Basic computer hardware terminology

[PerCom]

Basic computer hardware terminology
In this article we would cover basic of computer hardware. Being a system administrator you should familiar with computer hardware terminology
The Motherboard



The motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer. It contains the central processing unit (CPU), the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers for standard peripheral devices like the keyboard, disk drive and display screen.

The chipset and other motherboard circuitry are the "smarts" of the motherboard. Their job is to direct traffic and control the flow of information inside the computer.

The chipset is a critical part of any computer, because it plays a big role in determining what sorts of features the computer can support
BIOS
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System.
lowest-level software in the computer
Acts as an interface between the hardware (especially the chipset and processor) and the operating system.
The BIOS provides access to the system hardware and enables the creation of the higher-level operating systems that you use to run your applications.
The BIOS is also responsible for allowing you to control your computer's hardware settings, for booting up the machine when you turn on the power or hit the reset button, and various other system functions
ROM: Read Only Memory
ROM is nonvolatile. ROM chips contain permanently written data, called firmware (your BIOS lives here).ROM contains the programs that direct the computer to load the operating system and related files when the computer is powered on.
ROM chips are usually recorded when they are manufactured.

PROM -Programmable Read Only memory chip cannot be changed to update or revise the program inside

EPROM Erasable Programmable Read Only memory Data can be erased and chip can be reused Can be erased by shining high intensity UV light through the window

EEPROM Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only memory under high voltage

FROM -Flash ROM is reprogrammable memory using normal voltage inside the PC- You can upgrade the logic capabilities by simply downloading new software. This saves the expense of replacing circuit boards and chips
Processing Devices


Cache

Pronounced cash.

It is a small, high-speed memory area that is placed between the processor and the system memory.

The value of the cache is that it is much faster than normal system memory.

The most frequently used instructions are kept in cache memory so that the CPU can look in there first - allows the CPU to run faster because it doesn't have to take time to swap instructions in and out of main memory.

Large, complex programs such as complex spreadsheets or database management programs benefit the most from having a cache memory available. Pentium II processors generally come with at least 512 KB of cache memory.

Random Access Memory (RAM)



RAM is Primary Storage, also called internal storage.
Serves as computers workspace, storing all or part of the program that is being executed, as well as data being used by the program.
RAM provides instructions and data to the CPU.
These instructions/data are coded in bytes.
Each byte is placed in a precise location in memory, called an address.
To access data or instructions in memory, the computer references the addresses containing the bytes.
The amount of memory available is therefore measured in bytes

RAM chips consist of millions of switches that are sensitive to changes in electric current.
RAM chips are typically packaged on small circuit boards called memory modules, which are inserted into special slots on the motherboard.
RAM is Volatile storage: Power goes, data goes!
Data/instructions are copied into memory as needed.
Not enough memory or corruption of data/instructions in memory can cause crash.
On booting, operating system files are loaded from a storage device (the hard disk, usually) into RAM, and they remain there as long as your computer is running.
RAM contents changes as programs are executed.
RAM chips consist of millions of switches that are sensitive to changes in electric current.
RAM chips are typically packaged on small circuit boards called memory modules, which are inserted into special slots on the motherboard.
On booting, operating system files are loaded from a storage device (the hard disk, usually) into RAM, and they remain there as long as your computer is running.
RAM contents changes as programs are executed.
The amount of RAM needed depends on the types of applications you intend to run on the computer. S/w indicate the minimum amount of RAM required to run.

Two basic types of RAM are Dynamic RAM (DRAM), and Static RAM (SRAM).

Most computers today use DRAM, which are also of two types:
SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic RAM runs at the same pace as the system clock runs
DDR SDRAM DDR stands for Double Data Rate - runs at double the pace the system clock runs - available in speeds from 266 MHZ upto 600MHZ
DDR2 SDRAM runs at four times the pace the system clock runs - available in speeds from 400 MHZ upto 800MHZ

Most desktops and notebooks use one of the three most popular types of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) for the main system memory. Single data rate (SDR) SDRAM is the older type of memory, commonly used in computers prior to 2002. Double data rate (DDR) SDRAM hit the mainstream computer market around 2002, and DDR2-based systems hit the market in mid-2004.

DDR SDRAM is a straightforward evolution from SDR SDRAM. The big difference between DDR SDRAM and SDR SDRAM is that DDR reads data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal, so the DDR module can transfer data twice as fast as SDR SDRAM.

