Server Message Block Protocol (SMB protocol) The Server Message Block Protocol (SMB protocol) is a client-server communication protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, serial ports and other resources on a network. It can also carry transaction protocols for interprocess communication. Created by IBM in the 1980s, the SMB protocol has since spawned multiple variants or implementations, […]
Read MoreMicrosoft Azure (Windows Azure)
Microsoft Azure (Windows Azure) Microsoft Azure, formerly known as Windows Azure, is Microsoft’s public cloud computing platform. It provides a range of cloud services, including those for compute, analytics, storage and networking. Users can pick and choose from these services to develop and scale new applications, or run existing applications, in the public cloud. Microsoft Azure is […]
Read Moremicro USB Definition
micro USB Definition Micro USB is a miniaturized version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface developed for connecting compact and mobile devices such as smartphones, MP3 players, GPS devices, photo printers and digital cameras. Micro USB connectors exist or have existed in three forms: micro A, micro B and micro USB 3. USB 3 micro is much like micro B, […]
Read MoreFirmware Definition
Firmware Definition Firmware is a software program or set of instructions programmed on a hardware device. It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates with the other computer hardware. But how can software be programmed onto hardware? Good question. Firmware is typically stored in the flash ROM of a hardware device. While ROM is “read-only […]
Read MoreSDRAM (synchronous DRAM)
SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) is a generic name for various kinds of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that are synchronized with the clock speed that the microprocessor is optimized for. This tends to increase the number of instructions that the processor can perform in a given time. The speed of SDRAM is rated in MHz rather than […]
Read MoreRFID Definition
RFID Definition Stands for “Radio-Frequency Identification.” RFID is a system used to track objects, people, or animals using tags that respond to radio waves. RFID tags are integrated circuits that include a small antenna. The are typically small enough that they are not easily noticeable and therefore can be placed on many types of objects. Like UPC […]
Read MoreBounce Definition
Bounce Definition The term “bounce” has several different IT related meanings, yet none of them include bouncy balls. The most common definition of bounce used in the computer world refers to e-mail messages. 1. Returning E-mail When you send an e-mail message to another person, the mail server processes the message and delivers it to the appropriate user’s mailbox. […]
Read MoreMultiplatform Definition
Multiplatform Definition If a software program is developed for mulitple operating systems, it is considered to be “multiplatform.” Since Microsoft Word runs on both the Windows and Macintosh platform, it is a mutliplatform application. In the consumer gaming market, mutliplatform games run on more than one gaming machine. For example, a sports game developed for […]
Read MoreCrossplatform Definition
Crossplatform Definition Software that can run on multiple types of computer systems. For example, the graphics program Adobe Photoshop and the word processor Microsoft Word are both available for the Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Therefore, Photoshop and Word are considered to be crossplatform applications. While “crossplatorm” is typically used to describe computer software, it […]
Read MoreI/O Definition
I/O Definition Stands for “Input/Output” and is pronounced simply “eye-oh.” Computers are based on the fundamental idea that every input results in an output. For example, if you are running a word processor program and type a sentence on your keyboard, the text will appear on the screen. The keyboard is an input device and […]
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