Computer Acronyms, Definitions, Slang, and Lingo

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Last Updated: August 25, 2003
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2GL	Second Generation Languages (Basic, Fortran, Cobol, C, etc.)
3D	Three Dimensional (usually refers to graphics, movies, wallpaper etc. created to look as if they are 3 dimensional)
3GL	Third Generation Languages (Pascal, C++, QBasic, etc.)
.386	A virtual device driver file extension
.3d2	A 3D graphic file extension
.3ds	A 3D graphic file extension
4GL	Fourth Generation Language (Java, HotMetal, Page Mill, etc. - visual languages)
AAB	All to All Broadcast
AAL	Asynchronous transfer mode Adaptation Layer
AAT	Average Access Time
ABEND	ABnormal END of program (mainframe and programming terminology)
ABI	Application Binary Interface
ABIST	Automatic Built In Self Test
AC	1. Alternating Current
AC	2. Automatic Computer
ACAP	Application Configuration Access Protocol
.ace	An archived (raw zipped) file extension
ACE	Access Control Entry
ACL	Access Control List
ACM	Association of Computer Machinery
ACM	Audio Compression Manager (Microsoft)
ACS	Access Control System
ACS	Asynchronous Communication Server (similar to file server for modems)
.act or ACT	1. Information manager program by Symantec
ACT	2. All Computer Technology (notebook/computer Co.)
ACT	3. Asynchronous Communication Terminal
ADC	1.Analog to Digital Converter
ADC	2.Advanced Data Connector (database caching w/IIS server)
.acw or ACW	Microsoft's Accessibility Wizard
ADI	American Documentation Institute
ADIS	Automatic Data Interchange System
ADO	Active Data Objects
ADP	1. Application Development Programming
ADP	2. Automatic Data Processing
AED	Automated Engineered Design system
AFP	Appletalk File Protocol
AFTP	Anonymous File Transfer Protocol
AGA	Advanced Graphic Adapter
AGC	Automatic Gain Control
AGP	Accelerated Graphics Port
AI	Artificial Intelligence
.aif	An audio file extension (also AIFF or AIFC)
AIFF	Audio Interface File Format
AIX	Advanced Interactive eXecutive (IBM's version of UNIX)
.ajp	a popular java extension used by Anfy applets.
ALU	Arithmetic Logic Unit
AM	Amplitude Modulation
AMD	Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (competitor to Intel and Cyrex process chip co.)
AMD	Auto-Mounter Daemon
AMD	Active Matrix Display
AMI	American Mega-trends Inc. (BIOS manufactures ref: Pheonix, Award)
.ani or ANI	ANImated cursors - (file extension used with Windows 95 instead of multiple .cur files) Can also be used by other animation tools or programs.
ANI	Automatic Numbering Identification
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
AOL	America On Line (Internet Service Provider)
AP	Attached Processor
APA	All Points Addressable (mode in which user has control over all aspects of display)
API	Application Programming Interface
APIC	Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (Intel)
.apj	Macromedia Project File
APL	Automatic Programming Language
APPC	Advanced Program to Program Communications
AQL	Acceptable Quality Level
ARA	Appletalk Remote Access
ARAMP	Application RAM Performance
.arc or ARC	ARChived file: Older compression file used by PKZIP
.arj	Compressed file extension
ARCnet	Attached Resource Computer network (uses star, or bus token passing technology - slow)
ARPA	Advanced Research Projects Agency
ARPANET	Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (the beginning of the internet)
ARU	Automatic Response Unit
ASAP	Application Assessment And Planning package (Lotus migration application)
ASCII	American Standard Code for Information Interchange (usually referring to generic text)
.asf or ASF	Multi - Media file extension
ASK	Amplitude Shif Keying
.asp or ASP	Active Server Page
.asm	Assembly Source Language source file extension
ASMP	Asymmetric Multi-Processing
.asp	Active Server Page. (or Application Server Program) Scripting language that dynamically calls information to create a web page depending upon the information being requested. Used by Microsoft's Server Software IIS.
ASP	Application Service Provider
ASPI	Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (communication port technology)
.asx	Multi - Media file extension
AT	1. Asynchronous Transmission
AT	2. Advanced Technology
ATA	AT Attachment interface
ATM	1. Adobe Type Manager (see True Type Font)
ATM	2. Asynchronous Transfer Mode
.au	Audio File extension (often used by Real Media)
AUI	Adapter Unit Interface
AUP	Acceptable Use Policy
AV	Authentication Verification
.avi	Movie file extension
AVI	Audio Visual Interleave
AWE	Advanced Wave Effects

b2b	Business To Business
b2c	Business To Consumer
BAD	Broken As Designed (Refers to inferior products that will require constant upgrades)
bash	Borne Again SHell (2nd Generation Linux command shell)
BASIC	Beginner All purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (programming language)
BASM	Built in ASseMbler
BAT	Batch (file extension)
BAUD	Rate which information is exchanged (modems: Binary Assembly Un-assembly of Data)
BBS	Bulletin Board System
BCD	Binary Coded Decimal
BCL	Batch Command Language
BCP	Bulk Copy Program
BDC	Back up Domain Controller (Type of server on an NT Microsoft Network)
BDE	Borland Database Engine
BER	Bit Error Rate
BERT	Bit Error Rate Testing
BFI	Bytes From Index (how HD heads find FAT entries)
BFT	Binary File Transfer
BGI	Borland Graphical Interface (Programming environment used by Borland languages)
BGP	Borland Graphic Protocol
BHO	Browser Helper Objects
BIM	Business Information Managers (software)
BIND	Berkley Internet Name Domain (early version of DNS servers)
BIOS	Basic Input Output System
BIT	BInary digiT
BITNET	Because It's Time Network
BLOB	Binary Large OBject (a field definition for databases such a paradox)
BMIC	Bus Master Interface Controller
.bmp	BitMaP file. A type of graphic, ... file extension
BN	Backbone Network
BNC	British National Connector (terminator for cabling)
BNS	Backbone Network Service
BOF	Beginning Of File
BOOP	Bill and the Office Of the President (Microsoft slang for management brain-storming)
BOS	Basic Operating System
BOSS	Business Organizer Scheduling System (one of the original hand-held organizers)
BOWEP	Best Of Windows Entertainment Pack
BPI	Library files used by exe files and device drivers in Windows 95 (dll format)
BPB	BIOS Parameter Block (Disk technology)
bps	Bits Per Second
BSD	Berkley Software Distribution (released version and add-on's of/for UNIX)
BSOD	Blue Screen Of Death (a Windows or NT crash)
BTP	Batch Transfer Program
BUD	Bring Up Diagnostics (NIC PC's use for setups)
BYOA	Bring Your Own Access (access the Internet via telnet & your own ISP)

