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| 10/100 |
It refers to an Ethernet adapter or switch port that supports two different speeds of Ethernet on the same port. The two different speeds of Ethernet include 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX. Normally, correct speed is selected through auto negotiation between connected devices. However, if auto negotiation fails, a multiple speed device senses the speed and decides on the correct speed. |
| 10/100/1000 |
10/100/1000 is an Ethernet adapter or switch port that supports three different speeds of Ethernet on the same port. The three supported speeds include 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T. It ideally consists of an Ethernet network card or circuit in a chipset. This supports 10Base-T (10 Mbps), 100Base-T (100 Mbps), and 1000Base-T (1000 Mbps) access methods. |
| 1080i |
It refers to a high-definition television video mode. This is an abbreviated name for a category of video modes. 1080 stands for 1080 lines of vertical resolution and the alphabet ‘i’ stands for interlaced or non-progressive scan. 1080i can become compatible with newer 720p- and 1080p-based televisions. It is necessary to be de-interlaced first in order to be displayed on those sets. |
| 1080p |
This refers to a shortened name for a category of display resolutions. 1080 refers to 1,080 lines of vertical resolution while the alphabet ‘p’ stands for progressive scan. There is no interlacing of image. It offers a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, which means a horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels. 1080p is sometimes referred to as ‘Full High-Definition’. |
| 1U |
This measurement unit describes height of server, network switch, or similar device. It should be mounted in a 19-inch rack or a 23-inch rack. One rack unit is 44.45 mm or 1.75 inches high. 1U or 1RU refers to a single rack unit. Professional audio and video gear comes with rack mount options. These use the same measurement specifications. |
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| 2U |
It refers to the vertical space between shelves on a rack. It is the standard unit of measurement of height of a rack. A rack designated as 20U will have 20 rack spaces for equipment and 35 (20 x 1.75.) inches of vertical usable space. Rack and cabinet spaces and equipment that fit into them are measured in U. |
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| 32-Bit |
It refers to computers that have 32-bit processors. This processor can access 4 GiB of byte-addressable memory directly. 32-bit processors can store a range of integer values through 4,294,967,295 using two's complement encoding. Normally, external address and data buses are wider. Yet, they remain within processor as 32-bit quantities. Pentium Pro processor is a 32-bit machine but its external data bus is 64 bits wide. |
| 3D |
It refers to computer graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data. Process of creating 3D computer graphics is sequentially divided into three basic phases. It includes 3D modeling to form shape of object, layout and animation, and 3D rendering to produce image of an object. 3D projection allows viewing of a three-dimensional image in two dimensions. |
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| 4 Cell |
This is a Lithium-ion laptop battery. It is available in different shapes and sizes. This helps the battery fit in perfectly into the respective devices. This battery is much lighter than similar batteries as it has the third smallest atomic mass of all the elements. It supports high open circuit voltage. A major drawback is that the lifespan of this battery depends on the time of its manufacture, irrespective of whether it was used or not. |
| 480i |
This is abbreviation for a video mode. The ‘i’ stands for interlaced and 480 refers to a vertical frame resolution of 480 lines. There are different written conventions for resolution and rates like 480i60, 480i/60 (EBU) and 480/60i. 480i can be transported by all major digital television formats, ATSC, DVB, and ISDB. Most standard-definition TVs use it. |
| 480p |
This is abbreviation for a video display resolution. The ‘p’ refers to progressive scan, which is non-interlaced. 480 refers to a vertical resolution of 480 vertical scanning lines. This is normally in combination with a horizontal resolution of 640 pixels and 4:3 aspect ratio on standard-definition television. 480p is not sufficient to qualify for HDTV. |
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| 500 NIT |
This is a specific type of display in select Panasonic Toughbook rugged series of notebook computers. These Toughbooks are normally in use in military, commercial, and public safety applications. The bright 500 NIT display ensures good and clear outside visibility. The visibility is 250 to 300% higher than those available through commercial laptops are. |
| 56K Modem |
This is a voice band modem capable of download speeds of a 56 kbit/s. This is the speed while connecting to any ISDN service or through other digital connection to phone network. All such speeds are mainly theoretical and actual speed is between 40 kbit/s and 50 kbit/s only. Initially there were two rival 56k modem systems. However, both are now through a firmware upgrade. |
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| 6 Cell |
This is a Lithium-ion laptop battery. Lithium batteries posed major safety issues. Therefore, lithium ion-batteries have been able to overcome these restrictions. The anode is of carbon, electrolyte is a lithium salt in an organic solvent, and cathode is a metal oxide. They are presently in use in many commercial applications like consumer electronics. |
| 64-Bit |
This refers to 64-bit integers, memory addresses, or other data units that are at most 64 bits or 8 bytes wide. 64-bit CPUs were in vogue in the sixties. They were introduced as x86-64 and 64-bit PowerPC in 2003. Most processors now have integrated floating-point hardware. These may or may not use 64-bit registers to hold data for processing. |
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| 720i |
It refers to resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The ‘i’ refers to interlaced video format. This abbreviation actually refers to 720p HDTV or high-definition television format. In some cases, 720i is an actual alternative format to 720p. It is difficult to locate proposed or existing broadcast standard permitting use of 720 interlaced lines in a video frame at any frame rate. |
| 720p |
This refers to a specific category of HDTV video modes. 720 refers to 720 lines of vertical display resolution and ‘p’ refers to non-interlaced or progressive scan. 720p offers the highest temporal resolution possible under the ATSC standard when broadcast is at 60 frames per second. This system offers comparative absence of flicker or shimmering of moving edges. |
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| 802.11a |
It refers to a Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE. This helps transmit data over a wireless network. It allows data transfer of up to 54 Mbps using a 5 GHz band. Other such standards include 802.11b and 802.11g. 802.11a follows a specific set of IEEE standards established by wireless networking transmission methods. It offers extensive implementation. |
| 802.11b |
This is a Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE for transmitting data over a wireless network. It can transfer data up to 11 Mbps and operates on a 2.4 GHz band. This does not pose any problem for Internet access. Most wireless networks are based on either 802.11b or 802.11g. It offers wireless connectivity at most commercial establishments. |
| 802.11g |
This Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE operates on a 2.4 GHz bandwidth with data transfer speed of up to 54 Mbps. It is backward compatible with 802.11b hardware. However, if the network supports any 802.11b-based computers, the entire network would have to run at 11 Mbps. Nevertheless, it is possible to configure 802.11g wireless router to only accept 802.11g devices to maintain essential speed. |
| 802.11n |
This IEEE standard allows devices like laptop computers or cellular phones to join a Wireless LAN. This configuration is in use in most offices, homes, and commercial establishments. This standard is faster than previous standards of 802.11b and 802.11g. This standard helps consumers move beyond traditional 10/100 wired LAN. It offers additional multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) to the physical (PHY) layer. |
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| 9 Cell |
This is a Lithium-ion laptop battery. It is a type of rechargeable battery. Lithium ion batteries have an anode material into which lithium inserts. A lithium ion moves between the anode and cathode during discharge and charging. This battery is currently in use in portable electronics like laptops. These batteries are also popular for use in automotive, defense and aerospace applications. |
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| AC Adapter |
It is an important source of electric power for electronic circuits. It can convert the available electric current into necessary and appropriate current or voltage. Such adapters function best with various circuits and include other power sources like photovoltaic or solar cells, batteries, mechanically driven generators, and fuel cells. AC adapters are classified according to circuits in use for conversion like filtering, rectification, and regulation. |
| Access Key |
