Technology / Computers Glossary

Absolute Address: The exact memory location of data or a specific location within a device.

Absolute Reference: A formulated cell reference that will not adjust when used to calculate the sum of specific cells. Most commonly used in spreadsheet applications.

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP): A dedicated interface between the video adapter and the motherboard's North Bridge. AGP is 32 bits wide and runs at 66MHz base speed. It can transmit 1, 2, 4, or 8 bits per cycle - marketed . . . View Full Definition

Access Light: The LED on the front of a device indicating that it is reading or writing data.

Access Point: A networking connection device that is also known as the base station. This is a wireless hardware connection device that connects to a wired network to create wireless operation. Its point . . . View Full Definition

Access Time: The time that elapses from the moment information is requested and the information is delivered. Usually given in nanoseconds (ns) for memory chips and milliseconds (ms) for disk drives.

Active Matrix: A type of LCD (liquid crystal display) structure that is actively controlled by a diode or transistor. This allows for each pixel to be independently controlled which produces excellent colo . . . View Full Definition

Active Server Pages (ASP): Developed by Microsoft and is designed as a web server extension which is a default scripting language for writing VBScript.

Active X: A software technology developed by Microsoft. This is based on other technology Microsoft developed such as; COM (Component Object Model) and OLE (Object Linking and Embedding). Active X def . . . View Full Definition

Actuator: Device that performs an action or outputs a signal in response to a signal from a computer.

Adapter: A device that serves as an interface between dissimilar devices. Often also called a circuit board, or card, but can also refer to a connector or cable adapter that changes connection types . . . View Full Definition

Address: The location of a particular piece of data or other information found on a computer.

Address Bus: One or a series of electrical conductors that are used to carry the binary address from the microprocessor to the rest of the system.

Addressing: A method of identifying a resource (such as a program) or piece of information (such as a file) on a network. Methods of addressing vary considerably from network-to-network.

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI): A standard developed by Intel, Toshiba, and Microsoft that implements advanced power managment functions through the operating system. Also known as APM (advanced power management).

Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA): This is a disk drive implementation developed by the Small Form Factor (SFF) Committee that integrates the controller on the disk drive itself. There are many versions of ATA, which include . . . View Full Definition

Adware: A software program that is designed to run once a web page has been accessed. This is usually in the form of banner or popup advertisements. Adware can also be designed to be installed on yo . . . View Full Definition

Aero: Aero is the name of Windows Vista's new graphical interface that gives users an exciting new desktop look and feel. It stands for: Authentic, Energetic, Reflective and Open. It is designed t . . . View Full Definition

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