Explainer: Technical terms - Scope

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Explainer
Technical terms
We’re surrounded by technical terms every day. Often we don’t know what they
mean and can’t easily find out. Here’s a list of common technical terms to help out.
Computer
2X Desktop – the “Windows within Windows” computing environment that you
use for most work on computers in Scope offices. It runs within local
Windows like other programs. When you use 2X you are working on a
server.
Hardware – physical machines such as computers and wireless routers.
Operating system (OS) – the software that automatically runs when you turn
on your computer. Every program runs within your operating system,
e.g. Microsoft Word runs within Windows 7.
Server – a computer similar to the one on your desk that lets a lot of people use
it remotely at the same time. Servers are powerful computers and
have lots of space for storing files, photos and videos.
Software – programs that run on your computer. You see software on your
screen and use it with your mouse and keyboard.
Tablet – a computing device that’s bigger than a mobile phone but smaller than
a laptop computer. Tablets have touch-screens and keyboards that
appear on the screen when you need them. Some tablets do include
physical keyboards, but these keyboards are easily removable.
Windows – Microsoft’s operating system. There are different versions of
Windows, e.g. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.
In most locations, Scope uses Windows 7.

Communication
3G, 4G – the wireless (radio) system used by mobile phones for speech, and by
many computing devices for transmitting data. 3G and 4G signals can
travel a long way. Phones and tablets often connect directly with 3G
and 4G, but computers usually need a USB device called a 3G
dongle.
Network – two or more computers connected together, including the cabling
and other equipment that makes it work.
USB –
Wi-fi –
a way of connecting devices to computers. A USB cable is usually
plugged into the computer and device, although some devices like
USB flash drives plug directly into the computer without a cable.
the wireless (radio) system that computers use to talk to local
networks. Wi-fi can be very fast but its radio signals don’t travel far.
Storage
Compact disc (CD) – a 12cm flat disc that stores music for playing on a CD
player or stores data for reading by computers. Usually stores around
74 minutes of music or 700MB of data.
Digital versatile disc (DVD) – disc that looks almost identical to a CD but
stores video for playing on a DVD player or stores data for reading by
computers. A DVD stores much more than a CD – usually two hours
of video or 4.7GB of data.
Flash drive – a small and portable solid state drive (see below) that connects to
the computer’s USB port.
Hard drive – a physical device for storing computer files. Usually 3.5” or 5”
wide, hard drives can be installed into computers or in portable cases.
Most hard drives contain disks that spin at high speed, and store files
using magnetism.
Solid state drive (SSD) - newer hard drives have no moving parts – they are
made of solid silicon. They’re very fast, use less power and are hard to
break. They’re also very expensive.

Data measures
Bit – the smallest building block of data
Byte – a byte is 8 bits, enough to store one letter of the alphabet.
Kilobyte – 1KB = 1024 bytes, around enough storage for one page of text.
Megabyte – 1MB = 1024KB, about a thousand pages of plain text.
Gigabyte – 1GB = 1024MB, enough to store around 250 images from a modern
digital camera.