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Jargon Buster!

Welcome to the Jargon Buster! In this room you will find answers to the biggest problem computer users have with the Manual that came with your Computer or Magazines ,you need a degree to be able to understand. What's a USB? What's A DIMM? The answers are all here!

I have built this room because I was sick and tired of having to refer to other books to find out what another book/magazine was talking about and then losing my place in the first book, if you know what I mean :-)

I was sick and tired of wondering what writers of books and magazines were talking about when they said the Graphics card slots into the DIMM Slot and most likely with a new PC you with have at least 2 USB ports and such and such, With this room I aim to be able to teach you, yes YOU! everything I've gathered about Computer Jargon!

What Is...

Its...

3D Graphics Card
You'll need one of these to play most of today's games

5-Pin DIN
Type of plug/socket used for connecting a keyboard to a PC

(See also, PS/2)

ActiveX
A means for adding extra functions to a program through small Downloadable modules

AGP
Accelerated Graphics Port. For super fast games

Application
A software program, such as Microsoft Excel and Word

Attachment
A computer file that is sent along with an E-Mail message

Autoplay
Ability of a CD-ROM to start automatically when you put it into the drive

Boot sector
Part of a disk containing instructions to the computer that are obeyed when the computer boots up. This can be from either the Hard Disk or the Bootup- Floppy

BIOS
Every PC has a BIOS. It controls the basic features of a PC and tells the Operating system (I.E: Win95) things like the time, date and the size of the Hard Drive

Bitmap
A type of image made up of Pixels (Or tiny dots). it differs from other image formats in terms of quality and colors

Cached Files
Copies of files you've looked at on the internet

Chip Set
All the other micro Processors that work together with your PC's Main Processor chip to provide various functions

Clip Art
a libary of drawings or photographs that you can use in the designs you create

Cookies
Information saved onto your hard disk by a web page when you visit it. They are perfectly safe and do not carry things like Viruses or look around your disk.

Cursors
A word that's used to describe your mouse pointer or the line that appears when you are typing.

Default Settings
the settings that will automatically apply unless you specify otherwise.

Desktop
What you see on your screen when windows starts up- usually a blank coloured screen displaying icons for your various programs, Shortcuts, and, of course, the Task bar

DIMM
Dual In-line Memory Module Slots, An advanced Version of the old SIMM slots

Dialog Box
Displays a message from a program such as a warning an instruction or additional instructions

DOS
Stands for Disk Operating System . The standard operating system before the friendly face of windows came along. Behind windows though, Dos is still operating. It manages how files are stored on your PC. It is controlled through typed commands.

Dot-Matrix
A type of printer that prints graphics and text using dots. so the more dots there are the sharper the image

Download
A process of transferring files to your PC.

Drag
Click on an item in windows and, holding down the mouse button , drag it to another location

Driver
Software that sits between Windows and a Peripheral (Add-on) and translates the instructions from windows into a form the Peripheral can understand

DVD
Digitally Versatile Disk Stores huge amounts of information on a disk that looks like a cd, including movies, with excellent sound and pictures

ECP
Enhanced Capabilities Port. A type of high speed printer port (What your Printer plugs into your PC with) which improves performance

E-Mail
Electronic Mail, The system of sending notes and memos between computers Via a modem and a phone line.

File Extension
The last part of a filename(The letters after the dot) used by windows to identify the type of file, so that it knows what application to use to open the file with

Folder
Within windows you will find everything is arranged within system folders. you can keep your hard drive clean and tidy if you keep your files in folders

FONTS
A collection of characters with predefined styles and sizes such as courier or Times New Roman

GB
1000 Megabytes (Mb) the size of your hard disk is measured in either MB's or GB's

Hard Disk
A high-capacity storage device that a PC uses for programs and data, measured, in most cases, GB's Information held on a hard disk is safe when the power is withdrawn

HTML
Hyper-Text Markup Language. Used to create web pages and is also a form of Computer Programming

Ink jet Printer
A light, quiet and cheap printer that produces pages by squirting a stream of drops of electrically charged ink at the surface of the page

Internet
An International Network that links millions of computers using telephone and cable links. Users connect to server computers, which are rather like a telephone exchange - you can use a modem to connect to the internet and the world wide web.

