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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
virtual storage area network (VSAN)
A virtual storage area network (VSAN) is a logical partition in a physical storage area network (SAN).
-
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.
-
NOR flash memory
NOR flash memory is one of two types of non-volatile storage technologies.
Internet acronyms and lingo
Terms related to Internet acronyms and lingo, including slang definitions and jargon about texting, Twitter and other social networking sites.
-
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.
-
Robert Metcalfe
Robert 'Bob' Melancton Metcalfe, born April 7, 1946, is an American engineer, entrepreneur, professor, writer and venture capitalist.
-
social media
Social media is a collective term for websites and applications which focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration.
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.
-
IEEE 802 wireless standards
The IEEE 802 standard is a collection of networking standards that cover the physical and data-link layer specifications for technologies such as Ethernet and wireless.
-
network slicing
Network slicing overlays multiple virtual networks on top of a shared network.
-
distributed computing
Distributed computing is a model in which components of a software system are shared among multiple computers.
Multimedia and graphics
Terms related to multimedia, including graphics, animation and video definitions and words and phrases about images and sound.
-
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.
-
unified communications (UC)
Unified communications (UC) is a conceptual and technological framework for integrating various enterprise communication methods -- telephony, presence, voicemail, video calling and conferencing, email, instant messaging, etc. -- within a single platform, with the goal of streamlining and enhancing business communications, collaboration and productivity.
-
flexible display
A flexible display or foldable tech/smartphone is a visual output surface on a device that is designed to be folded or closed like a book or a device which incorporates such a 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.
-
thick client (fat client)
A thick client (sometimes called a fat client) is a form of client-server architecture. Specifically, it is a networked computer system with most resources installed locally, rather than distributed over a network.
-
thin client (lean client)
A thin client (or lean client) is a virtual desktop computing model that runs on the resources stored on a central server instead of a computer's resources.
-
Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH)
Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is a role in Remote Desktop Services (RDS).
Printers
Terms related to printers, including definitions about scanners and words and phrases about inkjet, laser, photo and all-in-one printers.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
device ID (device identification)
A device ID (device identification) is a distinctive number associated with a smartphone or similar handheld device.
-
telecommunications (telecom)
Telecommunications, also known as telecom, is the exchange of information over significant distances by electronic means and refers to all types of voice, data and video transmission.