COMPUTER JARGON CONFUSES NEWBIES

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COMPUTER JARGON CONFUSES NEWBIES

On many occasions I have had the opportunity to describe a computer system to a newbie. As a result I have had more questions delivered as to “please explain what your talking about!” After several years I have come to the conclusion , that we as professionals must speak in the NATIVE Language of the newbie or be subjected to further questions.

Look for  certain signs of “BLANKNESS” when you are talking above someone’s head. 

·         Glassed over eyes probably mean “lights on but the brain cannot understand a thing you said” 

·         A repeat “uh Huh “ every few seconds mean “ What was that first word you said means?”

·         Writing everything you say means “ I’ll go ask someone else what the heck you were talking about”

·         Blinking rapidly during your conversation means “ It does not compute ..overload ..overload”

So the next time someone asks you the explanation for   “STOP: C0000221 Unknown Hard Error" or "STOP: C0000221 STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH" Error Message Occurs “ be gentle, and explain in a non technical manner to the individual.

DO NOT say “This problem may occur if you install an inappropriate driver for your hardware”  Just say “ I will there to help you with this issue”

Check out some of the thousands of phrases that we geeks use:

1.       Administrator A system administrator is a member of staff designated to look after and ensure the smooth running of a networked computer system. 

2.       Backbone The part of a network that acts as the primary path for traffic moving between, rather than within, networks. 

3.       Bandwidth The "data-carrying" capacity of a network connection, used as an indication of speed. For example, an Ethernet link is capable of moving 10 million bits of data per second. A Fast Ethernet link can move 100 million bits of data per second – 10 times more bandwidth. 

4.       Bespoke Tailor made; used by computer and software consultants to describe products written or designed specifically for a particular client and/or application. 

5.       Bridge A device that passes packets between multiple network segments using the same communications protocol. If a packet is destined for a user within the sender’s own network segment, the bridge keeps the packet local. If the packet is bound for another segment, the passes the packet onto the network backbone.  

6.       Client A networked PC or terminal that shares "services" with other PCs. These services are stored on or administered by a server.  

7.       Ethernet A popular LAN technology that uses CSMA/CD (collision detection) to move packets between workstations and runs over a variety of cable types at 10 Mbps. Also called 10BaseT.  

8.       Extranet A network that provides access to company documents such as price lists, inventory reports, shipping schedules and more to external users -- such as your suppliers, independent sales agents and dealers.  

9.       Fast Ethernet Uses the same transmission method as 10-Mbps Ethernet (collision detection) but operates at 100 Mbps – 10 times faster. Fast Ethernet provides a smooth upgrade path for increasing performance in congested Ethernet networks, because it uses the same cabling, applications and network management tools. Variations include 100Base-FX, 100Base-T4 and 100Base-TX.  

10.   FTP File Transfer Protocol. A part of the chief Internet protocol "stack" or group (TCP/IP), used for transferring files from Internet servers to your computer.  

11.   Hotlink An item of text or a graphic on a web page which acts as a link to another document by automatically making your browser move to it, simplifying your navigation around a site. Text hotlinks are generally differentiated by their text colour and by being underlined. 

12.   HTML Hyper Text Markup Language; the universal computer 'programming' language used by web site designers to produce the pages you read on the internet, like this one for example. If you really want to know more and be in with a chance to earn a limited edition anorak, just click on 'source' in the view menu of your browser and groan... fun eh? 

13.   HTTP Hypertext transmission protocol. Protocol that governs transmission of formatted documents over the Internet.  

14.   Hub A device that interconnects clients and servers, repeating (or amplifying) the signals between them. Hubs act as wiring "concentrators" in networks based on star topologies (rather than bus topologies, in which computers are daisy-chained together).  

15.   Ingenious noun, mentality; talent or genius. Ingenious; adjective skilful in invention; of good natural abilities, especially having great intelligence. In other words: 8 letters which, albeit modestly, perfectly describe why we can help you... 

16.   Internet A massive global network, interconnecting tens of thousands of computers and networks worldwide and accessible from any computer with a modem or router connection and the appropriate software.  

17.   Intranet An information resource available to users on a networked computer system, much like the Internet and using the same method of accessing it, but unlike the Internet, only accessible to users on the local network. 

18.   ISP Internet Service Provider / ISP If you have email and/or browse the Internet, you are using an ISP to access it; these companies provide you with a means of accessing it, by your computer 'dialing them up', much like you would a friend or colleague. Examples range from UUNet/Pipex and Demon, through to AOL and CompuServe. 

19.   ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network. Communication protocol offered by telephone companies that permits high-speed connections between computers and network in dispersed locations.  

20.   LAN Local Area Network. Typically, a network or group of network segments confined to one building or a campus. Compare to WAN.  

21.   Modem Device that enables a computer to connect to other computers and networks using ordinary phone lines. Modems "modulate" the computer’s digital signals into analog signals for transmission, then "demodulate" those analog signals back into digital language that the computer on the other end can understand.  

22.   Network Server A computer designated as the 'hub' or communication centre of a computer network; there are three main types: file and printer servers, application servers and web servers. For example, on a network using a file and print server, users run their applications from their local machines, but their data files are stored on the server. In addition, the server acts a centralized conduit for one or more shared devices, such as printers. 

23.   OS Operating System; the software required by a computer system to communicate with the applications it runs and devices (such as printers etc) connected to it. Examples are Windows, Unix, MacOS etc. 

24.   Packet A block of data with a "header" attached that can indicate what the packet contains and where it is headed. Think of a packet as a "data envelope," with the header acting as an address.  