Access Key is a specific hardware that allows you to access specific software immediately, normally through the keyboard. This communication is usually through a web page. This key was first introduced in 1999 and was amply supported by Netscape 6, Internet Explorer 4, Omniweb, Safari, and iCab. It is possible by pressing Alt or Ctrl key simultaneously with the appropriate character on the keyboard. |
| Acer |
Acer is a Taiwanese multinational electronics manufacturer and the third largest computer manufacturer in the world. Products include laptops and desktops, servers and storage, personal digital assistants, peripherals, displays, and different e-business solutions for home users, business, and government. Acer has recently joined the ranks of Blu-ray Disc Association. Soon it will be adding BD-R and BD-ROM drives to laptop and desktop systems. Acer has been into lawsuits for infringement of technological patents. |
| Active Matrix |
Active matrix is the display available in desktop computers. It has superb color resolution and displays motions fast and accurately. Active matrix best suits high-level graphic situations, as imaging integrity is very important in such situations. Therefore, LCDs of Active matrix are currently in high demand for all notebook, television, and mobile phone applications. |
| AD-HOC |
It is a wireless networking system consisting of stations within mutual access and reach through communicational mediums. These devices communicate with each other without use of any access point. Each of these devices function with the help of a wireless adapter connected as an independent 802.11 wireless LAN. This system is very useful as an independent service or at departmental levels. |
| Adapter |
A physical device allows easy interchange of hardware or electronic interfaces without any change of function. This is normally available as a card inserted into the motherboard of your computer. This card facilitates exchange of information between computer microprocessor and devices it supports. Adapter patterns could be Class Adapter pattern or Object Adapter pattern. |
| Adobe |
It is an American computer software company founded in 1982 with headquarters at California in USA. It first developed desktop publishing software and graphics with all fonts and applications as present in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign. Although it was initially developed for Macintosh users, it is now the standard among graphics and printing service bureaus. |
| ADSL |
This refers to Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. This is a specific technique of transferring data over copper telephone lines. It has different maximum transfer rates for uploading and downloading of data. Web servers and users sending huge amount of upstream data may not find an ADSL connection beneficial. However, downloading of data is faster through this connection. |
| AGP |
This refers to Accelerated Graphics Port. It is an Intel-designed graphics card expansion port. It offers very fast connection and communication between point-to-point channels for attaching a graphics card to a computer's motherboard. This is specifically beneficial for acceleration of 3D computer graphics. Presently, these are becoming uncommon due to the recent PCI Express. |
| AirPort Card |
Airport card is local area wireless networking available from Apple Inc. based on IEEE 802.11b standard, common as Wi-Fi. This is completely compatible with other 802.11b devices. Most recent additions include AirPort Extreme based on IEEE 802.11g specification and draft-IEEE 802.11n specification. In common parlance, it could be referred to as base station or expansion card. |
| AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) |
It is a company specializing in the manufacture of semiconductors and is the eleventh largest producer of semiconductors in the world. It is the second largest supplier of x86 based processors in the world. It is also the third largest supplier of graphics cards and GPUs in the world. AMD merged with ATI Technologies in July 2006. |
| Amp |
It is a unit of electric current and symbolizes amount of electric charge per second. It is an SI base unit with the symbol, ‘A’. The name ampere comes from one of the main discoverers of electromagnetism, André-Marie Ampère. One ampere refers to the rate of 1 coulomb of charge per second. It is a base unit like Kelvin, meter, mole, and others. |
| Antenna |
It is specifically in use in point-to-point radio communication, radio and television broadcasting, radar and space exploration, wireless LAN. It converts electromagnetic waves into electrical currents and back into electromagnetic waves. It normally works in open air or outer space but also functions under earth and water for specific frequencies and normally for short distances. |
| Antivirus |
A computer program identifies, neutralizes, and does away with harmful software. This computer program can fight off different types of computer viruses, Trojan horses, worms, root kits, and other malware. Antivirus program first scan files to detect any known viruses from available virus dictionary. Thereafter, it analyzes and detects any infected or infectious programs. |
| Apple |
It is an American multinational corporation manufacturing and designing consumer electronics and related software products. It produces and sells personal computers, computer software, mobile phones, portable media players, computer hardware, and accessories. It also has an online store for music videos, iPod games, audio books, and movies. The most popular products include iPod line of portable media players, Macintosh line of personal computers, and the iPhone. |
| ATA |
This refers to Advanced Technology Attachment. ATA is a specific type of disk drive that integrates drive controller directly on the drive itself. You do not require any specific controller to support the drive. Few ATA drives are also referred to as Integrated Drive Electronics. The technology is the same. Different types of ATA standards include ATA-1, ATA-2 ATA-3, Ultra ATA, and others. |
| ATI |
Four immigrants founded ATI Technologies in Canada in 1985. It is an important supplier of motherboard chipsets, graphics processing units, and video display cards. AMD, microprocessor manufacturer, bought and merged with ATI Technologies in 2006. ATI deals mainly in semiconductors and has its own research and development center. Manufacturing and assembly of products is outsourced. |
| Auto/Air Adapter |
Auto batteries are common source of DC power for laptops. However, their voltage is much below the required levels. Auto DC adapter has an input plug at one end and an output connector for plugging into the power receptacle. Air adapter normally has both an auto adapter with input plug and a hypertonic plug. |
| AV |
AV is the abbreviation for Audio Visual. Video technology involves recording, storing, processing, transmitting, and reconstructing various still images to represent scenes in motion. Video could refer to different video formats like MPEG-4, QuickTime, DVD, and digital video formats. Video can be interlacing or progressive. Interlacing helps achieve good video quality within available and specific limitations. |
| AVI |
AVI is abbreviation for Audio Video Interleave, a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft. These files have both audio and video data. AVI files do not contain pixel aspect ratio information. It therefore requires Windows Media Encoder to encode video files with non-square pixels. However, its high compatibility overcomes all its limitations. AVI is still popular among different users. |
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| Backlight |
Backlight is a form of illumination available at the back or at the sides in an LCD display. This light is predominantly found in small displays. It improves quality of light and helps in easy reading even in lowlight conditions. Sources of this light could be an electroluminescent panel, few light-emitting diodes, hot cathode fluorescent lamps, or cold cathode fluorescent lamp. |
| Backside Bus |
Backside Bus is a computer bus that connects CPU-to-CPU cache memory. This bus operates over a small distance and can function exceedingly well at high clock speeds. This improves overall performance of your computer. Although initially cache connected to this bus was externally placed, presently, it is available as an on-chip as present in Intel Pentium Pro and Pentium II processors. |
| Backup |
This refers to creating of duplicate copies of data to safeguard against any loss of data. Creating such backups is helpful in restoring your computer to original operational state after a disaster. The backup also helps in restoring small amount of files that could be corrupted or deleted. However, this is the least convenient system to use. |
| Backup Unit |
It develops duplicate copies of all data on your computer to protect against any loss of data in case of any such event. Such additional copies formed are backups and prove very useful in disaster recovery. These also prove useful if any of your files become corrupted or are accidentally deleted. Such services are available with computer support systems. |
| Barcode |
It is a mechanical representation of information readable through machines like optical scanners. It is normally in dark ink on a light background. This appears as high and low reflectance, which is converted into 1s and 0s. Barcodes are also seen in different patterns like concentric circles, patterns of dots, and text codes hidden within images. |
| Base Station |
