Android - An operating system for portable devices and mobile phones.
App - A small program designed to run on a phone or handheld computer.
DRM - Digital Rights Management. Software that limits the copying of a file.
Operating System - Governs the way hardware and software components in a computer work together.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) - A standard that allows quick and easy connection of external peripherals such as storage devices to your PC. Faster versions are USB2 and USB3. Devices can be added or removed while your computer is switched on.
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) - Technology that converts a standard phone line into a broadband internet
connection.
Bluetooth - A technology that allows devices to communicate wirelessly over short distances.
Cable - Shorthand for cable TV and associated services.
Dialogue box - A window that pops up to display or request information.
DNS (Domain Name System) - A technology that associates PC’s with their addresses on the internet.
Double-click - To quickly press and release a mouse button - almost always the left button-twice in rapid succession.
Encryption - The science of scrambling data so it can only be read with the required key or code.
Ethernet - A standard used for almost all wired computer networks.
Firewall - Software or hardware that prevents computers over networks, intruding into your network.
Firmware - Basic software stored on a device, such as a music player, to control its operation.
GHz (Gigahertz) - A measure of how many instructions a chip can process per second.
Hotspot - A public area covered by a wireless network that allows you to access the internet, either free or for a fee.
IP address (Internet Protocol Address) - A number used to identify a computer on a network.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides users with an internet connection.
MAC Address - A unique code that identifies any network adapter. A laptop PC might have one MAC for its wired network socket and another for wireless.
Network - A way of connecting several computers and devices so they can share information.
Open source - Software that is developed, released to and used by the public, free of charge as an alternative to software from large companies.
Port - A numbered channel through which a PC communicates with the internet. There are 65,535 and many applications have their own dedicated port.
Router - A device used to connect more that one computer to the internet.
Server - A computer on a network, such as the internet, that distributes information to other PCs.
Wi-Fi - An umbrella term of various standards for wireless networking.
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - Secure protection for wireless networks.
Hard disk - A high-capacity disk fitted in almost all PCs and used to store data.
HDMI (High definition media interface) - A type of connection that transmits high-definition video.
Inkjet printer - A type to printer that create documents by squirting tiny dots of ink onto the page.
Laser printer - A type of printer that creates documents using a laser beam and powdered ink called toner.
MB (Megabytes) - A measure of storage capacity.
Mbits/sec (Megabits per second) - A measure of data transfer speed, often used to measure broadband.
Mega pixel - A measure of the amount of detail that can be recorded by a digital image.
Memory - The computer’s temporary storage area, usually measured in gigabytes (GB).
Memory card - Small plastic cards that can be used by a computer, digital camera or other device to store files or photos.
MHz (Megahertz) - A measure of speed used for memory and some older processors.
Modem - An outdated device that allows two computers to communicate via a phone line.
Optical zoom - Magnifying the size of an image by physically adjusting the camera’s lens elements.
Processor - The chip that is the ‘brain’ of a computer.
.pst - A type of file used to store emails.
Tablet - A type of laptop PC with a touch-sensitive screen.
3G/4G/5G - Mobile phone technology that allows fast mobile internet access.
720p/1080p/4k/8k/3D - Common resolutions of high-definition video.
Blu-ray - A type of optical disc used to store high-definition films, or up to 50GB of files.
Browser (Short for Web Browser) - A program used to view and interact with websites.
Broadband - Digital media delivered via an internet provider, such as Starlink.
Cookie - A file stored on your PC, used to store browsing preferences, log-in details and more.
Desktop - The background area of Windows where icons can be shown.
DLNA - A standard for devices that stream audio or video over a network.
Driver - A file that tells Windows how to work with a peripheral device.
GPS (Global Positioning System) - A network of satellites to determine the precise position of anything on the surface of or above planet earth.
QWERTY keyboard - The standard English keyboard layout, so called because the first six letters on the top row of the keyboard are QWERT and Y.
Sim -- Subscriber Identity Module. The smart card used by all digital mobile phones.
Smartphone - A modern phone with computer functions on which users can install programs.
Solid state A device, such as a memory card, which has no internal moving parts.
Stream - Audio or video material that can be played as it is downloaded.
Switch - Allows more that one PC to be connected to a wired network.
Tablet PC - A type of laptop PC with a touch-sensitive screen instead of a keyboard.
Toolbar - A strip of icons that runs across the top of most Windows applications.
Touchpad - A small, touch-sensitive pad that acts as an alternative to a mouse on some computers.
