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74 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Aspect ratio
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The relationship between the width and height of the display, e.g. 16:9.
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Biometric identification
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The use of technology that measures/scans something biologically unique to each person, such as a fingerprint or the pattern of the iris of an eye, for identification purposes.
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Bluetooth
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A wireless technology that allows devices such as mice, printers and smartphones to communicate over a relatively short distance,
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Blu-ray
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An optical disc format designed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data (more than DVD).
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Boot
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The term used to describe a computer’s start-up process.
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Cache memory
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A high-speed memory used to hold recently or frequently accessed data, in order to be able to retrieve that data faster.
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Colour depth
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The number of bits used to represent the colour of each pixel in an image.
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Contrast ratio
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The relationship between the darkest black and the brightest white that a display device can produce. Higher values are better.
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Convergence
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The trend where separate technologies and functions that required different devices in the past are combined into one single device, e.g. the smartphone and the tablet.
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Core
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A single physical processor. Chips that are ‘dual...’ have 2 processors, ‘quad...’ have 4 processors, etc.
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Default printer
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The printer that printing will be sent to unless otherwise specified by the user.
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Ergonomics
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The study and design of the workplace and the equipment used in the workplace for the comfort and safety of people in their work environments.
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GHz
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The unit in which the speed of the CPU is measured. Higher is better.
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GPS device
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A Device that calculates where you are on the earth’s surface (latitude and longitude) based on signals it obtains from at least three GPS satellites.
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Hard copy
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Output on paper (as opposed to soft copy – visual output on a screen).
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HDMI
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An interface that transmits high definition video and sound via a single cable. It provides better quality images because the signals are digital.
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ISO rating
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A digital camera’s sensitivity to light. Higher ratings are better.
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Lumen
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This measures the brightness of the image projected by a data projector. The higher the rating, the more effective the projector will be.
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Micro-USB
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A smaller type of USB port, usually found on mobile devices such as smartphones.
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Mobile user
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User (not necessarily a separate category) who wants and needs to have their technology with them wherever they are, e.g. sales people and consultants.
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Pen input
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An input device used together with a pressure-sensitive digitizing tablet.
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Pixel density
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How many pixels the display fits into a 1"" horizontal line. Higher is better.
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POS
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Designed to speed up the sale of goods and services in the marketplace.
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Power user
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Category of user who has computing needs that make the top-of-the-range hardware and software indispensable, e.g. architects and engineers. They typically also use all the advanced functions of the software they use.
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ppm
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The number of pages that a printer can print in a minute, i.e. the ‘speed’ of a printer
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Printer queue
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Temporary storage area on the hard drive where print tasks are sent and where they wait until the printer is ready to print them. Each printer has its own.
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QR code
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A two dimensional square type of ‘barcode’ that can store much more data than a conventional barcode. It can be scanned using the camera on a mobile device.
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Refresh rate
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How often or quickly the screen display is refreshed. The higher, the better.
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Resolution
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Display: The maximum ... is the highest number of pixels that the display supports, given by the number of horizontal pixels multiplied by the number of vertical pixels (e.g. 1920 x 1080). Scanner: The number of dots it can scan per inch – so its ... is stated as dpi (dots per inch). Digital camera: The total number of pixels that make up the picture. Printer: the number of dots the printer can create along a horizontal line; measured in dots per inch (dpi).
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RFID
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Uses small radio devices (smaller than a grain of rice) to store and transmit data.
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rpm
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Unit in which the rotational speed of a hard drive is measured, e.g. 7200 rpm.
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Safe Mode
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A mode in which a computer can be booted in order to help fix various software problems. In this mode only essential system programs and services are loaded.
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Screen lock pattern
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A way of locking a mobile device by setting up a pattern you must ‘draw’ on the screen with your finger to unlock the device.
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Sensor size
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The ... in a digital camera. The bigger the size, the better the quality of the image.
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Server
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A computer that provide services or resources to other computers (clients) that are linked in the network.
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SOHO user
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Category of user who uses a computer for a business that the user runs.
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Spooling
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The process of sending print tasks temporarily to disk (hard drive) until the printer is ready to print them.
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System requirements
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The minimum requirements (such as storage space, processing power and memory) needed to run a piece of software. When software requirements are indicated, this usually relates to the operating system needed.
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Virtual memory
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Free disk space on a hard drive that allows the operating system to work as if it has access to more RAM than the amount of RAM that is physically present in the computer. This allows the computer to run more programs at the same time.
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Volatile memory
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Memory (RAM) does not keep its contents when the power is switched off.