It refers to the wireless access point for computers with wireless cards. Base Station is essentially a router system that communicates with devices based on Wi-Fi standard. Common base station configurations include 802.11b and 802.11g. Although different companies like Linksys, Apple Computer, and Netgear manufacture base stations, all wireless cards can communicate with base stations from any manufacturer if hardware is based on the Wi-Fi standard. |
| Battery |
It is a gadget made of one or more electrochemical cells. These cells store chemical energy, which is available as electrical energy. These cells could be electrolytic cells, galvanic cells, flow cells, fuel cells, and voltaic cells. Battery could be disposable or primary and rechargeable or secondary. You can use rechargeable batteries many times before they lose their power. |
| BenQ |
This is a Taiwanese company engaged in the manufacture of communications, computing, and consumer electronics devices since 1984. The name of the company symbolizes their vision of ‘bringing Enjoyment and Quality to life’. Important products include computer keyboards, laptops, scanners and printers, LCD monitors and televisions, projectors, and mobile phones. Recently BenQ acquired mobile devices division of Germany's Siemens AG. |
| Binary |
It is a numeral system representing numeric values using two symbols, usually 0 and 1. The normal base-2 system has a positional notation with a radix of 2. This system is used in the internal systems of all modern-day computers. In computers, the numeric values have two different voltages. A positive does not necessarily correspond to its numeric value. |
| Biometrics |
Biometrics is the branch of science that measures and analyzes biological data. Biometrics is the system of using patterns of retina eye blood vessels, voice patterns, and fingerprints for identification instead of passwords. This system is gaining increasing popularity in corporate and public security systems. Biometric data is normally encrypted to prevent any theft of identity. |
| BIOS |
BIOS is abbreviation for ‘basic input and output system’. This is a pre-installed program on Windows-based computers. CPU accesses BIOS even before your operating system is loaded. This is to check and locate all hardware connections and locations. BIOS allows operating system to load into the memory of your computer only if everything is fine and perfect. Thereafter, BIOS completes and ends the booting process. |
| Bit |
Bit is abbreviated form of ‘binary digit’. It is the smallest unit of computer data and consists of either 0 or 1. A byte consists of eight bits. One single page of text contains around 16,000 bits. Bandwidth is measured in bits-per-second. CPUs consist of 32-bits or 64-bits. This means that there are 32/64 bits of data per cycle. |
| Blu-Ray |
This is an optical disc-format developed mainly for storing large amounts of data and recording and playing back high-definition (HD) video. A single Blu-ray disc can hold up to 25 GB of data while dual-layer Blu-ray discs can store 50 GB of data. Blu-ray discs use blue lasers, which are originally blue-violet. This has a shorter wavelength and hence can store more data. |
| Bluetooth |
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that facilitates communication between Bluetooth-compatible devices. It offers short-range connections in digital cameras, between desktop and laptop computers, cellular phones, scanners, and printers. It uses standard 2.4 GHz frequency. However, it can work only within a short range of 30 feet. This deficiency proves to be an excellent security feature. |
| Boot Disk |
Boot disk is a disk that your computer uses to boot the system. It is an internal hard drive and the operating system installed on this loads during the booting process. The operating system could be Mac OS X, Windows, or other operating systems like Disk Warrior or Norton Utilities. CD and DVD boot disks prove useful if hard drive operating system does not function. |
| Bottom Base |
It is a part of a support system of a laptop. The bottom base is a part of the bottom tray. It has a first and second end opposite to each other. The bottom base has a small hole for receiving the first lip of the top tray while in storage position. It prevents sliding of top tray. |
| Bridge |
It connects two or more local area networks (LANs) together. Data travels across the different areas covered within this network. Bridge offers fast communication channels for transfer of data but is not as versatile as router. There is no analysis of data on a bridge as present in a router. Bridge cannot be used as a firewall. |
| Brightness |
It is the perception due to luminance of a visual object. It is a subjective property of any specific object. The brightness control makes the object look brighter. However, if controlled with a contrast or white level control, it can define the black level of the image perfectly. This helps users adjust their computer or laptop settings suitably. |
| Broadband |
It is a relative term that signifies high-speed transmission of data through a single cable at any single time. Broadband connections for the Internet could be through cable modems and DSL modems. Ethernet is the common interface to broadband modems like DSL data links. Broadband can handle multiple frequencies divided into channels or frequency bins. |
| Browser |
This application program offers a way to look and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web. It is a generic term for user interfaces. These allow you to browse text files online. Some of the common Web browsers available include Internet Explorer, Netscape, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and others. |
| Byte |
Byte is a unit of information. It is a set of eight bits representing one single character in the memory of your computer. This helps measure hard disk space, file sizes, and computer memory. Higher denominations include megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes. It is one of basic integral data types. This is essential for system programming languages. |
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| C++ |
It is an object oriented programming language specifically useful for creating large-scale applications. It is a statically typed, free form, and multi-paradigm language. It supports data abstraction, procedural programming, generic programming, and object-oriented programming. Enhancements to the language include addition of various features like operator overloading, virtual functions, templates, multiple inheritance, and exception handling. A more advanced version is being developed. |
| Cable |
Cable refers to one or more optical fibers joined within a common protective jacket or sheath. All wires may be covered or insulated. Cable could consist of a combination of electrical and optical fibers. Although electrical wires are predominantly copper due to their high conductivity, aluminum wires are also in use for their low costs. |
| Cable Modem |
Cable modem offers faster Internet connection than dial-up modems. This connects to a local cable TV line to offer Internet connectivity. It offers a continuous Internet connection. Cable modems attach to a standard Ethernet port. This allows data transfer at very fast speeds. Cable modem normally offers 200 Kbps to 2 Mbps transfer rate. |
| Cache |
This is a temporary storage bin in the memory and hard drive of your computer. You can store data in cache for frequent and quick access. This provides free access if it is difficult to retrieve from the original stored position. Otherwise, it would take a lot of time for CPU to get it from the main memory. |
| Caddy |
This is a metallic or plastic sheath to place a hard disc within. It can then be connected to same type of adapters as that of a power supply or a conventional motherboard. There are two sockets on the exterior of a caddy. These are for power and data transfer. It allows high transfer speed and offers larger storage drives. |
| Capacitor |
Capacitor is an electrical or electronic device that stores electrical charge using positively and negatively charged surfaces with a gap between them. This helps differentiate between high frequency and low-frequency signals. It proves useful in electronic filters. It is also referred to as condensers. Smaller capacitors are normally in use in electrical circuits. The process of storing energy is charging. |
| Capture |
It is a screen dump, screen capture, or screenshot of an image by the computer. It helps record all visible items displayed on the monitor. It can be of any color depth and resolution. The software available on the computer captures the image. It helps demonstrate a program or depict a problem if you want to show the computer output. |
| Case |
It refers to ‘Computer-aided software engineering’. The CASE tools help in maintenance and development of existing software. Such tools include Data modeling tools, Code generation tools, Refactoring tools, UML, Configuration management tools including revision control, and QVT or Model transformation Tools. Some tools also generate output of other associated systems like data flow diagrams, program specifications, database scheme, and user documentation. |
| CAT5 |
It is a specific standard of data and communications cable according to Telecommunications Industry Association and ISO (International Standards Organization). This category is formally popular as ANSI/TIA/EIA 568A-5 or Category 5e. It can function up to 350MHZ. It contains four pairs of twisted copper wire and can support 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet. This is the best category of cable for use in any network. |
| CAT6 |
