Technology Buzz Words

Critical Updates

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
required by Windows XP/2000 to keep your computer secure and up-to-date
More information on setting up automatic updates

DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act)

http://www.ttu.edu/dmca.php
enacted in 1998 to update copyright law to encompass the growing use of computers and the Internet

eRaider

http://eraider.ttu.edu/
your TTU electronic identification; a single username and password allowing you to use email, access TechSIS, enroll in computer training, download software, and many other campus technology services

Ethernet

a common method of networking computers; used to connect the residence hall rooms, campus offices, and facilities to the Internet via the Texas Tech backbone

Ethernet/Network Card (NIC)

additional hardware needed for your computer to connect to ethernet; available at most computer stores

LAN (Local Area Network)

refers to multiple computers which are connected via ethernet over relatively short distances

Peer-to-Peer

http://www.ttu.edu/dmca.php
http://www.itts.ttu.edu/documentation/laws/
one-to-one Internet connection used to share files; often involving the use of file-sharing programs; sharing copyrighted material is illegal

Portal

http://www.raiderlink.ttu.edu/
describes a website intended to be the first place people see when using the web; contains a catalog of websites, a search engine and other services; seen as the main "point of entry", or "portal" to the web

Raiderlink

http://www.raiderlink.ttu.edu/
your online campus connection; connects you to search engines, student administration information, university parking services, weather, and much more

TechDrive

http://www.raiderlink.ttu.edu/
a module in Raiderlink that allows you to save your files through the Internet to a network drive; accessible from any computer with Internet access
More information on TechDrive

TechMail

http://mail.ttu.edu/
your Texas Tech e-mail; used for official university correspondence

Virus

computer program that can reproduce by changing other programs to include a copy of itself; can distribute itself through e-mail or by download
Symantec AntiVirus is available through eRaider.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

similar to a LAN, but the network extends larger distances, usually more than one building or geographical area

Wireless

http://www.helpdesk.ttu.edu/general/wireless.php
connection to the Internet using a wireless card; often seen in laptops and PDAs