Jargon Buster

1080p Of the common types of high-definition video, this is the best quality: 1920x1080 pixels.

32bit/64bit A measure of how much data a PC can process at once. Most older computers are 32bit, more modern ones are 64bit.

3G/4G/5G Technologies that deliver faster mobile broadband.

4K Video with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 pixels.

720p A common resolution of highdefinition video: 1280x720 pixels.

802.11ac A standard for wireless networks that allows for much higher transfer speeds than 802.11n.

802.11ax Wi-fi standard with speeds up to 10 times faster than 802.11ac. Also called Wi-fi 6.

Add-on A program that adds extra features to your browser.

Backhaul The process of sending data to a wired access point to reach the wider internet.

Bandwidth A measure of how much data can be transferred through a connection at one time.

Beta A version of software that’s being tested.

Biometric Using measurable personal characteristics, such as fingerprints, for identification.

BIOS Basic Input-output System. Software built into every PC that connects the vital components.

CAPTCHA Distorted text you have to type to prove you’re a human.

Client A program that acts as an interface between PC and server.

Code Used to summarise the various programming languages used to create programs.

Cookie A small text file stored on your computer by a website.

Core Units on a processor that carry out program instructions.

Displayport A new socket for connecting monitors.

Driver A file that tells Windows how to work with an external device.

E-ink Electrophoretic ink. A special type of ink used to display content in electronic devices.

ECG Electrocardiogram. Tests your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity using sensors attached to the skin.

EPUB A file format used by many popular ebook readers.

EXE A program file designed to run in Windows.

File path Shows the location of a file within Windows.

Frame rate The number of still images, or frames, shown per second to create a moving image.

FTP File Transfer Protocol. A system for transferring files between computers.

GHZ Gigahertz. A measure of how many instructions a chip can process per second.

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.

HDR High-dynamic range. A camera that takes more than one photo with different levels of colour and contrast. These images are then combined to create a better-quality image.

IMAP Internet Message Access Protocol. A method for email that lets the user manage messages stored on a remote server.

IP address Internet Protocol address. A unique set of numbers used to identify computers and websites on the internet.

JPEG Joint Photograph Experts Group. A common type of image file created by most digital cameras.

Kernel The central part of an operating system, controlling how hardware and software interact.

LCD Liquid-crystal display. The technology used to create almost all flatscreen monitors.

LED Light-emitting diode. An electronic device that emits light.

Lidar Light Detection and Ranging. A remote-sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure distances to Earth.

M.2 A standard specification for internal PC expansion cards and connectors.

MBOX File formats used to hold collections of emails.

Mesh Wi-fi Wireless network solution that uses multiple, connected routers to stretch Wi-fi further than a traditional router.

Microsd card A small type of memory card.

NAS Network-attached storage. A hard drive attached to a network that can be shared with other PCS.

NTFS New Technology File System. A file system used by all recent versions of Windows.

OLED Organic light-emitting diode. A thin-film organic lightemitting diode used in computer displays and television screens.

Optical stabilisation A mechanism built into digital cameras that compensates for any shaking or vibrations that occur during shooting.

P3 A colour space that has a wider spectrum than SRGB.

PCIE Peripheral Component Interconnect Express. A faster version of PCI - a slot on the motherboard for expansion cards.

Plug-in A small program that adds extra features to software or to your web browser.

POP3 Post Office Protocol 3. A system for remotely accessing and retrieving email from an ISP.

Product key A unique serial number that must be typed in by the user before a program will launch for the first time.

RAM Random-access memory. The computer’s working area, used for data storage while the PC is switched on.

Read speed How long it takes a hard drive to ‘read’ data, and respond to it.

SATA Serial ATA. An interface for connecting hard drives and optical discs to a computer.

SIM Subscriber Identity Module. The smart card used by all digital mobile phones.

Source code Program instructions written in a high-level language that are readable by people but not computers.

SRGB A standard RGB colour space for use on monitors, printers and the internet.

SSD Solid-state drive. Storage that, unlike a hard drive, uses no moving parts.

System restore point Collection of system files stored at a given time to which Windows can revert if a problem occurs.

Thread Smallest sequence of instructions that can be managed by your processor.

Timestamp The time which an event is recorded by a computer.

USB 3.0 An even faster version of the USB standard used to connect devices to a computer.

USB-C A new connector that’s reversible, letting you plug it in upside down.

Virtual PC A Windows tool that enables you to run a second ‘virtual’ operating system on a PC, such as running XP in a Windows 7 computer to use older programs.

Widget A small program such as a calendar that runs on the Windows desktop.

Write speed How long it takes a hard drive to save data.

ZIP file A file that contains compressed documents or files.