Tech terms you ought to know

For nearly all of us, technology is an integral part of our everyday lives. Many of us, however, still are hazy on a number of common technology terms. Fortunately, for those that are unclear, we have created a mini glossary of common tech terms you should be familiar with.


Cookies

Cookies allow websites to recognize you when you revisit them. By allowing cookies, you are letting your browser store your information, such as username, password and preferences, and provide it for the site you are visiting. They are a time-saver that can be very convenient for avid Internet users.


Cookies are also seen by some as a privacy issue. Since they store your information and track your activity, somebody could easily obtain your data. You can protect yourself, however, by using cookies sparingly.

URL

A URL, or uniform resource letter, is the web address for a certain site. It is what you type into the address bar at the top of your web browser which brings you to the website you want to visit.


Cloud


Cloud is one of the most used terms in tech these days yet it still has quite a few people scratching their heads. The cloud is made up of web-based services that you can use on any computer without buying hardware or installing software. Google Docs and Facebook are among the most common cloud services today.

Flash

Flash is an Adobe Systems-owned platform that allows for great web interactivity. Installing a Flash plug-in on your browser makes it possible for you to view animations, certain displays and videos. Although Flash has been the longtime standard, HTML5 is surfacing as a valid competitor.


Knowing the basics of tech terminology is a great way to better understand the technology we interact with.


For more tech terms and their definitions, check out this glossary.