It is the sixth generation of twisted pair Ethernet cabling. This is according to the standard established by Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association. It contains and uses four pairs of copper wire. It supports Gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet and offers communications at more than twice the speed of CAT5e. The maximum run rate is 100m or 328 feet. |
| CD |
CD refers to Compact Disc. It is a circular disc with a diameter of 12cm. It can hold more than 700 MB of data or eighty minutes of audio. All data on a CD remains as small notches, which represent 1s and 0s. You can read it through a laser from an optical drive, which translates the notches. |
| CDR |
It refers to Compact disc recordable. CDRs are blank CDs and you can record data on them through a CD burner. These CDs not only record music but can also support writing of other kinds of data. These discs are also popular as ‘writable CDs’. All data burned on to CDR remains permanently and cannot be erased or changed. |
| CDRW |
This refers to Compact disc rewritable. This is a blank CD and can be written through a CD burner. However, any data burned on CD-RW can be erased and rewritten many times. If you want to write something on a CD-RW, you have to erase all the earlier data completely and thereafter burn the new data. |
| Celeron |
This refers to specific range of Intel's x86 CPUs. These are specifically in use in budget value personal computers. The first Celeron branded CPU was according to Pentium II branded core. All the later Celerons were based on the Pentium III, Pentium 4, Pentium M, and Core 2 Duo branded processors. Although these can run all computer programs, their performance level is not up to the level of other counterparts. |
| Cell phone |
It is a long-range and portable electronic device offering mobile communication with various specialized base stations known as cell sites. It offers voice function, SMS for text messaging, MMS for sending and receiving photos and video, packet switching for access to the Internet, and e-mail. Nokia Corporation is presently the world's largest manufacturer of mobile telephones. |
| Cellular Connection |
It refers to communication that does not fall within the category of written or verbal communication alone. This is connection on a molecular level. It differs and is not the same everywhere. Cellular connection could be through gap junctions, desmosomes, and tight junctions. All offer easy communication between connecting cells although on different levels. Connection follows a specific route. |
| Centrino |
This is a creation of platform marketing by Intel. It offers a particular combination of main board chipset, CPU, and wireless network interface within a laptop personal computer. All components together offer longer battery life, better performance, and broad wireless network inter-operability. Laptop vendors should use all three Intel qualified parts to earn a Centrino label. |
| Charger |
This is a device to provide energy into a cell or battery by passing electric current through it. There are different types of battery chargers like simple, fast, intelligent, timer-based, and USB-based. The charge and technology in use depends on the capacity of battery being charged. Different batteries require different amounts of charge or electric current. |
| Chipset |
It refers to a group of integrated chips or circuits marketed as a single product. All these chips work together in perfect unison. Modem card, CPU, and processors have different chipsets. It controls communication between processor and external devices. Hence, it is an important determinant of systems performance. Some server manufacturers develop systemized chipsets for their products. |
| Cisco |
Cisco Systems, Inc. is a huge American multinational firm founded in 1984 with its headquarters at San Jose in California. It primarily designs and sells networking and communications technology and services. Presently, it also offers different home user products, all the while expanding its products for corporate customers. It was among the first companies to sell router devices. |
| Citrix |
Citrix Systems is an American firm founded in 1989. It is engaged in securing and delivering software services and web-based applications to corporate customers. The company functions mainly from its headquarters in Florida and has subsidiary operations at Massachusetts, California, and development centers at India, Australia, and the UK. It specializes in remote access software, client, and terminal services for delivering and managing applications over the Internet. |
| Clock Speed |
This is the fundamental rate in cycles per second to measure the speed of a computer in performing basic functions like transferring value from one processor register to another, adding, and similar more. It is measured in hertz. Although different chips on the motherboard may have different speeds, normally, clock speed refers to the speed of the CPU. |
| Cluster |
It can refer to a group of sectors on a disk or a group of connected computers. It helps organize and identify files on the disk. Files occupy different clusters of space on the disk. Different computers performing same or similar function grouped together form a cluster. Such clusters are useful for performing scientific calculations or decrypting algorithms. |
| CMOS |
This refers to Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. It consists of various integrated circuits. This technology is primarily in use in static RAM, microprocessors, digital logic circuits, and microcontrollers. It is also in use in various analog circuits like data converters, image sensors, and highly integrated transceivers. All CMOS devices have specific characteristics of low static power consumption and high noise immunity. |
| COA |
This refers to Certificate of Authenticity. This appears as a small sticker or seal on a proprietary computer program. This signifies that the program is authentic. The license number assures you that the program is a genuine and legal copy. This label remains within the System Builder software pack. System builders should affix this stamp on the side that houses this specific software. |
| Codec |
This is a software module that decompresses or compresses any encoded media format such as AVI digital video, QuickTime, DivX, Matroska, RealMedia, ASF, and MP4. Codec comes across as a combination of different words like 'coder-decoder', 'compressor-decompressor', or 'compression/decompression algorithm'. This software module is often in use in videoconferencing and media applications and is popular for converting digital signal formats. |
| Combo Drive |
Combo Drive is a type of optical drive that combines the ability to read with CD-R/CD-RW recording capability. This offers a mid-range option between a CD burner and a DVD burner. As the cost difference between DVD burner and a combo drive is fast declining, new PCs come with a DVD burner. Mac minis and Mac books alone have combo drives presently. |
| Compact Flash |
This is a type of flash memory. It is primarily in use in digital cameras for storing pictures. However, this device is also commonly in use in portable music players and PDAs. There are two types of Compact Flash cards. These are Type I and Type II. Although initially they could store few megabytes of data, presently these Compact Flash cards can store many gigabytes of data. |
| Compaq |
This is an American personal computer company founded in 1982 by three senior managers of Texas Instruments. The word ‘Compaq’ refers to ‘Compatibility and Quality’. It remained an independent corporation until its merger with Hewlett-Packard in 2002. After merger, the ticker symbol changed from CPQ to HPQ. HP introduced a new logo for its Compaq division in May 2007 for the new Compaq Presario model. |
| Component |
This refers to the many small parts that go into the making of every part of the computer like CPU, hard drive motherboard, and RAM. It is an element of a larger group or parts of computer. Different components need to be connected with soldering agents to printed circuit board and create an electronic circuit with specific function. |
| Composite |
It is the same as CVBS. This means Color, Video, Blank and Sync. It is the format of an analog television signal before combining with a sound signal and modulating it into an RF carrier. Composite monitor is any analog video display, receiving input as an analog composite video signal through a single cable only. |
| Computer |
Computer is a machine that can execute a list of programmed functions in the form of given instructions and corresponding functions. Important parts of a computer include CPU, motherboard, hard drive, memory (or RAM), and video card. The earliest computers that came out in the forties were huge machines. Modern day computers are much smaller and constitute many tiny integrated circuits. |
| Connectivity |
This refers to the continuous transport of packets between two points. Initially, there were restrictions that caused obstructions in the free movement of audio and video over the Internet. Connectivity has been able to overcome this shortcoming. It allows free and continuous movement. This has been responsible for transmission of live events through the Internet. |
| Connector |
Connector is a transceiver cable that creates a path between a media access unit and a node’s Ethernet interface. Connector could be power connector, audio connector, or video connector. Power connector is designed to carry small or large amounts of power. Audio connector carries audio frequencies. It could be digital or analogue. Video connector carries only video signals. |
| Contrast |
