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H.264
A type of MPEG4 video that is used on Blu-ray discs and recorded by many cameras and camcorders.
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Hacker
Traditionally, a computer expert. More commonly used to mean people who break into others’ computers.
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Hacking
A slang term for illegally accessing computer systems.
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Halftoning
A technique used by laser printers to simulate various shades of colour or grey using dots of ink.
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Handles
In software, small markers that appear around an object on screen. Clicking and dragging the handles will adjust the size of the object.
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Hard disk
A high-capacity disk fitted in almost all PCs and used to store both applications and the documents and files they create.
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Hardware
A physical part of your computer, as opposed to the software programs that run on it.
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HDCP
Copy-protection technology for high-definition content built into Blu-ray players.
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HD DVD
A failed competitor to Blu-ray discs.
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HDMI
High definition media interface. A type of connection that transmits high-definition video and audio signals. It is found on many new TVs, media PCs and high-definition products such as Blu-ray disc players and the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 games consoles.
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HDTV
High Definition Television. Television broadcast in a widescreen, high-definition format, or a television set that can display high-definition pictures.
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Header
An area that appears at the top of every printed page, normally in a word-processing document.
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Heatsink
A block of metal used to help dissipate the heat from a computer chip.
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Heuristics
A technique used to identify unknown computer viruses based on their behaviour.
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Hibernation
A power-saving standby mode where the computer stores everything from its memory on the hard disk before switching off almost all power.
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High definition
A video file or broadcast with a higher resolution than normal. Generally used to refer to resolutions of 720p, 1080i and 1080p.
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Histogram
An image-editing tool that gives a visual representation of the image’s exposure.
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Home network
Connecting several computers in a home together to share files or internet access.
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Home page
The first page shown when you visit a website. Sometimes also used to mean the page that shows when you open your browser.
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Homeplug
One of the standards for building computer networks using a house’s mains power wires.
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Honeypot
A computer set up specifically to attract spam emails and viruses so they can be tested and examined.
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Hotkey
A key set up to perform a complex action.
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Hot shoe
An adapter found on some cameras that can power a flash, microphone or light.
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Hotspot
A public area covered by a wireless network that allows you to access the internet, either free or for a fee.
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Hot-swappable
Computer accessories or components that can be removed when the PC is running.
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HSDPA
High-speed Download Packet Access. A standard for mobile internet access. HSDPA is a fast type of mobile broadband.
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HTML
Hypertext Markup Language. The language used to write most web pages.
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HTML5
The latest version of the Hypertext Markup Language used to create most web pages. HTML5 includes extra commands that allow for more complex designs.
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Hub
A network device that can link several devices via Ethernet cables.
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Hyperlink
A clickable link that takes you to a new document or web page.
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Hyperthreading
A technology used by some Intel processors. Hyperthreading can accelerate some computing tasks.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
