Module 1.1

Front 1

Modem

Back 1

Device that converts the data or signal from a computer to a format that can be transmitted over a communication channel

Front 2

Router

Back 2

Device that makes communication between networks possible by directing data to its correct destination

Front 3

BitTorrent

Back 3

Peer to peer protocol used to transfer and share large files across a network as the internet

Front 4

Patch

Back 4

Set of changes to a computer program or its supporting data designed to update fox or improve it

Front 5

Convergence

Back 5

Trend whereby separate technologies and functions from multiple devices are combined into a single multiple purpose device

Front 6

Core

Back 6

single complete CPU circuit

Front 7

E book

Back 7

Electronic version of a book read by using an e reader or other e book software

Front 8

E reader

Back 8

Single purpose device designed to allow you to read e books

Front 9

Laptop

Back 9

A complete portable computer with a battery to power the device when a at from a fixed power source

Front 10

Netbook

Back 10

A low power low spec version of the laptop designed for very basic tasks replaced by tablets

Front 11

Power users

Back 11

Users who need high end computer specifications for their job. Will typically use the advanced functions on their software

Front 12

Smartphone

Back 12

A mobile phone/ computer with an OS but only as large as an ordinary cellphone. A multipurpose device

Front 13

SOHO

Back 13

(small office home office) used to describe smaller business organisations and to differentiate form bigger businesses

Front 14

Tablet

Back 14

Bigger cellphone with a larger screen for larger productivity

Front 15

BIOS

Back 15

(Basic Input Output System) the essential startup instructions of a computer in ROM chips on the motherboard, and representing the lowest level of programming in firmware

Front 16

Bus

Back 16

A set of electrical paths etched on a motherboard, used to transfer data between different parts

Front 17

Caching

Back 17

A method used to compensate for the loss of efficiency or 'bottleneck' that becomes inevitable when a faster medium tries to communicate with a slower medium

Front 18

CMOS

Back 18

(Complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) the type of memory that stores the BIOS settings that can be updated or changed. The memory is kept alive by a small battery on the motherboard

Front 19

CPU cache

Back 19

Special type of high speed memory built into the CPU, used to maximize CPU productivity

Front 20

DIMM

Back 20

(Dual In Memory Module) thin rectangular electronic boards which contain banks of RAM chips, inserted into DIMM slots on the motherboard, and means whereby the memory of the computer is upgraded

Front 21

Disk cache

Back 21

A certain amount of high speed memory built into every hard drive. Used to cache data read from the slower disk, and thereby speed up subsequent calls for the same chunk of code or data

Front 22

EEPROM

Back 22

(electronically erasable programmable ROM) a type of ROM that can be erased electronically, after which a new image of the upgrade contents can be written back

Front 23

Expansion slots

Back 23

Slots on the motherboard for attaching circuit boards in order to expand the capabilities of the computer. Most dedicated video and and sound cards

Front 24

External connectors

Back 24

Situated both on the back and front of the casing (eg USB, VGA for monitors, RJ45 for ether net network cabling etc

Front 25

Firewire

Back 25

A type of port that can transfer data faster than USB. it is usually used where high speed data transfer is desirable such as videos and data to and from an external hard drive

Front 26

Firmware

Back 26

Software that is permanently installed on a ROM chip, and used to control the basic operation of a device

Front 27

Flashing the ROM

Back 27

The process whereby the existing contents of firmware is wiped and replaced with an updated version

Front 28

GPU

Back 28

(Graphics Processing Unit) dedicated graphics processor on a graphics card, used to provide extra processing power.

Front 29

Hardware interrupt

Back 29

A dedicated communication Chanel, or means, whereby a device can request the immediate attention of the CPU, in order to process a given function (eg. A mouse click)

Front 30

Modular design

Back 30

A computer design philosophy which incorporates a variety of separate modular components, thereby facilitates upgrades and maintenance

Front 31

Motherboard

Back 31

A large electronic circuit board with slots and connectors for attaching different components and peripherals

Front 32

Plug and play (PnP)

Back 32

A technology that automates the configuration process of a device before it can be used

Front 33

Point to point connections

Back 33

Dedicated connection between twin components that is not shared with other components

Front 34

POST

Back 34

(power on self test) a startup test performed by the BIOS to ensure that all essential hardware is present and in working order

Front 35

RAM

Back 35

(random access memory) temporary volatile storage area for all running programs and data being processed

Front 36

ROM

Back 36

(Read Only Memory) permanent no volatile memory associated with firmware, typically found on the ROM chip

Front 37

SATA CONNECTORS

Back 37

Connectors on the motherboard for attaching cables for storage devices such as hard drive and optical drives

Front 38

System Clock

Back 38

A small quartz crystal taht pulse at a regular frequency measured in Ghz, used to co ordinate activities in a motherboard

Front 39

Thunderbolt

Back 39

A new superfast connection technology which can support multiple simultaneous connections

Front 40

USB

Back 40

(Universal Serial Bus) the most widely used connection option for attaching device to a computer via a USB port

Front 41

Video car/graphics card

Back 41

Hardware component that generates the image both graphic and text displayed on the monitor. Either integrated on the motherboard or supplied as a separate card plugged into the PCIe expansion slot

Front 42

Web caching

Back 42

The process of storing recently accessed web pages locally on a relatively much faster hard drive so that they are quicker to retrieve the next time they are needed. Retrievals from local storage are much faster than internet downloads

Front 43

ZIF socket

Back 43

The type of socket on the mb for connecting the CPU

Front 44

Open source software

Back 44

Software made available with a license that allows you to access and modify the source code but not sell the software

Front 45

Pos system

Back 45

Specialized software and hardware designed to be used at the till point. It manages the stock and creates reports when stock is sold to customers

Front 46

Proprietary software

Back 46

Software developed by a certain software house. Users have to pay a license fee to be allowed to use the software. No access to source code

Front 47

Shareware

Back 47

Software which is distributed freely, but either it can only be used for a limited time, or limited capabilities are available. Do not receive source code