|
| 2Wire
Home Portal |
2Wire's comprehensive router which
acts as a Portal to
your Home network |
| |
| 2Wire
PC Port |
PC Port Phone line
USB Adapter used in conjunction with
2Wire Home Portal to provide
home networking. |
| |
| 4
miniDIN Female |
Used as the keyboard and mouse
port on Macintosh computers. |
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- A -
|
| AC
Adapter |
Electrical Power adapter that
converts AC Power and converts it to DC power. This type of power adapter is
frequently used on a laptop computer when it is not running off of its internal
battery |
| |
| Application |
A
software program or program package that makes calls to the
operating system and manipulates data and/or files, thus
allowing a user to perform a specific job (such as accounting or word
processing). |
| |
| ASCII |
American Standard Code for
Information Interchange is a data transmission method in which each character
is represented by a distinct 8 bit
code (example: A=65, B=66, C=67, etc.). Some ASCII characters are not
"printable" characters and are used to control communications between devices
and/or computers. |
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- B -
|
| Bandwidth |
Carrying capacity of a circuit,
usually measured in bits per second for digital circuits, hertz (cycles) for
analog circuits.fff |
| |
| Binary |
Numbering system using only zeros
and ones that all digital computers are based on. |
| |
| BIOS |
(Basic Input/Output System)
Contains the basic instructions for the PC to handle devices. |
| |
| Bit |
A unit of data representing either
a one or a zero. Combined, 8 bits make up a
byte, which is the common unit of measure for storage in a
computer. |
| |
| Broadband |
Characteristic of any network that
multiplexes multiple, independent network carriers on a single cable. Traffic
from one network does not interfere with traffic from another network because
they communicate on different frequencies (similar to TV channels and radio
stations). |
| |
| Buffer |
A temporary holding place for data
while it is being transferred between two or more devices and/or computers. |
| |
| Byte |
8 bits of data. The byte is the
most common unit of measure for storage in a computer system. Each character
(see ASCII) takes up
one byte of storage.
Mass storage is usually measured by powers of 2 in KB (KiloBytes, 1KB = 1,024
bytes), MB (MegaBytes, 1MB = 1,048,576 bytes), GB (GigaBytes, 1GB =
1,073,741,824 bytes), TB (TeraBytes, 1TB = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes). These mass
storage amounts are typycally rounded to thousands |
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- C -
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| Cache |
High speed memory that holds
blocks of data that is currently being worked on, designed to minimize the
amount of time that is used to access data from a slower device.
CPU's use cache to minimize the time spent accessing the much
slower RAM.
Hard disks use cache memory to minimize the time that it takes
to access frequently used (and much slower) hard disk data. |
| |
| CD-R |
CD-R stands for
Compact Disk Recordable. CD-R's allow you to record onto
compact disks (CD-R type). |
| |
| CD-ROM |
Optical storage medium used to
hold up to 800MB of data. |
| |
| CD-RW |
CD-RW stands for
Compact Disk ReWritable. CD-RW's allow you to record onto and
overwrite compact disks
(CD-RW type). |
| |
| Character |
Group of 8
bits operated on as a unit. Also called a
byte or octet. |
| |
| Circuit |
Any path that can carry an
electrical current. |
| |
| CMOS |
(Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor) Commonly refers to the chip that is the official record of
components installed. CMOS is a type of low power usage memory that retains
data when the power is turned off, as long the battery supplying electricity is
connected and charged. |
| |
| Compression |
Method of compacting data into a
smaller number of bits for more efficient transmission or storage. |
| |
| CPU |
Central Processing Unit - The chip
at the heart of every PC. This is where all calculations are performed. |
| |
| CRT |
Cathode Ray Tube is the standard
technology for computer monitors.
A CRT fires 3 scanning beams of electrons (red, green and blue) at the front of
the glass screen, which is covered with a phosphorus compound, causing it to
light text and images. |
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- D -
|
| Decryption |
Unscrambling encrypted data.
Requires a "key" or "code" to unlock the data and present it in a readable
form. |
| |
| Dial-Up |
Dial-up connections are used by
traditional modems to
connect your computer to other computers or the Internet.
Dial-up connections may operate at download speeds
up to 56Kbps (56,000 bits per second), and upload
speeds up to 33Kbps. |
| |
| Download |
Downloading is the process where
files are transferred to your computer from a
host computer (typically over the
Internet. |
| |
| Driver |
(Device Driver) A block of code
tailored to control a specific hardware peripheral (i.e. video card, sound
card) |
| |
| DSL |
Digital Subscriber Lines are used
for high speed (up to 1.2Mbit per second)
Internet connections. DSL lines are typically 2 to over 20
times faster than conventional dial-up
connections. |
| |
| DVD |
DVD's are similar to
compact disks, with the exception that they are double sided,
unlike traditional CD's.
