The world of IT is full of terminology that is often confusing. Here is a list of terms you may come across.
A
Artificial Intelligence
A branch of science that deals with systems capable of solving complex problems in a more human-like fashion using characteristics from human intelligence and applying them through powerful computer technology.
B
Back office systems
IT applications used by organisations in their business but not visible to their customers. Often used within a web development as part of a solution.
Batch processing
The processing of previously collected data in batches rather than in real time as it is collected.
Bespoke solution
A solution that is tailor made to meet the specific demands of a project and deliver the desired results.
Browser platforms
The combination of browser, computer and operating systems.
Bus
The Bus is the main connection from the processor to other key system components such as cache and memory. Higher bus speed usually means higher system performance.
C
Cache
Type of computer memory that holds recently accessed data for speedy re-access.
CD-ROM
Compact disc used to store information that can be viewed via a CD-ROM player.
Centrino:
Centrino is Intel's name for a series of hardware features that give Notebook PCs long battery life, wireless networking and low-voltage processing power, while enabling notebook PCs to become thinner and lighter. Lower power use means less heat output and that the batteries last longer between recharging.
CGI (Computer Animated Graphics)
Animated graphics created on computers for use on television and in films.
CMS (Content Management System)
Enabling system providing web administrators and authorised users to self-update web pages easily and quickly by using pre-coded page templates.
Corporate identity
The public image projected by a company or organisation.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management system)
Used to collect data about customers in the business environment in order to provide a better service.
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube technology screens are the older type of PC screens now being superseded by LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) and TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screens.
CSV (Comma Separated Variable)
An enabling technology that allows data created in one application to be used by different software applications.
D
Desktop
Short name for a PC that is usually placed horizontally on a desk (some can be placed vertically to save space e.g. mini-towers).
Disk
The main permanent storage device on any computer. Usually measured in Gigabytes of storage size (1,000,000,000 bytes). One byte = Eight bits where a bit is a 0 or a 1.
Diskette drive
An internal or external storage device that uses removable diskettes to store and retrieve data. Diskette drives are also called Floppy Drives or Floppies after the original 5.25” flexible diskettes. Diskettes contain only around 1.2Mb and are relatively slow (zip drives use diskette like media containing up to 250Mb). They are usually used for backups and transporting files among PCs, although they are increasingly being superseded by CDs and memory keys.
Domain Name
Unique name given to web addresses on the internet such as LeadSure.co.uk
Download
The copying of text, imagery or a file from a web page to your PC hard drive.
DVD
Digital Video Disc: a type of compact disc, that holds far more information than the CD-ROMs, that is used for storing music files. A DVD can hold a minimum of 4.7GB, enough for a full-length movie.
DVDRW
Digital Video Disc with Read Writeable capacity: DVD-RW (recordable / rewritable) drives can write both DVD-R discs, which can play back on virtually all DVD set-top players and computer drives, and DVD-RW rewritable discs, which can be read only by DVD-RW drives.
E
E-commerce
In its broadest sense this encompasses all commercial activity carried out by electronic means, including everyday use of credit cards but is usually meant to describe trade carried out remotely, most commonly either over the web or mobile phones.
EIDE
Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics: The current standard for PC hard drives. Sometimes called "Super IDE." This replaces the original IDE specification. The controller is built into the drive, and does not require an accessory card on the bus. New hard drives will normally be EIDE but some are SCSI (see SCSI).
e-GIF (electronic Government Interoperability Framework)
Statement of the Government's guidelines for public sector web strategies. The current framework defines the Government's e-agenda to the year 2005.
Email alerts
The sending of specific information usually to large numbers of people via email. Email Broadcast The sending of specific information such as electronic newsletters, usually to large numbers of people via email.
e-Marketing
Defines any marketing activity carried out electronically such as via the web or mobile phone.
E-news
News sent electronically, typically by email or via the web but could also be by mobile phone.
Ethernet
An almost universal method of networking computers in a LAN (local area network) using copper cabling or wireless connections. Ethernet will handle 10Mbits, 100Mbits, 1000Mbits (=1Gbit) or 10Gbits per second transfer rates. 10/100Mbit and 10/100/1000Mbit cards are commonly used in PCs.
Extranet
Use of internet technologies and products to share and present information with a defined external audience, typically used by a business to communicate with customers, suppliers or partner organisations.
F
Firewall
System of protecting single PCs or networks from unauthorised users.
Flash
Multimedia software used to create imagery, including animation and advanced navigation systems.
Flat Screen
A flat Liquid Crystal display (LCD) or Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Screen. These are gradually replacing Cathode Ray Technology systems (CRT).