ISDN
A hyper fast telephone line. Good for downloading memory-heavy web pages (Like this one I guess!)very quickly. This, in turn saves on the phone bill

ISP
Internet Service Provider, A company which sells you access to the internet, such as AOL or CompuServe

IP Address
The unique numeric address of a computer on the internet. Your computers IP address is similar to your phone number in its function. IP stands for Internet Protocol

MB
Megabyte. 1000 Bytes are equal to 1000 KB (Kilobytes) are equal to 1000mb's are equal to 1 GB. 1000 GB's haven't been invented yet!

Memory Cards
Small cards that can store many megabytes of storage space of computer data or documents.

MHz
Megahertz. The measurement of the speed of your PC's Processor Works, I.E: 100mhz, 233 MHz. The Fastest presently is Intel's 450mhz

MIDI
A device that converts electronic signals from your PC into sound signals that can be transmitted over a phone line

MMX
Multimedia Extensions A special set of multimedia enhancements to both the software and the Processor. Makes multimedia intensive applications such as 3D games, run better as well as increasing the overall performance of the PC

MPEG
A standard for compressing video footage for viewing on your PC

MotherBoard
The main circuit board in your PC. It has the main components and connectors soldered to it

Multimedia
A Computer with a CD-ROM, High quality graphics and sound

Parallel Port
Socket at the back of your PC connecting your PC to a printer/scanner. It sends data to the printer over eight Parallel Wires

PCI
Similar to ISA but much more improved. PCI's can also offer "Plug And Play" installation, meaning they can also be up and running quickly

Plug 'n' Play
Plug and Play Compliant Add-in cards or Add-ons, like joysticks, (Each One of your p.c. innards are on a card and so are easier to remove and upgrade) are detected automatically by your P.c. and configured

Processor
The heart of the PC. The faster the Processor (Measured in MHz) the better the system is likely to be

PS/2
Small, rounded connector for a mouse or keyboard

RAM
Random Access Memory, Its the measure of your PC's memory and is tailored in MB's

Resolution
measure of the number of Picture Pixels that are displayed on your screen. The more pixels, the sharper the image and the higher the resolution

Right Click
Most actions in Windows are performed by clicking on the left mouse button but since the arrival of Windows95 many programs have made use of the right button, clicking on it in some areas display a special menu with special functions

ROM
Read Only Memory. Any memory that can be read but not written to. Like CD ROM's

Scanner
A device that can convert photos and text into an electronic format for use on a PC

SCSI
(Pronounced Scuzzy) Like a USB but used to connect things such as Zip drives and Printers

Serial Port
The Serial Port is used to plug in external devices such as a Modem or a Mouse.

Shortcut
Saves searching through your hard disk when you want to run an application. to make a shortcut right click the file you want select send to and then click on desktop as short cut.

Socket 7
The processor sits in socket 7 of the Mother Board

Sound Card
A Circuit board that supplies sound to your PC through Speakers

Spreadsheet
Electronic version of the old paper grids used for book keeping

Start Up Screen
Also referred to as a splash screen. usually controlling the software manufacturers logo. This image gives you something to look at while the program loads.

Task Bar
A bar that normally runs along the bottom of the screen in Windows95 and displays the Start Button and a list of other programs or windows that are in use

Templates
A Outline for a web page or other document. You fill in the blanks

Tool Bar
A window that contains a range of icons that allows you to access different tools

TWAIN
TWAIN is a standard way for scanners and some other devices use to 'Talk' to your PC. It really stands for Technology Without An Important Name!

USB
Universal Serial Bus. This has recently become the industry standard for connecting things like Keyboards, Mice/Scanners etc to your Computer, On a new machine there should be at least one.

Utility Software
Programs that perform specific tasks on your PC. Such as optimizing memory use or compressing disk space.

