A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Adware:
A type of software the install itself then monitors your computer usage to generate adverts based on its findings.
ATI:
ATI are a company that make high end graphics cards.
Antivirus:
A tool used for ridding your computer of viruses.
Anti-Spyware:
A tool used for removing spyware from your computer.
B
Bit:
Bit stands for BInary digiT. Bits are the most basic form of information storage. A binary digit can either take a value of 1 or 0 (on or off).
Blu Ray:
Blu Ray are a new type of disc invented by sony and store huge amounts of data (up to 200GB). For more information visit http://www.blu-ray.com
Boot:
The term 'boot' or 'booting' is derived from the term 'bootstrapping', which is derived from the phrase "pulling up from the bootstraps" used to describe the process of turning on a computer.
Byte:
A bytes (B) are a measure of data size. 1 byte is 8 bits. 1 KB (kilobyte) is approximately 1000 bytes. 1 MB (megabyte) is approximately 1000 KB. 1 GB (gigabyte) is approximately 1000 MB.
C
CD:
CD is an acronym of Compact Disk. CD's have 2 types R and RW, you can write to CD-R's only once, but you can write to CR-RW multiple times, Each type holds 703MB of data.. CD's are commonly used to store music and distibute software. CD's are what is known as optical storage, because a laser is used to read and write data onto the disc.
CPU:
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, more commonly known as the processor. It manages all the main calculations done by programs. Processor speeds are measured in Hz. Most processors today come at speeds in GHZ. Generally speeking the faster the CPU the faster the computer, but there are many other, more complicated factors in a computers overall performance.
D
DVD:
DVD is an acronym of Digital Versatile Disc. DVD's come in 4 forms, DVD Single Layer (~4.7GB), DVD Dual Layer (~8.5GB), HD-DVD Single Layer (~15GB) and HD-DVD Dual Layer (~30GB). DVD's are commonly used to store Films, especially HD-DVD's, DVD's are also used to distibute large pieces of software, mainly games. DVD's are known as optical storage because a laser is used to read and write data onto the disc.
E
F
Firewall:
Firewalls are a good form of defense against hackers and script kiddies. They can block outside unauthorized connections, and sometimes stop programs from connecting to the internet.
Flash Drive:
A fairly new and common from of data storage and transport based on flash memory (see below) which supports alot more storage space than foppy drives, CD's and even DVD's.
Floppy Disk/Drive:
An old data storage medium now obsolete, but can still be useful to computers with floppy drives as rescue disks.
Freeware:
Freeware is free software (free as in beer). Not to be confused with open source software.
FTP:
FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol. It is a protocol used for transfering file data over a network or the internet.
G
GNU GPL:
The GNU GPL is a software license made by GNU (GNU is a recursive acronym for GNU's Not Unix (geek humor)). GPL Stands for General Public License.
Graphics Card:
This is needed to output to a display. The graphics card controls how many colours can be displayed, and at what resolution. Most graphics cards have additional features built into them, and are capable of processing alot of 3D graphics at once.
H
Hacker:
A hacker is usually a good person, but due to media stereotypes, the term hacker is used to describe people who break into systems. A hacker is traditionally a problem solver, aimed at technology, and usually the biggest challenge/problem is going outside the boundaries of what the system is desinged for. So whereas the term hacker is used to descrice a person that breaks into system with malicious intent, hackers dont actually do that. But since hacker is used too widely, there are Black Hat Hackers (bad) and White Hat Hackers (good)
HTTP:
HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. It is the protocol used for transfering web pages, but can also be used to transfer file data.
Hz:
Hz is short for Hertz. Hz are a measurement of frequency. In computers they are used to measure how many calculations can pass in a second.
I
Intel:
Intel are a company that make computer parts, mainly CPU's.
J
K
Kernel:
A kernel is the core of an operating system. The kernels job is to interpret signals from the operating system into machine instructions.
L
Laptop:
A laptop is a word used to descripe a portable PC.
Linux:
An open source operating system platform inherent for its stability and its Unix like behaviour. Contrary to many peoples belief Linux is NOT based on Unix, it was made by Linus Trovalds when he was a student and ACTS like Unix. Linux is actually the name of the kernel and its not an operating system, how ever, Linux is used to refer to operating systems that use Linux as the platform to base the rest on. Linux based operating systems are commended for their stability and security.
M
Malware:
Malware is a type of software that is created with malicious intent, whether it be to annoy a user or get and/or destroy data.
Microsoft:
A multi-billion software company owned by Bill Gates.
Motherboard:
The main board that holds the CPU, RAM, graphics card, sound card, as well as other periferals, such as networking and USB ports.
N
Notebook:
Notebook is just another term for a laptop. There is nothing special about a notebook.
nVidia:
nVidia are a company that make high end graphics cards.
O
Open Source:
Open Source is a term used to describe software that is free (as in speech) and which the source code the software is made from is available. Most open source software is distributed under the GNU GPL. Open source software is usually more stable and secure than closed source software as the source is available for anyone to inspect and correct.
Operating System:
An operating system is a piece of software needed to operate a computer, this is essentially the most useless piece of software on a PC as it does not allow the user to do anything. Most modern operating systems include extra pieces of software to make them more useful. E.g. most windows versions come with a text editor (Notepad) and a basic image manipulation program (Paint), whereas most GNU/Linux distributions come with a full office suite (usually Open Office) and an extremely capable image manipulation program (usually GIMP).
P
PC:
PC is an acronym for Personal Computer, the most common type of computer today.
Pixel:
A pixel a is a tiny square that holds a piece of colour information in an image or computer/television display. Pixel is short for picture element.
Q
R
RAM:
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is required by computers to store currently operating programs and open files. The more RAM you have the more you can have open.
Resolution:
The resolution is a word commonly used to describe the amount of pixels used on a display.
Router:
A router is used to manage network connections and data flow between computers.
S
Script Kiddie:
A script kiddie is someone who likes to think themselves a hacker, but really isnt. A script kiddie uses programs or scripts made by other more tallented hackers. But just because they are not hackers doesnt mean they cannot do any damage.
Shareware:
A type of software that comes with a trial or other limitation that is removed when the software is paid for.
Software:
Software is a term used to describe an application that runs under the control of the user and interprets the user input into managable instructions for the computer.
Sound Card:
A sound card is a peice of hardware required for a computer to output sounds.
Spyware:
A type of software that spys on your computer to take information, such as credit card details and other personal information, and sends it back to its creator. The creator can then use the information for personal gain or sell it to others.
SSID:
SSID is an acronym for Service Set Identifier. Its the name of the wireless network, used to identify between networks.
System Tray:
The system tray is where the windows clock and status icons, such as volume and wireless icons, go. It is sometimes refered to as the "sys tray"
T
Terrabyte:
A terrabyte is 1024 gigabytes.
U
Ubuntu:
Ubuntu is a popular Linux Distribution for desktop computers.
Unix:
Unix is the original kernel for the original BSD operating systems. Apple Mac's are based on the Unix kernel. There are many forms of Unix, some free and some not.
USB:
An acronym for Universal Serial Bus. USB is a common interface for external peripherals.
V
Virus:
A virus is a piece of malware usually made to destroy something, be it hardware, software or files.
W
Windows:
A popular dekstop operating system created by Microsoft. Among technical users Windows is commended for its intability and security issues.
Wireless:
A relatively new technology that allows data to be sent between computers without the need for wires.
WPA:
WPA stands for wireless protected access. Its an encryption standard for wireless networks to prevent unauthorised users from accessing your wireless network.
X
Y
Z
ZIP:
ZIP is a common compression format, also used to distribute multiple files at once across the internet.