Personal computing

Terms related to personal computers, including definitions about computers sold as consumer products and words and phrases about laptops, tablets and smartphones.

HAR - MIC

hard reset (factory reset; master reset) - A hard reset, also known as a factory reset or master reset, is the restoration of a device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to its state when it left the factory.
hard-drive encryption - Hard-drive encryption is a technology that encrypts the data stored on a hard drive using sophisticated mathematical functions.
HDMI - HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a specification that combines video and audio into a single digital interface for use with digital versatile disc (DVD) players, digital television (DTV) players, set-top boxes, and other audiovisual devices.
HDTV (high definition television) - HDTV (high definition television) is a television display technology that provides picture quality similar to 35 mm.
head tracking - Head tracking is a software application that monitors a user’s head position and orientation.
heads-up display (HUD) - A heads-up display (HUD) is a transparent or miniaturized display technology that does not require users to shift their gaze from where they are naturally looking.
home server - A home server is a computer that functions as a server in a client-server home network.
honey monkey - A honey monkey is a virtual computer system that is programmed to lure, detect, identify and neutralize malicious activity on the Internet.
host (in computing) - A host is a computer or other device that communicates with other hosts on a network.
Host OS (host operating system) - A host OS is the software installed on a computer that interacts with the underlying hardware in a computer using virtualization technology.
hosting (website hosting, web hosting and webhosting) - Web hosting -- also known as website hosting or webhosting -- is the process where a web hosting provider stores and maintains website files and applications on a server to make its customers' websites accessible on the internet.
hot key - A hot key is a key or a combination of keys on a computer keyboard that, when pressed at one time, performs a task (such as starting an application) more quickly than by using a mouse or other input device.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) - HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the set of rules for transferring files -- such as text, images, sound, video and other multimedia files -- over the web.
HyperTerminal - HyperTerminal is a communications and terminal emulation program that came with the Windows 98 and Windows XP operating systems.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol daemon (HTTPD) - On the Web, each server has an HTTPD or Hypertext Transfer Protocol daemon that waits in attendance for requests to come in from the rest of the Web.
iBeacon - iBeacon is a small-scale network device that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and acts as a transmitter to detect and track smartphones.
iCloud - Apple's free iCloud service stores subscribers' photos, videos, documents, apps and more and updates everything across users' synced devices.
icon - In today's age of technological advancement, most people recognize the word 'icon' as referring to a small selectable or nonselectable image representing or leading to something else in a computer's graphical user interface (GUI) or on the web.
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) - IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) is an electronic interface standard that defines the connection between a bus on a computer's motherboard and the computer's disk storage devices.
IFTTT (If This Then That) - IFTTT is an online service that automates Web-based tasks so that if one specified event occurs, another is triggered.
ILOVEYOU virus - The ILOVEYOU virus comes in an email with 'ILOVEYOU' in the subject line and contains an attachment that, when opened, results in the message being re-sent to everyone in the recipient's Microsoft Outlook address book.
image - An image is a visual representation of something, while a digital image is a binary representation of visual data.
image compression - Image compression is a process applied to a graphics file to minimize its size in bytes without degrading image quality below an acceptable threshold.
image metadata - Image metadata is text information pertaining to an image file that is embedded into the file or saved to a separate file that is associated with the image file.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) - Internet Message Access Protocol, or IMAP, is a standard email retrieval (incoming) protocol.
immersive technology - Immersive technology is an integration of virtual content with the physical environment in a way that allows the user to engage naturally with the blended reality.
immersive virtual reality (immersive VR) - Immersive virtual reality (immersive VR) is the presentation of an artificial environment that replaces users' real-world surroundings convincingly enough that they are able to suspend disbelief and fully engage with the created environment.
implied consent - Implied consent is an assumption of permission to do something that is inferred from an individual's actions rather than explicitly provided.
in-app purchase (IAP) - An in-app purchase (IAP) is something bought from within an application, typically a mobile app running on a smartphone or other mobile device.
inbound call - An inbound call is one that a customer initiates to a call center or contact center.
