LIFE WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY
(EDTECH VIDEO)
Prepared by:
GIRLIEP. DEL VALLE
BSE - 3D
| 
TERMS | 
DESCRIPTION | 
| 
Adobe
  Acrobat is a program by Adobe corporation that is used to transmit files in a
  non-editable format. The viewer is free, but to make an Acrobat file requires
  you to buy the software. | |
| 
ACS | 
Australian
  Computer Society. | 
| 
ADF | 
Automatic
  Document Feeder: A device that sits on top of a scanner that feeds multipage
  documents to the scanner. | 
| 
Asymmetric
  Digital Subscriber Loop: High speed data connection using the existing copper
  telephone lines. Requires your telephone exchange to support it and be closer
  than 5000m. | |
| 
Software that pushes advertising onto
  your computer. When it's installed without your permission it makes up part
  of what's known as malware. Often uses spyware to determine
  what ads to put on your computer. | |
| 
AGP | 
Accelerated
  Graphics Port: A slot on the motherboard designed for high speed graphics
  cards. This is, and an AGP graphics card, are standard on all current
  computers. | 
| 
Aliasing | 
Jagged
  edges in a scanned or enlarged image. | 
| 
AppleTalk | 
The
  networking language used on older Apple networks. | 
| 
Applications | 
Another
  term for computer programs. Generally speaking, applications are the programs
  that you run on a day to day basis. | 
| 
ATX | 
The
  standard motherboard, power supply and case layout for newer computers. | 
| 
AVI | 
Audio
  Video Interleave: A standard format for storing and sending video clips. | 
| 
Bad
  Sector/Bad block | 
Damage
  on a drive that has been detected by the computer and marked not to be used.
  If your computer shows bad sectors then it is time to replace the hard drive
  or computer. | 
| 
Beta
  software is test software that has been released for testing before a final
  version is put together. Beta software is useable but has unpredictable bugs
  and errors; the purpose of releasing it is to dig out those errors. Businesses
  should never use beta software. | |
| 
BIOS | 
Basic
  Input and Output System: The basic
  software that controls the computer. The screen that flashes up showing the
  computer’s details is the BIOS. When the computer starts the BIOS runs then
  hands the system over to the operating system. | 
| 
Broadband | 
High
  speed Internet connection. Generally all connections except for dial up and
  ISDN connections. | 
| 
Brown
  out | 
Power
  sag. | 
| 
Browser | 
Web
  browsers are the programs used to access the Internet. | 
| 
Data
  that may be reused is stored in a cache to help speed things up. Web browsers
  have a cache to store recently used images and pages while CPUs have a cache
  to speed up processing and. | |
| 
CAD | 
Computer
  Aided Design: Drawing programs used by architects and engineers | 
| 
An Internet plan where the monthly
  fee is fixed, that is your charges are capped at a certain price. This
  usually has conditions such as slowing your connection if you go over a given
  limit (see shaping). | |
| 
Cat
  5 | 
Category
  5 Cable is used for network cabling. It has a faster relative called Category
  6. When installing a network all cables should be at least cat 5. The square
  plug at the end of a Cat 5 or 6 cables is an RJ45. | 
| 
Cat
  6 | 
Category
  6 Cable is a faster cousin to cat 5. While slightly more expensive it is
  worthwhile specifying cat 6 if you are having an electrician install network
  or telephone cable. Cat 6 cable is compatible with Cat 5. | 
| 
Client/Server | 
A
  network where some computers have all the data, printers or other resources
  (servers) and the others (clients) connect to the servers. | 
| 
CGI | 
Common
  Gateway Interface: A specification that allows web sites to communicate with
  programs. It requires specific software to be set up on the web site. | 
| 
CMOS | 
Complementary
  Metal Oxide Semi-conductor: The CMOS chip holds the configuration data for
  the computer. It is kept alive by a battery on the motherboard. | 
| 
CMYK | 
Four
  colour printing. To print colours a printer mixes Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. K
  stands for black and is created by mixing the other colours or having its own
  cartridge. | 
| 
CNE | 
Certified
  Novell Engineer: Has been certified to support certain Novell networking
  products. | 
| 
Codec | 
Software that translates a video
  or audio file so it will work on a computer. | 
| 
Central
  Processing Unit: The heart of the computer, this is the chip that runs the
  whole system. Sometimes the entire computer is referred to as the CPU. | |
| 
Cross-Over
  Cable | 
UTP
  networks patch cable that is designed to connect two hubs, or two computers
  without a hub. | 
| 
CRT | 
Cathode
  Ray Tube: The cheapest and most common type of computer monitor. This is the
  same technology as used in your television set. | 
| 
CSV | 
Comma
  Separated Value: The most basic way of saving spreadsheet or database
  contents. A CSV file is a text file with the data fields’ separted by commas.
