~ ~ A ~ ~

Applet
(Aplet) n. - An application that has limited features, requires limited memory resources, and is usually portable between operating systems.
Autoresponder
(Autoresponder) n. - An automatic e-mail response, it is a bot that has become an essential Internet tool for netcentric businesses. It sends "canned" e-mail messages instantly to people who request information. It can be as simple as sending one message to anyone who writes to a specific e-mail address, or it can be as sophisticated as offering fifty different response messages, each one sent based on the text of the received e-mail message.
AVI
(AVI) abbr. - Audio Video Interleave. A Windows audio/video (multimedia) file, it is a common format you will find on the Internet for developing and viewing small movies and videos. These files are usually pretty large and would require a connection of 28.8 or better to download in any kind of reasonable time. A 20 second movie clip in AVI format could be as large as 3MB and could take about 15 minutes to download to your computer.

~ ~ B ~ ~

Backup
(Backup) n. - A copy of a program or file that is stored separately from the original.  v. To create a copy of a program or file and store it separately from the original.
Bandwidth
(Bandwidth) n. - The technical definition involves the difference between two frequencies and the amount of information that can flow through a channel as expressed in cycles per second (hertz). It also refers to the range of frequencies (not the speed) or the measured amount of information that can be transmitted over a connection: the higher the frequency, the higher the bandwidth and the greater the capacity of a channel to carry information. You may hear bandwidth described as the amount of time it takes a Web page to fully load (although this is incorrect) or as the amount of traffic on a Web site (this is also incorrect, but widely used).
Banner
(Banner) n. - A graphic image used on websites to advertise other websites, products or services.
Banner Exchange
(Banner Exchange) n. - An Internet advertising program which allows members to swap banner ads. Displaying another member's banner ad earns a member credit(s) from the program which is used to display his own banner on another website in the network.
BCC
(BCC) abbr. - Like carbon copy (CC), this e-mail option lets you send the same message to many different addresses. The difference is that when you put a recipient's e-mail address in the bcc field, the recipients cannot see each other's e-mail addresses and don't know that someone else received it.
BMP
(BMP) abbr. - Bitmap (file name extension). A set of bits that represents a graphic image, with each bit or group of bits corresponding to a pixel in the image.
BIOS
(BIOS) abbr. - Basic Input/Output System. The set of routines stored in read-only memory that enable a computer to start the operating system and to communicate with the various devices in the system, such as disk drives, keyboard, monitor, printer, and communications ports.
Bit
(Bit) n. - The basic unit of information in a binary numbering system, it takes 8 bits to make up a byte. Bits are used to describe transmission speeds. The electronic circuitry in computers detects the difference between two states (high current and low current) and represents these two states as one of two numbers, 1 or 0. These basic high/low, either/or, yes/no units of information are called bits. The word bit derives from the phrase "binary digit".
Bookmark
(Bookmark) n. - A direct link to an often visited site, saved in your browser for easy access. Bookmarks help you keep track of Web sites you frequently visit.
Bootable Disk
(Bootable Disk) n. - A disk, usually a floppy or CD-ROM, that contains the operating system in a form ready to use to start the computer.
Boot Sector
(Boot Sector) n. - A reserved sector on the hard drive or other disk that is used to load the operating system.
Broadband
(Broadband) n. - A high-speed, high-capacity data transmission channel that sends and receives information on coaxial cable or fiber-optic cable, giving it the ability to carry video, voice, and data simultaneously. Broadband is primarily used to send different types of signals simultaneously, using the same FDM (Frequency Division Multiplexing) technique used for cable TV.
Browser
(Browser) n. - A program used to view, download, upload, surf, or otherwise access documents (for example, Web pages) on the Internet. Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer are well-known "Web browsers" that enable you to view and interact with Web sites.
Bug
(Bug) n. - A programming error that causes a software application or computer system to perform erratically, produce incorrect results, or crash altogether.
Button
(Button) n. - A image of a button on a computer screen which simulates being "pushed" when clicked by the mouse.

