Tech Terms
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We define a few technical terms discussed during each episode of "Tech Talk" on air and on our site below. For definitions of other technical terms you hear on our show or elsewhere, see an online dictionary, glossary, or encyclopedia site such as:
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802.11
The name for an international standard used for wireless networking/communications.
A
Access Point
A piece of hardware that acts as a hub and allows users to connect wirelessly to a network.
Adaptive Technology
Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. This includes a range of devices from low technology to high technology items, as well as software.
Administrator Password
The "administrator" account on a computer has control over the entire computer: what can be installed and what the security settings are. Having a password to this account on the computer ensures that no one but you can make changes to these settings.
Adware
This is a program that displays banners while being run, or reports users habits
or information to third parties.
Aggregator
A type of software that can be used to easily download blog postings and other types of blog-like content.
AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone Service. The standard for analog cellular
telephones, this type of mobile phone service is common in rural
areas.
API
Application program interface, a set of routines, protocols and tools for building software applications. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the building blocks. A programmer puts the blocks together.
Anti-virus Program
Computer software that identifies and removes known or potential
viruses.
Automatic Update
A feature that allows anti-virus software to retrieve information
about new viruses. When the updated software scans your computer, newer viruses will be detected.
B
Bandwidth
In Internet communication, bandwidth is the speed at which data can move across a network. It is commonly measured in bits or megabits per second.
Biofeedback
According to Taking Charge of Your Health, biofeedback trains patients to observe shifts in their bodily functions (i.e., heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, muscular tension, and brain activity) by using electronic monitors. With this focus, patients learn to adapt and modify their mental and emotional responses to alleviate symptoms and regulate specific conditions.
Biometrics
Biometrics are identification methods first introduced by Alfonso Berling back in about 1890. He created contraptions that would measure shoulder width, skull shape, and space between the cheek bones. Since that time biometrics have evolved into, most commonly, the fingerprint. There are two biometrics systems currently in use in the Twin Cities: a thumb print recognition system and a hand geometry reader.
Blended Learning
An educational or training program in which some parts are available online and the others are presented in a classroom.
Blog
Short for Web log, a blog is an online diary or frequently updated personal Web page.
Blogosphere
A term used to describe all of the blogs on the Internet, collectively.
Bluetooth
Wireless technology with a small range of 30 feet used by devices like wireless printers and mice.
Bolus
A single, concentrated dose of a drug.
Browser
Software that enables you to view World Wide Web pages.
Browsing
What you do when you search for information on the World Wide Web.
Buddy
An instant messaging contact whose online status (i.e., available, offline) you can view.
Buffering
A process that stores data in memory for a period of time before transmitting it to the recipient to allow for the intermittent delivery of data.
Bulletin Board
An application that enables people to share messages or other files with other people on a network. You can think of them as support networks for people interested in certain topics.
Bundle
Software program packages, which are sometimes included with operating systems.
Business Continuity
How an organization functions after a disastrous event or critical systems failure.
C
Cache
A small and fast section of computer memory that temporarily stores
and provides faster access to information that has already been used.
Captcha
An acronym for "completely automated public Turing test to tell computers and humans apart." It is a program used to tell if a login failure is being caused by a human or another program that guesses passwords. Typically, it asks users to identify blurred words that humans can read but computers programs cannot.
Carbon Footprint
The impact of human activities on the environment measured in the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Cat-5
Category 5 cable, commonly known as Cat-5, is an unshielded twisted pair type cable designed for high signal integrity.
CEDIA
Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association. CEDIA is an international trade association of
companies specializing in the planning and installing of electronic systems for the home.
CD-R
A recordable compact disc.
Chat
A form of online communication that enables two or more people to type messages to each other that can be read instantaneously.
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access. A type of digital mobile phone
service used in the United States.
Color Cast
An unnatural tint towards a particular color in an image.
