LCT Initiative: Glossary

Adware: Adware is software that loads itself onto a computer and tracks the user's browsing habits or pops up advertisements while the computer is in use. Adware and spyware disrupt your privacy and can slow down your computer as well as contaminate your operating system or data files. Adware can be discouraged by setting up programs called "software firewalls."
Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a wireless technology for transmission of voice and data over a short distance.
CD: A CD or compact disk is a small optical disk on which data can be recorded digitally and then scanned and transmitted by a laser beam to a computer or other playback device.
Cookies: A cookie is a string of information that is saved on a user's computer. Enabling cookies allows you to retain customized responses for specific internet sites (and is required for use of services such as BroncoDirect). Occasionally, though, cookies may be saved on a user's computer by the advertisements on a web page, or by an adware or spyware program. In that case, they can be deleted by the user.
Data projector: A data projector projects the contents of a computer screen. Data projectors can also be used to project the output from video tape players or DVD players.
DIMM: A dual in-line memory module is a small integrated circuit board that contains computer memory chips
Disk image: A disk image is an exact copy of the electronic information on a disk, including the files, folders, boot sectors, and other information.
Document Camera: A document camera is integrated into the audiovisual system and replaces an overhead projector. It has higher resolution than an overhead projector and allows the user to project text, photos or three-dimensional objects on a screen in the classroom.
DVD: Digital Video Disk, or Digital Versatile Disk. DVDs are optical disks that can hold at least 4.7 megabytes of information. They are most commonly used for movies, but they can also hold any kind of data.
DVI: Digital Visual Interface. The DVI standard is the basis of one kink of connection between a computer and a monitor.
eHelp: An on-line set of web pages serving as a resource for Cal Poly Pomona students, faculty and staff personal computer users.. It is at http://www.csupomona.edu/ehelp .
EPO: McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (EPO) is an anti-virus management system which remotely monitors anti-virus software on client computers. In the event of a virus outbreak, infected machines can be easily identified and updated.
Ethernet: Ethernet is the most widely-installed method for connecting computers in a network. An Ethernet network typically uses special grades of twisted pair wires. It is also used in wireless networks.
Firewall: A firewall controls the passage of information on a computer network. All firewalls involve both hardware and software, but the term hardware firewall generally refers to a network switch, router or similar electronic equipment and associated software. Hardware firewalls can be used to prevent types of network traffic that can be used maliciously. A software firewall is a program that runs primarily on a laptop or desktop computer (although it can also be used at the enterprise network level). A firewall is ordinarily set to permit only certain applications to access the Internet, and to warn the user if other programs try to do so.
FireWire: Firewire (also called IEEE1394 High Performance Serial Bus) is a technology for high-speed data transfer over a cable. It is an alternative to USB. It is often used for connecting digital video cameras to computers.
Gigabyte (Gb): When speaking of computer memory, 1,073,741,824 bytes, or 1,024 Megabytes. When speaking of computer hard disk storage, 1,000,000,000 bytes, or 1,000 Megabytes.
I&IT: Instructional and Information Technology, a division of Cal Poly Pomona.
Image Popups: Popups are advertisements that appear on the computer screen in front of whatever program the user is currently running. Both Internet Explorer and Firefox can be set to disable automatic popups.
IT Governance: A committee at Cal Poly Pomona chaired by the President that oversees the development and integration of information technology across the university.
IT-FITS: Information Technology-Faculty In-office Technical Support. A program that brings trained student assistants to faculty offices for providing individualized training and support.
Kilobyte (kb): When speaking of computer memory, 1,024 bytes. When speaking of computer disk storage, 1,000 bytes.
Megabyte (Mb): When speaking of computer memory, 1,048,576 bytes, or 1024 kilobytes. When speaking of computer hard disk storage, 1,000,000 bytes, or 1000 kilobytes.
OS X: OS X (oh-ess-ten) is the most recent operating system produced by Apple for Macintosh computers.
R/W: Read/Write, in reference to digital storage and access.
RAM: Random Access Memory, the general-purpose memory of a computer.
Spam: Spam is commercial email that is sent in bulk to random email addresses. It can be annoying and can fill the user's email "in" box making it difficult to find email that is important to the user. On the Cal Poly Pomona network, spam is reduced by a program called "Spam Assassin". It is easier to reduce spam from a single source than spam from multiple, constantly changing sources.
Spyware: Spyware is a type of software usually installed without the user's knowledge onto his computer which gathers information about browsing habits. It can also be used to capture individual keystrokes, for example, a user's login name and password, information from email address books, cookies and change the user's network browser. See also adware.
S-Video: S-video is a standard for transmitting color and brightness on separate wires. It is used for high-quality analog video connections.
Synchronization: File synchronization, in its simplest form, is automatic copying. New files created on one system are replicated to the other, as are changes made to existing documents. This allows "offline" work, where a computer disconnected from its file synchronization "partner" can be used to work on the shared files. When the computers are connected again, any changes or additions will be carried over to the other system.
Terabyte (Tb): When speaking of computer hard disk storage, 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, or 1,000 gigabytes. When speaking of computer memory, 1,099,511,627,776 bytes, or 1,024 gigabytes.
Trojan Horse: See virus.
USB: Universal Serial Bus. USB is a technology for high-speed data transfer over a cable. It is an alternative to Firewire. It is often used for connecting keyboards, mice, and portable data storage to computers.
VCR: Videocassette Recorder. The VCRs at Cal Poly Pomona use the standard VHS (Video Home System) format.
Virtual Private Network (VPN): VPN is a method for sending and receiving secure information over a public network. When connected to Cal Poly Pomona through the VPN, your computer has all the same privileges it would have were it physically located in your office.
Virus: Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are malicious computer programs that make copies of themselves and spread to other computers. They can be transmitted through email attachments, links in email messages, or sometimes through web pages. Users can be protected from viruses, worms and Trojan horses by use of McAfee Antivirus. It is important to always install updates from McAfee as new viruses are constantly being written.The EPO will handle automatic virus definition updates when users are connected to the campus network. Technically, a virus "infects" another computer program in order to spread. A worm is a stand-alone program that spreads more or less automatically. A Trojan horse is a stand-alone program like a worm, but it tricks the user into installing or copying it by pretending to be something else.
Windows XP: Windows XP is the most recent operating system produced by Microsoft for laptop and desktop computers using Intel microprocessors.
Worm: See virus.
XGA: Extended Graphics Array. Originally a method for providing full color to a computer screen with 1024 x 768 pixels resolution, the term now refers to any high-resolution, full-color video connection that uses a 15-pin "D" plug.