TECH A-Z

 Adobe Acrobat Reader
Acrobat Reader is software that allows you to view a PDF  document (a document that can be seen but not changed).  It can be  downloaded free of charge from Adobe.  

ADSL
Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) is a type of digital  subscriber line (DSL) broadband technology that is used to connect to  the Internet. It uses standard telephone lines to deliver high-speed  data communications (up to 24 megabytes per second).

Analogue
Analogue is a conventional method of transmitting data. Standard  landline telephones use analogue technology. It is distinct from  digital technology, which provides for greater quality and speed of data  transmission. 

Assistive technology
Assistive technology refers to any software or hardware that  acts to assist and improve the functional capabilities of people with  disabilities.  Examples include wheelchairs, prosthetics, voice-to-text  technology and text-to-speech technology.  

Attachment
An attachment is a document sent with an email message. Many  types of files can be sent this way (e.g. Word documents, PDFs, Excel  files, JPEGs). Be wary of attaching large files because these can take a  lot of time for the recipient to download.  If you have a large file,  it is considered good practice to compress the file using software such  as Winzip before attaching it.

Backward compatible
 If software is backward compatible, it is compatible with  earlier (superseded) versions of the same software. For example, the  Microsoft word-processing program Word 2010 can read files created in  the 2003 version of the same program, so it is backward compatible.  

Bandwidth
 Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can travel a  communications path in a given time, usually measured in seconds.  

Bit
 A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of measurement in computing.  8 bits make up 1 byte.  

Bluetooth
 Bluetooth is a wireless communications technology intended to  replace cables. It allows short-range connections between two or more  Bluetooth-compatible devices such as mobile phones, tablets, headsets or  medical equipment.  

Bookmark
 A bookmark is a saved link to a particular Web page.  Microsoft Internet Explorer denotes bookmarks as "favorites."  

Boot (re-boot)
To boot (or re-boot) is to load and initialize the operating  system on a computer. Think of it as starting up your computer. In  Windows you can use the key combination CTRL and ALT and DEL as a "soft"  boot. This means restarting the computer rather than turning it  completely off and on again, which could cause damage to your computer's  hard disk under some circumstances. 

Bounce back
 An email message that cannot be delivered and returns an error  notification to the sender is said to "bounce back". If you receive such  an error notification, check that you have typed the address correctly.   

Broadband
 Broadband is a type of communications technology whereby a  single wire can carry more than one type of signal at once; for example,  audio and video. Cable TV is one technology that uses broadband data  transmission.  

Browser
 A software program that allows you to surf the web. Popular web  browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and  Internet Explorer.  

Cache
 When you download (read) a web page, the data is "cached,"  meaning it is temporarily stored on your computer.  The next time you  want that page, instead of requesting the file from the web server, your  web browser just accesses it from the cache, so the page loads quickly.   The downside to this is that if the cached web page is often updated,  you may miss the latest version. If you suspect that the web page you're  seeing is not the latest version, use the "refresh" button on your  browser.   

CAD
Computer-aided design (CAD) is a type of software that allows  users to create 2D and 3D design and modelling. CAD is used by  architects, engineers, artists and other professionals to create precise  technical drawings. 

Chip
 A chip is a microprocessor that performs many functions and  calculations that make your computer run.  Your computer's chip is also  referred to as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the processor.  

Cloud computing
Cloud computing refers to the storing and accessing of data and  programs over the Internet instead of on another type of hard drive.  Examples of Cloud services include iCloud, Google Cloud and Dropbox. 

Compression
 Compression is the reduction of the size of a file.  Compressed  files take up less memory and can be downloaded or sent over the  Internet more quickly.  

Content
 Content refers to a website's text and information, as opposed to its design and structure.  

Cookie
 A piece of code or data created by a web server and stored on a  user's computer.  It is used to keep track of the user's usage patterns  and preferences.  

CPU
 The central processing unit (CPU) is the brains behind your  computer.  The CPU is responsible for performing calculations and tasks  that make programs work.  The higher the speed of a CPU, the faster the  CPU undertakes the calculations and tasks.  

