Tech Terms
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- Beta (ß)
- A term used to describe software that is not quite ready for public release. Software labeled as beta is typically full featured but may still contain bugs. The purpose of beta software is to open the software to more users for testing purposes and to help uncover any bugs that still exist. Beta software may crash and/or cause data loss and therefore should not be used on any computer that has data you can not risk loosing.
- Domain Name
- This is the name you enter into the address bar of a web browser to locate the home page of a particular website. (i.e. ComputersConfuseMe.com, Google.com, Microsoft.com). [see also DNS | IP Address]
- DNS (Domain Name System)
- The Domain Name System (DNS) translates the human readable Domain Name into an IP address which tells your browser exactly where the computer hosting the requested website is located. [also see Domain Name | IP Address].
- Encryption
- Encryption is the process of translation data into scrambled secret code which requires a password, or key, to unscramble into a readable format.
- IP Address
- An IP address works in the same manner as a house or business address. Every device (computer, phone, router, Nintendo Wii, etc.) connected to the Internet is assigned an IP address. The IP address allows one devices connected to the Internet to locate another device. Without IP addresses your email wouldn't make it to it's final destination.
- iPod
- Apple's brand of portable digital music players. The iPod varies in sizes from 512 megabytes (240 songs) up to 60 gigabytes (5,000 songs) of storage. With the free Apple iTunes music player you can take all your CDs and add them to your iPod or purchase new songs online and take them with you wherever you go.
- Open Source
- Open source refers to the source code of a software application being available with little to no intellectual property restrictions. The software source code is available for others to review, typically leading to earlier detection of bugs and faster patching.
- Phishing
- The term Phishing describes an Internet scam using spoofed emails luring customers to websites designed to trick you into turning over personal information such as credit card numbers, passwords, social security numbers and other financial data. It can be near impossible to recognize unless you know what to look for. ... { more info }
- Podcast
- A method for distributing video or audio files across the Internet using a technology called Really Simple Syndication (RSS). RSS technology allows content creators to "send" their new media to their viewers without the viewers having to visit the site. The name podcast comes from the fact that it was originally a media broadcast intended for distribution on iPods. Users could quickly and easily download the content to their iPods and listen to it on the run. New shows can be released sporadically or on a set schedule depending on the content creators preference.
- RAM
- "Random Access Memory" - a form of computer storage that allows data access in any (random) order. When power is cut from RAM all data is lost therefore it cannot be used for long term storage and only while a device is in use. RAM is used by electronic devices as a temporary storage location while the device is powered on, providing quick and easy access to information that is currently in use.
- RSS
- "Really Simple Syndication" - a format for syndicating content such as news headlines, recent site updates, and blog entries to RSS aggregators (readers) in real time."
- Spyware
- Software installed as a third-party component with freeware or shareware, usually without your knowledge. Spyware gathers data about the users behavior such as surfing habits or online PC activity and transmits it to a third-party. ... { more info }
- Web 2.0
- A buzzword used to describe a new wave of web sites using technologies such as AJAX, APIs, Web syndication and tagging. These sites have been said to be changing the face of the Internet. A few examples are Gmail, Goowy, Flickr, Protopage, My Web 2.0 & Windows live.