Footprint
The physical floor or desk area that a computer occupies. Some desktops are deliberately designed to have a small footprint.
G
Gb
Bit: the binary digit is the smallest component of computer storage, 8 bits = one byte. 1Gb or Gigabit = 1 billion bits ( 1,000,000,000 bits)
GB
Gigabyte, 1000 or 1024 Megabytes (1,000,000,000 bytes). Bit: the binary digit is the smallest component of computer storage, being 0 or 1, eight bits = one byte.
GHz
Gigahertz = One billon electrical vibrations per second. This is usually an indicator of the computer speed. Computer instructions are carried out in electrical cycles. A simple instruction might take one cycle and a more complex one many cycles. The more sophisticated computer chips can carry out multiple instructions per cycle.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
Graphic file format developed by Compuserve, using compression without loss of image quality.
Gigabit Ethernet
1000 Mbps (Megabits per second) Ethernet
H
HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
Language used to format web pages, allowing pictures and text to be combined in web pages and making it possible for links to be made between different documents.
Hub
Acts as a connection point in networks. Contains multiple ports & provides a central point where all data being transmitted comes together
I
Integration
The bringing together of disparate technologies or systems to create an overall solution. Commonly required where older or pre-existing systems need to be used in conjunction with the web.
Intranet
Use of Internet technologies to share and present information with a defined internal audience, typically used by a business or organisation with staff to improve collaboration, communication and productivity.
J
Java
Web programming language developed by Sun Micro Systems used to create online multimedia effects and allowing continuous updating of web pages.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
Standard of image compression developed for use on the Internet. Most photographic images can be highly compressed using this method, without loss of image quality.
K
Knowledge Management
Term used to describe the use of information from disparate sources into one application.
L
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display: a low-power flat screen monitor, most commonly 15", 17" or 19" although there are larger models available.
Legacy systems
Older IT applications used by organisations in the course of their business. The value of these systems can usually be enhanced through integration with the web.
M
MB
1MB or Megabyte = 1 million bytes. Bit: the binary digit is the smallest component of computer storage, being 0 or 1, 8 bits = one byte.
Mbps
Megabits per second, usually in connection with Ethernet LANs (local area networks).
Memory
All the storage space in a processing unit and other internal storages that is used to execute program instructions. The processor can only use data that is in memory. There is main memory and cache memory (see cache).
MHz
Megahertz = One million electrical vibrations per second see also GHz.
Microdrive
Typically 1Gb in size on a portable PC Card for notebooks and desktops it contains tiny hard disk drive that is less than one inch square.
Modem
A hardware device that allows a computer to transmit and receive information over analogue telephone lines. A modem (Modulator-Demodulator) converts digital data from computers into analogue data that can be transmitted over the telephone lines and vice-versa. Traditional modems can carry data at speeds of up to 56Kbps over phone lines or higher speeds using ADSL.
Multi-Burner
A Multi-Burner Plus reads and writes a wide range of CD and DVD formats e.g. Forum and DVD+RW Alliance formats. This is the highest function CD/DVD device in IBM’s ranges allowing you to archive and access data, video, photo and music files on high capacity DVDs or CDs.
Multimedia
Literally, the use of more than one media in a given situation. However, it has come to relate specifically to the use of video, sound and animation on the web or CD-ROM.
N
Needs analysis
A process to help determine what will be required to complete a project satisfactorily. Used by Leadsure as the start of a project to ensure appropriate understanding and allocation of resources required.
O
Offline
Operation of computer when not connected to other computers on the internet.
Online
Operation of computer when connected to other computers on the internet.
Optical mouse
Battery powered mouse without a physical ball - it uses a Light Emitting Diode (LED) to determine movement, it can also be wired or wireless.
P
PCMCIA
Adapter slot for a Notebook PC. PCMCIA adapters come in three sizes (I, II and III). Most older notebooks have one or two PCMCIA slots. PCMCIA adapters include Ethernet, token ring, modems etc. Many functions of PMCIA cards e.g. Ethernet, modems are now integrated into most notebooks.
Pentium4
The Fourth Generation of Intel's Pentium processor family
Pentium4M
Mobile (low power) version of the Pentium4.
Private Finance Initiative
Government initiative involving private investment in public projects.
Prince (Projects in Controlled Environments)
Project management method developed in 1989 by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), now part of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), as a UK Government standard for IT project management.
Q
Quicktime
Video compression standard created by Apple Macintosh for use on both Apple Macintosh machines and PCs. Also the program that displays such movies.
