|
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
5.1 CHANNEL SURROUND
Surround sound
configuration used in home cinema systems with five high quality sound channels
(front and rear stereo and centre dialogue channel) plus one narrow bandwidth
channel carrying low frequency (bass) effects
286, 386, 486
Families of Intel microprocessor chips
developed during the 1980s and early 1990s, forerunners of the Pentium chips
used in current generation PCs
A
AAC
Advanced Audio Coding -- audio codec used on Apple iPOD personal music players and distributed by Apple iTunes online music store
ACTIVE-X
Programming tools used to integrate
multimedia components and features into web pages
ADSL
Asymmetric/Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line – ‘Broadband’ high-speed
data connection using existing telephone lines. ADSL has the
facility to be "always on" and permits normal operation of the phone,
to make and take calls whilst the connection is active.
A/D CONVERTER
Device that converts
analogue audio signals into digital data
ADWARE & SPYWARE
Programs secreted in web
pages or software downloads that makes use of your Internet connection –
without your knowledge or permission -- to display advertising or send personal
or private data from your PC to a parent site
AGP
Accelerated Graphics Port
– dedicated socket on a PC motherboard for high performance ‘3D’ video adaptor
cards required for demanding graphics applications and the latest games
ALGORITHM
A program or piece of software that processes data in a carefully ordered
sequence of steps or according to a precise set of rules ASCII
ANTI STATIC BAG
Made from specially
treated plastic, designed to disperse a static electric charge
APS
Advanced Photographic
System – film camera format with easy to load cartridges and improved creative
facilities
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange -- a universal data
code for text and alphanumeric characters, understood by virtually all
computers
ASPECT RATIO
The shape of an image,
defined by the relationship between its height and width
AT
ATtention - the prefix to a modem command,
to tell the modem to expect an instruction
ATA/IDE
Advanced Technology Attachment/Integrated
Drive Electronics; the circuitry -- built into the disc drive – that acts as an
interface between the drive and the PC motherboard (see also SATA)
ATAPI
AT Attachment Packet Interface - industry
standard disc drive connection system and data communications protocols, used
on the most CD-rewriters, suitable for use with most Windows PCs
ATRAC
Adaptaptive Transform Acoustic Coding - digital
audio compression system used by the MiniDisc format
ATOMIC CLOCK
By analysing the
vibrations of certain atoms (Caesium is the favourite) it is possible to
measure time to an accuracy of a few billionths of a second per day
ATTACHMENT
Data file – usually
containing a photograph or text document but sometimes a worm or virus – sent
with an email message
ATX
Motherboard layout
standard, defined by Intel, covering the physical size (305 x 244mm), position
of sockets, expansion slots and mounting holes
AUTOCORRECT
Word feature that automatically corrects
spelling mistakes as you type
AUTOTEXT
A frequently used block of text - an
address, salutation etc., -- that can be inserted into a document
AVERY LABELS
A range of standardised label styles and
formats, developed by the office equipment company of the same name
.av
Audio-Video Interleaved,
standard format for PC video files
[TOP]
B
BACKCHANNEL
The return path, to the
Internet Service Provider (ISP), for web page requests, outgoing email and data
sent from a PC
BAD SECTORS
Parts of the hard disc drive which the test
utility Scandisk marks as being faults and incapable of reliably storing data.
A sudden increase in the number of bad sectors is often a sign that the drive
is damaged or starting to deteriorate
BANDING
Straight lines or bands
across a printed picture caused blocked nozzles, poor alignment or design
defects in the printer head, as it criss-crosses the paper
BCC
Blind Carbon Copy, sends a copy of a message
to several recipients, but without showing details of the other recipients on
the email
BETA
Pre-release version of a program or application,
made available to testers and volunteers on an at-their-own-risk basis, to help
identify any last remaining bugs, glitches and conflicts
BINARY
Numbering system with a base of 2, where
values are represented by zeros and ones
BIOS
Basic Input Output System: diagnostic and
configuration program stored in a microchip memory on the PC motherboard that
checks the PC hardware before the operating system is loaded
BITMAP
Type of image file format (extension *.bmp)
used by Windows and many other programs, quality is high because no compression
is used; however, bitmap files can be very large and are unsuitable for sending
via email
BITRATE
A measure of the amount of digital data a
system can process, measured in bits per second or 'bps', in the context of MP3
faster bit rates mean lower compression and higher sound quality
BITS PER SECOND (bps)
The number of bits per second a serial
communications system can handle determines how fast information can be
conveyed from one point to another
BLACKLIST
Library of known spammers,
addresses, keywords, names and terms used by anti-spam software to filter
incoming email
BLOCKED SENDERS
List of email addresses –
specified by the user -- that automatically deletes unwanted messages
BLOG
Short for Weblog, a web page
carrying an on-line diary or frequently updated content
BLUETOOTH
Short-range (5 to 10
metres) wireless communications system used to link electronic devices, like
cell phones with hands-free headsets and PCs with printers and peripherals such
as keyboards and mice
BOOLEAN SEARCH
Advanced technique using
logical commands such as AND, OR, NOT etc., to refine a keyword or document
search. (A branch of algebra named after nineteenth century British mathematician
George Boole)
BOOT (REBOOT)
The process a PC goes through immediately after being switched on, this includes checking and configuring the hardware (see BIOS) prior to loading the operating system
BOOT ORDER
The sequence in which a PC checks disc drives and storage devices for a boot file or operating system. Most machines are configured to check either the primary hard drive (usually C:) or the CD-ROM drive first. Some recent PCs can also boot from external USB memory devices.
