AGP = Advanced Graphics Port - a new standard which enables graphics cards to be connected to a PC, via a slot in the M/B. The AGP slot has a faster connection to the PC than the older PCI slots.
AMD = Manufacturer of CPU's. (K5; K6; K7; 3D-Now; Athlon)
ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange - A group of characters universally recognised and used in the computing world.
ATAPI = Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface - A standard for connecting devices to an IDE adapter (hard disks, cd players, etc).
ATX = A standard used to specify the layout and power supply type for motherboards and pc cases. Most newer pc's are in the ATX format.
BIOS = Basic Input Output System - The software program that tells your PC what hardware is connected to it.
BITS = Binary digits used as the basis for computer data. All data is either a 1, or a 0. (1 byte can hold 8 bits of information)
BPS = Bits Per Second - a measurement used to indicate how many bits of data are being sent or recieved.
BUS = The internal pathway for digital signals to move along inside your PC, which enables data to be transferred from one component to another. The bus includes the metal connectors for plug-in boards, and thus the type of bus determines which plug-in cards can be connected.
BYTE = Eight bits, which form one byte. One kilobyte (kb) is 1024 bytes and one Megabyte (Mb) is therefore 1,048,576 bytes (1024 x 1024)
CACHE = A part of memory that is intended to speed up frequently used operations. The cache is filled with the most frequently used instructions to try to anticipate the action which is to be performed next.
CD-R = Compact Disc Recordable - discs that can be written to once, and read many times.
CD-RW = Compact Disc Re-writeable - discs that can be written to and read many times.
COOKIE = A message sent by a web server to a browser and stored in a text file, which can be accessed again by the web server the next time you visit that site again. Used to identify users and collect statistics on web usage.
CPU = Central Processing Unit - The main chip in your computer that actually does all the work. Consists of a a Arithmetic Logic unit and a Control Unit.
DOT PITCH = Determines the resolution of the picture on your screen. A smaller dot
pitch is better than a large dot pitch, as this will enable more fine detail to be shown on the screen.
DIMM = Dual Inline Memory Module - A memory chip that slots into a motherboards DIMM socket.
DIP SWITCH = a miniature switch (usually more than one) used to set hardware configurations on M/B's and H/D's.
DLL = Dynamic Link Library - Enables PC functions to be shared between several separate tasks or programs, without each program requiring separate copies of the functions or routines.
DOS = Disc Operating System - Text based operating system, used before the graphically based Windoze system became popular.
DPI = Dots Per Inch - A measurement used to determine the resolution of screens, scanners, printers, etc. The more dots per inch (higher resolution) the better the picture.
DRAM = Dynamic Random Access Memory - The most common type of ram (memory) chips (can be DIMM or SIMM).
DUN = Dial Up Networking - A program that enables your pc to connect to the internet, it can be set up to have many different connection say using different ISP's.
DVD = Digital Video/Versatile Disc - A fast high capacity storage device. Each DVD disc can hold up to 17Gb of data. A DVD drive can also read CD disc's.
EDO RAM = Extended DRAM - A type of DRAM (memory chip) with faster access times, but slower than SDRAM.
EIDE = Enhanced IDE (see below) - An electronic control device which can handle up to four devices, hard disks, cd players, floppy disks, etc.
EMM = Expanded Memory Manager - A utility which enables memory above the 1MB (the maximum limit placed on PC memory design circa 1983) limit to be accessed. Windows 95/98 has built in EMM.
EXTENDED MEMORY = The amount of memory beyond the first 1MB limit of the original PC design (circa 1983) Also known as XMS.
FAT = File Allocation Table - Keeps track of what is on the hard disk. Data is not stored in consecutive chunks, but is stored in available clusters. The FAT maintains links between the data and the clusters, to enable the efficient retrieval of the data from the disk.
FAQ = Frequently Asked Question - Generally refers to a document used to assist new users, the document gives guidance on the usual protocol and preocedures to be used by users.
FPS = Frames Per Second - The number of frames produced by a PC/graphic card. The higher the number is, the better the graphics look.
FSAA = Full Screen Anti Aliasing - Removes the jagged edges to graphics images therefore improving the picture quality. Only available as a feature on newer graphics cards, eg: 3Dfx Voodoo5 550.