Complementary Therapies
According to Taking Charge of Your Health, complementary therapies are healing practices that fall outside purely pharmaceutical or surgical treatments. Some examples are massage, meditation, acupuncture, and healing touch.
Composite
A type of cable used to connect a VCR to a television or other output device.
Compression
You can compress a digital movie to make it fit on a CD or to put it on a Web page, but there is a trade-off between the size of the image and its quality. Try different compression rates and see which looks the best. Your goal is to get the minimum size that looks good.
Console
A type of video game system that is optimized for game playing
and hooks up to your TV.
Controller
The device that a gamer uses to interface with the game itself. Often this is a hand-held device with several buttons.
Convergence
This is a trend related to technological devices. Some devices that originally had distinct purposes take on each other's functions and eventually become one device. For example, office communications used to take place on separate machines: one for typing a letter and another for faxing it to someone else. Today both of these functions can be managed by a desktop computer.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are created by some Web sites and stored on your
hard drive. Cookies are used so that a Web site can "remember" you the next time you visit it
and present you with a customized page, such as one containing your name.
Corrupted
Data or files that are altered or damaged.
Course Management System
A computer program that aids instructors in publishing online materials for their classes such as lecture notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Crawler
A crawler is a program or automated script which browses the Internet in a methodical, automated manner.
D
Data Mining
Data mining is a set of techniques for analyzing data and extracting hidden information from the data for a variety of purposes.
Data Service
A plan that can usually be purchased from your cell phone provider that allows your phone to access Internet resources.
Definition File
For anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, this is a set of information on how to detect and remove malicious files. The more recent the date on the definition file, the more complete the detection and removal tools are.
Demanufacturing
Demanufacturing is the process of disassembling an electronic device to remove components and materials that can be resold or recycled.
Digital Certificate
Certificates stating that a Web site is secure. These are purchased
from authorities, and validated by a user's browser.
Digital Divide
The education and economic gap between those who have access to
the Internet, and those who don't.
Digital Inclusion
The idea that everyone should have access to and the skills for using computers and the Internet.
Distribution
Most commonly used to describe different packages of Linux. For more information, see the Linux distribution Wikipedia page.
DMCA
Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a U.S. law that covers copyright-related issues. It was signed into law on October 28, 1998.
DNS
Short for "Domain Name Server," it's what translates text names to IP numbers on the Internet.
DRM
Digital Rights Management. Technology that protects the rights of copyright owners by controlling the use and distribution of digital media.
Digital Tuner
A decoder that can receive digital broadcasts for display on an analog television set.
Digital Zoom
A way of making an image larger using a digital camera by increasing the size of the pixels. This is done within the camera and usually lowers the quality of the image. Standard analog cameras use optical zooming, which is done with the lens.
Discoverable
A setting that allows other bluetooth devices to find your computer. If this is disabled, other devices will still be able to connect to your computer, but it is more secure.
Discussion forums
On online area where people with common interests can post messages in order to have a public conversation on a topic.
Dock
A holder for a personal digital assistant (PDA) that also connects to a power source and a computer. When the PDA is placed in the dock, its battery can charge and the data on it can be synchronized with the data on the computer.
Domain Name
A string of letters and numbers that is an address of a computer
network connection and that identifies the owner of the address,
like www.umn.edu.
Download
To transfer (especially software) from the storage of a larger system
to that of a smaller one.
DPI
Dots per inch, a measure of image resolution.
E
E-Business
Doing all business online, including interacting with suppliers,
vendors, trading partners, internal staff, and
consumers.
E-waste
Electronic waste (e-waste) is any electronic equipment (i.e., computers or TV monitors) and its components that are discarded rather than being reused or recycled.
Easter Egg
Hidden content that reveals additional features when activated.
EDTV
Enhanced Definition Television. A TV that displays more than 480 visible lines vertically but less than 700.
