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Computer Babble Glossary |
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Our
technicians try to speak your language. Unfortunately,
sometimes, words in geek speak slip out. Hopefully, this
glossary will help you decode what they are saying if
they accidentally get bilingual.
AVG - AVG is the best free antivirus program for home users out there. If you have nothing else, install AVG. Download the AVG guide.
A/V*: An
abbreviation for "audio/visual" that usually pertains to
stereo equipment. |
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Broadband: An internet connection that is faster than
dialup. Some types of broadband include DSL, Cable
Internet, T1 and T3 lines. Browser: A browser is a program that allows you to navigate the internet. Examples of a browser are, Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator and Crazy Browser. Also called a web browser. Buffer: Memory used to hold data while it is being processed. A buffer is an important consideration when buying a hard drive. Also called a cache. Burn: To burn or burning is when you copy information from your computer onto a CD or DVD. It is called burning because the information is burned onto the disk. Bus: The Bus is part of the motherboard. The BUS is the path that information travels on. It is the freeway. Byte: Bytes are used to measure the size of a file or the amount of storage space. A byte is 8 bits. Cable Internet: A alternative to DSL or dial-up internet that comes through the same cable your television cable comes through. It is a broadband connection. Cache*: Memory used to hold data while it is being processed. A buffer is an important consideration when buying a hard drive. Also called a buffer. Calc: The Open Office spread sheet program. Capacity: Capacity is another word for the amount of storage space on a given device. CD: CD stands for Compact Disc. Holds almost 500x the information of a floppy disk. CDROM: A CDROM allows importing information from another source onto your computer. Most programs are on CDROM. You can only read the cd's with this drive. CD Burner or Writer: CD burner allows to you burn your own information on a cd as well as allows you to read and copy information from another source. Also called a CDRW*. CD burner is not a no-no word. CDR: CDR is an abbreviation for the physical CD you burn information onto. CDRW* (CD Burner): CDRW* or CD burner allows you to burn your own information on a cd as well as allows copy information from another source. (CD Burner is not a No-No Word) Chipset: A set of electronic parts that are core technology that mediates the communication of computer parts. On the motherboard they act as the traffic cop of your entire computer. Chkdsk: Chkdsk is like a physical for your computer. Chkdsk checks your system files for errors. It tells you if you may have damage and need to run more tests. If you don't run Chkdsk you won't know that there is damage to a file, that damage causes quirky problems. Also known as scandisk for users of Windows 98 & ME. Closed Source (Software): Closed source software is a program which is not able to be modified. Compaq: Compaq is a computer manufacture. They make poor quality or substandard computers. Cookies: Cookies are small files created to simplify accessing a website more than once. Cookies sometimes store passwords, user names, ip addresses, and email addresses. CPU: Is the brain of the computer, which controls the flow information. Helps determine the perceived "Speed" of the computer. This determines how quickly applications can run. It is headquarters. Also, called a Processor. Definitions: When a new virus or spyware is created, scanning companies create "definitions" to so that the scanning software can detect a new virus or spyware. Defragment: Defragment is the process in which files that are scattered around a hard drive are organized and put in places that make it easier for your computer to find. This process is similar to a parent picking up all of his/her child's toys and putting them in the toy box. This is done to make a computer seem faster and to make efficient use of hard drive space. Dell: Dell is a computer manufacture. Their business style often misleads or takes advantage of uneducated consumers. Disc Clean-up: Disc cleanup removes files which are no longer needed by windows, this includes temporary internet files (pictures and cookies), installation files (left behind by sloppy install programs), and clears the recycle bin. Drivers: A driver is a program that controls a device. A driver acts like a translator between the device and programs that use the device. Every device, whether it be a printer, disk drive, or keyboard, must have a driver program. DSL: DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It is a popular broadband connection. DVD: DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc, or Digital Video Disc. Disc which holds more than 6x the data that a cd can hold. DVD's are most commonly used for movies. DVDROM: Like a CDROM only it can read DVDs and