Technology / Computers Glossary

Front Side Bus: This is the main pathway for data transfer in a PC. It connects all of a computers major components, such as; memory, AGP socket and chipset.

Full Duplex: Refers to the transmission of data in two directions simultaneously. For example, a telephone is a full-duplex device because both parties can talk at once. In contrast, a walkie-talkie is a . . . View Full Definition

Gateway: A hardware or software tool that converts between two dissimilar applications. For example, an email gateway may convert between SMTP and MHS. A gateway on a network can convert between two . . . View Full Definition

General Protection Fault: GPF, short for General Protection Fault, is a computer condition that causes a Windows application to crash. The most common cause of a GPF is two applications trying to use the same block o . . . View Full Definition

Gigabyte (GB): 2 to the 30th power (1,073,741,824) bytes. One gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes.

Glyph: A graphic symbol whose appearance conveys information; for example, the vertical and horizontal arrows on cursor keys that indicate the directions in which they control cursor movement.

Gopher: A method of distributing information by computers that has waned in popularity to ftp. Most gopher files contain only text information with few images, audio, or video components. Files can . . . View Full Definition

Graphical Interchange Format (GIF): Pronounced 'jif.' It is an image format created by Compuserve.

Graphical User Interface (GUI): A program interface that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning co . . . View Full Definition

Half-Duplex: Refers to the transmission of data in just one direction at a time. For example, a walkie-talkie is a half-duplex device because only one party can talk at a time. In contrast, a telephone i . . . View Full Definition

Handshaking: The process by which two devices initiate communications. Handshaking begins when one device sends a message to another device indicating that it wants to establish a communications channel. . . . View Full Definition

Hard Boot: A hard reboot (also known as a cold reboot) is when power to a computer is cycled (turned on and off) or a special reset signal to the processor is triggered (from a front panel switch of so . . . View Full Definition

Hard Disk: High-capacity disk storage unit with a non-removable hard storage medium. The platters in a hard disk are normally made out of aluminum or glass and ceramic.

Hardware: These are the physical items including your computer and floppy discs.

Hayes Compatible: Hayes Microcomputer Products is one of the leading manufacturers of modems and has developed a language called the AT command set for controlling modems that has become the de facto standard . . . View Full Definition

Headend: Central distribution point for a CATV system. Video signals are received here from satellites and maybe other sources, frequency converted to the appropriate channels, combined with locally . . . View Full Definition

Heat Sink: A component designed to lower the temperature of an electronic device by dissipating heat into the surrounding air. All modern CPUs require a heat sink. Some also require a fan. A heat sink . . . View Full Definition

Helper Application: This is an application your browser uses to manipulate a downloaded program.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38