The Jargon Buster Directory is your central resource for locating
an explanation to typical terms found for within all industries , professions
and governments.
Use our directory to locate and decipher jargon that you would like an
explanation for.
Keeping our directory up to date and to include all the spheres where jargon
is used is a never ending task for us. We have started with what we can locate
but but it is a vast subject and can be very niche specific.
Are you in a profession or industry that uses jargon that is NOT included
here? Then why not send us your own jargon buster text and we will include
it within our database. to say thank you we will provide you with a return
link back to your web site.
Wire free jargon is a very new area of jargon that has evolved only
in the last 5 years. It is so new that it is estimated that a new phrase
is added to the broadband and wire free jargon every week.
Wire free jargon is expanding as are the networks building the wireless
systems so keeping up with the wireless jargon is vital as soon every home
will become wireless enabled.
Wire free jargon is set to consolidate in general until the next phase
of digital communications and software evolve for even faster data
transfer rates.
Broadband and wire free jargon is here to stay - that is until
we each have our own teleporter (watch this space).
Wire free jargon.
PDA = Personal Digital Assistant. The term that applies to an electronic
organiser/computer. PDAs are pocket sized and powerful.
WiFi = Term that applies to wireless networking and web browsing using the
widespread and standard 802.11b standard, which transfers data at 11Mbps.
The beauty of WiFi is that you can access a "hot-spot" or just logon to your
home whilst being in the garden.
SDIO = Secure Digital Input Output. Basically, secure digital cards with
IO (input-output) for added functionality. Lots of examples abound including:
Digital cameras, WiFi cards, FM Radio and GPS SatNav cards as well as Bluetooth
dongles. Some PDAs have both an SD slot as well as slot for the much bigger
CF (Compact Flash) card. Sony has its own accessories for its MS (Memory
Stick) PDAs.
OS = Operating System. This is important. Basically there are two camps.
PalmOS and Pocket PC. Both have a huge range of third-party software and
can synchronize with Windows PCs and Macs. Symbian and Linux based PDas are
also to be found, but you won't find them unless you really look hard.
BEAM = A great way to transfer contacts, virtual business cards, files, programs
and photos between devices using infrared or Bluetooth.
GPS = A US military-operated network of 24 satellites that gives and extremely
accurate position to anyone with a a suitable receiver.
POI = Points of Interest (POI) is a list of useful information, such as the
location of a petrol station or supermarket near you.
MAPPING DATA = Most systems are provided by Tele-Atlas and Navteq. Users
pay for updated maps, usually once a year. Please note: always consider the
cost of updates when working out the price of a new system.
TRAFFIC INFO = Most integrated systems can now receive traffic information
using a system called RDS (Radio Data Service). Portable solutions receive
this information via GPRS - perfect for smartphones and Xda handheld devices,
but many standalone PDAs will need a mobile phone connection to download
from.
ACQUISITION = This is a measure of how quickly the system connects to the
satellite. There are three timings: cold, warm and hot. Cold is when the
unit is turned on in a new location; warm is when the unit is turned off
but in the same location; hot is when the unit briefly loses reception and
must reconnect.
AAC = Advanced Audio Coding. The "next generation" of audio file using MPEG-4
and even more sophisticated compression to deliver better sound quality FROM
smaller file sizes. Apple and Nokia have adopted it as their music format.
WMA = Windows Media Audio. Microsoft's own audio format which goes into battle
against Apple/Nokia backed AAC. Microsoft claims that WMA offers better
CD-quality sound at half the file size of comparable MP3s.