Backing up is the process of copying important files and information from the PC’s hard disk to another medium, such as CD or external hard drive. The information that has been copied is called a backup. Although back up is technically a verb and backup or back-up a noun, many people use them interchangeably.

It is important to always have a backup of your important files. This can be used for an emergency if your computer or hard drive crashes or is otherwise incapacitated. Ideally, one should also keep a backup of important files off-site in case of flood, fire, or other catastrophe.

This is the process of using a person's unique physical characteristics for computer identification. Current biometric identification methods include identification by fingerprint, voice, iris, and face. Biometric identification is currently being used in many government agencies as well as large businesses. It is being tested in many areas such as airports where it speeds frequent travelers through passport lines. It is poised to replace passwords in the future. Some laptop computers already include fingerprint identification methods.

Basic Input Output System: a set of low-level routines in a computer's ROM that application programs (and operating systems) can use to read characters from the keyboard, to output characters to printers, and to interact with the hardware in other ways. BIOS also provides the initial instructions for POST (Power On Self-Test) and booting the system files.

This is a peer-to-peer file sharing application. It is a free, open source program. BitTorrent makes it easy to share videos and other complex data, so it is very popular. The data is broken down into small bits that are traded by many computer users. BitTorrent users sometimes share copyrighted information.

To blacklist is to deny access to something. Everyone on the blacklist is unable to use the program, function, or service involved. A blacklist is often used by ISPs to deny access to entities that are known hackers. You may also see this terminology used in email programs where you “blacklist” certain email senders that are known spammers.

This is one of the major formats of high definition DVDs. These DVDs boast picture quality that is far superior to that found on regular DVDs. The other high definition DVD format, called HD-DVD, is incompatible with Blu-ray. So only a Blu-ray player will play Blu-ray disks and an HD-DVD player will play HD_DVD disks. Several manufacturers have developed players that play both formats, but these are pricey. Blu-ray is backed by Sony and many major motion picture studios.

Many new wireless devices soon to be available will use an innovative technology called Bluetooth. Led by heavyweights like Intel, Nokia, IBM, Ericsson, and Toshiba, Bluetooth has created a global standard for wireless connectivity.

Bluetooth will enable Internet devices, mobile telephones, laptop computers, scanners, and other devices to communicate easily without wires. A Bluetooth camera could transmit its pictures to a Bluetooth computer or printer without being attached. A portable computer and a desktop computer could automatically synchronize files when they come into close proximity. The Bluetooth technology is embedded in a computer chip, which can be a part of many different devices. Everything from an automobile to a telephone to a blanket or a coffee pot can be Bluetooth compatible. So you could easily program your computer to wirelessly control other Bluetooth-enabled devices in your home.

Bluetooth operates on a 2.4 Ghz ISM band that is available globally, ensuring worldwide communication compatibility. The Bluetooth technology does not require an open line of site like many current infrared devices, including television remote controls. Its radio waves can pass through objects, making connecting easier. Bluetooth also has built-in encryption.

To mark a document or a specific place in a document for future reference. Bookmarks are used in Internet browsers to save the addresses of web pages in order to be able to return to them quickly in the future. In most web browsers, they are called Bookmarks, but in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, they are called Favorites.

A series of bot computers, sometimes as large as millions of computers, that do the bidding of some entity that has compromised the computers and taken control of them by installing some type of malware.

Broadband is a high-speed Internet connection. Technically speaking, broadband typically starts at 384 kilobytes per second.

The high-speed of broadband makes Internet pages appear and files download more quickly which results in more enjoyable Web surfing. Video, audio, or complex graphics that are becoming commonplace on the Internet are easily accommodated by broadband. This type of data transmission can carry several channels or communication paths at once in a single medium or wire. Because of this capability, broadband cable connections are able to transmit both television signals and Internet data at the same time. Broadband telephone connections like DSL are able to transmit both voice and data over the same line at the same time.

Broadband connections are always on. If your computer is on, you will be constantly connected to the Internet with no dial-up involved. For most average users, a broadband connection will mean accessing the Internet by either a cable modem provided by their local cable company or a DSL modem and telephone line provided by their local telephone service provider. Some educational and commercial users are lucky enough to be using a very fast broadband connection known as a T-1 line.

A computer bug is an error or defect in computer hardware or software that causes the computer or the computer program to malfunction. The first computer bug is said to have been a moth that was found squashed between the points of an electromechanical relay in the Mark II computer in 1945. This moth caused the entire computer to shut down. When the moth was removed, it was affixed to the computer’s log with a scribbled note that read, “First actual case of bug being found.” When the computer operators removed the moth, they claimed to have “debugged” the computer, thus introducing the term “debugging a computer program.” By the way, this first bug is now housed in the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian, and yes….someone who answered correctly that the first bug was a moth won a million dollars on the Who Wants to be a Millionaire television game show.

Just for the sake of accuracy, I must tell you that Edison used the word “bug” in the 1800s, and some say the word goes all the way back to Shakespeare. But whatever the origin, the word “bug” is now universally accepted as a problem with a computer. And do we have bugs!! Hardware bugs are not terribly prevalent, but today’s software seems to be riddled with bugs that were not found before the software was released.