.cab	Compressed file extension. Started as Microsoft installation file type.
CAD	Computer Aided Design
CAL	Computer Aided Learning
CAM	Common Access Method (SCSI type drivers for accessing devices)
CAD/CAM	Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacturing
.cat	Catalog File extension.
CAT	Continuous Asynchronous Transmission
CAT5	Category 5 (refers to thickness and quality of wiring)
CATV	Community Antenna Television
CAU	Control Access Unit
CAV	Constant Angular Velocity
CBT	Computer Based Training
CCD	Charge Coupled Device (integrated internal circuit inside computer)
CCS	Common Command Set (instructions for SCSI interface)
CD	1. Compact Disk (Holds approx.630 Mb of info)
CD	2. Change Directory (DOS command)
CD	3. Carrier Dis-connect (modem talk)
CD	4. Carrier Detect (modem talk)
CD - DA	Compact Disk - Digital Audio
CDDA	Audio File in AIFF format
CD-R	Compact Disk Recordable (drives that write (or burn) information to a CD)
CD-ROM	Compact Disk - Read Only Memory
CD-RW	Compact Disk - Re -Writeable (can be used or written to more than once)
CDB	Common Dialog Box
CDE	Common Desktop Environment (a UNIX windowed environment)
CDFS	Compact Disk File System (similar to the FAT on a hard disk)
CDFS	Compact Disk File System
CDRAM	Cached Dynamic RAM
CDS	1. Comprehensive Display System
CDS	2. Compatible Duplex System
.cdr or CDR	A Graphics File extension, often used by Corel Draw
CE	The operating system used by the new palm size computers.
.cfm or CFML	Cold Fusion Mark-up Language
CGA	1. Color Graphics Adapter
CGA	2. Computer Graphics Architecture
CGE	Common Graphics Environment
CGI	Common Gateway Interface
CGM	Computer Graphics Metafile (file extension)
CHAT	Conversational Hypertext Access Technology ("talking" in real time over the internet)
CHS	Cylinder / Head / Sector
.chm or CHM	Compiled Help Markup ... file extension
CIAC	Computer Incident Advisory Capability (US govt. computer investigation agency)
CICA	Center for Innovative Computing Applications
CICS	Customer Information Control System
CIDR	Classless Inter Domain Routing. Routers that, instead of maintaining large list of IP addresses, contain list of other backbone providers and services that do have the addresses, URL's, etc.)
CIFS	Common Internet File System
CIM	Computer Integrated Manufacturing
CIM	Common Information Model
CIO	Computer Information Officer
CIS	Computer Information Systems (course: Computer Information Science)
CISC	Complex Instruction Set Computer (refers to a processor, pentium)
CLASS	Compiled java program, often used as .class extension
CLI	Command Line Interface
CLP	1. CLiP art
CLP	2. windows clipboard file extension
CLS	CLear the Screen (DOS command)
CMIP	Common Management Information Protocol
CMOS	Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
CMY	Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
CMYK	Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK
CNA	Certified Network (NetWare) Administrator
CNE	Certified Network (NetWare) Engineer
CNT	Certified Network (NetWare) Technician
COAST	Card On A STick
.cob	3D graphic source file extension.
COBOL	COmmon Business Oriented Language (programming language)
COBRA	Common Object Request Broker Architecture
CODASYL	Conference On DAta SYstem Logic
COM	1. COMmand (file extension) 3. COMmon
COM	2. Component Object Module
COM	3. COMmon object.
COMM1-4	COMMunication port
CON	CONsole
COO	Cost Of Ownership (the expense of attaining and maintaining particular computer needs)
.cpl	File used by Windows Control PaneL (file extension)
CP/M	Control Program for Microcomputers (first OS for PC's before DOS)
CPR	Central Processor Recovery
CPS	Clusters Per Sector (depends on the OS, AND the size of the disk partition)
cps	Characters Per Second
CPU	Central Processing Unit
CR	1. Carriage Return
CR	2. Carrier Response
CRC	Cyclic Redundancy Check (similar to but not identical to check-sum)
CREN	Corporation for Research and Educational Network (merge of BITNET and CSNET)
CRS	Special display effects (wipe, slide fade, ex. screen savers, and/or presentation programs)
CRT	Cathode Ray Tube (antiquated terminology for monitors - mainframe talk)
CSMA/CD	Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detection (Ethernet communication)
CSNET	Computer + Science NETwork
.css	Cascading Style Sheet file extension. (external file called by html web pages for design layout specifications)
CSS1	Cascading Style Sheets level 1 (specifications for layouts and design of WWW pages)
CSI	Command Sequence Introducer
CSI	CompuServe Inc.
CST	Certified Systems Technician
CSU	Channel Service Unit (also DSU: Digital Service Unit, and a router. A CSU/DSU is the modem that connects to the phone line)
.csv	Comma Separated Value (usually a text file in this format, can be read by various databases and spreadsheets)
CTI	Computer Telephone Integrated
CUA	Common User Access
CUE	Custom Updates and Extras (Egghead discount plan)
CUR	CURsor (file extension)
CVRAM	Cached Video RAM
CVS	Concurrent Versions System
CWP	Communicating Word Processor