Encryption
Secures the transmission of information over a wireless network
Endoscope
A device with a light attached to it that is used to inspect the body through a natural opening (e.g. mouth, rectum). Any medical procedure using an endoscope is called "endoscopy."
F
Fair Use
The concept contained in U.S. copyright law that allows for some copying of materials without formal permission
for the purposes of criticism,
comment, news, reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.
File Extension
A suffix to a file name that describes the file of file it is. For example for a file that shows as "essay.doc," the name of the file is "essay" and the file extension is ".doc" which indicates that it is a word document.
Filter
A rule set to automatically sort incoming e-mail to specific folders based on specific criteria.
Filtering
Filtering programs look for specified things in other programs and then perform specific actions based on what they find. Some e-mail programs include filters that look for certain words, word patterns, or word frequencies in e-mail messages and delete them from your inbox. See whatis.com for details.
Firewall
Software that turns off ports on a computer and filters the information
going to and coming from the Internet.
FireWire®
A connection used for transferring data to and from a computer. FireWire is faster than other types of connections (e.g., USB) so it is commonly used when transferring large amounts of data. A special cord and connector on the computer is required.
Flash Drive
A small, lightweight, removable storage device that is usually plugged into a USB port on a computer. Flash drives can hold anywhere from 32 megabytes to several gigabytes of data.
FM transmitter
In terms of in-car entertainment, an FM transmitter is a small device you can plug in to your mp3 player. The transmitter then broadcasts your car stereo to an FM channel. This allows you to connect your music player to your car stereo without any rewiring.
Footprint
The floor or desk area taken up by a piece of hardware.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol. FTP software enables you to transfer Web page files from your computer to a Web server.
G
Gadget
Another key component of the new Windows Vista is Gadgets. They are developed using HTML and script. Each gadget has access to information about itself and about Windows. This enables a gadget to interact with Windows files and folders. For example, a gadget can show images from a user's Pictures folder, or display information about network connections. Gadgets can also display settings dialog boxes and store user settings using the System.Gadget object.
Genre
The category under which a game is categorized. Some examples are: action-adventure, role-playing, simulation, sports, and massively multiplayer online games (MMOG).
GIF
An image file format designed to display line art on the Web.
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications. A Digital cell phone system
used throughout Europe that is based on TDMA, this type of service is
less common in the United States.
GUI
An acronym for Graphical User Interface, a computer interface that uses graphics (such as buttons and icons) and can be controlled by a mouse. Examples are Microsoft® Windows® and Macintosh® desktops and the common programs that most people use.
H
Hard Drive
A hard drive stores digital data on magnetic disks.
HDTV
The abbreviation for High Definition Television. There is no officially recognized definition for HDTV, but it is generally agreed upon that HDTV has twice the resolution (vertically and horizontally) than standard definition.
HTML
Hyper Text Markup Language. Markup symbols or code that indicates to a Web browser how to display a Web page.
HTTPS
On secure pages, you will see "https" at the beginning
of the Web site's address instead of "http."
Human-centered control
A system that keeps the driver in control of his or her car, but which strives to reduce driver error by providing more information about the driving situation. This is done through visual, audio, and tactile cues to the driver.
Hybrid Register
Any writing that is expressed as it would be in the spoken form, such as informal e-mail or chat.
Hyperlink
Text or a graphic that takes you to another Web page or file when you select it.
I
Immersive Environment
An environment in a computer game where there are no controls
other than a mouse pointer.
Instant Messenger (IM)
A program that allows you to communicate one-on-one in real time with another Internet user who is currently online.
Infection Vector
An entry point for a computer infection. This can be anything with a security vulnerability, most often e-mail and Web browsers.
Intelligent Storage
Storage devices that have built-in tools to help users find information more easily.
Intranet
A network that is internal to an organization.
ISO
A standard measure of film speed (i.e., how sensitive the film is to light), as set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
IP
Internet Protocol is the system used to route data traffic through the Internet.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. An institution that provides access
to the Internet in some form, usually for money.