Contrast in general refers to dissimilarity. It could be differences in color, language, medium, or statistics. Color contrast is the function that analyzes differences in intensity of light. A high contrast contains sharp blacks and whites while a low contrast shows variations in gray shades only. Although such differences can be set right through video processors, few video processors offer perfect contrast control. |
| Control Panel |
Control Panel is a part of graphical user interface in Microsoft Windows that allows you to view and manipulate basic system settings and controls. You can change settings like adding hardware, controlling user accounts, and adding and removing software. Recent versions of Windows offer two views of Control Panel as Classic View and Category View. You can switch between these options. |
| Controller Card |
Controller Card is a piece of hardware that acts as an interface between motherboard and other components of the computer. Most computers have built-in chips in the motherboard that control functioning of different components. Hence, they may not be in the shape of an actual card but function as a chip only. These are normally within computer's PCI slots. |
| Converter |
Converter is a circuit that converts a source of direct current from one voltage level to another. Such converters are necessary in different electronic devices like laptop computers and cell phones. Converter also helps in generating multiple controlled voltages from a single variable battery voltage. This does away with the need of using multiple batteries for supplying power to different parts of the device. It also saves space. |
| Converter Cable |
Converter cable helps convert current input and voltage output. Current to voltage converter is a circuit that converts current into a different voltage. In some cases, passive converters can help perform the function. In other cases, active converters are necessary. Ideally, input should be the constant source of electric current for perfect alignment of converter. |
| Convertible |
It is a slate-shaped mobile computer with touch screen or graphics tablet or screen hybrid technology. This allows you to operate the computer with a digital pen, stylus, or your fingertip. You do not have to use the mouse or keyboard. This increases mobility of your computer. Sometimes tablet computers offer limited functionality in certain areas of application. |
| Copier |
Copier is a machine that makes various paper copies of images and documents fast and cheap. Most copiers use xerography technology. Such copiers have a huge demand in offices, education, and government organizations. Although digital document creation and distribution could prove to be a competitor to copiers, it cannot render copiers obsolete, as they are very convenient. |
| Core 2 Duo |
It refers to Intel's consumer 64-bit dual-core and MCM quad-core CPUs with x86-64 instruction set. It consists of single-core or Solo, dual-core or Duo, quad-core or Quad, and dual or quad-core CPUs or Extreme. Core 2 relegated the Pentium brand to a lower-end market. It however unified desktop and laptop CPU lines and divided them into Pentium 4, D, and M brands. |
| Core Duo |
Core Duo refers to Intel's 32-bit mobile dual-core x86 CPUs derived from Pentium M branded processors. It is very similar to two interconnected Pentium M branded CPUs being packaged as a single die (piece) silicon chip. However, there was a marked discontinuation of various Core branded CPUs on September 2006 and January 4, 2008. |
| CPU |
This stands for Central processing unit. It is the main thinking part of the computer. All functions are perceived and carried out by CPU. It consists of ALU and the control unit. It is also commonly known as processor. CPUs are now increasingly present in different digital devices ranging from modern microprocessors to automobiles to toys to cell phones. |
| Creative Labs |
This is the US subsidiary of Creative Technology Limited, which is the listed manufacturer of computer multimedia products in Singapore. Presently, Creative Labs is well known for portable multimedia players. However, the company could not stand up to existing competition. Finally, it delisted from NASDAQ in 2007. It is presently listed only on Singapore stock exchange. |
| CRT |
This stands for Cathode Ray Tube. This technology is primarily in use in televisions and computer monitors. This vacuum tube produces light when an electron beam hits its internal surface. This tube helps in displaying pictures in TV sets, video monitors, and computer monitors. Flat displays like Plasma, LCD, TFT, and other modern types would eventually replace CRT. |
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| Data Transfer Rate |
It is the rate at which average number of characters, bits, or blocks travel per unit of time between equipment in a data transmission system. This improves functioning and efficiency of different systems. It can handle extra bandwidth constraints in times of heavy usage. Fiber optic loop backs prove very efficient in measuring and conducting data transfer tests. |
| DB25 |
This is a common type of electrical connector. It is the same as D-sub or D-subminiature, although they are the largest common connectors primarily in use in computers. The original D-subminiature connector is now identified as DIN 41652. ITT Cannon invented D-subminiature connectors in 1952. It contains two parallel rows of sockets or pins surrounded by D-shaped metal shield for mechanical support. |
| DB9 |
It is the same as DE-9 connector. This is a common type of D-subminiature electrical connector. It is normally always intended to be an E-size shell with a ninepin connector. Presently there are various connectors with the same shell size but with more pins. They sometimes come with ‘M’ and ‘F’ suffixes in place of socket and plug. |
| DDR |
This stands for double data rate. This improves memory of laptops and thereby reduces power consumption. It is an advanced version of a type of computer memory, popular as SDRAM. DDR can receive and send computer signals twice in per clock cycle. You can run DDR at different clock speeds than the specific ones they are made for. This is possible through under clocking or over clocking. |
| DDR2 |
This stands for Double Data Rate 2. It is a more improvised version of DDR memory. It is faster and more efficient than the earlier version. It can perform almost double the work of that of a DDR. A major downslide of DDR2 is that it is not compatible with all standard DDR slots. You should make sure that your computer is able to support this memory chip before upgrading it. |
| Debug |
This is a systematic process of detecting and reducing the number of defects and bugs in computer hardware or any specific computer program. It can prove difficult in interlinked systems. This is a huge and prolonged task and depends on the skill and expertise of the programmer. Various debugger tools help a programmer to carry out the task. |
| Defragment |
This process reduces fragmentation in file systems. It involves physical reorganization of all contents of the disk to store all files suitably and in an organized manner. It creates more free space through fragmentation and compact arrangements. This helps increase life span of the hard disk. Periodic fragmentation can keep the disk performance at high levels. |
| Dell |
Dell Inc. is a Texas based company that manufactures, develops, and supports personal computer and sells, data storage devices, PDAs, and various technology-related products. Dell forms one of the top sellers of PCs and servers. With assembling plants around the globe, Dell Computers can boast of more that 78,700 employees and as one of the Fortune 500 companies of the world. |
| DeskJet |
DeskJet is the brand of inkjet printers that Hewlett-Packard Company manufactures. They range from large industrial to small domestic models, even though the largest model is called the DesignJet. The first model of DeskJet was introduced in 1988 that came with black ink cartridge. However, it was only in 1991 that the first color DeskJet arrived. |
| Desktop |
A desktop is an electronic machine that helps the computer derive meaningful information from raw data. Desktop computers are of four types namely, special communication computers, internet servers, workstations and personal computers or home computers. They are affordable and quite common in business, households, and schools because of their affordability. Most desktop computers have components that are easily upgradeable and replaceable. |
| Desktop Replacement |
A DTR or Desktop replacement computer is a PC that has all the capabilities of a desktop computer but is portable. Evolution of modern desktop computer happened because of the use of laptops in only semi-permanent location. The DTR are mostly bulkier, larger laptop. Their increased size makes them capable of powerful component and larger display. Moreover, they have relatively limited battery capacity. |
| DHCP |
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or DHCP is a protocol used in networked devices. It helps the client to achieve all the required parameters needed to operate an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The use of this protocol is greatly helpful in reducing workload for system administration. Moreover, one can add dices to the network with negligible or nil manual configurations. |
| Diagonal |
A diagonal may refer to the line joining 2 nonadjacent vertices of polyhedron or polygon.
In mathematical the term diagonal apart from the geometric meaning is used in matrices, referring the set of entries, along the diagonal line. Diagonal was originally derived from a Greek word referring to the line that connects 2 vertices of a cuboid or the rhombus or cuboid.
