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Unscrambling computer-speak

Complex terminology often obscures IT. SCI’s web team interprets

IT professionals speak their own language and it’s impossible to communicate with them, according to a number of recent surveys. Here is SCI’s guide to cracking the code behind computer-speak. And if we haven’t covered a term that baffles you, just contact us and we will do our best to find an answer.

• Bandwidth The amount of data that can be passed along a communications channel in a given period of time.
  
• Bluetooth A short-range communications technology for computers and devices such as printers that uses radio waves instead of wires.
  
• Broadband A large bandwidth, enabling fast downloading of web pages and files including sound, images and video.
  
• Byte A byte is a measurement of data (holding eight bits, or ‘binary digits’) used in text and other files. In the ASCII character set, each binary value between 0 and 127 is given a specific character, ie letter or number. There are also values for accented letters, punctuation and spaces.
  
• Cookie A cookie is the name for a small text file, stored on computer’s hard drive, that allows a website to store information. When visiting certain websites, cookies are downloaded to your computer along with the pages you view. While people can be hostile to cookies, they will save you the trouble of repeatedly filling in your preferences and passwords.
  
• Digital Video Recorder (DVR) A device that records TV shows on a hard drive, instead of a tape or disc.
  
• Firewall This is a set of security procedures to protect your data, and should be a particular priority if you have broadband web access. Do not turn it off, ever.
  
• Graphical Image Format (GIF) A format for image files, often used for graphics including logos or diagrams.
  
• Hard drive One or more devices on your computer that hold information. This is stored in extremely small magnetic domains and can be retrieved almost instantly.
  
• Hostname The unique name by which a computer is known on a network.
  
• HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML) This is the language web pages are written in.
  
• IP address Internet protocol, meaning internet address.
  
• JavaScript A computer language used on the web. It makes pop-up windows possible and is used to get people to fill out forms correctly. Instructions such as ‘please insert your postcode’ after you have tried to submit a form pop up thanks to JavaScript. NB – the Java computer language is a different thing altogether.
  
• Joint Photographic Experts’ Group (JPEG) Another format for image files, often used for photographic images.
  
• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) LCD technology is used for flat-screen monitors, including TVs and phones.
  
• Mega pixel A method of measuring the resolution of a digital device, such as a digital camera or a computer monitor. A five mega pixel camera can take pictures at a much higher resolution than an typical camera phone.
  
• MP3 A format for music files, typically played on an MP3 player.
  

• Sources BBC, Computer People www.howstuffworks.com

  Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device such as a Palm or an iPAQ that helps people manage information. It might contain an address book, diary, and files in a variety of formats, including Word and Excel, as well as images, music and video.
  
• Portable Document Format (PDF) A digital version of a document which preserves its formatting.
  
• Peer-to-peer A way of allowing computers to share files with each other.
  
• PlayStation Portable (PSP) Sony’s new device for games.

by Joanna Pegum
SCI Web Editor