This is the second part of a service page with the computer dictionary that contains the main recurring terms that appear in the guides and in the more or less technical articles. In the first part there were acronyms and definitions of the internet world and network connections .
In this second part, however, we have a basic IT glossary of the main words and acronyms or acronyms used in the hardware and software field.
Hardware terms
Bluetooth : is a short-range protected communication system between different devices to exchange data.Case : English term to indicate the envelope inside which the pieces of a desktop PC are located: motherboard, video card, CPU, sound card, network card, memory, hard disk, CD player, power supply are all connected inside the homes.
CPU ( Central Processing Unit ): The CPU is the smallest piece of hardware on a computer and is the processor that executes software instructions. It is essentially the "brain" of the PC. The more powerful the processor, the faster you can perform tasks (and the more it will be able to perform several operations at once).
In the article on things to know before buying a new computer, the difference between the various types of cpu is explained.
HDMI ( High-Definition Multimedia Interface ) is a cable for transmitting both video and audio signals together.
In another article, the guide to cables and connectors of a computer.
Microcontroller ( MCU ): The microcontroller is a small computer that includes everything needed to operate (CPU, memory, etc.) on a single circuit. In short, a calculator and a remote control are microcontrollers.
NFC ( Near Field Communication ): NFC is a technology that is used for wireless communication between devices very close to each other, almost in physical contact. NFC is similar to Bluetooth but is faster even if it consumes more energy. Currently present in the latest Android smartphones and tablets, the future of NFC could be to pay in normal stores using the mobile phone.
Open Source : indicates a software whose authors allow it to be modified by other programmers because the code is open and free. Open source programs are not only free, but also come with a license that allows their use, copying and modification.
In other articles the best open source programs and the best sites where to download open source software are mentioned.
Overclocking : A CPU runs at a certain speed.
Overclocking is the procedure that allows the CPU to run at a higher speed than previously expected.
This means getting better performance for video editing, games, and other more complex operations.
On all CPUs you can do a light overclocking to increase the speed compared to what is provided as soon as the processor leaves the factory. In another article some basic programs to overclock CPU and video card are reported.
PPI ( pixels per inch ): This is the measure of the number of pixels in an image. It is often used to describe monitors, tablet screens and photographs of digital cameras. The higher the PPI, the clearer and sharper the image is.
RAM ( Random Access Memory ): RAM memory is an internal chip in the computer where information is stored temporarily, while the CPU processes it. Nothing is ever stored in RAM permanently and when you turn off your computer, it is emptied. The more RAM you have, the more your computer works in multitasking, which means it can run multiple programs simultaneously and switch between them quickly.
Screen resolution : Display resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen. Usually this measurement is referred to as [width] x [height] in number of pixels. The higher the resolution, the more pixels are shown on the screen, which translates into better image quality and also more "space" for the desktop (not intended as screen size).
SSD ( Solid State Drive ): SSD is a hard disk that has no moving mechanical parts.
Because of this, SSD drives are much faster than typical hard drives and are more resistant to wear.
Conversely, SSDs have smaller capacities and are more expensive. SSDs are useful for all those who want a faster computer to open programs and load the system, sacrificing storage space. Ideally you should have a pc with SSD where the programs are installed and a hard disk where to save the data (music, videos, photos etc.).
USB ( Universal Serial Bus ): USB is a cable or connector that allows the computer to communicate with other devices, such as a mouse or keyboard. The USB cable transmits data and energy and is therefore used to recharge smartphones and to connect portable hard drives or other storage devices to the computer.
Software Terms
App Launcher : An App Launcher is a program that quickly launches applications with the press of buttons or keys. In Windows, the app launchers are the Start menu and the taskbar.BIOS ( Basic Input-Output System ): is a firmware of the motherboard of the computer that starts as soon as the computer is turned on and which is used to recognize the peripherals and find the operating system to be loaded.
In another article it is written in detail What the BIOS is for and what it does on a computer "> the best online storage services of 10 free cloud drives.
Codec : the codec is a computer program that encodes or decodes videos so that it can be played. Basically, a codec restricts large video files to make them playable on the device or PC. Today there are many different types of video formats so it is important to install the codecs necessary to play them.
In another article: Software and codec to view any format of film and video on the PC.
DOS ( Disk Operating System ) or MS-DOS: DOS was a command line operating system, without a graphical interface, embryo of some modern systems such as Windows (not Linux or Mac OSx). MS-DOS is the system included in Windows to manage the system through commands to be launched using the keyboard.
In another article: Programs and prompt to run Dos commands on Windows.
Drivers : drivers are software (programs) that allow the operating system to easily recognize and use connected hardware devices. You have a driver for each component of the computer: sound card, video card, printer, mouse, keyboard etc.
DRM ( Digital Rights Management ): DRM is a technology that restricts the use of media after it is sold.
Most of the time personal account support is blocked so you can't share it with anyone or use it on other programs. It is often linked to books, videos and games as a means of reducing piracy.
Dual boot : dual boot is the ability to install and boot two different operating systems on one computer. Configuring dual boot today is very easy and allows you to test an operating system before confirming it (for example to try Windows 8 in dual boot with Windows 7) or to have Linux and Windows on the same PC.
See also the guide to install two operating systems on a PC.
GUI ( Graphic User Interface ): The GUI is the graphical interface of a program and, essentially, it is what you see on the screen, with which you can interact. The graphical interface includes scroll bars, buttons, menus and windows.
ISO image: an ISO image is an exact copy of a physical disk on the hard disk. It is an ISO file that contains all the data of a CD or DVD and which can be mounted on the system through a program that acts as a virtual CD player. The ISO of a DVD is identical to a DVD and the computer treats it the same way. It is an easy way to burn discs, to download them and to store them on a hard disk.
In another article, how to mount virtual CDs and open ISO files.
Jailbreak : Jailbreaking is the process that removes the limitations of the software installed on Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple TV. Once unlocked, you have deep access to the operating system and you can also run applications not approved by Apple.
Kernel : The kernel is the software that communicates between hardware and software and makes sure that applications can communicate with the CPU, memory, and all hardware devices. The kernel is the heart of an operating system.
Live CD : a boot disk or live CD allows you to load an operating system, without installing it on the hard disk. Boot disks are commonly used to launch security or antivirus programs to check without starting the Windows operating system, or to try Linux without installing it. A Live CD can also be a DVD or a USB stick.
Media Center (also known as HTPC or Home Theater PC): is a computer used exclusively for video or music media.
In most cases, the computer is connected to a TV or is on the network to always have access to movies.
In other articles: the best free programs to create a Media Center on the PC and the guide to create a home cinema system to be connected to the TV to watch films and videos online.
Push notifications: push notifications are pop-up messages that are received on a mobile phone or computer and are sent by applications or programs. Push notifications can alert you of new email messages, Facebook notifications, SMS messages, reminders etc.
Rooting : Rooting is intended today as the procedure for becoming an administrator of an Android system so that you can use it without restrictions imposed by the manufacturer of your mobile phone or tablet. Although it's similar to an iPhone jailbreak, Android Root allows you to do much more and add new features.
Every detail is described in the general guide to root Android to have your cell phone free and unlocked
Streaming : Streaming is a transmission of multimedia content data (video or music) that is sent at the same time as you are watching it. Nothing is downloaded and the video is temporarily stored while you watch it.
The most famous video streaming site is Youtube, while in another article the best sites for listening to streaming music are reported.
Unix : it is one of the first computer operating systems to be invented and is still used today in companies' workstations (servers). Linux was born from Unix and Mac OSX is based on Unix