FTP= File Transfer Protocol - A standard and universally recognised means of transferring files from one PC to another across the Internet.
GB = Gigabyte - Used to measure the size of hard drives. All your programs and
information is stored on your hard drive. The larger the hard drive you have the more
information and programs your PC can store at any one time.
HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language - Standard formatting commands which are used to create documents on the web (webpages) which combine text, sounds and graphics.
IDE = Intergrated Drive Electronics - The most popular form of hard drive for the PC. The control electronics are located within the drive itself, so there is no need for a separate adapter card (unlike SCSI disks).
I/O PORT = The Input/Output port is a port which enables devices to be connected to the PC via a cable which is plugged into the port.
IRQ = Interrupt Request - A request made by a hardware device to interrupt the CPU so that it can perform a task.
ISA = Industry Standard Architecture - This standard came from the original PC design, which allows extra hardware to be connected to the PC via slots on the M/B, such as sound cards, modems, network cards, etc. Now superceded by PCI, USB and AGP.
ISDN = Integrated Services Digital Network - A means of transferring digital data, (rather than analogue data that is sent via modem and telephone lines). The data can be sent faster and there are less errors, but it is a more expensive system to use.
ISP = Internet Service Provider - A company or organisation that supplies you with a connection to the Internet.
LAN = Local Area Network - A network of computers in a small (or local) area, usually computers in the same building. Users can send e-mail to each other, and share files and hardware (printers, modems, etc).
NETWORK = Two or more pc's connected together for the sharing of information, resources or hardware devices. (LAN = Local Area Network; WAN = Wide Area Network; Internet = Global network.)
PACKET = A small unit of data, usually part of a larger file, that is sent across a network or the Internet. The file is split into packets which are sent to the destination, where the packets are re-assembled into the file.
PARALLEL PORT = A plug and socket connector that can transfer one whole byte at a time (serial ports can only transfer one bit at a time). Mainly used for connecting printers to a PC.
PCI = Peripheral Component Interconnect - A standard bus design for M/B's and expansion slots that can transfer 32 or 64 bits of data at one time. (And are therefore faster than older ISA slots). The new standard for PC's which replaces ISA.
RAM = Random Access Memory - Fast, short term memory storage in your pc. The standard memory chip in your pc, usually slots into the motherboard. Once the pc is switched off, the data stored in RAM is lost.
ROM = Read Only Memory - A part of your PC's memory which contains pre-written instructions which the system uses, such as the power on functions. The instructions generally cannot be altered.
SCSI = Small Computer System Interface - A method of attaching up to eight devices (such as hard drives, cd players, etc) to your PC. Generally faster (and more expensive) than IDE or EIDE.
SDRAM = Synchronous DRAM - One of the fastest current DRAM (memory chip) variants.
SIMM = Single Inline Memory Module - A memory chip that slots into a motherboards SIMM socket, these chips were common before DIMM's were widely available.
SVGA = Super Video Graphics Array - A standard for displaying images at resolutions of 800x600 and above, in at least 256 colours.
SWAP FILE = Also known as Virtual Memory, this is a part of the hard disk which is set aside for Windows to use as a cache. Frequently used data is stored in the cache, and Windows always looks here first before accessing other areas.
TWAIN = Technology Without An Interesting Name - Generic hardware devices that work with your PC that have not been given a separate technological label. Generally all TWAIN compliant devices should work with your PC.
UART = Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter Chip - Controls the transfer of data over a serial port, (information which passes between your PC and a modem). Newer serial ports are of the 16650 type rather than the older and slower 8550 types.
URL = Uniform Resource Locator - The address of a webpage or file on the Internet. For example the URL for this page is: http://www.cix.co.uk/~peterpc/p15gloss.htm
USB = Universal Serial Bus - A new interface which allows PC users to connect up to 127 devices to the PC, without the need to reconfigure, or turn off the PC.
WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get - A type of program that enables you to see the finished product (usually document based) on the screen as you work.
WAN = Wide Area Network - Similar to a LAN network, but used over a larger area, say to connect all the PC's in one company over a large geographical region.
