Broadband dictionary

Our broadband dictionary gives a simple description of some of the technical words we have used on our broadband site.

You can also visit our IT Help section for details of organisations who can help older and disabled people to get started with computing and broadband.

ADSL
Always on
CD ROM
Chatroom
Download
Email
Instant Messenger
Internet
Microfilter
Modem
Operating system
Satellite Broadband
Screen Reader
Web
Webcam
Webcast
Website

ADSL

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Its like a very fast telephone line that is always connected to the Internet - and is one way of getting broadband.

Always on

If you have broadband, your computer connects instantly to the Internet as soon as you switch it on. You dont need to dial up. This is known as "always on" technology.

This means Compact Disk - Read Only Memory. A CD ROM looks like a music CD and can be used in any computer with a CD ROM Drive. CD ROM's are normally used to provide you with information, for example providing instructions on how to set up broadband on your computer.

Chatroom

Some websites offer a chatroom facility. A chatroom is an online area where two or more people can meet and "chat" by typing messages to each other. Conversations take place in real time. You might have to pay to be a member of some chatrooms, but most are free.

Download

Many websites hold or sell items for you to download. This could include a book or fact sheet or it could be a video clip or a piece of music. If you decide you want to have this piece of information on your own computer, you can download it. This means that the item you have chosen is sent from the website of the company to your computer.

Email

Email is an abbreviation for Electronic Mail. An email is a message sent by computer from one person to another via the Internet. As with sending a letter, you can include all sorts of things such as photographs and videos with your email. They are called attachments.

Instant Messenger

Instant Messenger is similar to e-mail but lets you have an instant chat with a friend or colleague by typing what you want to say in a small window. They will receive the message immediately and type back a reply. You can order Instant Messenger from your Internet Service Provider.

Internet

When one computer is connected to another so that they can send and receive information this is known as a network. The Internet is a big network that connects millions of computers all over the world to each other so that they can send and receive information.

Microfilter

When you order BT Broadband we will send you microfilters. These are small adapters that you plug into each of your broadband phone sockets. Because broadband lets you do more than one thing at time such as being on the Internet or making a phone call, the microfilter makes sure that your phone line sounds clear when you are using the Internet.

Modem

A modem is a cord that lets you connect your computer to your phone socket. When the modem is plugged in you can use your phone socket to connect to the Internet.

Operating System

This is a programme (instructions) held on your computer to make all the different parts work. For example it connects your keyboard and monitor so that you can see what you type on your screen.

Satellite Broadband

If you are in an area with no broadband, satellite broadband offers ADSL connection via a satellite dish, installed at your address. Aimed at business, this method is much more expensive to install and run than standard broadband. For more information BT's satellite broadband go to the BT Business Broadband website.

Screen Reader

Web users who have no useful sight may use a screen reader program to read the contents of web pages aloud or send the results to a Braille display. As well as the text, the screen reader will also interpret the HTML used on the page, identifying elements such as links, headings and subheadings. This allows the user to understand the structure of the page and to navigate to other pages.