mirror Site

This is a ftp site that contains a complete copy of the files on the web site it is mirroring. This may happen several times in different countries throughout the world, and is used to relieve the pressure that can be put on a very popular web site. It makes it easier and quicker for the users to access and download files. 

Modem

The piece of equipment (more often than not, inside your computer) that allows the transmission of digital information over your analogue phone line connection, via your telephone company.

Moderator

An arbitrator or mediator. Usually a user, who controls 'who can speak about what' within an internet chat room.

Moire

If you place a number of lines very close together on a screen or view a fine grid your eyes might be kidded into seeing wave patterns or movement. This is known as a Moire Pattern.  

Monitor

The display screen that you are looking at (right now) as you browse through this web page.   

Motherboard

Your computer's main circuit board which contains the main circuit components and connections for all of your other internal hardware.      

MP3 (or mp3) file 

MPEG Layer 3: is one way of digitally compressing music so that the files aren’t nearly as big as they normally would be. Very handy if you want to download music quickly from the Internet onto your hard disk, your iPod or mobile phone.

MPEG (.mpg or .mpeg) files

Motion Picture Experts Group: A video compression format used for movie or animation clips on the Web. When a video is converted into digital form it takes up lots of megabytes of hard disk space. Special compression programs are used to crunch it down to a more manageable size and MPEG is an organisation that set the standards for this so that they will be ok for viewing on a computer. 

MPEG-2

This is another compression standard often used to shrink the size of video files. Again, very handy if you want to copy them or decrease the time it takes to download them from the Internet.  

National ISP

A National ISP offers access to the whole country, usually via an 0845 or 0345 telephone number.

NEAR

Another one of those Boolean Expressions. When typed into a search box between two other words it can be very useful (although not all search engines support it). If you searched for Gold NEAR Silver, then the search would return all documents where the words Gold and Silver were separated by no more than ten other words.    

Netiquette

The computer world’s equivalent of etiquette. The informal, largely undocumented, unregulated set of rules designed to make the Web a polite and civilised society to belong to.  

Netscape Communications

The creators of Netscape Navigator - an alternative to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

Network

If two or more computers are linked together and they are able to share files or resources, they are classed as Networked. 

Network Time Protocol

An Internet protocol that ensures that the correct time is transmitted, when requested.

Network Time Server

The dedicated computer that supplies the correct time via Network Time Protocol.

Newsgroups

There are thousands of these in existence, distributing information on every subject imaginable. They are Internet based message areas or discussion groups, usually organised by subject hierarchies (i.e. topics of interest).

Nicam Stereo

Standard two-channel stereo sound, often found being received or played back, on a TV, Video, home stereo unit or PC monitor.

Node

Any single computer connected to a network. Hence the word: nodename, which I'm sure you've seen.

NOT

By including this term into the address bar of your browser the search enquiry will only find the word preceding NOT. For example: If looking for let's say: watches NOT clocks, you will be presented with Web pages that contain the word watches but pages that contain both words will not appear.

Notebook

A small portable computer that is usually the size of an A4 notepad. It has many of the features of a desktop computer and is very popular with students and travelling business executives.     

NTFS

This is an abbreviation for: New Technology File System. The letters NT stand for Windows NT and a File System is just how the computer stores data on your hard disk. Different operating systems store files in different ways, so a simple explanation of NTFS is that it's self-repairing, allows security down to the lowest file level, and will recognize up to 16 Exabyte's of hard drive space. Properly set up, an NTFS File System offers the highest degree of file security and the least amount of down time and computer crashes.

OCR

Optical Character Recognition: It's the name given to the process whereby a printed text sheet is scanned and then converted by the OCR program into an electronic document that can be edited within a computer word processor.   

Offline

When your computer performs an operation and it's not connected to the Internet or any other computer at the time of performing this operation, then it is deemed to be working 'offline'.   

Online

A computer is working online when it is connected via a telephone line to another computer or computers on the Internet and is performing any operation such as browsing, downloading or transferring of files or data.

