Jargon

Jargon, eh? Boring, but necessary. If you don't know your bits from your bytes, here's our constantly updating guide to the jargon you'll need to know.

Blog - Short for 'weblog' ie a website that updates regularly. Can be used as a diary, professionally or for anything you like and can often be published to the world for free.

Blu-ray - this is the new type of DVD forma called a Blu-ray disc. These can be played on a Blu-ray player. Blu-ray discs often contain extra features. I can't remember why it is called Blu-ray but it sounds nice, doesn't it?

Cookies - Not a biscuit, sorry. Cookies are programs that run on your PC. They allow the PC to, for example, remember passwords and for websites to remember your details. There are, however, some bad cookies out there. See 'spyware'.

DAB - Digital Audio Broadcast - this is a new way of transmitting radio signals and is said to have a better quality signal than an analogue transmission.

Desktop PC - literally one that is on your desk possibly with a seperate monitor, mouse and keyboard. Too big to pop in your bag.

Digital camera - a camera that does not use film but instead saves photos to an internal hardrive or memory card.

Digital switchover - TVs used to receive an analogue signal. In the UK the switchover is underway so that TVs will only receive a digital transmission. The process will be completed region by region until 2012. Some TVs will become redundant, some can be upgraded with a digital set top box so that they will still work.

Digital zoom - This isn't a true zoom. Digital zoom crops the picture to make pictures seem bigger. if you want a crisper shot with a true zoom, go for optical zoom instead.

DVD - Flat disc generally for recording and watching movies. To be used in a DVD player. Some DVD players also play CDs.

Eco - an eco gadget must have some sort of 'green' credential such as recycled elements or packaging, low energy consumption, solar or wind power and the like.

Email - a digital letter that can be written like a formal letter 'Dear You... blah blah... best wishes, Me.'

Facebook - social networking site. Technoglam has a page - join us?!

GB - gigabyte - the unit for measuring file sizes. See also: MB

Hard drive - This stores all your PCs data - your files and programs - and could be called its brain. Hard disk drive means the same thing.

HD - High definition - This is the new format for TV viewing. It has more lines than normal TV so you'll see a better picture.

MB - megabyte - the unit for measuring a computer's memory.

Megapixel - you'll find this term most commonly used in digital photography. A pixel is a dot, a megapixel is a million of these so 5megapixels means 5 million pixels. The higher the number the better the resolution. If you want to take standard 6x4 snaps, get a digital camera with over 3MP.

Memory card - a small card, a bit bigger than your thumbnail, that records data. Can be used with computers, digital cameras and other digital devices. Memory cards come in different formats such as SD and SDHC.

Memory stick - A USB device that gives extra memory to digital devices such as a computer via the USB port. Also called pen drive, flash drive or that dratted thing when you can't find it amongst other names. 

Mouse - small furry thing that eats cheese or the device that attaches to your PC and lets you do stuff like move the cursor.

MP3 - this is a popular type of digital music format. MP3 files can be played on computers and MP3 players.

MP3 player - This is the digital player that stores and plays MP3 music files. An iPod is a MP3 player.  

Optical zoom - When you want to take distance photos, you'll need to zoom in. This function keeps all the picture and gives a crisper shot. If you get a choice, go for optical zoom over digital zoom.

Netiquette - etiquette for the net, the ins and outs of polite behaviour and good form.

PC - personal computer. You totally knew that!

Peripherals - all the extra bits for your PC such as mice, keyboards, speakers.

Phishing - 'phishers' try to steal your data to commit fraud by conning you into handing over your passwords with fake emails asking for personal details like name, address, date of birth, bank details etc. These emails can be very clever. If in any doubt, don't click through to the provided web address in the email and don't input any details.

Q1 - Release dates for for new gadgets are divided into four categories. Q1 is Jan, Feb, March; Q2 April, May, June; Q3 July, August, September and Q4 October, November, December.

RAM - Random Access Memory (also known merely as memory). This is what the PC uses to run programs be they on your hard drive, CD drive or wherever. Not to be confused with boy sheep.

Skype - instant messaging and video calling software that can be used on your PC to make free calls to other Skype-enabled PCs.

Social networking - Communicating via the web be it by email, chatting on a web forum or taking part in a website like MySpace or Facebook or even writing your own blog.

Software - It's the program that allows your PC to do stuff eg Windows Home Office or iTunes. There's tons of software out there.

Spyware - Bad stuff! Spyware are malicious programs that can steal your data. You must have Internet security installed and regularly run on your PC to catch and delete them.

Technoglam - gorgeous tech for clever people like you.

Twitter - online social networking tool that allows you to send short updates in real time to friends and followers on the site.

USB - Universal Serial Bus. This is the port (socket) on your PC that allows you to attach a cable from your PC to your other gadgets eg iPod, digital camera, mobile phone etc, for the purposes of transferring information. It can also connect devices such as mice and keyboards.

VHS - whaaaat? You still have VHS? Why not upgrade to a DVD player or, even better, check out Blu-ray.

Web 2.0 - new and innovative uses of the internet such as blogging, video blogging, podcasts, Twitter and social entworking sites.

Weblog - see 'blog'

WiFi - a way of transmitting to the internet wirelessly. You may see 'WiFi hotspot' advertised in cafes, trains etc. Some of these hotspots are free to access so you can use the Internet within a certain radious whilst on the move. Be careful what you transmit or look at online in these instances.