DA	Destination Address (network terminology)
DAC	Digital to Analog Converters
DAD	Desktop Application Director (Word Perfect / Corel Perfect Office button bar)
DAO	Data Access Objects (Visual Basic & Access terminology)
DASD	Direct Access Storage Device (mainframe terminology - pronounced "daz-dee")
DAT	1. DATa (file extension)
DAT	2. Digital to Analog Converter
dB	1. DataBase
Db or dB	2. decibel
DBF	DataBase File (file extension)
DBMS	DataBase Management System
DBR	DOS Boot Record (Information at track 0 sector 0 of a disk which allows PC to disk communication. Other items include the MBR, the Partition Table, and the FAT)
DC	1. Direct Couple (hook 2 computers or pieces together directly)
DC	2. Data Conversion
DC	3. Direct Cycle
DC	4. Direct Current (battery vs. 110 house electricity)
DC	5. Display Console (monitor)
DC	6. Design Change
DCC	Direct Cable Connection
DCE	Distributed Computing Environment
DCE	Data Communications Equipment (hardware that does the communication, usually modems, routers, network cards, etc.)
DCI	Display Control Interface (video display technology)
DCOM	Distributed Component Object Model
DCS	Data Control Systems
DCS	Data Collection Systems
DCS	Distributed Control Systems
DD	Double Density (type of disk format - more than single density, less than High Density)
DDE	Dynamic Data Exchange (predecessor to OLE in earlier versions of Windows)
DDK	Device Driver Kit (Microsoft)
DDN	Defense Data Network
DDS	Direct Digital Sound
DEC	Digital Equipment (Electronics) Corporation
DECnet	Digital Equipment Corporation (proprietary networking protocols)
DEK	Data Encryption Key (digital key to unlock encrypted files)
DEN	Directory Enabled Network
DES	Data Encryption Standard (security methods used for transmitting data)
DFS	Distributable File System (Delphi, VB, BDE, etc.)
DFT	Diagnostic Function Test
DGIS	Direct Graphics Interface Standard
DHCP	Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHTML	Dynamic HyperText Markup Language
.dic	Dictionary file format
.dib	Graphic File Format extension (in bitmap format)
DIF	Data Interchange Format
DIM	1. DIMention
DIM	2. Dynamic Information Manager (shared contact information database)
DIM	3. Desktop Information Manager (Microsoft's information exchange)
DIM	4. "declares variables in Visual Basic programming language"
DIN	Translated from German it stands for German National Connector
DIMM	Dual In-line Memory Module (new processors or RAM slots hooked together)
D I/O	Data Input / Output
DIP	Dual In-line Package (the little on/off switches inside of computers, modems, etc.)
DIX	DEC, Intel, and Xerox
DLC	Data Link Control (a low-level protocol)
DLCI	Data Link Connection Identifier
DLL	Dynamic Link Library (file extension) (sometimes called a "dumb little library")
DMA	Dynamic Memory Access (software equivalent to a hardware interrupt)
DMAK	DMa request AKnowledgement
DMF	Distributable Media Format (a Microsoft disk formatting that allows 1.77 Meg of info to be placed on a 3.5 disk that normally holds only 1.44 Meg
DMI	Desktop Management Interface (keeping personal PC settings stored in a central location, (eg. server) Then where ever you login looks and acts like your PC (near future Technology) Networks running NT and 95 from server location are now doing this.
DMTF	Desktop Management Task Force (joint effort Microsoft, Compaq, IBM, Cisco, etc. to standardize object management on LAN)
DNS	Domain Name Server (changes addresses: www.myname.com to 116.225.25.3)
.doc	DOCument (file format extension used by word processors such as MS Word)
DO - IT	Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology
.doc	A word processing DOCument file extension. Often used by MS Word.
DOF	Data Over Fiber
DOIP	Data Over Internet Protocol
DOS	Disk Operating System
.dot	DOcument Template file extension.
DPI	Dots Per Inch (printing resolution or screen resolution)
DPI	Distributed Protocol Interface
DPMI	DOS Protected Mode Interface
DRAM	Dynamic Random Access Memory
DREQ	DMA REQuest lines
DRI	Digital Research Incorporated
DRV	DRiVe (file extension)
DS#	Drive Select (DS0, DS1, etc.) numbering starts at 0
DSDD	Double Sided Double Density (type of disk format) 3.5 disks = 720 Kb
DSHD	Double Sided High Density (type of disk format) most common 3.5 = 1.44 Mb
DSI	Drive Select Interface
DSL	Digital Subscriber Line (private sector connection for direct connect to internet)
DSLD	Double Sided Low Density (old style of disk format - not used anymore)
DSP	Digital Signal Processing
DTC	DeskTop Conferencing
DTE	Data Terminal (2. Transfer) Equipment
DTMF	Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency
DTP	Desk-Top Publishing
DUN	Dial Up Networking
DUNCE	Dial Up Networking Connection Enhancement
DVD	Digital Video (or Versatile, Virtual) Disk (New CD technology that holds 4.3 - 17 Gb depending upon format)
DVE	Digital Video Effects
DVI	Digital Video Interactive
DX	A type of processor that also does numeric processing (better than an SX or SLC)

EBCDIC	Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (8-bit code to represent 256 chars.)
EDB	Embedded Data Base
EBR	Enterprise Backup / Restore (UNIX tape backup utility)
ECC	Error Correction Code
ECNE	Enterprise Certified NetWare Engineer
ECP	Extended Capabilities Port (setup in BIOS for LPT1 - faster than EPP, or SPP)
ECS	Enhanced Chip Set
ECTP	Ethernet Configuration Test Protocol
ED	1. External Device
ED	2. End Delimiter (network protocol terminology)
EDI	Electronic Data Interchange
EDLIN	EDitor for LINe text
EDO	Extended Data Out (new RAM and DRAM data access technology)
EDOS	Enhanced DOS for windows
EDRAM	Enhanced DRAM (also EDORAM, EDOSRAM, EDOVRAM)
EEMS	Enhanced Expanded Memory Specification
EFF	Electronic Frontier Foundation (studies impact of computers on society)
EFI	Extensible Firmware Interface
EFT	Electronic Funds Transfer
EGA	Enhanced Graphics Adapter (Accelerator)
EIDE	Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics
EISA	Extended Industry Standard Architecture
ELS	Entry Level Systems (early terminology for scaled down PC - no frills)
EMACS	Editing MACroS (Linux / Unix text editor)
EMF	Enhanced MetaFile (graphic file format, often used as extension)
EMI	Electro-Magnetic Interference
.eml	and Email file extension
EMP	Electro-Magnetic Pulse
EMS	Expanded Memory Specification (LIM Lotus / Intel / Microsoft)
ENIAC	Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator
EOF or eof	End Of File
EOJ	End Of Job (file transfer marker)
EOL	End Of Line (control characters used with first generation languages)
EOM	End Of Message (file transfer marker)
EOT	End Of Transmission (file transfer marker)
EPBR	Extended Partition Boot Record
EPP	Enhanced Parallel Port (can use longer printer cable than SPP)
EPROM	Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (re-programmable ROM chips)
EEPROM	Electronic Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
EPS	1. Encapsulated PostScript (file extension)
EPS	2. Email Postal Software
EPTS	Enhanced Print Trouble Shooter
ERD	Emergency Recovery Disk
EROM	Erasable Read Only Memory
ERU	Emergency Recovery Utility (configuration backup utility with Windows 95)
ESD	EletroStatic Discharge (transfer of electrical current from carrier to object)
ESDI	Enhanced Small Device Interface (Hard disk interface, older than SCSI, ISA, PCI newer than the ST506)
ESP	Enhanced Serial Port
ESS	Electronic Switching System
EULA	End User License Agreement
EXE	Executable (file extension)
EXE2BIN	PKWare program (exe2bin.exe) that converts a compression (zip. arc, lhz, etc.) file to a binary or executable file. This allows a user to decompress the file without having a copy of PK Zip
Ext2	Sometime noted as Ext2fs; this is the file system used by Linux OS's
e-Zine	Electronic magaZINE

