Consumer Technology
Definitions about consumer technology including Internet acronyms, tech lingo, multimedia definitions, words about personal computing and peripherals as well as terms used in wireless and mobile computing.

Desktops and laptops
Terms related to PCs, including definitions about desktop computers and words and phrases about computer components.
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channel partner
A channel partner is a person or organization that provides services or sells products on behalf of a software, hardware, networking or cloud services vendor. Value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators (SIs), consultants, managed service providers (MSPs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors and independent software vendors (ISVs) may all be called channel partners.
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principle of least privilege (POLP)
The principle of least privilege (POLP), an important concept in computer security, is the practice of limiting access rights for users to the bare minimum permissions they need to perform their work.
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phase-change memory (PCM)
Phase-change memory (PCM) is a form of computer RAM (random-access memory) that stores data by altering the state of the matter from which the device is fabricated.
End user hardware
Terms related to peripheral devices including definitions about keyboards or mice and words and phrases about printers, monitors, digital cameras and scanners.
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offset printing (offset lithography)
Offset printing, also called offset lithography, is a method of mass-production printing in which the images on metal plates are transferred (offset) to rubber blankets or rollers and then to the print media.
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channel partner
A channel partner is a person or organization that provides services or sells products on behalf of a software, hardware, networking or cloud services vendor. Value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators (SIs), consultants, managed service providers (MSPs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors and independent software vendors (ISVs) may all be called channel partners.
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optical storage
Optical storage is any storage type in which data is written and read with a laser. Typically, data is written to optical media, such as compact discs (CDs) and DVDs.
Internet acronyms and lingo
Terms related to Internet acronyms and lingo, including slang definitions and jargon about texting, Twitter and other social networking sites.
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social media
Social media is the collective of online communications channels dedicated to community-based input, interaction and collaboration.
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Millennials (Generation Y)
Millennials, also known as Generation Y, is a demographic that includes individuals who reached adulthood around the turn of the 21st century. This definition of the term discusses millennials in the workplace, millennials and technology, millennials and culture.
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autofill
Autofill is a feature in software programs and applications that automatically inserts previously-entered information for the user’s convenience.
Internet technologies
This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet technologies, including definitions about port numbers, standards and protocols and words and phrases about how the Internet works.
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server
A server is a computer program or device that provides a service to another computer program and its user, also known as the client.
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e-commerce (electronic commerce or EC)
E-commerce (EC), an abbreviation for electronic commerce, is the buying and selling of goods and services, or the transmitting of funds or data, over an electronic network, primarily the internet.
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Internet
The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
Multimedia and graphics
Terms related to multimedia, including graphics, animation and video definitions and words and phrases about images and sound.
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slideware
Slideware is an overarching term for a presentation program or software that facilitates the creation and implementation of content into the form of a slideshow.
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full HDTV (ultra-HD, true HDTV, 1080p)
Full HDTV, also referred to as ultra-HD, true HDTV, and 1080p, is a television (TV) display technology specification that surpasses the quality over the original 720p high-definition television (HDTV) technology specification, providing an image resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.
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video wall
A video wall is a large display consisting of more than one video screen fixed together to form a single logical screen.
Personal computing
Terms related to personal computers, including definitions about computers sold as consumer products and words and phrases about laptops, tablets and smartphones.
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social media
Social media is the collective of online communications channels dedicated to community-based input, interaction and collaboration.
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Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software as a service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the Internet.
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wearable computer
A wearable computer is any small technological device capable of storing and processing data that can be worn on the body.
Printers
Terms related to printers, including definitions about scanners and words and phrases about inkjet, laser, photo and all-in-one printers.
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offset printing (offset lithography)
Offset printing, also called offset lithography, is a method of mass-production printing in which the images on metal plates are transferred (offset) to rubber blankets or rollers and then to the print media.
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rafts, skirts and brims
Rafts, skirts and brims are structures created at the base of the bottom of a 3D print. These structures are temporary and used to improve print reliability and quality.
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print bed
A print bed is the surface on a 3D printer where a print head lays down the materials that make up a 3D print.
Wireless and mobile
Terms related to wireless and mobile technology, including definitions about consumer mobile technology devices and communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and LTE.
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A2P messaging (application to person messaging)
A2P messaging (application to person messaging), also known as enterprise or business SMS, is a type of SMS messaging technique where a text is sent from a software application run by an enterprise to a consumer's device.
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Life360
Life360 is a family communication, location and alert app for smartphones that allows users to share their locations with each other.
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coexistence testing
Coexistence testing, similar to compatibility testing, is a method of measuring the ability of multiple devices to interact in a single environment with limited bandwidth.