CDs and can play dvd movies on your computer. DVDRW*: is like a CD Burner only can also burn DVD's. There are several formats DVD writers can write in and read in. You want to read and write in all those formats. Sometimes called a DVD Writer or Burner. DVD Burner or Writer: is like a CD Burner only can also burn DVD's. There are several formats DVD writers can write in and read in. You want to read and write in all those formats. Sometimes called a DVDRW*. DVD Writer or Burner is not a no-no word. Email: Email is short for Electronic Mail. An Email is an electronic letter, sent over the internet, to an email address (bob@computers.com). Email client: An email client is a program used to view email. Outlook and Outlook Express are both email client. Epson: Epson is a printer manufacturer. Ethernet Cable: Ethernet Cable is the cable run from a DSL or Cable Modem to a router and/or a computer. Ethernet Card: A card that allows you to talk between computers. It also is necessary if you want to have DSL or cable internet. Also called an NIC card or a Network card. Eudora: Eudora is a free email client. It is more secure than Outlook and Outlook Express. Excel: Microsoft's spreadsheet program. Firefox: Firefox is a free, high quality web browser. Firewall: A firewall protects your computer and your information from someone on the Internet trying to get in. There are two types of firewalls; hardware and software. Software: A software firewall is absolutely necessary if you have either DSL or Cable Internet. It prevents hackers from breaking into your computer and stealing passwords, documents, and other private information. Hardware: If you have a router to connect multiple computers to the internet, it has a hardware firewall which is a good compliment to a software firewall. . Floppy drive: A floppy drive allows for storage outside of the computer as well as importing information from another source. Floppy drives are quickly being replaced by CD ROM drives. The largest computer makers no longer offer floppy drives and usually are unnecessary. Freeware: Freeware is software for which the creator doesn't charge. There are several freeware alternatives to pay programs. Fujitsu: Fujitsu is a hard drive manufacturer. We recommend Fujitsu hard drives. Games: For the purposes of this class a game is a video game played on your computer. Low end games need no additions to your stock computer. A high end game might need a new video card, processor or more RAM. Gigabyte (GB): another unit of measurement stored on a computer. 1024 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte. If a megabyte is an ant, than a gigabyte is an elephant. Gigahertz (GHz): The unit of measurement for speed commonly used for a processor. If a megahertz is a turtle than a gigahertz is a cheetah. Graphic's Card: Makes 3d objects appear or move faster on the screen. You should consider a video card not onboard to your motherboard if you thing you will upgrade to the next version of windows (2005) or play high end games. Also called a video card. Hacker: For the purposes of this class a hacker is a person or persons who tries or does electronically break into your computer and steals information or harms your computer. Hard drive or hard disk: A hard drive is where information is permanently stored. It is usually the slowest part in your computer. You should buy the fastest, not necessarily the largest you can. It is the Home of all information. Hardware: Hardware is the tangible, physical parts in your computer. Some hardware parts include your hard drive, your mother board and your CDROM drive. Intel: Intel is a processor and chip set manufacturer. Internet Security Software: Internet security software is software that protects from various types of malware and several different internet threats. Most internet security software includes a software firewall, virus scanner, sometimes a spyware scanner and protects from numerous other internet threats including worms, and Trojan horses. We recommend Norton Internet Security and Zone Alarm security suite. Internet Threat*: A threat (as defined below) that comes directly or indirectly from the internet. This includes hackers, Trojan horses, email viruses, worms, and website viruses. Threat: For the purposes of this class a threat is any harmful program, virus, worm, etc. that attacks, infects or interferes with the performance of your computer. A program that uses your computer to commit illegal or harmful acts with out interfering directly with the performance of your computer is also a threat. ISP: ISP is an acronym for Internet Service Provider. An internet service provider is a company that allows you to connect to the internet. Some examples of an ISP are America Online, Net Zero, or People PC. Kilobits: Kilobit is a 1,000 times a bit. If often is used to describe the speed of broadband internet connections. LAN: LAN is an acronym for Local Area Network. A LAN is a computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to a single building or group of buildings. Laptop: A laptop is a small self contained computer which is small enough to be carried easily. Also called a laptop computer, notebook computer or a notebook. Lexmark: Lexmark is a printer company. We don't suggest you buy a Lexmark printer. Machine: Machine is geek speak for computer. Malware: Malware is software designed specifically to damage or disrupt a computer, such as a virus or a Trojan horse. Maxtor: Maxtor is a hard drive manufacturer. We recommend their hard drives. McAfee: McAfee makes expensive, low quality, virus scanning software. We have one thing to say about McAfee-NO! Megabyte (MB): A Megabyte is a unit of measurement used to describe information stored on a computer. 