FAP	File Access Protocol
FAQ	Frequently Asked Questions (files often found on BBS and Internets)
FAT	File Allocation Table (the map a computer stores on a disk to where everything is)
FAV	Microsoft Favorites (bookmarks of web sites)
FC-AL	Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop (bus technology - better/faster than SCSI)
FCBS	File Control BlockS
FCI	Flux Changes per Inch (drive tech. terminology)
FCL	Fiber Channel Loop
FCS	Frame Check Sequence (Token Ring)
FCS	Fiber Channel Standard
FDOS	Floppy Disk Operating System
FED	Field Emission Display (type of monitor)
FFDB	Flat File DataBase
FFS	Fast File System
FEP	Front End Processor
FFS	Fast File System (Microsoft and OS/2 first incarnation of HPFS)
FIFO	First In First Out (Processing method of information on first come - first serve basis)
FILO	First In Last Out (Processing Method)
Fkey	Function Key
.fla	Macromedia Flash source file extension.
.fli	Animation source file extension.
FM	Frequency Modulation
FNC	Federal Networking Council (governments attempt to control the internet: DoD, DARPA, NASA, etc.)
.fon	FONt file (extension)
FORTRAN	FORmula TRANslation language (programming language)
FPI	Flux changes Per Inch
FPM	Fast Page Mode (older RAM - being replaced by EDO RAM)
FRAM	Ferro-electric RAM
FRM	FoRM file (often a visual basic or database file)
FRPI	Flux Reversals Per Inch
FSD	File System Driver (OS/2 Warp)
FTP	File Transfer Protocol (refers to the standard method a file is transfered from an internet to a local computer, often called downloading)
FUP	Frequently Used Programs
G3	Macintosh processor
Gb (Gig)	1,000,000,000 bytes (Gigabyte)
GCC	GNU C Compiler
GCR	Group Code Encoding (method of encoding and securing data)
GDI	Graphical Device Interface
GDT	Global Descriptor Table (a database, or register, for Windows to address memory)
GEIS	General Electric Information Service (Web based catalog service)
GEM	Global Enterprise Manager
GENIE	General Electric Network Information Exchange
.gho	Ghost file extension (.ghs when image is spanned across multiple media). Ghost is a tool used to create an image of a disk or drive.
.gid	Windows configuration file extension.
GIGO	Garbage In Garbage Out (computer slang)
GML	Generalized Markup Language
GNN	Global Network Navigator
GNU	recursive acronym for GNU's Not UNIX - Linux style build of the UNIX kernel
GP	General Purpose
GPC	General Purpose Computer
GPF	General Protection Fault (A window error message that occurs when a program crashes)
GPL	GNU Public License
GPT	GUID partition table
GUI	Graphical User Interface (slang - "gooey")
GUID	Globally Unique IDentifier
.gz	a raw compressed image file extension used across multiple files.

HAL	Hardware Abstraction / Access Layer (NT layer of protocols to define hardware)
HCL	Hardware Compatibility List (what hardware works with Windows 95, a text file)
HCU	Home Computer User
HD	1. Hard Disk 2. High Density (type of disk format)
HDA	Head Disk Assembly (terminology for drive construction)
HDD	Hard Disk Drive
HDML	Handheld Device Markup Language (code for PDA's)
HDR	Host Data Replicator (computer that stores multiple databases from various systems.)
HFS	Hierarchical File System (Macintosh)
HGA	Hercules Graphics Adapter
HHD	Hand Held Device (pocket organizer, scanner, pager, etc.)
.hlp or HLP	HeLP file (file extension)
HMA	High Memory Area (Architecture)
HP	Hewlett Packard
HPC	Hand held Personal Computer
HPFS	High Performance File System (OS/2 terminology for FAT)
HPG	Hewlett-Packard Graphics
HPGL	Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language
HPPCL	Hewlett-Packard Printer Control Language
HS	High Speed
HSTRA	High Speed Token Ring Alliance (HSTR for High Speed Token Ring)
.ht or HT	Hyper Terminal (file extension)
.htm	HyperText Markup language file extension. File extension name used for web pages.
HTML	Hyper Text Markup Language (programming for Internet web pages) actually a text formatting tool
.htt	Hyper Text Template
HTTP	HyperText Transfer Protocol (1 way information is sent over and internet. This is the primary way information travels over the phone lines from a server to a local computer, protocols are agreed upon standards or configurations that computers use)

I/G bit	Individual / Group bit (for addressing network information)
IAHC	International Ad Hoc Committee (computer group that studies and suggests standard for new and existing computer technology)
IBM	International Business Machines
IC	Integrated Circuit
ICA	Independent Computing Architecture
ICAP	Internet Calendar Access Protocol (Lotus Notes 4.x / Domino)
ICL	ICon Library file (contains multiple icon bitmaps)
ICM	Image Color Mapping (so printed colors match screen colors)
ICMP	Internet Control Message Protocol
ICO	ICOn bitmap file
ICPA	Internet Consumer Protection Agency
ID	Internal Device
IDA	Intelligent Drive / Disk Array
IDAPI	Internal Database Application Programming Interface
IDC	International Data Corporation
IDE	1. Integrated Development Environment
IDE	2. Integrated Drive Electronics interface (drive/device controller technology)
IDL	Interface Definition Language
IDN	Internet Domain Name
IDP	Integrated Data Processing
IE or IE4	Internet Explorer (version 4.x) - Microsoft's Web Browser.
IEAK	Internet Explorer Administration Kit (profmgr.exe)
IEEE	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IFS	Installable File System (Delphi, VB, BDE, etc.)
IIS	Internet Information Server (Microsoft Internet Server software)
ILS	Internet Locator Service (component of NT 4.0 +)
IM	Instant Messaging (real time chat)
.img or IMG	Image File (file extension)
IMAU	Intelligent Multi-Access Unit
INF	INformation File (file extension)
INI	Initialization (file extension)
INS	InterNet communication Settings
IO	Input / Output
IOE	Input Output Errors (95 terminology for GPF's and Application Errors)
IOP	Input Output Processors
IOS	Inter-network Operating System
IP	Internet Protocol
IPC	Inter-Processes Communications
IPL	Initial Program Loading
IPS	Internet Personalization Service (component of NT 4.0+)
IPSec	Internet Protocol Security
IPX	Internet Package eXchange (how computers with different OS's transfer data)
IPX / SPX	Inter network Packet eXchange / Sequential Packet eXchange
IRC	Internet Relay Chat
IRL	Information Retrieval Language
IRP	I/O Request Packet (NT Server terminology)
IRQ	Interrupt ReQuest
IrDA	Infrared Data Association
IS	Information Services
ISA	Industry Standard Architecture
ISAM	Indexed Sequential Access Method (database access protocols, Btrieve and Paradox)
ISDN	Integrated Services Digital Network (Internet connection: faster than a modem, but slower than a dedicated T-1 or T-10 connection.- Allows digital and voice data to share the same line)
ISM	Information Services Manager
ISO	International Organization for Standardization
ISP	Internet Service Provider
IT	Information Technology (replacing the term IS for Information Systems)

