Detailed Notes: General Abbreviations & Terminology

Table of Contents
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E
6. F
7. G
8. H
9. I
10. J
11. K
12. L
13. M
14. N
15. O
16. P
17. Q
18. R
19. S
20. T
21. U
22. V
23. W
24. X
25. Y
26. Z
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A

Abacus

• A simple device for calculating, consisting of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slide
• First mechanical calculating device used for addition and subtraction
• Consists of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads slide

Active Cell

• Refers to the currently selected cell in a spreadsheet

Active Window

• The currently focused window in the current window manager or explorer

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)

• Provides different bandwidths in the upstream and downstream directions
• A type of DSL connection

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

• Basically the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and act like humans
• Fifth generation computing devices based on artificial intelligence are still in development, though some applications such as voice recognition are being used today

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML)

• A web programming tool (or rather a set of tools) which makes it possible to create interactive web applications
• A programming tool that is used extensively in Web 2.0 applications

ALGOL (Algorithmic Language)

• Developed in 1958
• A Committee of European for Scientific Purpose

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

• Responsible for performing calculations and contains decision-making mechanism
• Capable of calculating results of wide variety of basic arithmetical and logical computations
• Performs various calculations such as addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, comparison, etc.
• Can perform:
  • Logical operations (AND, NOT, OR, XOR)
  • Arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)
  • Bit-shifting operations (shifting or rotating a word by a specified number of bits to the left or right with or without sign extension)
  • Comparison operations (=, <, <=, >, >=)

Analog Computer

• A form of computer that uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved
• Data varies continuously, i.e., the movement of data is continuous
• Generally meant to measure physical variables such as voltage, pressure, temperature, speed, etc.
• Mainly used for communication and broadcast transmission
• Example: Seismograph

Anchor

• In the context of HTML, the coding system used for creating web pages, an anchor is the main target of a hyperlink

Android

• A LINUX-based operating system designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets computers

Animation

• The display of a sequence of images in a computer program or on a web page to give the impression of movement

Apache

• The most popular web server software on the World Wide Web
• Apache mainly runs on UNIX systems

Application Software

• A subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly to a task that the user wishes to perform
• Computer software designed to help the user to perform singular or multiple tasks
• Also called end-user programs
• Helps user perform singular or multiple related tasks

Types:

1. General Purpose Software: Used for any general purpose or function. These softwares allow users to do simple (general) computer tasks

   • Examples: Word processing software, Electronic spreadsheets, DBMS, Desktop publishing, Multimedia software, etc.

2. Specific Purpose Software: Created to execute one specific task

   • Examples: Inventory management, Payroll, Hotel management, Reservation, Report card generator, Billing system, HR management system, etc.

Applet

• A small program written in the Java programming language and embedded in a web page
• When you use your browser to access a web page, an applet may run inside the web page to perform an interactive animation and make a calculation or carry out another simple task

Archive

• Used to describe documents or files that are not immediately needed but won't be completely discarded
• May be stored in an external hard disc such as CD-ROM, DVD or other storage devices

Archie

• Allows a user to search files in FTP sites
• Regularly monitors hundreds of FTP sites and updates a database (called an Archie server) on software, documents and data files available for downloading

ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network)

• World's first operational packet switching network
• Initiated in 1969 by the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Utah using 50 kbits circuits
• The origin of Internet devised from the concept of ARPANET
• Developed by United States Department of Defense
• Basic purpose was to provide communication among various bodies of government

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

• A character-encoding scheme employed by personal computers to represent various characters, numbers and control keys
• Standard character codes used to store data so that it may be used by other software programs
• Basically of two types:
  1. ASCII-7: 7-bits standard ASCII code, allows 2^7 = 128 (from 0 to 127) unique symbols
  2. ASCII-8: Extended version of ASCII-7, an 8-bits code, allows 2^8 = 256 (0 to 255) unique symbols or characters
• Assigns a specific pattern of bits to each character

ASF (Advanced Streaming Format)

• Microsoft's own file format that stores both audio and video information
• Specially designed to run over the internet

Assembler

• A program that translates mnemonic statement into executable instructions
• Language processor that converts assembly language into machine language (i.e., in the form of 0 or 1)
• This language consists of mnemonic codes which are difficult to learn and is machine dependent

Assembly Language

• A low-level symbolic code converted by an assembler
• Also known as second-generation language
• Contains same instructions as machine language, but instructions and variables have names instead of just numbers
• Used to interface with computer hardware
• Uses instructed commands as substitutions for numbers allowing humans to read the code more easily than binary

Attachment

• A term used in connection with an email
• Can be a file of almost any kind such as a document file, an image file, a sound file or a video clip that you can add/attach to an email

Audio-conferencing

• A computer-based communication system that allows a group of computer users at different locations to conduct a virtual conference
• Participants hear one another as though they are in the same room participating in a real conference
• Does not allow participants to see one another
• Multiple callers are allowed to join a conversation by dialing into an audio conferencing bridge
• Participants are supplied with an access number, a conference ID and possibly a secure PIN number

Authoring Package/Program/Tool

• Content-free software packages that allow a teacher to develop interactive learning and teaching materials without having to hold detailed knowledge about computer programming languages
• May also be applied to software packages used for creating web pages (e.g., FrontPage or Dreamweaver)

AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

• A file format for audio and video

Avatar

• A graphical representation of a real person
• Used in MUVE or MMORPG, a kind of 'virtual world'

Auxiliary Memory

• Non-volatile memory which is not directly accessible by CPU

B

Backup or Back Up

• Used as a verb, to back up means to copy a file or folder from your computer to another storage device
• A default copy of a file or other item of data made in case the original is lost and damaged

Backspace

• Key used on the keyboard to delete text
• Deletes the text to the left of cursor

Bandwidth

• The amount of data that can be sent from one computer to another through a particular connection in a certain amount of time
• Usually measured in Kbps or Mbps
• The more the bandwidth, the faster the access to information

Banner

• An electronic billboard that has a short text or graphical advertising message

BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)

• Developed in 1964 by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz
• Programming for Educational Purpose

Baud

• A unit of measurement at which data can be transferred (the baud rate)
• For example, over a telephone line through a modem or from a computer to an external device such as a printer
• Rarely used nowadays, as transfer rates are normally expressed in Kbps or Mbps

BCD (Binary Coded Decimal)

• A number system where four bits are used to represent each decimal digit
• A method of using binary digits to represent the decimal digits (0-9)

BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network)

• Portable terminals which provide internet connectivity and voice communications in remote locations

BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money)

• An initiative to enable fast, secure, reliable cashless payments through mobile phone
• Interoperable with other Unified Payments Interface (UPI) applications and bank accounts
• Developed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) as part of Digital India initiative

Binary Digit (Bit)

• A digit within the binary number system
• The smallest unit of information held in a computer
• Each bit may be set to 0 or 1

Binary Number System

• Uses only two symbols: 0 and 1 to represent values
• Has base 2, i.e., 0 and 1
• Digital computers internally use the binary number system to represent data and perform arithmetic calculations
• Computers use base 2 because they can only recognize two values: 1 or 0

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

• Also known as ROM BIOS
• Provides an abstraction layer for the hardware
• When a computer is booting, BIOS is loaded to the memory by ROM

Bitmap (BMP)

• A computer graphic or image composed of thousands of individual dots or pixels
• Each pixel being stored as a number

Blackboard

• A commercial Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) package

Blog

• Short form for web log
• An online diary in which an individual records and publishes his/her thoughts on one or more subjects
• Can contain news items, short essays, annotated links, documents, graphics and multimedia
• Posts are usually in reverse chronological order and often take the form of a journal or diary
• Blogger: Someone who blogs, i.e., who regularly writes blogs

Bluetooth

• A protocol that permits wireless exchange of information between computers, cell phones and other electronic devices within a radius of about 30 feet
• An open wireless technology for data exchange over short distances
• An example of PAN (Personal Area Network)

Bookmark

• A facility within a browser that enables a person to keep a record of web pages visited and that may be visited again
• Stored in a subdirectory of the Windows directory on computer
• In Internet Explorer, bookmarks are known as Favorites

Boot

• A verb used for starting up a computer by loading the operating system into memory

Bot

• Short for Robot
• See 'Crawler'

BPL (Broadband over Power Line)

• A type of broadband connection

Branching

• The process of interrupting a sequence of instructions in a computer program so as to go to a different point

Bridge

• A network device that connects two or more networks such as one LAN to another LAN that use the same protocol (ethernet or token ring)

Broadband

• Commonly refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up access
• Uses a telephone line to connect to the Internet
• Includes several high-speed transmission technologies such as:
  • DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
  • Cable Modem
  • Fibre Optic
  • BPL (Broadband over Power Line)
• Any type of transmission technique that carries several data channels over a common wire
• Provides a minimum speed of 256 Kbps

Browser (Web Browser)

• A special software that enables users to read/view web pages and jump from one web page to another
• Programs used to explore the Internet
• Helps in opening up pages and their navigation
• Acts as an interface between the user and the inner working of the internet, especially the WWW
• Application software for accessing and viewing web pages

Types:

1. Text Web Browser: Displays only text-based information (e.g., Lynx)
2. Graphical Web Browser: Supports both text and graphic information (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Safari, Google Chrome, Opera)

Note: The first graphical web browser was NCSA Mosaic and Netscape

Buffer

• A storage area used to store data to compensate for the difference in speed at which different units can handle data

Bug

• Not a nasty insect but a logical fault in a computer program that causes it to malfunction
• A software bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result
• Errors in computer programs
• Permanent bugs that defy eradication are often referred to ironically as 'features'

Bulletin Board

• A type of forum on the internet or an intranet where users can post messages by email or WWW for other users to read and respond to
• BBS stands for Bulletin Board Systems

Burn

• When data is written on a CD, this process is often referred to as 'burning a CD'
• The process of copying files to CD-ROM

Bus

• A set of parallel wires for connecting the CPU of a computer to all other input-output devices
• Data can be transmitted in two directions: from and to the CPU

