COMPUTER JARGON EXPOSED AND TRANSLATED.....

Over the following pages I will try to translate some of the common terms used by techno_whizzes.
Later I will try to create an index or search facility.

Cache
Part of a computer's memory set aside for storing frequently used data from a disc drive, speeding up the transfer of information.

Driver
Small program that tells Windows 95 how to communicate with a particular piece of hardware, such as a disc drive, mouse, joystick or printer.

Ribbon cable
Flat multi-way cable, used inside a PC to connect disc drives to the main motherboard or plug-in controller cards.

Peripheral
Anything you can plug into your computer.

Port
Computerese for the socket into which you plug your peripheral.

Ink/bubble jet
Images are built up by tiny drops of ink squirted from a moving print head or cartridge, on to paper. Most colour ink jet printers use a mixture of cyan, magenta and yellow inks, sometimes with black, to produce a full range of colours.

CPU
The "brain" of your computer (central processor unit)

Modem
Short for MOdulator DEModulator, a device that converts digital data into audible tones that can be sent down ordinary telephone lines.

BIOS
Basic Input Output System, a set of instructions that tells your PC what it is connected to, and how to communicate with devices such as hard disk drive and memory chips.

REN
Ringer Equivalence Number - all devices (modems, fax machines, answering machines etc) that can be connected to the public switched telephone network (PTSN) are required to have a REN number. This determines how many other devices can be connected to the same line. Most phone lines can support a REN of 4. If it is any higher, some devices may not function correctly.

Standby
PCs with motherboards that support the Standby function switch to a low-power mode when the standby function is engaged. A variety of actions, including mouse clicks, key presses or signals from the modem, wakes up the PC.

Wizard
Simple helper program that starts automatically when you begin a task.

RAM
The working memory of your computer (random access memory). Extra memory comes in two sorts: the more modern DIMMS (dual in-line memory module) and the older SIMMS (single in-line memory module)

PCI and EISA/ISA
Types of expansion slot (peripheral component interconnect, and (extended) industry standard architecture)

Chip sockets
Most microchips are soldered directly to the circuit boards but some, including the main processor and some memory components, are mounted in sockets, so they can be easily replaced or upgraded.

Expansion cards
A set of small circuit boards, plugged into the main motherboard for controlling the video output, processing sounds or communicating with the outside world (modems and network cards).

Motherboard
The main printed circuit board inside a computer, containing the main processor chip (such as 486 or Pentium), memory chips (RAM), all the other circuits needed to control the disk drives, keyboard etc, and communicate with plug-in expansion cards.

Power supply module
converts mains AC electricity into low-voltage DC, needed by the motherboard and disk drives. It's normally housed inside a metal box, fitted with a cooling fan, attached to the back of the case or system unit.

Consumables
Components in a printer, such as the ink cartridge or ribbon, that need to be replaced when it runs out or exceeds its life expectancy.

Spool (Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On-Line)
A way of maximising PC and printer efficiency, information to be printed is transferred to a temporary file, so the PC can get on with other jobs, and carry on printing when it has a moment to spare.

Brownout
A large reduction in the mains supply voltage, causing lights to dim and electronic devices like computers to stop working.

Spikes, surges & transients
Brief increases in mains voltage, varying from a few volts to several thousand volts, caused by lightning strikes, grid switching and other devices connected to the supply.

VA
Volt-Ampere, a measure of electricity supply and generation. You can work out the required capacity of a UPS by adding up the power consumption figures (RMS values measured in watts) of your PC, monitor etc, into a VA figure by multiplying it by 1.414.

OCR
Optical Character Recognition, software that translates a scanned image of printed or typewritten text into a plain text file that can be read by a word processor.

SCSI
Small Systems Computer Interface or "scuzzy", a high-speed data interface that uses a card, which plugs into a socket on the PC motherboard.

TWAIN
Technology Without an Important Name, an industry-standard software utility that transfers an image from a scanner or digital camera.