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| Dialup |
Dialup or the data dialup is a technology that allows the user access to the internet on his or her personal computer or terminal by the help of a modem. No additional infrastructure is needed on top of telephone network for dialup. Dialup is useful for travelers due to easy availability of telephone points around the world. |
| Digital Audio |
Digital signals are converted to sound reproduction through digital audio. This includes digital to analog conversion, analog to digital conversion, transmission, and storage. In other words, digital audio is a digital form of audio. Distribution of audio in the form of data files instead of physical object has reduced the distribution cost significantly. |
| Digitizer Pen |
A digitizer pen is a device that is integrated with the screen and helps in interacting through the virtual information displayed on it. A digitizer pen rather than relative pointing device, it is an absolute pointing device like a touchpad or a mouse. There are different types of digitizer pens they are as follows:
• Active digitizer
• Passive digitizer
• Hybrid digitizer
• Stroking pen
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| DIMM |
DIMM or Dual In-Line Memory Module is a form of computer memory. It comprises series randomly accessed memory integrated circuit. DIMM uses a 64-bit path for memory as compared to 32-bit path by the single line memory module (SIMM). The faster modes of data transfer by DIMM have made them replace SIMM of late.
Few popular DIMM’s are:
• The 100 pin DIMM used in SDRAM printer
• The 144 pin SO-DIMM used in SDR SDRAM
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| Diode |
A diode is a device that has two active electrodes. The signal of interest flow between these two electrodes and these diodes are mostly used because of their unidirectional current property. The thermionic and metal rectifiers were the first commercially used diodes. Initially germanium was used to fabricate the semiconductor diode but at present, doped silicon is used often. |
| Display |
Display is most commonly called a monitor is an electrical equipment that displays viewable images that are computer generated. A display also is applicable for TV broadcasting from where a picture of high quality is displayed. On the other hand, a computer display is mostly a flat panel, like a TFT LCD or a cathode-ray tube. |
| DMA |
It refers to Direct Memory Access. This is a technique of transferring data from the computer's RAM to another part of the computer without CPU processing. This is an efficient way to move data and saves on processing time. Every type of port on a computer should have specific set of DMA channels for each connected device. |
| DMI |
DMI or Desktop Management Interface is means through which a standard for tracking and managing components in server, notebook or desktop computers. DMI can also be defined as an abstraction layer that lies between the software that manages and the system components. For users it a table provided by BIOS personal computer through which information can be derived in certain standardized way. |
| Docking Station |
A docking station is a device through which portable computers can ‘plug-in’ to a common computer peripheral. It enables the laptop to become a substitute of a desktop computer, without discarding its mobile computing functions. A docking system contains hardware that is not required while traveling and generally remains on the desk.
The other devices that a docking station can support are:
• Optical drive bays
• Hard drive bays
• Mouse/keyboard connectors
• External display connectors
• PC Card slots
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| Dolby 6.1 |
Dolby 6.1 refers to the surround system’s version:
• It delivers five audio channels, one LFE channel, and one extracted audio channel from the six-channel source.
• It contains one channel of surround speakers at rear back surround channel
• It describes the Dolby Digital EX matrixed/discrete surround system.
• Seven speakers form the surround sound speaker placement, and they both differ for movie and music content.
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| Dolby 7.1 |
Dolby 7.1 refers to the surround system’s version:
• It delivers seven audio channels and one LFE channel from eight-channel source.
• It contains two channels of surround speakers at rear left back and right back.
• It describes Dolby Digital and the discrete surround system.
• Eight speakers form the surround sound speaker placement, and they both differ for movie and music content.
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| Dolby Digital |
Dolby Digital is the marketing name used for the set of audio compression technology by Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Digital includes various similar technologies, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus. However, the most common version is the AC-3 or the Dolby Digital, which contains up to 6 discrete sound channels. |
| Dongle |
Dongle is a hardware device that helps the computer in authenticating software. Without dongle, the software either refuses to run or lets the software run in restricted mode. Many proprietary vendors Dongles as digital rights management, as it is difficult copy the dongle than the software it authenticates. |
| DOS |
Disk Operating System or DOS is the first operating system used in IBM compatible computers. Initially it came in two versions, ‘PC-DOS’ developed by the IBM. ‘MS DOS’ was the other that Microsoft bought it as well as the rights and was coupled with Windows first versions. DOS uses text-based interface, in which the user can type commands. By typing simple instructions like CD (Change Directory), PWD (Print Work Directory) one open files, browse files on hard drive and run programs. |
| Double Layer |
Double layer is a technology mostly used in producing high-quality DVD. It is most prevalent as ‘DVD9’ technology. it fulfills the DVD specification and offers up to 4 hours of top quality of MPEG 2 video. Double layer supported recorders are able to record on single layer DVD discs and new double layer DVD recordable discs and in CDs. A double layer recordable disc contains 2 recording layers with organic dye called the L0 and L1 respectively. |
| DPI |
Dots per inch or DPI are measurement of printing resolution, the number of individual ink dots a toner or printer can produced within the defined space of one inch or 2.54 cm. To a certain point, printers having higher DPI yield detailed and clearer output. It is not necessary for the printer to possess a single DPI measure. It depends on the print mode, which is under the influence of driver settings. |
| DRAM |
This refers to Dynamic Random Access Memory. It is the common type of memory found in personal computer systems. This is a type of RAM. It stores each bit of data on a separate capacitor. It requires less physical space to store the same amount of data than if it is stored statically. However, DRAM capacitors require lot of charge or power to remain refreshed. |
| Driver |
In the world of computers, the term driver means a small file that helps the computer to communicate with certain hardware device. It contains necessary information the computer requires for controlling and recognizing the device. In Windows operated PCs the driver is mostly packaged as .dll file or dynamic link library. However, the Macintosh computers do not require the device, because most of them come with the drivers known as .ktext file. |
| DSL |
DSL or Digital Subscriber Line is a medium of digital data transfers through regular telephone lines and may be used to connect the internet. Originally, DSL stood for Digital Subscriber Loop, but over the time, it developed its new name to be more market friendly. It is much faster than the regular telephone line and as asymmetric DSL has the capacity to download speed of 1.5 megabits/sec whereas the upload speed for the same is 128 kilobits/sec. |
| Dual Channel |
Dual-channel is a motherboard technology with the capacity of doubling data throughput to the memory controller from RAM. Memory controller that is dual channel enabled can operate 2 sixty-four bit data channels to get 128 bits bandwidth and move data from the RAM to CPU. However, this technology does not relate to memory modules and the matched memory module may support either single or dual channel operation provided it is a motherboard-supported architecture. |
| Dual Display |
Dual display is also known as dual monitor or multi-head. They are various terms used to refer the use of multi display device such as televisions, monitors, and projectors to increase the available area for computer programs operating on the single computer device. According to Microsoft, it is the best way of improving ones productivity. |
| Dual Layer |
This is a second physical layer within the DVD disc. This offers extra storage space on DVD-R and DVD+R discs. It can store up to 8.5 Gigabytes per side per disc in comparison to 4.7 Gigabytes for single-layer discs. It takes little time for dual layer DVD to start functioning, as the laser has to pass through the first semi-transparent layer ahead of reaching the second layer. |
| DVD |
