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When files are sent along the internet the data in them is divided into lots of small packets which are then reassembled in the correct order at the other end.
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Basic image editing software which comes packaged with Microsoft Windows, which allows you to view, edit and create images.
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Transferring data from one device to another so that both devices have the same information.
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A company which makes PDAs and smartphones, as well as software to go on them.
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Software which can help restrict what children or vulnerable people can do and see on a computer and the internet: for example, parental control software will filter pornography websites.
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A secret combination of letters and numbers (and sometimes other characters) which protects personal information.
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A company which acts as an intermediary between your bank and online retailers, meaning you can pay for things online without having to trust retailers with your credit card details.
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Personal Computer: also known as a desktop computer. Usually a computer with a separate hard drive, monitor, mouse and keyboard, which is suitable for using at home and in the office.
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Part of your computer that allows you to plug in extra hardware, like sound cards and modems.
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Personal Digital Assistant: a handheld device which allows you to do certain functions like edit documents and keep notes.
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A file extension by Adobe. PDFs are formatted documents that have been fixed in place, and are difficult to edit. This format is commonly used for brochures and formal documents, so that they can be viewed and printed the way the creator intended.
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A complicated and popular software programming language.
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Attempting to get someone to give you their private data over the internet/email by posing as a reputable company, commonly a bank or financial institution. Also known as spoofing.
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A software program made by Adobe which you can use to view and edit images.
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Web programming code used for making advanced websites.
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A photo-sharing software programme and website similar to Flickr.
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Personal Identification Number: a sequence of numbers which act as a password. If you have a credit card you will be issued with a PIN number so that you can get money out of cash machines.
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Each tiny unit of a digital image. When you look at a picture on a computer you are looking at a collection of hundreds, thousands or even hundreds of thousands of tiny coloured dots.
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A combination of hardware and software which software can run on. Mobile phones, computers and PDAs are all different platforms.
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An extra bit of software code that needs to be added to your browser before you can view certain types of content - for example, you need a plug-in to view Adobe Flash files.
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A type of image file which allows images to be transparent (so that other images can be seen beneath them).
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A radio show specifically recorded for the internet, which can be downloaded and listened to at any time.
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Post Office Protocol: a method used for transferring emails from one place on the internet to another. Another way of doing this is known as IMAP, and also SMTP.
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An extra browser window that appears - these can be good (like prompts from your banking website telling you to log off) or bad (adverts and spam).
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A page on the internet full of links to and information about other web pages, with very little content of its own. For example, bbc.co.uk/learning is an example of a portal.
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A setting when text messaging that allows you to press each number only once with the phone guessing the word you're typing from the combination of keys you press. This can be much quicker than pressing each key several times.
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Software which helps to keep your information safe.
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A page on a social networking website which lists information about someone - like their name, interests and location.
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A software program is technology which allows you and your computer to perform certain actions - like creating a text document, viewing and editing an image, or watching a video.
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The code used to create computer software.
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Also known as Project Canvas: an attempt by several major broadcast (including the BBC) to create standard IPTV system.
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A set of rules that tell computers how to transfer data between themselves.
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A server on the internet that acts as an intermediary. For example, it can be used to hide your real IP address, or to temporarily store information about websites you visit so that it can be loaded more quickly.
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Software which is free to download and use and which comes without any copyright restrictions: similar to Freeware.
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A menu which appears from nowhere when you click on or put your cursor over a link.