Tech Term Cheat Sheet
Updated: Jan 28
I wanted to create a list of different terms people may encounter on my blog or in tech, along with a simple explanation. The aim of this isn't to get a dictionary definition, that's already available, the point of this is to get in my words a definition which is a close as it can be while still making sense to non-techy people. Here goes nothing...
A……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Android – An operating system for mobile phones, developed by Google.
App (application) - A computer program.
Apple – A company which sells iPhones, Macs along with accessories for them. Admin (Administrator) – An account with higher-level permissions.
B……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Bandwidth – The amount of data that can be transferred at one time.
Blue light filter - A software side method of reducing the blue light emitted.
Blue screen – A screen that appears as windows computers crash.
Bluetooth - A short-range P2P connection.
Bug – An issue with a program which can cause minor problems or big crashes.
C………………………………………………………………………………………………. Cloud – An offsite server which provides storage, processing or other services to a user.
Code – The background wiring which allows software, firmware, and programs to work.
Connection – A link between two things.
Content – Text, images, or videos.
Cookies – Information saved by a web browser for website functions.
D………………………………………………………………………………………………. Data – Information.
Database – An area which stores information.
Decryption – To make encrypted data readable.
Device - A smartphone, computer, printer, or other electronic items.
Do not disturb - A setting which blocks notifications.
Download – To transfer data over the internet to your device or computer.
E……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Encryption – To make data unreadable without a key.
Ethernet – A cable for connecting internet devices locally.
F……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Firmware - The interface between the hardware and the software.
Flight Mode - A setting on devices or laptops, which stops all exterior connections.
Fps – Frames per second, the number of pictures being sent to the monitor.
Frozen – A device or computer which is not responding with the screen displaying the same image.
Function Keys – The keys at the top of a keyboard F1 to F12.
G………………………………………………………………………………………………. Gb (Gigabyte) – A unit of measurement for memory.
Glitch – An issue with the software.
GPS (global positioning system) - A way of locating a device by connecting to satellites.
Graphics Card – A component which takes the visual processing load off of the processer.
H………………………………………………………………………………………………. Hacker – Someone who finds vulnerabilities in security measures to allow access where they otherwise would have.
Hard drive – A component which allows the storage information on a disk.
Hardware - Parts of a device or computer which are physical.
HDMI – A port which allows for high definition video to be transferred.
Hot Key – A key or combination of keys which perform an action.
Hotspot - A way of piggybacking internet connection between devices.
I……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Input - The entering of data.
Intel – A company which produce computer chips.
Internet - A worldwide connection between devices.
Internet of things - Household devices which are connected to the Internet.
ios – An operating system for mobile phones, exclusive to Apple’s iPhones.
IP address (Internet protocol) – A bit like a postcode for the internet.
K……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Kb - A unit of measurement for memory.
L……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Lag – A term for video which is stuttering or going slower than it should.
LAN (local area network) – devices and/or computers which are connected locally, usually by Wi-Fi or ethernet cable to a router.
M……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Mb(megabyte) - A unit of measurement for memory.
Memory – A component which stores information.
Microsoft – A tech company which produces the Windows operating system along with many other products.
Mobile Data – A way of quantifying internet usage from cellular towers.
Mod (modification) – A user made change to something.
N……………………………………………………………………………………………….
NFC - A connection achieved by holding a device close to another.
Notification - An alert, drawing your attention to a specific event.
Nvidia – A tech company which specialises in graphics.
O……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Operating system – Software which makes hardware usable, by working with firmware.
P……………………………………………………………………………………………….
P2P (peer to peer) – A direct transfer of data between people.
Pb (petabyte) - A unit of measurement for memory, 1000 TB.
Power supply – A component which provides energy to a device or computer.
Processor – A component which makes decisions and calculations.
Q……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Qwerty – A standard keyboard layout.
R……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ram (random access memory) – A component which acts a short-term memory.
Reset - A process usually comprised of turning it on and off again.
Router - A box which receives information from the internet and directs it around the LAN.
S……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Samsung – A tech company which produces a wide verity of technology.
Sim Card – A small card which gives access to a mobile network.
Smart View – A way of making two screens show the same thing.
SMS – A way of communicating using small text files.
Social Media – A platform focused on allowing people to interact using various media.
Software – A set of information used by a computer to do something.
Sony – A tech company.
Sync – The act of making one database match another.
System – A group of objects or processes which work together to achieve something.
T……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Task Manager – A program which allows for an overview of what a computer is currently doing.
Tb (terabyte) - A unit of measurement for memory, 1000 GB.
Touch screen – A monitor which allows you to touch it to interact.
Two-stage verification – A security protocol which allows for extra security.
U……………………………………………………………………………………………….
UI(user interface) – The menus and visuals you see on screen which allow you to interact.
Upload - To transfer data over the internet from your device or computer.
User – A person who is using a thing.
V……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Virus – A malicious program which acts undesirably for different goals.
VPN (virtual private network) – An internet protocol which puts a server in between you and where you are connecting to.
W……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Wi-Fi - A short-range, high speed, wireless Internet connection.
Windows – An operating system which is developed by Microsoft.
Wired – A cable which connects, two devices by
Wireless – A connection achieved by using different forms of radio waves.
Please if you see some alteration that could be made or word that needs adding, let me know.