L2TP	Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
L-zone	Landing zone for the read/write heads on a disk
LADDR	LAyered Device Driver Architecture (SCSI type drivers for accessing devices)
LAN	Local Area Network
LBA	Local Bus Addressing (how BIOS can read HD larger than 504 Mb)
LBA	Sometimes considered Logical Block Addressing
.lbi	Library file. Used to hold extraneous information from program to improve performance.
LCC	Leadless Chip Carrier
LCD	Liquid Crystal Display (often found on laptops)
LDAP	Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (one way server(s) manipulate multiple disks / users / and access levels)
LDF	Logical Disk Format (the formatting done from a users level)
LDP	Linux Documentation Projection (on going effort to document Linux OS)
LDT	Local Descriptor Table (Table of contents Windows uses to address memory)
LED	Light Emitting Diode
LF	Line Feed
LFN	Long File Names
LH	Load High (a command in MS-DOS)
.lha	Compressed file format (extension)
LILO	LInux boot LOader
LIM	Lotus / Intel / Microsoft
LIMA	Lotus / Intell / Microsoft / AST standards (extended memory management software)
LIMS	Library Information Management System
LISP	LISt Processing (John McCarthy - 1961)
LLC	Logical Link Control
LLDF	Low Level Drive Format (done at factory)
LLF	Low Level Format
.lnk	Link File Extension. Used to create shortcuts in Microsoft Windows.
.log or LOG	Log files maintain information about who is visiting a web site, and what they look at.
LPC	Local Procedure Call (NT Server terminology)
LPM	Lines Per Minute (How fast a printer prints)
LPT	Local Parallel Transmission (the printer ports)
LPT1	Line Printer porT
LQ	Letter Quality
LRU	Least Recently Used (How Windows decides which information to flush from cache)
LSB	Least Significant Byte
LUG	Linux Users Group
LUN	Logical Unit Number
.lwo or .lwz	Lightwave (high end 3D generation program) file extension.
.lzh	Compressed file format extension (raw data compression)
LZ	Landing Zone (where the read/write heads go on a disk to read information)

.m1v	Multimedia file format extension (mpeg format)
MAC	Media Access Control
MAD	Master Account Domain (NT Server terminology)
MAN	Metropolitan Area Network (several LAN's connected together in a similar geographical region. Hospitals and Colleges use these often to share resources)
MAN	MANual pages (Unix help files)
MANIAC	Mathematical Analyzer Numerical Integrator and Computer (early mainframe)
MAPI	Mail messaging Application Programming Interface
MASM	Microsoft ASseMbler language
MAU	Multi- Access Unit (patch panel for IBM to tie to server)
.max or MAX	3D Studio (a high end 3D graphics program) file extension for source files.
Mb (Meg)	1,000,000 bytes (Megabyte)
Mbps	Megabytes per second (or Mega-bits Pers Second)
MBR	Master Boot Record (Part of the information starting at track 0 sector 0 of a disk which allows a computer to 'communicate' with that disk. Other items include the DOS Boot Record, the Partition Table, and the FAT)
MCI	Media Control Interface
MCIS	Microsoft Commercial Internet System
MCL	Microsoft Compatibility List
MCSE	Microsoft Certified System Engineer
MCSD	Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
MCP	Microsoft Certified Professional
MCPS	Microsoft Certified Product Specialist
MCST	Microsoft Certified Systems Technician
MCT	Microsoft Certified Trainer
MD	Make Directory (DOS command)
MDA	Monochrome Display Adapter
MDB	Microsoft DataBase (file extension)
MDI	Multiple Document Interface (ie. Word can open 2 files at once vs. notepad)
MEt	Memory Enhancement technology (HP Lazerjet memory technology)
MFC	Microsoft Foundation Class (backbone of database architecture for Access)
MFM	Modified Frequency Modulation encoding (old disk drive technology)
MFT	Master File Table (sort of a master FAT that NT uses to recover from errors)
MFTP	Multicast File Transfer Protocol (used for data streaming)
MHS	Message Handling System (how email handles electronic information addressing)
.mid	A sound file (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) extension.
MIDI	Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIME	Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions (address conventions for internet e-mail)
MIO	Modular Input Output
MIPS	Million of Instructions Per Second
MIS	Management Information Systems
MIT	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MLP	Microsoft License Pack (referred to for multi-user applications)
MMC	Multi - Media Cloaking (frees memory for other applications)
MMCD	Multi - Media Compact Disk
MMS	Microsoft Merchant Server
MMS	Microsoft Membership System
MMU	Memory Management Unit
MMX	Multi-Media eXchange: (New Pentium micro-processor by Intell that improves 3D rendering, although Intel and Microsoft claim the letters don't stand for anything in particular)
MODEM	MODulate / DEModulate
MOF	Managed Object Format
MOL	Machine Oriented Language
MOM	Microsoft Office Manager (The MS Office button bar)
.mp#	.mp1, mp2, mp3, mp4 are various versions of the mpeg file format (Multimedia files)
MPC	Multi-media Personal Computers
.mpg or MPEG	Motion Picture Experts Group (file extension MPG)
MPR	Multi-Protocol Routing
MPS	MicroProcessor System
MPU	MicroProcessor Unit
MR	Modem Ready
MRUP	Most Recently Used Program
MS	MicroSoft (That little company up in Redmond, Washington)
MSAU	Multi-Station Access Unit
MSB	Most Significant Byte
MSCDEX	MicroSoft Compact Disk EXecutable (file driver for CD-ROM, often referred to as the messy ducks)
MSD	MicroSoft Diagnostics (program that comes with DOS)
MS-DMF	MicroSoft Distributable Media Format (see DMF)
MSDN	MicroSoft Developers Network (Microsoft software developers forum)
.msg or MSG	Microsoft Outlook email file format.
MSN	MicroSoft Network
MSNBC	MicroSoft National Broadcasting Company
MSO	Multiple Systems Operator
MTA	Mail Transport Agents
MUD	Multi-User Domain (Dungeon) - multiple persons play games in real time via Internet)
MVS	Multiple Virtual Systems
.mxp	Macromedia file type used for Flash Files

NAI	Network Associates Incorporated (combined company including McAfee Inc.)
NAS	Network Attached Storage.
NBT	NetBIOS over TCP/IP (method of transporting Microsoft's NetBIOS protocols over multiple networks using TCP/IP protocol suites.
NC	Network Computer
NC	Network Card
NCC	Network Control Center
NCR	National Cash Register (pre IBM)
NCSA	National Computer Security Association
NDIS	Network Device Interface Specification
NDS	Network Direct Services
NEC	Nippon Electric Company (Company that makes computer equipment)
NET	Network
Net BEUI	Network BIOS Extended User Interface
NetBIOS	Network Basic Input Output System
.nfo or NFO	Information file format used by Microsoft for advanced Windows systems. Also used by hackers to store hacked serial number and installation information.
NFS	Network File System (Sun Microsystem's Network Operating System)
NIC	Network Interface Card
NIP	Network Interface Protocol
NIS	Network Information Services.
NIST	National Institute of Standards and Technology
NLQ	Near Letter Quality (printer terminology - usually old 24-pin dot matrix)
NMM	Network Management Module
NMS	Network Management System
NNTP	Network News Transfer Protocol
NOS	Network Operating System
NPTN	National Public Telecomputing Network (public network based in Cleveland, OH.)
NPU	Numeric Processing Unit
NRZ	Non Return to Zero (programming code return terminology)
NSTL	National Software Testing Laboratories
NT	New Technology (Microsoft's networking software - version 3.1 was first release)
NT	Sun coined the phrase "Not There" for the new Microsoft technology
NT	IBM coined the phrase "Nice Try" for the new Microsoft technology
NTFS	New Technology File System (WFW 3.11 and Windows 95)