ISDN
Integrated Switch Digital Network. A high-speed digital telephone service.
ITV
Abbreviation for "instructional television." Courses or instruction are delivered via television. In passive ITV, courses are produced and
distributed by videotape or through broadcast, cable, or satellite. In interactive ITV, learners and instructor may interact in
various ways.
J
JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group. This group established a standard method for compressing and decompressing digitized photos or images.
L
Latency
Latency is the time it takes for a packet of Internet traffic to travel from its source to its destination. Long latencies make Internet telephony difficult.
Lead
An insulated wire connected to an implantable device, such as a pacemaker. The lead carries electronic pulses from the device and relays information back to the device.
License Agreement
A legal contract between you and the creator or distributor of software outlining the terms under which you are allowed to use the software. Generally this must be agreed to before the software can be installed and can sometimes permit the creator or distributor to install other software, such as spyware, on your computer.
Live Icon
Key components of the new Windows Vista Explorers, Live Icons display a thumbnail image of the actual contents of every file, making it easier to select a given item.
Long Tail
A statistical concept. From the Wikipedia definition, "In these distributions a high-frequency or high-amplitude population is followed by a low-frequency or low-amplitude population that gradually "tails off." In many cases, the infrequent or low-amplitude events can make up the majority [of the whole]."
M
Malware
This is a common name for all kinds of unwanted software such as viruses, worms, trojans, and jokes.
Mashup
A mashup is a Web site or application that combines content from more than one source into an integrated experience.
Megapixel
A measure of the resolution of an image or image sensor (such as a digital camera) which means "one million pixels." The larger this number is, the clearer the image will be and the larger it can be printed.
Memory
Computer hardware for storing information.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A type of audio file format
that contains a series of instructions that the computer uses to
tell a musical instrument what to play.
Modem
(MOdulator, DEModulator) A device that you connect to your
computer and to a telephone line that allows the computer to talk
to other computers through the telephone system. Basically, modems
do for computers what a telephone does for humans.
MP3
A compressed file format for digital audio. MP3s are smaller than
traditional audio file formats, so they easily transfer between
different devices, like computers and portable MP3 players.
MPEG-4
This is a standard used primarily to compress audio and video (AV) digital data for distribution via the Web (as streaming media), CDs, videophones, and broadcast television.
N
Network Interface Card (NIC)
An electronic card that you install in your computer or printer to enable it to connect to a network.
Newsgroups
An electronic discussion group. Group members can post public messages to each other based on a specific subject matter. Newsgroups are typically organized based on a particular interest, issue, or activity such as car repair, knitting, or computing.
Noise
Specks of color in a digital image that appear where they should not be—e.g., specks of color in a section of the digital photograph that should be solid black.
O
OBD
Acronym for "on board diagnostics." These computerized systems are present in most modern cars and light trucks and are used to control some engine functions and diagnose problems. Some drivers are now installing their own computers in their cars in order to monitor their OBD systems themselves.
Online Mall
Enables a group of sellers to market their products together without needing to have their own individual Web sites.
Open Source
Software is considered open source when the source code (the fundamental programming code) is available for free to the general public. This allows others to use it for free as well as modify and improve it.
Operating System
Basic computer software that controls the hardware, user interface, and other applications. Windows and Macintosh are two common operating systems.
Optical Zoom
A way of enlarging a subject using focal lenses (i.e. the way a standard camera lens zooms).
P
Pace Calculator
A tool that determines your pace (i.e., average speed for a specified distance).
Packet
Packets are basic units of network traffic. Data is divided into packets that are sent over a network and reassembled when they reach their destination.
Packet Sniffing
Essentially eavesdropping on your Internet communications. Information sent online is broken down to "packets" and "sniffers" intercept them in the hopes of finding information such as passwords or credit card numbers.
Parental Controls
Allows a parent to monitor or limit what a child can see or do on a computer.
