Jargon Buster
32bit informationA measurea computerof how can much computersprocess at once.are 32bit, Most more older modern ones are 64bit. 4K Video with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 pixels. 64bit A technology that processes information in larger chunks. Most modern computers are 64bit. AMOLED Active-matrix Organic Light-emitting Diode. An alternative technology to LCD for creating flat-panel displays. Most commonly used in smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.
AVI Audio Video Interleave. A type of video file. AVI is known as a container format, as it can hold many types of audio and video. Beta A version of software that’s being tested. Beta versions are often released so problems can be ironed out. BIOS Basic Input-output System. Essential software built into every PC that connects the vital components. It’s visible for a few seconds when the PC starts. Boot disk A recovery CD or USB stick that can diagnose, repair or restore your PC’S software, including the operating system. Browser hijackers Programs that change your default browser, and its homepage and search engine, without prior warning, when you install them. Client A computer program used to access and manage email. Cache A temporary space for storing information. Can be memory used on a computer processor, or space on a hard drive used by a web browser. Clone A feature found in some backup programs that makes an exact copy of a drive on another drive. Cookie A small text file stored on your computer by a website. Used to store browsing preferences, website log-in details and so on.
Displayport A new socket for connecting monitors that’s still relatively rare. Download mirror A website that contains the same downloadable software as others, bundled in its own installer.
Eight-core A standard processor has one core, but most modern processors are dual-, quad- or eight-core, making them faster. Extension A program that adds extra features to your browser. Firmware Basic software stored on a device, such as a music player, to control its operation. GPT GUID Partition Table. A way of partitioning data that allows for bigger drives than the older MBR.
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. It is found on many new TVS, media PCS and highdefinition products such as Blu-ray disc players. HTTPS Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure. The secure version of HTTP, the technology that sends data between your browser and the web. IMAP Internet Message Access Protocol. A method for email that lets the user manage messages stored on a remote server.
IPS A screen technology. Monitors that use IPS have wider viewing angles and better, more accuratelooking colours. MBR Master Boot Record. The area on a hard drive that is checked by a computer when it first starts.
Megapixel A measure of the amount of detail that can be recorded by a digital image. A onemegapixel image is made up of a million dots (pixels). Microsd A small type of memory card. Can be converted to SD size using an adapter. Microusb A miniature version of USB, often found on smartphones, tablets and portable hard drives.
NFC Near-field communication. A technology that allows two devices to communicate by being touched together or placed near to each other. Can be used to pay for items in some shops using compatible mobile phones. Noise Visible dust-like speckles that appear in some camera and TV images. In photos, they are caused by the camera’s sensor. Open source Software that can be modified by anyone, rather than just by the employees of the company that created it. Optical drive A computer device for reading or writing 5in discs, including CDS, DVDS and Blu-ray discs.
Partitionsplit into twoA largeor more hard partitionsdrive can or be ‘virtual’ drives. Plug-inadds extraA small features programto softwarethat or to your web browser. PNG A format Portablefor images Network that Graphics.shrinks file without sizes discardingusing compressionany data. but POP3 Post Office Protocol 3. A system for remotely accessing and retrieving email from an ISP. Most email programs and ISPS use POP3. PUP Potentially Unwanted Program. A program that may not be desired, despite the user consenting to it being downloaded. SD card Secure Digital card. A popular type of memory card. SRGB A standard RGB colour space for use on monitors, printers and the internet. RGB stands for red, green and blue. SRT A file format for video subtitles. SSD Solid-state drive. Storage that, unlike a hard drive, uses no moving parts. System restore point The collection of system files stored by System Restore on a given date and time to which Windows can revert if a problem occurs.
Tearing A defect that occurs when a screen attempts to load two frames in a single frame. It displays a ‘torn’ look that’s most noticeable on images of straight objects, such as trees. TN Twisted nematic. A common, cheap type of LCD. USB 2.0 Faster successor to USB that’s used by devices such as external hard drives. USB 3.0 An even faster version 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. Win32 A Windows tool developers used to build 32bit software.