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Icon
A small image used by Windows to identify a file or program.
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ID3 tag
A method used for storing information about an MP3 music file, such as the album, artist and track number, inside the file itself.
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IDE
Integrated Drive Electronics. An interface used to connect some hard disks and optical disc drives. Often called ATA.
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Image
A file that contains a complete copy of everything from a CD, DVD or hard disk.
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Image-editing program
A tool used to create or manipulate digital images.
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Imap
Internet Message Access Protocol. A method for email that allows the user to manage messages stored on a remote server.
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IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity. A unique number used to identify each mobile phone handset.
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Infra-red
An interface that allows computer devices to communicate using pulses of infra-red light.
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Ink cartridge
A plastic container of ink that can be inserted into an inkjet printer. Some incorporate a print head, while others are simply a box of ink.
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Inkjet printer
A type of printer that creates documents by squirting tiny dots of ink onto the page.
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Instant messaging
A system that allows users to communicate over the internet using text-based messages.
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Integrated graphics
Where a computer uses a graphics chip built into the motherboard rather than a separate graphics card. This is very common in laptops.
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Integrated graphics chip
A device that has a chip for processing graphics data built on to its motherboard, rather than having a separate graphics card.
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Internet
A global network that links millions of computers.
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Internet Explorer
A web browser, made by Microsoft and included with Windows.
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Internet telephony
Making or receiving phone calls using the internet rather than a traditional telephone exchange system.
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Interpolation
When a scanner increases the size of an image by attempting to guess what lies between existing pixels.
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Intranet
A website that can be accessed only inside a company or organisation.
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Intrusion logging
Keeping a record of attempts to access a computer or network.
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iOS
The operating system used by Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices.
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IP address
Internet Protocol Address. A number used to identify a computer on a network. Rather like a phone number, an IP address can then be used to send information to the right place.
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IPS
A screen technology. Monitors that use it have wider viewing angles and better, more accurate-looking colours compared with monitors that do not use this technology.
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IPTV
Internet Protocol Television. Sending television programmes over a computer network rather than cable, satellite or terrestrial transmission.
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IPv6
A new version of the Internet Protocol that assigns a unique number to devices attached to the interwebs. The prime aim of version six is to increase the number of available addresses to provide for the rising number of web-connected devices.
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IRC
Internet Relay Chat. A system for running and connecting to online chat rooms.
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IRQ
Interrupt Request Setting. This is a technical setting for many PC parts that should not be changed.
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ISO
A type of image file that contains all the data from a CD or DVD disc.
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ISO
The light sensitivity of a camera. Higher ISO numbers allow you to shoot without flash in darker situations.
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ISO
International Organization for Standardization, also commonly used to describe the international standard determining ink cartridge yield for colour inkjet printers.
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ISP
Internet Service Provider. A company that provides users with an internet connection, for a fee.
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.