Inbox Zero - Inbox Zero is a rigorous approach to email management that aims to keep an inbox empty -- or almost empty -- at all times.
InfiniBand - InfiniBand is an industry standard communications specification the InfiniBand Trade Association (IBTA) developed.
information superhighway (infobahn) - Information superhighway is a term that was used mainly in the 1990s to describe a national communications network that would span the United States and allow Americans to quickly access and exchange information via voice, data, video and other services.
initialization vector - An initialization vector (IV) is an arbitrary number that can be used with a secret key for data encryption to foil cyber attacks.
inkjet printer - An inkjet printer is a computer peripheral that produces hard copies of a text document or photo by spraying droplets of ink onto paper.
inline frame (iframe) - An inline frame (iframe) is a HTML element that loads another HTML page within the document.
instance - In object-oriented programming (OOP), an instance is a specific realization of any object.
instant messaging - Instant messaging, often shortened to IM or IM'ing, is the exchange of near real-time messages through a standalone application or embedded software.
interactive whiteboard - An interactive whiteboard, also known as a smartboard, is an interactive display in the format of a whiteboard that reacts to user input either directly or through other devices.
interlaced display - An interlaced display, or interlaced scan video, is when a video only changes every other row of pixels in the image at each screen refresh.
Internet - The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer networks -- a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
internet metering - Internet metering is a service model in which an internet service provider (ISP) keeps track of bandwidth use and charges users accordingly.
Internet Movie Database (IMDb) - The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database that provides information to consumers about movies, TV and film industry professionals.
Internet porn - Internet porn is sexually explicit content made available online in various formats including images, video files, video games and streaming video.
Internet shill - An Internet shill is someone who promotes something or someone online for pay without divulging that they are associated with the entity they shill for.
interrupt marketing - Interrupt marketing is the traditional model of product promotion, in which people have to stop what they're doing to pay attention to the marketing message or deal with it in some other way.
interrupt request (IRQ) - An interrupt request (IRQ) is a signal sent to a computer's processor to momentarily stop (interrupt) its operations.
intranet - An intranet is a private network contained within an enterprise that is used to securely share company information and computing resources among employees.
iOS developer kit - The iOS software development kit (iOS SDK) is a collection of tools for the creation of apps for Apple’s mobile operating system.
IP address (Internet Protocol address) - Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical identifier for every device or network that connects to the internet.
iPad Air - Apple’s iPad Air is an iOS tablet that is lighter and thinner than the company’s previous tablets.
iPhone Configuration Utility - The iPhone Configuration Utility is free software for Windows and Mac OS X that lets an administrator control how an iOS device works within an enterprise IT network.
IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) - IPv6 is a set of specifications from the Internet Engineering Task Force that improves IPv4 by extending IP addresses from 32 bits to 128 bits.
IRL (in real life) - IRL (in real life) is an abbreviation used to explain when person is speaking about something real and outside the digital world of communication, gaming or virtual reality.
ISP (internet service provider) - An ISP (internet service provider) is a company that provides individuals and companies access to the internet and other related services.
iTunes U - iTunes U is a dedicated section of Apple's iTunes Music Store that features educational audio and video files from universities, museums and public media organizations for free download to PCs and mobile devices.
jailbreaking - Jailbreaking, in a mobile device context, is the use of an exploit to remove manufacturer or carrier restrictions from a device such as an iPhone or iPad.
Joomla! - Joomla! is a free open source website development and content management (CMS) platform.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is an ISO/IEC group of experts that develops and maintains standards for a suite of compression algorithms for computer image files.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) - JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a text-based, human-readable data interchange format used to exchange data between web clients and web servers.
keiretsu - In corporate culture, keiretsu refers to a uniquely Japanese form of corporate organization.
