The letters J and K: A Glossary of Windows Terms

Java – a high level programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Small Java applications are called Java applets and are great for use on the Web.

Java Server Page – JSP. Used as an alternative to Microsoft’s Active Server Pages (ASP). useful for creating dynamic web pages and storing those pages on a web server.

Joystick – An input device often used to control video games. Joysticks can also be used as alternative input methods for the disabled. Joysticks generally connect to a PC through a USB or serial port.

JPEG – A file format for digital images including photographs. JPEG files are generally smaller than other file type options, and thus take up less space on a hard drive.

Jumper – a component on a motherboard that closes an electrical circuit.

Junk Mail – Unwanted email. Junk email filters help reduce the amount of junk mail by deleting the mail before it enters the Inbox.

Kerberos – The most widely used security authentication method used on computer networks. Kerberos is used to authenticate users.

Kernel – A part of the operating system that is mainly responsible for memory management, disk management, and communicating with internal hardware.

Keygen – Key Generator. An application that automatically generates product ID number, or registration or serial numbers for hardware and software.

KeyLogger – A program that can record the keystrokes made on a computer. These programs are often deemed spyware, as the results are often used to spy on the user and find out what they are typing.

Keystroke – The process of hitting one key on the keyboard.

Keywords – Words or phrases that define or describe content. They are often used in metadata when organizing photos, videos, and similar digital content.

Kilobit – 1,024 bits. Kilobits are often designated as kilobits per second, and represent data transfer rate.

Kilobyte – 1,024 bytes, and a measurement of how fast data can be transferred.

KVM – Keyboard, Video, Mouse switch. Hardware that allows you to purchase one keyboard, one mouse, and one monitor, and share this hardware among two to four computers. By flipping a switch, you can designate what computer has access to the hardware.

This post is part of the series: Windows Glossary

Learn the definitions for the terms used in the Bright Hub Windows Channel. This series starts with the letter “A” and runs all the way to “Z”.

1. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “A”
2. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “B”
3. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “C”
4. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “D”
5. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “E”
6. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “F”
7. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “G”
8. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “H”
9. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “I”
10. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “J” and “K”
11. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “L”
12. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “M”
13. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “N”
14. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “O”
15. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “P”
16. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “Q”
17. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “R”
18. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “S”
19. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “U and V”
20. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “W”
21. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “X”, “Y”, and “Z”