  This file can be read by almost all spreadsheet and database programs. | 
| 
Cursor | 
The
  pointer on the computer screen. | 
| 
Cyber squatter | 
Someone who buys a Internet domain
  name similar to an established business or brand name with the intention of
  selling it to the business owner. | 
| 
Definition
  Files | 
Definition
  files are released by anti-virus companies to update their programs so they
  can detect the latest viruses. | 
| 
Defragment | 
A
  process which reorganises data stored on a hard drive. On hard drives which
  are almost full defragmenting should be done often. | 
| 
Delegate | 
Assigning
  a server to represent an Internet domain name. Your domain yourbiz.com.au
  will is usually delegated to yourinternetprovider.com.au. Requests to
  yourbiz.com.au will be sent to youinternetprovider.com.au who will pass the
  information onto you. | 
| 
DHTML | 
Dynamic
  HyperText Mark up Language: An advanced version of HTML, used to design web
  pages. | 
| 
Dial
  up Adaptor | 
The
  software that allows Windows 9x/ME computers to access the Internet. | 
| 
Directory | 
A
  directory is created on a hard drive to store files or programs. The same as
  you would put a folder in a filing cabinet to store files. The term directory
  is used in Window 3.1 and DOS. Macs and later Windows computers use the term
  folder. | 
| 
DNS | 
Domain
  Name System: The system that translates Internet Protocol numbers to names.
  For instance the IP number 207.46.230.218 translates to microsoft.com. | 
| 
A
  plastic frame that has all the connections for mouse, keyboard, monitor and
  network. A laptop computer plugs into the docking station, saving the user
  from plugging and unplugging all the components each time they come into the
  office. | |
| 
Domain
  (Network) | 
A
  group of computers on a network, usually a network being run by Windows
  servers. Not to be confused with an Internet domain. | 
| 
Domain
  name | 
An
  Internet address. Microsoft’s domain is microsoft.com, their Australian
  division is microsoft.com.au. | 
| 
Domain
  Delegation | 
Having
  another company receive e-mail addressed to your domain name or host your web
  site. Any mail addressed to yourcompany.com is received by the delegated
  server and then you receive it in whatever way you choose. | 
| 
Someone who buys an Internet
  domain in a common word or similar to an existing business or website who
  then puts advertising on it. Like cybersquatters, they hope someone will buy
  the site off them. | |
| 
Dongle | 
A
  part that hangs of a computer. It may be an adaptor for a modem or network
  card. Some software is supplied with a dongle for each licenced copy; the
  software won’t run without the dongle connected to the computer. | 
| 
Dot
  Pitch | 
The
  distance between dots on a cathode ray tube display. The lower the number,
  the better the display. Typical Dot pitches are 0.26 mm | 
| 
Download | 
Recieve
  data from another computer or from the Internet | 
| 
Drivers | 
Software
  that allows the operating system to talk to the hardware. | 
| 
DTP | 
DeskTop
  Publishing: Preparing brochures, posters and pamphlets on your computer. Most
  word processing packages have basic DTP functions but to do anything
  sophisticated you need a specialist program. | 