Ken Burns effect - Ken Burns effect is the use of still photographs along with zooming, panning and transitions such as fading as the base for video content.
kernel panic - A kernel panic refers to a computer error from which the system's operating system (OS) cannot quickly or easily recover.
keyboard wedge (KBW) - A keyboard wedge can be either a software program or an inserted hardware device that translates digital signals from a barcode reader or magnetic strip reader (MSR) into keyboard strokes for a computer.
Kindle Fire - Kindle Fire is a low-priced tablet computer from Amazon.
Klout score - A Klout score is a measure of a social influence that aggregates one's reach on various social media platforms.
LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) - LAMP is an open source Web development platform that uses Linux as the operating system, Apache as the Web server, MySQL as the relational database management system and PHP as the object-oriented scripting language.
laptop - A laptop, sometimes called a notebook computer by manufacturers, is a battery- or AC-powered personal computer (PC) smaller than a briefcase.
LARP (Live Action Role Playing) - LARP (Live Action Role Playing), also called LARPing, is a character-driven type of gameplay that is conducted in the physical world.
laser printer - A laser printer is a popular type of computer printer that uses a non-impact photocopier technology where there are no keys striking the paper.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) - LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is a type of flat panel display which uses liquid crystals in its primary form of operation.
leet speak (leet) - Leet speak, also known as simply leet, is the substitution of a word's letters with numbers or special characters.
Link Control Protocol (LCP) - In computer networking, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) provides a standard way to transport multiprotocol data over point-to-point links; within PPP, Link Control Protocol (LCP) establishes, configures and tests data link internet connections.
link spam - Link spam is the posting of out-of-context links on websites, discussion forums, blog comments, guestbooks or any other online venue that displays user comments.
liquid cooling - Liquid cooling is the reduction of heat in electronic and mechanical devices through exploiting the properties of liquids.
liquid immersion cooling - One of the simplest examples of liquid immersion cooling is taking a standard air-cooled computer's hardware and submerging it in mineral oil.
LMGTFY (Let Me Google That For You) - LMGTFY (Let Me Google That For You) is a website that creates a demonstration of how to conduct a user-specified Google search.
load balancing - Load balancing is a technique used to distribute network traffic across a pool of servers known as a server farm.
logo - A logo is a graphic image chosen to represent a company or organization and is uniquely designed for easy recognition.
longitudinal time code (LTC) - Longitidinal time code (LTC) is a timing signal that is part of an audio tape recording.
LPT (line print terminal) - LPT (line print terminal) is the usual designation for a parallel port connection to a printer or other device on a personal computer.
LTE (Long-Term Evolution) - LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a fourth-generation (4G) wireless standard that provides increased network capacity and speed for cellphones and other cellular devices compared with third-generation (3G) technology.
Luddite - A Luddite is a person resistant to increased industrialization or new technologies, especially computers.
MacBook Air - MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight laptop from Apple.
Macintosh - The Macintosh (often called "the Mac") was the first widely-sold personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI) and a mouse.
mail bomb - A mail bomb is a form of a denial-of-service (DoS) attack designed to overwhelm an inbox or inhibit a server by sending a massive number of emails to a specific person or system.
mail server (mail transfer/transport agent, MTA, mail router, internet mailer) - A mail server -- also known as a mail transfer agent, or MTA; mail transport agent; mail router; or internet mailer -- is an application that receives incoming email from local users and remote senders and forwards outgoing messages for delivery.
maker movement - The maker movement is a cultural trend that places value on an individual's ability to be a creator of things as well as a consumer of things.
malware - Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that is intentionally harmful to a computer, network or server.
MAPI over HTTP (Messaging Application Programming Interface over HTTP) - MAPI over HTTP is the default transport protocol to connect clients to Microsoft Exchange and Exchange Online.
massive open online course (MOOC) - A massive open online course (MOOC) is a free web-based distance learning program that is designed for large numbers of geographically dispersed students.
menu bar - The menu bar is the part of a browser or application window, typically at the top left side, that houses drop-down menus that allow the user to interact with the content or application in various ways.

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