Tech Term Cheat Sheet

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……………â€