PDA
Abbreviation for "personal digital assistant," a type of electronic handheld information device.
Palm
A handheld computer that is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
Patch
A computer program that fixes security problems in your operating system.
Pay Pal
Intermediary between buyers and sellers who are using eBay. Allows the safe exchange of money through e-mail addresses and takes the worry out of whether the seller will get paid or not.
Phishing
When spammers send you e-mail that appears to be from a legitimate organization and ask for your account information such as your identification number and password. They then use this information to send computer viruses to others.
Photosynthesis
The process that plants use to turn energy from the sun, carbon dioxide, and water into plant material and oxygen.
Pixel
A single dot on a computer display or in a digital image.
Pixels
The small dots that when put together make a digital image.
Plasma
One of the most popular and first of the new digital display technologies. Plasma TVs have hundreds of thousands of little, tiny electron guns shining red and blue and green light to the front of the screen. They're only three inches deep, but pretty expensive.
Playhead
Points to a place in the timeline and is used to move back and forth within the timeline.
Pocket PC
A handheld computer this is only compatible with the Windows operating system.
Podcasting
Distributing audio and/or video content online with an RSS feed so that the audience can subscribe and automatically get new content. The word is a combination of "iPod" (a device commonly used to play content) and "broadcast."
Pop-ups
These are windows that appears on top of (over) the browser window of a Web site
that a user has visited. In contrast to a pop-under ad, which appears behind (in back of)
the browser window, a pop-up is more obtrusive as it covers other windows, particularly the
window that the user is trying to read.
Pop-up Blocking
A feature of some Web browsers that stops new browser windows from appearing when you visit certain Web pages.
Power Electronics
The technology associated with conversion, control and conditioning of electric power.
Processor
A microprocessor chip that does most of the data processing inside a computer.
Profile
An online biographical sketch that can contain photographs and information such as interests, geographical location, e-mail address, etc.
Protocols
The set of rules and descriptions of how information is formatted that allow computers to exchange information.
Public Domain
Intellectual property, including software, Web documents, images, etc. that are not legally protected by
copyright or patent regulations and are freely available for use to the public.
Q
QuicktimeVR
An extension of the QuickTime technology, developed by Apple Computer, that allows users to interactively explore three-dimensional virtual worlds.
R
RAM
(Random Access Memory) Computer hardware for short term information storage.
Redundancy
Equipment or hardware that performs similar functions.
Registry
A part of your operating system that contains information critical to your computer's operation. Some viruses can infect your registry.
Remote Desktop
A way to control a computer from another location using another computer. Set-up is needed for both computers and security can be defined to protect against outside intrusion.
Resolution
The number of pixels per inch in an image, or the number of dots
per inch used by an output device.
RFID
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a tracking and monitoring system that uses radio frequencies. It consists of three parts: the RFID tag that goes on the entity or items that you want to track, a reader, and a computer system.
RSS Feed
Stands for Really Simple Syndication. It enables you to subscribe to Web sites with often-changing content. Many people use RSS feeds to download directly to their computers new articles and posts provided by news sites and blogs.
S
Safety Critical
Something that prevents failures or hazards.
Satellite Radio
Broadcasts news, music and educational programming via satellite to home, office and in-car satellite radios.
Screen Reader
A computer software program that uses synthesized speech technology to speak the information being displayed on a computer monitor. Key combinations provide access to reading, navigational, and system controls for individuals with visual, learning, and other impairments.
Script
An Internet program that can be built into Web pages. Some scripts
can download a virus onto your computer without your knowledge.
SDTV
Standard Definition Television. An old-style TV that displays 480 visible lines vertically.
SD Memory
Secure digital (SD) is a flash memory (non-volatile) memory card format used in portable devices, including digital cameras and handheld computers.
Search Engine
An Internet software program that searches a database and gathers and reports information that is related to certain content. It is basically a huge database of millions, even billions, of Web pages that are out the on the Internet.