Cybercrime
 Cybercrime is any type of illegal activity that is undertaken  (or relies heavily) on a computer.  There are thousands of types of  cybercrime, including network intrusions, identity theft and the  spreading of computer viruses.  

Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity refers to measures designed to protect your  computer, device or network from cybercrime. This involves preventing  unintended and unauthorized access, change and damage.

Device driver
 A device driver is a small program that allows a peripheral device such as a printer or scanner to connect to your PC.  

Domain
 A domain is a set of computers on a network that are managed as a unit. 

Download
 Downloading is the method by which users access and save or  "pull down" software or other files to their own computers from a remote  computer via the Internet.  

DV
 DV stands for digital video.  

Email
 Email or electronic mail is a way of sending messages over the  internet.  Popular email programs include Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird,  Gmail, and Yahoo Mail.  

Encryption
 Encryption is the process of converting electronic data to an  unrecognizable or encrypted form, one that cannot be easily understood  by unauthorized parties.  

Ethernet
 Ethernet is the most common way of connecting computers on a  network with a wired connection.  It is a type of local area network  (LAN) technology, providing a simple interface for connecting multiple  devices.  

Firewall
 A firewall is a barrier that acts as a security system to  protect trusted computer systems and networks from outside connections  and untrusted networks, such as the Internet.  

FTP
 File transfer protocol (FTP) is a common method of transferring files via the internet from one host to another host.  

Gateway
 A point within a network that interconnects with other networks.  

GIF
Graphics interchange format (GIF) is a graphics file format.  Because GIF files are compressed, they can be quickly and easily  transmitted over a network. GIF is one of the main graphics formats on  the Internet. 

Hard disk
 The physical place where a computer stores information -  applications and files - is known as its hard disk drive (HDD). The  bigger the HDD, the more data it can store.  

Home page
 The page that an Internet browser first opens up to.  It is  usually the starting point of an organization's or individual's website.   

HTML
 Hyper-text markup language (HTML) is a set of symbols inserted  into files intended for display on the world wide web. The symbols tell  web browsers how to display words and images - e.g. which color, font  and type size to use - and they direct it to link to other pages on the  world wide web via hyperlinks.  

Internet
 A set of interconnected networks that allow computers in  different locations to exchange information.  The Internet includes  services such as the world wide web, electronic mail, file transfer  protocol (FTP), chat and remote access to networks and computers.  

ISP
 An internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides  access to the Internet. In Australia, widely used ISPs include Bigpond,  iinet and Dodo.  

Intranet
 An intranet is basically a private, internal internet specific to an organization or group.  

Java
 Java is a programming language that is commonly used in the development of client-server web applications.  

JPEG
 JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, which was the  committee that created the file format known as JPEG. The format is  commonly used for photos displayed on the world wide web.  

LAN
 A local area network (LAN) is a system that connects computers  and other devices that share a common communications line and wireless  link, generally within a limited geographical area such as a home or  office building.  

Malware
"Malware" is short for malicious software. It refers to a  software program that has been developed to do harm to other computers.  Types of malware include viruses, worms and spyware. 

Megabyte
 A measure of computer processor storage and real and virtual  memory.  A megabyte (Mb) is 2 to the 20th power bytes, or 1,048,576  bytes in decimal notation.  

Megahertz
 Megahertz is the unit used to measure the speed of a computer's processor (e.g. 2.8Ghz)  

Modem
 A modem is a device that allows computers to transmit information to each other via ordinary telephone lines.  

Online
 If a computer (or computer user) is online, it is currently  connected to a network or to the Internet. Online also refers to  resources and services available on the Internet - e.g. online banking,  online dictionary.  

Operating system
 An operating system (OS) is the software that manages all of a  computer's processes and allows programs and applications to run. The  most prominent operating system is Microsoft Windows. Others include Mac  OS X and Linux.  