Bus Topology

• A network topology where every computer is connected to a main (single) cable, such as a bus
• There is a single cable line to which all nodes are connected
• If the cable is broken, the entire segment fails

Byte

• A combination of bits that represent one character
• Usually composed of 8 bits
• A binary number consisting of exactly 8 bits
• Commonly used as a unit of storage measurement in computers, regardless of the type of data being stored

C

C

• Programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie in 1972
• Used for System Programming

C++

• Developed in 1985 by Bjarne Stroustrup
• Used for System Object Programming

Cache Memory

• A storage buffer that stores the data which is used more often, temporarily and makes them available to CPU at a fast rate
• Compensates the gap in speeds of processor and main memory
• Very high-speed memory that is placed between the CPU and main memory
• Holds frequently requested data and instructions so that they are immediately available to the CPU when needed
• The volatile computer memory which is very nearest to the CPU memory
• All recent instructions are stored into the Cache
• Fastest memory that provides high-speed data access to a computer microprocessor
• Capacity is too low compared to RAM and Hard Disk
• Earlier cache memories were available separately but microprocessors now contain cache memory on the chip itself

CALI (Computer Assisted Language Instruction)

• A term used in language teaching

Camcorder

• A portable video camera capable of recording live motion video for later replay through a videocassette recorder (VCR), DVD player or computer

CAN (Campus Area Network)

• A network of multiple interconnected local area networks (LAN) in a limited geographical area
• Smaller than a WAN or MAN

Card

• An electronic circuit board, usually one which can be slotted into your computer to fulfill a specialized function
• Examples: sound card, video card

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

• A feature of HTML that enables a range of styles for headers, body text, bullet points, links, etc.

Case Sensitivity

• Used to describe how a computer program (e.g., a browser) interprets upper and lower case letters

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

• An older type of computer display screen or monitor
• Beams of high-voltage electrons are fired at a screen causing thousands of red, green and blue (RGB) dots to glow in different combinations and intensities
• Produces full-colour image displayed on the screen

CBT (Computer-Based Training)

• A term for training delivered through computers

CD (Compact Disc)

• The most popular and least expensive type of optical disc used as a data storage device
• A digital optical disc data storage format made up of plastic and coated with reflective metal
• Looks much the same as an audio CD but can contain text, sound, pictures and motion video

Types:

1. CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory): Read-only, unalterable
2. CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable): Can be recorded at once only
3. CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable): Can be erased and recorded many times

CELL (Computer Enhanced Language Learning)

• A term used in language teaching

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• A microprocessor that controls the execution of program instructions
• Often called the 'Brain of Computer'
• Fabricated as a single Integrated Circuit (IC) and also known as 'microprocessor'
• Performs arithmetic operations, logical operations, input/output operations, and data manipulations
• Consists of:
  • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs calculations and decision-making
  • Control Unit (CU): Coordinates operation of hardware, flow and execution of data and instructions
  • Memory Unit (main storage): Holds data instructions, intermediate results and final results
• Contains a set of registers (high-speed, special-purpose memory units)

CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)

• Located in Geneva
• Largest particle physics laboratory
• Birthplace of the World Wide Web, invented there by Tim Berners-Lee

CGI Script (Common Gateway Interface)

• A term used by web authors
• Processes data from an HTML form

Chat Room

• A synchronous, mainly text-based communication facility
• Offers a web-based environment where people can drop in or arrange to meet and chat at specific times

CUI (Character User Interface)

• A way in which a computer user communicates with a computer by entering commands as text

Client

• A computer that receives services from another computer (server)

Clipart or Clip Art

• A collection of image files that can be embedded or inserted into web pages, word-processed documents, PowerPoint presentations, etc.

Clipboard

• A temporary storage area in a computer's memory

Clock Speed

• The speed of a computer's CPU
• Normally expressed in MegaHertz (one million cycles per second) or GigaHertz (1000 MegaHertz)

Cloze Procedure

• Invented by Wilson Taylor
• Originally conceived as a tool for measuring the readability of a text or a learner's reading comprehension level
• Derives from the gestalt psychology term 'closure'
• An activity in which a complete text is reduced to sets of blanks

CMC (Computer Mediated Communication)

• Communication through computer networks

CMY (Cyan Magenta Yellow)

• The scheme used in colour printing

COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language)

• Developed in 1989 by a Committee
• Used for Business Management

CODEC (COmpressor/DECompressor or COder/DECoder)

• Software used to compress or decompress a digital audio or video file

Collaborative Writing

• A process that involves the creation and editing of documents using Web 2.0 tools designed for use by multiple authors
• Examples: Google Documents, Zoho Writer

Colour Depth

• The number of colours that can be displayed at any one time on a computer display screen

Combination Drive

• A disc drive capable of reading and writing CD-ROMs, audio CDs and DVDs

Compatibility

• Pieces of hardware and/or software which are capable of being used together are described as compatible

Compiler

• A software which converts high-level language program to machine language in one go
• Used to convert the source code (written in high level language) into machine language (called object code)
• Reads whole source code in a single run and traps the errors and informs the programmer
• Examples: ALGOL compilers, BASIC compilers, C++ compilers, FORTRAN compilers

Compression

• A technique which reduces the amount of space required to store data

Computer

• Derived from the Latin word 'Computare' which means 'to calculate'
• An electronic machine that accepts data (input) from the user, processes the data by performing calculations and operations on it, and then generates the desired results (output) to the user
• Processes both qualitative and quantitative data quickly and accurately
• A programmable machine with two principal characteristics:
  1. Responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner
  2. Can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program)

Characteristics: Speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility, and storage capacity

Important Facts:

• Charles Babbage: Known as 'Father of Computer', invented the Analytical Engine (first general purpose computer) and difference engine
• Abacus: First mechanical calculating device used for addition and subtraction
• Pascaline: First mechanical adding machine developed by Blaise Pascal
• ENIAC: First electronic digital computer
• EDVAC: Binary computer developed by John Von Neumann

Concordance Program

• Operates on a body of texts (a corpus)
• Commonly used for compiling glossaries and dictionaries

Condenser Microphone

• Probably the best type to use in multimedia CALL programs
• Provides a stronger signal when the learner is recording his/her own voice

Conferencing

• Computer conferencing is a development of e-mail designed to support many-to-many communication
• Computer users in different locations can take part in a virtual conference
• Usually consists of a group of participants who have a common interest in the conference subject matter

Content-Free

• Used to describe a computer program which is supplied as an 'empty shell', i.e., without content such as texts, images, audio recordings, or video recordings

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• Can take the form of seminars, research, training courses, etc.

Cookie

• A piece of information stored in a user's computer by a web browser when the user visits a website for the first time
• Websites use cookies to recognize users who have previously visited them
• A small text file that a web server stores on a user's hard drive when the user visits certain websites

Copyright

• New technologies have raised all kinds of new issues relating to copyright
• Has become easy to copy materials from a variety of digital sources
• The 'right to use' a piece of software is termed as copyright

Course Management System (CMS)

• A type of virtual learning environment (VLE)
• Example: Moodle

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• See detailed entry under 'C' section above

Crash

• A term describing what happens to hardware or software when it suddenly fails to work properly
• In 'frozen screen', the keyboard and/or mouse go dead with the result that nothing can be typed and the cursor cannot be moved around the screen

Crawler

• A program that searches the web for new links, new content and changes to keep search engine results up to date
• May also be called a bot (short form for robot) or spider
• Crawlers within search engines perform useful indexing function

Cryptography

• The science of writing information in a 'hidden' or 'secret' form
• An ancient art that protects data in transmit and data stored on disk

Terms in Cryptography:

• Plain Text: Original message that is an input
• Cipher: Bit-by-bit or character-by-character transformation without regard to the meaning of the message
• Cipher Text: Coded message or encrypted data
• Encryption: Encoding or scrambling data for transmission across a network to secure the transmission
• Decryption: Reverse of encryption, i.e., converting cipher text to plain text

D

Data

• Raw facts/figures/statistics
• Distinct items that don't have much meaning in a given context

Database

• A collection of logically related and similar data
• A collection of inter-related records that performs adding, updating and deleting data
• Allows creating of databases

Components:

1. Tables:Building blocks or relation of any relational database model where all actual data is defined and entered
   • Field: Area within the record reserved for a specific piece of data (also known as 'column')
   • Record: Collection of data items of all fields pertaining to one entity (also known as 'row' or 'tuple')
2. Queries: Questions based on data available in a database, specifications indicating which fields, records, and summaries a user wants to fetch
3. Forms: Can be used to view and edit data, typically used to view data in an underlying table one record at a time
4. Reports: When you want to print the records fetched from your database, you need to design a report

Data Hierarchy

Systematic organization of data in hierarchical form:

• Database
• Files
• Records
• Fields
• Bytes (Character)
• Bits

DDL (Data Driven Learning)

• Pioneered by Tim Johns
• Learners of a foreign language gain insights into the language they are learning by using concordance programs to locate authentic examples of language in use

Debug

• To test a program and remove all bugs

Default

• A setting or value automatically assigned to a computer program or device in the absence of a choice made by the user

Defrag

• Defragment

Desktop

• When you turn ON the computer, the first screen which will be displayed on the computer
• The background image of desktop is called 'wallpaper'
• Contains start menu, task bar, icons, gadgets, etc.
• The area of a display screen where images, windows, icons and other graphical items appear

Desktop Publishing (DTP)

• An application for laying out text, graphics and pictures to produce a professional-looking publication

Device Drivers

• Software written with the objective of making a device functional when it is connected to the computer
• Every device (printer, monitor, mouse, keyboard) has a driver program associated with it for proper functioning

Diacritic

• A mark such as an acute, grave or circumflex accent, a cedilla, or an umlaut
• Added to a letter to give it a special phonetic value

Dial-up Connection

• A method of connecting to the Internet using an existing telephone
• Modem connects the computer through standard phone lines which serve as the data transfer medium

Digital

• Based on numbers
• Modern computer is a typical example of digital technology
• CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, audio CDs and video DVDs use digital technology where numbers are coded as a string of tiny pits pressed into a plastic disc