Server
A computer, or a software package, that provides a specific kind
of service to client software running on other computers. The
term can refer to a particular piece of software, such as a Web
server, or to the machine on which the software is running, e.g.,
"our mail server is down today, that's why e-mail isn't getting
out." A single server machine could have several different
server software packages running on it, thus providing many different
services to clients on the network.
Shareware
Software that's available for down load on a free trial basis.
Signal Chain
The path that the signal takes in getting from the television studio to your TV at home—encoders, decoders, transmitters, receivers, etc.
Simulation
A type of game that simulates a real life activity, like a flight
simulator or an auto racing game.
Smart Phone
A phone that has additional capabilities much like a traditional hand-held device. These can typically be used to access the Internet, send e-mail, manage a personal calendar, and maintain an address book.
SMS
Short Message Service or "text messaging." Sends text messages between mobile devices (i.e., cellular phones, smartphones, and PDAs).
Software Update
Downloads for your software to protect your computer against security and virus threats.
Solar Photovoltaic Tags
A device that turns energy from the sun (light) into electrical energy.
Solid State
Any storage device that uses no moving parts. This includes flash drives and other types of storage cards. Solid state components are usually considered more durable and resistant to shock.
Spam
According to several online dictionaries, the term comes from a skit on the Monty Python's Flying Circus television show about Spam, the trademarked canned meat product. It now refers to unsolicited e-mail.
Spyware
This is software that tracks usage and reports it to others, such as advertisers. Usually
the tracking is concealed from the user of the software.
Speech Recognition
Software that enables a user to control a computer and enter data without touching the keyboard or the mouse. A person who is unable to, or must limit the use of, his or her hands can move cursors and pointers, perform keystrokes, carry-out system functions, and create documents using only his or her voice.
Spoofing
When a virus finds an e-mail address on an infected computer's hard drive and sends out e-mails that say they came from that e-mail address.
SSL
An abbreviation for secure sockets layer. Normally your password goes over the network so that anyone can see it. SSL encrypts your password.
Stent
An internal device placed to keep open and provide support for body structures (e.g. blood vessels, arteries, gastrointestinal tract).
Streaming Video
With streaming video, you watch the video as it is being downloaded to your computer. So when you want to watch, for example, an hour video clip then it may take five seconds when you first start downloading to what we call "buffer" some material, but then it starts playing within a few seconds and continues playing as it's downloading.
Stylus
A tool, similar to a pen, used for writing or selecting options on the touch screen of a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Synchronization
Shuttling your most recent information between your handheld computer and your laptop or desktop computer.
System restore
System restore is a function on Windows computers that removes system changes made after the restore point selected. System restore does not affect personal data files and cannot remove virus or spyware infections.
T
Tabbed Browsing
A feature of some Web browsers that enables you to open multiple Web sites in one window under a different tab in that window. You might want to use it to examine one of the pages linked from the original Web page in its own window, but still keep up that original page.
Tags
A keyword given to a file by a user to label it based on their perception (i.e., not a formal classification system). When many people use tags in an environment, an individual can find all documents tagged with the same keyword by all users.
Task Manager
A program used to provide process, program, and status information about a computer.
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access. A type of digital mobile phone
service used in the United States.
Telecommuting
Working outside of a traditional office setting using portable computers.
Timeline
Displays audio and video in a linear sequence over time.
Time Shifting
Time shifting is done when someone records a television program to view at a different time than when it was broadcast. This can be done with VCRs or digital video recorders.
Trackpad
A small area on the keyboard of a laptop computer you move your finger across to control the cursor on the screen. It can be used instead of or in addition to an external mouse.
Tree Structure
A way of illustrating the how files are related in a hierarchy. This image often looks like an upside-down tree with the root at the top and branches and leaves at the bottom.
Twitch
A term used to describe games that require extremely quick decision making paired with appropriate action with the controller.