Online Banking

This has become increasingly popular and is yet another way to conduct your account with your bank by using your computer, but be warned:  always look for the Secure Site Symbol (a gold padlock) which is usually displayed at the bottom of your screen along with a text message that tells you that you're in a secure zone - before entering your credit card details!  

Option

This is one of the few Internet terms that's similar to it's dictionary description i.e. your right to choose. Every time you open up a menu you choose an option which activates or completes a task. Sometimes you'll see a keyboard shortcut indicated alongside the text for that option, and at other times you may see a toolbar icon displayed. This is the computer's way of informing you that if you click on the appropriate toolbar icon the same option will be selected.       

OR

Entering the word OR between two words in the Address Bar of your Web Browser will return Web pages that contain either of the two words entered. When typed into a Web Browser between two other words it's known as a Boolean Expression. Other examples are: AND, NOT and NEAR.  Let's say you entered Gold OR Silver - then pages that contain the word Gold OR the word Silver, will be found for you. 

OS

Short for Operating System. Windows is one example. Linux is another.

OSD

Most modern desktop computer monitors allow the operator a certain amount of latitude to customise their display settings by pressing various buttons and choosing options from a menu (called an on-screen display) or OSD.     

Packet

Information moves around the Internet in Packets (i.e. chunks of data). Each one has its own destination address (just like 'snail mail'). They go through the system and if correctly addressed, will end up at their correct destination.

Pager

A small device often carried in your pocket or on your waistband which is capable of receiving text messages. 

Parallel Port

This is the 24 pin connection port, usually on the rear of a computer that could be used to connect a Printer or Scanner etc. Fortunately, USB 1.1 and now the faster USB 2.0 have come to the rescue and they have now become the preferred way of connecting these (and many other) modern peripheral devices.

.pbm

Only occasionally will you ever come across these: Portable bitmap files - on a Laptop Computer.

PC Card

A special credit card sized add-on card that plugs into the side of a laptop. It usually adds another function to it, such as a dialup modem or networking capability.

PC Card / PCMCIA

The standard for Credit Card Memory and Device Cards used in portable computers and laptops. As well as providing flash memory PCMCIA Cards can provide extra hard disk storage space and Modem or Fax capabilities.  

PCI Slot

This is the name given to the white slots inside your computer where such things as sound cards and modems are plugged in. Once inserted into these slots the computer will know they are there and set up the necessary driver files to make them work. This setup procedure is referred to as 'Plug & Play'.

.pcx 

Unique to Windows PC Paintbrush, it's been around for many years and become something of a stalwart amongst graphic design software manufacturers. Unfortunately it's fallen out of favour and is not often seen in use today.

PDA

The name: Personal Digital Assistant refers to any small electronic hand held personal organizer.  

PDF

Portable Document Format: A type of file that can be viewed on any computer and it will always look the same, whether or not the computer has the application that created the original document. Internet help files and on-line adverts often use .pdf files. Adobe Acrobat Acrobat is the most popular type of application for viewing .pdf files.

Peripheral

Any item of hardware that is added to a computer after you bring it home from the shop, e.g. Printer or Scanner.

Pim

Personal Information Manager: is any kind of software that helps you organise your personal data. For example; a Pim can manage your diary, your messages or your list of contacts.   

Pixel 

This is the smallest point in an image, and as image resolution is measured by the number of pixels or dots vertically and horizontally displayed, each one of these pixels could be a different colour and is saved inside your computer. So, next time you call up a picture from your hard disk, remember that the reason it sometimes takes a while to display is that each one of these pixels has to be found, then when they are all present they will combined to produce the final image that you see.

Pixel Resolution

This gives a rough indication of how detailed your picture will be, for example: a pixel resolution of 1280 x 768 indicates that the screen can display 1280 horizontal pixels x 768 vertical pixels. It is generally accepted that higher resolution screens will deliver sharper, more detailed pictures.

