Here you find explanation for computer terms.

Our dictionary is sorted alphabetically so you can easily find the words you are looking for.




I/O
Input/Output, serial or parallel entrances to the computer.


Icon
Program or document symbols on the graphic interface (GUI) of a computer. The icons are used to start software or to display content of folders and drives. Double click on a document icon (for example Word file) opens the according software and displays the document.


ICQ
ICQ (I seek you) is the most spread instant messenger at the moment. More than 100 million users are registered worldwide. ICQ tips.


ID3 Information
Text informationen saved in a mp3 file. They include for example information about title and artist.


IDE
The IDE interface is located on the mainboard and is used to connect internal data carriers of the computer, such as hard disk, CD-ROM or DVD drive. The Mainboard has two IDE interfaces, each is able to handle two drives (total of four).

How to connect IDE devices


IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronical Engineers.


IFF
Interchange File Format. Graphic format, established particularly on the Amiga.


I Mode
Technology for mobile telephony which is already very popular in Japan. It is used to transmit data such as images or games. In contrast to UMTS, it works with existing mobile networks. Specific cell phones are necessary to make use it though.


Infrared
Wireless data transfer via infrared light, also called IrDA (Infrared Data Association). IrDA interfaces are widespread in notebooks, PDAs, mobile phones and printers. Recently, it is more and more replaced by bluetooth.


Inkjet Printer
An inkjet printer sprays fine, mostly coloured ink drops onto the paper.


Input Fields
Input fields are the areas within a program or in online forms, where information can be typed. The label of each field indicates what kind of informationis expected.


Interactive
The possible intervention of the user into a computer programm, mostly a multimedia presentation. Dialogue.


Interface
Please read (GUI).


Internet
International Network. This global digital network connects mainly computers in research centers, but increasingly also companies and individuals.


Internet Time
Please read Swatch Internet Time.


Interpolation
Method to make a projection of the approximate identification of unknown spots on a curve or straight line between known points. They are calculated on the basis of mathematical functions.


Intranet
An internal network in companies.


Instant Message
Instant Messages are short texts exchanged between internet users who are online at the same time. In contrast to e-mail, they are delivered in realtime. This is explained on the basis of the example of the leading instant messanger program ICQ.


IRC
IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. These are specific servers, intended for the chat via the IRC protocoll. In order to take part, a chat software is necessary such as mIRC (Please visit download area). With the help of htis IRC program it is also possible to send data. On the IRC server the entire user management is controlled and every user is able to open his own chat room (channel) and invite other users to join it.


IrDA
Infrared Data Association. Via the infrared or IrDA interface data is exchanged between computers, mobile phones or printers.


ISA
Industry Standard Architecture. Notion for the data bus of the AT-PCs which is 16 Bit wide. The plug-in cards according to this standard possess 16 contacts. The local bus is a new model for the data bus of the pc, offering a width of 32 Bit.


ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN uses the existing telephone lines and transmits all data in a digital way instead of analog. With the help of channel bundling, a speed of 128KBit per second can be achieved.


ISP
Internet Service Provider. Suppliers of an access to the internet. Most of the time they offer extra services such as e-mail accounts or web hosting. Well-known providers are T-Online and AOL.