|
Term |
Definition |
|
Cable select |
Often abbreviated as CS, cable select is a disk
drive setting that will allow a cable select
compatible cable to determine what drive is the
master and slave based off where the drives are
connected to the cable. For cable select to work the
both IDE / EIDE drives must have their jumpers set
to CS and be connected to a cable that supports
cable select. |
|
Cache |
A
small data-memory storage area that a computer can
use to instantly re-access data instead of
re-reading the data from the original source, such
as a hard drive. Browsers use a cache to store web
pages so that the user may view them again without
reconnecting to the Web. |
|
CAD-CAM |
Computer Aided Drawing-Computer Aided Manufacturing.
The instructions stored in a computer that will be
translated to very precise operating instructions to
a robot, such as for assembling cars or
laser-cutting signage. |
|
Caddy |
A
container that holds something. An external
container used on earlier CD-ROM drives that would
hold and protect the disc. A caddy would be inserted
into the drive with the CD instead of simply placing
the CD into a computer like most CD and DVD drives
today. |
|
Camper |
Term often used in computer gaming to describe an
individual who remains in one position for a good
majority of the game, picking off other players as
they come to them. Generally, this position gives
that individual an advantage over other players and
in many cases, helps defend an item or objective.
For example, in the computer game Quake, a player
may position himself or herself on a platform with
the rail gun, allowing him or her to shoot other
players without allowing them the ability to fight
back easily. Generally, a player who camps too much
is looked down upon by the other players. |
|
Carebear |
A
derogatory term given to other online game players
who only want to take the easy way and/or make the
game as non-challenging as possible. For example,
when referring to a MMORPG game players may refer to
servers that are non-PvP as carebear servers. |
|
CD player |
Program or hardware device used to play and listen
to standard audio CDs. |
|
CDDA |
Short for Compact Disk Digital Audio, CDDA is one of
the standards defined in the red book and is how a
compact disc drive reads audio tracks on a CD.
|
|
CDDB |
Short for Compact Disc Database, CDDB is a database
used to store audio CD track information. The CDDB
is what allows many computer software programs to
recognize a CD and list the CD artist, album, and
track information. The CDDB was initially created by
Ti Kan who later sold the project to Escient. In
March 2001 the CDDB was officially renamed to
Gracenote and although initially free to access this
database now requires a license to access, prompting
many programs to switch to freedb. |
|
CD-E |
Short for CD erasable, CD-E is a format introduced
to the public in 1995 and allows users to create,
erase and use a CD over-and-over (up to 10,000
times). Today, a CD-E is commonly known and referred
to as CD-RW. |
|
CDFS |
Short for CD File System, CDFS, in Linux systems, is
a file system that exports all tracks and boot
images on a CD as normal files. In Windows, CDFS is
the Windows driver for CD-ROM players. CDFS replaces
MSCDEX that was used for MS-DOS and is a 32-bit
program that runs in protected mode. In addition,
CDFS uses a VCACHE driver to control the CD-ROM disk
cache allowing for a smoother play back.
|
|
CD-i |
Short for Compact Disc-Interactive, CD-i is a type
of CD format and product specified in 1986. A CD-i
player contains all the necessary components (CPU,
Memory and operating system) to fully run the CD.
The CD-i is able to store 19 hours of audio, 7,500
still images and 72 minutes of full screen video.