| 
DVD | 
Digital
  Versatile Disk: A high capacity version of the CD-ROM, DVD readers can also
  read normal CD’s. | 
| 
ECP | 
Enhanced
  Capability Port: A high speed printer port, most computers have this
  capability built in and some scanners and printers require it to work
  properly. | 
| 
EDO | 
Extended
  Data Out: A type of memory chip that preceded SD-RAM, used in computers of
  1996-98 vintage. | 
| 
EPP | 
Enhanced
  Peripheral Port: A printer port standard designed to improve communications
  with parallel port devices such as external drives and scanners. | 
| 
The
  standard networking system used in most modern networks | |
| 
EULA | 
End
  User Licence Agreement: When you buy software you are actually buying a
  licence to use it. The terms of that licence are buried in the EULA. | 
| 
Extensions | 
Windows
  computers require three letters after the full stop to tell them what program
  a file should be opened with. This is called an extension. | 
| 
FAQ | 
Frequently
  Asked Questions | 
| 
FAT | 
File
  Allocation Table: The area of a hard drive that keeps track of where data has
  been saved. | 
| 
FAT32 | 
A
  file system used in Windows 98 and ME. It cannot be read by older systems but
  is still sometimes used by Windows XP and Vista | 
| 
Fdisk | 
A
  Windows program that is used to layout the sectors of a hard drive. This is
  done before formatting a drive. | 
| 
File
  Formats | 
Different
  file formats are the curse of the modern office. Every program has its own
  way of saving data to disk. If you use Office 2000 that the other person is
  using Wordperfect 6 you will have problems sharing documents. | 
| 
Firewall | 
Firewalls
  are security programs that decide what is allowed in and out of a computer
  and the Internet. | 
| 
Firewire | 
A
  standard for connecting peripherals, particularly video cameras and
  multimedia devices. Standard on newer Apple computers and gradually becoming
  common on PC’s. Also known as IEEE 1394 and I-link. | 
| 
Folder | 
A
  folder is created on a hard drive to store files or programs. The same as you
  would put a folder in a filing cabinet to store files. | 
| 
Font | 
The
  typeface of a document. The two most common fonts on PC’s are Times New Roman
  and Arial. | 
| 
Footer | 
In
  a document it is a feature such as a date, title or word count automatically
  inserted at the bottom of the document. | 
| 
Form
  Factor | 
The
  size and shape of a computer. | 
| 
Format
  (disk) | 
A
  program that marks a disk so that data can be saved on it. Formatting a disk
  destroys any data already saved on it. | 
| 
Format
  (document) | 
The
  layout of a document or the standard used to lay out a document. | 
| 
Freeware | 
Software
  that has been written for free distribution. There is no charge for using it
  but the licence often is only free for individual users. Businesses are
  expected to pay a usually modest licence fee. | 
| 
FTP | 
File
  Transfer Protocol: An Internet service used for transferring large files. It
  is used for uploading and downloading files from servers. | 
| 
GIF | 
Graphics
  Interchange Format: A graphics file format. Commonly used in web pages. | 
| 
Grey
  Imports | 
Software
  and hardware that has been imported outside the normal distribution channel.