Windows Explorer
You use this to browse through the files and folders on your PC

Wizard
Automated feature in Windows that guides you step by step through a process such as faxing or installing software

So you see, there is always Plain English behind what the Computer Nerds say, And I hope this room was of help to you!

Help Stamp Out Computer Jargon!

Don't forget, if you come across something that's not listed here please don't be afraid to use the panel, I'd be glad to try and help!

The Jargon Buster is updated regularly so if something is not listed right now it may be soon!

*What Is...*	*Its...*
3D Graphics Card	You'll need one of these to play most of today's games
5-Pin DIN	Type of plug/socket used for connecting a keyboard to a PC (See also, PS/2)
ActiveX	A means for adding extra functions to a program through small Downloadable modules
AGP	Accelerated Graphics Port. For super fast games
Application	A software program, such as Microsoft Excel and Word
Attachment	A computer file that is sent along with an E-Mail message
Autoplay	Ability of a CD-ROM to start automatically when you put it into the drive
Boot sector	Part of a disk containing instructions to the computer that are obeyed when the computer boots up. This can be from either the Hard Disk or the Bootup- Floppy
BIOS	Every PC has a BIOS. It controls the basic features of a PC and tells the Operating system (I.E: Win95) things like the time, date and the size of the Hard Drive
Bitmap	A type of image made up of Pixels (Or tiny dots). it differs from other image formats in terms of quality and colors
Cached Files	Copies of files you've looked at on the internet
Chip Set	All the other micro Processors that work together with your PC's Main Processor chip to provide various functions
Clip Art	a libary of drawings or photographs that you can use in the designs you create
Cookies	Information saved onto your hard disk by a web page when you visit it. They are perfectly safe and do not carry things like Viruses or look around your disk.
Cursors	A word that's used to describe your mouse pointer or the line that appears when you are typing.
Default Settings	the settings that will automatically apply unless you specify otherwise.
Desktop	What you see on your screen when windows starts up- usually a blank coloured screen displaying icons for your various programs, Shortcuts, and, of course, the Task bar
DIMM	Dual In-line Memory Module Slots, An advanced Version of the old SIMM slots
Dialog Box	Displays a message from a program such as a warning an instruction or additional instructions
DOS	Stands for Disk Operating System . The standard operating system before the friendly face of windows came along. Behind windows though, Dos is still operating. It manages how files are stored on your PC. It is controlled through typed commands.
Dot-Matrix	A type of printer that prints graphics and text using dots. so the more dots there are the sharper the image
Download	A process of transferring files to your PC.
Drag	Click on an item in windows and, holding down the mouse button , drag it to another location
Driver	Software that sits between Windows and a Peripheral (Add-on) and translates the instructions from windows into a form the Peripheral can understand
DVD	Digitally Versatile Disk Stores huge amounts of information on a disk that looks like a cd, including movies, with excellent sound and pictures
ECP	Enhanced Capabilities Port. A type of high speed printer port (What your Printer plugs into your PC with) which improves performance
E-Mail	Electronic Mail, The system of sending notes and memos between computers Via a modem and a phone line.
File Extension	The last part of a filename(The letters after the dot) used by windows to identify the type of file, so that it knows what application to use to open the file with
Folder	Within windows you will find everything is arranged within system folders. you can keep your hard drive clean and tidy if you keep your files in folders
FONTS	A collection of characters with predefined styles and sizes such as courier or Times New Roman
GB	1000 Megabytes (Mb) the size of your hard disk is measured in either MB's or GB's
Hard Disk	A high-capacity storage device that a PC uses for programs and data, measured, in most cases, GB's Information held on a hard disk is safe when the power is withdrawn
HTML	Hyper-Text Markup Language. Used to create web pages and is also a form of Computer Programming
Ink jet Printer	A light, quiet and cheap printer that produces pages by squirting a stream of drops of electrically charged ink at the surface of the page