OAA	Open Agent Architecture (new interface architecture for human/PC interaction including hand written, typed , and spoken commands - being developed by SRI International)
OADB	Open Architechture Data Base (like supporting standards like SQL)
ObjectPAL	Object oriented Program Application Language (Bundled with Borland/Paradox/Corel)
.obj or OBJ	Object file, often used with 3D file generation programs. (extension)
OCR	Optical Character Recognition (scanner terminology for software)
.ocx	Active X file extension.
ODAPI	Open DataBase Application Programming Interface
ODBC	Open DataBase Connectivity (2. Components) (Microsofts shared data connections)
ODI	Open Datalink Interface
OEM	Original Equipment Manufacture
OLAP	OnLine Analytical Processing (32 bit applications with links to ActiveX and Java Beans)
OLE	Object Linking and Embedding
OLE DB	Database that supports objects, linking, and embedding.
OM	Original Manufacture
OOP	Object Oriented Programming
OOPS	Object Oriented Programming System
OOP/ED	Object Oriented Programming / Event Driven
OpenDOC	Open Document file system (MAC/Apple- and NT-4.0 terminology for FAT that will allow the 2 to share files)
ORACLE	On-line Inquiry and Report Generator (Unix db)
ORB	Object Request Broker
OS	Operating System
OS/2	IBM graphical operating system
OSI	Open Systems Interconnection (Suite of standard protocols for internet communication)
OSR	Original Service Release
OSR	microsoft Office Service Release (patch and upgrade to Office 97)
OTM	Object Transaction Monitor

P2P	Peer To Peer ... computers connecting over the internet (Kazaa, Napster etc are examples)
P7?	P7A, P7B etc are used in email encryption and certification files.
PAL	Phase Alteration Line
PAP	Password Authentication Protocol
PARC	Palo Alto Research Center (where a lot of todays technology was developed)
PBX	Private Branch Network
PC	Personal Computer
PCB	Printed Circuit Board
PCI	1. Personal Computer Interface
PCI	2. Peripheral Component Interconnect
PCL	1. Printer Control Language
PCL	2. Print Code Language
PCMCIA	Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
PCMCIA	People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms (coined take off of original)
PCS	Personal Computer System
.pct	Graphics file extension (PiCTure)
PCT	Personal Computer Tools (commonly known as PC Tools, a utility package)
PCT	Private Communication Technology
PDA	Personal Desktop Assistant (hand held computer)
PDC	Primary Domain Controller
.pdf or PDF	Portable Document File. Used by Adobe for highly compressed document files. Can contain link, pictures, bookmarks, etc.
PDN	Public Data Network (fore-father to the Internet)
PDP	Plasma Display Panel (laptops)
PDS	Premises Distribution System (AT&T cabling standards for networks)
PERL	Practical Extraction and Report Language (found with flavors of UNIX / Linux) programming language - more precisely text reader and generator
PERT	Program Evaluation and Review Techniques
.pfm	a Font file extension. (Used by Adobe font extensions)
PGA	Pin Grid Array (AMD mother board terminology)
PGA	Professional Graphics Adapter
PGP	Pretty Good Privacy (refers to network and email security)
.php	Personal Home Page. Scripting that uses database resources in its' scripting to supply web pages depending upon the content being requested. (similar to Microsoft's .asp scripting)
.pic or .pict	Picture file format
PIC	Prioritized Interrupt Controller
PID	Process IDentification (number assigned by OS kernal to a process)
PIF	Program Information File (file extension for Windows 3.x)
PILOT	Programmed Inquiry for Learning or Teaching (rumor:) Also a popular 3-com PDA
PIM	Personal Information Manager
PIN	Personal Identification Number
PING	Packet INternet Gopher (request sent to another computer; waits for answers)
PIO	Programmed Input / Output
PJL	Print Job Language (HP printer language)
PKI	Public Key Infrastructure (topology for coding data)
PLCC	Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (Pentium socket on Mother Board)
PLLC	Plastic LeadLess Chip (The Pentium Chip)
.png	Portable Network Graphic. Newer graphic format that uses smaller files to display pictures.
PnP	Plug aNd Play (new technology that allows a computer to "read" your hardware)
PNRP	Palm Name Recognitiion Protocol (Palmpilot communication with desktop protocol)
POC	Point Of Contact
PODC	Pentium OverDrive Chip
POP	Power On Password
POP	1. Post Office Protocol (how PC's get email from internet)
POP	2. Point Of Presence (internet and WWW terminology for location of server)
POS	Point Of Sale (the scanners you see in supermarkets)
POST	Power On Self Test
POSIX	Portable Operating System Interface based on uniX
POTS	Plain Old Telephone System
PPI	Pay Per Incident: Tech service term, pay for each call to help desk
PPM	Pages Per Minute (printer terminology)
PPN	Peer to Peer Networking (2 computers hooked together)
PPP	Point to Point Protocol
PPTP	Point to Point Tunneling Protocol
PQFP	Plastic Quad Flat Pack (AMD motherboard terminology)
.prj	Project File.
PROM	Programmable Read Only Memory
.psd	Password File
.psp	Paint Shop Pro file extension. A popular graphic paint program.
PSP	Personal Software Products (division of IBM)
PST	Power on Self Test
.psw	Password File
PT	Partition Table (Part of the information starting at track 0 sector 0 of a disk which allows a computer to 'communicate' with the disk. Other items include the MBR, DBR, & FAT)
PTPC	Palm-Top Personal Computer (new hand held computers)
PUD	Power Up Diagnostics
PUP	Power Up Password
PUN	Physical Unit Number (method of defining equipment of a computer)
PVC	Permanent Virtual Circuits
PVN	Private Virtual Network
PWL	PassWord List (can refer to network profiles or Windows profiles)
PWS	1. Personal Web Server
PWS	2. Peer Web Server

QBE	Query By Example
QDOS	Quick and Dirty Operating System (often used by bootable floppy diagnostic software due to low overhead, and small files size.)
QEMM	Quarterdeck Extended Memory Manager
QIC	Quarter Inch Cartridge (refers to tape drives used for backups)
QoS	Quality of Service (first used with ethernet measurement of data transfer)
R&D	Research and Development
RAD	Rapid Application Development
RADIUS	Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service
RAID	Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks
RAM	Random Access Memory
RAMA	Relational Access Management Association
.rar	Raw compression data used for programs like winraw. (file extension)
RAS	Remote Access Server / Service
.raw	Raw compression data used for programs like winraw. (file extension)
RD	Resource Domain (NT Server terminology)
RDB	Relational Data Base
RDBMS	Relational Data Base Management System
RDO	Remote Data Objects
RDRAM	Rambus DRAM
REM	REMark (command in DOS to ignore a statement as a command)
REPO	Remote Emergency Power Off
REt	Resolution Enhancement technology (HP lazerjet technology)
REXX	REstructured eXtended eXecutor (high level language for OS/2)
RFC	Request For Comments (Similar to FAQ's in content)
RFI	Radio Frequency Interference
RFP	Request For Proposal
RGB	Red Green Blue (type of color display and printing)
.rib	Graphics file extension
RIFF	Resource Interchange File Format
RIP	Routed Internetworking Protocol (Routing Information Protocol)
RISC	Reduced Instruction Set Computer (minimal "self-processing" power to reduces cost)
RLE	Run Length Encoding
RLL	Run Length Limited code (method of recording digital data)
RLN	Remote Lan Node
RMON	Remote MONitoring
RNA	Remote Network Access (by use of Dial Up Connection)
.rnk	Dial Up Networking shortcut file extension
ROM	Read Only Memory
RPC	Remote Procedure Calls
RPG	Report Program Generator
RPG	Role Playing Games (often networked)
RPM	Redhat Package Manager (Bundled manager for Redhat distributed Linux)
RS	Recommended Standard (ie RS-232)
RSVP	Resource ReserVation Protocol
RTA	Real Time Audio (music over the internet)
RTF	Rich Text Format (extension for files that most windows word processors can read)
RUPL	Recently Used Program List
R/W	Read / Write (usually refers to the heads inside a disk drive)