  This is not illegal but can cause warranty and support problems with the
  product. | 
| 
GUI | 
Graphic
  User Interface: The screen on a Windows or Mac computer where you can use a
  mouse of a keyboard to move around. | 
| 
Header | 
In
  a document it is a feature such as a date, title or word count automatically
  inserted at the top of the document. In an e-mail it is the technical
  information that is not normally shown to the reader. | 
| 
A
  way of shutting down your computer so it restarts exactly the way you left
  it.. The contents of the memory are saved into a file on the hard drive and
  copied back into memory when the computer comes out of hibernation. | |
| 
HPFS | 
High
  Performance File System: The standard file system for the Apple Mac. | 
| 
HTML | 
HyperText
  Markup Language: The computer language used to write web pages. | 
| 
HTTP | 
Hyper
  Text Transfer Protocol: An Internet service that | 
| 
The
  World Wide Web uses. | |
| 
Hub | 
All
  cables on a 10 or 100-base-T network have to go home to a hub. | 
| 
Hyperlink | 
A
  marker on a web page that lets you moves to another section or page in a web
  site. Also known as a link. | 
| 
IDE | 
Integrated
  Drive Electronics: A standard of connecting internal drives. This was the
  most common standard for hard drives and CD-ROMS. It may also be known as ATA
  and is being phased out for the SATA standard | 
| 
IEEE
  1394 | 
A
  standard for connecting peripherals, particularly video cameras and
  multimedia devices. Standard on newer Apple computers and gradually becoming
  common on PC’s. Also known as Firewire or I-link. | 
| 
Initialise | 
The
  Mac term for formatting a disk. Initialising a disk marks a disk so that data
  can be saved on it. Initialising a disk destroys any data already saved on
  it. | 
| 
Internet
  Protocol | 
The
  language computer use to talk over the Internet. Also can be called TCP/IP. | 
| 
IPX/SPX | 
The
  networking language used on older Novell networks. | 
| 
IRC | 
Internet
  Relay Chat: An Internet service that allows users to communicate live as if
  they were chatting in a room. | 
| 
ISA | 
Industry
  Standard Architecture: An older standard of PC motherboard slot. | 
| 
ISDN | 
Integrated
  Services Digital Network: A telephone service that allows high speed data
  connections over the normal telephone line. | 
| 
ISP | 
Internet
  Service Provider: Provides access to the Internet for consumers and smaller
  businesses. | 
| 
JPEG
  (or JPG) | 
Joint
  Photo graphics Experts Group: A graphics file format. Commonly used in web
  pages. | 
| 
Local
  Area Network: Computers in the same office or complex connected to share
  data. Small businesses use Ethernet as their network standard. | |
| 
Laplink
  Cable | 
A
  cable that connects two computers through their parallel ports. | 
| 
LCD | 
Liquid
  Crystal Display: The display type used on laptop computers and high-end
  monitors. | 
| 
LCD | 
Liquid
  Crystal Diode: A type of computer display. Used for laptop displays and high
  quality desktop computer displays. | 
| 
LDAP | 
Lightweight
  Directory Access Protocol: A language used by e-mail programs to send and
  collect e-mail. It can also be used for sharing information. | 
| 
Link | 
A
  marker on a web page that lets you move to another section or page in a web
  site. Properly known as a hyperlink. | 
| 
Linux | 
An
  operating system like Windows or Mac OS. Unlike the commercial operating
  systems the basic Linux system is developed by millions of volunteers to
  provide it for free. Some companies that supply it make their money from
  support and extras. | 
| 
LPT | 
Line
  Printer Port: Another term for a printer port. | 
| 
A general term for software that
  intends to do no good to your computer. Includes adware, spyware, Trojan horses and viruses. | |
| 
Mapped
  drive | 
A
  mapped drive or printer is a resource on the network that the computer
  believes to be directly connected to it. For instance, the machine server may
  have a folder called documents that is shared on the network. Another machine
  may map that folder and will then think it is a drive installed within the
  computer. | 
| 
MCSE | 
Microsoft
  Certified System Engineer: Has been certified by Microsoft to support the
  products stated on the MSCE. | 
| 
Meta
  Tags | 
Text
  that is embedded in web pages but not normally visible to a browser. These
  are designed to tell search engines what is relevant on the site. | 
| 
Motherboard | 
The
  motherboard is the base computer circuit that everything else inside the
  computer plugs into. | 
| 
MTBF | 
Mean
  Time Between Failures: A statistical measure of how long a part can be
  expected to last before failing. Each manufacturer has their own measure so
  MTBF should be treated with a grain of salt. | 
| 
Nag Screen | 
A message that constantly pops up
  asking you to do something like register or upgrade your software. | 
| 
Software that constantly asks you
  to register or buy the paid for version. | |
