Jargon Translator

One of the biggest barriers to learning computers is that computer teachers often start trying to teach in an alien language.

While I pride myself on having retained the use of English as my primary language, and most people prefer it, you will find many books and manuals stuffed full of technical words, metaphors and acronyms. Below is a list of many of these with their meanings translated into English.

Picnic - Acronym used by arrogant computer support technicians and developers derived from: Problem In Chair Not In Computer

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) - This enables high speed data transfer over traditional copper telephone lines. It is called ‘asymmetric’ as data is downloaded faster than it is uploaded.

ADSL2+ - This is a form of ADSL that offers even faster top speeds of data transfer.

Attachment - This is a file that has been sent as an attachment in an email, but it is not part of the email. The file (for example a word document) is then downloaded by the recipient.

Avatar - This is an image used as online representation of a person; they are mainly used in chat rooms.

AVI - A video clip format, showing that a file is a video.

Backbone - This is a high-speed telecommunications line used to connect local branches of the Internet.

Bandwidth - This is a way of measuring the speed of data transmission. Bandwidth is measured in bits per second (bps).

BIT - is short for binary digit.

Bitmap (BMP) - is a file of image format.

Blog (web log) - is an online diary used by an author to share information on a particular subject at regular intervals.

Bookmark - This is used to mark the address of a web page in your computers memory. This allows you to refer back to that website at a later time without having to type in the web address.

Bot - This is an automated software program used to carry out specific tasks.

BPS (bits per second) - This is a measurement of speed as which data is transferred.

Broadband - This is a service that enables large amounts of data to be transferred at fast speeds.

Browser - This is a program that enables you to search the Internet for websites.

Burn - This is a term used to describe the recording of data from a computer hard drive to a CD or DVD.

Byte - This is a measurement of computer storage space. There are 1024 bytes in one kilobyte (1KB), 1024 KB in a megabyte (MB) and 1024 MB in a gigabyte (GB).

Chat - This is the term to describe 2 or more people having a conversation over the Internet.

Client - This is a program that requests information from a server; WWW and ftp are server/client applications.

Cookie - This is the information sent to your computer from a website that you have viewed.

Database - This is a large collection of related data or information, it is organised in such a way that it can be easily retrieved or manipulated.

Dial-up - This is where a connection is established with the Internet using a telephone line and modem.

Domain - This is the address of a particular website, for example, www.broadband-guide.org is a domain name.

Download - This is the process of retrieving a copy of information from your own or a remote computer.

Downstream - This refers to the flow of data from a specific location to your PC.

DSL modem - This is a piece of hardware required to get a high speed broadband service, it can give speeds up to 512Kbps downstream and 256Kbps upstream.

Ecommerce - This is the name used when referring to sales done over the Internet.

Email - This is the exchange of electronic mail between computers and users.

Encryption - This is the process of translating data into a secret code for protection purposes.

Filters - This is a device that you plug into your phone socket, you may be required to have a filter when using the internet.

Firewall - This is a means of security that protects your computer from unauthorised access by others.

Freeware - This is any type of software that is free to purchase and use.

Gateway - This is a combination of hardware and software that enables two different types of networks to exchange information.

Gigabyte (GB) - This is a unit of storage capacity. There are 1,024 megabytes in one GB.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - This is a type of graphics file.

Hacker - This is someone who enjoys exploring and learning about computer systems. It is often confused with cracker, which is a person who has a mischievous attitude and often attempts to break into computer systems.

Hard drive - This is a piece of hardware used to store electronic information in your computer.

History - This is a list of previously viewed websites that is stored in your browser.

Home page - This is the an introductory web page that appears when you first open your browser.

Hub - This is a device used in local area networks to make a connection between two computers.

Hyperlink - This can be a piece of text or an image that takes you to a website when clicked.

Internet Explorer - This is a program that allows you to view different websites.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) - This is a company that provides users with access to the Internet.

Internet - This is a network of networks around the world that facilitates data transfer and communication services.

Intranet - This is an internal, private network used within a company.

IP address - This is a unique 4-byte number that is used to identify servers or users connected to the Internet.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - This is a type of image format commonly used in web pages.

Kilobyte (KB) - This is a unit of storage capacity, there are 1024 bytes in a KB.

LAN - Local area Area Network.

Login - This is where you connect or access a computer system by providing a user name and password.

Mbps (Megabits per second) - This is a measurement of speed when referring to data transfer or bandwidth.

Megabyte (MB) - This is a unit of storage capacity, there are 1024 kilobytes in a MB.

Migration Fee - This is fee that you would pay to move from your existing provider to a different one.

Modem (Modulator/Demodulator) - A device that allows computers to send and receive data using telephone lines, a modem maybe required to connect to the Internet.

MP3 - This is a type of music file format.

MPEG - This is a type of video file format.

Multimedia - This is a method of presenting many forms of media, such as text, graphics and videos.

Network - This is when two or more computers are connected allowing resources to be shared between them.

Network adaptor (Network card or NIC) - This is a piece of hardware that allows a PC to connect to a network.

Offline - This is the status of a user when not connected to the Internet.

Online - This is the status of a user when connected to the internet.

Picnic – Acronym used by arrogant computer support technicians and developers derived from: Problem In Chair Not In Computer

Pixel (picture element) - This is the smallest unit of a picture that can be displayed on a computer monitor.

Plug-in - This is a small software program that extends the capabilities of a web browser in some way.

POP (Post Office Protocol) - This is a program which can accept e-mail on behalf of users, store it and then forward it when the user requires.

RAM (random access memory) - This is a type of memory which stores data temporarily in your computer, this data is then lost when your computer is switched off.

Rip - This is the term used to describe the copying of data from a CD or DVD onto a computer hard drive.

ROM (read only memory) - This a type of memory containing data that normally can only be read, not altered.

Router - This is a piece of hardware that allows 2 networks to be connected so that data can be transferred between them.

Search engine - This is a website that allows you to search the Internet for a specific topic.

Server - This is a host computer on a network that stores information, such as websites, and responds to requests for information.

Shareware - This is software that you can use for a limited amount of time, allowing you to try the program before you decide to purchase it.

Spam - This is the slang term used to describe unwanted advertising sent through email.

Streaming - This is when you watch or listen to a multimedia file as it’s downloading, it means you don’t have to fully download and save the file before hand.

Surfing - This is term used to describe browsing the Internet.

Upload - This is the process of transferring data from your computer hard drive to a remote location.

Upstream - This refers to the flow of data from your PC to the Internet.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - A standard way to specify the location of a file on the Internet. The URL combines the network protocol to use (eg.e.g. HTTP), the name of the host (eg www.virgin.net) and the name of the file (online) into a single specification, eg. “http://www.virgin.net” is the URL for Virgin.net.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) - This is a plug on your computer used as an easy way of connecting different pieces of hardware to your PC.

Virus - This is a man-made program that is designed specifically to cause damage to computer systems in one way or another.

Webmaster - This term is used to describe the person in charge of maintaining a web site.

Web page - This is a single document on the Internet.

Web site - This is a combined series of web pages.

Web space - This is the space on a server that can be allocated.

Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)”’ – This term is used to describe a set of standards for devices that connect to a local area network using wireless technology.

Worm - This is a program that moves through computer networks replicating itself. It is usually designed to cause damage to computer systems.

Zip - This is a type of compression file format.