1024 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte. If a megabyte is an ant, than a gigabyte is an elephant. Megahertz (MHz): The unit of measurement for speed commonly used for a processor. If a megahertz is a turtle than a gigahertz is a cheetah. Modem: A modem is a devise in your computer used to connect to the internet. Monitor: A monitor is the screen that you interact with when using your computer. Motherboard: The part of a computer that the rest of the physical parts plug into. Chipsets: A set of electronic parts that are core technology that mediates the communication of computer parts. On the motherboard they act as the traffic cop of your entire computer. BUS: The Bus is part of the motherboard. The BUS is the path that information travels on. It is the freeway. Mozilla: Mozilla is an organization dedicated to creating free, secure software. They make Firefox web browser and Thunderbird email client. MS: MS is an abbreviation for Microsoft. Network Card: A network card that allows you to talk between computers. It also is necessary if you want to have DSL or cable internet. Also called an NIC card or a Ethernet card. NIC Card: A card that allows you to talk between computers. It also is necessary if you want to have DSL or cable internet. Also called an Ethernet card or a network card. Norton: Norton is a high quality computer security software company. They make Norton Anti-Virus, Norton Internet Security, and Norton Personal Firewall. Notebook Computer: A notebook computer is a small self contained computer which is small enough to be carried easily. Also called a laptop computer, a laptop or a notebook. NVidia: NVidia is a manufacturer of video cards and motherboard chip sets. We recommend both. Open Office: Open is a free suite of programs. In the suite is a word processor, a spreadsheet program and many other programs. It is a free alternative to Microsoft Office. Open Source (Software): Open source software is a program which is able to be modified. Office Suite Software: Office suite software is a collection of software primarily made for offices. They usually include a word processor, a spreadsheet program and a database program. Microsoft Office, Word Perfect Office and Open office are office suite software. Opera: Opera is a web browser. Operating System: An operating system is the program that all of the other programs on your computer run off of. It is like a motherboard for software. OS*: OS is an acronym for Operating System. Patch: A patch is a small program designed to fix a problem in another program. Patches are often release for Microsoft Windows and also for most other programs in general. Patches are sometimes called updates. Pegasus: Pegasus is a free, secure email client. Photo Editing Software: Photo software modifies or enhances photographs. Examples: Ms Picture Editor (Simplistic, included with Windows), Photo Deluxe (easy to learn, affordable), Photosuite (easy to learn, affordable), Paintshop Pro (not as easy to learn but not too difficult, affordable), Adobe Photoshop (fast processor, excellent program, not easy to figure out on your own, designed for professional photographers, expensive.) Processor: The processor is the brain of the computer. It controls the flow information. Helps determine the perceived "Speed" of the computer. This determines how quickly applications can run. It is headquarters. Also, called a CPU. Proprietary: A proprietary part is a piece of hardware specifically designed for one company's computers. A consequence of proprietary parts is higher cost to replace. Manufacturers such as Dell and Compaq use proprietary parts. RAM (memory): Random Access Memory. Temporary storage of information. The more, the better. There are two basic kinds of RAM, ddr and ddr2. DDR2 is not fast enough to justify the increased cost so we suggest DDR. We suggest asking for DDR 400 (just a high speed rating). It is information's workspace and the more you have the more workers you can fit in their space. Router: A router is a device which can allow more than one computer to a broadband connection. It also works as a hardware firewall. RPM: RPM is an acronym for rotations per minutes. It is used to describe the speed at which a hard drive spins. RW*: RW stands for Re-writeable. This is used when discussing CD Burners and DVD Burners. Scandisk: Scandisk is like a physical for your computer. Scandisk checks your system files for