Digital Computer

• A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system
• Data flow in a discrete form
• High-speed programmable electronic devices that perform mathematical calculations, compare values and store results
• Designed using digital circuits with two levels for input or output signal (logic 0 and logic 1)
• Provides more accurate and faster results
• Better suited for solving complex problems in science, engineering and technology

Types based on purpose:

1. General-purpose computers: Used for any type of applications
2. Special-purpose computers: Built for a specific application

Digital Divide

• A group's access to digital technology and another group's lack of access to it causes disparity
• The term used in context of differentiation in use of IT/ICT between:
  • Developed and developing nations
  • Urban and rural India

Directory

• A group of files and subdirectories grouped together for organizational purposes
• Used synonymously with 'folder'

Discussion List

• An electronic discussion list, also known as a forum
• A way of sharing emails with members of a group of people with a common interest

Disk Defragmenter

• Can be used to rearrange files and unused space in storage device
• A Windows utility program that locates and eliminates unnecessary fragments and rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations

Distance Learning

• Students work on their own at home or office
• Communicate with faculty and other students through e-mail, electronic forums, video conferencing, chatrooms, instant messaging and other forms of computer-based communication
• Also known as open learning
• Most programs include computer-based training (CBT) system and communications tools to produce a virtual classroom

Dithering

• A technique of combining dots of primary colours to give the appearance of intermediate colour

DNS (Domain Name Server)

• A special type of internet computer that converts a website's domain name into a unique numerical IP address that identifies the computer where the website is stored

Domain Name

• The unique name that identifies an internet site or website
• Always has two or more parts separated by dots
• Part on the left is most specific, part on the right is most general
• A given machine may have more than one domain name, but a given domain name points to only one machine

Main Categories:

• .com: Commercial institutions or organizations
• .edu: Educational institutions
• .gov: Government sites
• .mil: Military sites
• .net: Gateways and administrative hosts
• .org: Private organizations (non-profit)

Geographic Names: Include country codes like .au (Australia), .cn (China), .de (Germany), .in (India), .jp (Japan), .uk (United Kingdom), .us (United States)

Doordarshan

• Experimental telecast started in Delhi in September 1959
• Regular daily transmission started in 1965
• TV was separated from radio in 1976 and DD came into existence
• National programme introduced in 1982
• Presently operating 31 TV channels besides free direct-to-home (DTH) services
• DD National is the largest terrestrial network in the world and flagship channel of DD
• DD Direct Plus: DTH service started in 2004
• Mobile TV service (DVB-H transmission) started at Delhi in 2007

Dpi (Dots Per Inch)

• Defined as the measure of the resolution of a printer, scanner or monitor
• Refers to the number of dots in one inch line

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)

• A type of random access memory which stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor
• A category of RAM

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

• Works over POTS (plain old telephone service), i.e., copper telephone lines
• A type of broadband connection

Types:

1. ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): Provides different bandwidths in upstream and downstream directions
2. SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line): Provides same bandwidth in both directions

DVD (Digital Video Disc/Digital Versatile Disc)

• Also known as Super Density Disc (SDD)
• Offers higher storage capacity than compact discs while having same dimensions
• Can store several Gigabytes of data (4.7 GB-17.08 GB) depending on disc type
• Uses optical media to store digital data

Types:

1. DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disc-Read Only Memory)
2. DVD-R (DVD-Recordable)
3. DVD-RW (DVD-ReWritable)

Dynamic Microphone

• Used when a learner has to record his/her own voice

E

E-banking (Electronic-banking)

• Also known as Internet banking or Online banking
• Any user with a personal computer and browser can connect to bank's website to perform virtual banking functions
• All services that the bank has permitted on the Internet are displayed in menu

EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code)

• Characters are represented by 8-bits
• Stores information which is readable by other computers
• Allows 2^8 = 256 (0-255) combinations of bits
• Can code up to 256 different characters

E-commerce (Electronic-commerce)

• Includes sharing business information, maintaining business relationships and conducting business transactions by means of telecommunication networks
• Process of trading goods over Internet
• Has changed the lifestyle of society
• Possible to buy, sell and exchange products, services and information through computer networks, primarily through the internet

Types:

1. Business-to-Consumer (B2C) e-commerce
2. Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce
3. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) e-commerce
4. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) e-commerce
5. Mobile Commerce or M-commerce

Applications:

• Electronic payments (electronic credit cards, electronic cash, smart cards, EFT, e-wallets, purchasing cards)
• Banking gateway
• E-Governance

Security Requirements:

• Authentication for both parties
• Integrity for unaltered transactions
• Non-repudiation for unjustified denial of placing orders
• Privacy of identity to be secured
• Safety for providing credit card number on the internet

eduroam®

• A global service that enables students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to obtain internet connectivity across campuses
• Works when visiting other participating institutions by simply opening laptop or activating smartphone through Wi-Fi

EDUSAT (GSAT-3)

• India's first educational satellite
• Launched in 2004
• First Indian satellite for serving the education sector

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory)

• A special type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge
• Also termed as flash memory

E-Governance

• About leading the transformation of government to provide efficient, convenient and transparent services to citizens and businesses through use of ICT
• Use of ICT to support in administration or management of government

Main Components:

1. Government-Citizen Interface (G2C)
2. Government-Government Interface (G2G)
3. Government-Business Interface (G2B)
4. Government-Employee Interface
5. Government-Society Interface

Objectives:

• Build an informed society
• Increase government and citizen interaction
• Encourage citizen participation
• Bring transparency in governing process
• Make government accountable
• Reduce cost of governance
• Reduce reaction time of government

Advantages:

• Speed
• Cost reduction
• Transparency

E-Government

• Use of ICT to provide services in maintaining government operations correctly

E-learning (Electronic Learning)

• Also known as online learning
• Associated with field of advanced learning technology (ALT)
• Deals with technologies and associated methodologies in learning using networked and/or multimedia technologies
• Distance education provided the base for e-learning's development
• Can be 'on demand'
• Overcomes timing, attendance and travel difficulties
• Allows higher participation and greater interaction

E-mail (Electronic mail)

• Electronic version of sending and receiving letter
• Transmission of text-based messages among networked computers
• Lets you send and receive messages in electronic form
• Transmitted between computer systems using internet protocols
• Storage area for email messages is called mailbox

Features:

• Faster and more secure than conventional mail
• Internet is free; doesn't require attention of both parties at same time
• Provides time-stamped proof of interaction
• Easy to archive for future recall
• Can be edited and rephrased before sending
• Easy to send same information to several people simultaneously

Email Address Parts:

1. Username: Unique name selected by you or ISP
2. @ Symbol: Fits between username and domain
3. Domain: Can be broken down into mail server and top-level domain (TLD)

Types of Email Services:

1. Free web-based email services: Accessible through web browser using HTTP protocol
2. Priced web-based email services: Premium accounts on payment basis
3. Private email services: Used by institutions with dedicated mail server

Email Structure:

• Header: Contains fields like From, To, Subject, Date, CC, Message-ID, Reply-to
• Body: Contains the message itself, mostly in text form, with optional signature

Email Folders:

• Inbox: Enlists all emails received
• Sent: Copies of messages sent
• Drafts: Place for storing unfinished messages
• Trash: Stores deleted emails

Encryption

• A system of coding that helps prevent access to private information on computer networks or on the web
• Encoding or scrambling data for transmission across a network to secure transmission

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer)

• First electronic digital computer
• Designed by J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly
• Contained electronic valves and vacuum tubes

EPS (Encapsulated Postscript)

• A file format

EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)

• A special type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light

ERNET (Education and Research Network)

• Promoted by Department of Information Technology, Government of India
• Provides communication infrastructure and services to academic research institutions in India
• Undertaken networking projects like AICTE-Net, ICAR-Net and UGC-Infonet

Error Diagnosis

• A feature of CALL programs whereby the computer attempts to diagnose the nature of errors the learner makes and to branch to remedial exercises

Ethernet

• A modern technique used to connect local computers in Local Area Network (LAN)
• A family of protocols used in LAN

Executable

• Describes a program which has been converted (compiled) into binary machine code
• If you double-click an executable program name in Windows Explorer, it will immediately execute itself (run)
• Usually have extension .exe or .com

Extension

• In computer jargon, an optional addition
• Usually consists of a dot plus three or four letters to the name of a file
• Helps the computer (and user) recognize what type of file it is and what it may contain
• Examples: .doc (Word document), .exe (computer program), .jpg/.jpeg (picture file), .htm/.html (web page file)

Extranet

• A technology that permits users of an organization's intranet to enter portions of another organization's intranet to conduct business transactions or collaborate on joint projects
• Not accessible to general public but accessible to computers that are not physically part of an organization's private network

F

Favorites

• A facility within Internet Explorer browser that allows keeping a record of web pages visited and may like to visit again
• Also known as bookmarks

Feedback

• An automatic response from a computer to a learner's input
• May take form of text, image, audio, video or any combination of these

Fibre Optics

• A cable made up of glass or fiber through which data can be transferred from one place to another

File

• A collection of information stored electronically and treated as a unit by a computer
• Every file must have its own distinctive name
• Collection of data stored on auxiliary storage media
• Basic unit to store data in Windows
• Has a specific file name and 'file extension' that identifies file type

Common filename extensions:

• .rtf: WordPad document
• .txt: Notepad text file
• .eml: E-mail file
• .exe: Executable file
• .htm/.html: HTML file (Web page)
• .pptx: MS-PowerPoint Presentation
• .png: Portable Network Graphic
• .gif: Graphics Interchange Format
• .bmp: Bitmap

File Extension

• A suffix to the name of a computer file applied to indicate the encoding of its contents or usage

File Server

• A computer on a network that stores programs and data files shared by users of the network

Finger

• A command that allows display of contents of files associated with particular user identifier at a particular internet site

Firewall

• A software package that sits between computer and internet connection
• Keeps an eye on traffic going to and fro
• Warns user in case something suspicious appears
• Primary objective is to control incoming and outgoing network traffic by analyzing data packets
• Determines whether packets should be allowed through based on predetermined rules
• A security system usually consisting of hardware and software that prevents unauthorized persons from accessing certain parts of a program, database or network