While DDR has a limited clock rate, the evolutionary changes to DDR architecture enable DDR2 to achieve speeds beyond of DDR, delivering bandwidth of 5.3 GB per second and beyond! Because DDR2 is able to operate with faster bus speeds, your memory doesn't hold back the performance of your processor.

Generally speaking, motherboards are built to support only one type of memory. You cannot mix and match SDRAM, DDR, or DDR2 memory on the same motherboard in any system. They will not function and will not even fit in the same.

Why is RAM so important?

Aside from the processor, the two most important factors affecting a PC's performance are RAM and hard disk capacity.

Hard disks are typically huge, so the primary limiting factor is the amount of installed RAM.

Without enough RAM, the operating system must swap out storage space with the hard disk. The OS creates a Paging File (swap file) to supplement RAM (workspace). This is Virtual Memory.

Virtual memory is inherently slow! RAM speed can typically be 120,000 times FASTER than the hard disk so the less you must rely on virtual memory (swapping files between RAM and hard disk), the faster your system will perform.

Microprocessor
•Heart and brain of the PC
•One electrical circuit in control of another
•Successive generation of processors
•80286,80386,80486 -32 bit interface
•Pentium family P1, P2, P3, P4 64 bit interface
•Dual-core technology is like having two processors - A dual core processor is a CPU with two separate cores residing on the same chip

[PerCom]

Tried to add images but could not

[Golden]

... G
you are on initial phase of posts approval terminology.
we are here to assist you

[PerCom]

@admin
Kindly paste these images at appropriate place in above post#1
for making me pink.(by the way I am not female)

[dodi2000]

@admin
Kindly paste these images at appropriate place in above post#1
for making me pink.(by the way I am not female)

My Friend Colour Coding means

[PerCom]

@admin
Thanks for pasting images at right place

[dodi2000]

@admin

the pink color mostly liked by female.

[PerCom]

Computer Terms Beginning with a Number or Symbol

3G 3G refers to the third generation of cellular data standards. Cell phone companies often market mobile phones as "3G...
4G 4G is the fourth generation of cellular data standards. Like 3G, there is no single 4G technology. Instead, 4G an...
802.11a 802.11a is a Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE for transmitting data over a wireless network. It uses a 5 GHz band...
802.11b 802.11b is a Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE for transmitting data over a wireless network. It operates on a...
802.11g 802.11g is a Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE for transmitting data over a wireless network. It operates on a...
802.11n 802.11n is a wireless ((Wi-Fi|wi-fi)) standard that was introduced in 2007. It supports a longer range and higher...

[PerCom]

Common Computer Terms
3G refers to the third generation of cellular data standards. Cell phone companies often market mobile phones as "3G devices," but there is no single 3G standard. Rather, 3G is a broad label given to cellular technologies that support data transfer rates of 14.4 Mbps or faster.

3G networks and devices started to gain widespread use in the US around 2007. However, it took a few more years before the majority of smartphones supported 3G. As of 2012, most cell phone networks support both 3G and 4G technologies.
4G

Example: "Some 4G networks offer faster speeds than cable or DSL."


4G is the fourth generation of cellular data standards. Like 3G, there is no single 4G technology. Instead, 4G an umbrella of technologies that conform to the requirements established by the International Telecommunications Union. All 4G devices must support a data transfer rate of at least 100 Mbps.

4G networks and devices were first available in the United States in 2009. Sprint was the first company to offer 4G service, followed by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
802.11b


802.11b is a Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE for transmitting data over a wireless network. It operates on a 2.4 GHz band and allows for wireless data transfers up to 11 Mbps. A faster standard, called 802.11g, was introduced a few years after 802.11b and supports data transfer rates up to 54 Mbps. This can make a difference in the speed of data transfers within a local network, but since broadband Internet access is limited to around 5 Mbps, a 802.11b wireless connection will not be a bottleneck for Internet access. Most wireless networks are based on either 802.11b or 802.11g.

