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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unified endpoint management (UEM)
Unified endpoint management (UEM) is an approach to securing and controlling desktop computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets in a connected, cohesive manner from a single console.
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operating system (OS)
An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all of the other application programs in a computer.
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chiplet
A chiplet is a sub processing unit, usually controlled by a I/O controller chip on the same package.
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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NOR flash memory
NOR flash memory is one of two types of non-volatile storage technologies.
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virtual storage area network (VSAN)
A virtual storage area network (VSAN) is a logical partition in a physical storage area network (SAN).
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backup
Backup refers to the copying of physical or virtual files or databases to a secondary location for preservation in case of equipment failure or catastrophe.
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 a collective term for websites and applications which focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration.
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malware
Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user.
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LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
LAMP is an open source Web development platform that uses Linux as the operating system, Apache as the Web server, MySQL as the relational database management system and PHP as the object-oriented scripting language.
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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cloud access security broker (CASB)
A cloud access security broker (CASB) is a software tool or service that sits between an organization's on-premises infrastructure and a cloud provider's infrastructure.
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REST (REpresentational State Transfer)
REST (REpresentational State Transfer) is an architectural style for developing web services.
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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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CAD (computer-aided design)
CAD (computer-aided design) is the use of computer-based software to aid in design processes.
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video conferencing
Video conferencing is live, visual connection between two or more remote parties over the internet that simulates a face-to-face meeting.
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Zoom fatigue (virtual meeting fatigue)
Zoom fatigue, also known as virtual meeting fatigue, is the feeling of exhaustion that often occurs after attending a series of virtual video meetings. In this context, the label "Zoom" is used generically; the phenomenon can be applied to any video conferencing platform that permits gallery views.
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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PaaS (platform as a service)
PaaS (platform as a service) is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools to users over the internet.
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social media
Social media is a collective term for websites and applications which focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration.
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third-party cookie
A third-party cookie is a cookie that is placed on a user's hard disk by a website from a domain other than the one a user is visiting.
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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NOR flash memory
NOR flash memory is one of two types of non-volatile storage technologies.
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IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-17-digit code that is given to every mobile phone. This number is used by service providers to uniquely identify valid devices.
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OTA update (over-the-air update)
An over-the-air (OTA) update is the wireless delivery of new software, firmware, or other data to mobile devices.