PKZIP and PKUNZIP

These utilities are used for compressing or uncompressing files. Once 'zipped' or 'unzipped' the files will have a .zip filename extension.

Plug and Play

If you are running any modern version of Windows, and you plug in a peripheral device such as a Scanner, Camera or Printer, your computer should detect that it's there and automatically configure the necessary driver files to make your device work. You may be asked to insert the disc that was supplied with your device) to achieve the same end.    

Plug-ins 

These are small software programs that extend the capabilities of your Web browser by adding such things as audio, video or animation powers which can turn your computer into a TV or allow you to listen to live radio programs. If you click on a web page and a banner pops up saying something like " This page works better with Flash" (or Quick-Time) and it's followed by an invitation to download a plug-in, you can decide if it would be an advantage to do so. Plug-ins such as Macromedia Shockwave and RealAudio Player are two more examples that you maywish to accept, if you want to receive better quality audio sounds or video playback on your PC.   

POP3 Account

Post Office Protocol Account:This is the system that provides a store and forwarding service for your email. It's very much like an online sorting office. Be aware that not all ISP's offer POP3 accounts. Some of them only offer Web-based email (like Hotmail). Also note that restrictions often apply as to the number of POP3 accounts that you can have, and occasionally you may be charged an additional fee if you have more than one email account - so always read the small print before signing up for additional accounts.   

Portal

A website that provides both access to a wide variety of information and services (within itself) plus links to other websites. Portals are now using WAP technology to send information to mobile phones and satellite navigation equipment.

Posting

Let's say you are having a problem with your computer and can't find a solution for it. Go to a Newsgroup and 'POST' a message on the Notice Board. In no time at all, someone might offer you a solution.

PPP

Point to Point Protocol: is a kind of Internet connection that allows a computer to use Internet protocols to become a part of the Internet. It requires you to have a modem, a telephone line and an account with an ISP.

Presentation Program

Microsoft PowerPoint is the most well known and commonly used Presentation Program and it comes to the end user as part of the Microsoft Office Suite of applications. It allows you to display slides, show a report, demonstrate a product or service etc, by using visual aids. Presentation programs support speech, music and video, as well as many other online features which enable you to deliver your presentation to an assembled audience - that may not necessarily be in the same building - as the equipment being used.    

Processor

This is the 'brain' inside your computer, often referred to as the CPU or 'chip'. The faster the processor, the better your computer will perform, providing all other connected components are equally as good. If you want to play games on your computer, buy one with a very fast processor! 

Programs

The collective name given to the software pre-installed on your computer prior to purchase or delivery. It's the programs that enable you to complete various tasks. If you require extra functionality, more software programs are available on CD or DVD from your local PC store.      

Protocol

The method by which computers communicate with each other over the Internet in order to provide you with a service.

Proxy Server

A computer that is running a program that acts as a gateway (i.e. a link) between your computer and the Internet.

.psd

This is the native PhotoShop file format and it allows for multiple layers or transparency effects to be added to an image. Several other graphics programs such as PaintShop Pro can read PhotoShop .psd files. 

Public Access Provider

Any organisation that provides Internet access for individuals or other organisation's - for a fee.

Public Domain

This refers to software that anybody is allowed to use or modify without authorisation or risk of prosecution, because it's already out in the 'public domain'.

Pull-down Menu

The vertical lists that appear when you click on a menu heading. More often referred to as drop-down menu's because 90% of the menu's available in Windows - drop down.

QuickTime

Originally developed by Apple, this is the standard for storing animations and video and the program software needed to display both of these on your computer.

RADSL

The Rate Adaptive Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, is an evolution of ADSL that allows the range of ADSL to be extended from 3Km up to around 5.5Km which allows far greater reach of customers.

RAM Memory

Lots of RAM is good, because it allows you to multi-task i.e. do lots of things at once! Ram is a special type of memory that enables programs to work on your computer. Known as Random Access Memory, it's a temporary storage area that is emptied as soon as the computer is switched off.        

