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Major Geeks - Glossary of IT terms Category: Technical and IT Date & country: 24/01/2013, USA Words: 260

ActiveX Controls
ActiveX controls, mini program building blocks, can serve to create distributed applications working over the Internet through web browsers. Examples include customized applications for gathering data, viewing certain kinds of files, and displaying animation.

ActiveX
ActiveX is a loosely defined set of technologies developed by Microsoft in 1996 for sharing information among different applications.

Access Time
The ammount of time something takes to find a piece of information and allow it to be used by other devices.

ACR
Audio Communications Riser - a slot that is only used by large OEMs to add cheap devices to their computers. Since ACR devices are software based, they often times sap a lot of CPU resources.

Accelerometer
The device inside Iphones and android based phones that uses a three way axis to tell if the phone is tilted in one direction or the other. It is used by applications so it can change the angle of the screen or in other applications like games to help you play them.

ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line - Like ISDN, ADSL uses standard phone lines to deliver high-speed data communications. But while ISDN's transmission speed is limited to 64 kbps, ADSL technology can deliver upstream (from the user) speeds of 640 kbps and downstream (to the user) speeds of more than 6 mbps. Even better, ADSL uses the portion of a...

AFTP
(Anonymous File Transfer Protocol) A host that provides an FTP service may additionally provide anonymous FTP access. Users typically log into the service with an 'anonymous' account when prompted for user name. Although users are commonly asked to send their email address in lieu of a password, no verification is actually performed on the supplie...

AGP
Accelerated Graphics Port - Brown slot located nearest to the processor on most motherboards. AGP ports are used exclusivly for graphics cards and are set back and keyed differently so that other expansion cards will not fit in them.

AJAX
AJAX or Asynchronous JavaScript And XML is a scripting for loading new data from the server ti the client

AMD
Advanced micro devices is an acronym developed by Intel for a set of there processors.

AMR
Audio Modem Riser - like the ACR, AMR's are extremely low cost software devices that can do a host of functions. Since they are software based, they use quite a bit of CPU resources.

Anti Alaising
The method in which jagged lines in 3d enviroments (easily seen in the horizon of games) are removed and smoothed out for a picture that is easier on the eyes.

API
Application Program Interface - The API is a set of functions that programmers use to develop software for specific purposes or to interface with other software. For example, the windows api allows programmers to develop software for windows. The api for a graphics suite would allow programmers to develop software for that graphics suite.

Apps
Applications or programs that run on your computer, tablet, and/or smart phone.

Asic
Application Specific Integrated Circuit - ASIC is a custom microchip designed for a specific application.

ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange - The ASCII set of 128 characters includes letters, numbers, punctuation, and control codes (such as a character that marks the end of a line). Each letter or other character is represented by a number: an uppercase A, for example, is the number 65, and a lowercase z is the number 122. Most operat...

ATX Power Connector
ATX - AT Extended form factor. Referrs to a standard for motherboard configuration and layout called the ATX Motherboard Specification. The AtX power connector replaced the older standard and allows the power supply to be turned on or off by the computer itself, rather than just by a physical switch.

AT Power connector
Mother Board Connects for an AT power supply.

Backup
A duplicate copy of files or an entire hard drive. A backup of your important files should be done regularly.

Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be transmitted along a communications channel in a fixed amount of time. Usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

Backdoor
An unknown or hidden login or access level to a file, website or program, these are often left by the programmers so they can regain access to a system in case of system lockout or emergency.

Backend
In software architecture there may be many layers between the hardware and end user. Each can be spoken of as having a front end and a back end. The front is an abstraction, simplifying the underlying component by providing a user-friendly interface.

Benchmarks
A set of conditions or criteria against which a product or system is measured.

Beta
Beta versions of commercial software are work-in-progress test copies released prior to the full version. They're used to put the product through real-world tests and to ferret out bugs before the finished software hits the shelves. Betas often expire after a period of time, usually when the full version or the next beta is released.

