Acronyms

Abbreviation or Acronyms	Definition	Comment
P/N	Part Number	Yes, computers DO break down and when you need a part, the number associated with that part will help you out.
D&D	Drag and Drop	Drag and drop is an operation whereby the mouse is used to "grab" a file, icon or some other object and "drop" it (move it) to another location. This is a feature that helped moved computers from the "tekkie" world to the "user friendly" one.
HDD	Hard Disk Drive	If you've ever turned your computer on and gotten the message "HDD failure. Insert a bootable disk." you now know the message is referring to your computer's hard drive. For most computers, the first HDD is the "C" drive.
S/N	Signal to Noise	S/N is a ratio of how much background noise exists in an analog or digital communication compared to signal strength. The ratio is measured in decibels (dB) and the higher the dB measurement, the clearer the communication. (In audio, for example, if you've ever heard a tape with "hiss" in the background, you're familiar with this idea - the more hiss, the lower the dBs.)
BFT	Binary File Transfer	BFT is a standard for transmitting data files using a fax modem.
KB	Knowledge Base	Many hardware and software providers have online KBs. This is an area where you can search when you're having problems with their product. Microsoft has one of the largest and most extensive knowledge bases on the Net.
WASP	Wireless Application Service Provider	In the same genre as application service providers, WASPs provide web-based access to applications and services that would otherwise have to be stored locally.
TSP	Time Stamp Protocol	TSP is a security method of keeping track of event times ("stamping") to aid in tracking of security breaches, especially as they apply to certificates of authentication.
MAM	Memory Allocation Map	Just like any road map, a MAM graphically shows locations. In this case, the locations are areas of a computer's memory where certain programs may or may not use memory. Click here to see an example.
AA	Anti-Aliasing	One of the things that happens with graphics on a computer monitor is that because of the low dpi resolution, the edges often appear jagged. Anti-aliasing is a method used by many graphic programs to smooth out the edges of a graphic (including fonts) to make them appear smooth on the screen.
CAAD	Computer Aided Architectural Design	Software classified as CAAD is used with a computer to create architectural designs. This differs only slightly from the next acronym, CAD.
CAD	Computer Aided Design	CAD software is graphic software that is used to design mechanical and electrical machinery and parts. Often the terms CAAD and CAD are used interchangeably rather than specifically.
CD-ROM	Compact Disk - Read Only Media	Everyone's pretty much familiar with this device. Remember when you could only play a CD in your computer instead of playing and recording?
JVM	Java Virtual Machine	This is a program that runs on your computer and interprets Java programs. Running almost as a separate computer, the JVM protects your computer from faulty Java scripts.
SGRAM	Synchronous Graphics RAM	This is a souped up version of SDRAM made, generally, for video cards.
WORM	Write Once, Read Many	This is a device that allows you to write to it once time but then read from it over and over. As an example, a CD-R is a WORM device.
FAX	Facsimile	Almost everyone is familiar with this acronym. A FAX is an electronic transmission over phone lines of a document or documents.
CA	Certificate Authority	This is a certificate issued by a third part - usually verified by credit card - assuring computer users that the owner of a particular online software program is who he or she says they are.
GB	Gigabyte	Ok, here's the real definition this time! A gigabyte is approximately 1 billion bytes.
OS	Operating System	This is the software that allows you to operate the basic functions of your computer
EPP	Enhanced Parallel Port	EPP is an enhanced version of the parallel port specifications and offers greater reliability during two way communication such as exists between a printer and the computer.
UXGA	Ultra XGA	A display with a pixel resolution of 1600 x 1200 is an Ultra XGA.
DoS	Denial of Service	This is a type of attack, aimed either at a particular web site or at an e-mail server, which attempts to flood the server with useless packets. The overwhelming attack causes the server to denial access to other legitimate traffic.
TAO	Track At Once	This refers to a method of writing data to a CD. If this method is used, writing can be paused between tracks. Otherwise, you'd have to use disk at once (DAO) which means that all tracks must be written without interruption.
BBS	Bulletin Board System	This is a type of bulletin board system started prior to the Internet. From your computer, you could dial in directly then read and/or post messages. The advent of the Net caused many of the Bulletin Boards to cease but, there are still some around. Other Bulletin Boards have converted to the Net.
VB	Visual Basic	In an effort to simplify programming, Microsoft developed the software Visual Basic. It's the "user friendly" method of writing computer programs.