| 
Naked DSL | 
An ADSL service
  that isn't connected to the telephone network. If you plug a phone into the
  line, you won't get a dial tone. A much more reliable way of getting onto the
  net. | 
| 
NAT | 
Network
  Address Translation: | 
| 
Netbios | 
The
  networking language used on Microsoft Networks | 
| 
Netbook | 
A small, cheap portable computer
  designed primarily for websurfing. | 
| 
Netware | 
The
  networking operating system from Novell. | 
| 
Newbie | 
Somebody
  who is new to computers or the Internet and is just getting the hang of
  things. Commonly used in news groups and chat rooms. Also known as a n00b. | 
| 
Newsgroup | 
The
  message board system of the Internet. Also known as Usenet. | 
| 
Network Interface Card. The device
  that connects a computer to a network. Ethernet cards are
  standard on most systems and wireless NICs are built into most laptops. | |
| 
NOS | 
Network
  Operating System: The program which runs a computer network. | 
| 
NSFW | 
Not Safe For Work. A file or link
  to a webpage that might get you in trouble if you open it at work. | 
| 
NTFS | 
New Technology File System: A file
  format system. This was introduced by Microsoft for hard drives in Windows NT
  systems. It's the main format for Windows XP and Vista systems. | 
| 
OCR | 
Optical
  Character Recognition: Allows your computer to translate scanned documents
  into a word processing program. | 
| 
OEM | 
Original
  Equipment Manufacturer: A computer store or consultant that builds systems.
  Many hardware and software companies supply discount versions of their
  products to OEMs on the basis that these people now how to install them and
  will include them in their products. | 
| 
Open source software are computer
  programs where the code is available for public use. Anyone can change it on
  the conditionall of their changes are also available to the public. | |
| 
Parallel
  Port | 
The
  older printer port on IBM compatible computers, also known as the LPT or
  printer port. Devices like Zip drives could also be connected to parallel
  ports. Parallel ports have been largely superceded by USB and are dying out. | 
| 
Partition | 
A
  hard drive needs to have partitions defining where the data is stored before
  it can be formatted. Normally a drive has just one partition, but the drive
  can be divided up into a number of partitions. These will appear as different
  hard drives to the computer. | 
| 
PATA | 
Parallel
  ATA, also known as IDE. An older standard for hard drives. | 
| 
Patch
  Cable | 
A
  short length of network cable that connects a computer or hub to a wall
  connection or patch panel. | 
| 
Patch
  Panel | 
A
  panel where all the network cables in an office run to. From the patch panel
  the cables connect to the hub, telephone system, router or any other computer
  or communication equipment. | 
| 
Credit
  card sized devices that slide into the side of laptop computers. Usually
  these are modems or network cards but just about any computer accessory can
  be found in PC card format | |
| 
PC
  Exchange | 
A
  program that allows Mac OS9 and earlier systems to read PC formatted
  removable disks. Not necessary on OSX. | 
| 
PCI | 
Peripheral
  Component Interconnect: Standard
  motherboard slot for installing expansion cards. Used on PC’s and Macs. | 
| 
PCIe | 
PCI
  Express: The successor to PCI that allows faster data transfer within the
  computer. | 
| 
PCMCIA | |
| 
Personal
  Digital Assistant: A handheld computer that is used for keeping contacts and
  diaries. Common examples include Palm Pilots and Windows CE devices. | |
| 
PDF | |
| 
Peer
  to peer | 
A
  network that is set up where all computers are equal and share each others
  files and printers. | 
| 
PIM | 
Personal
  Information Manager: Software for keeping appointments, contacts and
  expenses. The electronic equivalent of a paper based personal organiser. Some
  PIMs have built in e-mail support. | 
| 
Ping | 
A
  little program that tests an Internet connection. It sends a “ping” down the
  Internet to another machine that answers with another “ping”. If you can’t
  get a reply then there is a problem with your connection. | 
| 
Plain
  Text | 
A
  way of formatting documents that uses text only, there are no special fonts,
  tables, colours or anything else. Just the basic text. | 
| 
Plug
  and Play | 
A
  standard that allows computers to automatically recognise components
  installed on a computer. | 
| 
Plug-in | 
A
  sub-program that gives another program the ability to do something. To read
  an acrobat pdf file in a web browser, you will need the Acrobat plug-in. | 
| 
POP
  (e-mail) | 
Post
  Office Protocol: A language used by e-mail programs to collect e-mail. | 
| 
POP
  (Internet) | 
Point
  of Presence: The dial in points offered by an Internet Service Provider. An
  Internet user in Cairns will choose an ISP with a POP in Cairns rather than
  one in Hobart. | 
| 
Ports (hardware) | 
Sockets you plug equipment into.
