A digital image of all or a portion of what is showing on the computer screen. Special software is usually used to create the screen shot, although it can often be done with the tools provided by the operating system. Screen shots are often used in computer tutorials and how to books.

The diagonal measurement of the size of the screen.

is an online program that works in a web browser and searches for any information you request.  Basically, you tell the search engine what you are looking for by typing in some descriptive words and the search mechanism searches the Web and finds it for you.

This is a virtual world that can be accessed at www.secondlife.com. This online word is created by its residents, who are represented by motional avatars. The residents of Second Life can interact with each other, create businesses, and trade objects and money.

Search Engine Optimization is the process of tweaking a website to improve the volume of traffic that is produced by search engines. The idea is to give the website a higher ranking in the search engines thereby producing more traffic to the site. SEO includes using keywords and website design to get higher rankings with search engines.

Shareware is a popular type of software available for downloading from the Internet. Shareware is "try before you buy" software based on a unique concept. Someone creates a program, puts it on the Internet, and allows anyone to copy and use it. If the end-user likes the program, he or she pays the creator a fee. If the end-user doesn't like the program, they simply delete it from their computer. Because software developers have no advertising, shipping, or packaging costs, shareware is relatively inexpensive. The concept works quite well except when computer users abuse this type honor system. Some software developers have had to implement gentle, or at times not-so-gentle, ways to remind people to pay for the program. You are usually given thirty days to try a shareware program. If you have not paid your fee after this trial period, the program will use a nag screen to send you a gentle payment reminder.  Some shareware programs have built-in timing mechanisms that will completely disable the program if the user has not paid the fee at the end of the trial period.  For more information on shareware and other types of downloadable software, see my column on Freebie Software.

the delay between when you press the button to take a picture and when the camera actually takes the picture.

In technology, a skin is something that you put over a piece of hardware or software that gives it a different look. A software skin will give a program a new visual look. A hardware skin is usually thin plastic used to give the hardware a new look. Hardware skins are especially popular for cell phones and music players.

An SLR camera uses a technology that allows the camera user to determine what parts of the image are in focus and in the capture area by looking through the lens. Some newer  SLR cameras use a special technology that allows the LCD screen to show exactly what will be captured. On point-and-shoot cameras, what the viewfinder and/or LCD screen show can be significantly different than what is actually captured. 

SLR cameras also have a variety of interchangeable lenses making them suitable for professionals and serious amateurs.

See emoticon.

Social networks are communities of people who share similar interests and/or activities. The Internet has spawned a new realm of social networking with websites like classmates.com, mySpace, Facebook, and others.

Spam is unwanted e-mail or messages to several recipients, the electronic equivalent of junk mail. If you receive a lot of spam, check with your Internet Service Provider. Many have implemented programs that help control the amount of spam that you receive. Also consider opening a free e-mail account like Hotmail and use that address when you are asked to give your e-mail address.

This is software that is installed on a computer without the computer user’s explicit knowledge. It is often a hidden component of software that is downloaded from the Internet. It can also be spread via email and by visiting certain websites. 

Once installed on a computer, spyware can gather information like passwords and credit card numbers and transmit them to the creator of the spyware program. It can also take over the infected computer and use it to send spam. This is known as turning the computer into a bot.

This is a type of flash memory that has no moving parts. Some laptop computers are appearing using SSDs for storage instead of hard drives. Because SSDs have no spinning disks like the ordinary hard drives, they offer improved battery life for laptop computers. They also offer better data access speeds than hard disks.

stands for Service Set Identifier.  It is the names assigned to a wireless network.

A surge protector is a device that protects electronic equipment from power surges or spikes. Without a surge protector, a surge that occurs because of lightning or a power irregularity can travel down the electric or telephone line with the force equivalent to a tidal wave, zapping your computer equipment.

A surge protector looks like a power strip but it has internal components that will intercept power surges. Plug your computer equipment into the surge protector's sockets and your telephone line into the protector's R-11 telephone jack (if your computer has a modem) and then plug the surge protector into the wall. Buy a surge protector that will accommodate all of your equipment. Because of slight difference in electrical currents, it is best to plug all equipment into the same source.

Don't skimp when it comes to surge protection. Pay a few extra dollars to make sure you are fully protected. Purchase a surge protector that covers lightning strikes (some do not). Also make sure that the surge protector manufacturer offers insurance to cover the loss of properly attached equipment. Again, if you have a modem, be sure to get a surge protector with a R-11 telephone jack. If you have a cable modem, purchase a surge protector that has a co-ax connection so that your Internet cable is also protected. A good surge protector is inexpensive compared to the cost of replacing your computer equipment. It is one of the wisest computer investments you can make.

To sync means to synchronize the data so tht the files in both places are updated with the most current versions.