Firewire

• Allows transfer of video recordings from one device to another in fast manner (e.g., from camcorder to computer) using special cable

Firmware

• Software that has been written to a ROM (Read Only Memory) chip by manufacturers
• Software stored in hardware that cannot be easily modified (such as BIOS, ROM in a PC)
• Falls into an area somewhere between software and hardware

Flame

• When using discussion list, forum or blog, flame is used to describe language that is rude, sarcastic or condescending

Flash Drive

• A portable storage device
• Also known as pen drive
• A data storage device that consists of flash memory (key memory) with a portable USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface
• Has impressive storage capacity

Floppy Disk (Diskette)

• Used to store small amount of data
• Slower to access than hard disks
• Composed of thin and flexible disk of magnetic storage medium of square shape
• Can store data in sequential manner

FM (Frequency Modulation)

• A form of modulation that conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its frequency
• Contrast with amplitude modulation where amplitude of carrier is varied while frequency remains constant

Folder

• Users organize files by storing them in folders
• Can also store other folders (sub-folders)
• Can create any number of sub-folders
• Each can hold any number of files and additional sub-folders

FORTRAN (Formula Translation)

• Developed in 1957 by IBM
• Used for Calculation

Forum

• See Discussion List

FOSSEE (Free and Open Source Software for Education)

• Project sanctioned to IIT Bombay
• Promotes use of open source software in educational institutions
• Provides instructional material, documentation, awareness programs, training workshops, and internships

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

• A set of guidelines or standards that establish the format in which files can be transmitted from one computer to another
• Can transfer files between any computers that have Internet connection
• Works between computers using totally different operating systems
• Used to transfer files from one place to another on Internet

Fuzzy Matching

• A matching technique used in programs when allowances have to be made for inaccuracies in spelling on part of learner

G

Gap-filler

• Consists of two parts:
  1. Teacher's program which allows input of text, then specifies words, parts of words, or phrases to disappear
  2. Student's program which enables learner to interact with computer by filling in gaps

Gateway

• A node on a network that serves as an entrance to another network
• Computers that control traffic within an organization or at ISP are gateway nodes
• Hardware and software combinations that connect devices running different native protocols

Geek

• A term to describe someone obsessed with computers
• Uses them at every opportunity in their free time, mainly for 'social' purposes

Generic Software/Application

• May be used in many areas, but not specifically for use in a specific subject area
• Examples: word-processor (Word), spreadsheet package (Excel), presentation software (PowerPoint), database package (Access)

GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)

• A file format used for storing simple graphics

Gigabyte (GB)

• A unit of information or computer storage equal to approximately one billion bytes
• Equal to 1024 megabytes
• 1024 MB = 1 GB

GigaHertz (GHz)

• A measurement used to identify speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• 1 gigahertz equals 1 billion cycles per second

Gopher Protocol

• A computer client tool that enables users to locate information stored on Internet gopher servers through series of hierarchical menus
• Most files and digital information accessible through FTP are also available through gophers
• Used for:
  • Distributing documents through internet
  • Searching documents through internet
  • Retrieving documents through internet

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

• A method of interacting with a computer through a metaphor of direct manipulation of graphical images
• Consists of graphical elements known as icons
• Allows user to run programs and carry out other operations

Graphic Tablet

• An input device used to create images, etc.

GRID GARUDA

• India's first national grid bringing together academic, scientific and research communities
• Connected with National Knowledge Network (NKN)
• Initiative for collaboration of Scientific, Engineering and Academic Community to carry out research and experimentation on nationwide grid of computational nodes

Groupware

• See Collaborative software

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

• See entry above

Gyan Darshan

• Launched in 2000
• Joint effort of IGNOU and IITs
• A bouquet of channels that broadcasts educational programmes for schoolkids, university students and adults
• Courses contributed by IGNOU, UGC Consortium for Educational Communication (UGC-CEC), IITs

Gyan Vani

• A bouquet of frequency modulation (FM) radio channels
• Broadcasts programs contributed by institutions such as IGNOU and IITs
• Educational FM radio network

H

Hacker

• A person who spends time to gain access to information stored on other people's computers around the world
• Some hackers are harmless and some harm others
• A computer criminal who penetrates and tampers with computer programs or systems

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

• A non-volatile, random access digital data storage device
• Data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information using rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material
• Divided into tracks which are further subdivided into sectors

Hardware

• Physical equipment required to create, use, manipulate and store electronic data
• The mechanical, magnetic, electronic and electrical components that comprise a computer system
• Includes CPU, monitor, keyboard and mouse, etc.
• Contains physical components in a computer or peripherals such as input/output devices, storage, processor, etc.

Hardware of computer system classified into:

1. CPU
2. Peripherals (Input devices, Output devices, Storage devices)

HDTV (High Definition Television)

• Uses advanced technology for television

Headend in the Sky (HITS)

• Combines cable stations into multiplex signals on just a few satellites
• Cable TV companies can pull in hundreds of channels at local headend with relatively little equipment
• Effectively replaces more complex traditional headend operations

Hexadecimal Number System

• Provides shorthand method of working with binary numbers
• Represented by four binary digits
• Numbers are 0 to 9 and A to F (where A denotes 10, B denotes 11...F denotes 15)
• Also known as Base 16 System or simply Hex
• Each position represents a successive power of 16
• Consists of symbols 0-9 and A-F

HF (High Frequency)

• Designated term for range of radio waves between 3 and 30 MHz

High-level Language (HLL)

• A programming language designed to simplify computer language
• Several steps removed from actual code of computer processor
• Examples: Basic, C, FORTRAN, Java, Pascal, etc.
• What most programmers use (languages such as C++ and Java)
• Very readable with statements in English

Home Page

• Main page of a website
• Typically serves as index or table of contents to other documents stored at site
• Similar to title page and table of contents in a book
• Identifies site and contains links to other pages at site
• Very first page seen on opening of website

Host

• Refers to a computer that provides services to other computers linked to it through local network or through internet

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

• A formatting language used to establish appearance of a web page
• Helps in creating pages on World Wide Web
• Enables insertion of hypertext links within one web page or to other pages
• Language used to write web pages and for designing
• Used to design web pages

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)

• Defines how messages are formatted and transmitted
• Defines what actions should be taken by web servers and browsers in response to various commands
• Called a 'stateless protocol'
• Defines format for communication between web browsers (web clients) and web servers
• An important protocol used on world wide web for moving hypertext files across Internet
• Protocol dealing with transfer of hypertext between two or more computers

Hub

• A place of convergence where data arrives from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more directions
• A common connection point for networked computers and other devices
• Used to connect devices in a LAN

Hybrid Computer

• Combines desirable features of analogue and digital computers
• Combines speed of analogue computers and accuracy of digital computers
• Uses analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue converters for transforming data
• Mainly used for specialized tasks
• Example: Hospital's ICU where analogue devices measure patient's temperature and blood pressure, then convert to digital

Hypermedia

• An extension of hypertext that integrates audio, video and graphics with text (like multimedia)
• Database where information bits are stored in form of nodes

Hyperlink

• An element in a hypertext document highlighted by means of underlining or with use of different colour
• When highlighted element is clicked, user is connected to another element in same document or another document
• An image or portion of text on web page that is linked to another web page

Hypertext

• A technology that links text in one part of document with its related text in other part of document or in other documents
• User can quickly find related text by clicking on appropriate keyword, key phrase, icon or button

I

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)

• Defines format for communication between e-mail servers and clients
• Standard protocol for accessing E-mail on remote server from local client
• Application layer Internet protocol
• Protocol used by client that is used to read email

ICALL (Intelligent CALL)

• Mimics human intelligence in computer-assisted language learning

ICT (Information and Communication Technology)

• Refers to technologies used for collecting, storing, editing and communicating information in various formats
• Includes all communication devices or applications like radio, TV, cellular phones, computers, networks, satellite system, etc.
• All digital devices, tools, content and resources used to achieve goals of teaching-learning process and management of education system

Components:

1. Information Technology (IT): Hardware and software of information collection, storage, processing and presentation
2. Information and Communication Infrastructure (ICI): Physical telecommunications systems and networks and services that utilize ICT tools

Six Components of ICT System:

• Data
• Hardware
• Software
• Information
• Procedures
• People

Icon

• A symbol (such as picture or folder) that represents a certain function on computer
• A small symbol or picture used in a GUI

IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University)

• Leveraging satellite, TV and internet technologies to offer online courses
• Launched e-Gyankosh in 2005 as knowledge repository

ILS (Integrated Learning System)

• Computer-driven system of learning
• Content is presented in tutorial format
• Monitors and records progress of learner

Impact Printers

• Transfer image onto paper through printing mechanism that strikes paper called ribbon
• Examples: Dot matrix printer, daisy wheel printer, line printer, drum printer

INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network Centre)

• Took initiative called "Vidwan: Expert Database and National Researcher's Network"
• Implementing e-shodh Sindhu Scheme

Information

• Result from processing data
• Summarization of data according to certain pre-defined purpose

Input Devices

• Devices used to give required information to computer
• Any device capable of inputting information into computer system

Examples:

• Keyboard
• Pointing devices (Mouse, Track ball, Joystick, Light pen)
• Barcode Reader
• Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
• Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
• Smart Card Reader
• Biometric Sensor
• Scanner
• Microphone
• Webcam

Instant Messaging

• A form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text or using audio or video
• Message is conveyed via devices connected over a network
• Type of online chat that offers real-time text transmission over Internet

Features:

• Instant messages/Chat
• Chat rooms
• Files/Web links/Videos/Images sharing
• Talk (voice communication)
• Mobile capabilities

Instruction

• A command or order given to computer to perform a task

Integrated Circuits

• Multiple electronic components combined on silicon chip

Interface

• A device or program that helps user to communicate with computer
• A connection between two systems
• Can be hardware or software
• May take form of plug, cable, socket or all three