~ ~ C ~ ~

Cache
(Cache) n. - A form of high-speed memory that your computer sets aside to store frequently accessed data; once the data is stored, it can be retrieved directly from your hard drive rather than from a server.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
(Central Processing Unit) n. - The part of a computer that interprets and executes instructions. Also referred to as a processor.
Chat
(Chat) n. - A form of interactive online communication that enables users to have real-time conversations with other people who are also online. Chatting on the Internet can take place via Web sites, in areas known as chat rooms, via instant messaging, or on IRC channels.
Chip
(Chip) n. - A minute slice of a semi-conducting material, such as silicon or germanium, doped and otherwise processed to have specified electrical characteristics, especially before it is developed into an electronic component or integrated circuit. Also called a microchip.
Clipboard
(Clipboard) n. - A reserved section of memory that is used as a temporary holding area for data that is copied or moved from one application to another.
CMOS
(CMOS) abbr. - Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A widely used type of semiconductor; such as the battery-powered CMOS memory which is used to hold the date, time, and system setup parameters of personal PCs.
Code
(Code) n. - A set of machine symbols that represents data or instructions.
Command Prompt
(Command Prompt) n. - In DOS, the location where the user enters commands to tell a the computer want to do.
Component
(Component) n. - A constituent element, as of a system. A part of a mechanical or electrical complex.
Computer
(Computer) n. - A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.
Cookie
(Cookie) n. - A small file that a Web server automatically sends to your PC when you browse certain Web sites. Cookies are stored as text files on your hard drive so servers can access them when you return to Web sites you've visited before. Cookies contain information that identifies each user, for example: login or username, passwords, shopping cart information, preferences, and so on. When a user revisits a Web site, his or her computer automatically "serves up" the cookie, which establishes the user's identity, thus eliminating the need for the customer to reenter the information. Basically, the server needs to know this information in order for the Web site to work correctly, and the information is nothing more than a string of letters and numbers.
Cracker
(Cracker) n. - A person who breaks into a computer system without authorization with the intent to do damage. The terms hacker and cracker have become synonymous because a cracker uses low-level hacker skills to do cracking.
Crash
(Crash) v. - To stop functioning. n. A sudden failure of a program or operating system, with or without serious consequences.
Crop
(Crop) v. - To trim (an image, for example).
CSV
(CSV) abbr. - Comma Separated Value. A database export/import format and file extension.
Cursor
(Cursor) n. - A bright, usually blinking, movable indicator on a display, marking the position at which a character can be entered, corrected, or deleted.

~ ~ D ~ ~

Data Mining
(Data Mining) n. - The process of looking for hidden patterns in a group of data that can be used to predict future behavior.
Defragment
Defragment) v. - To perform a computer maintenance procedure which reorganizes the disk by putting files into contiguous order.
Desktop
(Desktop) n. - A personal computer (PC) or professional workstation that's designed to fit on a desk. This term also describes what you see on your computer screen when no applications are running.
Directory
(Directory) n. - A simulated file folder on disk, in which programs and data for applications are typically kept.
DOS
(DOS) abbr. - Disk Operating System. The first operating system software designed to control the hardware of a specific data-processing system in order to allow users and application programs to make use of it.
Download
(Download) v. - To transfer (data or programs) from a server or host computer to one's own computer or device.  n. A term used to refer to a program that was transferred by downloading it.
Drive
(Drive) n. - An electromechanical device, either as a component or peripheral, that spins disks and tapes at a specified speed.
Driver
(Driver) n. - A piece of software that enables a computer to communicate with a peripheral device.
DST
(DST) abbr. - Destination. The opposite of Source (SRC).

~ ~ E ~ ~

Electronic Book {ebook}
(Electronic Book) n. - A book that can be downloaded and read on a computer or other digital device.
Electronic Mail {e-mail or email}
(Electronic Mail) n. - 1. A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network, as between personal computers. 2. A message or messages sent or received by such a system.
Encode
(Encode) v. - To rewrite and/or transfer media sources from one format to another. For example, you can encode a VHS tape into a RealVideo file. An encoder is the used during this process.
Encrypt
(Encrypt) v. - To alter, using a secret code, with the intent of being unintelligible to unauthorized parties.
Expansion Slot
(Expansion Slot) n. - A receptacle inside a computer that accepts a printed circuit board to expand the computer's capabilities.
Export
(Export) v. - To format data so that it can be read and used by another application, thereby allowing multiple programs to share the same data. Data can be exported and imported between word processing programs, different types of graphics programs, or different types of applications altogether (such as a database program and a spreadsheet program). The export feature is under the File menu in most programs; go to it from within the program you want to export out of and you'll find a list of supported programs or file formats for exporting.
Extension
(Extension) n. - The characters after the dot in a file's name are the file's extension. They determine how the file is formatted and viewed. For example, a file named "index.html" is coded in HTML and therefore must be viewed with a compatible program (such as a Web browser or HTML editor).