Real Player

Is a small piece of software that you'll need on your computer if you want to play Real Audio or Real Video files over the Internet.  

Reboot

The slang term used to describe what you are doing when you shut down and immediately restart your computer.

Refresh Rate

This is a standard measure of how fast a computer screen is redrawn. The faster the page refreshes the better. If it is very slow you could end up with eye strain. To refresh the page seen on your monitor, enable your F Keys then hit the F5 button.    

Registry

The database used and maintained by Windows that stores information about how your computer is configured. Any software that has ever been installed on your hard disk will be shown in the registry, even if it has since been removed. A record of all online activity including downloading will appear, plus a record of all users of the computer since Windows was first installed. It's no surprise then, that the registry is the first place all Law Enforcement Agencies look if they want to check if your computer has been used for any illegal activity!      

Resolution

It's the quality of a printed or scanned image expressed in dots per inch (dpi). The more dpi the better the quality of the scanned image, but the larger the file size.       

Resource

A particular object of information provided on the Net. It could be anything from a picture to a video or full application. 

Restricted Email Transfer Size

Most ISP's impose a limit on the size of email messages that include attachments. This is done to prevent the mail servers from getting blocked up with lots of large emails at busy times, which slow down the delivery rate of all other normal emails, awaiting delivery from the servers.   

ROM

Read Only Memory: and is the type of memory that's used when a media or data disc is inserted into the PC. For example: a CD or DVD containing music, software of applications, entered into the computer via your CD or DVD Rom Drive. The laser in the drive will read the data on the disc and then allow you to setup or install what is on it.   

Route 

A special purpose computer or software application that's capable of handling connections between several networks. It looks at the destination address of the packets of data being sent and decides which would be the best route to send that data.

Scanner

A device that's usually plugged into a USB Port on your computer, that's capable of converting text and/or images into electronic files that can be processed by image or text handling software into useable documents or pictures. The most popular type of stand-alone Scanner is the Flatbed, which has a hinged lid and a sheet of glass upon which the image that is to be scanned is placed. Nowadays, most people seem to prefer the newer 'all-in-one' machines, because these can Scan, Copy, OCR, Fax and Print all types of B & W and Colour documents.     

Screensaver

Special software installed on your computer that replaces your normal desktop screen image with pictures of moving objects after a pre-set period of mouse inactivity.   

Scripting Language

A series of programmed commands that specify how one computer will talk to another.

SCSI

Pronounced: 'scuzzy' it stood for: Small Computer Systems Interface, and used to be popular for connecting additional devices to the motherboard when all of the available IDE ports were in use. Rarely used these days. USB 2.0 has virtually replaced it.  

Search Engine

An online service that takes the strain out of surfing the Internet, by allowing you to enter keywords into a Search Box to activate a search for the item you require. A list of websites duly appears, from which you can narrow down your search by entering more specific keywords to locate a list of websites that offer exactly what it is you want. The World's favourite Search Engine is Google.  

Security Certificate

A piece of data sent from one computer to another, whilst online, to prove the authenticity, or security, of the information about to be received or transferred to you over the Internet.       

Self-extracting Archive 

An archived file with the filename extension .exe which indicates that when downloaded and run it will be automatically extracted by the decompressing program around it without the need for user input.

Server

Within a Network environment, a Server makes files available to client programs located on other computers. This website (including all of the graphics, text and photo's displayed on it0 are stored on a Server. Every time you enter our www web address into your browser and click on go, the files are downloaded from the Server onto your computer.   

Shareware

Software distributed freely, but with certain conditions applying to it. Either it's released on a trial basis and must be registered after a certain period of time, or in other cases, no support is offered until you've paid a fee to register it which 'unlocks' previously hidden features.

Shockwave

A small program that's used when building websites to enable moving graphics. If you are having problems with the display of moving images on your computer screen when online, perhaps you need to download a newer version of Shockwave from the official website of macromedia.