Today, the CD-i technology is generally only found
in education and training locations. |
|
CD-PROM |
Short for Compact Disc-Programmable ROM, CD-PROM was
developed by Kodak as a picture CD format that
combines recordable and read-only formats on a
single disc. |
|
CD-R |
Also known as CD-WO (Write once) or WORM (Write Once
Read Many) drive. CD-R is short for CD-Recordable
and is a type of writable disc and drive that is
capable of having information written to the disc
once and then having that disc read many times after
that. If the data is not written to the disc
properly, has errors, or has the incorrect
information that disc or portions of that disc
cannot be erased. |
|
CDRFS |
Short for CD-R File System, CDRFS is a file system
developed specifically for CD-R discs by Sony
Corporation that makes a CD-R as easy to use as a
floppy drive. CDRFS uses a new recording technique
called packet recording, which can allow several
advantages to CD-Rs, such as allowing the CD-R to
look re-Writable. |
|
CD-Rom |
Short for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory, CD-ROM
drives are CD-Players inside computers that can have
speeds in the range from 1x and beyond, and have the
capability of playing audio CDs and computer data
CDs. |
|
CD-WO |
Compact Disc-Write Once, CD-WO is another name for a
CD-R disc. |
|
CGI |
Common Gateway Interface. A programming standard
that allows visitors to fill out form fields on a
Web page and have that information interact with a
database, possibly coming back to the user as
another Web page. CGI may also refer to
Computer-Generated Imaging, the process in which
sophisticated computer programs create still and
animated graphics, such as special effects for
movies. |
|
Chat |
Typing text into a message box on a screen to engage
in dialog with one or more people via the Internet
or other network. |
|
Client |
A
single user of a network application that is
operated from a server. A client/server architecture
allows many people to use the same data
simultaneously. The programs main component (the
data) resides on a centralized server, with smaller
components (user interface) on each client. |
|
Coaster |
Common slang used for either an AOL compact disc or
a compact disc that is no longer good, either
because of scratches or because of a failure during
its creations. The term coaster comes from the
coaster commonly used to keep watermarks from being
made on tables from drinks. This term is also used
to describe recordable discs that have become bad
after a burn has failed. |
|
Codec |
Software or hardware that compresses and
decompresses audio and video data streams. |
|
Coin cell battery |
Also known as a button cell or watch battery, a coin
cell battery is a battery contained on the computers
motherboard that allows it to retain important
system settings and remember what the time and date
is while the computer is off. Large battery backups
are commonly used for large corporate networks to
safely shutdown servers if power is out for a long
period of time or keep the servers running if the
power happens to be out for a short period of time.
|
|
Compact Disc |
Abbreviated as CD, a compact disc is a flat round
storage medium that is read by a laser in a CD-ROM
drive. The standard CD is capable of holding 72
minutes of music or 650 MB of data. 80 minute CDs
are also commonly used to store data and are capable
of containing 700 MB of data. |
|
Con |
A
MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows reserved word. When
referring to games con is short for consider and is
an ability or command used to find out additional
information about the targeted creature or player.
For example in the MMORPG game EverQuest a player
can type: /con to find out additional information
about the target. Another term used to describe a
type of deception or trick. For example, phishing is
a type of con that often deceives the user to give
away their log in information. Any type of negative
feedback or lack of features of a product.
|
|
Cookie |
A
text file sent by a Web server that is stored on the
hard drive of a computer and relays back to the Web
server things about the user, his or her computer,
and/or his or her computer activities. |
|
Cookie |
Info sent by web server to web browser. |
|
CPU |
Central Processing Unit. The brain of the computer. |
|
Cracker |
A
person who “breaks in” to a computer through a
network, without authorization and with mischievous
or destructive intent (a crime in some states).
|
|
Crash |
A
hardware or software problem that causes information
to be lost or the computer to malfunction. Sometimes
a crash can cause permanent damage to a computer.
|
|
Credits |
In general, refers to a listing of all the people
who helped develop and bring a product to the
public. For example, after a computer game has been
completed, it may list the credits of all the people
who helped develop, design, test and bring the game
to the public. |
|
CSS |
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a stylesheet
language used to describe the presentation of a
document written in a markup language. Its most
common application is to style web pages written in
HTML and XHTML, but the language can be applied to
any kind of XML document, including SVG and XUL. |
|
CTF |
Short for Capture The Flag, CTF is a type of game
played in first person shooter (FPS) games where a
user must get to an enemys base, grab their flag and
bring it back to their bases flag without dying. The
team with the most flag captures wins the game.
|
|
Cursor |
A
moving position-indicator displayed on a computer
monitor that shows a computer operator where the
next action or operation will take place.
|
|
CYA |
Shorthand for see ya, CYA is commonly used in chat
rooms to let users know you are leaving the room.
This term is also another way of saying "good bye"
to users who may be leaving. |
|
Cyberspace |
Slang for the Internet |