errors. It tells you if you may have damage and need to run more tests. If you don't run scandisk you won't know that there is damage to a file, that damage causes quirky problems. Also known as CHKDSK for users of Windows XP & 2000. Screenshot: A screenshot is a picture of a certain screen on your computer. For instance, if you always get an error, you can take a screenshot and take it to your technician for more information. Search engine: A search engine is a website that searches the rest of the internet for a topic of your choosing. Some examples of a search engine are www.google.com, www.savvy.com, and www.askjeeves.com. Ship: In geek speak ship means to make a computer then send it out. "They won't ship a computer with a floppy drive." Software: Software is all the programs, such as Microsoft Word, and other non-tangible things, such as drivers, on your computer. Sound Card: A sound card makes sounds sound more real. Speaker: A speaker is a small device that allows you to hear the audio coming from your computer. Spindle Speed*: Eric's way of explaining how fast a hard drive spins. Spread Sheet: A spread sheet program is designed to collect and organize data. Most spread sheet programs can also do simple and/or complex calculations. Examples: Excel (included in most MS Office packages), MS Works, Open Office spread sheet, Coral Word Perfect Office. Spybot: Spybot is a spyware scanning program. Spyware: Spyware is a program on your computer that is usually downloaded that tracks your internet use or steals personal information and sends it back to its home base or maker so it can send you pop-us and spam. If you spend more time closing pop-ups than using the internet you probably have spyware. Spyware Scanner: A spyware scanner checks your computer for spyware and removes it. Start-up programs: Startup programs are programs which start when you turn on your computer, whether you need them or not. You see them in the lower right hand corner of your computer. System*: System is geek speak for computer. Temporary Internet Files: Temporary internet files are small files that allow your computer to revisit a website with out having to reload all of the information each time. Threat: For the purposes of this class a threat is any harmful program, virus, worm, etc. that attacks, infects or interferes with the performance of your computer. A program that uses your computer to commit illegal or harmful acts with out interfering directly with the performance of your computer is also a threat. Internet Threat: A threat (as defined above) that comes directly or indirectly from the internet. This includes hackers, Trojan horses, email viruses, worms, and website viruses. Trojan Horse: A program that allows someone normally not authorized access to your computer. Trojan horses sneak in through unprotected broadband connections. Trojan horses are one of several reasons that a software and hardware fireware are necessary. Updates: Updates are usually enhancements to existing programs. Virus scanning and spyware scanning software update to keep up to date on the latest viruses and spyware. User: User is geek speak for a person who uses a computer but doesn't know how their computer works. Video Card: Makes 3d objects appear or move faster on the screen. You should consider a video card not onboard to your motherboard if you thing you will upgrade to the next version of windows (2005) or play high end games. Also called a graphics card. Virus: A virus is a program with nefarious purposes. It can steal passwords, bank records, even your social security number if it is on your computer. It can screw up your operating system and now it can send itself to other people. Some viruses use your computer to attack other companies. Virus Scanner: A virus scanner is a program that scans your computer for known viruses and tries to prevent infection from other viruses. In most cases it can remove infections. Web Browser: A web browser is a program that allows you to navigate the internet. Examples of a browser are, Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Crazy Browser, Firefox and Opera. Also called a browser. Western Digital: Western Digital makes hard drives. We do not recommend that you buy a Western Digital Hard Drive. Wi-Fi*: Wi-Fi is an abbreviation for wireless internet connection allows computers to connect to the internet through to a network with out cables. Wireless Internet Connection: A wireless internet connection allows computers to connect to the internet through to a network with out cables. Also called Wi-Fi*. Word Processor: A word processor is a program in which you create letters or other documents. Examples: MS Word (included in most MS Office packages), MS Works, WordPerfect, Open Office word processor. Worm: A worm is a form of malware which infects your computer directly through your internet connection designed to suck up all the bandwidth and create disturbances in the internet. Zone Alarm: Zone Alarm makes virus scanning software and internet security software. |
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