CRT	Cathode Ray Tube	This refers to the "picture tube" in TVs and monitors which we have seen for years. Now, LCD monitors and TVs are available but, these work on a different principle and cost more to produce than CRTs.
ACK	Acknowledgement	This refers to a response from a server to a network request. It would be as if someone rang your home doorbell and you hollered from inside, "I'm home!"
WAP	Wireless Application Protocol	This is a set of "rules" which govern how information is transferred between wireless devices such as cell phones and PDA's.
PDA	Personal Digital Assistant	This refers to the handheld organizers such as the Palm Pilot.
UTP	Unshielded Twisted Pair	This refers to unshielded wire - such as telephone wire - which gets its "shield" by twisting the pairs of wires together.
UDP	UDP	UDP is the part of the TCP/IP used by applications to transfer datagrams. It is the part of TCP/IP responsible for port addresses.
LBA	Logical Block Addressing	This is a form of addressing used by Enhanced IDE to recognize hard drives over 528 MB, as specified in the original IDE standard.
I/O	Input/Output	This is in reference to any operation in your computer where information flows in or out of the computer.
IC	Integrated Circuit	Any device, e.g. your computer's microprocessor, where multiple circuits are combined in one device.
ICMP	Internet Control Message Protocol	This is a TCP/IP messaging protocol that runs specifically over IP (as opposed to UDP). ICMP Floods are attacks aimed to crash a server by flooding the input with bogus message packets.
GB	Gigabyte	A non-fatal byte inflicted by a small, aquatic, Amazonian reptile known as a Giga.
XML	Extensible Markup Language	XML is very similar to HTML but with the added ability to define custom tags.
PCB	Printed Circuit Board	Any electronic board where the components are soldered together. Your computer's motherboard is an example of a PCB.
COM PORT	Communications Port	This abbreviation usually refers to the serial port. Two examples of what might plug into a COM PORT would be a mouse or a game controller.
PPM	Pages Per Minute	Frequently used when referring to the amount of printed pages a printer produces in one minute.
WMA	Windows Media Audio	This is a Microsoft audio file, offered as an alternative to that MP3 format. WMA files have quality near or equal to MP3s but take up less disk space.
WAV	Wave Form Audio	A sound file with .wav extensions that are representative of sound.
DAT	Digital Audio Tape	Is a magnetic tape of far better quality than normal audio cassettes.
PB	Petabyte	This is 2^50 bytes. One thousand terabytes / one million gigabytes / one billion megabytes / one trillion kilobytes / one quadrillion bytes (approximately).
AVI	Audio Video Interleave	A microsoft format for saving audio or video clips better known as "Video for Windows."
HSF	Heatsink Fan	A fan attached to the heatsink on the microprocessor. Should this fan fail, it's likely that your computer's processor will also fail.
AIM	AOL Instant Messenger	AIM is an Instant Messsage program that allows people who do not have AOL to chat with people who do have AOL.
MIC	Microphone	A device that changes audio into electrical signal.
MIME	Multipurpose Internet Mail Extentions	A group of functions used to translate binary attachments to an e-mail message.
MVS	Multiple Virtual Storage.	This term refers to how an operating system makes use of the virtual memory areas.
FIFO	First In, First Out	Many of you may be familiar with this term when it comes to inventory control. The same idea applies in computers when it comes to buffers (A buffer is an area where information is stored temporarily.). The first information in is the first information processed out.
MAC Address	Media Access Control Address	No, this does not refer to the Apple Computer, MAC. Instead, this is a unique 128--bit address for a Network card. (If you use LAN, cable access or DSL connections, your computer uses a network card.)
ZIF Socket	Zero Insertion Force Socket	In the old days of computers, processors had to be pushed into the socket on the motherboard with equal and strong pressure. It was not unusual to bend the pins of a new processor. After a lot of frustration, manufacturers came along with a socket that allows you to simply place the processor into it, then lock it down with a side arm clamp.
AGP	Accelerated Graphics Port	This is a port on the motherboard which allows higher communication from the graphics card to the computer's processor. This is especially helpful with 3-D graphics.
HD	Hard Drive	This is an enclosed storage drive that stores the information on your computer. In the early years of home PCs, it was thought that 40MB would be all the hard drive a person would need. Now, 40GB hard drives are common. (Incidentally, Windows OSs are now larger than 40MB. Other programs as well, such as Adobe and CorelDraw, can far exceed the 40MB size.)
