The A-Z of Technology Terms

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What is Adobe Acrobat Reader?

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Software that allows you to view a PDF document, which can be seen but not changed. It can be downloaded free of charge from Adobe.

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What is ADSL?

Back

Stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a type of DSL broadband technology used to connect to the Internet using standard telephone lines for high-speed data communications.

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What is analogue technology?

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A conventional method of transmitting data, used by standard landline telephones, distinct from digital technology.

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What is assistive technology?

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Refers to software or hardware that assists and improves the functional capabilities of people with disabilities, like wheelchairs and voice-to-text technology.

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What is an email attachment?

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A document sent with an email message. Many types of files can be sent this way, but large files should be compressed before sending.

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What does back-end refer to in technology?

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Back-end refers to the part of an application that performs essential tasks not apparent to the user.

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What does backward compatible mean?

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Backward compatible software is compatible with earlier versions of the same software, like Microsoft Word 2010 reading files from Word 2003.

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What is bandwidth?

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Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can travel a communications path in a given time, usually measured in seconds.

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What is a bit in computing?

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A bit, short for binary digit, is the smallest unit of measurement in computing. 8 bits make up 1 byte.

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What is Bluetooth?

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Bluetooth is a wireless communications technology intended to replace cables, allowing short-range connections between Bluetooth-compatible devices.