Technology / Computers Glossary

IEEE 802 Standards: 802 refers to the family of standards dealing with local area networks (LAN) and metropolitan area networks (MAN), maintained by the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Commitee (LMSC).

Image Map: Typically, an image map is graphical representation (also known as 'hot spots') containing predefined clickable hyperlinks. A good example of an image map would be a map containing clickable . . . View Full Definition

Infrared: A light that is so red that it is not viewable to the naked eye. It uses this invisible beam of light to transmit a pre-programmed 'line-of-sight' signal to certain electronic components. It . . . View Full Definition

Inkjet Printer: A printing technology that utilizes print nozzles that spray ink onto the page. Not as fast or clean as a laser printer, but much less expensive. Ink typically comes in sets of two or four, . . . View Full Definition

Input: Anything that is entered into the computer either through peripheral devices like a keyboard, mouse, or microphone. May also refer to any line from one component or device to another for the . . . View Full Definition

Input - Output (I-O): A circuit path that enables communications between the processor and other devices.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): A non-profit professional organization with 365,000 members in 150 countries, dedicated to the advancement of technology related to electricity and electrical components. IEEE forms groups f . . . View Full Definition

Instruction Set: The set of instructions that the microprocessor can execute.

Integrated Circuit: Another name for a chip, an IC is a small electronic device made out of a semiconductor material.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE): A programming environment integrated into an application. For example, Microsoft Office applications support various versions of the BASIC programming language. You can develop a WordBasic a . . . View Full Definition

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE): Specifically refers to a hard disk with the disk controller integrated into it. Also refers to the ATA interface. IDE drives are characterized by a wide ribbon cable connecting the drive to . . . View Full Definition

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): Basically a way to move more data over regular existing phone lines. ISDN is available to much of the USA and in most markets it is priced very comparably to standard analog phone circuits. . . . View Full Definition

Interface: This is any type of point where two different things come together. Most often, the term is used to describe the programs between you and your computer like Windows, OS/2 and others. What yo . . . View Full Definition

Interlacing: A display technique that enables a monitor to provide more resolution inexpensively. With interlacing monitors, the electron guns draw only half the horizontal lines with each pass (for exam . . . View Full Definition

Interleaving: A recording method that reduces data errors during playback. Instead of the file being written in a contiguous data stream, the data sectors are intermixed along the recording track. If a di . . . View Full Definition

Internal Device: Any device installed inside a computer case or chassis.

Internal Modem: A modem that resides on an expansion board that plugs into a computer. In contrast, an external modem is a box that attaches to a computer's COM port via cables.

International Standards Organization (ISO): Someone has to say what is the standard for transferring data. These people are it. You'll find them in Paris.

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