SA	Source Address
SAA	System Application Architecture
SAM	Security Administration / Account Module / Manager (NT profile terminology)
SAP	Sybase Application Programming language
SAP	Service Access Point
SAP	Statistical Analysis Programming language
SAP	Service Advertising Protocol (NT uses to announce available resources to Novell equip)
SAP	System Applications and Products
SAP	Secure Application Protocol
SCAM	SCSI Configured Auto-Magically (plug-and-play SCSI cards)
SCSI	Small Computer System Interface
.sct	Microsoft Script Component.
SD	Super Density (a type of format for new DVD disks that allows up to 17 Gb of data to be stored on one CD)
SDLC	Synchronous Data Link Control
SDRAM	Synchronous Dynamic RAM
.sdk or SDK	Software Development Kit (Java or Microsoft usually)
SEC	Single Edge Card
SEM	Search Engine Management
SEO	Search Engine Optimization
SERP	Search Engine Results Page
SET	Secure Electronic Transaction (software to allow monetary transactions from PC - secure)
.set	Drivers file extension found with some older Windows programs such as Lotus 123
SFC	System File Checker (command line program found with Windows XP)
SFD	Start Frame Delimiter
SFN	Short File Name
SGML	Standard Generalized Markup Language
SID	Security IDentification (NT terminology) or System ID, or Serial Input Data
SIM	SIMmulators - software games and programs that simulate things like flying, driving, etc.
SIMM	Single In-line Memory Module
SIP	Single In-line Package
.sit	Stuff-It (compressed file extension for Macintosh computers)
SLA	Service Level Agreement (vendor agreement on what's under warranty for how long)
SLC	Single Line Controller (A type of processor that does not process math function separately - and can not be upgraded) often found in older laptop computers.
SLC	an IBM CPU (386 SLC) that is an Sx, Low power chip with Caching
SLIP	Serial Line Internet Protocol
SMB	Server Message Blocks
SMD	Surface Mounted Device (individual chip mounted on a PCB without leads)
SMP	Symmetric Multi-Processing
SMS	System Management Server
SMTP	Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
SNA	Systems Network Architecture
.snd	Sound File extension in AU format
SNMP	Simple Network Management Protocol
SOHO	Small Office Home Office (computer or program with enough speed or functionality for business use. May not have sound or a lot of bells and whistles)
SOM	System Object Modle
SPA	Software Publisher's Association
SPE	System Policy Editor
SPOOL (?)	Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On Line
SPP	Standard Parallel Port
SPS	Stand-by Power Supply (see UPS)
SPT	Sectors Per Track
SPX	Sequenced Packet eXchange
SQL	Structured Query Language (database standards)
SRAM	Static RAM
SRC	Sample Rate Conversion
SSA	Serial Storage Architecture (another communications port setup (like SCSI) that has fast data transfer but requires high demands of DMA channels)
SSDD	Single Sided Double Density (type of computer disk formatting)
SSHD	Single Sided High Density (type of computer disk formatting)
SSI	Server Side Includes. (web technology that allows for dynamic data exchange in web pages)
SSL	Secure Sockets Layer (usually NT terminology)
SSLD	Single Sided Low Density (type of computer disk formatting)
ST506	Shugart Technology (old disk technology manufacture)
STP	Shielded Twisted Pair
STX	Start of TeXt
SUL	Single User License
SVGA	Super video Graphics Adapter
SVRAM	Synchronous VRAM
.swd	Macromedia flash debugging file.
.swf	Flash File Extension. Usually an external flash file called by the html document.
SX	A type of processor that does NOT do numeric processing separately - but a Math coprocessor chip can be added to upgrade the unit. (Better than an SLC but not as good as a DX or Pentium)
SYS	System
SYSIN	SYStem INput
SYSOP	SYstems OPerator

TAPI	Telephony Application Programming Interface
.tar	Archive file. Compressed raw data file.
TAR	TApe Archive
TASK	Task Automation Scripting Kit
TASM	Turbo ASseMbler programming language (Borland / Delphi)
TCO	Total Cost of Ownership
TCP/IP	Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
TCPA	Trusted Computer Platform Alliance - collaboration among Intel, Microsoft, and others to standardize the computer industry, and drive innovative solutions outside the 'mainstream' corporations into an unsupported environment.
.tex	Texture files in various formats used by graphics, and 3D rendering programs.
TI	Texas Instruments
.tif	graphic file extension (see TIFF)
TIFF	Tagged Information File Format
TLA	Three Letter Acronyms (I actually saw this one in publication)
TM	Test Mode (modem diagnostics)
TMP	TeMPorary File (file extension)
TOD	Time Of Day (refers to a computers internal clock)
TOS	Tape Operating System
TPI	Tracks Per Inch (disk drive terminology)
TR	1. Terminal Ready (modem talk) 2. Token Ring (type of networking)
TRB	Terminating Resistor Block (a DIP or SIP on end of Drive cable to terminate signal)
TRIM	Training Records Information Management (software package)
TRM	Terminal (file extension)
TSR	Terminate and Stay Resident (programs that load into memory and stay there)
TTF	True Type Font file (file extension)
TTL	Transistor to Transistor Logic
TWAIN	Technology Without Any Interesting Name (humorous)
.txt or TXT	TeXT (file extension)
TZI	Track Zero Interrupter (how a disk drive knows where to start)