BROADBAND
High-speed Internet -- typically at least
five times faster than a standard dial-up connection -- using a variety of
technologies including ADSL, cable, satellite and wireless communications
BROWNOUT
A large reduction in the mains supply
voltage, causing lights to dim and electronic devices like PCs to stop working
BROWSER
An Internet access program, such as
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera and
Mozilla Firefox
BSOD
Blue Screen Of Death –
appears when Windows crashes and needs to be rebooted
BURNER
CD writer, referring to
the way data is recorded, using a laser beam to change the optical properties
of chemicals sandwiched between the layers of a recordable disc
BURN PROOF
Additional memory in a CD or DVD writer to
prevent BUffer UndeRun, or interruptions in the datastream, which cause
recording errors
[TOP]
CACHE
Part of a computer's memory set aside for
storing frequently-used data, speeding up file access or the transfer of
information
CAD/CAM
Computer Aided Design/Manufacture -- family
of graphic-oriented software applications used in design and manufacturing
CARTRIDGE/TANK
Replaceable ink container
in a printer
CADDY
Removable container for an
optical disc or a hard disc drive, enabling it to be quickly extracted for
storage or loading in another drive or PC
CARD READER
External device
--connected by USB cable -- or built-in facility that allows a PC to read and
write data to a memory card. Most current card readers are ‘multi-format’
CCD
Charge Coupled Device, type of microchip used in digital cameras, web
cams, camcorders and video cameras, containing hundeds of thousands or millions
of light sensitive picture elements or 'pixels'
CD-A
Compact Disc Audio, the
industry standard file format for audio CDs, that will ensure that discs can be
played on any CD player
CD-R
Compact Disc Recordable,
write-once recordable CD format
CD-R/RW
Compact Disc Read/Write, disc that can be
recorded on and erased many times
CHAT-ROOM
Web page or site, which
allows subscribers or members to exchange text messages
CHIPSET
Control microchips on a PC
motherboard or plug-in adaptor card
CLIENT
A PC or program used to access files on
another PC on a network
CLIP ART
Copyright-free pictures, icons, cartoons and
graphics supplied with word processor programs, or available separately on disc
or from thousands of web sites on the Internet
CLIPBOARD
Windows utility used to temporarily store
chunks of text, data, graphics or pictures that can be shared or imported into
other applications using Copy and Paste
CLIPPING
Distortion caused by
excessively high recording level
CLONE
BRUSH
Graphic program tool for
copying an area of a picture, to replace colours and textures
CMOS
Complimentary metal oxide semiconductor -
family of low power microchips used to store and process digital data
CODEC
Compression/decompression (or coder - decoder) software utility or add-on used to process digital data
COLD BOOT
Starting a PC from its
switched-off state, as opposed to a Restart or Suspend or Hibernation modes
COMMAND LINE
A typed instruction, to tell a PC to do
something, as opposed to clicking on a menu or icon
COMMAND PROMPT
DOS type operating mode
that allows access to the PC's disc drives and files, without having to load
Windows
COMPACT FLASH
Type of memory module used
to store and move data between digital cameras, MP3 players etc. and PCs
COMPATIBILITY MODE
Facility in Windows XP to
run older Windows (95/98) programs
COMPOSITE VIDEO (PAL)
Standard video signal
format used by all consumer video devices, including TVs, VCRs DVD players etc.
In the UK we use the PAL (Phase Alternate Line) colour system
COMPRESSION
A technique used to reduce
the size of a file, making it smaller, more manageable and quicker to send over
the Internet
CONSUMABLES
Printer ink and toner cartridges etc., which
need to be replaced when they run out or exceed life expectancy
COBOL
Common Business Oriented Language -
programming language used in data processing and business applications
COLOUR DEPTH
The amount of data used to
describe a colour, which determines the range and accuracy of colours in an
image
COLOUR MATCHING
Technique to ensure that
the colours displayed on a PC monitor are as close as possible to the finished
printed picture
COLOUR SCHEME
Colouration of Windows
desktop and screen elements, such as task, tool and menu bars, active and
inactive windows and drop-down menus
COLOUR TEMPERATURE
Means of describing the
distribution of colours in a light source, measured in degrees Kelvin. (Typical
values: tungsten lamp 2700k, fluorescent tubes 2700 to 6500k, noonday sun
5500k, blue sky 10000k)
CONTEXT MENU
A menu containing commands
or actions relevant to an object or element on a program’s desktop or dialogue
box
COOKIES
Small text files stored on
a PC by web sites that can contain a wide range of data such as preferences and
personal information
CORE FONTS
The basic set of fonts or typefaces that are
installed and used by Windows 95/98
CPU
Central Processor Unit - the main
microprocessor chip in a PC
CRITICAL UPDATES
Patches and fixes for the
most serious vulnerabilities in Windows or an application that can affect its
security or operation
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube – video
monitor screen, basically a big glass bottle with all of the air sucked out.
