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Acceleration - In networking terms, this
refers to accelerating (increasing the speed) data transfer. For example, web
accelerators (such as propel) speed up a dial up internet connection by
'cutting' the graphics and blocking ads.
Here is a
very detailed and in-depth article about the latest acceleration technologies.
Access - In
computer terms, to obtain data from a storage device.
Active X -
a type of programming that adds
interactivity with web pages.
ACPI - Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface. An industry standard for power management of computers. This
configuration is controlled through the bios and / or software settings.
AC/DC Voltage - A device that is capable
of using ac (alternating current) or dc (direct current) voltage.
Actuator - A device that converts an
electronic signal into a mechanical motion.
AC Voltage - Alternating Current. This is
the type of electricity that is found in your home. AC voltage in the home is
commonly 110 volts for most ordinary consumer electronic items. Dryers and bigger
appliances are usually 220 volts. Some industrial equipment requires 440 volts
and above. European countries use 220 volts for most household items.
Address - In internet terms, the "web
address" identifies the specific location of an internet site. In computer
terms, address identifies where data is located.
ADC - Analog to Digital Converter.
Admittance - The measure of how easy
alternating current will flow. Measured in siemens.
ADSL -
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A set of DSL technologies
that allocate more bandwidth in one direction than the other.
ADX - Automatic Data Exchange.
AF - Audio Frequency.
AGC - Automatic Gain Control
AI - Artificial Intelligence. Programs or
machines using AI "learn" as we do by making decisions.
Click here for an article about Artificial Intelligence.
Algorithm - A defined set of rules that
produces the desired results. This word is used frequently by search engines,
referring to the set of rules it uses that produces results from search terms.
Alternator - AC generator. A car's
alternator produces ac voltage and is then converted to dc voltage
ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit. The part of
a CPU that does the math calculations
Alarm Pager - A component of a home alarm
system that once the alarm is triggered, it will send messages to a phone,
personal pager, or etc.
AMD - Advanced Micro Devices. A CPU chip
maker that is in close competition with Intel chips. CPU's are often offered at
substantially lower prices with similar performance.
Ampere - The flow rate of electricity.
Also called amps. Abbreviated "A".
Amplification - To increase the power or
strength of a signal.
Amplifier - An electronic component that
increases a signal.
Analog - Electronic signal that sends
information by variation of time.
Analog TV - Over the air television
broadcast that uses magnetic waves to display sound and pictures.
Ankle biters - Low level computer hackers
that create havoc on major networks for pleasure and not for monetary gain.
Anode - The negative terminal of a
battery.
ANSI - American National Standards
Institute. Organization that sets standards for how things are manufactured or
procedurally done.
Antenna - Metal device which picks up and
delivers signals to a receiver; most commonly used for receiving radio signals.
Antenna Gain - The ability of an antenna
to focus in on signals from a specific direction.
Anti Virus program - A program designed to
protect data from malicious attacks by hackers.
Click here
for an article on tips on anti virus programs.
Aperture - The opening in a digital camera
lens where light travels through to the inside of the camera.
API - Application Program Interface. In
terms of programming, this refers to a set of functions or routines that allows
interface with an operating system (i.e. - dll files)
Appleshare - Apple's (Macintosh) server
software for LAN's.
Application software - A program that
helps the user carry out a specified task (i.e. Internet Explorer is a web
browser).
Arc - An electrical flash caused by the
ionization of a vapor or gas.
Archive - The process of moving data from
a primary storage device to a secondary storage device (i.e. backup your files
from a hard drive to a cd).
Click
here for an article about backup in Windows XP Home Edition
ARP - Address Resolution Protocol.
ARPNET - Advanced Research Projects
Agency. Back in 1969, these folks connected computers at different universities.
The beginnings of the internet. ARCNET was created by Data corporation in 1977.
ASCII - American Standard Code for
Information Interchange. A type of 8 digit code that represents the
letters of the alphabet and other characters. On a keyboard, each key represents a different
ASCII code. Sometimes pronounced ASK-TWO or ASKEE.
Aspect Ratio - The numerical relationship
of height to width on a television screen.
ASR - Automatic Send and Receive.
Assembly Language - A translation of
machine binary code into a form easier to read for human use.
Asynchronous - Data stream that is sent
with start and stop bits (this shows where the data began and ended). This data
transmission method uses flow control rather than a clock to synchronize data.
Attenuation - The loss of electrical
signal from where it began (i.e. - How much signal loss occurs over a length of
cable. Another example is the signal loss in cell phones because they are
further away from towers).
Attenuator - An electronics device
(resistors) used to reduce signal or power strength
Autoexec.bat - This file starts every time
your computer boots. Bat means that it is a batch file, which means it is an
automatic executing file.
Atomic Clock - A clock based upon the
transition of the caesium 133 atom. Highly accurate and reliable.
Click
here to read more information about the atomic clock.
ATSC - Advanced Television Systems
Committee. DTV system used by American broadcasters.
AVC - Automatic Volume Control.
Avionics - The science of aviation
electronics.
AWG - American Wire Gauge. An American standard which sets the
diameter of wire (i.e. 16 gauge wire).
Azimuth - For satellite tv dish pointing,
this term refers to moving the satellite tv dish left and right.
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