  You might plug a network cable (see RJ45) into a network port. | 
| 
Ports (Internet) | 
The doorways into a computer from
  the Internet. Different types of traffic use different ports. For instance
  web sites usually use ports 80, 8080 and 3128. | 
| 
Port forwarding | 
Tells a router where certain types
  of Internet traffic should be sent to. | 
| 
Port
  Replicator | |
| 
POST | 
Post
  On Self-Test: A test run by a computer when it is turned on. On completing
  the POST, PC’s sound one or two beeps, Macs show a happy Mac symbol. | 
| 
POTS | 
Plain
  Old Telephone Service: The standard dial up telephone service. | 
| 
Power
  Sag | 
When
  the incoming voltage drops too low. This causes a computer to reboot. Also
  known as a brown-out. | 
| 
Power
  Spike | 
The
  same as a power surge | 
| 
Power
  supply | 
When
  the power goes into the computer it needs to be reduced and sent to the right
  places at the right voltages. This is the job of the power supply. | 
| 
Power
  Surge | 
When
  the voltage of the incoming mains power momentarily goes to a level that
  damages electrical equipment. | 
| 
Protocol | 
A
  language used between computers trying to communicate. | 
| 
Profile | 
A
  unique set of data and settings saved for each user that uses a computer or
  network. | 
| 
Proxy
  server | 
A
  computer that connects a network to the Internet. The other computers on the
  network think the proxy server is the Internet. It is a proxy for the
  Internet. | 
| 
RAID | 
Redundant
  Array of Inexpensive Drives: A group of cheap hard drives strung together to
  either improve reliability, speed or back up data. | 
| 
RAM | 
Random
  Access Memory: Is where all the programs and data your computer has in use
  are stored. When you are finished with them the information goes back to the
  hard drive. The more RAM you can put in a computer or printer the better. | 
| 
RAS | 
Remote
  Access Services: Allows your computer to talk to other computers outside the
  office. Outgoing RAS includes accessing the Internet. Incoming RAS allows you
  and your staff to log into the office from home or on the road. | 
| 
Readme | 
Most
  software comes with a readme file. This contains information on late-breaking
  problems and features. | 
| 
Registry | 
The
  files that keep Windows settings. The registry is essential to running
  Windows and should never be played with. | 
| 
Removable
  Disks | 
Disks
  like floppy disks, zip drives and CD-ROMs that can be removed. Hard drives
  cannot be removed. | 
| 
Reseller | 
The
  people who sold you the software or equipment | 
| 
A
  type of connector for cat 5 and 6 network cables. An RJ 45 plug is square
  with a plastic tab on one end. It looks like a big telephone connector. | |
| 
Road Warrior | 
A business user who is constantly
  working out of the office. Usually has a laptop and wireless Internet
  connection to do their work. | 
| 
ROM | 
Read
  Only Memory: In a computer or video game the ROM is the basic program that
  allows the machine or component to start. | 
| 
Root
  Directory | 
The
  base directory for a drive. On a PC, the c:\ prompt is the root directory. | 
| 
Rootkit | 
A particularly vicious type of
  malware. It hides deep in the computer's operating system and can be
  extremely difficult to remove. | 
| 
Router | 
A
  device that directs data on a computer network to different parts of the
  network or off onto the Internet. | 
| 
RTF | 
Rich
  Text Format: A way of formatting documents that uses basic common elements of
  word processors. You can use fonts, put them in bold or italic and use tabs,
  but you cannot use advanced features. | 
| 
RTFM | 
Read
  That Fine Manual: What the technician is thinking as he explains something
