Glossary (A-E)

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802.11a/b/g/n
An evolving family of wireless networking standards, from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Each letter specifies a data speed and frequency range, with "n" being the fastest and due for release in September 2008.
• See also: Wireless LAN (WLAN)

Access Point
A device that connects to a wireless network and lets mobile users connect to the Internet when in range.
• See also: Wireless LAN (WLAN)

Adware
A type of Advertising Display Software that delivers advertising content potentially in a manner or context that may be unexpected and unwanted by users. Many adware applications also perform tracking functions, and therefore may also be categorized as Tracking Technologies.

Some consumers may want to remove Adware if they object to such tracking, do not wish to see the advertising caused by the program, or are frustrated by its effects on system performance.

On the other hand, some users may wish to keep particular adware programs if their presence subsidizes the cost of a desired product or service or if they provide advertising that is useful or desired, such as ads that are competitive or complementary to what the user is looking at or searching for.

All-In-One Printer
A printer that can also send faxes, scan documents and make copies like a photocopier.
• See also: Multifunction Printer (MFP)

Aspect Ratio
A screen's ratio of width to height.

Backup
A copy of a program or file that is stored separately from the original for safe keeping.
• Related Link: Making better backups

Backward Compatible
Hardware or software that is compatible with its previous versions.

Bandwidth
The volume of data that a transmission medium, such as an Internet connection, can handle, typically measured in bits per second. Analogous to a pipe -- the bigger the pipe, the larger the volume of water that can flow through it.
• See also: Bits Per Second (Bps)

Bits Per Second (Bps)
A measurement of data speed -- the faster, the better. One megabit equals 1 million bits; 1 gigabit equals 1 billion bits.
• See also: Byte

BlackBerry
A small, handheld device that lets a user access the Internet, maintain an address book and calendar, make phone calls and send and receive e-mail, among other features.
• See also: Handheld, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

Bluetooth
Enables the short-range transmission of digital voice and data, such as from a user's wireless cell-phone headset to his cell phone.

Blu-ray
A next-generation optical disk format that allows data to be packed more tightly and stored in less space than a traditional DVD. Competitor to HD-DVD.
• See also: DVD

Bridge
A device that connects two or more local area networks (LANs) together. Faster than a router but with less functionality.
• See also: Local Area Network (LAN), Router

Broadband
High-speed Internet access enabling the transfer of high-quality content, such as video, that may not be technically feasible by connecting to the Internet via traditional telephone wires.
• See also: Dial-Up, DSL, Cable Modem, Satellite, Broadband Over Powerline, Fiber Optic, Wireless Broadband

Broadband Over Powerline (BPL)
A type of broadband technology that delivers data over an existing electric power distribution network, with speeds comparable to DSL and cable modem broadband technologies.
• See also: Broadband, DSL, Cable Modem

Byte
A measurement of computer storage -- the bigger, the more that can be stored. One megabyte equals 1 million bytes; 1 gigabyte equals 1 billion bytes.

Cable
A bundle of wires, with plugs on both ends, that connects computer parts.

Cable Modem
A type of broadband technology delivered via cable. Also refers to the specific device that provides broadband Internet access using the same cables that deliver programs to a user's TV.
• See also: Broadband, Cable

CableCard
An interface for digital TV that lets a user plug a cable line directly into a TV set without the need for a set-top box.
• See also: Set-Top Box

Cache
A small, fast storage mechanism within a computer that holds recently accessed data, such as a Web page, designed to speed up subsequent access to the same data.

Carrier
A company that provides communication services, such as Internet access.

Cat5 Cable
A common type of cabling used for computer networks.

CD-ROM
A type of optical disk technology able to store 300,000 pages of text.
• See also: DVD

Cellular Communications
A type of wireless connection that divides a geographic region into sections, called cells.

Client-Server
Describes the relationship between a user's computer (client) and the machine (server) from which it requests information, such as a Web page.

Coaxial
A transmission line that sends telegraph, telephone and television signals.

Codec
A device that compresses and decompresses data, or encodes and decodes a signal between networks.
• See also: Compression, Encryption

Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
A digital wireless communications technology that allows more subscribers to connect at any given time than competing technologies.

Compact Disc (CD)
A small optical disk usually containing recorded music or computer data.
• See also: DVD

Compact Disc-Recordable (CD-R)
A CD technology that allows files to be recorded, but not erased.
• See also: CD-RW

Compact Disc-Rewritable (CD-RW)
A CD technology that allows files to be both added and deleted.
• See also: CD-R

Compression
The process of transforming information to a smaller representation to take up less storage space and/or transmit faster.

Convergence
The combination of two or more different technologies in a single device, such as Internet telephony.
• See also: Internet Telephony

Desktop
A personal computer that is not portable and stays on top of a desk. Also refers to the display area on the computer.             

Dial-Up
A type of connection that is established over telephone lines using a modem.
• See also: Modem

Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)
A group of technology companies that promote a vision of a wired and wireless interoperable network of computers, electronics and mobile devices in the home.    

Digital Noise Reduction (DNR)
A process to reduce the amount of random noise on a DVD.

Digital Powerline Network
Technology provides the transmission of data to users over the same lines that bring electric power to homes and businesses.            

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
A type of broadband technology that transmits data faster over traditional telephone lines already installed to homes and businesses.
• See also: Broadband

Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
Records, saves and plays back TV programs from a hard drive instead of traditional video tape. Also known as a personal video recorder, or "PVR." TiVo is a popular brand.    
• See also: PVR

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
A digital connection used to connect devices such as projectors and TVs, replaced by HDMI.
• See also: HDMI, Flat Panel

Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS)
A one-way TV broadcast service that transmits data from a communications satellite to a small round or oval dish antenna, providing a similar service to cable.

Display
The TV-like part of the computer that displays information.
• See also: Monitor

DivX
An MPEG-4-based compressed digital video format used to distribute movies on the Internet.
• See also: MPEG

Dolby Digital
The surround sound standard format used in today's home theaters for DVD-video and in part for HDTV.
• See also: Surround Sound, DVD, HDTV

Dots Per Inch (DPI)
Measures the resolution of displays and printers.
• See also: Pixel, Resolution

Download
The act of receiving a file from another computer, over a network, and saving it on your own computer.
• See also: Upload

Drive
Reads and writes discs, such as a CD-ROM.
• See also: CD-ROM

DVD
A type of optical disk technology similar to a CD-ROM but able to store a full-length movie.

Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
The most common type of computer memory.

Electronic Mail (E-Mail)
Text messages sent to recipients over the Internet. Files such as documents and photos can be attached and mailed as well.

Email-Worm
A type of Worm that uses E-mail as its spreading vector.

Encryption
A method used to scramble transmitted data, making it unreadable to everyone except the recipient.

Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV)
A TV that is capable of receiving high-definition broadcasts, but can't display them in true HD quality.
• See also: High-Definition TV (HDTV)

Ethernet
The standard technology a user needs to access a local area network (LAN).
• See also: Local Area Network (LAN), Router