Internet

• Stands for Interconnected Network
• Began in 1950s by Vint Cerf (Father of Internet)
• World wide network of networked computers that connects millions of people all over the world
• Publicly accessible system of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using standard Internet protocol
• System that links existing networks into worldwide network

History:

• 1969: UCLA and University of Utah connected as beginning of ARPANET
• Mid 80s: NSF created NSFNET, more capable than ARPANET
• Private organizations built own networks, later interconnected with ARPANET and NSFNET to form Internet

Connection Options:

1. Dial-up Connection: Uses existing telephone, modem connects through standard phone lines
2. Broadband Connection: High-speed Internet access, always on, faster than dial-up
3. Wireless Connection:Uses radio link between customer's location and service provider's facility
   • Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
   • WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)
   • Mobile Wireless Broadband Service
   • Satellite

Internet Explorer

• A type of browser
• Invented and released by Microsoft

Internet Protocol (IP)

• Allows different computers to communicate by creating network of networks
• Handles dispatch of packets over network

Internet Protocol Address (IP Address)

• Unique numerical address of computer on internet
• Expressed as four sets of numbers (maximum 3 digits each) separated by dots
• Example: 150.237.176.24
• Every computer connected to internet must have unique IP address
• Size of IPv4 is 32 bits

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

• Service that allows each participant contribution displayed on screens to all others taking part in conversation
• Often referred to as 'The CB of the Internet'

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

• A company that provides subscription service to enable user or organization to access internet
• Has network of computers permanently linked to internet
• Also provides e-mail address and space on World Wide Web for setting up website
• Examples: CompuServe, AOL, NetZero

Interpreter

• A program that converts and executes source code into machine language line-by-line
• Converts high-level language program into machine language by converting it line-by-line
• Informs user as error occurs

Intranet

• A private network that is contained within an enterprise
• May consist of many interlinked local area networks
• May also use leased lines in wide area network
• Typically includes connections through one or more gateway computers to outside Internet
• Main purpose is to share company information and computing resources among employees
• Created only for employees of one company to improve communication
• Operates on common technology
• Separated from internet by using firewall

Benefits:

• Easy-to-access and use
• Universal access to information
• Person-to-person interaction
• Informal networks
• Publishing information and making contact is quick and informal

I/O Port

• Circuit used to connect input and output devices to computer

iPod

• Name of portable (mobile) media player designed and marketed by Apple

IP Address

• See Internet Protocol Address

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)

• Digital TV (not PC) delivered through high-speed internet (broadband) connection
• Channels are encoded in IP format and delivered to TV through set-top box
• Includes video on demand
• Quality of digital video and audio is much better compared to traditional analogue TV

IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

• See entry above

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

• High-speed digital access for internet
• Type of digital telephone service used for transferring large chunks of data to and from internet without modem
• Used for dial-up connection without modem (wired ether)

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

• See entry above

IWB (Interactive Whiteboard)

• A touch-sensitive projection screen
• Allows teacher to control computer directly by touching screen (whiteboard) rather than using keyboard or mouse

J

Java

• A programming language invented by Sun Microsystems
• Specifically designed for writing programs that can be downloaded through internet and immediately executed
• Developed in 1995 by James Gosling
• Used for Internet Oriented Programming

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

• A format for storing complex graphics in compressed form
• Commonly used method of lossy compression for digital photography

Joystick

• A computer peripheral or general control device
• Consists of handheld stick that pivots about one end
• Transmits its angle in two or three dimensions to computer

K

Keyboard

• Standard input device attached to all computers
• Layout is like traditional typewriter of type QWERTY
• Encoded in ASCII code or EBCDIC code
• Modifier keys: Ctrl, Shift and Alt keys

Kilobyte (KB)

• A unit of information or computer storage equal to 1024 bytes
• Commonly abbreviated KB
• 1024 Byte = 1 KB

L

LAN (Local Area Network)

• Network that connects group of computers in small geographical area such as home, office, building
• Connected computers are geographically close together
• Either in same building or within smaller area
• Uses cable to connect number of computers within same location or in close proximity

Language Processor

• Helps in converting programming languages to machine language
• Translated program is called object code

Types:

1. Assembler: Converts assembly language into machine language
2. Compiler: Converts source code (high level language) into machine language
3. Interpreter: Converts high level language program into machine language line-by-line

Laptop

• Small, lightweight and portable battery-powered computer that can fit onto your lap

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

• A type of flat panel computer display screen

Learning Object

• Capable of being reused in variety of applications
• May be described as Reusable Learning Object (RLO)

Learning Platform

• Term used to describe software and systems used to deliver E-learning
• Sometimes Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• Sometimes with Managed Learning Environment (MLE)

Leased Line

• Also known as private circuit
• Dedicated communications link between two sites
• Separate from public telephone network
• Reserved exclusively for use of owner at fixed tariff regardless of usage levels

Light Pen

• Light-sensitive stylus for forming graphics by touching coordinates on display screen
• Seems to draw directly on screen

Linkrot

• Describes tendency of hypertext links from one website to another to die as other sites cease to exist or remove or restructure their web pages

Linux

• A Unix-type operating system similar to Windows and Apple Mac operating system
• Developed by Linus Torvalds
• Freely available multi-tasking and multi-user operating system
• Placed under General Public License (GPL) from beginning

LISTSERV

• Can be used to send emails to large group at one time

Lurker

• Mainly used in connection with discussion list, forum or blog
• Term describes someone who prefers to read other people's messages rather than posting their own views

M

MAC Address (Media Access Control)

• Same as Hardware and Physical Addresses

Machine Language

• Only language understood by computer
• Each statement is sequence of bits
• Series of bits represent instructions that computer can understand
• Entirely compiled by binary numbers
• Also known as first-generation language
• Most difficult for humans to use

Mainframe Computers

• Can process data at very high speeds (in MIPS - million instructions per second)
• Large-sized, powerful, multi-user computers that can support concurrent programs
• Can accommodate more than 1000 workstations simultaneously
• Normally used in banking, airlines, railways for their applications
• Also called server computers
• Critical to commercial databases, transaction servers and applications requiring high resiliency security and agility
• Example: IBM Z series, UNIVAC 1110

Malware (Malicious Software)

• Broad term referring to variety of malicious programs
• Used to damage computer system, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems
• Includes:
  1. Virus: VIRUS stands for Vital Information Resources Under Siege; copies itself and attaches to other programs
  2. Worms: Standalone malware that replicates itself; hard to detect as invisible files
  3. Trojan: Non-self replicating malware appearing to perform desirable function but facilitates unauthorized access
  4. Spyware: Program installed to spy on system owner's activity and collect information

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

• Network designed for town or city
• Data network designed for town or city
• Example: Cable TV network
• Network of computers located at different sites within large fixed area such as city

Mashup

• A web page that brings together data from two or more web services
• Combines it into new application with added functionality

MAT (Machine Assisted Translation)

• Assists in process of translating natural language

Maze

• Divided into action mazes and text mazes
• Used by language teachers for reading and comprehension activities
• Stimulates conversation in classroom

M-commerce (Mobile-commerce)

• Provides application for buying and selling goods or services through wireless Internet-enabled handheld devices
• Involves new technologies, services and business models

Megabyte (MB)

• 1 Megabyte equals 1048576 bytes
• Usually rounded off to 1 million bytes
• 1024 KB = 1 MB

Memory Unit

• Part of computer which holds data and instructions
• Responsible to store programs or data on temporary or permanent basis

Classification:

1. Primary or Main Memory: Communicates directly with CPU

   • RAM (Random Access Memory):Volatile memory allowing CPU to read and write data; temporary storage
     • Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
     • Static RAM (SRAM)
   • ROM (Read Only Memory):Non-volatile memory or permanent storage; holds computer startup routine
     • PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
     • EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
     • EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)

2. Secondary or Auxiliary Memory: Stores much larger amount of data for extended periods; also known as non-volatile memory

   • Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
   • Floppy Disk (Diskette)
   • Magnetic Tapes
   • Compact Disc (CD)
   • Digital Video Disc (DVD)
   • Blu-ray Disc (BD)
   • Pen/Thumb Drive

• Memory Measurements

  • 1 Bit = Binary Digit (0 or 1)
  • 4 Bits = 1 Nibble
  • 8 Bits = 1 Byte
  • 1024 Byte = 1 KB (Kilo Byte)
  • 1024 KB = 1 MB (Mega Byte)
  • 1024 MB = 1 GB (Giga Byte)
  • 1024 GB = 1 TB (Tera Byte)
  • 1024 TB = 1 PB (Peta Byte)
  • 1024 PB = 1 EB (Exa Byte)
  • 1024 EB = 1 ZB (Zetta Byte)
  • 1024 ZB = 1 YB (Yotta Byte)
  • 1024 YB = 1 BB (Bronto Byte)
  • 1024 BB = 1 Geop Byte

Menu

• A list of options from which computer user makes selection to determine course of events in program

Menu Bar

• Horizontal strip across top of application's window
• Each word on strip has context-sensitive drop-down menu containing features and actions available for application in use

Mesh Topology

• Network topology where every node has dedicated point-to-point link to every other node
• Also known as completely interconnected topology

Messaging

• Method of communication between two people or organizations
• Can be done using internet or cell phones

Types:

1. Asynchronous messaging: Program places message on message queue and leaves; delivery agent ensures message delivery even if recipient is offline (e.g., email)
2. Synchronous messaging: Program places message in queue and waits for reply before continuing (e.g., telephonic conversation)

Microblogging

• Approach to blogging in which very short texts are posted
• Contains snippets of information about events, websites and other sources

Microcomputer

• Also called personal computer (PC)
• Small and relatively inexpensive computer
• Commonly consists of display screen, keyboard, CPU, disk drives and printer
• Limited storage and based upon microprocessor
• Designed for individual user
• Least powerful, yet most widely used and fastest-growing type (also called 'Portable computers')
• Examples: Laptops, Personal computers, Tablet computers, Handheld computers, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

Microphone (Mic)

• Input device for recording audio

Microprocessor

• Complete Central Processing Unit (CPU) contained on single silicon chip
• As switching devices are for fourth generation computers