  very obvious to a user. | 
| 
SAS | 
See
  SCSI | 
| 
Serial
  Advanced Technology Attachment. The newer standard for home and small
  business hard drives. It replaces the older IDE/PATA standard drives. | |
| 
SCSI | 
Small
  Computer Components Interface: Used for connecting devices that need to
  transfer data at high speed. Typical devices include hard drives, CD writers,
  backup tapes and scanners. Not common on PCs. | 
| 
Secure
  Sockets Layer | 
SSL
  creates a secure connection between a client and a server. It protects
  usernames and passwords over the Internet. This essential when using banking
  websites, Internet cafes and wireless networks. | 
| 
Serial
  Port | 
The
  older technology for connecting data devices. Largely superceded by USB. | 
| 
Server | 
A
  computer that shares resources on a network. A file server shares files, a
  print server shares printers. | 
| 
Service
  Level Agreement | 
Where
  a supplier guarantees a certain level of service. Most commonly used in
  corporate sector IT and by business grade Internet Providers. An example is
  an ISP giving a 99.99% SLA which means the Internet will only be down one in
  ten thousand times. | 
| 
The practice of slowing an
  Internet connection down when the customer exceeds their monthly data limit. | |
| 
Signature | 
A
  file or text that attaches to the bottom of an e-mail. Usually contains
  contact details, a blurb about the business and possibly a disclaimer. | 
| 
SLA | 
See
  Service Level Agreement. | 
| 
SMTP | 
Simple
  Mail Transport Protocol: A language used by e-mail programs to send e-mail. | 
| 
Spam | |
| 
A computer that has been hacked
  and taken control by a program that sends spam. As of early 2008, the vast
  majority of spam sent comes from spam bot infected systems. | |
| 
Programs
  that connect to the Internet and report usage details back to the vendor. | |
| 
Service Set IDentifier.
  SSID is the name of a wireless network. For instance a Netgear wireless
  router will come an SSID of netgear.
  This can be changed by the owner. | |
| 
Streaming
  Media (Internet) | 
Audio
  and video programs that are fed to users across the Internet. | 
| 
Streaming
  Media (storage) | 
Tape
  drives are what are known as streaming media. The data is saved on a stream
  of tape. | 
| 
Suspend
  to disk | |
| 
Swap
  file | 
The
  same as Virtual memory. The computer uses the swap file for information it
  cannot keep in it’s memory. | 
| 
Switch | 
A
  sophisticated type of hub, it reads and directs the network traffic. | 
| 
TCO | 
Total
  Cost of Ownership: The total cost of owning a computer, including equipment,
  training, support, upgrades and consumables. | 
| 
TCP/IP | 
Transport
  Control Protocol/Internet Protocol: The networking language that the Internet
  uses. | 
| 
TFT | 
Thin
  Film Transistor: A method of manufacturing active LCD displays. This gives a
  good quality picture. | 
| 
Tiff | 
Tagged
  Image File Format: An image format standard developed for data exchange,
  often used in faxing and scanning. | 
| 
Toner | 
The
  fine powder used in laser printers and photo-copiers. | 
| 
Software that has a free use
  period. The idea is you use it to see if you like it and after a certain
  period you're asked to pay for it. As of 2008 many computer manufacturers are
  bundling too much trialware with new computers which affects their performance. | |
| 
A
  malicious program that gets onto your system by pretending to be, or
  attaching itself to, an innocent program. | |
| 
UAC | 
User
  Access Control. This is the way Windows Vista
  tries to protect itself from unwanted files. Before you can install programs