The image is formed on a layer of phosphor coating the side of the glass
faceplate, which glows when struck by a stream of fast moving electrons
CSV (COMMA SEPERATED
VALUES)
Text file where items of
information – i.e. names, addresses, telephone numbers etc -- are separated by
commas
CUSTOMISATION
Personal preferences applied to a program or
application that determine how it looks, the layout of menu and toolbars and so
on
[TOP]
DAISY CHAIN
USB devices have two sockets so they can be
connected together, one to the other, like a chain
DATA CARTRIDGE
A cassette, similar to audio or video tape
(Some tape backup systems use DAT and 8mm audio and video cassettes).
DATA FIELD
In the context of an address book a single
item of information, i.e. a forename or surname, house number and street name,
postcode etc.
DATA SOURCE
A file used to store a particular type of
information is kept, such as names and addresses
DATA MINER
Program or software that
collects information on a PC -- usually relating to web surfing -- and sent
from the PC to a marketing company
DCC
Direct Cable Connection, a Windows utility
for connecting two PCs together so they can exchange files
DECOMPRESS
Files sent over the Internet are often
'compressed' to make them smaller and faster to send. However, in order to use
the files they have to be decompressed or extracted on the host PC. Some
compressed files come with their own automatic extraction utility, others --
usually with the extension *.zip -- depend on a separate program on the PC to
'unzip' the files
DEFRAG
Over time the files on a PC's hard disc drive become
disorganized - 'defragging' the drive restores order and speeds up reading and
writing data
DEGAUSS
Demagnetise -- a coil around the outside of
a picture tube in a video monitor or colour TV induces a collapsing magnetic
field that eradicates the build up of magnetic fields on metal components
inside the tube, which case colour distortion
DDR/DIMM
Double Data Rate/Dual
In-line Memory Module -- DIMM modules have 168 pins whilst DDR DIMM modules
have 184 pins.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol – system of automatically allocating IP addresses to computers in a
network
DIAL UP CONNECTION
Utility in Windows responsible for
connecting a PC, via a modem, to the Internet
DIGITAL ARTEFACTS
Processing errors in
digital video recordings, typically the picture freezes momentarily or breaks
up into large 'pixellated' blocks
DIRECTX
A software component in
Windows (included as standard in Win 9x and XP) used to improve the graphics
and sound performance of programs, especially games
DISC CONTROLLER
Microchip that identifies
a disc drive or storage device to a computer and helps speed up the transfer of
data
DISPLAY CARD/ADAPTOR
A plug-in card or circuitry incorporated
into the motherboard that converts digital information into an analogue video
signal that is fed to the monitor
DISPLAY SCHEME
A preset selection
of colours, sizes and text formats assigned to Windows screen elements
DISTRIBUTION
A complete Linux package
containing the main operating software, a ‘shell’ or desktop program plus a
selection of popular applications
DITHERING
Sharpening edges and
creating additional colours and shades by randomly interspersing pixels of
other colours
DIVX
Highly efficient data
compression system used to reduce the size of large video files to make them
easier to transport over the Internet
DLL
Dynamic Link Library, a data file containing
data or information needed by a program. DLLs may be shared by a number of
applications, in which case they are stored in a central location, such as the
System folder in Windows
DMA
Direct Memory Access - a means of
transferring data quickly between the hard disc and the PC's memory (see EIDE)
DNS
Domain Name System -- used
by the Internet to translate web site addresses into numeric Internet Protocol
(IP) codes
DOMAIN
A group of computers, sharing a common
address or identity, connected together by a network. Thus a desktop PC
connected to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider is part of that
ISP's 'domain'
DOMAIN NAMES (GENERIC TOP LEVEL)
.ac.uk
UK academic organisation
.com
world-wide 'commercial' entities,
individuals or companies
.co.uk
UK based commercial entity, individual or
company
.edu
assigned to higher level educational
establishments, colleges, universities etc.
.gov/.gov.uk
reserved for US government agencies and
organisations and similar bodies in other countries when preceded by the
relevant country code
.mod.uk
UK Ministry of Defence establishment web
sites
.net
organisations, which are part of the
Internet infrastructure - i.e. Internet Service Providers etc.
.nhs.uk
UK national health service web site
.org,/org.uk
originally reserved for non-profit making
organisations (charities, political bodies, professional institutions, trades
unions etc.) but now issued to some
commercial enterprises
.sch.uk
UK schools domain
DONGLE
A type of electronic key
(‘dangling’ on the end of short wire) used to unlock some types of software or
any small device that plugs into a PC
DOS/MS-DOS
Disc Operating System/Microsoft Disc
Operating System -- a program that runs independently of Windows responsible
for controlling disc drives, organising data and memory resources.
DOS MODE< |