Technology vocabulary
100 words to learn about technology.
computerTo use a computer.internetInternet access or connection; internet connectivity.softwareEncoded computer instructions, usually modifiable (unless stored in some form of unalterable memory such as ROM).keyboardA set of keys laid out in a grid-like pattern, used for typing on a typewriter, computer etc.screenA physical divider intended to block an area from view, or provide shelter from something dangerous.downloadTo transfer data to a given computer from a remote one via a network.uploadTo transfer data to a computer on a network, especially to a server on the Internet.passwordA string of characters used to log in to a computer or network, to access a level in a video game, and so on; archetypally a word but nowadays often an alphanumeric string or a phrase.websiteA collection of interlinked web pages on the World Wide Web that are typically accessible from the same base URL and reside on the same server.networkAny interconnected group or system.batteryA device used to power electric devices, consisting of one or more electrically connected electrochemical cells or (archaically) electrostatic cells.chargerA device that charges or recharges.wirelessNot having any wires.deviceAny piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially a mechanical or electrical one.applicationA computer program or the set of software that the end user perceives as a single entity as a tool for a well-defined purpose.digitalOf or relating to computers or the Information Age.gadgetAny device or machine, especially one whose name cannot be recalled, often either clever or complicated.browserAny other type of information browser.updateA change in information, a modification of existing or known data.storageThe act of storing goods; the state of being stored.backupA copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is damaged or destroyed.routerAny device that directs packets of information using the equivalent of Open Systems Interconnection layer 3 (network layer) information.headphonesA pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound.monitorA device similar to a television set used as to give a graphical display of the output from a computer.printerA device, usually attached to a computer, used to print text or images onto paper; an analogous device capable of producing three-dimensional objects.folderA virtual container in a computer's file system, in which files and other folders may be stored.serverA program that provides services to other programs or devices, either in the same computer or over a computer network.databaseA set of tables and other objects (queries, reports, forms) in the form of a structured data set.algorithmA collection of ordered steps that solve a mathematical problem.encryptionThe process of obscuring information to make it unreadable without special knowledge, key files, or passwords.bluetoothAn industrial specification for wireless personal area networks.notificationA message, alert, or signal displayed by a system or application to inform the user of an event, update, new message, etc.shortcutA path between two points that is faster than the commonly used paths.streamingThe transmission of digital audio or video, or the reception or playback of such data without first storing it.firewallThe software that monitors traffic in and out of a private network or a personal computer and allows or blocks such traffic depending on its perceived threat.megabyteOne million (10⁶, or 1,000,000) bytes or 1,000 kilobytes.processorA device which processes, which changes something (a computer processor, food processor, etc.).interfaceThe point of interconnection between systems or subsystems.usernameA name or string of characters used as a person's identification on an individual computer system.crashA sudden, intense, loud sound, as made for example by cymbals.rebootTo execute a computer's boot process, effectively resetting the computer and causing the operating system to reload, commonly after a system failure.installTo connect, set up or prepare something for use.syncTo synchronize, especially in the senses of data synchronization, time synchronization, or synchronizing music with video.offlineOf a system, currently not connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.hardwareFixtures, equipment, fasteners, tools, and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object.cursorA moving icon or other representation, usually called a pointer, of the position of the pointing device.pixelOne of the tiny dots that make up the representation of an image in a computer's memory.cableA long object used to make a physical connection.laptopA laptop computer.desktopThe main graphical user interface of an operating system, usually displaying icons, windows and background wallpaper.tabletA pill; a small, easily swallowed portion of a substance in solid form.smartphoneA mobile phone with more advanced features and greater computing capacity than a featurephone.webcamA video camera whose output may be viewed in real time over a computer network, originally the World Wide Web.microphoneA device (transducer) used to convert sound waves into a varying electric current; normally fed into an amplifier and either recorded or transmitted over radio.speakerOne who speaks.earbudsA small earphone designed to be placed in the ear canal for use with portable sound systems.joystickA mechanical control device consisting of a handgrip mounted on a base or pedestal and typically having one or more buttons, used to control an aircraft, computer, or other equipment.controllerOne who controls something.consoleAn instrument with displays and an input device that is used to monitor and control an electronic system.modemA device that encodes digital computer signals into analog telephone signals and vice versa, allowing computers to communicate over a phone line.adapterA device or application used to achieve operative compatibility between devices that otherwise are incompatible.antennaAn apparatus to receive or transmit electromagnetic waves and convert respectively to or from an electrical signal.satelliteA man-made apparatus designed to be placed in orbit around a celestial body, generally to relay information, data etc.broadbandAn Internet connection provisioned over an existing service using alternate signal frequencies such as ADSL or a cable modem.ethernetA computer network that complies with this set of standards.gigabyteOne billion (10⁹, or 1,000,000,000) bytes or 1,000 megabytes.terabyteOne trillion (10¹², or 1,000,000,000,000) bytes or 1,000 gigabytes.bandwidthThe rate of data flow in digital networks typically measured in bits per second; the bitrate.latencyA delay, an interval between the initiation of something and the occurrence.bufferingThe use of a buffer.cacheA fast temporary storage where recently or frequently used information is stored to avoid having to reload it from a slower storage medium.cookieA small, flat, baked good which is either crisp or soft but firm.bookmarkA strip of material used to mark a place in a book.hyperlinkSome text or a graphic in an electronic document that can be activated to display another document or trigger an action.domainA field or sphere of activity, influence or expertise.protocolA set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network.firmwareA permanent form of software that provides a low-level control of computing device hardware.malwareSoftware which has been designed to operate in a malicious, undesirable manner.spywarePrograms that surreptitiously monitor and report the actions of a computer user.virusA disease caused by such an infectious agent; a viral illness.antivirusA piece of software that is used to detect, delete and or neutralize computer-based viruses.hackerOne who uses a computer to gain unauthorized access to data stored in, or to carry out malicious attacks on, computer networks or computer systems.phishingThe act of circumventing security with an alias.spamUnsolicited bulk electronic messages.authenticationProof of identity required by a user to log on to some network or access some resource.biometricOf, relating to, or using biometrics.fingerprintThe natural pattern of ridges on the tips of human fingers, unique to each individual.passcodeA string of characters used for authentication on a digital device.loginThe process or an instance of logging in.logoutThe act or process of logging out.dashboardA panel beneath the windshield of a vehicle or aircraft containing indicator gauges, compartments, and sometimes controls and indicator lights.widgetA placeholder name for an unnamed, unspecified, or hypothetical manufactured good or product, typically as an example for purposes of explaining concepts.templateA generic model or pattern from which other objects are based or derived.layoutA structured arrangement of items within certain limits.toolbarA row of buttons, usually marked with icons, used to activate the functions of an application or operating system.sidebarA block of information placed at the side of a webpage.dropdownAn instance of a selection object that hides the contents (especially the other choices) until activated.checkboxAn on-screen box that can be optionally filled with a check mark, to enable or disable a setting.clipboardA flat piece of rigid material, such as card or plastic, with a clip at one end under which papers can be held.thumbnailA small picture, used as a compact representation of a larger image.