Glossary

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802.11a/b/g/n
An evolving family of wireless networking standards, from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Each letter specifies a data speed and frequency range, with "n" being the fastest and due for release in September 2008.

• See also: Wireless LAN (WLAN)
• Related Link: Connecting a second computer to your home wireless network

Access Point
A device that connects to a wireless network and lets mobile users connect to the Internet when in range.

• See also: Wireless LAN (WLAN)

All-In-One Printer
A printer that can also send faxes, scan documents and make copies.

• See also: Multifunction Printer (MFP)
• Related Link: Troubleshooting network printing

Aspect Ratio
A screen's ratio of width to height.

Backup
A copy of a program or file that is stored separately from the original for safe keeping.

• Related Link: Making better backups

Backward Compatible
Hardware or software that is compatible with its previous versions.

• Related Link: Is your computer worth fixing?

Bandwidth
The volume of data that a transmission medium, such as an Internet connection, can handle, typically measured in bits per second. Analogous to a pipe -- the bigger the pipe, the larger the volume of water that can flow through it.

• See also: Bits Per Second (Bps)
• Related Link: Why bother with high-speed Internet?

Bits Per Second (Bps)
A measurement of data speed -- the faster, the better. One megabit equals 1 million bits; 1 gigabit equals 1 billion bits.

• See also: Byte

BlackBerry
A small, handheld device that lets a user access the Internet, maintain an address book and calendar, make phone calls and send and receive e-mail, among other features.

• See also: Handheld, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

Bluetooth
Enables the short-range transmission of digital voice and data, such as from a user's wireless cell-phone headset to his cell phone.

Blu-ray
A next-generation optical disk format that allows data to be packed more tightly and stored in less space than a traditional DVD. Competitor to HD-DVD.

• See also: DVD

Bridge
A device that connects two or more local area networks (LANs) together. Faster than a router but with less functionality.

• See also: Local Area Network (LAN), Router

Broadband
High-speed Internet access enabling the transfer of high-quality content, such as video, that may not be technically feasible by connecting to the Internet via traditional telephone wires.

• See also: Dial-Up, DSL, Cable Modem, Satellite, Broadband Over Powerline, Fiber Optic, Wireless Broadband

Broadband Over Powerline (BPL)
A type of broadband technology that delivers data over an existing electric power distribution network, with speeds comparable to DSL and cable modem broadband technologies.

• See also: Broadband, DSL, Cable Modem

Byte
A measurement of computer storage -- the bigger, the more that can be stored. One megabyte equals 1 million bytes; 1 gigabyte equals 1 billion bytes.

Cable
A bundle of wires, with plugs on both ends, that connects computer parts.

Cable Modem
A type of broadband technology delivered via cable. Also refers to the specific device that provides broadband Internet access using the same cables that deliver programs to a user's TV.

• See also: Broadband, Cable

CableCard
An interface for digital TV that lets a user plug a cable line directly into a TV set without the need for a set-top box.

• See also: Set-Top Box

Cache
A small, fast storage mechanism within a computer that holds recently accessed data, such as a Web page, designed to speed up subsequent access to the same data.

Carrier
A company that provides communication services, such as Internet access.

Cat5 Cable
A common type of cabling used for computer networks.

CD-ROM
A type of optical disk technology able to store 300,000 pages of text.

• See also: DVD

Cellular Communications
A type of wireless connection that divides a geographic region into sections, called cells.

Client-Server
Describes the relationship between a user's computer (client) and the machine (server) from which it requests information, such as a Web page.

Coaxial
A transmission line that sends telegraph, telephone and television signals.

Codec
A device that compresses and decompresses data, or encodes and decodes a signal between networks.

• See also: Compression, Encryption

Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
A digital wireless communications technology that allows more subscribers to connect at any given time than competing technologies.

Compact Disc (CD)
A small optical disk usually containing recorded music or computer data.

• See also: DVD

Compact Disc-Recordable (CD-R)
A CD technology that allows files to be recorded, but not erased.

• See also: CD-RW

Compact Disc-Rewritable (CD-RW)
A CD technology that allows files to be both added and deleted.

• See also: CD-R

Compression
The process of transforming information to a smaller representation to take up less storage space and/or transmit faster.

Convergence
The combination of two or more different technologies in a single device, such as Internet telephony.

• See also: Internet Telephony