Glossary

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Video On Demand (VoD)
An interactive multimedia system that lets a user select and view a movie from a large video database when desired -- not according to a predetermined schedule.

• See also: Multimedia

Videoconferencing
A conversation between two or more users who are in separate locations but can see and hear each other over a computer network.

• Related Link: FAQ: Web conferencing and web cams

Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A private data network that makes use of the public telephone network, as opposed to more costly leased lines.

Virus
A program, often transmitted as attachments to an e-mail, that can wreak havoc on a computer when opened.

• See also: Malware

Voice Over IP (VoIP)
Enables users to make phone calls over the Internet via a computer and some specialized equipment, such as a VoIP phone.

• See also: Internet Telephony
• Learn more at: Internet Phone

Voice Over WiFi (VoWiFi)
Technology that allows users to communicate wirelessly by voice over networks, such as the Internet.

• See also: Wi-Fi, Voice Over WLAN (VoWLAN)

Voice Over WLAN (VoWLAN)
Technology that allows users to communicate wirelessly by voice over networks, such as the Internet.

• See also: Wi-Fi, Voice Over WiFi (VoWiFi)

Voicemail
A computerized telephone answering system that digitizes incoming voice messages and stores them.

Wardriving
Using a laptop, antenna and other equipment to cruise around by car in highly networked areas and look for open access points to access sensitive information.

• See also: Access Point

Wide Area Network (WAN)
A long-distance communications network that covers a wide geographic area, such as a state or country.

• See also: Local Area Network (LAN)

Wi-Fi Alliance
A nonprofit organization that promotes 802.11 standardization and oversees product-interoperability testing for high-speed wireless LANs.

• See also: Wireless LAN (WLAN), 802.11

WiFi Protected Access (WEP)
A security standard for protecting wireless networks.

• See also: WiFi

WiMedia Alliance
A nonprofit organization that promotes worldwide adoption and standardization of ultrawideband radio (UWB).

• See also: Ultrawideband Radio (UWB)

Wireless
Refers to numerous forms of transmission that do not use metal wires or optical fibers.

Windows
A popular operating system from Microsoft designed for running desktop and laptop computers.

• See also: Macintosh (Mac)

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
A set of specifications that lets developers build networked applications designed for handheld wireless devices.

• See also: Protocol, Handheld

Wireless Broadband
A type of broadband technology that delivers data via a radio link, with speeds comparable to DSL and cable modem.

• See also: Broadband, DSL, Cable Modem

Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)
Technology that lets users wirelessly connect to networks, such as the Internet, based on 802.11 standards.

• See also: 802.11

Wireless HD
A wireless digital interface that enables high-definition (HD) audio video streaming and high-speed content transmission.

Wireless HD Consortium
A group of electronics manufacturers formed to enable high-definition video to be streamed wirelessly to high-definition TVs.

Wireless High Definition Interface (WHDI)
Technology capable of supporting very high uncompressed video rates beyond what WiFi offers.

• See also: WiFi

Wireless Local Area Network (Wireless LAN, WLAN)
A system of wirelessly connecting computers and other devices within the same physical proximity so they can share resources, such as an Internet connection or printer.

Wireless Message Format (WMF)
A standard format for presenting data received through a paging system to mobile computers.

Wireless Router
A device that accepts connections from wireless devices to a network, such as a laptop to the Internet.

Wireless USB
A standard type of plug that wirelessly connects devices, such as a printer, scanner or home entertainment components, to a computer.

• See also: Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Wireless Voice Over IP (VoFi)
Enables users to make wireless phone calls over the Internet.

• See also: Voice Over IP (VoIP)

World Wide Web
A global, virtual network of connected computers that serve documents, files and other resources over the Internet.

• See also: Internet

XM Satellite Radio
One of two satellite radio services in North America that provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television.

• See also: Sirius Satellite Radio

Zip
A single file comprised of multiple files that have been compressed, or reduced, in size for easy transmission.