Jargon Buster
Whether you are using a computer or surfing the internet you are likely at some point to come across 'jargon'.
We have put together a list of some of the more frequent words you might come across and their meaning.
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Word |
Meaning |
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Address
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The location of a web site, eg Computer Skills for Life website address is www.hants.gov.uk/computer-skills.
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Anti-Virus software
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An application to protect computers from viruses.
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Application
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Computer software programme that allows you to perform specific tasks.
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Attachment
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A file that can be sent to you with an email.
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Backup
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An important process of copying important files and documents from your computer to disk or external storage.
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Blog/Blogging
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A website that allows you to post a journal entry of your thoughts, this is usually in a chronological order and other users will be able to read it.
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Bluetooth
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A Technology that allows computers or phones etc to communicate to each other without wires.
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Bookmark
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A way of flagging websites for future reference.
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Boot
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This is the process your computer will go through when you switch it on.
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Broadband
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A high speed internet connection.
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Browser
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The short name for 'Web Browser', this is an application that allows you to view internet pages.
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Compact Disk (CD)
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A disk with large storage which enables you to store data (documents files etc).
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CD Writer
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A special CD Rom drive which allows you to create your own CD's.
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CD-R
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Blank CD's where music and files can be recorded - but only once.
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CD Drive
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This is the drive you would use to install software from a disk. You can also use this drive to play audio CD's.
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CD-RW
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Blank CD's where music and files can be recorded over and over again.
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Chatroom
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Places online for typed live chat.
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Computer Network
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A collection of computers that are connected to each other.
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Configure
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Tweak the functions of software or hardware to the particular settings you require.
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Control Panel
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This is a collection of icons that allow you to configure the settings of your computer.
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Cookies
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Text files that are generated by websites you visit, these are stored on your computer.
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Copy & Paste
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Selecting part of an image or document and placing it elsewhere.
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Cursor
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This is the blinking indicator that shows you where you are in your file.
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Cyberspace
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This is another word for the internet.
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Database
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A collection of information.
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Desktop
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What you see on your computer screen.
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Dial up connection
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An internet connection that is slower than broadband and works by dialling a number to access the internet.
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Discussion board/s
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A tool that allows groups to communicate online by leaving messages. The entire group can read or post messages at anytime.
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Double Click
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To click a mouse button twice in quick succession.
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Download
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The process of transferring files onto your computer from the internet or another computer.
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Drag and drop
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The action of pointing to an item then pressing and releasing the mouse button while moving the mouse.
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Drop-down menu
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A list of options displayed below a menu bar when you have selected a menu option.
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Word |
Meaning |
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E-commerce
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Buying and selling on the internet.
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Email
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Short for Electronic Mail.
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Email Address
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This is your personal and unique address on the internet.
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Encryption
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A process that can be applied to data which alters it to make it unreadable except by someone who knows how to decrypt it.
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Firewall
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A system that prevents unauthorised access to a computer over a network, such as the internet.
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Flash
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This is an application which is used to create high quality animations on websites.
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Folder
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Files on a computer are arranged within folders, these group related items.
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Font
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A set of letters and numbers in a particular style.
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Footer
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A special area at the bottom of a document. If you type something in there it will appear at the bottom of each page.
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Forum
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An online community where users read and post on topics of interest.
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Freeware
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Free software that is downloadable form the internet.
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Gigabyte (GB)
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A measurement of storage capacity. 1GB = 1024 megabytes
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Graphics card
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A device in your computer that displays graphics on you computer screen.
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Hackers
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People that break into other peoples computers and networks in an attempt to steal sensitive information.
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Hardware
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This describes the physical parts to a computer, like the monitor, keyboard, mouse etc...
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Homepage
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This is the first page of a website.
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HTML
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The language that is used to create web pages.
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Hyperlink
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A clickable link within a website that takes you to a specified part with in a website or new website.
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Word |
Meaning |
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Icon
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A small image used to identify a file or programme.
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Instant Messaging
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This is a form or chat. It is usually between 2 people.
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Internet
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The internet or 'Net' is a worldwide system of computer networks.
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Internet Explorer
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Microsoft's internet browser that allows you to browse internet pages.
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Internet Service Provider (ISP)
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Company's that offer its customers access to the Internet.
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Intranet
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A company's internal network.
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Keywords
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Words that are typed into search engine to find things.
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Log on/in
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Enter a password to gain access to a computer, email etc....
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Log off
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To sign out of a computer, email, etc....
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Word |
Meaning |
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Mailbox
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This is the folder in you email application that contains your emails.
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Message Board
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An internet equivalent of a message board. Users can and read and post messages.
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Minimise
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The ability to reduce the size of the window you see on you screen.
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Modem
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A device that allows 2 computers to communicate with each other over a telephone line.
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Mouse
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The handheld device you use to navigate around the computer and internet, using pointing and clicking to issue commands to the computer.
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Network
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A way of connecting a series of computers and printers so they can share information.
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Offline
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Not being connected to the internet.
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Online
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Being connected to the internet.
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Operating System
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This is the system your computer uses eg Windows XP, Windows Vista etc...
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Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
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This is a hand held device used for business or personal use that provides computing and information storage. They are like mini computers.
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Program
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A program tells the computer what to do and how to do it.
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Word |
Meaning |
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Recycle bin
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Where all the files that are deleted are sent. It is shown as a rubbish bin on your desktop.
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Router
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A device that is used to connect more than one computer together or to the internet.
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Scanner
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A device that scans documents, pictures etc.....and converts it into a electronic document on your computer.
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Scroll bar
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the grey slider bar displayed at the side or bottom of a page or window. It allows you to scroll around a page that is to large to display on your screen.
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Search engine
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A site on the internet that indexes the names and addresses of other websites.
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Shareware
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Software you can try for free before buying it.
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Shortcut
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A file or icon that is used to link to something else, this can be used as a quick way of starting a program.
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Software
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also known as a program, a set of instructions to the computer to perform a specific task.
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Spam
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Unsolicited emails, also known as junk mail.
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Spreadsheets
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A software application for creating sheets of calculations set out in rows or columns.
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Spyware
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computer software that obtains information from a user's computer without the user's knowledge or consent.
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Taskbar
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The bar that runs at the bottom of you screen, it will show what applications or pages you currently have open.
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Template
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A web page design, document or spreadsheet that contains all the required formatting for a particular style of document. The master template can be used time and again.
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Trojan Horse
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A malicious computer program that is disguised as a different and harmless program.
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Word |
Meaning |
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Uninstall
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To remove unwanted applications or programs.
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Upgrade
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To improve the performance or specification of a computer.
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Upload
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The process of transferring information to another computer, often for publishing on a web page.
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Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
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The unique address of a web page.
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Universal Storage Bus (USB) Port
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The connection port for devices such as, mouse, keyboard, printers and more.
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Virus
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A malicious computer program that can do great damage to your computer, its program's and files and folders.
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Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
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A technology for transmitting telephone calls over the internet.
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Web
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The web consists of a whole series of web pages.
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Web cam
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A video camera that is attached to your computer. It can allow you to have face to face conversations and take pictures.
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WiFi
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The short name used for wireless networking and internet.
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Worm
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A potentially harmful program that copies itself over the internet.
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Zipfile
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A file or files that have been compressed using a program like WinZip to save disk space and make it easier to send via email.
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