It stands for digital versatile disc or digital videodisc. This is an optical disc with high capacity and storage space, much more than a CD. A single-layer single-side DVD can store up to 4.7 GB of data. It can store movies. You require a graphics card with DVD decoder to view movies on your computer from a DVD. |
| DVD+R |
This refers to Digital Versatile Disc Recordable. These DVDs are essentially for recording data. These discs allow writing only once. Hence, they best suit storing of video, audio, or other nonvolatile data. This format is not as common as the DVD-R format, although both look similar. However, DVD±R drives can read data from DVD-R and DVD+R. |
| DVD+RW |
This refers to Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable. This disc allows you to erase and rewrite data. However, all data present will be erased before you rewrite new data. It can hold 4.7GB of data and is available as single-sided only. You need a DVD burner that supports DVD+RW format for writing and rewriting data on it. |
| DVD-R |
This stands for Digital Versatile Disc Recordable. This is the most common format of writable DVD. It is a single-sided single-layer DVD and can store 4.7GB of data. It can be burned to record data. Nevertheless, it does not allow rewriting of data. It has a groove that offers a constant wobble frequency for motor control. |
| DVD-RAM |
This refers to DVD–Random Access Memory, which is a disc specification. This is in use in camcorders, computers, and personal video recorders since 1998. This is an extremely reliable format of DVD as it supports a defect management system and has a built-in error control. It allows easy writing and erasing of data, which makes it very popular for use. |
| DVD-RW |
This stands for Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable. It is useful for multiple recordings and temporary storage of data. You need a burner that supports this DVD format for recording or re-recording data. This type of DVD is not very popular for computer usage, as they cannot hold permanent back-up files. Rather, non-rewritable disc prove cheaper and are a better alternative for permanent data storage. |
| DVI |
This refers to Digital Video Interface. This is a video interface that offers maximum visual quality of digital display devices like digital projectors and flat panel LCD computer displays. DVI connections are of three types. They include DVI-A for analog, DVI-D for digital, and DVI-I for both analog and digital. Most DVI ports support both analog and digital displays. |
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| E-mail |
This is abbreviation for electronic mail. It is an Internet-based system of sending mails through Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). Receipt of message through e-mail is by POP3 or Post Office Protocol 3. It is a simple technique of forming, sending, storing, and receiving messages over electronic communication system. E-mail refers to both noun and verb versions of the word. |
| Eject |
Ejecting a laptop while in suspended mode from its docking station can make an error message appear on your screen. Your computer may although resume functioning. Ideally, you should remove any CD-ROMs present in the drive, disable auto insert notification, or configure power management settings to prevent your computer from going into suspended mode before trying to eject. |
| Embedded |
This is a specially designed computer system that can perform specified functions. It could be within the computer hardware and can do different programming tasks. It can be as a single controller chip or consist of multiple units. Such embedded-systems are commonly available in different portable devices like MP3 players, digital watches, factory controllers, traffic lights, and nuclear power plants. |
| Encryption |
Encryption is the mechanism of coding information in such a manner that it can be read and understood only by the person having the exact decoding key. This ensures complete confidentiality of data. Any third person intercepting the data cannot read or understand it. It is primarily in use in secure web sites and in other mediums of data transfer. There are many standard encryption hardware and software available. |
| Ethernet |
It is the most common type of connection in use in computers through LAN. This port looks similar to a phone jack, except that it is wider. Ethernet port connects you to cable modems, external DSL, local network, or another computer. Ethernet is normally 10BaseT and 100BaseT. This refers to data transfer speeds. Gigabit Ethernet offers data transfer speed of 1000 mbps. |
| EXE |
It is common filename extension. It refers to an executable file or program in DOS, OpenVMS, Microsoft Windows, and OS/2 operating systems. There are various main EXE file formats like 16-bit new executable, 64-bit portable executable, DOS executable, 32-bit linear executable, and 32-bit portable executable. These files also contain bitmaps and icons for use in graphical interface. |
| Express Card |
This is a hardware device that replaces PCMCIA cards. It offers USB 2.0 connectivity. It supports two forms of cards, ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54. It offers better scalability, lower cost, and better integration with motherboard chipset technology. It can accept SATA external disk drives, Firewire 800 (1394B), and wireless cards. Express Card interface is however not compatible with Card Bus devices. |
| Extended Desktop |
With Extended desktop, you can view icons, windows, notes, and all programs on your screen although the projector shows only the single window you move. In order to use this desktop, you should be familiar with restore, maximize, and move windows functions. Normally extended desktop is located on the right side of your computer. Moving and restoring window to the extended desktop can maximize your window. |
| Extended Life Battery |
This is a unique power solution to increase the life of your battery. It offers an increase of five hours without any significant increase in the weight of the battery. Extended life battery helps you charge the battery while your laptop is docked. Such reconditioning of batteries is a form of better maintenance of your batteries. |
| External Hard Drive |
External Hard Drive is a specific hard disk enclosure that can hold and power disk drives. Having an external hard drive adds to the available storage space in your laptops and digital video recorders. It offers an additional backup source with a separate power supply from another connected computer. It thereby offers additional protection to all files from damage and corruption. |
| External Media |
It is best to store all-important data on external mediums like USB Flash drives, CDs, and Zip disks. The choice of storage medium depends on the amount of data you want to store. If you want a back up of less than 250MB of data, you can choose Zip drive. If you want more than 250MB of data storage space, choose a CD. Choose a USB flash drive if you do not require any formatting. |
| External Storage |
This refers to any storage medium that is not present or in-built within your computer. This temporary device stores information and is useful for transporting information from one computer to another. This includes hardware devices like CDs, Web service, or Zip or flash drives, floppy disks, DVDs, memory cards, memory sticks, and memory spot chips. |
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| Fan |
Fan is a mechanical device that produces airflow for ventilation or exhaust. Fans within computers push out warmer air from inside and draw in cooler air. This helps cool all hardware parts within the computer. This is essential to maintain components within their safe operating temperatures. Excessively heated parts have a shorter life span and could cause operational problems leading to system crashes. |
| Fan Cooler |
This is a cooler pad and an additional accessory to reduce operating temperatures within computers. It is normally in use when laptop fans are unable to reduce heat within laptops. Some of the coolers suck out heated air from laptop underside while some others work by blowing cool air towards the insides of your laptop. |
| FAQ |
This is the abbreviation for ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. This text file provides answers to the most common questions users normally have about any particular software. Web sites often refer visitors to their FAQ page before e-mailing any queries. FAQs are also available for different topics like technology standards, computer hardware, company information, and video games. |
| FAT32 |
This is a disk-formatting scheme with a maximum file size of 4 GB. This is an improvisation over the earlier disk formatting system of FAT16. It contains cluster counts within a 32-bit field with 28 bits being used for the cluster number. FAT32 was introduced with Windows 95 OSR2. Windows 2000 and Windows XP can read and write to FAT32 file systems of any size. |
| Fax Machine |
Fax is abbreviation for facsimile, which means to make a similar copy.
A fax machine consists of a modem, an image scanner, printer, and a phone. Scanner helps convert all content present on a printed document into a digital image. This is sent over a phone line through the modem and printer at the other end produces a copy of the document.