Minicomputers

• Have lesser speed and storage capacity compared to mainframe computers
• Performance less than mainframes
• Mid-sized multiprocessing computers
• Can perform several actions at same time
• Can support 4 to 200 users simultaneously
• Initially designed for control, implementation, human interaction and communication
• Now used for engineering and CAD calculations, and as mid-size servers
• Examples: DEC PDP and VAX series, HP-2100 series

MLE (Managed Learning Environment)

• See Learning Platform

MLAT (Modern Language Aptitude Testing)

• Testing system in language learning

Moblog

• A contraction of mobile and blog

Modem (Modulator and Demodulator)

• Device or program which converts computer data to signal that can be transmitted over telephone line
• Can also reconvert signal coming into computer through telephone line
• Used to connect computers with internet
• Converts analogue signals to digital and vice versa

Monitor

• Visual readout device of computer system
• Can be in several forms: CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display), or flat-panel, full-color display
• Examples: CRT, LCD, LED, 3-D, TFT

MOO (Multi-User-Domain Object Oriented)

• A type of virtual environment

Moodle

• Open source software, free to download, use, modify and distribute
• Example of open-source software

Motherboard

• Main circuit board contained in any computer
• Also known as Main Board, Logic Board, System Board or Planar Board
• All other electronic devices and circuits of computer system are attached to this board
• Personal computer uses number of chips mounted on circuit board called Motherboard

Mouse

• Manually operated input device
• Used for moving or entering positional information and other data or commands by accessing (pointing to) images on monitor

MP3

• A file format for storing high-quality audio files

MP4

• Two basic types: MP4 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) and MP4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding)

MPEG or MPG (Motion Picture Expert Group)

• File format for video

Multimedia

• Information that is combination of graphics, text, sound, video and animation
• Integration of two or more types of information (text, images, audio, video, animation) in single application

Multitasking

• Execution of more than one program apparently at same time on computer
• Allows more than one program to be run concurrently
• Example: Linux, Unix, Windows 95

Multi-user

• Allows two or more users to run programs at same time
• Examples: Unix, Linux, Windows 2000/7

N

NAD (National Academic Depository)

• Initiative of UGC providing online store house of all academic awards
• Certificates, diplomas, degrees, mark sheets stored
• Ensures easy access, retrieval and safe storage of documents

Narrowband

• Term used to describe slow-speed connection to Internet
• Normally via modem and less than or equal to 64 Kbps

Navigation

• Process of finding your way around series of menus within computer program
• Finding way around World Wide Web by means of browser

NDL (National Digital Library)

• Project at IIT Kharagpur under NMEICT by MHRD
• More than 72 lakh digital books available through NDL
• Accessible through mobile as well

Netbook

• Small, lightweight computer
• Smaller than laptop computer
• Long battery life
• Ideal for travelling
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Optimized for browsing web and email

Netiquette

• Etiquette on internet
• Code of behavior for people communicating by email via internet

Netizen

• Term used to describe someone who uses network resources

Netscape

• An early web browser
• First appeared in 1994, shortly after World Wide Web went public

Network

• System of interconnected computers
• Group of two or more computers which are connected together to share information and resources
• Allows sharing of files as well as devices

Network Topology

• Geometric arrangement of computer system
• Each computer system in topology is known as node

Types:

1. Bus Topology: Single cable line to which all nodes are connected
2. Ring or Circular Topology: Each node connected in circular way to exactly two other nodes
3. Star Topology: Peripheral nodes connected to central node (hub)
4. Mesh Topology: Every node has dedicated point-to-point link to every other node
5. Tree Topology: Hybrid network topology where star networks are interconnected via bus networks

Newsgroups

• An area on computer network, especially Internet, devoted to discussion of specified topic

NIC (Network Interface Card)

• Hardware for network connectivity

Ning

• A platform that enables you to create your own social network

NLP (Natural Language Processing)

• General term describing use of computers to process information expressed in natural human languages

NMEICT (National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology)

• Centrally sponsored scheme to realize potential of ICT in teaching-learning process
• Main objectives: Content generation and connectivity along with provision for access devices
• Many universities provided 1 Gbps connectivity
• More than 14,000 colleges provided VPN connectivity

Non-Impact Printers

• Use chemical and inkjet technique
• Print high quality images
• Examples: Inkjet printer, thermal printer, laser printer, electromagnetic printer, electrostatic printer

NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning)

• Initiated by seven IITs and IISc in 2003
• Five core disciplines identified initially
• Developed 235 courses in web/video format in Phase I
• Additional 600 web and video courses created in Phase II (2009-14)

NSFNET

• Created by National Science Foundation in mid-80s
• More capable than ARPANET
• Only allowed academic research, not private business

NTSC (National Television System Committee)

• Mainly used in North American countries (USA and Canada)
• First colored TV broadcast system
• Also used in parts of Asia such as Japan

O

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

• Software used with scanner to convert printed text into digital format

Octal Number System

• Consists of 8 digits from 0 to 7
• Also known as base 8 system
• Each position represents successive power of eight

Offline

• Refers to state in which computer is temporarily or permanently unable to communicate with another computer

Online

• Refers to state of being connected to networked computer system or Internet

Online Learning

• Use of internet to follow course that usually results in award of diploma or certificate

OILS (Open and Integrated Learning System)

• Variant of Integrated Learning System
• Word "Open" means extra dimension

Open Source

• Used to describe software provided free of charge along with original source code
• Anyone can modify, improve and work in ways that reflect their own preferences
• Example: Moodle

Open Source Software

• Refers to something that can be modified and shared as its design is publicly accessible
• Software whose source code is available for modification or enhancement by anyone
• Must meet certain criteria:
  • Software must be available free or at low cost
  • Source code must be included
  • Anyone must be allowed to modify source code
  • Modified versions can be redistributed
• Examples: Linux, Open Office, Apache HTTP Server, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Python

Operating System (OS)

• Software or series of programs which perform various types of functions to manage and organize files
• First program run on computer when computer boots up
• Controls all other resources of computer
• Can be 16-bit, 32-bit or 64-bit

Functions:

• Process management
• Memory management
• File management
• Input/output management

Types:

• Single-user: Allows only one user at a time (e.g., MS-DOS, Windows XP)
• Multi-user: Allows two or more users to run programs at same time (e.g., Unix, Linux, Windows 2000/7)
• Multi-tasking: Allows more than one program to be run concurrently (e.g., Linux, Unix, Windows 95)
• Multi-processing: Supports running program on more than one CPU (e.g., Unix, Windows NT/2000)
• Real-time: Used for real-time based applications (e.g., Linux, HP-RT)

Main Categories:

• Unix/BSD (Unix system V, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, IRIX, BSD distros)
• GNU/Linux (Linux, Google Chrome OS)
• Windows (2000, XP, Vista, 7, CE)
• Mac OS (Mac OS X)
• Embedded and Real-Time OS
• Experimental (Oberon/Bluebottle, Amoeba, Plan 9)

Optical Character Recognition

• See OCR

Orkut

• A part of group communication

Output Devices

• Send processed results to user
• Mainly used to display desired result to user as per input instructions

Examples:

• Monitor (CRT, LCD, LED, 3-D, TFT)
• Printers (Impact and Non-Impact)
• Plotter
• Speaker
• Headphones
• Projector

P

PAL (Phase Alternating Line)

• Video signal standard
• Increased bandwidth allows for better picture quality
• Analogue TV format used in majority of western Europe and other major areas
• Used in China, India, Australia and South America

PAN (Personal Area Network)

• Computer network used for communication among computers and different IT devices close to one person

Pascal

• Developed in 1970 by Niklaus Wirth
• Used for Education

Pathname

• Specifies exactly position of file on disc
• Consists of at least three parts: drive letter, directory, and filename
• Example: c:\windows\user.exe

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

• Handheld device that combines computing, audio communication, browsing and networking features
• Serves as organizer for personal information

PDF (Portable Document Format)

• File type created by Adobe
• Allows fully formatted documents to be transmitted across Internet
• Viewed on any computer that has Adobe Acrobat Reader software

Pen/Thumb Drive

• Also known as flash drive
• Data storage device consisting of flash memory with portable USB interface

Peripheral Devices

• Any device that can be connected to computer
• Includes monitors, keyboards, mouse, webcams, drawing pads, joystick, modems, printers, scanners, interactive whiteboards, drive wheel

Personal Computer (PC)

• See Microcomputer

Phishing

• Illicit attempt to trick individuals into handing over personal, confidential information
• Characterized by attempting to fraudulently acquire sensitive information such as passwords, credit cards details
• Requests often seem legitimate
• Can be perpetrated by phone, email, or internet

PIB (Press Information Bureau)

• Nodal agency of Government of India to disseminate information to print and electronic media
• Headquarters in New Delhi
• Has eight regional offices
• Activities classified into three categories: Information, Education and Communication (I.E.C.)