USB	Universal Serial Bus	This is a technology that has come a long way in a short period of time. Now, you can connect web cams, scanners, your mouse, and digital camera into your computer and the computer will recognize what is connected without rebooting.
GDI	Graphics Device Interface	This is a set of programming standards developed by Microsoft for displaying output in the Windows OS system.
GPS	Global Positioning System	This is a system that is becoming very popular, especially in cars. By bouncing signals off various satellites, devices using GPS can determine your exact location.
TPM	Transactions Per Minutes	This is a measurement of how many transactions (accesses, downloads, uploads, etc.) a server can handle per minute. TPH - transactions per hour - is a measurement logged by computers used at retail stores, such as Wal-Mart, to keep track of the efficiency of their cashiers.
VRAM	Video Random Access Memory	This is temporary memory used specifically for the video portion of your computer. This memory is much faster than DRAM. Virtually all plug-in video cards include their own VRAM.
VGA	Video Graphics Array	This is the "base" video on most PCs. VGA allows a resolution of 640x480 at 16 colors and a resolution of 320x200 at 256 colors.
VM	Virtual Memory	This is a portion of your hard drive that is used to extend RAM beyond it's physical size. As with RAM, anything stored in VM is erased when the computer is shut off.
NIC	Network Interface Card	This is a plug-in card that allows a computer to connect to a network.
NTP	Network Time Protocol	This is a TCP/IP protocol used to synchronize the time on network servers.
KVM	Keyboard Video Mouse (Switch)	This is a switch that allows you to use the same mouse, keyboard and monitor with two different computers. The switch fools each computer into thinking that all three items are connected all the time.
GIF	Graphic Interchange Format	A type of compressed image file which uses less space to store and/or transfer the image.
JPEG	Joint Photographic Experts Group	Another type of compressed image file also used to conserve space and bandwidth.
TIFF	Tag Image File Format	This is a type of bitmap graphics file used primarily with scanners and desktop publishing.
EIDE	Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics	Enhanced IDE allows for two IDE channels which can each support two devices. It also allows for hard drives up to 8GB along with CD-ROM devices. Almost all new PCs are EIDE equipped.
FDD	Floppy Disk Drive	This is any drive which uses a floppy disk (including zip drives) but, given the term to define, most people think of the common 3.5" drive (usually drive "A"). Novice computer users are sometimes confused by the term "floppy" because the media is stored in a hard case. However, if one were to remove the case of a floppy disk, the term "floppy" becomes quite apparent. Floppy disks are the LEAST reliable of almost all current storage media and the time may come when these drives will go the way of the 8-track player.
OEM	Original Equipment Manufacturer	You've probably heard this term for years in relation to cars and appliances. The term refers to parts that are sold as components of a product. For instance, Maxtor is a manufacturer of hard drives. If Maxtor sells unpacked units in bulk to HP and HP places those hard drives into computers it is manufacturing, the hard drive would be referred to as an OEM part. On the other hand, if Maxtor sold a packaged hard drive to you, that would be a retail part and not an OEM.
FAQ	Frequently Asked Questions	This is an area of a web site or software documentation where you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions. The answer you are looking for isn't always here but this is a good place to start!
GUI	Graphical User Interface	Apple's MAC and Microsoft's Windows are examples of a GUI. The user exchanges information with the computer in a graphical mode instead of a purely text mode such as DOS.
IDE	Integrated Drive Electronics	This is a type of interface between a computer's motherboard and certain drives e.g. hard drives and CD-Roms.
WYSIWYG	What You See Is What You Get	This is a term used to describe software that allows you to edit documents or graphics and see on the screen what you will get when you print out your work.
JSP	Java Server Page	This is the Java version of Microsoft's ASP web page software. (See CGI and ASP below.)
ICQ	I Seek You	Originally developed by Mirabilis (now owned by AOL), this was one of the first of the instant messenger services. It remains very popular because of features like running invisible and transferring large files.
CPU	Central Processing Unit	This is the brain of your computer. The CPU is often designated by terms such as Pentium III or Pentium IV, etc. The CPU is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "the tower." The tower holds the motherboard, CPU, hard drives, floppies, etc.
