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Cache - This is a special area of memory
that gives computer components quick access to data. Your motherboard and CPU
usually have cache. Pay attention to this when buying a PC. As with RAM, the
more the better. The cheaper CPU's usually make up for the cost by having less
cache.
Read here
about how the CPU cache works.
CAD - Computer Aided Design. CAD software
is used to design everything you can imagine. This expensive / high-end software
took the place of a draftsman not so many years ago.
CAM - Content Addressable Memory.
Capacitance - The measure of the amount of
electrical charge that is held by a capacitor. Measured in farads.
Capacitor - An electrical circuit that
stores electricity. Capacitors in computer monitors can give a good shock, even
with the equipment unplugged.
CAPTCHA - Completely Automated Public
Turing Tests to Tell Computers and Humans Apart. Those twisted little letters
and numbers used to ensure that real people and not automated programs are using
a web site registration process.
Caret - The ^ character on a keyboard.
Cathode - The positive terminal of a
battery.
CCITT - Consultative Committee for
International Telephony and Telegraphy.
CCTV - Closed Circuit Television.
Click here for an
article all about CCTV.
CDDI - Copper Distributed Data Interface.
A twisted pair network topology.
CDPD - Cellular Digital Packet Data. A
technique by which data is transferred to your cell phone.
CD-R - Recordable compact disk.
CD-RW - Rewritable compact disk
CGA - Column Grid Array
Checksum value - This number
is calculated by added all the bytes in a file. If this number changes, it will
cause an antivirus program to be alerted that the file has changed in size.
Chip - Slang term for an integrated
circuit.
Circuit - The complete flow path of an
electrical current.
Circuit Breaker - An electrical device
that opens (or cuts off) an electrical circuit when overload occurs. Breakers can
be reset whereas fuses cannot. Fuses must be replaced if overloaded.
Circuitry - All of the components of an
electric circuit.
Cladding - The layer of glass that
surrounds the optic fibers in fiber optic cables.
Cloaking - A black hat SEO technique where
the internet user sees a different web page than the web bot. Using such
techniques will get a web site banned from a search engine index.
CMOS - Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor. This is the chip, in conjunction with the BIOS (Basic Input
Output System), on a motherboard that starts a computer.
Its retains configuration settings by a battery on the motherboard. It contains
the instructions a computer needs to get going before it even thinks about
loading software. Flashing CMOS (or BIOS) refers to upgrading the chips with
software revisions. Beware that this must be done only by persons who have the
knowledge to do so. Improper flashing will cause complete failure of
a system. You will not be able to boot and can only be repaired by getting
new chips or motherboard (usually the later). The biggest concern would be a
power failure during the flashing process.
Coax Cable - Cable that has a copper
center core and is shielded by insulation and braiding. Be careful to the fact
that there are several different types and each one has a specific use. For
example, regular cable system wiring will not work for home satellite TV
systems
COBOL - Common Business Oriented Language.
A programming language for business applications.
Code - In computer programming terms, it
is a set of lines that instructs a computer what to do.
CODEC - Abbreviation for Coder - Decoder.
A codec is a device or software that converts one signal into a different
format.
Coil - A winding of wires that create an
electrical field such as the coil of a motor. A mush coil is made from round
wire. A form coil is made from square or rectangular wire.
Collision - Refers to what happens when
two workstations, on a network, try to send data at the exact same moment.
Compiler - A software program that
converts computer programming language into machine language that the computer
can interpret.
Compiling - The process of converting
computer programming language into machine language.
COM port - Communications port. Ports can
be software or actual hardware. Mainly used for modems. Some older devices
(mouse, keyboard) use serial ports (com1 and com2).
Conductivity - The measured ability
of a conductor to carry electricity.
Conductor - any object (metal, wires,
cables, water, etc.) that will carry electricity.
Conduit - Plastic or metal pipe that is
used to protect wiring. Good for prevention of wire cutting on home security
systems that rely on telephone service to relay alarms.
Continuity - A complete electrical circuit
with no interruptions.
Cookie - Message from a
Web server sent and stored on your PC. Collects info such as email
address, name, pages visited.
Core 2 Processor - A new type of Intel CPU
with low power and cooling requirements at blazing speeds.
Click
here to learn more about the new "Conroe" processors.
CPS - Characters Per Second. A measurement
of printer output speed.
CPU - Central Processing Unit. The brain
of a computer. Cooling is so very important due to the intense heat buildup.
It is not uncommon for the fans to fail. Dust is the number one reason why they
fail. Most newer systems monitor fan speed.
Crash - The really nasty word that refers
to your computer locking up or shutting down. A crash is often caused by 'bugs'
in software programs but can also be related to hardware failures.
CRIMM - Continuity Rambus Inline Memory
Module. A memory blank for use in RIMM slots.
CROM - Control Read Only Memory.
Crosstalk - This occurs when signals
"bleed" over into wires laid out parallel together. Insuring that wiring has
excellent shielding is an important factor in any type of electronics, namely
computer networks.
CRT - Cathode Ray Tube.
Here
is more information on vintage computer monitors. Feeling tech savvy?
Click
here to learn how to repair a dim monitor.
Cryptography - Term refers to data
security.
CSMA / CD - Carrier Sense Multiple Access
/ Collision Detection. A method of avoiding network data collisions.
Current - The rate of electrical current
flow.
Cylinders - The quantity of tracks on a
hard drive that can be accessed without repositioning the drive heads.
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