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Zoom (digital)
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As you ‘get closer’ to the object being photographed and the picture gets larger, it also gets blurrier and eventually pixelated.
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Zoom (optical)
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Uses lenses on the camera to ‘get closer’ to the object being photographed. Use this for better quality images.
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3D Printer
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Printer that allows one to create physical three-dimensional objects from designs created on a computer using CAD or 3D modelling software.
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Accelerometer
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Input device in smartphones and tablets, used to detect which way around the device is held or how it is being moved. This allows it to change the orientation of the screen depending on how you hold it.
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Card reader
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Device into which a memory card is inserted. Data can then be transferred between the memory card and the computing device attached to the device
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CPU
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Hardware component that processes all data and carries out all instructions.
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Dedicated device
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Devices that are designed to perform just one specific task, such as Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), GPS devices and household appliances like microwave ovens and washing machines.
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DIMM
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A standardized ‘stick’ of RAM designed to fit into its specific slot on the motherboard.
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Dongle
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Device plugged into a USB port to enable a wireless keyboard or mouse. Also a 3G or 4G ... used on a desktop computer or laptop to connect it to a cellular network for internet access.
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DSLR camera
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A type of camera designed for professional use. It lets you change lenses and allows more control over technical settings.
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Entry-level computer
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A computer that is cheapest to purchase in its range (e.g. desktop PC), with fairly low hardware specifications.
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GPU
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Processing chip on a video card (analogous to the CPU on the motherboard), which can improve computer performance with certain types of software (CAD, 3D graphics, gaming, etc.).
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Hybrid computer /
2-in-1 |
Laptop / tablet with a reversible or detachable screen and a normal keyboard. The screen is touch- or pen-sensitive. This machine can be used either as a normal laptop or as a tablet.
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Inkjet printer
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Type of printer that sprays microscopic dots of ink onto the paper and is relatively cheap to buy but is comparatively expensive to run. Good for high-quality graphics such as photographs.
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Laser printer
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Type of printer that works like a photocopier, using toner instead of ink cartridges. Relatively expensive to buy compared to inkjet printers but cheaper to run and, of the two, best suited for higher volume printing.
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Memory (RAM)
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Temporary storage area for programs and data being processed in the computer. Memory loses its contents when the power is switched off.
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Memory card
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Electronic storage media used in digital cameras and smartphones.
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Motherboard
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Large rectangular board inside the computer case, containing circuitry with slots and connectors for the CPU, RAM, storage devices and peripherals to connect to it. It allows all the parts of a computer to communicate with each other.
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Multi-function printer
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An all-in-one input/output device which can typically print, scan, photocopy and fax.
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Multi-touch (touch screen)
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A screen that allows for two or more fingers to be detected and used on it at one time, e.g. for pinching actions.
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Phablet |
A smartphone with a screen size larger than 5"" (midway in size between a smartphone and a tablet).
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Pointing stick
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An alternative to a mouse, used with laptops. It takes the form of a small button between the keys of the keyboard.
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ROM
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A special chip on the motherboard that holds the instructions needed to start the computer and load the operating system when you switch it on.
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SATA
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The internal hard drive interface or connection – the way the drive is connected to the motherboard.
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Scanner
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An input device that scans images into a computer, e.g. printed text, graphics, barcodes, QR codes – even parts of the human body.
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SSD
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A completely electronic alternative to the traditional hard drive. It uses the same technology as flash drives, making for very fast disk access.
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Tablet
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A portable computer with a touch- or pen-sensitive screen. Similar to smartphones, with advantages of a larger screen and a longer battery life. It cannot however make cellphone calls or send / receive SMS messages.
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Touch screen
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A screen used as both an input and an output device, and found in devices such as smartphones and tablets. Some respond to finger touch, others are designed to work with a stylus.
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Touchpad
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A pressure-sensitive surface built into laptops. It is an input device that can be used instead of a mouse.
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UPS
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A device used to protect a computer against power surges, spikes, and outages. It only provides power for a limited duration – enough time to save one’s work and shut the computer down properly.
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USB port
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Standard port commonly used to connect devices such as keyboards, mice and printers to a computer.
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VGA port
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Port used to connect the monitor to the computer. Largely replaced today by other connection types, such as HDMI.
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Webcam
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A low resolution camera that is quick and easy to set up (or is built into many laptops). It feeds video images to the computer in real time and is used for video conferencing, security and other instances where a live video feed is required.
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Video card
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A separate circuit board that plugs into a special slot on the motherboard. It has its own video memory and a graphics processing unit (GPU) that improves video processing.
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