~ ~ F ~ ~

Firewall
(Firewall) n. - A method for implementing security policies designed to keep a network secure from intruders.
Floppy Disk
(Floppy Disk) n. - A flexible plastic disk coated with magnetic material and covered by a protective jacket, used primarily by computers to store data magnetically. Also called diskette.
Floppy Drive
(Floppy Drive) n. - A peripheral device that reads and writes floppy disks. The drive contains a motor to rotate the disk at a constant rate and one or more read/write heads which are positioned over the desired track by a servo mechanism. It also contains the electronics to amplify the signals from the heads to normal digital logic levels and vice versa.
Forum
(Forum) n. - An information interchange system hosted by an Internet newsgroup, online service, website or Bulletin Board Service. It allows participant to exchange information of varying types in several different ways depending on how the forum is set up.
Freeware
(Freeware) n. - Software that is available for free, usually over the Internet.

FTP (FTP) abbr. - File Transfer Protocol. A protocol used to transfer files over a TCP/IP network; for example the Internet or a Unix-based network.

~ ~ G ~ ~

GIF
(GIF) abbr. - Graphics Interchange Format. Developed by CompuServe, using file compression technology from Unisys, this is a graphics file format used on the Internet. On Web pages, the images (or pictures) you see are usually in GIF because the files are small and can be downloaded quickly. Since JPGs cannot be "interlaced," many Web authors use GIFs instead, to get that "melting onto the screen" effect that happens with interlaced images.
Graphic
(Graphic) n. - A picture or still image generated on a computer. There are two basic types of computer-generated graphics: object-oriented graphics (vector graphics) and bitmapped graphics (raster graphics). "Graphics" may be short for "graphic arts," including the creation, modification, and printing of visual works.

~ ~ H ~ ~

Hard Drive
(Hard Drive) n. - A disk drive that reads data stored on hard disks. Also called hard disk drive.
Hardware
(Hardware) n. - A computer and the associated physical equipment directly involved in the performance of data-processing or communications functions.
Homepage
(Homepage) n. - (AKA Home or Home Page) The first page or front page of a Web site. It serves as the starting point for navigation. Why is it sometimes seen as one word and other times as two words? When referring to the Web site of an individual or a company, or to a Web site you want someone to visit, the one-word version is used. The two-word version is more applicable when talking about the front page of a larger Web site (consisting of many pages) or when referring to the front page from a site map or page of navigational directions.
HyperText Markup Language
{HTML} (Hyper Text Markup Language) n. - The document format used to build webpages in which HTML tags (codes) are embedded in the text.
Hz
(Hertz) abbr. - Hertz. A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.

~ ~ I ~ ~

Icon
(Icon) n. - A small, on-screen image representing an object; such as a document, program, folder or disk drive.
IDE
(IDE) abbr. - Integrated Drive Electronics (hard disk).
Image
(Image) n. - A picture or still image generated on a computer.
Input Device
(Input Device) n. - A device, such as a keyboard, used to enter information into a computer.
Instant Messaging
(Instant Messaging) n. - A technology that gives users the ability to identify people online and to exchange messages with them in real time. Also called IM.
Integrated
(Integrated) adj. - Of or relating to a collection of components that have been built into one unit.
Interactive
(Interactive) adj. - Of or relating to the on-going dialog, or communication process, that takes place between the user and the computer.
Interface
(Interface) n. - The portion of a program that interacts between a user and an application, meaning it is what you see on the computer screen. It usually refers to "user interface," which consists of the set of operating system commands, graphical display formats, and other features designed for use on a computer or a program. It is also the actual connection between two applications or two hardware devices, that facilitates the exchange of data. "To interface" is to make an appropriate physical connection between two pieces of hardware so that the equipment can communicate or work together effectively.
Internet
(Internet) n. - A world-wide network of computers in more than 100 countries covering academic, commercial, governmental and personal endeavors.
I/O
(IO) abbr. - Input/Output. Of or relating to transferring data between the CPU and a peripheral device.
IP
(IP) abbr. - Internet Protocol. The set of technology standards and technical specifications that enable information to be routed from one network to another over the Internet.
IR
(IR) abbr. - Infrared. An invisible band of radiation, at the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum, used for wireless transmission between computer devices and remote controls for TVs and stereo equipment.
IRC
(IRC) abbr. - Internet Relay Chat. A live chat area of the Internet in which real-time conversations take place via IRC software, ASCII commands, and channels. Each channel begins with a # and is dedicated to a different area of interest.
IrDA
(IrDA) abbr. - Infrared Data Association. A membership organization dedicated to developing standards for wireless, infrared transmission systems between computers.
ISP
(ISP) abbr. - Internet Service Provider. A company that provides users access to the Internet.