802.11g


802.11g is a Wi-Fi standard developed by the IEEE for transmitting data over a wireless network. It operates on a 2.4 GHz bandwidth and supports data transfer rates up to 54 Mbps. 802.11g is backward compatible with 802.11b hardware, but if there are any 802.11b-based computers on the network, the entire network will have to run at 11 Mbps (the max speed that 802.11b supports). However, you can configure your 802.11g wireless router to only accept 802.11g devices, which will ensure your network runs at its top speed

802.11n
802.11n is a wireless (Wi-Fi) standard that was introduced in 2007. It supports a longer range and higher wireless transfer rates than the previous standard, 802.11g.

802.11n devices support MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) data transfers, which can transmit multiple streams of data at once. This technology effectively doubles the range of a wireless device. Therefore, a wireless router that uses 802.11n may have twice the radius of coverage as an 802.11g router. This means a single 802.11n router may cover an entire household, whereas an 802.11g router might require additional routers to bridge the signal.

The previous 802.11g standard supported transfer rates of up to 54 Mbps. Devices that use 802.11n can transfer data over 100 Mbps. With an optimized configuration, the 802.11n standard can theoretically support transfer rates of up to 500 Mbps. That is five times faster than a standard 100Base-T wired Ethernet network.

So if your residence is not wired with an Ethernet network, it's not a big deal. Wireless technology can finally keep pace with the wired network. Of course, with the faster speeds and larger range that 802.11n provides, it is more important than ever to password protect your wireless network

[PerCom]

• 32-bit/16-bit: This denotes the number of "pieces" (or bits) of information required by an operating system to run a certain application. It also deals with the construction of the computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) or brain. The Pentium CPU easily runs 32-bit applications because the wires that hold all the pieces together (known as busses) are big enough to flow through 32 bits at a time. 486s, 386s, and below aren't big enough. They work with 16 bits at a time. Windows95 is a 32-bit application. Yes, it will run on a 486, but very slowly while using a great deal of memory and virtual memory (hard drive space) to do it.
A

• ANSI: It stands for American National Standards Institute. This is the place that sets standards for data communications, like the Internet.


• Analog: Not digital. This is data in the form of a continuous flow. A record or a tape is analog. Digital, on the other hand, is in pieces or samples. More to come on that.


• AppleShare: This is Apple Computer's network system. It allows many different end users (people on computers) to attach to one central location and get files. (Sound familiar?)


• Application: This is a program. It does things when called upon. A shortened version gave Java its name: applet.


• Archie: Search tool used to find resources stored on Internet-based FTP servers.


• ASCII: It stands for American Standard Code Information Exchange. This is text. It's all those things you see on your keyboard. However, it is standardized text so data transfer is allowed between systems. It works by representing letters and characters through a seven-digit code of ones and zeros. An example would be that "Joe" might look like this to the computer:


0011010,0111100,01010011



• Asynchronous: Transferring data with the help of start and stop bits that indicate the beginning and end of each character being sent.


• ASP: Active Server Pages. An invention from Microsoft that runs on their server software. See here.


• AVI: Stands for Audio/Video Interleaved. Microsoft's format for encoding video & audio for digital transmission.
B

• Backbone: Well, all of these computers have to come together somewhere. There are many "backbones" on the Internet. Think of the backbone as the next larger grouping of computers you connect with to get included in the Web. You're at the end of a rib coming off of the backbone -- get the picture? The main backbone of the Internet here in the U.S. is the NSFNet. It stands for National Science Foundation Net.


• Bandwidth: The carrying capacity of a wire attached from one computer to another. It is usually measured in the amount of bits carried. You know that 28.8 modem you have? It will allow a bandwidth of 28,800 bits per second.


• Baud: This is a measurement of the amount of data that can be transferred in one second. Example: A 14.4 baud modem can transfer 14,400 bits of information in one second.


• BBS: Stands for Bulletin Board Service.


• BIOS: Stands for Basic Input/Output System. This is the little set of programs that lets all the different parts of the computer talk to each other.


• Binary: This is a basic system of numbering using ones and zeros.


• Bit/s: "Bit" is a grouping of the words "binary" and "digits." Think of a bit as a number, a 1 or a 0 to be exact. A grouping of bits helps to make up ASCII code. Data transfer is often in terms of the number of these "bits" that can be moved in a second.


• BMP (pronounced "bimp"): It's a bitmap, an image made up of little dots.


• Buffer: The buffer is a section of the computer where data is stored before being used. This buffering allows time for an application to fix differences in bit rates among other things. It creates a space of time for compensation.


• Browser: User's software program for viewing & browsing information on the Internet.