PIC (Public Information Campaign)

• Held to disseminate information directly to target beneficiaries through flagship programmes of Union Government

Pixel

• Contraction of picture element
• Smallest element (a dot) on display screen

Platform

• Often used as alternative term for computer system including both hardware and software
• Platform-independent software can be run on any computer

Platform-independent

• Describes software that can be run on any computer

Plotter

• Output device for producing graphics

PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

• Graphics format specifically designed for use on WWW
• Enables compression of images without loss of quality including high-resolution images

Podcast

• Term takes name from combination of iPod and broadcasting
• Can simply be downloaded to computer and played using standard media player program

Pointing Device

• Device which allows control of position of cursor on computer screen by physical manipulation of device in different directions

POP (Post Office Protocol)

• Standard protocol for receiving E-mail
• Client/server protocol where E-mail is received and held by Internet server

Pop-up

• Small window that appears within program or over web page to deliver additional information
• Often used for unwanted advertising material

Portal

• Web page, website or service that acts as link or entrance to other websites on internet
• Typically includes annotated catalogue of websites
• May also include search engine, e-mail facilities, forum and other services

PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)

• Dial account which puts computer directly on Internet
• Protocol for internet connections

Prasar Bharati

• Statutory autonomous body established under Prasar Bharati Act
• Board came into existence in 1997
• Public service broadcaster of country
• Objective achieved through All India Radio (AIR) and DD (Doordarshan)

Presentation Practice Production (PPP)

• Long-established approach to language teaching
• Consists of three main phases: presentation phase, practice phase, production phase

Press Council of India (PCI)

• Quasi-judicial authority mandated by Parliament
• Preserves freedom of press
• Maintains and improves standard of newspapers and news agencies in India
• Located in Delhi
• PCI Act, 1978 provides for reconstitution of council every three years

Press Trust of India (PTI)

• Founded in 1947, started services in 1949
• Non-profit sharing cooperative owned by country's newspapers
• Mandate to provide efficient and unbiased news to all subscribers
• Biggest news agency of India

Primary Storage

• See Memory Unit - Primary Memory

Printer

• Mechanical device for printing computer's output on paper
• Provides hard copy

Types:

• Impact Printers
• Non-Impact Printers

Program

• Set of instructions for performing particular task
• Set of computer programs which provides step-by-step instructions to get job done
• Written program is called source program
• Source program converted into machine language is called object program

Programming Language

• Set of keywords, symbols and system of rules for constructing statements
• Humans can communicate instructions to be executed by computer

Categories:

1. Low Level Language:Designed to operate and handle entire instruction set
   • Machine Language
   • Assembly Language
2. Medium Level Language: Bridge between raw hardware and programming layer
3. High Level Language: Designed to simplify computer language (e.g., Basic, C, FORTRAN, Java, Pascal)

PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory)

• Memory chip in which you can store program
• Once PROM has been used, cannot be wiped clean and used to store something else
• Non-volatile like ROMs

Protocol

• Set of rules that govern data communications
• Set of rules to perform specific task

Examples:

• TCP/IP
• SMTP
• POP3
• IMAP
• FTP
• HTTP
• Telnet Protocol
• Usenet Protocol
• PPP
• WAP
• VoIP

PTI (Press Trust of India)

• See entry above

Public Domain

• Material that is either copyright free or whose copyright has expired or which cannot be copyrighted

PVP (Portable Video Player)

• Portable device for playing videos

Q

QR Code (Quick Response Code)

• Two-dimensional barcode
• Can store variety of different types of information (text, website URL, telephone number, SMS message, email address)

QWERTY

• One of standard computer keyboards
• Characters Q, W, E, R, T and Y on top row of letters

R

RAM (Random Access Memory)

• See detailed entry under Memory Unit

Registers

• Within CPU, number of high-speed, special-purpose memory units
• Carry out critical functions in execution of programmes
• Used for storing small information
• Temporary storage for quick, direct accessibility of small amount of data for processing

Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI)

• Office came into being in 1956
• Mandatory for all newspapers and magazines to get registered with RNI
• Head office in New Delhi

Relative Link

• Term used mainly by web authors
• In HTML document, indicates location of file relative to document
• Whereas absolute link specifies full URL

Repurpose

• To reuse content in different way from that which was originally intended

Response Analysis

• Feature of CALL programs
• Computer attempts to diagnose nature of errors learner makes and branch to remedial exercises

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

• Technology for automatic identification

Ring Topology

• See Network Topology

Rip

• To extract or copy data from one format to another

RNI (Registrar of Newspapers for India)

• See entry above

ROM (Read Only Memory)

• See detailed entry under Memory Unit

Root Directory

• Topmost directory in directory hierarchy
• All other directories are descended from it

Router

• Network device that enables network to reroute messages it receives that are intended for other networks
• Device (or software) that determines next network point to which data packets should be forwarded towards destination
• Hardware device that connects computers to network or connects one network with another network

RSS

• Development in internet technology
• Enables users to subscribe to websites that change or add content regularly (e.g., news sites, blogs, nings, podcasts, Wikis)
• Makes use of software that presents new additions

RTF (Rich Text Format)

• Alternative way of storing document created by word-processor

S

Sakshat Portal

• Launched in 2006
• One-stop education portal for addressing all education and learning related needs
• Developed at IGNOU by NIC
• Provides links to vast knowledge resources, educational news, examination alerts, sample papers
• Has in-built repository of educational resources and online testing facility

Sampling

• Term refers to taking value of waveform (e.g., sound wave or video signal)

SAN (Storage Area Network)

• Also known as server area network

Satellite

• Communication works through transponder
• Connection option for internet

Scanner

• Electronic device that uses light-sensing equipment to scan paper images
• Translates images into signals
• Input device

Scroll

• To move up and down or from side to side through document or window to view or access all of its contents

SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line)

• Provides same bandwidth in both directions

Search Engine

• Program that searches documents for specified keywords
• Returns list of documents where keywords were found
• Website that provides required data on specific topics
• Software that makes it possible to look for and retrieve information on Internet
• Turns web into powerful tool for finding information on any topic

Popular Search Engines:

• Google (http://www.google.com)
• AltaVista (http://www.altavista.com)
• Yahoo (http://www.yahoo.com)
• Hotbot (http://www.hotbot.com)
• Lycos (http://www.lycos.com)
• Excite (http://www.excite.com)
• WebCrawler (http://www.webcrawler.com)

Meta Search Engine: Search tool that sends user requests to several other search engines and aggregates results

• Examples: All4one, MetaCrawler

Secondary Storage

• See Memory Unit - Secondary Memory

SECAM (Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire)

• Also known as sequential color with memory
• Used mainly in France and many other western European countries
• Uses same bandwidth as PAL but transmits color information sequentially

Semantic Web

• Allows user to search Web in more sophisticated way

Server

• Computer which provides services to other computers (known as clients)
• Computer that shares its resources and information with other computers on network

Setup Program

• Program that enables user to set up a program

Shockwave Player

• Software developed by Adobe
• Helps containing interactive multimedia materials to be played on web

Silicon Chip

• Encased piece of extremely pure silicon onto which electronic circuits are etched
• Used for manufacturing chips

SIMM (Serial in Memory Module)

• Type of memory module

Single-user

• Operating system that allows only one user at a time
• Example: MS-DOS

Smartphone

• Advanced mobile phone offering wide range of applications
• Functions as mobile phone, media player, camera, GPS navigation device, web browser
• Example: Apple's iPhone

Smiley

• In e-mail messages, facial expression constructed sideways with standard characters
• Also referred to as emoticon (emotions with icons)

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

• Standard protocol for E-mail services on TCP/IP network
• Provides ability to send and receive mail messages
• Protocol used specifically for exchange of e-mails

Social Learning

• Understanding of Web 1.0, Web 2.0 and Web 3.0

Web 1.0:

• First stage of World Wide Web evolution
• Static pages
• Content served from server's file-system
• Pages built using Server Side Includes or CGI
• Frames and Tables used to position elements

Web 2.0:

• Highlights user-generated content, usability and interoperability
• Participative social web
• Uses AJAX and JavaScript frameworks
• Features: Free sorting of information, Dynamic content, Information flows by evaluation, Developed APIs, Web access to wider variety of users
• Tools: Podcasting, Blogging, Tagging, Curating with RSS, Social bookmarking, Social networking, Social media, Web content voting

Web 3.0:

• Evolution of web utilization and interaction
• Altering Web into database
• Features: Semantic Web, Artificial Intelligence, 3D Graphics, Connectivity, Ubiquity

Social Media

• Term describing variety of Web 2.0 applications
• Enable people to share images, audio recordings, video recordings through web
• Initiate discussions about them

Social Networking

• Term applied to type of website where people can seek others who share their interests
• Find out what's going on in their areas of interest
• Share information with one another
• Examples: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MySpace

Software

• Collection of computer programs and related data
• Provides instructions for telling computer what to do and how to do
• Interface between user and computer
• Set of programs, procedures, algorithms and associated documents
• Orders what to do, when to do and how to do

Categories:

1. System Software
2. System Utilities
3. Application Software
4. Open Source Software

Spam

• Unsolicited e-mail advertisements
• Internet equivalent of junk mail
• Abuse of messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk message in form of E-mails
• Also called junk E-mails
• Collection of unwanted mails including threats, promotional mails

Spambot

• Program designed to collect email addresses from internet to build mailing lists for sending spam

Splog

• Splog site creator (splogger) sets up blog that plagiarizes content from other sites
• May consist of hundreds of blogs with plagiarized content containing multiple links

SPOOL (Simultaneous Peripheral Operations Online)

• Output is not directly sent to printer
• First transferred to intermediary storage medium such as disk file
• Can be stored in separate files and printed later

Spyware

• Term may be used synonymously with adware
• Implies sinister motives on part of person who dumped it onto computer
• Program installed on computer system to spy on system owner's activity
• Collects information which is misused afterwards

SRAM (Static RAM)

• Type of RAM that contains its contents only whenever current supply is ON
• A category of RAM

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

• Protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents through internet

Star Topology

• See Network Topology

Stopover

• Indicates pause or checkpoint in learning material

Super Computer

• Fastest and most expensive machines
• High processing speed measured in FLOPS
• Mostly used for applications requiring intensive numerical computations
• Used for stock analysis, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, electronic design, analyzing geological data
• Can process billions of instructions per second
• Examples: CRAY 1, PARAM, Tata's EKA

SVGA (Super Video Graphics Adaptor)

• Used to control output on computer display screen

SWAYAM (Study Web of Active learning for Young Aspiring Minds)

• Indian massive open online course platform
• Launched by MHRD under Digital India on 9th July, 2017
• Gives free entry to all courses including higher education, high school and skill sector
• Online portal swayam.gov.in

SWAYAM Prabha

• Initiative of MHRD
• Provides 32 High Quality Educational Channels through DTH 24x7
• Curriculum-based course content covering diverse disciplines
• Aims to make quality learning resources accessible to remote areas

Synchronisation

• Method ensures receiving end can recognize characters in order in which transmitting end sends them in serial data transmission

System Software

• See detailed entry under Software

System Utilities

• See detailed entry under Software

T

Tablet Computer

• Compact portable computer making use of touchscreen instead of keyboard
• Example: Apple's iPad

