the ultimate jargon buster - 3/7
E...
Effective pixels
The actual number of pixels used to capture an image, excluding those for color balance or those outside the lens range.
EIDE
An improved version of the IDE drive controller standard.
Electronic viewfinder
A miniature LCD monitor inside a camera viewfinder showing what the camera sees.
Embedded profile
An ICC color profile resident in an image file to ensure correct color interpretation.
Emoticon
Small drawings, typically yellow faces, used to augment text messages.
Encryption
Think of encryption as writing a secret message in code. Only someone with the right key (or code) can read it. This is super important for keeping your data safe from anyone who might want to see it.
Enumeration
A data type whose values are a set of mutually exclusive named constants.
EPS
A file format for images used in illustration and page-layout programs.
Ethernet
A family of computer networking technologies that are all connected via wires not wi-fi.
Event
An action that causes something to happen in a computer program.
Exception
An interruption in normal processing usually caused by an error.
EXIF (PC)
A standard for exchanging data between cameras and software, including camera settings.
Expansion Card
A printed circuit board installed into a PC to add functionality.
Exposure
The combination of shutter speed and aperture used to obtain the correct amount of light for a picture.
External flash
A connection (usually a hot-shoe) that allows the use of a separate flashgun.
F...
A social networking site
FaceTime
A communication service from Apple
FAT32
A system for storing data on Windows hard drives.
Feathering
The softening of the edge of a selection.
Fill layer
A layer containing a solid color, pattern, or gradient.
Filters
Options to alter an image’s look, such as adding distortions or unique lighting.
Firewall
A security device monitoring network traffic and preventing unauthorized access.
Firmware
Software instructions programmed on a hardware device for communication with other
hardware.
Fixed focus
Lenses that cannot be adjusted and rely on a narrow aperture to keep objects in focus.
Flash Memory
A type of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
Flattening
Merging all visible layers into the Background layer to reduce file size.
Floating point
A method of representing real numbers as a pair of integers.
f-number
The ratio of a lens aperture to its focal length.
Focal length
Describes the magnifying power of a lens.
Font
A set of characters sharing a common weight, width, and style.
For Loop
A programming loop with a pre-determined beginning, end, and incremental steps.
Force Restart
A troubleshooting method for Apple Watch involving the side button and digital crown.
Framework
A programme, code library or component for developing software applications.
Front End
The user-facing side of an application displaying information and enabling interaction.
FSB
Connects the processor to the system memory and mother-board components.
Function
A routine that receives arguments and may return a result.
G...
Gamma adjustment
Changing the brightness of mid-tones without affecting highlights or shadows.
Gamut
The range of color that a specific device can reproduce.
Gateway
A gateway is like a crossroads where different networks come together. It serves as the main entrance and exit for all data.
Gaussian blur
A softening effect applied through a bell-shaped distribution of colors.
GDPR
General Data Protection Regulation is an EU data protection and privacy law.
Gestures
Actions performed with fingers on a touchscreen or touchpad.
GIF
A format suitable for line art, text, and web animations.
Gigabyte
A unit of measurement equal to 1,024 megabytes.
Gigahertz
A unit equal to 1,000 megahertz used to measure processing speeds.
GIT
Git is a version control system for tracking source code changes during software development.
Goto
An older programming statement for unconditional control transfer.
GPU
A component used primarily for computing 3D functions like lighting and motion.
Gradient
A method for achieving a smooth transition between two adjacent colors.
Graphical User Interface
Think of a graphical user interface (GUI) as a window into your computer, where you can see information and interact with it using menus, chat boxes and icons. This interface helps you connect with the system.
Greyscale
A single-channel image containing only black, white, and shades of grey.
GUI
A visual interface allowing interaction via mouse rather than text commands.
H...
Halftone
A monochrome image simulating grey shades using variably sized dots.
Hard Disk
Also known as a Hard Drive; the internal drive that reads, writes, and transmits data between the CPU and the disk.
HDD
Short for “Hard Disk Drive”.
HDMI
A digital interface for transmitting audio and video in a single cable.
HDR
A technique combining multiple exposures to produce one image with a wide range of contrast.
Heat Sink
A metal component attached to a processor to draw heat away.
Highlight and shadow
The lightest and darkest colors in an image.
Histogram
A graph representing the brightness distribution or pixel values of an image.
Hosting
Hosting makes a website accessible via the web by purchasing a URL and connecting it to content.
Hue
The property that allows a color to be distinguished as red, blue, yellow, etc..
Hyper-threading
Intel technology allowing a processor to execute two sets of instructions (threads) simultaneously.
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