|
|
|
Computing terms explained in plain English
Search for a specific term
Advanced Audio Coding. A type of music file.
Links wireless network users to a wired network.
Technology for adding extra features to a web browser.
Generic term for a piece of software that adds extra features to another program.
An area of a web browser into which internet addresses can be typed. Pressing enter then directs the browser to that exact page. The address bar is sometimes confused with a search bar. Typing addresses into a search field will produce a list of websites that may or may not match what you are looking for.
Automatic Document Feeder. A device that feeds sheets of paper into a photocopier or scanner, one by one.
A Windows user account that has the power to change advanced settings in the operating system, and create and modify accounts for other users,
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A technology that converts a standard phone line into a broadband internet connection.
A newer, faster type of ADSL broadband.
Software that displays adverts.
The technology that provides fancy window effects in Windows 7 and some versions of Vista.
Accelerated Graphics Port. A slot used to connect graphics cards in older computers.
Artificial Intelligence. A computer program designed to mimic the behaviour of humans or animals.
Audio Interchange File Format. A digital audio format often associated with Apple Mac computers.
Asynchronous Javascript and XML. A technology that allows websites to fetch fresh information from the web without loading a new page.
Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode. A type of thin-film display used in portable devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras, as well as in larger displays. Amoled displays consume less power, enable portable devices in particular to make more efficient use of battery capacity.
A signal whose value varies over time, as opposed to a digital signal which is either on or off.
An operating system for portable computers and mobile phones, based on the Linux system that is used on some PCs.
A type of simple animation found on the internet.
A comment on a document, rather like a note jotted down on a paper document.
Software that protects against and removes computer viruses.
An opening that controls the amount of light entering a camera lens.
Application Programming Interface. A system built into a program so that other programs can work with it.
A small program designed to run on a phone or handheld computer (short for application). Could be a game, utility or any other type of program.
A small program designed to run on a phone or handheld computer (short for application). Could be a game, utility or any other type of program.
A small program, often one that runs within a larger program to perform a specific task.
A computer program that performs a specific task, such as Microsoft Word for creating documents.
A measurement of the shape of a display. Traditional computer screens are 4:3. Widescreen displays are 16:9 or 16:10.
Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding. A type of music file used by some older Sony players.
A computer file, such as a word-processing document, sent along with an email.
A company that sells downloadable audio books. Also used to describe the files it uses.
A book read aloud and recorded on tape, CD or as a digital file.
A technology that corrects words as you type them.
A Windows feature that allows a program to be automatically started when a disk is connected to a computer
A tool in Excel that provides a quick total of the selected cells.
A tool in some photo editors that attempts to trace an image, converting it into vector graphics that can be resized.
Audio/Visual. Any device that can show video or play sound.
A graphic or icon used to represent a computer user, either online or in a video game.
Advanced Video Coding High Definition. A standard for storing high-definition video. AVCHD discs can be played by most Blu-ray players.
Audio Video Interleave. A type of video file. AVI is known as a container format, as it can hold many types of audio and video.
A device that sends audio and video signals wirelessly.
Updating your subscription status 
Save money by switching to fast 3G broadband