Tag

• Labeling has become common in social media
• Labels that briefly describe what media or references are about
• Help other people find them quickly
• Also used in HTML to define how on-screen text is rendered by browser

Tandem Learning (Buddy Learning)

• Form of learning where two language learners pair up to learn each other's language
• May take place face-to-face or through internet

Task Based Learning (TBL)

• Approach to learning where learner acquires knowledge by focusing on specified task

TBL (Task Based Learning)

• See entry above

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

• Provides reliable transport service
• Ensures message sent from sender to receiver is properly routed
• Divides data into data packets for sending and receiving
• Specifies rules for reassembling data and damage-free delivery

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

• Set of communication protocols used for Internet
• Necessary if one is to connect to LAN

Teleconferencing

• Virtual conference with participants in different locations
• Via telephone (audio-conferencing) or video (videoconferencing)

TELL (Technology-Enhanced Language Learning)

• Term in language education

Telnet

• Protocol that allows computer to connect with remote host computer on internet
• Program which allows you to log in to remote host computer
• Carry out same commands as if using terminal at host site

Template

• Pre-established format for document stored in computer

Terabyte (TB)

• About trillion bytes
• Actually 2 to 40th power or 1099511627776 bytes
• 1024 GB = 1 TB
• Largest unit of storage among common measurements

Text File

• Data file consisting entirely of printable ASCII characters (plain unformatted text)
• Often have .txt extension
• Contents can be viewed using programs like Windows Notepad

TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol)

• Protocol that allows transferring files between network devices

Thuraya IP+

• Portable terminals providing internet connectivity and voice communications in remote locations using satellite connections
• Similar to BGAN

TIFF or TIF (Tag Image File Format)

• Image file format

Time Sharing

• Technique that allows many people at terminals to access same computer concurrently
• Allocation of computer resources in time-dependent fashion to run several programs simultaneously

Toolbar

• Kind of Menu Bar
• Mostly located at top of computer screen
• Contains icons for most commonly-used commands in application

Topology

• See Network Topology

Total Cloze

• Activity in which complete text is reduced to sets of blanks

Touchscreen

• Display screen which enables computer system to react to touch of finger
• Examples: smartphones and tablet computers

Trainspotter

• Colloquial term often used to describe someone fascinated by technology of computers
• Not particularly interested in their applications

Tree Topology

• See Network Topology

Trojan

• Usually malicious programs that install themselves or run surreptitiously on victim's machine
• Non-self replicating type of malware
• Appears to perform desirable function but facilitates unauthorized access

Troll

• Intentionally posts derogatory or provocative messages in online community
• Baits other users into responding

U

UGC (University Grants Commission)

• Body dealing with higher education in India

Unicode

• Unicode Worldwide Character Standard
• Character coding system designed to support interchange, processing and display of written texts of diverse languages of modern world

Unified Messaging

• Combination of different media into one channel
• User can access information from different media using single device
• Common in mobile communication

UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)

• First generation computer
• Universal automatic computer

Unix

• Operating system widely used on large computer systems
• Many web servers are hosted on Unix
• PC version called Linux
• Has become popular as alternative to Windows

UNI (United News of India)

• Incorporated in 1959, started functioning in 1961
• Started first news agency in India with full-fledged Hindi wire service called Univarta in 1982
• First-ever service in Urdu
• Distributes world news from Reuters

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

• Also known as web address
• Contains location of resource on internet
• Unique name identifying location of specific web page on Internet
• Identifies location of specific web page on Internet
• Address of document or page on WWW
• Created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991

Components:

• Protocol identifier (e.g., http)
• World Wide Web (www)
• Domain name (e.g., google.com)
• Directory (e.g., /services/)
• Web page (e.g., index.htm)

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

• Plug and play interface allowing computer to communicate with peripheral and other devices
• Means of connecting wide range of devices through cable to computer
• Examples of devices: digital cameras, camcorders, iPods, mobile phones, scanners, printers

USB Flash Drive

• See Flash Drive

Usenet Protocol

• Service allows group of Internet users to exchange views/ideas and information on common topic

Utility Software

• See detailed entry under Software

V

Vector Graphic

• Method of creating graphic images on computer
• Tells to draw lines in particular positions

Veronica (Very Easy Rodent-Oriented Netwide Index to Computer Archives)

• Provides capability of searching for text appearing in gopher menus
• Searches through thousands of gopher sites

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

• Standard for computer display

VHF (Very High Frequency)

• Designated term for range of radio waves between 30 and 300 MHz
• VHF radio covers short distances, extendable through VHF repeaters

Video-conferencing

• See detailed entry earlier

Video Memory

• Dynamic memory available for computer's display screen
• Greater amount of memory allows greater color depth and resolution

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

• Web-based package designed to help teachers create online courses
• Facilities for teacher-learner communication and peer-to-peer communication

Virtual Memory

• Illusion of extremely large main memory
• Allows execution of processes not completely in main memory
• Expands physical memory onto hard drive

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• Links between nodes carried by virtual circuits in larger network (e.g., Internet) instead of physical wires
• Allows remote offices or users to enjoy secure access to organization's network using internet or public telecommunications

Virtual Reality

• Simulation of environment by presentation of 3D moving images and associated sounds
• Gives user impression of being able to move around within simulated environment

Virus

• See detailed entry under Malware

VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)

• See entry above

Vodcast

• Short form for video podcast
• Podcast incorporating video as well as audio features

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

• Allows delivery of voice communication over IP networks
• Audio communication using internet instead of telephones
• Examples: Skype, Ventrilo
• Converts voice calls from analogue to digital
• Another name for internet telephony

Volatile Memory

• Type of computer memory that is temporary in nature
• Stores data inside it only until power is supplied

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

• See entry above

VRML (Virtual Reality Mark-up Language)

• Allows display of 3D images

VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal)

• Typically 1.8 m to 3.8 m in diameter
• Fixed satellite communication system or earth station with antenna
• Accesses satellites to provide internet connectivity in remote locations

W

WAIS (Wide Area Information Server)

• Helpful in locating information

WAN (Wide Area Network)

• Spans large locality and connects countries together
• Network of large number of computers covering wide geographical area
• Example: Internet
• Can efficiently connect large number of computers using communications satellites

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)

• System enabling users to browse online services through special type of mobile phone
• Mobile phone equivalent of WWW
• Commonly used web browser for small mobile devices such as cell phones

Webcam

• Input device for video capture

Webmail

• Facility for creating, sending and receiving messages through internet

Webquest

• Task-oriented activity
• Learner draws on material from different websites to achieve specific goal

Webserver

• Computer or software package running on computer that delivers web pages to clients
• Computer program that requests HTML pages or files
• Every web server connected to Internet is given unique IP address

Website

• Area on WWW where organization or individual stores collection of pages of material
• Pages usually interlinked with one another and with other websites
• Has unique web address or URL
• Group of web pages that follow same theme and are connected with hyperlinks

Web 2.0

• See detailed entry under Social Learning

Web 3.0

• See detailed entry under Social Learning

Web Address

• See URL

Web Browser

• See Browser

Web Page

• Backbone of World Wide Web made of files containing information and links
• Created using HTML
• Two main types: static and dynamic
• Main or first page of website is home page

Web whacking

• Involves saving entire websites for offline use

Widgets

• Small programming codes that users can add to web page, personalized home page, web browser, desktop, blog or social network
• Mostly embedded within image file
• Used to enhance look and feel of website

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

• Also known as high-frequency wireless local area network
• Systems use high-frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of several hundred feet
• Many hotels, educational institutions, railways and airports offer Wi-Fi access

Wiki

• Website or similar online resource allowing anyone to set up resource where content can be created collectively
• Allows anyone who views Wiki to add or edit existing content
• Also refers to software used to create such website

Wikipedia

• Best known example of Wiki
• Collaboratively written encyclopedia

Windows

• Name of range of several different Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating systems produced by Microsoft Corporation
• Developed in 1985 as add-on to MS-DOS
• Most recent client version is Windows 10

Wireless Connection

• See Internet connection options

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

• Uses radio waves as carrier
• Areas may range from single room to entire office
• Links two or more devices using wireless distribution method
• Provides connection through access point to wider internet

Wizard

• Software that guides user step-by-step through complex task
• Such as setting up software on network or configuring printer

WMA (Windows Media Audio)

• Audio file format

Workstations

• Powerful, single-user computers
• Have capacity to store and process large quantities of data
• Can only be used by one person at time
• Typically linked together to form LAN
• Lie between personal computers and minicomputers in computing power
• Support applications requiring high-quality graphics and lot of memory

WorldCALL

• Worldwide umbrella association for CALL
• Helps countries currently not deserving in applications of ICT

World Wide Web (WWW)

• Introduced on 13th March, 1989, by Tim Berners-Lee
• Component of internet that combines audio, video and graphics with text
• Also called web or WWW
• Subset of internet
• Collection of documents and applications residing on internet servers
• System of Internet servers supporting hypertext and multimedia
• Way of exchanging information between computers on Internet
• Backbone made of files called 'pages' or 'web pages'
• Became public service in 1993

Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C)

• International non-profit organization
• Acts as resource centre for World Wide Web
• Active in setting technical standards

Worm

• See detailed entry under Malware

www

• See World Wide Web

X

XML (eXtensible Markup Language)

• Specification as per demand from WWW Consortium (W3C)
• Allows web designers to create their own language for displaying documents on web

Y

Yottabyte (YB)

• 1024 ZB = 1 YB

Z

Zettabyte (ZB)

• 1024 EB = 1 ZB

Zip

• Used as verb to describe process of compacting files or programs
• Cuts down amount of storage space required by compressing them into one tightly-packed file
• Makes easier to transport on floppy discs or transmit electronically
• Proprietary programs like WinZip or WinRar can be used
• Zipped files recognized by extension .zip or .rar
• Must be unzipped before use

Zip Drive

• Type of disc drive that accepts portable zip discs
• Zip drives themselves are also portable
• Can be connected to almost any computer