10NES: Nintendo's NES Lock-Out System 10NES 10NES is the lock-out technology used on the Nintendo Entertainment System to enforce cartridge authorization, limit unlicensed software, and assist region control; it created lega…
135 film (35mm still-photography format) 135 film 135 film, commonly called 35mm film, is the standardized single-spool photographic film format introduced in cassette form by Kodak in 1934 and widely used for still photography.
2G (second-generation mobile phone technology) 2G Second-generation (2G) cellular systems are the first digital mobile networks that succeeded analog 1G. They enabled voice, SMS and low-speed data and laid groundwork for later 3G/…
32-bit computing Overview of 32-bit computing: data width, address space, historical development, common limits and practical uses, and how it differs from other architectures.
Sega 32X — 32‑bit add‑on for the Mega Drive/Genesis 32X An add-on released by Sega in 1994 that upgraded the Mega Drive/Genesis to 32‑bit capability. It offered improved graphics and processing but sold poorly and was quickly eclipsed b…
3D printing (additive manufacturing): overview, methods, materials, and uses 3D printing 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, builds objects layer by layer from digital models. This article explains common technologies, materials, history, applications, benefits, an…
3DO Interactive Multiplayer 3DO The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer was a CD-based video game platform conceived by The 3DO Company in the early 1990s. It used a licensed hardware model and multimedia focus but faile…
3G — Third-generation mobile telecommunications 3G 3G refers to the third generation of mobile telecommunications standards that brought broadband data, multimedia services and packet-based Internet access to cellular networks.
Fourth-generation mobile networks — 4G: technology, performance, and rollout 4G Overview of 4G mobile networks: standards, key technologies (LTE, LTE‑Advanced), typical speeds and latency, deployment timeline, services enabled, and its continuing role alongsid…
4K resolution (Ultra HD): overview, standards, and practical use 4K resolution 4K resolution refers to display formats with about 4,000 horizontal pixels. This article explains common standards (3840×2160, 4096×2160), benefits, history, uses and practical lim…
5G — the fifth generation of cellular mobile networks 5G Overview of 5G cellular technology: what it is, key features (speed, latency, spectrum), frequency bands, common uses, rollout history, device compatibility, and safety concerns.
64-bit computing Explanation of 64-bit computing: architecture, addressing, performance advantages, history, compatibility and common uses compared with 32-bit systems.
7-Zip: Free open-source file archiver and compression utility 7-Zip Free, open-source file archiver created by Igor Pavlov in 1999. Uses the 7z format with LZMA compression; supports many archive types, AES-256 encryption, GUI and command-line tool…
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) — compressed audio format AAC AAC is a lossy digital audio coding standard designed to deliver higher sound quality than MP3 at similar bitrates. Widely used in streaming, portable devices and modern multimedia…
Accelerometer: sensor for measuring proper acceleration and motion Accelerometer An accelerometer measures proper acceleration (acceleration relative to freefall). Covers principles, main types, performance metrics, history, and common applications from navigat…
Access control: principles, models, technologies, and biometrics Access control A concise reference to access control: definitions, models (DAC, MAC, RBAC, ABAC), physical vs digital enforcement, biometric methods, common uses, and privacy and security conside…
Accumulator (CPU register) Accumulator A CPU register that holds intermediate arithmetic and logic results. Often implicit in instructions, the accumulator shaped early computer designs and remains in microcontrollers a…
Action-adventure game Action adventure game A video game genre combining exploration, puzzle-solving, and real-time combat. Blends elements of adventure and action games; includes diverse substyles and notable series like Ze…
Action game An action game is a video game genre emphasizing player reflexes and timing. This article explains defining features, common subgenres, historical development, uses, and notable ex…
ActiveX: Microsoft’s Component Object Model–based Component Framework ActiveX ActiveX is a Microsoft technology for reusable software components (controls) based on COM, historically used in Windows and Internet Explorer to embed interactive functionality in…
Actuator: devices that convert energy into controlled motion Actuator An actuator converts stored energy into physical movement. This article explains types, components, history, common applications, selection criteria and differences from sensors an…
Adaptive optics: correcting optical distortion in real time Adaptive optics Adaptive optics (AO) measures and corrects rapidly varying optical distortions—most notably atmospheric turbulence—to sharpen images and recover near-diffraction-limited performanc…
ADD — meanings: Attention Deficit Disorder, add (verb), addition, and abbreviations ADD ADD commonly denotes Attention Deficit Disorder, the verb or arithmetic operation 'add', and several abbreviations or codes. The article explains main senses, history, usage, and h…
Address bus (computer architecture) Address bus An address bus carries memory addresses between a processor and other components, defining how much memory a system can reach and how devices are selected and mapped.
Adhesive tape: types, composition, uses, and history Adhesive tape A concise guide to adhesive tape: its materials, main varieties (pressure‑sensitive, water‑activated, heat‑set), common uses, historical development, and selection and care tips.
