Jargon buster

Find out what those words really mean

Anti-virus

This is a computer program that attempts to identify, neutralize or eliminate malicious software.

Backup

Making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event.

Database

A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.

Driver

This is a program that lets the operating system communicate with computer hardware. Computer parts need drivers because they do not use standard commands.

Firewall

This is a collection of security measures designed to prevent unauthorised electronic access to a networked computer system. It can also encrypt data to keep it secure when transmitted outside the local area network.

Firewire

Apple Computer's version of a standard, IEEE 1394 , High Performance Serial Bus, for connecting devices to your personal computer.

Gigabyte

This is a unit of information or computer storage meaning either exactly 1 billion or 1.07 billion bytes

Hits

A website hit is the number of times your website is accessed. This is not to be confused with visitors which tell you how many individuals have visited your site. One visitor can count for many hits.

Internet

The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer.

Mail Client

A program that manages the sending and recieving of emails.

Malware

The word originates from malicious software. This software is designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s consent.

Network

A system to allow 2 or more computers to connect to each other and share files or peripherals

OS

Operating System: The Operating System is the software component of a computer system that is responsible for the management and co-ordination of activities and sharing of the resources of the computer.

P2P Network

A peer-to-peer network is a simple network that connects PC’s to each other to enable users to gain access to each other’s files.

Remote Desktop

This could allow you to gain secure access and control over your office PC from home with any PC and an internet browser. It’s as if you were sitting in the office.

SEO

Search Engine Optimisation: The process or range of techniques used to help improve your ranking in search engine results. All Picseli websites are built with SEO in mind, not as an afterthought.

Server

A server is simply a very powerful computer which can co-ordinate and centralise all of your current IT needs to make it more efficient, including securely sharing files, printers, faxes, data and multiple computers.

Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is a sheet of paper that shows accounting or other data in rows and columns; a spreadsheet is also a computer application program that simulates a physical spreadsheet by capturing, displaying, and manipulating data arranged in rows and columns. The spreadsheet is one of the most popular uses of the personal computer.

USB

Universal Serial Bus: A plug-and-play interface between a computer and add-on devices (such as audio players, joysticks, keyboards, telephones, scanners, and printers).

VPN

A Virtual Private Network uses the Internet to connect two separate sites, for example your office and your house allowing you to work from home, with a fast and secure connection.

Website Accessibility

An accessible website makes sure that the information available can be easily accessed by its target audience. This can include the web browser they are using, the language the site is written in and whether they use a mouse, keyboard or other methods to use their computer.

Word Processor

A word processor is a computer program that provides special capabilities beyond that of a text editor such as the WordPad program that comes as part of Microsoft's Windows operating systems.