CMOS	Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor	This semiconductor is contained on your computer's motherboard and is powered by an on-board battery. CMOS stores information about your computer such as date, time, hard drives installed, etc.
BIOS	Basic Input Output System	This set of instructions tells the computer how to act prior to the installation of an OS (Operating System). Each time the computer starts up, BIOS is the first circuitry to go into operation. The BIOS is on the motherboard, usually in the form of a plug-in chip.
LFN	Long File Name	In the days when I used to sit at my Commodore64 and write programs in DOS, file names were restricted to 8 places plus a period plus 3 more places (the extension). With the advent of Windows 95, long file names of up to 255 characters have become commonplace.
P2P	Peer To Peer	This is an arrangement where a special software programs allows the sharing of files between two clients over a network. Napster, Kaaza, and Gnutella are examples of this type of program.
EDO RAM	Extended Data Out RAM	This is a successor to DRAM. A faster chip.
DIMM	Dual In-line Memory Module	64-bit memory devices which are now very popular because you need only one DIMM to work with a 64-bit processor, unlike SIMMs which generally had to be installed in pairs.
SIMM	Single In-line Memory Module	An earlier form of RAM memory card still in use, but fading fast in favor of DIMMs.
SDRAM	Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory	Very much like DRAM but arranged so that the paths by which information flows are faster and more efficient.
DSL	Digital Subscriber Line	This is a type of ISP connection, generally provided by the telephone company, that allows for a wider bandwidth and higher transfer rates of computer data than traditional dial-up.
DPI	Dots Per Inch	This refers to both printers and flat screen monitors. The "dots" are actually pixels. The higher the DPI, the clearer the image will be whether on the screen or from the printer.
DRAM	Dynamic Random Access Memory	RAM is the temporary memory that holds information while you are working with programs on your computer. If you're like me and don't reboot your computer very often, you may find that you are forced to reboot because you run out of "resources." This is where the word "dynamic" comes into play. Dynamic, in this instance, means that the memory has to be "refreshed" from time to time.
CGI	Common Gateway Interface	This is a type of connection that allows scripts and/or programs to run on a web server. Interaction is allowed between a web page viewer and the web server. Two examples of this would be: a survey one might take on a web page with the answers being stored on the web server; and, a greeting card site may use CGI to store your message for a particular greeting card.
ASP	Active Server Pages	Not unlike CGI, this technology was developed by Microsoft to work with their servers. Generally speaking, ASP can handle more traffic than CGI can.
SSI	Server Side Includes	This is a method of including commands in HTML that cause the server to perform certain procedures. An example might be to "call" a CGI script. Not all servers recognize SSI, however, so those commands are simply ignored.
WWW	World Wide Web	Contrary to what many people think, the world wide web and the Internet are NOT the same thing. The WWW is one part of the Internet albeit the busiest part. This is the part of the Internet that allows HTTP traffic to flow between servers and browsers.
LAN	Local Area Network	This is a small isolated group of computers, all interconnected in one office. The LAN may or may not be connected to the Internet.
WAN	Wide Area Network	This is a group of computers interconnected together but which span more than one office or building. As with a LAN, a wide area network may or may not be connected to the Internet.
HTTP	Hyper Text Transfer Protocol	This is a type of protocol, i.e. instruction, that tells a program (usually a browser) how to read a document written in hyper text. (You recall from last week that hyper text is the standard typesetting language used to make up pages on the world wide web.)
HTTPS	Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure	This is the same as HTTP except the information is encrypted so that the information being transferred is not read by others. Generally, sites that ask for personal information such as your credit card number are HTTPS sites.
FTP	File Transfer Protocol	This is another type of protocol. This one is used to transfer files from one system to another. The files are not read as in HTTP but, rather, just transferred.
URL	Universal Resource Locator	This is a web page's location and protocol, also referred to as a page's "addy" or "address." The URL for the Newsletter Index page is: http://www.keystonecomputerconcepts.com/keystonekeyboard/Keyboardindex.html
HTML	HyperText Markup Language	This is the standard typesetting language used to make up pages on the world wide web.
DHTML	Dynamic HyperText Markup Language	This is a special markup language used by Microsoft and Netscape that gives increased latitude to actions that may be presented on a web page.

Computer Abbreviations and Acronyms

Each week, three new acronyms are added to our growing list. This week's additions are shown with a blue background.