Technology

Virtual Console — Nintendo's legacy game distribution service Virtual Console Virtual Console is Nintendo's digital storefront for licensed classic games on Wii, Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, offering emulated releases from many older systems and regional storefro…

Virtual DOS Machine (VDM): running legacy DOS and 16‑bit Windows software Virtual DOS machine A Virtual DOS Machine lets modern 32‑bit systems run 16‑bit DOS and 16‑bit Windows programs by providing a controlled virtual environment that reproduces DOS behavior and hardware…

Virtual machine: concepts, types, uses, and history Virtual machine A virtual machine (VM) is software that emulates a complete computer system, isolating guest operating systems and applications for testing, consolidation, cloud services, and lega…

Virtual memory: concepts, mechanisms, history, and practical effects Virtual memory Virtual memory is an operating-system and hardware abstraction that gives processes the illusion of a large contiguous address space. This article explains how it works, its compon…

Virtual Reality: Principles, Components, History and Applications Virtual reality Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment that simulates physical presence and sensory experience. This article explains how VR works, its components, history, uses…

VirtualBox — cross-platform x86 virtualization hypervisor by Oracle VirtualBox VirtualBox is a cross-platform type‑2 hypervisor for x86/AMD64 hosts that runs many guest operating systems for development, testing, legacy support and lightweight server consolid…

Virtualization (computing): concepts, types, uses and distinctions Virtualization Overview of computing virtualization: what it is, main types (hypervisors, containers, emulation), typical uses, history, and key differences and trade-offs.

Visteon Dockable Entertainment An in-car docking system by Visteon that allowed Game Boy Advance–style handhelds to connect with vehicle multimedia displays, blending portable gaming with rear-seat entertainment…

VisualEditor — the WYSIWYG-like editor for MediaWiki VisualEditor VisualEditor is a user-friendly, WYSIWYG-style editor for MediaWiki wikis designed to let people edit pages without learning wikitext. It is an extension originally developed with…

Sega Dreamcast VMU (Visual Memory Unit) VMU The VMU is Sega's Dreamcast memory card with a built-in LCD, controls and mini-game capability. It stores saves, displays in-game info and can run simple standalone games when deta…

VMware ThinApp: application virtualization and portable Windows apps VMware ThinApp VMware ThinApp is application virtualization software that packages Windows programs into standalone executables, isolating them from the host OS to simplify deployment, portabilit…

Voice Recorder (Dictation Machine): Overview, History, Features and Uses Voice recorder An overview of voice recorders—devices for capturing and replaying speech. Covers history from early phonographs to digital recorders and smartphones, key parts and features, commo…

Voltaic pile (first electric battery) Voltaic pile An early electrochemical battery invented by Alessandro Volta around 1800: a stack of alternating metal discs and electrolyte producing the first steady electric current for experi…

Voltmeter: instrument for measuring electrical potential difference Voltmeter A voltmeter measures electrical potential difference (voltage). This article explains types, design principles, history, common uses, and practical safety and accuracy consideratio…

Von Neumann architecture — the stored‑program computer model Von Neumann architecture A foundational model for digital computers in which a CPU executes program instructions stored in the same memory as data; introduced in the 1940s and still influential in modern d…

Vortex (Kings Island): Arrow Dynamics steel coaster with six inversions Vortex (Kings Island) Vortex is a steel roller coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, built by Arrow Dynamics and opened in 1987. Noted for six inversions, an early world record, and long-standing popu…

Vortex mixer: laboratory device for rapid sample mixing Vortex mixer A compact laboratory instrument that agitates small vessels by circular motion. Describes design, operation modes, common uses, safety and maintenance, and variations for different…

Vostok (rocket family) Soviet R-7–derived launch vehicles used in the late 1950s–1960s for Sputnik, Luna probes and the crewed Vostok missions, notable for strap-on boosters and the Blok‑E upper stage.

Vulnerability Index (homelessness): prioritizing health and housing Vulnerability index A brief on the Vulnerability Index, a survey-based tool used by outreach teams to identify unsheltered people at greatest risk and prioritize health care and supportive housing pla…

Vuze (formerly Azureus): Java BitTorrent client and media platform Vuze Vuze (originally Azureus) is a Java-based BitTorrent client known for its plugin architecture, media features and cross-platform functionality. It began as an open-source project i…

VxWorks — real-time operating system for embedded and safety-critical systems VxWorks VxWorks is a proprietary real‑time operating system for embedded devices. It provides deterministic scheduling, device support, networking and tools used across aerospace, defense,…

Walker (walking frame) Walker (tool) A walker (walking frame) is a common mobility aid that provides stability and support while walking. Types include standard frames, wheeled walkers and rollators; selection depends…

Walkman: the portable audio player and cultural icon Walkman Walkman is Sony’s brand for portable personal audio players, introduced in the late 20th century. It popularized private, portable listening and led to many format variants from ca…

WannaCry ransomware attack (May 2017) WannaCry ransomware attack A widespread May 2017 ransomware worm that infected Windows systems, encrypted files, and demanded payment in Bitcoin. It highlighted patching gaps, the SMB/EternalBlue exploit, an…

Warp drive (faster-than-light propulsion concept) Warp drive Hypothetical faster-than-light propulsion that 'warps' spacetime. Explains the idea, its fictional origins, scientific proposals, distinctions from wormholes, and current feasibili…

Washing machine A household appliance that cleans textiles by agitating them with water and detergent. Covers types, components, history, common cycles, uses, maintenance, and key differences.

