Whether you are a computer newbie or a computer guru, at times you need help to understand what a particular Jargon word means. So if you don't know your Applet from your Zombie and lots more inbetween, you may just find the answer below;
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21CN
BT's new broadband setup which should enable faster connections when it is available locally. -
64 bit
computer architecture. Not possible to describe briefly. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit -
802.11g
The current popular standard for wireless (Wi-fi) computing. There is also an 802.11b, 802.11a and latterly an 802.11n or Pre-N. However, the N variety, though faster and with greater range (and penetration), is still awaiting approval. -
ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Broadband internet connection (3-200 times faster). You need to be close to a digital telephone exchange, on cable or have a satellite dish. You can remain connected permanently. See also RADSL -
ADSL2+
is the latest incarnation of ADSL. It doubles the frequency of signals over a phone line. It depends on the ISP installing its own equipment in telephone exchanges making speeds up to 24mbps theoretically attainable, depending on the quality of lines and being close to a digital exchange. -
adware
Advertising software that causes adverts to appear on your screen, either by invitation or (more likely) without your permission. -
AGP
Accelerated Graphics Port. A more rapid connection (slot on the motherboard) for the (AGP) card which drives a monitor. Usually brown. -
antivirus
program. Something that can spot a virus attached to an email or already on your computer and deal with it. -
applet
A small Java application that is downloaded by an ActiveX or Java-enabled web browser. Once it has been downloaded, the applet will run on the user's computer. Common applets include financial calculators and web drawing programs. -
application
Computer software that performs a task or set of tasks, such as word processing or drawing. Applications are also referred to as programs. -
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange, an encoding system for converting keyboard characters and instructions into the binary number code that the computer understands. -
ASP
Application Service Provider. Computer companies are hoping to provide you with programs and data storage over the net for a rental, rather than buying them outright. -
ATA
drives. Merely means Advanced Technology Attachment. Older versions were Parallel ATA. Later versions are Serial ATA (SATA) -
avatar
A cartoon representation of someone in a chat room. Origin : A Hindu spirit in human form. -
backup
Keeping copies or programs or work in a separate place in case of corruption of the first version. There are various methods. See Help, Backup in Windows. See Floppy disk, CDR, ZIP drive -
bandwidth
The capacity of a networked connection. Bandwidth determines how much data can be sent along the networked wires. Bandwidth is particularly important for Internet connections, since greater bandwidth also means faster downloads. -
beta testing
A program which is being tested, which is given out to users to find any problems. or as they say..."Foolproof software doesn't take into account the ingenuity of fools". -
binary code
The most basic language a computer understands, it is composed of a series of 0s and 1s. The computer interprets the code to form numbers, letters, punctuation marks, and symbols. -
bit
(short for 'binary digit'). The smallest piece of computer information, either the number 0 or 1. -
bitmap
A graphic image which is made up of many tiny dots. -
blog
A Weblog about the about the ideas, thoughts and things that that occur in the bloggers life. -
blogger
The person that writes the above regarding the boring things they think and do each day. -
BLU-RAY
One of two new DVD standards using blue lasers. See also HD-DVD -
blue screen
'of death'. (BSOD) The screen that comes up in Windows 95 and 98 when your computer can't cope with something. It suggests you press a key to continue. Called the 'Blue Screen of Death' because pressing a key doesn't help at all ! And the technical details shown are no help. Reboot. -
bluetooth
technology. Using radio transmission from your PC for controlling everything from printers to lights to the washing machine anywhere within a building. See also WI-FI
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boot
Start a PC from cold. Reboot : Restart -
botnet
A group of PCs that have been comandeered by a Spammer or other evil doer and used by them without the knowledge of the owners to spread mayhem around the Internet. -
broadband
High bandwidth Internet connections such as Cable or ADSL for faster connections -
browser
Program for browsing the Internet. e.g. Internet Explorer. Netscape Navigator -
BSOD
Blue Screen Of Death (see above) -
byte
A number of bits which make up a character, number or space on a hard, floppy disk or CD. 8 bits equal one byte, so a download at 56k bits per second is only around 7k characters a second. And dialup modems often achieve only 40k. -
CAB file
A compressed file. In Windows they contains all the files necessary to create the Windows Operating System -
cable modem
Cable companies such as NTL and Telewest can pipe fast Internet connections to you providing you have a special modem fitted to your PC. -
cache
This is a general term meaning and section of memory. See Webopedia HERE for detailed information. -
centrino
Intel's name for its technology which gives notebook computers longer battery life and have built in Wi-Fi capabilities -
CD/CDROM/CD-R/CDRW
Compact Disk Read Only Memory. Not really memory like RAM. They are the familiar disk on which programs arrive. They are Read Only because the tracks are 'burnt in and cannot be changed. The RW type can be rewritten to many times but cannot be read on another machine, so less useful for safe backup. -
chat
Text messaging to others on line using messaging software such as MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others -
chat room
An area on the Internet where people chat (usually written) to each other in 'real time'. -
chip
Silicon chip. The silicon base used to mount the millions of components that go to make up a computer processor. -
clipart
Ready made picture on disk -
cloud computing
means Internet based programs and storage. The software may be free or may be charged by the owners. -
Cookie
A text file sent by a Web server that is stored on the hard drive of a computer and relays back to the Web server things about the user, his or her computer, and/or his or her computer activities. -
codec
: A method of COmpressing and DECompressing files such as video. Each compressed file type must have a suitable associated CODEC. -
control panel
An important set of icons which allow you to configure the basic functions of your computer. -
control key
Marked Ctrl on the keyboard. Like Alt and Function keys its use can vary from program to program. -
CPU
Central Processing Unit. The brain of the computer. -
cracker
A person who 'breaks in' to a computer through a network, without authorization and with mischievous or destructive intent (a crime in some states). -
crash
A hardware or software problem that causes information to be lost or the computer to malfunction. Sometimes a crash can cause permanent damage to a computer. -
CSV
Comma Separated Variable. A format used to export and import data (to/from databases, spreadsheets, e-mail address books etc) Each field is separated by a comma e.g. Name, address1, address2, Town, County -
cursor
A moving position-indicator displayed on a computer monitor that shows a computer operator where the next action or operation will take place. -
cut or copy & paste
Most Windows programs allow you to cut or copy a selected
item (text or picture) and paste it into another place or even another program. So you can copy a picture from one program and paste it into another. Use Ctrl with X, C and V for shortcuts -
cybercafe or internet cafe
Cafes where you can get access to the Internet. They are all over the world and is a major method of communication for travellers