Adjustable wrench (adjustable spanner) Adjustable wrench Hand tool with a movable jaw that fits multiple fastener sizes. Covers design, common names, history of development, typical uses, variants and care.
Adobe Dreamweaver — visual and code web design application Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Dreamweaver is a commercial web design and development application with visual and code editors, template support, and integration for common web technologies and workflows.
Adobe Inc. Adobe Inc., an American software company known for creative and document tools (Photoshop, Acrobat, Creative Cloud), develops applications and services used across publishing, desi…
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Advanced Encryption Standard AES is a widely used symmetric block cipher standardized by NIST for secure data encryption, supporting 128-bit blocks and 128/192/256-bit keys and implemented across software and…
Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) — British graphite–CO2 nuclear design Advanced gas-cooled reactor A comprehensive overview of the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR): design principles, components, history in the United Kingdom, operational sites, performance characteristics and…
Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) Advanced Packaging Tool High-level package management interface used on Debian and Debian-based Linux systems to retrieve, install, upgrade and remove software while resolving dependencies.
Advanced Photo System (APS): film format, features, history and decline Advanced Photo System Overview of the Advanced Photo System (APS), a mid-1990s photographic film format with drop-in cartridges, selectable aspect ratios, magnetic metadata and index prints; its feature…
AGA cooker: heat-storage range — design, history, fuels and household uses AGA cooker The AGA cooker is a cast‑iron heat‑storage range invented in Sweden and long produced in the UK. This article summarizes its design, fuels and variants, history, domestic uses, ene…
AIDS (MS-DOS computer virus) AIDS (MS-DOS) A file-infector from the MS-DOS era that targets .COM and .EXE files, becomes memory-resident, overwrites executable headers and displays a destructive message, requiring backup re…
Air traffic control: functions, structure, history and safety systems Air traffic control Concise overview of air traffic control (ATC): roles, units (tower, approach, en route), surveillance and safety systems, airspace categories, history, training, and modernisation…
Airbus A300 A twin‑engine, twin‑aisle wide‑body airliner introduced by Airbus in the early 1970s; significant as the first twin‑engined wide‑body and widely used in passenger and freighter rol…
Airbus A310: medium-range twin‑engine wide‑body airliner Airbus A310 The Airbus A310 is a shortened wide‑body twin‑engine jet developed from the A300. Announced in 1978, it served passenger, cargo and military roles and helped establish twin‑engine…
Airstone (aquarium and hydroponic diffuser) Airstone Airstones are porous diffusers that introduce air into water to increase dissolved oxygen and circulation. This article covers materials, operation, installation, maintenance, uses…
AK-47: design, history, variants and global impact AK-47 An overview of the AK‑47 assault rifle: origin, mechanism, major variants, operational characteristics, global use and legacy in military and civilian contexts.
Amarok — KDE music player and audio management application Amarok (software) Amarok is a free, open-source music player tailored for the KDE desktop. It combines library management, playlist generation, device and online service integration, and a plugin ar…
Amazon Alexa (virtual assistant) Amazon Alexa Amazon Alexa is a cloud-based virtual assistant by Amazon that understands voice requests, runs third-party skills, controls smart-home devices, and appears across Echo hardware an…
Amazon Echo: an overview of the voice-activated smart speaker and ecosystem Amazon Echo Amazon Echo is a voice-controlled smart speaker powered by Alexa. It plays audio, answers questions, controls smart home devices, and supports third-party skills; first released in…
Amazon Kindle: overview, history, design, and uses Amazon Kindle The Kindle is Amazon's family of e-reader devices and reading apps introduced in 2007. This article covers its design, models, features, ecosystem, and role in digital reading.
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) Amazon Standard Identification Number ASIN is Amazon's internal alphanumeric identifier for products. For books it often matches the ISBN‑10; for other items it is unique to Amazon's catalog and used for listing, searc…
Ambient intelligence Ambient intelligence describes environments of interconnected devices that sense people and context to provide seamless, adaptive support; it overlaps IoT and pervasive computing a…
AMC Gremlin The AMC Gremlin was a subcompact car produced by American Motors from 1970 through 1978; noted for its truncated hatchback design, economy focus, sporty trims, and lasting cult fol…
Amiga: Commodore's 1980s multimedia personal computer family Amiga Comprehensive look at the Amiga, Commodore's 1980s multimedia PC family: custom chips, advanced graphics and sound, multitasking OS, model history, commercial struggles, influence…
Amiga CD32 — Commodore's 1993 32‑bit CD-ROM game console Amiga CD32 The Amiga CD32 was a 32-bit CD-ROM games console released by Commodore in 1993, based on the Amiga A1200 platform; it achieved strong early sales but was discontinued after Commodo…