Shortcut

Usually a pointer, or an icon, that you click on, which takes you to a file, a program, or a website etc.

Signature

The automatic addition of a few lines at the foot of an email message. These usually consist of the sender's email address, their name and/or other details. A signature can also contain a reference to a website address. 

SLIP

Serial Line Internet Protocol: This allows an operator to use a modem and phone line to connect to the Internet, without the need to be connected to a host computer.

Smileys

These are the special keyboard characters often used in emails to suggest to the recipient that you are expressing a degree of emotion. For example: I'm happy is  :-)  and I'm sad is  :-(

SMTP

Simple Mail Transport Protocol: Often referred to as sendmail, it's designed to allow the delivery of mail messages to all types of Internet users.  Email is usually received by ISP's as SMTP and then it's forwarded into a POP3 mailbox ready for you to collect it next time you go online. 

Snail Mail

Write a letter to a friend, go to the Post Office and buy a stamp, stick it on the letter and then walk to the mail-box to post it. Wait several days for it to get to its destination, then even longer to get a reply! Got the message? Now you know why it's called 'Snail Mail'.   

Software

Any program, multimedia title or utility, that can be installed on your computer, which adds extra features or functionality to it.

Sound Card

An add-on card that can be plugged into a PCI slot on the motherboard, thus enabling sound effects and music etc to be played as and when required on your computer. Unless you are a serious gamer, it's unlikely you've got one of these in your PC. Since 2005, it's far more likely that you've got on-board sound. That is: the sound system is incorporated into a chip attached to the motherboard.          

Spam

The 'slang' term for unwanted or junk email. Modern internet security software products often include firewall applications and spam blockers to stop it from getting through to your Inbox.  

Spreadsheet

A software application which is capable of creating sheets of figures or data and applying calculations to them automatically as and when new data is added to the individual fields. The most popular of these is Microsoft Excel - which is part of the MS Office Suite of applications.  

SSL

A security system that allows information such as credit card details to be securely sent over the Internet.

Static IP Address

Every computer on the Internet is identified by a unique number called an IP Address. Every time you connect to the Internet your computer is assigned an IP Address. If yours is Static, you will get the same number every time you connect.

Status Bar

The small narrow strip at the bottom of a window that displays information about that window's contents. Sometimes the Status Bar will show you the size of file being viewed and at other times it will show how many items have been selected. Status Bar information varies from computer to computer according to what type of system or application is running.

Streaming

This is what happens when, for example: data flows down to your PC and you are able to listen to a live music broadcast, or a football match commentary etc. The audio or video is continually being streamed down to you (usually into RealPlayer or QuickTime) so that you can watch it there and then as its happening. 

Sub Woofer

A special type of speaker that produces very low frequency bass sounds. Subwoofer speakers are often used by young car drivers who fit them into the boot of their car in order to create that thumping bass sound that we all hear when they drive by us. Some top of the range computer systems have a single Sub Woofer fitted into the central stand of the monitor. Other more recent systems include a Sub Woofer as standard equipment + lots of other smaller speakers of varying frequencies, that help to achieve a full stereo surround sound theatre effect.        

Surfing

It's the metaphor used to describe what you are doing when you are browsing the Internet. 

S-Video

A video signal used by some modern Camcorders, VCR's and TV's to give better quality than was previously available with the older composite models. 

.sys

Windows System File: This is a device driver file that makes something important work, and is often used when you startup your computer. One of the most important files on your system is config.sys and without it, your computer may well not boot-up.

System Tray

The System Tray is usually located at the right hand side of your Taskbar and usually contains your Clock and several other System Tray Icons.

Tag

In html terms, a Tag is used for marking-up text in various ways so that it is formatted within a Web document. They are sometimes known as Markup Tags and are hidden within the html code of every webpage you see on the Internet. 

Taskbar

Unless you are really clever and know how to move it elsewhere, it's usually at the very bottom of your Windows Desktop screen. There's only one Taskbar on your PC (but lots of Toolbars). The Start Button is on it, and if the Quick Launch Taskbar is enabled, it may also contain several other shortcut icons for your favourite programs or applications.