They also store data at a much higher density. |
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- E -
|
| Encryption |
Scrambling data into a format that
is undecipherable to anyone that does not possess the decryption key. |
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- F -
|
| Floppy |
Typically a 3.5" micro diskette
with 1.44MB storage capacity. |
| |
| FTP |
File Transfer Protocol is
typically used to move files between computers over the
Internet. |
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- H -
|
| Hard
Disk |
Non-volatile
storage for programs and data. |
| |
| Home
Network |
A group or
network of computers within your home sharing devices (Printers)
or documents (Disk Drives). These may be connected by a physical wire (Phone
line) or by a wireless network. |
| |
| Home
Portal |
2Wire's comprehensive router which
acts as a Portal to
your Home network |
| |
| HPNA |
Home Portal Network Adaptor also
none as a 2Wire PC Port.The HPNA, in combination with 2Wires family of
HomePortal residential gateways, represents a complete solution for high-speed
internet sharing. Using the PC Port with a 2Wire HomePortal allows you to share
Internet access throughout your home via your phone line. |
| |
| HTTP |
HyperText Transfer Protocol is the
most common way information is transferred and displayed over the
Internet. |
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- I -
|
| Install |
Installing is a means of adding
something to your computer. Installation is the process you must take to move a
program from its host (usually a CD
or floppy disk) to
your computer. |
| |
| Internet |
Often referred to as the "World
Wide Web", the internet connects millions of computers together, allowing you
to chat with fellow users, download
software, do research, read news and entertainment and more. |
| |
| ISP |
Internet
Service Providers allow you the link to access to the
Internet through dial-up,
DSL,
cable or satellite
connections. |
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- J -
|
| Joystick |
Joysticks are typically used as
interfaces that allow you to interact with games more effectively than with a
keyboard (flying, moving, aiming, etc.). |
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- K -
|
| Kernel |
The core of an
operating system that is responsible for managing system
resources. |
| |
| Keyboard |
A keyboard is what you use to type
information. It is similar to the typewriter. Shortkeys on your keyboard help
to speed you through programs and your
operating system with tremendous ease. Standard keyboards have
104 keys. Some keyboards come with added features and buttons, and many are
designed ergonomically for comfort. |
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- L -
|
| LAN |
A Local Area Network is a system
that links computers together to form a network, usually with a wire-based
cabling scheme. LAN's connect personal computers and electronic office
equipment, enabling users to communicate, share resources such as data storage
and printers, and access remote hosts or other networks. |
| |
| Laptop
Computer |
A portable personal computer also
referred to as a notebook computer. Usually is easily able to be used on your
lap and does not require an electrical connection. |
| |
| LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display uses a
high-density matrix of small squares in a very thin layer to display
information. It is usually the monitor for a laptop. |
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- M -
|
| MBps |
Megabits (Million Bits) per
second. A measurement of data transfer rate measuring how fast the data can
move in one second. For example, 12 Mbps would be a transfer rate of 12 million
bits in each second. |
| |
| Modem |
The sole purpose of a modem (MOdulator/DEModulator)
is to connect your computer to the outside world. A Modem is hooked up through
your phone line and is capable of dialing another computer, connecting to the
Internet or making phone calls. A modem is a bridge between
digital (computer type) and analog (phone type) signals. More advanced modems
are used for DSL, cable and satellite connections. Modems may be internal
(inside the computer) or external. |
| |
| Monitor |
Monitors look like small TV
screens, although monitors typically are of much higher
resolution, and provide a viewing space. Some monitors (such as
in laptops) are based on LCD
displays instead of using a CRT. |
| |
| Motherboard |
Main system board. Typically
contains slots for peripheral devices, CPU,
RAM,
video. |
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- N -
|
| Non-Volatile |
Storage (hard
disk, cd-rom,
tape,
floppy, etc.) that does not change when the power is turned
off, unlike volatile
storage that is erased when the power is off. |
| |
| Notebook
Computer |
See
Laptop Computer |
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| Top |
- O -
|
| Operating
System |
Your operating system is the
overall program that your machine uses to function, catalog information and
connect you to programs, fonts, and system resources. |
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- P -
|
| PCI |
Peripheral Component Interconnects
give you high-speed connections between your CPU and its devices. PCI slots can
be 32 or 64 bits wide and can transfer data up to 133MB per second. |
| |
| Portal |
An entry point. With a home
network this is the connecting point for all related hardware. On the World
Wide Web (WWW) this often refers to search programs. |
| |
| Printer |