U/L bit	Universally / locally administered bit (for addressing network info)
UAE	Unrecoverable Application Error (error message when a program crashes)
UART	Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (new chip technology that controls serial port transmission)
UCM	Universal Cable Module
UDC	User Defined Command (setting up macros for function keys and other keys)
UDF	Universal Disk Format
UDP	User Datagram Protocol (Network protocol for transferring data packets)
UI	User Interface
UID	User IDentification (internet, intranet, and server login accesses)
ULS	Uniform Location Service (used to identify nodes on the net)
UMB	Upper Memory Blocks
UML	Unified Modeling Format
UNC	Universal Naming Conventions
UPS	Un-interruptable Power Supply
URI	Uniform Resource Identification (192.55.123.22)
URL	Uniform Resource Locator (The address a computer looks for to find w3 pages)
URN	Uniform Resource Name (www.whoever.com)
URT	Universal Receiver Transmitter
USB	Universal Serial Bus (another bus architecture-reference SCSI - allows hot swaps of devices, and runs on low power (bus voltage) but slow data transfer compared to the SSA and FC-AL ports)
USART	Universal Synchronous / Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter
USR	United States Robotics (merged with 3 Com)
USRT	Universal Synchronous Receiver Transmitter
UTP	Unshielded Twisted Pair
UUCP	UNIX to UNIX CoPy
VAN	Value Added Network
VAR	Value Added Reseller
VB	Visual Basic
VBA	Visual Basic for Applications (programming language bundled with MS Office, can include ActiveX- , not a full VB compiler, but can edit macros and commands)
VBP	Visual Basic Project (file extension)
VBR	Variable Bit Rate
VBRUN	Visual Basic RUNtime library files (100, 200, 300, 400, 32) *.dll extensions
.vbs	Visual Basic Scripting language. Used by Microsoft in the same way that Netscape developed the javascript language.
VCB	Video Capture Board
VCD	Video Compact Disk - use a CD in your DVD player for movies.
VCM	Virtual Channel Memory (new bus technology between RAM and CPU - late 1998)
VDD	Virtual Device Driver
VDM	Virtual DOS Machine
VDT	Visual Display Terminal
VEGA	Video-7 Enhanced Graphics Adaptor
VESA	Video Electronics Standards Association
VFAT	Virtual File Allocation Table
VGA	Video Graphics Adapter
VINES	VIrtual NEtworking Software (Banyan NOS)
VIP	Vines Internet Protocol
VLAN	Virtual Local Area Network (term growing in popularity due to NT's domain structure)
VLB	Video Local Bus (mother board bus architecture - becoming outdated for the PCI)
VM	1. Virtual Memory
VM	2. Virtual Machine
VMM	Virtual Memory Manager
VMS	Virtual Machine System
VMS	Virtual Memory System (DEC OS)
VMS	Voice Messaging System
VOD	Voice Over Data
VOF	Voice Over Fiber
VOIP	Voice Over Internet Protocol
VPN	Virtual Private Network
VR	1. Virtual Reality
VR	2. Voice Recognition
VRAM	Video Random Access Memory
VRML	Virtual Reality Modeling Language
VSN	Volume Serial Number (S/N assigned when disk/partition is formatted)
VSQL	Visual Structured Query Language
VTAM	Virtual Transmission Automated Messaging
.vue	Vue d'Esprit file extension. (Popular 3D rendering program)
VXB	Visual Basic Library file extension
VxD	Virtual eXtended Device Driver (common with the 32-bit Win 95 system) These are 32 bit protected mode drivers that allow mult-threading of applications.

W3	Sometimes shorted from the WWW or World Wide Web
W3C	World Wide Web Consortium
WABI	Windows Application Binary Interface
WAIS	Wide Area Information System
WAN	Wide Area Network
WARM	Write And Read Many times (CD-ROM technology)
WAITS	Wide Area Information Transportation System
.wav or WAV	WAVe file (file extension for sound files)
.wax	Sound file extension.
WBC	Write Back Caching (newer 486 CPU, and Pentium - faster cache)
WBEM	Web-Based Enterprise Management.
.wbk	Workbook file extension used by several software packages.
.wbk	Microsoft Word backup file extension.
WCL	Windows Compatibility List
WDL	Windows Driver Library
WDM	Windows Device Manager
WEP	Windows Entertainment Package
WFM	Wired For Management (Intel hard-wire technology)
WFW	Windows For Workgroups (often used for peer-to-peer networking)
WINE	WINdows Emulator (program used by Unix/Linux to run Windows programs)
WINS	Windows Internet Naming System (NT protocols - also used with other 32-bit MS)
.wiz	Microsoft Wizard used in various software packages and the MS Windows OS.
.wma or WMA	Microsoft Windows Media Audio file format and file extension.
.wmf	Window Media and Fax viewer file extension.
WMF	Windows MetaFile (file extension)
WORM	1. A type of virus (usually internet or networking)
WORM	2. Write Once Read Many (a type of disk drive ex: cd burners)
WP	1. Word Processor
WP	2. Word Perfect Corporation
WP	3. Write Pre compensation (older disk reading technology)
WP	4. Write Protected
WRAM	Windows RAM
WTC	Write Through Caching (chip set caching for older PC's)
WWW	World Wide Web ( sometimes call W3)
WWW	World Wide Wait - slang
WWWC	World Wide Web Consortium (governing body that proposes standards for the Web)
WYSIWYG	What You See Is What You Get (computer slang wizzy wig)
XCOPY	eXtended COPY (DOS file copy program)
.xls	Microsoft Excel file extension.
.xlt	Microsoft Excel Template file extension
XML	eXtensible Markup Language
XMS	eXtended Memory Specification
XNS	Xerox Network System
XP	eXPerience (Microsofts new version of Windows and software)
XSMD	eXtended Storage Module Drive interface
XT	eXtended Technology
Z	Compression files that save disk space (PKZip is most popular)
ZAC	Zero Administration Client
ZAK	Zero Administration Kit
ZAW	Zero Administration for Windows
ZBR	Zone Bit Recording
ZD	Ziff Davis publication company (publish large percent of computer literature)
ZDN	Ziff Davis Network: formally ZDNET, computer dedicated publisher, and internet site
ZDNET	Ziff Davis Network (Largest computer publication company network: www.zdnet.com)
ZDTV	Ziff Davis TeleVision channel
ZIF	Zero Insertion Force (CPU chips that can be removed to upgrade a PC)
.zip or ZIP	Compression files that save disk space (PKZip is most popular)
ZNA	Zero Network Administration (where all registration, profiles, policy kept in 1 place)
ZP	Compression files that save disk space (PKZip is most popular)

This file is by no means the be-all end-all official anything. These are just some of the acronyms I've heard around town.

J++	Microsoft's Java programming language
.jar	Java Archive files, used to save web page download time.
JCL	Job Control Language (mainframe programming language)
JIT	Just In Time (compiler / translator that only runs code when needed)
JNI	Java Native Interface
JPEG	Joint Photographic Experts Group (file extension JPG)
.jpe	Joint Photographic Experts Group (file extension JPG)
.jpg	Joint Photographic Experts Group (file extension JPG)
JPL	Java Programming Language
JRE	Java Runtime Environment
.js	JavaScript. Used when javascript is written in an external file, then called by html document.
JSE	JavaScript Encoding.
.jsp or JSP	Java Server Page
JUG	Joint Users Group (group of dedicated, perhaps proprietary computers)
JVM	Java Virtual Machine
Kb	Kilobyte (1024 bytes)
Kbps	Kilobytes per second