Virus - A malicious computer program designed to cause annoyance or damage to data.
Wizard - A step-by-step process that helps you choose settings.
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) - An easy way to make a wireless connection between a device and your router.
Backup - A second copy of valued files, kept in case the originals should be damaged.
Bios (Basic Input Output System) - Essential software built into every PC that connects the vital components.
Codec - A file that tells a computer how to record or play a type of media file.
Copy and paste - Copying information from one place and pasting it elsewhere.
Desktop - The background area of Windows where icons can be shown.
Drag and drop - To move an item on screen by clicking it, holding the left mouse button down while moving the mouse, then releasing the button where you want it to be.
Dropdown menu -- A list of options that appears when you click a menu name or button.
Font -- A set of letters and numbers in a particular style.
JPEG - A common type of image file created by digital cameras.
Notification Area - An area on the bottom-right of the screen that shows which programs are running in Windows.
Partition - A large hard disk can be split into two or more partitions or ‘virtual’ drives. Once partitioned, each section is treated by Windows as though it were a completely separate, smaller hard disk.
PDF (Portable Document Format) - A file format that allows pages of text and graphics to be viewed and printed correctly on any PC.
Radio button - A type of button where only one choice can be made at any time.
Right-click - Clicking the right mouse button displays a pop-up menu with special functions.
Slider - Enables you to change a setting by clicking and ‘dragging’ a slider switch.
Taskbar - The bar that runs along the bottom of the screen in Windows.
Toolbar - A strip of icons that run across the top of most Windows applications. Used to provide quick access to certain
important features.
Windows Explorer - The graphical interface to the Windows filing system.
Field - A container that holds an item of information. Website forms often have fields for you first name and surname, for example.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol. A system for transferring files between computers. Often used when uploading websites.
Hacker - Traditionally, a computer expert. More commonly used to mean people who break into others’ computers.
Server - A computer on a network, such as the internet, that distributes information to other PCs.
Upload - The process of transferring information to another computer on the internet.
Widget - A small program such as a calendar that runs on the Windows Desktop.
Analogue - A signal whose value varies over time, as opposed to a digital signal which is either on or off.
Burn - To write data onto a CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc.
Composite video - A low-quality type of video connection that uses one cable for video. Normally color-coded yellow.
DVD - A disc able to store up to 8.5GB of video or data.
Flash memory - A type of memory that can retain information without a power source. Used in memory cards, USB memory sticks and other storage devices.
Hard disk (HDD) - A high-capacity disk fitted in almost all PCs and used to store both applications and the documents and files they create.
Hi-8 - An old video cassette recording format using 8mm tape, used in the 1990’s.
Icon - A small image used by Windows to identify a file or program.
PCI slot (Peripheral Component Interconnect) - A high-performance expansion slot for desktop PCs, allowing simple installation of PCI components such as sound cards and modems.
Scart - A standard connector for video and audio signals.
S-video - A high-quality video connection that carries brightness and colour information separately.
Thumbnail - A small image used to give a quick preview of a larger image.
VHS-C - A compact video cassette standard used in camcorders. It offers a lower picture quality than S-VHS-C and is more common in low-band camcorders.
ActiveX - Technology for adding extra features to a web browser.
CD-R - A CD disc that can be written to once.
CD-RW - A re-recordable CD disc.
DVD-R -- A blank DVD disc that can be recorded to once only.
Emulate - To program one computer to act like another. For example, PCs can be used to emulate old arcade video games.
Format - To prepare a disk for use or erase data for re-use.
MP3 - A method for compressing audio files, and the name for files created using this method. The sound quality of an MP3 file is close to that of an audio CD track, but it needs only a fraction of the storage space.
Start button - The button on the far left of the Taskbar in Windows. Click on it to access all the programs installed on your computer, as well as printers, and the Control Panel. Paradoxically, you should also click it to shut down your PC.
Memory key - A generic term for small memory storage devices that plug directly into a USB port.
Defragment - To reorganise the data stored on a hard disk so that files are stored in one piece and can be accessed quickly.
E-book - A book stored as a digital file that can be read on a computer or dedicated e-book reader.
Linux - An operating system that can be freely used, distributed and modified by its users.
MS-Dos - The standard PC operating system before the dawn of Windows.
PIN (Personal Identification Number) - A number assigned to an individual and used to obtain access to cash points and online transactions.
Watts - A measure of power, used to quantify electrical power capabilities.