BGA
Ball Grid Array - the method chipsets are attached to motherboards, using solder balls.

Bitmap
In computer graphics, a bitmap or pixmap is a type of memory organization or image file format used to store digital images. The term bitmap comes from the computer programming terminology, meaning just a map of bits, a spatially mapped array of bits or pixels as there commonly referred now.

Binary
A system of ones and zeros that can be inputted into a computer directly. For example 10101010 could be a code for opening a program however operating systems and programs turn that into a language you and I can understand.

Bios
Basic Input/Output System.Software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs. Your BIOS has the information to control the keyboard, screen, drives, serial communications, and other functions. BIOS is typically built into a ROM chip installed on the motherboard.

Boot Sequence
The order of drives that a system�s BIOS follows when looking for the operating system to boot after the computer has performed POST. This can be defined by you in your computers BIOS.

Broadband
High speed internet access via cable lines or ADSL phone lines.

BSOD
Blue Screen of Death - when the Windows OS continually shows a blue screen and a reboot is required.

Burn
To record information onto a writable optical medium such as a CD-R or CD-RW.

Burn in
A given period of time in which a new computer is fully stressed to make sure there are no faults.

Bus Mastering
Allows for peripherals to directly communicate to each other without the help of the CPU. This often results in higher performance as well as less CPU utilization.

Capacitor
A small electric element that is used to temporarily store electrical charge.

CardBus
32-bit industry standard used for devices that fit into a laptop PC slot.

CAT5
Referring to Category 5 Ethernet cabling, the CAT5 standard allows for data transfers up to 100 Mbps.

CAT7
Category 7 quality cabling is needed for Gigabit (Gbps) Ethernet transmissions.

CD-R
Recordable CD technology for data and music storage using a low-cost disc that can be written only once.

CD-ROM
Compact Disc Read Only Memory - A compact disc format used to hold text, graphics and hi-fi stereo sound. The audio CD player cannot play CD-ROMs, but CD-ROM players can play audio discs.

CD-RW
CD ReWritable - A rewritable CD technology. CD-RW drives can also be used to write CD-R discs, and they can read CD-ROMs. A CD-RW disc can be rewritten over a thousand times and read on MultiRead CD-ROM drives or CD-RW compatible Audio CD players.

Cloud
(Cloud Servers) Virtualized servers running Windows or Linux operating systems that are instantiated via a web interface or API. Cloud Servers behave in the same manner as physical ones and can be controlled at an administrator or root level, depending on the server type and Cloud Hosting provider.

CMOS
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor - a chip that packs many components into a very small semiconductor.

CNR
Communications Network Riser - Small slot next to the PCI slots which a modem or sound riser card plugs into.

Corrupted
When data gets damaged and can no longer be used.

Corona
Another AMD DDR Athlon board reference name. Also a great beer, even better with lime.

Cookie
A small file placed on your hard drive by a website to identify you when you visit again. For example, these can store user information such as your username and password to the website or keep track of ads you have been shown. While many cookies can be good, some now track where you go and report this information back to the tracking website. See...

Coax
Referring to coaxial cable, Coax is similar to TV cabling. Used for older 10Base2 Ethernet networks.

CompactFlash
A very small removable mass storage device that relies on flash memory technology, a storage technology that does not require a battery to retain data indefinitely. CompactFlash cards can support 3.3V and 5V operation and can switch between the two, in contrast to other small-form factor flash memory cards that can only operate at one voltage. The...

CPU
Central Processing Unit - Your processors, for example, Pentium IV, AMD Athlon. It is your computer's brain, taking requests from applications and then processing, or executing, actions or operations. The faster your processor, the more operations it can execute per second. The more operations you have per second, the faster things happen in your ...

Crack
is the modification of software to remove or disable features which are considered undesirable by the person cracking the software, usually related to protection methods: copy protection, trial/demo version, serial number, hardware key, date checks, CD check or software annoyances like nag screens and adware. The distribution and use of cracked co...

