Technology Terms

• Adobe 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.
• 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 is a conventional method of transmitting data.
• 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 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)
• Back-end refers to the part of an application that performs an essential task not apparent to the user.
• Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can travel a communications path in a given time, usually measured in seconds
• A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of measurement in computing. 8 bits make up 1 byte.
• 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.
• A bookmark is a saved link to a particular Web page. Microsoft Internet Explorer denotes bookmarks as "favourites."
• Boolean operators use words such as "and", "or" and "not"
• Boot (or re-boot) is to load and initialise the operating system on a computer
• 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
• A browser is a software program that allows you to surf the web
• Cache - meaning it is temporarily stored on your computer.
• Computer-aided design (CAD) is a type of software that allows users to create 2D and 3D design and modelling
• A chip is a microprocessor that performs many functions and calculations that make your computer run.
• Cloud computing refers to the storing and accessing of data and programs over the Internet instead of on another type of hard drive.
• Compression is the reduction of the size of a file
• Cookie is used to keep track of the user's usage patterns and preferences.
• Cybersecurity refers to measures designed to protect your computer, device or network. This involves preventing unintended and unauthorised access, change and damage.
• Device driver is a small program that allows a peripheral device such as a printer or scanner to connect to your PC
• Domain is a set of computers on a network that are managed as a unit
• 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 stands for Digital Video
• Email is a way of sending messages over the internet
• Encryption is the process of converting electronic data to an unrecognisable or encrypted form, one that cannot be easily understood by unauthorised parties.
• Ethernet is the most common way of connecting computers on a network with a wired connection.
• 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.
• File transfer protocol (FTP) is a common method of transferring files via the internet from one host to another host
• Gateway is a point within a network that interconnects with other networks.
• Hard disk is the physical place where a computer stores information - applications and files
• Internet is a set of interconnected networks that allow computers in different locations to exchange information.
• An internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides access to the Internet
• Intranet is basically a private, internal internet
• A local area network (LAN) is a system that connects computers and other devices that share a common communications line
• Malware is developed to do harm to other computers.
• Megabyte - measure of processor, Megahertz - speed of processor
• Modem is a device that allows computers to transmit information to each other via ordinary telephone lines
• Phishing is a type of email fraud in which the perpetrator sends out emails that appear to come from a legitimate service