  or make important changes, Vista asks you to log on as an administrator. It’s
  a pain, but it’s important. | 
| 
UNIX | 
Operating
  systems that are available for PCs, generally used for servers and specialist
  workstations. Linux is a free UNIX, most types of UNIX systems are commercial
  programs. | 
| 
Uploads | 
Send
  data from your computer to another computer or to the Internet. | 
| 
Universal Plug and Play. Allows
  games, other computer programs and equipment to tell the network what it
  needs to operate. | |
| 
UPS | 
Uninterruptable
  Power Supply: Is a large battery which gives a computer user time to save
  their work and shut down when a blackout happens. | 
| 
URL | 
Universal
  Resource Locater: Simply put, an Internet address. The address
  www.pcrescue.com.au is a web page URL. | 
| 
USB | 
Universal
  Serial Bus: A standard for connecting external devices such as keyboards,
  monitors, scanners, cameras and modems to a computer. | 
| 
Usenet | 
The
  Internet message board system. It was one of the earliest services available
  on the net and is still used today for general discussion and sharing of
  information. | 
| 
UTP | 
UnTwisted
  Pair: Another term for cat 5 cable. | 
| 
Vaporware | 
Software or a project that is
  announced by a vendor where they have no intention of actually ever release
  it. Usually done for marketing purposes to distract from a competitor's
  better product. | 
| 
Vendor | 
The
  supplier of the software or hardware, if you buy Microsoft Office, the vendor
  is Microsoft. | 
| 
A computer program that attempts
  to install itself on other computers. | |
| 
When
  a computer doesn’t have enough RAM to run a program or open a document it
  uses virtual memory. Virtual memory is a file on the hard drive which the
  computer swaps less important things out of the memory into then swaps them
  back when they are needed. Virtual memory is also called a swap file. | |
| 
Virtual Private Network: A
  network that uses the Internet to share data between computers not on the
  same local network. The VPN encrypts the data so it is difficult for hackers
  to monitor the traffic. | |
| 
WAN | 
Wide
  Area Network: A network of computers that are not in the same office or
  complex. A building company may use a WAN to connect it’s site offices with
  head office. A WAN can use leased lines, dial up connections or a VPN. | 
| 
Warez | 
Web
  sites that have illegal copies of software, authentication codes or
  passwords. Legitimate businesses should have no reason to be frequenting
  these sites. | 
| 
WEP | 
Wireless Encryption Protocol. The older security method for protecting wireless
  networks, superceded by WPA. Generally not recommended although some
  equipment requires it. | 
| 
Wi-Fi | 
The industry term for wireless
  networking, also known as 802.11 networks. | 
| 
Workgroup | 
A
  group of computers on a network. | 
| 
WPA | 
Wi-Fi Protected Access. The currently preferred method for securing wireless
  networks from unwanted hitch-hikers. | 
| 
Write
  Protect | 
Protecting
  a drive or disk from being overwritten. Some types of disks have a physical
  switch, others have a software setting. | 
| 
XML | 
eXtensible
  Mark up Language: A web design language similar to HTML but with built in
  programming features. | 
| 
YMMV | 
Your
  Mileage may vary: Your situation may be different to the author’s. | 
| 
Zip
  file | 
A
  file that has been compressed to fit on a disk or make it quicker to transmit
  over the web. | 
| 
Zip disk | 
A proprietary brand of removable
  disk. Now superceded. | 
| 
Zero
  day exploit | 
A
  security problem in a program where the bad guys have discovered it before
  the programmer or the computing community. |