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol. It works in conjunction with IP to ensure that 'packets' of data reach their intended destinations.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol or Internet Protocol: The two fundamental protocols that form the basis of the Internet; in other words, how computers 'talk' to each other.

Telnet

This is a terminal emulation program that allows an authorised experienced user to access another computer on the Internet, and use that computer as if it were a local computer. 

Templates

Any pre-prepared document or outline that contains text or graphics can be saved as a template and used again and again as the starting point for your new document or publication. Saving basic documents as templates saves a lot of time. 

Terabyte

A frightening lot of bytes, in fact it's a thousand gigabytes (1000 GB).

Terminal

The point of connection for closing an electrical circuit or in computer 'speak, a piece of hardware that allows commands to be sent to a main frame computer from a keyboard and VDU.

Terminal Emulator

Allows a computer to emulate (which means imitate or copy) several terminal types.

Text Messages

All modern mobile phones can send and receive text messages of around 160 characters in length to other mobile phone users. It's usually cheaper to send these to someone who is on the same network as yourself. 

.tft file 

Thin Film Transistor technology is often used to show high quality images on portable Laptop computers. It has now been taken onboard by the manufacturers of desktop monitors and the days of the old style bulky CRT monitor are numbered.

Thread

In a Usenet group this is a list of messages loosely relating to each another.

Thumbnail

If it is necessary for a website to contain lots of large images, then the best way to present them initially, is as thumbnails. If the end user wants to see a larger view of a particular image, he or she can click on the thumbnail. At this time, the larger image will appear. The dictionary definition is: a reduced preview version of an image often used in photographic programs to provide the viewer with a quick browsing experience. 

.tif

Tagged Image Format: This file type will work on both a PC and an Apple Mac. It supports almost any colour depth and allows various forms of compression. Often used by experienced professionals for printing, a tif (or tiff) image file is usually quite large because it retains the maximum amount of information about the image that can possibly be saved.

Timeout

A facility whereby after a certain period of user inactivity the connection to a web server is automatically terminated.

.tmp file

Temporary Files: These are created on your hard disk every time you surf Net, install new software or expand archived (zipped) files. Sometimes they are deleted automatically after browsing or the installation of the software is complete, but more likely than not they are hanging around taking up valuable space on your hard disk. Running Disk Cleanup and Defrag can reduce the number of temporary files to a minimum.

Toolbar

It's the rectangular strip usually at the top of your screen that contains icons and shortcuts to various events in the application that is currently running. By clicking on a Toolbar Icon you get immediate access to that particular feature.

Touchpad

A small touch sensitive pad that acts as an alternative to your mouse.   

Turion

This is only a processor, unlike Intel's Centrino which is a platform comprising of a Pentium M Processor, WiFi and Intel chipset motherboard.  Turion processors are mainly found in notebook computers.

.txt file

Usually a text file created within a text editor such as WordPad or Notepad when using an OCR device such as a scanner. If you want to attach a Word document to an email, save it as a .txt file. It'll be about a twentieth of the size, and will be viewable on any Windows based computer.

True Colour (24-bit colour) Images 

Images displayed in 24-bit colour (which is also referred to as Photo Realistic Colour) are composed of three 8-bit colour channels. Each one is similar in characteristics to an  to an 8-bit greyscale image in that it contains up to 256 colours. 

Twain

This actually means: Technology without an interesting (or important) name. It means such things as Scanners, Digital Cameras, Web-Cams and all those other (Parallel Port or USB Port) add-on goodies that you can buy to advance the capabilities of your computer.

Uninstall

When you uninstall a program or application, you remove it and all of it's associated setup or data files from your computer. The safest way to do this is within the add 7 Remove section of Windows Control Panel. Always restart (i.e. reboot) your computer after uninstalling a large application or program.    

