Computer Jargon
& Internet Jargon Buster

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A: drive - otherwise known as your floppy disk drive.

Attachment - any kind of file that is added to an email.

Autoresponder - autoresponder software is a tool that sends you email automatically if you subscribe to a mailing list etc.

Bitmap - often shortened to .BMP - a type of image file that doesn't use compression and is hence very large in file size.

Bluetooth - a new communications protocol that enables electronic devices to communicate with one another without the need for cables or wires.

Browser - the software that enables you to view websites as text and graphics (e.g. Netscape, Internet Explorer).

BSOD - otherwise known as the "Blue Screen of Death" - this is a problem that sometimes causes your PC to freeze up for no reason and can only be unfrozen by turning off - hence "Screen of death!"

C: drive - otherwise known as your hard disk.

Cache - e certain kind of memory in your computer that "remembers" sites you've visited in the past so they load up quicker the next time you visit.

Cookie - a unique identifier that is stored on your computer after you have visited a website. The cookie remembers your personal settings and enables pages to be loaded quicker and relevant information to be shown.

Download - the process of transferring a file from the Internet to your computer. Website owners can use download speed improvement tools to decrease the time it takes for their pages to load up meaning you don't have to wait as long.

DVD - a Digital Versatile/Video Disc that is identical in size to a CD. Has digital quality sound and images.

Encryption - a coding method to flummox credit card fraudsters - can also be used when sending emails.

.exe - the file extension given to an executable file. Examples of this can include programs downloaded from the internet which require installation, games etc.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol - a method of data transfer between two places. You can FTP a file from your computer to webspace somewhere else using FTP software.

GB - Gigabyte - 1024Megabytes (MB).

HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language - the most common form of coding lnaguage that webpages are written in.

HTTP - hypertext transfer protocol - the method your browser uses to transfer the web page code onto your computer

Hyperlink - a particular piece of text or an image on a website that, when clicked on, takes you to a new location.

ISP - Internet Service Provider - the people who penable you to get on the internet e.g. BT, Freeserve, AOL etc.

Java - an advanced programming language for use with the web. Allows greater flexibility than HTML and more functionality.

KB - Kilobyte - 1024 bytes of data. A floppy disk can hold 1.44MB of data.

MB - Megabyte - 1024KB of data

Megahertz - the frequency modulation of a processor. The faster higher the frequency the faster the processor.

MPEG - a movie file

MS - Microsoft - abbreviation added onto the beginning of words to indicate that it is of Microsoft origin (most things these days!).

Napster - Music website that started out by letting surfers swap music files with each other for free. It's drove the record industry mad though so now you have to pay to download tracks. But at least it's legal! Visit www.napster.com to find out more.

Pixel - an individual dot on your monitor, thousands of which go together to form the whole picture.

Port - a "socket" at the back of your PC where you can attach a printer, scanner, mouse etc.

Protocol - a way or method. Eg. Communcation protocol - a way of communicating.

Qwerty - The name given to a particular type of keyboard setup - based on the first few letters of its top left row of keys.

Reload/Refresh - by clicking Refresh/Reload on a webpage you sill load up the latest version of that page rather than an older one that may be stored in your computer's cache.

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ROM - read only memory - examples included CD-ROMS, DVDs, etc. memory storage that cannot be overwritten - just read.

Secure Server - a special kind of storage space for webpages that are protected from hackers and the like. You can tell whether or not you are on a secure webserver by the Yellow padlock symbol being displayed in your browser. The address in the address bar may also change from http:// to https:// indicating "secure".

SMS - Short Messaging Service - the craze at the moment of sending short ext messages to other people via the Internet or your mobile phone.

Spam - Unsolicited email - one of the most irksome by-products of the Internet Age! Spam blocking software has been developed to stop the flood of spam emails.

"Blocking spam can save you lots of time as it means you don't have to keep deleting it from your Inbox!"

Spamoflage - The tactic people are using more and more when posting comments on the worldwide web to avoid being sent email by spammers.

URL - Universal Resource locator - also used as shorthand for "website address" - the address you see now in the address bar of your browser is the URL for Seniority.

USB - Universal Serial Bus - a type of connector on your PC which allows multiple devices to be attached to one another. Scanner and printers are examples of devices that can be attached to a USB port.

Vapourware - an idea for a product or service that never actually makes it beyond the planning stage before it "vapourises" into thin air.

VDU - Visual Display Unit i.e. your monitor.

WYSIWYG - Any type of application that uses the principal - What You See Is What You Get.

.ZIP - the extension given to zipped files. Using a software product called WinZIP files can be compacted to a fraction of their original size and then unzipped once the intended recipient has received them. The WinZIP software is available for free from their website

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