U
UPS
Uninterruptible Power Source. A power backup that protects the
outlets from surges and supplies power for a few minutes in the
event of a power failure.
URL
The address of a Web site. If it ends with .gov or .mil, the site is published by the U.S. government. If it ends with .ca, it is published by the Canadian government, and there are codes for other countries too. If it ends in .edu, the page is published by an educational institution. If it ends in .com, .net, or .org, the page could be published by anyone.
USB
Universal Serial Bus. A port for communication between a computer and external peripherals.
V
VCD
Video CD is a compact disc format for storing digital video. The quality is comparable to what you get on VHS but the size is smaller. You can store about 80 minutes of reduced quality video on it and view it with a computer CD player or some DVD players and a TV set.
Video Card
Controls the computer's monitor signal and comes installed on every computer. To do videoconferencing you need at least 16 megabytes.
Viral Marketing
Tactic used to promote a Web site. You tell people about your Web site, they tell somebody else and the word spreads quickly just like a virus.
Virtual Private Network
In a wireless environment, anyone within range of your computer antenna can see what you're doing unless you take steps to protect yourself using VPN, or virtual private network technology, an additional piece of software typically used in corporate/institutional environments. At the University of Minnesota you can use it to get into the network if you have an account with the University.
Virtual Reality
A computer simulation that closely resembles reality.
Virus-by-Number
A Web site where a user can create a custom virus. A user who doesn't have any programming knowledge can choose the attributes
of the virus and a name, and send it out over the Internet.
Virus Definitions
Files that antivirus software programs use to identify viruses. New viruses
are introduced into the computer community almost every day, so
virus definitions files must be updated regularly to ensure your
computer is protected against newer viruses.
Virus Hoax
False information about a virus, usually in e-mail form. Hoax
e-mails encourage the receiver to forward the e-mail, spreading
the false information in a virus-like fashion.
Vodcast
Combination of the words "video" and "podcast." It consists of video content created by individuals and then made available on the Internet for download onto computers or video-capable players such as the iPod. Regular updates are usually made and are automatically downloaded when available.
Voice Over IP (VoIP)
A rapidly emerging technology that allows transmission of phone calls (two-way audio) over the Internet.
W
.WAV File
This file format was developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM as the standard format for sound on PCs.
WAV sound files end with a .wav extension and can be played by nearly all Windows applications that support sound.
Web 2.0
The second generation of the World Wide Web that is characterized by interaction and collaboration. Some examples of Web 2.0 technologies are social networking sites, wikis, and blogs.
Web Cam
This device transfers video to the computer.
Web-Centric Course
Courses that have reduced face-to-face instruction and include
online learning activities.
Web Crawler
A small program that follows links from one Web page to another
and records information about Web sites in a search engine database.
Web-Enhanced Course
Courses meet face-to-face, but are enhanced by online
activities.
WEP
Wired Equivalency Privacy. Software used to password protect a computer from being accessed through a wireless network.
Widget
In computer programming, a widget (or control) is an interface element that a computer user interacts with, such as a window or a text box. Widgets are sometimes qualified as virtual to distinguish them from their physical counterparts, e.g. virtual buttons that can be clicked with a mouse cursor, vs. physical buttons that can be pressed with a finger. Widgets are often packaged together in widget toolkits. Programmers use widgets to build graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Wi-Fi
Wide Fidelity. Wireless nextworks where devices can transmit and receive information back and forth.
Wikipedia
From Wikipedia: "Wikipedia . . . is a multilingual Web-based free-content encyclopedia. It is written collaboratively by volunteers, allowing articles to be changed by anyone with an Internet connection."
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
A Wi-Fi standard that encrypts information being sent over the airwaves.
WYSIWYG
What you see is what you get. When using a Web editor like Composer, what you see when creating a Web page is what the page will look like in a Web browser.
X
X-10
X-10 is a communication protocol for remote control of electrical devices.