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Wednesday, May 15, 2002

Handheld Jargon: A Bot for the Blog!

I was/am trying to create a list of handheld terms/jargon. In looking for
this on the Internet, I did not find many such lists. How about you? I found
a good one at Handango. I am going to share my current list in this posting.
You are welcome to use it. I would also appreciate your input on any terms
I left out or that you think should be on there. We can make it a community
glossary. Now all we need is a bot for our blog who can define the terms
for visitors. The only problem being, that I don't know if a bot on a blog would
work on a handheld unless it was a java-enabled phone that Teri Ross Embrey
talks about. Maybe The Shifted
Librarian
would know. Well, the glossary is listed below. Feel free to take
what you want, and share what you think. Thanks.
802.11a – Newer version of 802.11b that allows devices to exchange information at up to 54 mbs.

802.11b – A wireless standard for device connectivity. Mainly for LAN connections and not necessarily wireless Internet . This standard allows handhelds, desktops and other wireless devices to exchange information at up to 11 mbs at several hundred feet.

Backlight – Optional function in handheld or e-book reader displays which allows the user to read in the dark.

Beaming – a way to send information between two pdas via the infrared port. Can also be used to send information to the printer.

Bluetooth – technology specification for short range wireless connection using chips in cellular phones, mobile pcs and other portable devices. Fairly new standard which works with few devices.

Compact flash – A removeable expansion which could be memory or other connectivity software.

Cradle – Device which handheld computer is placed in to synchronize data with the desktop computer. Cradle connects to the computer via USB or serial connection. Can also be used to recharge handheld computer batteries.

Doc – document. This term is usually used for electronic documents.

Document reader – a program to read documents on the handheld computer

E-text – Text in electronic format which can be read from a handheld computer
GPS – global positioning system

Expansion slots – Physical slots on some handheld computers that can be used for extra memory, digital camera, electronic book, Margi-Presenter-to-go etc.

Graffiti – Handwriting recognition on Palm OS devices

Handspring – a company which manufactures handheld computers which use the Palm operating system.

Hotsync – The process and software by which handheld computers synchronize/share information with a desktop computer

Infrared – Handheld devices can use this to transmit information to each other or to a printer without being physically connected
LCD – Liquid crystal display. Optical technology making small flat screens possible.

Memory stick - A removable flash-memory system developed by Sony and used in Sony handheld computers

Native applications – The handheld computing applications like calendar and memopad which come on the handheld computer.

OS – operating system. Handheld computers usually havea Windows CE operating system or a palm operating system.

Palm – company which manufactures handheld devices. Also a generic term for a handheld computer.

PDA – personal digital assistant. A generic term which could apply to pocket pcs with Windows CE or palm os devices.

PIM – personal information management. Refers to handheld computer applications that organize personal information such as calendar, to do lists, memos.

Pocket PC – Handheld operating system developed by Microsoft – generic term for handheld devices which run Windows CE

RAM – Random access memory. Temporary storage for computer files.

ROM – Read only memory. Used for static information on computers.

Stylus – a pen writing device for the handheld computer. Writes directly on the screen.

Sync – short for hotsync.

USB – Universal Serial bus – a way for handheld computers to connect with desktop computers.

Windows CE – Microsoft operating system for handheld and mobile computers.




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