• Burst: Most people know this from "pipeline burst cache." Burst means to send data in a large package all at one time rather than small bits over a longer time.


• Bus: There are wires between all the parts of your computer. There is a wire from the memory to the brain, and from the brain to the printer, etc., etc. Those wires are called busses. They differ from one another by the amount of data they will transfer at one time.


• Byte: A unit of space. It is also used to represent a series of seven or eight ASCII code digits representing a character.
C


• C: A programming language developed at AT&T.


• Cache: This is a memory section that holds data while the CPU (central processing unit) or brain, is working on it. Go to your Netscape directory -- you'll see a cache full of files marked ".moz". Those are "mozilla" files. That's what Netscape calls pages after they've been displayed and saved.


• CD-ROM: Compact Disc - Read Only Memory. It's a storage place that disallows recording or manipulating of its data.


• CGA: Stands for Color Graphics Adapter. It's a piece of hardware that plays with colors.


• Client: A computer attached to an Internet server.


• COBOL: Stands for Common Business Oriented Language.


• COM: Stands for Component Object Module.


• Compiler: This is an application that converts a programming language into a machine language program.


• CPU: Stands for Central Processing Unit. This is the brain of your computer. It is made up of two parts: The Arithmetic Logic Unit (this does all the processing) and the Control Unit (this makes sure every part of the computer is working together to present the information).


• CSS: Stands for Cascading Style Sheets. See here.


• Cyberspace: This is a term that gives us a way to sort of "see" what we are surfing while on the Net. It's a generic term for the entire Internet, not just the World Wide Web.
D


• Data: Anything that is recorded or used for processing. The stuff that transfers between computers needed a name -- data seemed good.


• Database: Anything that accepts data is a database. A pile of newspapers is a database. A computer database has the ability to manipulate that data. It is possible to attach applications to that database to search the contents.


• Data Rate: Speed that information moves from one item to another. This is usually in the form of bits.


• DDS: Stands for Direct Digital Signal.


• Dedicated Line: This is a phone line meant specifically for one thing, like being attached to a computer.


• Demodulation: This is the process of converting analog information (like over phone lines) into digital information (like in a computer). See "Modem" for more.


• DHTML: Stands for Dynamic HTML. See here.


• Dial-Up Line: This is a telephone line that is connected to a server. When it is called, tones are exchanged between the server and the devise calling in order to attach.

• Digital: Your CD player is digital. It is a series of small samples of data playing together very quickly (30,000 times a second). Digital recording of information means representing the bits of data through ones and zeros. Playing the bits back to again create what was recorded is called digital processing.

• DNS: This stands for Domain Name System. The Internet runs by assigning different sites "Names." They are actually 4-part strains of numbers associated with names, but names nonetheless. Getting a DNS error means that the address you are attempting to reach is not recognized by the Internet community.


• Domain: This is a higher level section of the Internet, usually given its own DNS. The domain is the section of an address before the directory slashes start. "htmlgoodies.com" is my domain. Click here if you want one of your own!


• DOS: Stands for Disc Operating System. It is a generic term for the many programs that accept commands to trip applications to run. The most popular is MS-DOS (MS stands for Microsoft).


• DPI: Stands for Dots Per Inch.


• Dumb Terminal: This a video screen that is seeing manipulation in another computer. Example: If you log in to AOL, your computer is not doing the work -- AOL's computer is. You are just being offered a window into that world. That window is your screen. It's a terminal, but it's just watching -- thus a dumb terminal.
E

• EBCDIC: Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. It is also called the Extended ASCII Code, as it adds an eighth digit to the normal seven-digit code.


• E-Mail: Stands for Electronic Mail. E-mail is actually a method of transferring files among computers, rather than the file itself, but that's what the name has come to mean.


• Encryption: This is any one of many methods to transfer a file into a hard-to-crack code. It is often done by scrambling or by letter-to-letter replacement.


• Engine (as in "Search Engine"): This is the working part of a database or application.


• Ethernet This is a method of file transfer that uses dedicated cables rather than dial up phone lines. Ethernets are usually set up attaching end users to a central system like an Intranet. It was invented by Xerox believe it or not. F

• FAT Stands for File Allocation Table. Basically this is a table of contents in a directory that tells the computer what al is in there. Look at your Netscape cache, you'll see a FAT. It'll be the first file.