Printers are used to transfer
information (text, graphics, etc.) from within your computer to paper,
transparencies, slides, etc. |
| |
| Processor |
See
CPU. |
| |
| Protocol |
The set of rules that allow
computers to connect with one another, specifying the format, timing,
sequencing and error checking for data transmission. |
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- Q -
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| Query |
The process of extracting data
from a database and presenting it for use. |
| |
| Queue |
A line or list formed by items
waiting for service, such as documents waiting to be printed, tasks waiting to
be performed, stations waiting for connection or messages waiting for
transmission. |
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- R -
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| RAM |
Random Access Memory - The
temporary scratchpad area used by the CPU
to perform calculations. |
| |
| Router |
A device which forwards/routes
data flow between and within a network. |
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- S -
|
| Scanner |
A device used to take a "picture"
of a document or photo and convert it to a graphic image file inside your
computer. |
| |
| SCSI |
Small Computer Systems Interface
is a means to connect components to your computer. Often called "scuzzy", these
are ports that allow you to add internal devices (hard
disks, CD-ROM's,
etc.) and external devices (scanners,
printers, etc.). |
| |
| Serial
Port |
Serial ports are used for
non-demanding communications between your computer and other external devices
(example: modems,
printers, digital
cameras, etc.). Serial ports operate at speeds up to 115Kbps
(115,000 bits per second). |
| |
| Software |
Software is a portable medium that
you can install on your machine. Software is transported by
floppy disk, compact
disk and is downloadable from the
Internet. Once installed, the program will typically run
independently of the disk or CD. |
| |
| Sound
Card |
Sound cards allow you to hear
sounds associated with programs and play music (CD's,
MP3's,
MIDI files). Typically, sound cards also allow you to record
music and plug in game devices (example:
joysticks). |
| |
| Storage |
Storage is where computers keep
your files and data. Storage is usually classified as
volatile (example: memory or
RAM) or more typically
non-volatile (example:
hard disk).
|
| |
| Surge
Protection |
The process to reduce voltage
surges that may occur as a result of lighting or a power supply surge which can
produce more than twice the voltage normally expected from the power source. |
| |
| Surge
Protector |
A device between your computer and
the power source which controls power surges. |
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| Top |
- T -
|
| Tape |
Sequential mass storage device. |
| |
| Trojan
Horse |
A computer program that carries
within itself a means to allow the program's creator access to the system using
it. A Trojan normally will not do any damage by itself. |
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| Top |
- U -
|
| Upload |
Uploading is the process where
files are transferred from your computer to a
host computer (typically over the
Internet. |
| |
| URL |
Universal Resource Locators are
the addresses you use to find sites on the
Internet. A URL typically is made up of the protocol (example:
http, ftp,
etc.), a prefix (example: www, support, etc.), and a domain name (example:
yahoo.com). Some URL's also contain page names and other parameters after the
domain name (example: index.htm). |
| |
| USB |
Universal Serial Bus ports are
similar to standard serial
ports, except that they are faster and take up less memory to
operate. It is a standard bus type for all kinds of devices including mice,
scanners, digital cameras, printers, and others. It supports 12 Mbps transfer
rate. It is also a "Hot swappable" device, which can be connected and
disconnected while computer is on. |
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- V -
|
| Video |
Source of video signal for the
monitor, may be an add-on board, or built right into the
motherboard. |
| |
| Virus |
A program that, when loaded,
infects, alters or destroys other programs and/or data. Some virus programs
cause major problems, while others are nothing more than an annoyance. |
| |
| Volatile |
Storage (cache,
RAM,
etc.) that is erased when the power is turned off. |
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- W -
|
| WAP |
Wireless Access Point is a device
which allows the connection of laptop
and other computers on a network over radio waves. |
| |
| Wireless
networking |
A computer network connected by
radio instead of a physical connection. |
| |
| Worm |
A computer program which
replicates itself and is self-propagating. Worms, as opposed to
viruses, are meant to spawn in network environments. Worms are
usually designed to slow down a network, or even crash it. |
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| Top |
- Y -
|
| Y-Adapter |
Connecting plug to connect two
network or telephone wires to one wire. |
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| Top |
- Z -
|
| Zip
Drive |
A Zip® drive (by Iomega) is a
removable media that stores data (similar to a
floppy disk). As of this printing, Zip drives come in 100MB and
250MB capacities. |
| |
| Zip
File |
A Zip file contains one or more
files in a highly compressed
format. An "unzip" program (example: WINZIP®) is required to use the file(s)
that the zip file contains. |