Uninstaller

A utility program that is specifically designed to be used for safely removing any unwanted software applications from your computer's hard disk.  Software application files often get spread all over the place and are difficult to find when you want to manually remove them. Uninstallers track down these 'scattered files' wherever they are, and safely delete them.  

Unix

An operating system specially designed for multi-user environments. It has TCP/IP built in, so it’s therefore one of the most popular operating systems for servers using the Internet. Business users like Unix.

Unzip

This is what you do when you open up (or expand) a previously archived (i.e. compressed) file.

Upload

The transfer or uploading of files from a local (host) computer to a specified remote computer at a designated IP Address. To do this you will need an ftp program such as Terrapin or Cute FTP.    

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. The URL is your address, or the address of a resource on the Web. It usually starts with www or http.

USB Port

Universal Serial Bus: The initial release was version 1.1 and all computers purchased since 1999 should have had at least one of these on the outside of the tower or desktop casing. When a peripheral device such as a Scanner, Printer or Camera was connected to it the computer would know it was there and automatically configure it. Nowadays, most up to date Scanners, Printers, Webcams & Digital Cameras etc are designed to work on a USB 2.0 Port - as this has replaced the earlier standard.       

Usenet

It's short for Users Network which is a specialised Network linking thousands of Newsgroups that cover every imaginable subject of interest Worldwide, both on and off the Internet. 

Username

To access an email account you will have to identify yourself with a username (which was provided when your account was set up) then supply the correct password. These two security features prevent unauthorised access. 

Vector Graphics

These are images made of smooth lines rather than of lots of tiny dots. They can be enlarged to any size without loosing any of the quality of the original image. Electronic advertising boards often display Vector Graphics images.   

Veronica

Very Easy Rodent Oriented Net Wide Index to Computerised Archives: It's a system that provides access to information resources held on most of the world's gopher servers. Veronica includes references to many resources provided by other types of information servers on the Web plus it has access to Usenet archives and Telnet information. 

Video Conferencing

This has become very popular. It started as a means of viewing one person at a distance, via a webcam, and having a conversation with them. However, it has now advanced to the point where in theory: you could use your laptop to run a product demonstration or technical presentation here in the UK, and send it to an audience of your peers via a fast broadband internet connection, then see and hear their reaction and comments when it is displayed on a projector screen on the other side of the World.       

Video Port

The video connector port is a 15-pin socket (usually on the back panel of your PC) that lets you connect your monitor to your computer. Often referred to as the VGA (video graphics adapter) port.      

Viewing Angle

LCD displays have some limitations as to the angle at which you can reasonably be expected to view the screen and see what's on it. The bigger the Viewing Angle the better, with 160º being the accepted maximum.

Virus

An intruder program that can infect another computer program by modifying it in such a way as to self-replicate itself. It will then infect the rest of the computer system by modifying the files on it. It can hide deep inside the computer for ages and surface when a designated application is launched to infect it. It can also be transmitted over the Internet via email in the form of a file attachment. 

Voicemail

An answer-phone service that records the callers messages when no-one's at home and saves them so that you can hear them when you return.  BT Call Minder is a good example of a Voicemail Service. All modern mobile phones networks now provide voicemail services - for a small fee. 

Voice Recognition

Most new computers nowadays come with some form of voice recognition application pre-installed which can be integrated into MS Word (or whatever word-processor you use). Anyone who hates typing might benefit from one of these applications, but be warned, the ones we've seen all took ages to set up properly and if not so - will probably end up typing loads of gobble-de-gook onto your screen.      

WAP

If you're a mobile phone user then this may be just what you're looking for, it's the new Wireless Application Protocol that allows you to use your mobile phone to access certain features of the Internet. It's limited though, because the browser isn't a full Web browser like the one you're used to on your computer and the images are somewhat condensed. Also, the websites that are available have been specially selected.

.wav file

Windows Sound Files: Theses will play back on any multimedia computer and it's the standard way of storing an analogue sound file in digital form for use within a Windows operating system environment.