~ ~ J ~ ~

Java Virtual Machine
(Java Virtual Machine) n. - Software that interprets and converts the Java intermediate language into machine language and executes it.
JPEG or JPG
(JPG) abbr. - Joint Photographic Experts Group. One of the two most common types of image formats used on the World Wide Web. The shorter extension, JPG (without the E), is usually used in association with PC platform files. A standardized image compression mechanism, JPG is named after the original name of the committee that wrote the standard, the "Joint Photographic Experts Group." JPG is designed for compressing either full-color or gray-scale images of natural, real-world scenes. It works well on photographs, naturalistic artwork, and similar material; not so well on lettering, simple cartoons, or line drawings.

~ ~ K ~ ~

KB
(KB) abbr. - Kilobyte. A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,024 (210) bytes; one thousand bytes.
Keyboard
(Keyboard) n. - A set of keys, as on a computer terminal.  v. To enter (text or data) into a computer by means of a keyboard.

~ ~ L ~ ~

Launch
(Launch) v. - To start, begin, or open up a computer program or application. A launch is also the first day a Web site is "live" on the Net, as in, "When are you launching your Web site?".
Link
(Link) n. - A segment of text or a graphical item that serves as a cross-reference between parts of a hypertext document or between files or hypertext documents. Also called hotlink, hyperlink.
Logical Drive
(Logical Drive) n. - An allocated part of a physical disk drive that is designated and managed as an independent unit after partitioning.
Login
(Login) v. - The act of connecting to or accessing a remote computer system, network, server, or Web site. To login, you must provide a username and a password. Also known as log on.

~ ~ M ~ ~

Mailing List
(Mailing List) n. - A list of e-mail addresses that represent people who share a similar interest or who regularly correspond. You can subscribe to some mailing lists to receive regular updates or electronic newsletters, among other messages.
MB
(MB) abbr. - Megabyte. A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,048,576 (220) bytes; one million bytes.
MBR
(MBR) abbr. - Master Boot Record. Usually the first sector in the first partition of a hard drive. It contains a small program that reads the partition table to find the first sector that contains the operating system; where another small program causes the computer to boot the operating system.
Memory Chip
(Memory Chip) n. - A chip that holds programs and data either temporarily (RAM), permanently (ROM, PROM) or permanently until changed (EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory).
Menu
(Menu) n. - A list of currently available functions, options or links printed on the computer screen.
MHz
(MHz) abbr. - MegaHertz. One million cycles per second; used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices.
MIDI
(MIDI) abbr. - Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A standard for representing musical information in a digital format. Software that conforms to this standard, used for composing and editing electronic music.
Modem
(Modem) n. - A device for transmitting usually digital data over telephone wires by modulating the data into an audio signal to send it and demodulating an audio signal into data to receive it.
Monitor
(Monitor) n. - A device that accepts video signals from a computer and displays information on a screen; a video display.
Motherboard
(Motherboard) n. - The main board of a computer, usually containing the circuitry for the central processing unit, keyboard, and monitor and often having slots for accepting additional circuitry.
Mouse
(Mouse) n. - A hand-held, button-activated input device that when rolled along a flat surface directs an indicator to move correspondingly about a computer screen, allowing the operator to move the indicator freely, as to select operations or manipulate text or graphics.
Mouse Pointer
(Mouse Pointer) n. - The small symbol on the computer screen that moves and changes shape when you move the mouse.
MPG
(MPG) abbr. - Motion Picture Experts Group.  type of audio/video (multimedia) file found on the Internet. In order to hear or see an MPEG movie, you will need to install a helper application or a Web browser plugin. MPEG is an algorithm for compressing audio and video, not to be confused with "Motion-JPEG." MPEG file names end with .mpeg, .mp1, or .mp3.
Multimedia
(Multimedia) adj. - Of or relating to information presented in more than one form; usually including text, audio, graphics, animated graphics and full-motion video.

~ ~ N ~ ~

Network
(Network) n. - A system of computers interconnected by telephone wires or other means in order to share information.

~ ~ O ~ ~

Online
(Online) adj. - Of or relating to being connected to the Internet or other remote service.
Operating System
{OS} (Operating System) n. - Software designed to control the hardware of a specific data-processing system in order to allow users and application programs to make use of it.
Optical Disk
(Optical Disk) n. - A storage medium from which data is read and to which it is written by lasers.
OS2
(OS2) n. - A family of multitasking operating systems for x86 machines from IBM.

