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Knowing the Language (Part 1: A to D)
Very often we assume we all know what it’s all about. Well, we’re not going to; we’re going to start right from basics.
Very often we assume we all know what it’s all about. Well, we’re not going to; we’re going to start right from basics.
The World of Computing
Bits and bytes from computing
Computing Articles Available
A-Z of Terms
3G
3rd generation of mobile phone standard that provides faster data transfer.
64-bit
A 64-bit computer when used with a compatible 64-bit operating system, can work with more memory than a standard model.
720p
A high definition TV format with image resolution of 1,280 pixels wide by 720 lines deep
3rd generation of mobile phone standard that provides faster data transfer.
64-
A high definition TV format with image resolution of 1,280 pixels wide by 720 lines deep
1080p
The highest quality HD video currently available
ADSL
Stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A technology that converts an ordinary household telephone line into an extremely fast internet connection -- around ten times faster than a regular 56K modem.
The highest quality HD video currently available
ADSL
Stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A technology that converts an ordinary household telephone line into an extremely fast internet connection -
Analogue
Signal whose value varies continuously over time. For example, when a person speaks, the sound wave is an analogue signal, varying smoothly as they talk. Analogue signal information differs from digital signals, which move sharply between fixed values. To help visualise this, consider the difference between an analogue watch face with sweeping hands and a digital watch display, which jumps from one number to the next.
App
Short for application, a small program designed to run on a phone or handheld computer, possibly a game or utility
AVI: A type of video file used by windows and usuall played using Windows Media Player.
Blog: An online journal or news site
Bluetooth
A technology that allows devices (computers, phones, printers, etc. ) to communicate with each other wirelessly.
Blu-ray: A new high-definition DVD format developed by Sony. Aimed mainly at serving the new high-definition TV market with cinema quality movies, a Blu-ray disc can hold nine hours of high-definition (HD) video and around 23 hours of standard-definition (SD) video on a 50GB disc.
Botnet: a group of infected PCs connected via the web
Broadband: Refers to high-bandwidth Internet connections, such as ADSL.
Browser: a program used to to view and interact with websites
Cookies: Text files generated by web-sites you visit and stored on your computer's hard disk. Cookies contain preferences and other information about your use of the sites, and are not harmful.
Defragment (or 'defrag')
To reorganise the data stored on a hard disk so that it can be accessed as quickly as possible by the computer. A fragmented disk can adversely affect system performance.
Signal whose value varies continuously over time. For example, when a person speaks, the sound wave is an analogue signal, varying smoothly as they talk. Analogue signal information differs from digital signals, which move sharply between fixed values. To help visualise this, consider the difference between an analogue watch face with sweeping hands and a digital watch display, which jumps from one number to the next.
App
Short for application, a small program designed to run on a phone or handheld computer, possibly a game or utility
AVI: A type of video file used by windows and usuall played using Windows Media Player.
Blog: An online journal or news site
Bluetooth
A technology that allows devices (computers, phones, printers, etc. ) to communicate with each other wirelessly.
Blu-
Botnet: a group of infected PCs connected via the web
Broadband: Refers to high-
Browser: a program used to to view and interact with websites
Cookies: Text files generated by web-
Defragment (or 'defrag')
To reorganise the data stored on a hard disk so that it can be accessed as quickly as possible by the computer. A fragmented disk can adversely affect system performance.
Digital
Unlike the smooth signal of analogue, digital information consists of discrete parts. An analogy would be a car's gearbox. A vehicle can be in first or second gear, but not first-
Dialogue Box
A window that pops up to display or request information
Domain Name
Unique name used to identify a website on the internet
Dongle: a device connected to a PC or laptop adding extended technology e.g. connecting to the Internet
Dual-
Driver
A program that allows Windows to communicate with a peripheral device
DVD: A type of disc able to store huge amounts of digital data, including full-
1. DVD: A disc able to store huge amounts of digital data, including full-length movies, with excellent-quality sound and pictures.
2. DVD RW: A rewritable version of the DVD-R format whose discs are compatible with most DVD players and DVD-ROM drives
3. DVD+R: One of the emerging recordable DVD standards. It uses DVD+RW disks that are designed to have data recorded on to them time and time again. Movies recorded on to DVD+RW disks are fully compatible with DVD players
4. DVD+RW : A rewritable version of the DVD+R format.
5. DVD-R: Standard for Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable format, or blank DVDs onto which information (such as data or music) can be recorded � but only once. Playable on most DVD players and DVD-ROM drives. You need a DVD-R drive to record onto DVD-R discs.
6. DVD-RAM: One of a number of competing standards for recordable DVD.DVD-RAM is really only of use in DVDRAM drives fitted in computers and some set-top DVD recorders.
7. DVD-ROM drive: These drives will play both CD-ROM and DVD discs. Huge amounts of data can be stored on one DVD disc, which looks just like a CD, including full-length movies, with excellent-quality sound and pictures.
8. DVD-RW : A rewritable version of the DVD-R format.
9. DVI (Digital Video Interface) : A video connection used on some TFT monitors and graphics cards that provides a purely digital connection between a PC and monitor. This gives a higher quality image than using a standard VGA connection.
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