25.   Peripheral Describes devices such as printers and modems, which form part of a computer or network system, but which are not necessarily central to its operation. 

26.   RASD Remote Access Server Device that handles multiple incoming calls from remote users who need access to central network resources. A remote access server can allow users to dial into a network using a single phone number. The server then finds an open channel and makes a connection without returning a busy signal.  

27.   Router Device that moves data between different network segments and can look into a packet header to determine the best path for the packet to travel. Routers can connect network segments that use different protocols. They also allow all users in a network to share a single connection to the Internet or a WAN.  

28.   Server A computer or even a software program that provides services to clients – such as file storage (file server), programs (application server), printer sharing (print server), fax (fax server) or modem sharing (modem server). See also client.  

29.   Stuffit One of many technologies used to compress computer data files for ease of 'transportation', which are then uncompressed when required; this particular technology being used predominantly by Macintosh systems. Two obvious uses of data compression technology are compressing a file to fit it on to a floppy disc or to reduce the time it takes to transmit over the Internet. 

30.   Switch A device that improves network performance by segmenting the network and reducing competition for bandwidth. When a switch port receives data packets, it forwards those packets only to the appropriate port for the intended recipient. This further reduces competition for bandwidth between the clients, servers or workgroups connected to each switch port.  

31.   Terminal Used to describe a device linked to or operating as a computer. 

32.   WAN Wide Area Network; a number of computer networks, physically distanced but interconnected to share data and information. 

33.   Workstation A computer connected to a network, designated for use by users (as opposed to running as a network server), running applications such as word processors and databases etc. 

34.   Zip One of many technologies used to compress computer data files for ease of 'transportation', which are then uncompressed when required; this particular technology being used predominantly by PC systems. Two obvious uses of data compression technology are compressing a file to fit it on to a floppy disc or to reduce the time it takes to transmit over the Internet. 

35.   applet a program that can be downloaded over a network and launched on a user's computer.

36.   ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII files are also called plain text files.

37.   ASP a specification for a webpage that is dynamically created by the web server and contains both HTML and scripting code. With ASP, programs can be run on a web server in a similar way to cgi scripts, but ASP uses the ActiveX scripting engine to support either VBScript or Jscript.

38.   Application  a program that helps the user accomplish a specific task; for example, a word processing program, a spreadsheet program or an FTP client. Application programs are distinguished from system programs, which control the computer and run the application programs; and utilities, which are small helper programs.

39.   ASP  a company that deploys, hosts, manages and rents access to an application.

40.   AU  common format for UNIX audio files.

41.   Auto responder  a program that instantly and automatically sends a prewritten response to all emails received.

42.   Bandwidth  a measurement of the amount of information that can be transmitted over a network at a given time.

43.   Bookmark  a pointer to a given website. Customers might bookmark your site so they may easily return.

44.   Browser a program that allows users to view WebPages. Examples are Internet Explorer and Netscape.

45.   Cache  where computer memory is stored.

46.   CGI   common gateway interface. Allows programs to run on a web server. Cgi scripts are used to put the content of a form into an email message, to perform a database query, or to generate HTML pages.

47.   CLEC  competitive local exchange converter.

48.   Cold Fusion web application server. Cold Fusion is a server-side scripting language web development tool. It uses HTML-like tags called CFML to enable back-end ODBC database connectivity as well as data manipulation and validation within WebPages.

49.   Control Center  web-based management interface for your Affinity account and a portal for centralizing your personal and business information. You can manage your email settings, access and modify account and billing information, order services, and access website development tools. You can also manage your personal and business email lists, calendars, address books, and bookmarks.

50.   Cookie a file that is written to your hard drive when you access a webpage. Often used to glean information about visitors to the site.

51.   Cyber Cash  electronic cash; a way of transferring funds in online transactions.

52.   Daemon  a UNIX program that runs continuously in the background, until it is activated by a particular event. This word is often used to refer to programs that handle email.

53.   DTR  data transfer rate,  The speed at which data can be transferred. Measured in kilobytes per second for a CD-ROM drive, in bits per second for a modem, and in megabytes per second for a hard drive.

54.   Dedicated  belonging to only one user. For example, a dedicated IP address is a type of account from an ISP where your computer(s) are assigned the same IP address at all times. A dedicated line is a phone line used only to connect to the Internet, rather than one shared by a modem and a phone.

55.   DNS  Domain Name System. A database system that translates an IP address into a Domain Name. For example, a numeric address like 232.452.120.54 can become something like mycompany.com.

56.   Domain  the name of a company, organization or person's Internet connection, which then becomes part of their web address. For instance, in johndoe@abc.com, "abc" is the domain

57.   FTP file transfer protocol. The main method for transferring files over the Internet.

58.   GB  giga byte; 1,024 megabytes or 1 billion characters of information.

59.   IMAP  Internet Mail (or Message) Access Protocol. Through IMAP the user can create, delete, or rename mailboxes; get new messages; delete messages; and perform search functions on mail. A separate protocol is required for sending mail.

60.   InterNIC  Internet Network Information Center. A group of three organizations which together provide services for NSFNet. General Atomics handles information services, AT&T handles directory and database services, and Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI) handles registration services.

61.   PGP  Pretty Good Privacy. An encryption program that allows users to exchange files and messages, with both privacy and authentication, over all kinds of networks. The messages are

62.   SQL  Structured Query Language (pronounced SQL or Sequel). A language used to create, maintain and query relational databases. It is an ISO and ANSI standard. SQL uses regular English words for many of its commands, which makes it easy to use. It is often embedded within other programming languages.

63.   SSL   Secure Sockets Layer. A protocol from Netscape Communications Corp. designed to provide secure communications on the Internet.