~ ~ P ~ ~

Partition
(Partition) n. - A reserved part of disk or memory. Large hard drives are often partitioned to make two or more smaller, virtual hard drives.
Partition Table
Partition Table) n. - A part of the Master Boot Record (MBR) that describes how the disk is partitioned.
Password
(Password) n. - A secret word or code used as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to data.
Patch
(Patch) n. - Supplemental software code that, when installed to the original software program, fixes problems. A patch can usually be downloaded off the Internet in order to fix a bug.
PC
(PC) abbr. - Personal Computer. Any desktop, laptop or hand-held computer.
PDA
(PDA) abbr. - Personal Data Assistant. Another term used to refer to a handheld device such as a Pocket PC.
Peripheral
(Peripheral) n. - An auxiliary device, such as a printer, modem, or storage system, that works in conjunction with a computer.
PIE
(PIE) abbr. - Pocket Internet Explorer.
Pixel
(Pixel) n. - The basic unit of the composition of an image on a television screen, computer monitor, or similar display.
Plug-In
(PlugIn) n. - A smaller, add-on computer program that works in conjunction with a larger application by enhancing its capabilities.
Pocket PC
(Pocket PC) n. - Microsoft Corporation's version of a hand-held computer based on the Windows CE operating system.
POP
(POP) abbr. - 1. Point Of Presence. A telephone number that gives users dial-up access to the Internet. This term is also used to describe an actual connection point on the Internet's backbone.
2. Post Office Protocol. A protocol used by mail clients to retrieve messages from a mail server. It comes in two types: POP2, which requires SMTP to send messages, and POP3, which can be used with or without SMTP. An e-mail account is often referred to as your "POP account".
Pop-Up
(PopUp) n. - A new window that suddenly appears on your computer screen.
Port
(Port) n. - A socket on a computer used to connect a device to the computer through a type of interface.
Post
(Post) v. - To place a webpage on the Internet or to send a message to an Internet newsgroup.
Printer
(Printer) n. - A computer peripheral device that prints text or graphics on paper.
Processor
(Processor) n. - 1. A computer. 2. A central processing unit. 3. A program that translates another program into a form acceptable by the computer being used.
Program
(Program) n. - A set of coded instructions that enables a machine, especially a computer, to perform a desired sequence of operations.
Proxy
(Proxy) n. - A technique used to cache information on a Web server. It acts as an intermediary between a Web client and a Web server. Basically, a proxy server holds the most commonly accessed and recently used content from the World Wide Web in order to provide quicker downloads for users and to increase server security. It is common for an ISP to use a proxy server, especially if it has a slow link to the Internet. Proxy servers are also constructs that allow direct Internet access from behind a firewall. They open a socket on the server and allow communication via that socket to the Internet.

~ ~ R ~ ~

RAM
(RAM) abbr. - Random Access Memory. A memory device in which information can be accessed in any order.
Registry
(Registry) n. - The Windows configuration database that maintains all the settings for the hardware and software installed in the computer.
Removable Drive
(Removable Drive) n. - A type of disk drive system in which a hard disk are enclosed in plastic or metal cartridge so that they can be removed like floppy disk.
Resolution
(Resolution) v. - A common computing term, it refers to several things. On a computer monitor, it is the number of pixels (horizontally) and lines (vertically) on the screen. For printers, resolution is a measurement expressed in dpi that describes the sharpness of a printed image. With sound boards, it is the number of bits used to encode sounds.
Restore
(Restore) v. - To bring a backup copy of a program or file into existence or use, usually after a computer crash or loss of data. Also known as recover.
Right Click
(Right Click) v. - To press the right button on the mouse and release it.
ROM
(ROM) abbr. - Read Only Memory. A memory device that permanently stores instructions and data.