• FAQ Stands for Frequently Asked Questions. An FAQ is a file or document where a moderator or administrator will post commonly asked questions and their answers.

• Fiber-Optic This is a new style of cable being used for very high speed data transmission. It works by pushing (modulating) a light wave across cable. The data is carried along with the light.

• File Sharing This is the most important feature of the Internet. This is a method of allowing one server to give the same file to many different end users.

• FORTRAN Stands for FORmula TRANslation.

• Freeware This a shortened version of Free Software. Programmers offer their work without wanting pay in return.

• FTP Stands for File Transfer Protocol. G

• Gateway As in Common Gateway Interface (CGI). It is a piece of software that allows two items to communicate with each other. They are used to make connections between computers and systems inside that computer.

• GIF Pronounced "jif." Stands for Graphical Interchange Format. It is an image format created by Compuserve.

• Gigabyte (GB) It's about a billion bytes. Actually it's 2 to the 30th power or 1,073,741,824.

• GIGO It's an acronym that stands for Garbage In, Garbage Out.


•Gopher One of the first commonly used interfaces for the Internet with a format structure and resource for providing information. It was created at the University of Minnesota who's mascot is the gopher.

• GUI Pronounced "gooey". It stands for Graphical User Interface. It's the graphical representations you see on the screen.
H


• Hardware These are the physical items including your computer and floppy discs.

• Helper Application This is an application your browser uses to manipulate a downloaded program.


• Hotlist List of URLs saved within the Mosaic Web browser. (Bookmark in Netscape.)


• HTML Stands for HyperText Markup Language. Common language used to write documents on World Wide Web.


• HTTP Stands for HyperText Transport Protocol. Common protocol used to communicate between World Wide Web Servers.

• Hypertext This is a mark-up language that allows for non-linear transfers of data. The method allows your computer to provide the computational power rather than attaching to a mainframe and waiting for it to do the work for you.
I


• IBM Stands for International Business Machines

• Icon A small video display that acts as an activation link when clicked on.

• Interface This is any type of point where two different things come together. Most often, the term is used to describe the programs between you and your computer like Windows, OS/2 and others. What you see on the screen is the interface between you and what your computer is doing.

• IS Stands for Information System.

• ISO Stands for the International Standards Organization. Someone has to say what is the standard for transferring data. These people are it. You'll find them in Paris.

• ISDN Stands for Integrated Services Digital Network.
J


• Java Java is an Object Oriented Program developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems. Java is delivered over the Internet in the form of little applications or "applets" that do tricks when they download and are read by the browser.

• Java Script This is a language very close to Java that allows for more interaction with the viewer. It is much more forgiving than Java as doesn't require it's own window in which to work.

• JPEG Pronounced "J-Peg." Stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It's an image format that allows for compression when stored.


• Jughead Search browser like "Archie".
K


• Kilobyte (KB) This is about a thousand bytes of space. In reality, it's two to the 10th power or 1,024 bytes.

• Kbit/s Stands for thousands of bits per second.
L


• LAN Stands for Local Access Network. And Intranet would be one of these. It's a smaller network covering a set area.

• Live Script This is the former name of Java Script. There are few updates between the two.

• Login To attach to a computer. It has also come to represent your User ID command.

• Login Script This is the small text file that is run by the server gateway to make the attachment between it and your computer.
M


• Mainframe Mostly a mainframe is only a mainframe when compared to a desktop computer. It's bigger and much more powerful. Sometimes it's called a server or CPU.

• Megabyte (MB) About a million bytes of space. Actually it's 2 raised to the 20th power or 1,048,576 bytes of space.

• MIDI Stands for Music Instrument Digital Interface. It allows a computer to store and replay a musical instrument's output.

• Modem This is a word created out of the beginning letters of two other words: MOdulation and DEModulation. The words mean the changing of data from digital (computer language) to analog (phone line language) and then back again. It represents the purpose of your computer's modem.


• Mosaic The first Web browser to have a consistent interface for the Macintosh, Windows, and Unix environments. It was created at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). The success of this browser is really responsible for the expansion of the Web.


• MPEG Stands for Motion Picture Experts Group. A format to make, view, and transfer both digital audio and digital video files.

• Multiplexer This is a piece of hardware that allows one item to take the place of several. An example would be using a multiplexer to allow 10 computers to attach where only one could before.
N


• NACS Stands for Netware Asynchronous Communication Services.

