PDA

View Full Version : Computer Acronyms


Drone_pilot
26-11-05, 15:04
A: drive - otherwise known as your floppy disk drive.

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

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 - a 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.

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
language 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 enable 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!).

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 will load
up the latest version of that page rather than an older one that may be stored in your computer's cache.

ROM - read only memory - examples include 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 text 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!

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

Sc0rp10n
11-06-07, 04:15
BSOD is "blue screen of death", meaning that you're MS OS crashed, the BSOD itself gives us the info to solve the problem. A FREEZE is when the computer totally freezes, not giving any BSOD, nor do you have to possibility to use the keyboard or mouse. This is mostly due to defective hardware.

A PORT can also be software... a predetermined set of rules called a protocol can only communicate through a specific port number to carry out various functions. eg. FTP uses port 23, HTTP uses port 80 to request the webpage.


check out http://www.whatis.com/ for an online IT dictionary containing all the acronyms out there...