Jargon Buster
1080p Of the common types of high-definition video, this is the best quality: 1920x1080 pixels.
32bit A measure of how much data a PC can process at once. Most older computers are 32bit.
4K Video with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 pixels.
64bit A technology that processes information in larger chunks. Most modern computers are 64bit.
802.11ac A standard for wireless networks that allows for much higher transfer speeds than 802.11n.
AMOLED Active-matrix Organic Light-emitting Diode. An alternative technology to LCD for creating flat-panel displays.
Architecture A set of rules and language that govern how hardware and software work.
Blue screen of death Technically called a ‘Stop error’, this is shown when your PC crashes.
Burst mode A camera mode for taking several pictures quickly.
Cast To send content from your PC to TV.
Client A program used to access and manage a user’s email.
Crowdfunding A process where a company gets the financing to launch a new product from prospective customers online.
CSV Comma Separated Value. A standard file format, used for storing information in spreadsheet applications.
DDR4 The newest, fastest type of computer memory.
Defragment To reorganise the data stored on a hard drive so files can be accessed quickly.
Displayport A new socket for connecting monitors that’s still relatively rare.
DLNA Digital Living Network Alliance. A technology that enables devices such as TVS, network media players and NAS devices to communicate with each other.
Driver A file that tells Windows how to work with peripheral devices, such as keyboards.
DRM Digital Rights Management. Software that limits the copying of a file.
DSLR Digital single-lens reflex. A digital camera that uses a moving mirror so its viewfinder looks out through the lens.
DVI Digital Visual Interface. A common type of display connector that can carry a digital signal.
Firmware Basic software stored on a device, such as a music player, to control its operation.
Gigabit Ethernet A very fast networking standard that can transfer data at up to 1,000Mbps.
Graphics card A component in a computer that produces the image shown on the monitor.
HDMI High-definition media interface. A type of connection that transmits high-definition video and audio signals.
HTML Hypertext Markup Language. The language used to write most web pages.
IPS A screen technology that has wider viewing angles and better, more accurate-looking colours.
ISO file A type of image file that contains all the data from a disc.
LCD Liquid crystal display. The technology used to create almost all flatscreen monitors.
LED Light-emitting Diode. An electronic device that emits light. Used on almost all electronic devices, and to provide the backlight for some LCDS.
JPEG Joint Photograph Experts Group. A common type of image file created by most digital cameras.
M.2 A standard specification for internal PC expansion cards and connectors.
Mainframe computer A high-performance PC used by organisations for advanced tasks.
Mesh Wi-fi Wireless network solution that uses multiple, connected routers to stretch Wi-fi further than a traditional router.
Metadata A set of data that gives information about a file.
MHL Mobile high-definition link. A technology that lets you connect a smartphone or tablet to a TV.
Microsd card A small type of memory card. Can be converted to SD size using an adapter.
Miracast A standard for connecting a computer to a TV or monitor wirelessly.
Network interface card Allows your computer to connect to a network.
Open source Software that can be modified by anyone, rather than just by the employees of the company that created it.
Optical image stabilisation A mechanism built into digital cameras that compensates for any shaking or vibrations that occur during shooting.
Overclock Make a processor work faster to improve performance at the cost of it getting hotter and requiring more power.
PCIE Peripheral Component Interconnect Express. A faster version of PCI – a slot on the motherboard for expansion cards.
Phishing A form of internet fraud that tries to trick you into revealing personal details.
Plug-in A small program that adds extra features to software or to your web browser.
Product key A unique serial number. Issued by software companies such as Microsoft, the product key must be typed in by the user before a program will launch for the first time.
PUP Potentially unwanted program. A program that may not be desired, despite the user consenting to it being downloaded. Examples include unnecessary plug-ins, toolbars and browser hijackers.
RAW A format for digital photos that stores the image exactly as the camera captured it, without compression or optimisation, but which is not compatible with all image editors.
Read speed How long it takes a hard drive to ‘read’ data, and respond to it.
Root To perform tasks on Android devices that aren’t permitted by the manufacturer.
Scaling How operating systems display text from different programs to make it readable on screen.
SD card Secure Digital card. A popular type of memory card.
SIM Subscriber Identity Module. The smart card used by all digital mobile phones. The SIM card carries the user’s identity and phone number for accessing the network.
SSF Small form factor. A type of computer design aimed at minimising the size of a desktop computer.
SRGB A standard RGB colour space for use on monitors, printers and the internet. RGB stands for red, green and blue.
SSD Solid-state drive. Storage that, unlike a hard drive, uses no moving parts.
Subwoofer A special type of speaker designed to reproduce deep bass sounds only. Only one subwoofer is required because human ears cannot detect the direction of bass frequencies.
USB 2.0/3.0 Faster versions of the USB standard used to connect devices to a computer.
USB Type-c A new connector that’s reversible, letting you plug it in upside down.
VGA Video Graphics Array. A standard socket for connecting a monitor to a computer.
Write speed How long it takes a hard drive to save data.
ZIP file A file that contains compressed documents or files.