Watchdog timer A watchdog timer is a hardware or software supervisory timer that detects and recovers from system malfunctions by triggering interrupts or resets when a running system fails to re…

watchOS — Apple Watch operating system watchOS watchOS is Apple Inc.'s operating system for the Apple Watch. It adapts iOS concepts for a wrist-worn device, emphasizing glanceable information, health tracking, and tight iPhone…

Water rocket: design, operation, and uses Water rocket A water rocket is a simple model rocket that produces thrust by expelling water under pressure. This article covers its principles, parts, history, educational uses, and safety gui…

Water Tank — Storage Vessels for Domestic, Agricultural, and Industrial Use Water tank Overview of water tanks: types, materials, history, typical uses, key components, and safety/maintenance considerations for storing and supplying water.

Watson (computer): IBM's natural language question‑answering system Watson (computer) Watson is IBM's research system that interprets natural-language questions, searches large text corpora, ranks candidate answers with confidence scores and was showcased on Jeopard…

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) WAV WAV (WAVE) is a common audio file container developed by Microsoft and IBM for storing uncompressed and encapsulated audio streams, typically using LPCM; widely used on Windows and…

WaveBird Wireless Controller (Nintendo GameCube) WaveBird Wireless Controller Nintendo's WaveBird (2002) is a first-party RF wireless controller for the GameCube; it uses AA batteries, omits rumble for longer life, and regained popularity with Wii backward c…

Weak key (cryptography) — definition, types, impact and mitigation Weak key A weak key makes a cipher behave insecurely or predictably, simplifying attacks. This article explains what weak keys are, types, historical examples, effects on security and commo…

Weather vane A weather vane (or wind vane) is an instrument that shows wind direction. Historically practical for agriculture and navigation, today it is often decorative and can appear in many…

Web application A web application is software that runs across a network in a web browser and on servers, enabling interactive services such as webmail, online banking, social platforms, and other…

Webcam: overview, types, uses, and privacy Webcam A webcam is a small video camera that provides live images to a computer or network. This article covers what webcams are, how they work, their history, common uses, and privacy or…

WebKit (Browser Layout Engine) WebKit WebKit is an open-source browser engine originally developed by Apple for Safari. It parses HTML/CSS, runs JavaScript, and provides embedding APIs; parts are LGPL and other parts u…

Wedge (simple machine and shape) Wedge A wedge is a triangular or trapezoidal simple machine that converts an applied force into separating, lifting, or holding forces. This article covers mechanics, design, history and…

Wet cell (electrochemical cell using liquid electrolyte) Wet cell A wet cell is an electrochemical cell that uses a liquid electrolyte. This article explains design, common types (flooded lead–acid, historical cells), uses, safety, maintenance an…

Whistle: instrument and act of producing sound by forcing air Whistle A whistle is a device or the act of producing a clear tone by directing a stream of gas, used for signaling, music, sports, and safety. Covers operation, types, history, and common…

Wi‑Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) Wi-Fi Protected Access Overview of Wi‑Fi Protected Access standards, their technical features, modes (Personal vs Enterprise), history from WEP to WPA2, security considerations, and practical guidance fo…

Wide Area Network (WAN): Overview, Technology, History and Uses Wide area network A wide area network (WAN) links multiple local networks across cities, countries or globally. This article explains what a WAN is, how it works, common technologies, history, uses,…

Wiggler (synchrotron insertion device) Wiggler (synchrotron) A wiggler is a magnetic insertion device in a synchrotron that forces relativistic charged particles to oscillate and emit intense, broadband synchrotron radiation for high‑flux X‑…

Wii — Nintendo home video game console Wii The Wii is Nintendo's 2006 home video game console known for its motion-based controls, broad appeal to casual and core gamers, backwards compatibility (original model), and sales…

Wii Balance Board A pressure-sensing peripheral for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U, introduced with Wii Fit for balance- and fitness-focused game interactions; later used in other titles and non‑gaming ap…

Wii MotionPlus: precision motion sensing accessory for the Wii Remote Wii MotionPlus An add-on for Nintendo's Wii Remote that improved rotational and orientation detection using gyroscopes; later integrated into the Wii Remote Plus. Used to enable more accurate mot…

Wii U: Nintendo's eighth-generation home console and the GamePad era Wii U An overview of Nintendo's Wii U: hardware and GamePad features, software and backward compatibility, release history, commercial performance, and its lasting influence on Nintendo'…