PDF
 Portable document format (PDF) is a file type created by Adobe  Systems Inc. PDFs can be read using free software called Adobe Acrobat  Reader or another PDF reader.  

Phishing
 Phishing is a type of email fraud in which the perpetrator  sends out emails that appear to come from a legitimate service or  reputable company, such as a bank or an email service provider. These  emails aim to lure recipients to reveal confidential information that  the perpetrator can use for their financial advantage - for example,  online banking log-in details and passwords.

Plug-in
 A software plug-in is a component that adds to a software program's functionality.  

POP
A Post office protocol (POP) is an Internet protocol used by  your Internet service provider (ISP) to handle email. A POP account is  an email account. 

PPM
 Pages per minute (PPM) generally refers to the speed of a printer. 

Processor
 The processor is the brains of your computer. It is responsible  for performing calculations and tasks that make programs work. The  faster the processor, the faster the computer works.  

Protocol
 A protocol is a standard or set of rules that computers and other devices use when communicating with one another.  

RAM
 Random access memory (RAM) is usually referred to as a  computer's "memory" - it stores information used by programs. Generally,  the larger your computer's RAM, the more programs it can run at once  without slowing down.  

Read-only
 A read-only file cannot be edited, modified or deleted.  

Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of distinct pixels that make up  the display on a computer monitor. It is denoted in DPI (dots per inch).  The higher the resolution, the finer and smoother the images appear  when displayed at a given size. 

ROM
 ROM stands for read-only memory. It is the part of a computer's  memory that cannot be changed by a user. The contents of ROM remain  even when the computer is turned off.  

SAAS
 SAAS stands for software as a service. It is a software  distribution model whereby software applications are centrally hosted  and licensed on a subscription basis.  

Search engine
 A search engine enables a computer user to search information  on the Internet. It is a type of software that creates indexes of  databases or Internet sites based on the titles of files, keywords, or  the full text of files.  The most popular search engines are Google.com, Yahoo.com and Bing.co.  

SSL
 SSL, or secure sockets layer, is a protocol that allows  Internet users to send encrypted messages across the Internet. It is  generally used when transmitting confidential information (e.g. personal  data or credit card details). A web address that begins with "https"  indicates that an SSL connection is in use.  

SEO
 SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of making  adjustments to certain aspects of a website in an effort to improve its  ranking on search engines. 

Server
 A server is a computer that handles requests for data, email, file transfers, and other network services from other computers.  

Spam
 Spam refers to unsolicited email messages sent for marketing purposes.  

Unzip
 To unzip a zip file is to extract and decompress compressed  files from it. If you are sent a zip file via email, you will need to  unzip it before you can access the files inside it.  

URL
 A URL (unique resource locator) or web address is the string of  characters you type into a browser to access a particular website or  other resource on the Internet. (eg. http://www.quietechassociates.com )  

Viral
 If an online video, photo or article "goes viral", it experiences a sudden spike in popularity in a short period of time.  

Virus
 A virus is a piece of programming code inserted into other  programming to cause damage.  Viruses can be sent in many forms but are  often transmitted via email messages that, when opened, may erase data  or cause damage to your hard disk. Some viruses are able to enter your  email system and send themselves to other people in your list of  contacts.  

WEP
Wired equivalent privacy (WEP) is a security protocol used in  wi-fi networks. It is designed to provide a wireless local area network  (LAN) with a level of security similar to that of a regular wired LAN.  WEP-secured networks are usually protected by passwords. (See also WAP.)   

Wi-Fi
 Wi-Fi is a technology that allows computers and other devices  to communicate via a wireless signal. Essentially, it means you can  browse the internet without tripping over phone cords.   

WPA
 Wi-Fi protected access (WPA) is a security protocol used in  wi-fi networks.  It is an improvement on WEP because it offers greater  protection through more sophisticated data encryption.  

Zip
 To zip files is to archive and compress them into one file of  smaller size using a program such as WinZip. It's a handy way to make  files smaller before sending them via email. 

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