Crossover cable
Cat 5 cable in which the internal wiring crosses over; used to connect computer-to-computer or when no uplink ports are available on a hub.

CRT
Cathod Ray Tube - the glass portion of any traditional monitor. Operates by shooting electrons through a screen which enables images to be projected on the back of a phosphorescent coating on the screen.

Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
DEP is a security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. DEP can help protect your computer by monitoring programs to make sure they use system memory safely. If a program tries running (also known as executing) code from memory in an incorrect way, DEP closes the program.

Daisy-chain
Connecting devices together in a string. Most often associated with SCSI devices.

DDR
Double Data Rate - a type of Synchronous DRAM, or SDRAM. DDR SDRAM enables data transfers to occur on both edges of the clock cycle, thus doubling the memory throughput of the chip.

DDR RAM
An extention of SDRAM technology, DDR effectively doubles the bandwidth available by sending data on the falling edge of the clock cycle as well as on the rising edge.

Defrag
In the maintenance of file systems, defragmentation is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation. It does this by physically organizing the contents of the mass storage device or HDD used to store files into the smallest number of contiguous regions (fragments).

Desktop
No, not the thing your keyboard and mouse are sitting on, but rather the main screen on your monitor where you find your icons, background wallpaper and maybe your screensaver.

DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - Method of assigning temporary IP addresses to computers to ensure network security.

DIMM Slots
DIMM memory fits into special 168 pin slots which are located on the motherboard, usually adjacent from the processor.

Digi board
Hardware to build a ras server.

Dimm
DIMM RAM is characterized by its 168 pins.

DNS
Domain Name System (DNS), an hierarchical naming system for computers or any resource connected to the Internet.

DOCSIS
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification - A standard for transferring internet data over cable lines.

Domain Name
A domain name is a common network name under which a collection of network devices are organized (e.g., www.majorgeeks.com)

Dot Pitch
Used to describe the horizontal size of pixels on CRT and LCD displays. The smaller the dot pitch (for example 0.25 mm) the better the resolution of the display.

Double Click
2 clicks of the mouse at the same time. If the program detects a double click it often will open the selected application.

Download
In computer networks, to download means to receive data to a local system from a remote system, or to initiate such a data transfer. Examples of a remote system from which a download might be performed include a webserver, FTP server, email server, or other similar systems. See Upload

Driver
In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device. A driver typically communicates with the device through the computers USB or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects.

DSL
Digital Subscriber Line - High-speed internet connection offered by telephone companies over existing phone lines.

DVD
Digital Versatile Disc - Introduced in 1996, the optical discs share the same overall dimensions of a CD, but have significantly higher capacities - holding from 4 to 28 times as much data.

DVD Video
Popular format for high quality MPEG2 video and digital surround sound. Enables multi-language, multi-subtitling and other advanced user features.

DVD+RW
DVD ReWritable - It is the only rewritable format that provides full, non-cartridge, compatibility with existing DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM drives for both real-time video recording and random data recording across PC and entertainment applications.

DVD-Audio
This audio-only storage format similar to CD-Audio, however offers 16, 20 and 24-bit samples at a variety of sampling rates from 44.1 to 192KHz, compared to 16 bits and 44.1KHz for CDs. DVD-Audio discs can also contain music videos, graphics and other information.

DVD-RAM
DVD Random Access Memory - A rewritable DVD disc endorsed by Panasonic, Hitachi and Toshiba. It is a cartridge-based, and more recently, bare disc technology for data recording and playback. DVD-RAM bare discs are fragile and do not guarantee data integrity. The first DVD-RAM drives had a capacity of 2.6GB (single sided) or 5.2GB (double sided). D...