• Network This a system that sends and receives data.

• Network Adapter This is the hardware that allows the computers that are part of a network to communicate with each other.
O


• Object Something that contains both the data and the application that operates on that data.

• OOP Stands for Object Oriented Program. A larger program made up of smaller objects.

• Operating System Often written just as OS. This is the software that manages the computer system. It controls all functions and direction. Examples include Windows and Windows 95.
P


• PPP Stands for Point To Point Protocol. It's a software application that allows an attachment to a server.

• PICT Pronounced "Pick,t." It is another image format.

• Plug-In This is a program that your browser uses to manipulate a downloaded file. It differs from a Helper Application in that the plug-in works inside the browser window.

• Port This is the connecting component or hardware that allows two computers to attach to one another.

• Protocol This is a series of set rules that allow items to transfer.
Q


• Query This is to make a computer request of a database.
R


• RAM Stands for Random Access Memory. It's the memory of the computer.

• RealAudio This is a method of playing sounds invented by Rob Glasser that creates a buffer between the supplying server and your computer. The file is played without downloading it completely.

• Real Time This is method of processing data the moment it is received. Batch mode is a term used for a mainframe computer dealing with data when it has the time.

• ROM Stands for Read-Only Memory. This is memory and information that cannot be changed.
S


• Serial This is a consecutive occurrence of two items in the same channel.

• Server This is a mainframe computer that serves the other computers attached to it.

• Shareware This is an application that a programmer makes available to users for a set amount of time and then asks for a donation. In return for the donation, a registration number is often returned that can be used to "turn on" the features of the program.

• Shell This is a program that sets parameters and acts as a series of boundaries in which an application can run.

• SLIP Stands for Serial Line Interface Protocol. This is another application that allows for a connection to another computer.

• SMTP Stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

• Software This is a program, the actual code the computer reads. All other stuff is hardware. A floppy disc is hardware.

• Spam This is to transmit unwanted messages, usually over email, to a great many people.

• SVGA Stands for Super Video Graphics Adapter. It's a high level monitor.
T


• TCP/IP Stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This is a large grouping of programs and standards that govern how information moves round the Internet. The protocols were established around 1970-1980 to allow computers to attach to one another.

• Telnet One of the TCP/IP Protocols. It allows a connection to another computer over dedicated phone lines.

• Terabyte (TB) It's about a trillion bytes. Actually it's 2 to the 40th power or 1,009,511,627,776 bytes.

• Terminal This is what you look at when you're on the Internet. It's your computer screen.

• Terminal Emulation This is an application that allows your terminal to act as a dumb terminal.

• Transparent Something that occurs without being known to the user.

• TWAIN Stands for Technology Without An Interesting Name. I like this, I found it on another site.
U


• UNIX This is an operating system developed by AT&T. It's big push it that it allows one server to service many different end users at one time.

• URL Stands for Universal Resource Locator. It's a fancy way of saying Internet Address.

• User Someone attached to a server or host.
V


• VDD Stands for Virtual Device Driver.

• Veronica Stands for Very Easy Rodent Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized Archives. A database of menu names from a large number of Gopher servers. A quick and easy way to search Gopher resources for information by keyword.

• VGA Stands for Video Graphics Adapter. This is a lower level color monitor.

• VIRUS Stands for Very Important Resource Under Siege (or...Vicious Internal Rabbit/Rodent Uprooting Stuff). Actually, it's a small program written specifically to cause problems in your computer. I caught a computer virus that disallowed me to save any of my text files as anything but temporary files. That meant each time I turned off the computer, the files were lost.

• VMS Stands for Video Memory System

• VRML Stands for Virtual Reality Modeling Language. It's a form of application that gives a 3-D effect to pictures sometimes allowing you to "move" through them.
W


• WWW Short for World Wide Web.

• WAIS Stands for Wide Area Information Servers. Searches large indexes of information on the Internet.

• WAN Stands for Wide Area Network, like the Internet.

• WAV Stands for WAVeform sound format. Microsoft's format for encoding sound files.

• Workgroup Persons sharing files and data between themselves.

• Workstation The computer attached to the Internet.

• WPG Stands for Word Perfect Graphics.
XYZ


• ZIP Stands for Zone Information Protocol. This is an application that allows for the compression of application files.