R
Rapid Restore
This is software which enables you to swiftly rescue previously saved versions of lost data, applications and operating systems. It provides hassle-free recovery of important information in the event of unexpected software failures, therefore helping maximize uptime and productivity. To get the full benefit of rapid restore you need at least two hard disks.
Real time
Activity as it happens rather than delayed. In TV parlance, the equivalent of the live show rather than the recording.
Return to base warranty
A warranty on a piece of hardware that requires the owner to return it to the manufacturer for service. The alternative is on-site service which is usually available at an additional charge.
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute. How many times a disk drive's platters make a complete revolution in a minute. Typically this ranges from 6000 to 15000 rpm.
S
Scoping
A process to help determine the size and nature of a project. Used by Leadsure at the start of a project to define the client´s objectives and ensure appropriate allocation of resources.
Scrollpoint mouse
A mouse with a wheel as or instead of the centre button.
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface (pronounced "scuzzy"). An interface which allows typically up to seven peripheral devices such as disc drives, tape drives, printers, scanners etc to be linked on a single cable to the SCSI controller which is internal to the PC.
Search engine
Powerful facility for finding information on the web using key words.
Service level agreement
An agreement entered into by a service provider and client to determine the scope and nature of ongoing support.
ServicePac
Extended warranty options for IBM notebooks and desktops.
SME Express
A special selection of IBM products at lower attractive price to meet customer needs and especially the requirements of small to medium sized businesses.
Streaming media
Broadcast sound and video over the internet.
T
TFT
Thin Film Transistor. An TFT screen technology used in notebooks and some of the newer type of monitors
ThinkCentre
IBM's range of desktops announced in late 2003.
ThinkVision
IBM's flat panel LCD or TFT monitor range announced in late 2003. With the radial arm stand you can swivel, tilt and adjust the screen height to gain the best ergonomics.
Third-party product
Product from an outside supplier either sourced specifically to meet the needs of a project or as a consequence of a pre-existing system being used.
Token Ring
A token ring is a type of Local Area Network (LAN) with nodes wired into a ring. Each node constantly passes a control message (token) on to the next; whichever node has the token can send a message. Most token ring LANs are being replaced by Ethernet.
TopSeller
A selection of IBM products that are built in quantity to enable them to be sold at very competitive prices as well as being supplied off the shelf.
Touch Pad
A pad about 1.5” x 1” usually positioned just behind the keyboard which allows you to move the mouse arrow and click.
Tower
A Tower or mini-tower describes the PC casing and is a vertically mounted desktop or server.
Trackpoint
This is a unique mouse arrow pointing device on keyboards (most commonly used in notebooks). Pointing selecting and dragging all become part of a single process you can perform without moving your fingers from their typing position.
U
Upload
Transfer or copying of files off a computer to a linked computer on the internet.
UltraNav
The UltraNav consists of a TrackPoint and a touch pad, each of which is in itself a pointing device with basic functions and extended functions. You can use both the TrackPoint and the touch pad together.
USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 480 Mbps. A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, cameras , backup disc, keyboards etc
USB memory key
Non-volatile portable memory device used for storing around 256MB.
USB2
Enhanced version of USB, USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) provides additional bandwidth for multimedia and storage applications and has a data transmission speed 40 times faster than USB Version 1.1. To allow a smooth transition for both consumers and manufacturers, USB 2.0 has full forward and backward compatibility with original USB devices and works with cables and connectors made for original USB too.
V
Visitor profiling
Process of identifying the characteristics of visitors to websites. Used to track areas of interest to specific visitors, enabling web improvements and better targeting of information.
W
WAN (Wide Area Network)
Computers located geographically apart but linked by dedicated lines or satellite.
Win XP Pro
Windows XP Professional delivers the new standard in reliability and performance (XP stands for eXPerience). This operating system is designed for businesses of all sizes and for users who demand the most from their computing experience.
Win2K
Windows 2000, Microsoft operating system, predecessor to Win XP Pro
Wireless
Normally this refers to the wireless connection of desktop peripherals such as mice and keyboards (avoiding the clutter of extra cables) but it is also commonly referred to for wireless Ethernet connection.
X
Xml (Extensible Markup Language)
An enabling technology that allows data created in one application to be used by different software applications.
Z
ZIP
File that has been compressed using the PKZIP program. Can be decompressed using the PKUNZIP utility.
Zip Drives
An internal or external storage device that uses ZIP data cartridges to store up to 250MB of data at 2.4MB per second data rate. These replace diskette drives but memory keys are also a good alternative.
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