DVD-ROM
Read Only Memory - This read-only DVD disc is used for storing data and interactive sequences as well as audio and video. DVD-ROMs run in DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM drives, not DVD-Video players connected to TVs and home theaters. However, most DVD-ROM drives will play DVD-Video movies.

DVD-RW
DVD ReWritable - A rewritable DVD format that is similar to DVD+RW, but its capability to work as a random access device is not as good as +RW. It has a read-write capacity of 4.7 GB.

DVI
Digital Visual Interface is a video interface standard covering the transmission of video between a source device (such as a personal computer) and a display device. The DVI standard has achieved widespread acceptance in the PC industry, both in desktop PCs and monitors. Most contemporary retail desktop PCs and LCD monitors feature a DVI interface...

ECC
Error Correcting Code - A method of generating redundant information which can be used to detect and correct errors in stored or transmitted data.

EDO
Extended Data Output - a type of random access memory (RAM) chip designed to improve the time to read from memory on faster microprocessors such as the Intel Pentium.

EEPROM
Electronically Eraseable Programmable Read Only Memory - like ROM cannot be erased unless it recieves proper erasing signals from the mother deivce. Commonly used for BIOS's of motherboards.

EMI
Electromagnetic Interference - A form of electronic radiation which can potentially corrupt data transfer.

Emulator
Emulation or an emulator refers to the ability of a computer program or electronic device to emulate (imitate) another program or device. Many printers, for example, are designed to emulate Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printers because so much software is written for HP printers. If a non-HP printer emulates an HP printer, any software written for a r...

End User
The end user of a computer system is someone who operates the computer, as opposed to the developer of the system who creates new functions for end users.

ESD Strap
A device that plugs into a standard outlet which discharges static electricity from a person.

Ethernet
The most widely-installed local area network technology. An Ethernet LAN typically uses coaxial cable or special grades of twisted pair wires.

Fast Ethernet
A local area network transmission standard that provides a data rate of 100 megabits per second.

FAT32
File Allocation Table - Maintained by an operating system on a hard disk that provides a map of the clusters that a file has been stored in. FAT 32 supports 32-bit processors.

Fan Header
A place where you can plug a Fan with RPM monitoring straight into the board.

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - A place where common questions are answered already, saving users time so they don't have to ask the same thing.

False Positive
While we can get technical about this, we will break it down in simpler terms. A false positive is when a antivirus or any other security program tells you something is infected when it is not. This is very common when you try to run two antivirus programs at the same time, for example. Another example is a download that has anything in it that yo...

Fatal Error
In computing, a fatal error or fatal exception error is an error that causes a program to abort and may therefore return the user to the operating system. When this happens, data that the program was processing may be lost. A fatal error is usually distinguished from a fatal system error. (colloquially referred to by the error message it produces ...

FC-PGA
CPU's with the die on the top instead of the bottom uses the Flip Chip Pin Grid Array. This is done to improve thermal heat transfer to the heatsink.

FC-PGA2
Because FC-PGA CPU's often got damaged when the heatsink is installed, Intel came up with the idea of putting a heatspreader on top of the CPU to protect it from damage.

Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices. Typical examples of devices containing firmware range from end user products such as remote controls or calculators, through computer parts and devices lik...

Firewall
Firewalls are used to create a protective barrier for the internal network (LAN) against the external one (WAN, Internet) which monitors packets traveling in and out of the network. Usually located at the network's gateway.

Fibre Channel
A technology for transmitting data between computer devices at a data rate of up to 1 Gbps, especially suited for connecting computer servers to shared storage devices and for interconnecting storage controllers and drives. Devices can be as far as ten kilometers apart. The longer distance requires optical fiber as the physical medium. Fibre Chann...

Flatscreen
Type of computer display which uses an LCD panel instead of a CRT to project images. Typically the flatscreen or flatpanel display is less than two inches thick.

Folder
A folder is space on your hard drive holding files. Similar to a filing cabinet, you can store many files in your folders and create as many folders as you need.