~ ~ S ~ ~

Scanner
(Scanner) n. - A computer peripheral device that moves a finely focused beam of light or electrons in a systematic pattern over a surface in order to reproduce or sense and subsequently transmit an image.
SCSI
(SCSI) abbr. - Small Computer System Interface. A small computer system interface used for connecting peripheral devices, such as external disk drives and scanners, as used on personal computers.
SD
(SD) abbr. - Secure Digital. As in secure digital memory cards.
SDIO
(SDIO) abbr. - Secure Digital Input/Output. As in secure digital memory cards. Thanks for the help Patrice!
Sector
(Sector) n. - A portion of a magnetic storage device making up the smallest addressable unit of information.
Serial
(Serial) n. - An interface that transmits data one bit after the other.
Server
(Server) n. - A computer system in a network, or on the Internet, that is shared by multiple users.
Shareware
(Shareware) n. - Copyrighted software that is available free of charge on a trial basis, usually with the condition that users pay a fee for continued use and support.
Shortcut
(Shortcut) n. - A pointer to a program or data file. Double-clicking the pointer is the same as double-clicking the program.
Skin
(Skin) n. - A particular look of a graphical user interface which allows users to personalize programs to their liking.
SMS
SMS) abbr. - Short Message Service. The set of technology standards and technical specifications that enable information to be routed from one network to another over the Internet. It is the way networks exchange data with each other.
Software
(Software) n. - The programs, routines, and symbolic languages that control the functioning of the hardware and direct its operation.
Sound Card
(Sound Card) n. - An add-on expansion board that improves a computer's sound quality, and adds other sound capabilities. With a sound card you can use speakers, a stereo, and a microphone to record and play sound.
Spyware
(Spyware) n. - Software, also known as "parasite software", that sends information about your web surfing habits to its web site without your knowledge. It's often installed in your computer with a free download that you chose to download.
SRC
(SRC) abbr. - Source. The opposite of Destination (DST).
Stylus
Stylus) n. - The small, plastic pen you use when adding or editing information on a PDA (such as a Pocket PC) or the writing instrument portion of a "pen and tablet" peripheral.
System
(System) n. - A network of related computer software, hardware, and data transmission devices.

~ ~ T ~ ~

TCP/IP
TCP IP) abbr. - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The set of protocols that make Telnet, FTP, e-mail, and other services possible among computers that don't belong to the same network.
Technician
(Technician) n. - An expert in a technique; one whose occupation requires training in a specific technical process.
Toolbar
(Toolbar) n. - The name of the strip of buttons you see at the top, bottom, or side of an application interface. The buttons activate tools. A toolbar can be hidden, or it can be configured to appear with or without graphics. A toolbar is not to be confused with the nav bar you may see in a Web browser.
Trojan Horse
(Trojan Horse) n. - A computer program that appears legitimate, but actually performs some illicit activity when it is run.

~ ~ U ~ ~

Uniform Resource Locator {URL}
(Uniform Resource Locator) n. - An Internet address (for example, http://www.giz-net.com/gizchips/), usually consisting of the access protocol (http), the domain name (www.giz-net.com), and optionally the path to a file or resource residing on that server (gizchips).
UNIX
(UNIX) n. - A multiuser, multitasking operating system which is widely used as the master control program in workstations and servers.
Upload
(Upload) v. - To transfer (data or programs) from one's own computer or device to a server or remote computer.
USB
(USB) abbr. - Universal Serial Bus. A hardware interface for low-speed peripherals; such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, or printer.
User Name
(User Name) n. - The name used to identify a user when logging onto a computer or online service. Also referred to as User ID, especially when it is composed of jumbled letters and/or numbers.

~ ~ V ~ ~

Version
(Version) n. - A particular form or variation of an earlier or original type of software.
Video Card
(Video Card) n. - A circuit board that enables a computer to display information on its screen. The resolution, number of colors, and refresh rate of a monitor are determined by the kind of video card used and the limitations of the monitor itself. Also called graphics adapter, display adapter, video adapter.

~ ~ W ~ ~

Webpage
(Webpage) n. - A text file coded in HTML; it may also contain JavaScript code or other commands.
Webring
(WebRing) n. - An Internet navigation system that links related web sites together through the use of HTML or javascript code posted on a page belonging to each member site.
Website
(Website) n. - A set of interconnected webpages, usually including a homepage, generally located on the same server, and prepared and maintained as a collection of information by a person, group, or organization.
Window
(Window) n. - A viewing area on the computer screen. Several open windows allows you to work simultaneously in different applications.
WMV
(WMV) abbr. - Windows Media Video. Developed and controlled by Microsoft, WMV is the generic name of Microsoft's video encoding solutions and doesn't necessarily define the technology that it uses.
Worm
(Worm) n. - A destructive program that replicates itself throughout disk and memory; using up the computer's resources and eventually shutting the system down.
Winsock
Winsock) abbr. - Windows Sockets. The Windows interface to the TCP/IP communications protocol.

~ ~ Z ~ ~

Zip File
(Zip File) n. - A data file that has been compressed through the use of a compression utility program.