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| Fingerprint Reader |
An electronic device captures digital image of the fingerprint pattern. This live scan undergoes digital processing and creates a biometric template. This image in biometric template remains stored for matching and other purposes. It helps in identification and verification of a person’s identity. This is possible by comparing different features of a fingerprint. |
| FiOS |
This stands for fiber optic service. This is an exclusive telecommunication service offered by Verizon to different metropolitan areas like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. FiOS offers increased telephone, video services, and Internet access. These services are available subject to different local conditions like services offered by other broadband competitors, cost, and customer location. Internet services include two or three bandwidth choices. |
| Firefox |
This is a web-browser project offered by Mozilla Corporation. It is the second most popular web browser in use in the world. It uses open-source Gecko layout engine. It includes live book marking, spell checker, tabbed browsing, incremental find, download manager, and a search system that includes Google. It runs on different versions of Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. |
| Firewall |
This software inspects web traffic passing through computer networks of different trust levels. It allows or denies permission for passage of traffic according to specific designed set of rules. This technology came into existence in the late eighties. It prevents network intrusion from private networks. This helps detect and restrict internet security breaches. |
| FireWire |
This is IEEE 1394 interface from Apple. It offers high-speed communications with real-time data transfer. It is a very popular standard for connecting peripherals. It can connect different devices like audio interfaces, digital video cameras, MP3 players, and hard drives to your computer. It can transfer data at 400 Mbps, with recent ports having a capacity of 800 Mbps. |
| Firmware |
It is a computer program embedded within a specific hardware device like microcontroller. It is also available as a binary image file for uploading onto available hardware. It can improve performance and reliability of available functionality of any device. Common devices that have firmware updates include Blu-ray, CD, DVD, and HD DVD. It ensures perfect compatibility of hardware and keeps all hardware up-to-date. |
| Flash Drive |
This is a storage device using flash memory for storage rather than other conventional storage spaces. These drives are perfect imitations of hard drives with respect to shape, size, and interface. These drives do not require battery backups. They contain wear-leveling techniques that relocate data into other storage spaces if the drive is losing its power. |
| Flash Pen |
This is a very small device similar to a pen. Flash Pen is a flash memory card that can plug into the USB port of your computer. It allows for easy transfer of data from machine to another. It is a more compact design of storing data and offers increased reliability and durability. It is small, lightweight, rewritable, and removable. |
| Flex Cable |
It is a variety of flexible and flat electrical cable. It is in common use in high-density electronic applications like cell phones and laptops. It is available in different pitches like 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm. It has an average lifespan of five years. It normally has extra material attached at end of the cable for easy ZIF or LIF connections. |
| Floppy |
Floppy disks are storage devices that originated in 1969. These are circular disks coated with iron oxide. They can store data on their magnetic tapes. These disks were in use in the early computers. However, presently they are being replaced by CDs and DVDs as data stored on floppy disks have a higher chance of being lost. |
| FPGA |
This refers to field-programmable gate array. This is a semi-conductor device with various programmable logic components and programmable interconnects. This consists of logic blocks that can perform complex functions like mathematical functions and decoding work. You can include any specific program or design you require. This however functions slower than ASIC and consumes more power than ASIC counterparts consume. |
| Front Side Bus |
The abbreviation for this is FSB. It connects computer processor to systems memory or RAM and to the other components on the motherboard. Rather, it is the main connection between processor and other parts of the motherboard. The speed of an FSB is normally measured in Megahertz or Gigahertz. The speed of your computer is dependent on the speed of the FSB. |
| FTP |
This is abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol. This refers to data transfer from one computer to another through a network or through the Internet. These servers can be set up between voice servers, internet hosts, game servers, and other physical servers. Some FTP servers require specific login to access files while sometimes your e-mail address could function as the password. |
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| Gateway |
This could be software or hardware functioning as a connecting path between two networks. This helps in easy transfer of data. If your web site connection has many small server connections in between, the number of gateways also increases correspondingly. This is an essential function of most routers. This function is commonly in use while sending e-mails across different web sites. |
| Gel Battery |
It is a rechargeable valve and regulated lead-acid battery with a gelified electrolyte. It offers extensive resistance to extreme temperatures and does away with problems of electrolyte evaporation and consequent spillage. Gases produced during charging convert into liquid within the gel battery. This prevents any escape of gases and hence proves very useful as service batteries. |
| GIF |
This is abbreviation for Graphics Interchange Format. It is a compressed image file format. It is dependent on indexed colors constituting more than 256 colors. These best suit animated images and small icons. However, color combinations are insufficient to support high-quality photos. This is an eight-bit per-pixel bitmap image format introduced by CompuServe in 1987. It offers extensive portability. |
| Gigabit |
This is a unit of information or computer storage. It has an abbreviation of GB or Gbit. One gigabit equals 119.2 mebibytes. Gigabit is related to gibibit, which equals 230 bits. It proves useful in representing different classes of storage devices. There is a difference of seven percent between a billion bits and a gibibit. |
| Gigabyte |
It is the typical term in use for measuring hard disk sizes. It is estimated to equal one billion bytes. In colloquial terms, it has an abbreviation of ‘gigs’. It is represented as GB. Hard drive sizes are normally in measurements of gigabytes. The Giga prefix in Gigabyte comes from the Greek word meaning ‘Giant’. |
| Gigahertz |
Gigahertz is the standard measurement unit for measuring computer-processing speeds. It is also used for measuring the speed of different computer components. This unit of measurement has been in use since the year 2000. Hertz or Hz is the SI base unit of frequency. It typically refers to a complete cycle per second. Gigahertz refers to 109 Hz. |
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| Hard Drive |
Hard drive is the short term for hard disk drive. It refers to the storage place of your data within your computer. As data within hard disk is stored magnetically, it remains on the drive even after power is switched off. All data on hard disk remains in a digital format encoded on fast rotating platters having magnetic surfaces. |
| Hardware |
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer and its associated devices. Hardware could be internal and external. External hardware constitutes printer, monitor, scanner, mouse, and keyboard. They are popular as peripherals. Internal hardware constitutes hard drives, motherboards, and RAM. These are also known as components. All software on your computer has specific minimum hardware requirements for its efficient functioning. |
| HD Audio |
It stands for high definition audio. Intel released a high definition audio that delivers more channels and at higher quality than other predecessor audio systems. Hardware supporting Intel high definition can offer 192 kHz/32 bit quality for two channels and 96 kHz/32 bit for up to eight channels. Microsoft's Windows Vista, Linux, NetBSD, FreeBSD, Mac OS X and OpenBSD operating systems support Intel high definition audio. |
| HD DVD |
It stands for high definition DVD. This is a high-density optical disc format useful for storing high definition video and data. HD DVD has similar technologies as the standard DVD. However, HD DVD can store 3½ times more data than the earlier ones. HD DVD can approximately store 17 GB in each layer. The main competitor of HD DVD is Blu-ray Disc format. |
| HDD |
This stands for hard disk drive. This is a non-volatile storage device. It stores data in a digital format on magnetic strips across platters. It is a typical sealed unit with fixed media. Presently HDD are also in use in digital audio players, digital video recorders, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, and video game consoles. |
| HDMI |
This stands for high definition multimedia interface. It is a digital interface for transmission of audio and video data over a single cable. HDMI supporting components include video game systems, cable boxes, DVD, and Blu-ray players. A single HDMI cable can transmit audio and video functions and thereby removes cable clutter. There is less signal noise or interference by other cables as it is a digital connection. |
| HDTV |
This stands for high definition television. It offers a high definition resolution over standard definition video. Images depict more detail, better color vision, and are much finer than the previous formats. You need an HDTV-compatible television to view video images through HDTV. Digital HDTV Grand Alliance introduced HDTV in the United States in the early nineties. |
| Headphones |
These are a pair of small loudspeakers and allow you to place them very close to your ears. These are also popular as earphones, headsets, stereo phones, or ear buds. You can use them with fixed equipments like personal computers, CD or DVD players, and home theaters. Sound engineers and disc jockeys also use headphones in live situations. |
| Headset |
Headset is a combination of microphone and headphone useful for two-way communication as in telephone. Headsets prove useful for listening in public places without disturbing others. These are also useful in videogames with 3D positioning. It helps judge position of any offscreen sound source. Cordless headphones do not require any connections through wires. These use other technologies like Blue-tooth, FM, or Wi-Fi. |
| Heat Sync |
This filters away heat from the CPU of your computer. Working of the CPU generates immense heat. Heat sync is made up of copper alloy or zinc metal and has a processor that draws away heat. Such sinks are available n different sizes to suit requirements of CPUs. Such sinks often have fans beneath to draw out hot air. |
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