Internet	An International Network that links millions of computers using telephone and cable links. Users connect to server computers, which are rather like a telephone exchange - you can use a modem to connect to the internet and the world wide web.
ISDN	A hyper fast telephone line. Good for downloading memory-heavy web pages (Like this one I guess!)very quickly. This, in turn saves on the phone bill
ISP	Internet Service Provider, A company which sells you access to the internet, such as AOL or CompuServe
IP Address	The unique numeric address of a computer on the internet. Your computers IP address is similar to your phone number in its function. IP stands for Internet Protocol
MB	Megabyte. 1000 Bytes are equal to 1000 KB (Kilobytes) are equal to 1000mb's are equal to 1 GB. 1000 GB's haven't been invented yet!
Memory Cards	Small cards that can store many megabytes of storage space of computer data or documents.
MHz	Megahertz. The measurement of the speed of your PC's Processor Works, I.E: 100mhz, 233 MHz. The Fastest presently is Intel's 450mhz
MIDI	A device that converts electronic signals from your PC into sound signals that can be transmitted over a phone line
MMX	Multimedia Extensions A special set of multimedia enhancements to both the software and the Processor. Makes multimedia intensive applications such as 3D games, run better as well as increasing the overall performance of the PC
MPEG	A standard for compressing video footage for viewing on your PC
MotherBoard	The main circuit board in your PC. It has the main components and connectors soldered to it
Multimedia	A Computer with a CD-ROM, High quality graphics and sound
Parallel Port	Socket at the back of your PC connecting your PC to a printer/scanner. It sends data to the printer over eight Parallel Wires
PCI	Similar to ISA but much more improved. PCI's can also offer "Plug And Play" installation, meaning they can also be up and running quickly
Plug 'n' Play	Plug and Play Compliant Add-in cards or Add-ons, like joysticks, (Each One of your p.c. innards are on a card and so are easier to remove and upgrade) are detected automatically by your P.c. and configured
Processor	The heart of the PC. The faster the Processor (Measured in MHz) the better the system is likely to be
PS/2	Small, rounded connector for a mouse or keyboard
RAM	Random Access Memory, Its the measure of your PC's memory and is tailored in MB's
Resolution	measure of the number of Picture Pixels that are displayed on your screen. The more pixels, the sharper the image and the higher the resolution
Right Click	Most actions in Windows are performed by clicking on the left mouse button but since the arrival of Windows95 many programs have made use of the right button, clicking on it in some areas display a special menu with special functions
ROM	Read Only Memory. Any memory that can be read but not written to. Like CD ROM's
Scanner	A device that can convert photos and text into an electronic format for use on a PC
SCSI	(Pronounced Scuzzy) Like a USB but used to connect things such as Zip drives and Printers
Serial Port	The Serial Port is used to plug in external devices such as a Modem or a Mouse.
Shortcut	Saves searching through your hard disk when you want to run an application. to make a shortcut right click the file you want select send to and then click on desktop as short cut.
Socket 7	The processor sits in socket 7 of the Mother Board
Sound Card	A Circuit board that supplies sound to your PC through Speakers
Spreadsheet	Electronic version of the old paper grids used for book keeping
Start Up Screen	Also referred to as a splash screen. usually controlling the software manufacturers logo. This image gives you something to look at while the program loads.
Task Bar	A bar that normally runs along the bottom of the screen in Windows95 and displays the Start Button and a list of other programs or windows that are in use
Templates	A Outline for a web page or other document. You fill in the blanks
Tool Bar	A window that contains a range of icons that allows you to access different tools
TWAIN	TWAIN is a standard way for scanners and some other devices use to 'Talk' to your PC. It really stands for Technology Without An Important Name!
USB	Universal Serial Bus. This has recently become the industry standard for connecting things like Keyboards, Mice/Scanners etc to your Computer, On a new machine there should be at least one.
Utility Software	Programs that perform specific tasks on your PC. Such as optimizing memory use or compressing disk space.
Windows Explorer	You use this to browse through the files and folders on your PC
Wizard	Automated feature in Windows that guides you step by step through a process such as faxing or installing software