Web based email

A type of service that allows you to collect your email from a Web site, rather than from your ISP. An example is Hotmail.

Web Browser

The name for the program that is used to navigate the Internet that displays web pages on your computer. The majority of people in the World use Microsoft's Internet Explorer Browser. 

Webcam  

A small camera that links to a Web site and displays frequently updated images. Used by those of you on MSN Messenger, Hotmail and Yahoo Messenger - to allow you to see and hear from the person that they are currently Instant Messaging. 

Web Designer

The person who created this Web Site and who regularly updates the information contained on it, is a Qualified Commercial Web Site Designer. He has the ability to understand the html code hidden within each webpage and is therefore able to control how each individual page looks.

Website

A page or pages on the Web consisting of words, pictures, video and sound clips identified by the prefix www.  

Web Space

In simple terms, it's the 'home' of any website you create. Lots of Internet Service Providers offer free Web Space to their account holders, and this is where they store their Web pages for the world to access. In theory, there's nothing to stop you uploading your website to several ISP's free Web Space. Please see the next item! 

Web Squatting

If someone opens an email Account with an ISP just to get access to the FREE webspace that they offer, then uploads their website onto it (but never uses the email account again, because they've got another one elsewhere) they are classed as Web Squatting. 

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A group of computers located geographically apart, nearly always belonging to a single company, and connected together by using dedicated phone lines or by satellite.

Window

It's a box shaped area on your computer screen that displays your currently opened program screen or work page. Lots of Windows can be opened and then cascaded across your screen, then each one can be maximised or minimised as and when required to be viewed or worked on.

Windows CE

A version of the Windows operating system used on desktop computers, that has been specifically developed by Microsoft for use on small Palmtop Computers. 

Winsock

A Windows utility program that allows users connected by SLIP, PPP or other direct connections to communicate with other computers on the Internet via TCP/IP protocol.

Wizard

An automated feature that guides you via step-by-step questions, through the complex process of installing new software.

Word Processor

This used to be a separate piece of equipment a few years ago that looked like a portable typewriter. Nowadays it's a standard piece of software that comes pre-installed on most good computer systems that is capable of producing text based documents. The Word Processor that most people seem to like best is MS Word.    

World Wide Web (WWW or Web)

Specialised Internet Service allowing users to connect to remote sites with information presented in text and image format with hypertext links. These links can often be used to refer to almost any other resource on the Internet. Graphics can be embedded into Web pages but can only be viewed using a graphical Web browser such as Internet Explorer. Other applications supported are sound files, animated images, flash movies and standard movie files.

Worm

Can be one of two things: (1) it's a search utility on the Web that locates resources following user-determined guidelines. (2) it's the name given to a certain strain of computer virus. 

XML

Xtensible Markup Language is a more flexible way of describing data information and is widely used on the WWW in conjunction with (or sometimes in place of) the usual web designers tool namely: HTML code. The main difference between XML code and HTML code is that the tags used in XML code also tell the user what sort of information the data is. For example: XML code might display the product codes if a list of items is present. In addition, XLM code could display telephone numbers and / or the prices of the items being displayed.

Y

No current entry exists for this letter. Would you like to suggest one? Please email us from the link provided below.

.zip

Any files that have been compressed using a utility program called PKZIP or WinZip will have this filename extension. They will need to be decompressed (or uncompressed) using the PKUNZIP  or WinZip utility program.

Zip Drive

A special type of data / program storage device drive, usually capable of being fitted into the front panel of a PC near the Floppy Disk Drive and capable of storing lots more data than the former. Zip Drive discs are similar in appearance to Floppy Disks but slightly thicker, and they hold a lot more data. Now mainly obsolete since the introduction of Flash Memory Sticks, Pen Drives and large capacity portable Hard Disk Drives. 

I do hope you have found this Glossary informative. As far as we are aware, all entries were correct at the time of publication (8th Jan 2008)

Please contact us by email if you would like to suggest any alterations, corrections or additions. Thank you. 

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