Tech jargon unravelled by Gadget Helpline

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Term 6: Time shifting

It may sound Sci-Fi, something Doctor Who may be doing on a Saturday night, but “time shifting” has actually become a daily practice in most of our homes. It is the recording of television programmes onto a hard disk, such as Sky Plus or Virgin Plus, so you can watch it when you want. This term is also relevant to podcasts of radio programmes.

Term 7: Digital TV

One of the more serious points brought up in this jargon busting report was that most people were unaware of the difference between analogue and digital television.

All it comes down to is the different ways television signals are sent to your home. Previously it was analogue signals but with the upcoming switchover all TVs in the UK are set to receive digital signals instead. Digital signals take up less bandwidth than analogue meaning more channels can be provide to the viewer whilst using the same amount of space. A higher level of interactivity also comes with the change from analogue to digital as well as a higher quality of picture.

Term 8: Ethernet

Ethernet is a type of technology used for local area networks (LANs) connecting computers to one another through cables and Ethernet ports on your computer. This then shares information between networked computers. In its simplest form it can also be used to plug your PC into the internet if you do not have wireless capabilities.

Term 9: PC Suite

Another Nokia term appears on the list but this time its software title comes under fire. Nokia’s PC Suite is a piece of software that comes with Nokia phones allowing your handset and computer to communicate.

You can take photos off your phone, put music onto your phone and generally organise your media on the device but from your computer, as long as it runs a Microsoft Windows operating system. You can either plug the phone in via a USB cable that again comes with the handset or alternatively wireless Bluetooth or infrared.

Term 10: Desktop

Your desktop will be in front of you as you read this article; it is your computer screen. The metaphor was created to make users imagine their screen as their desk with their notepad (notepad, Word, Open Office), phone (email, instant messengers), diary (Outlook) etc. Everything one would have on their desk is there virtually on your machine, ergo putting one at ease with the computer in front of them.

There you have it. The 10 most confusing jargon terms according to the Gadget Helpline. But what jargon really confuses or annoys you? Drop us an email at comments@itpro.co.uk and have your say.

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