Last Updated on December 28, 2024
This glossary was started as a project of the Residents’ Council Communications and Website Committees to support residents who had questions about the IT Update Presentation given by Hans Keller in January 2023.
See Hans Keller’s IT Update by logging on to My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE and selecting Community Videos -> Admin Update or Community Videos – Residents’ Council and looking in the Playlist on the right side for the presentation.
Table of Contents for IT Glossary
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- Access PointAn access point also known as a wireless access point (WAP) is the ceiling box in your apartment that connects to the Enterprise system that provides a WiFi signal throughout the community. It creates a wireless local area network or WLAN at Charlestown. The current ceiling box is a Cisco Catalyst 9... READ MORE
- Acuity ecall systemThis is the emergency communication system that manages the pull cords, pendants, and fire alarms in apartments. It is a separate system from the Wi-Fi. READ MORE
- AI Companion (Zoom)AI Companion is a generative AI-powered assistant from Zoom (for those with the paid version). It uses large language models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, and has also trained itself by listening in on thousands of meetings between Zoom employees. Some of its uses include:
• Summarizing... READ MORE - Apple IntelligenceApple Intelligence is Apple’s AI technology designed to make digital interactions more intuitive and helpful, transforming the smartphone and tablet experience into a personalized, supportive tool. Apple Intelligence aims to empower users by making technology more accessible, intuitive, and suppor... READ MORE
- Artifical IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a type of technology where machines are made to think and learn like humans. These machines can do tasks that usually require human intelligence, like understanding speech, recognizing images, making decisions, and even creating things like art or music. In short, AI ... READ MORE
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- BandwidthMaximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time. Measure of how much information a network, a group of two or more devices that communicate between themselves, can transfer. Data moves from A to B just as water flows through pipes from a supply point to our f... READ MORE
- BluetoothA short range wireless connection used by nearby devices to connect with each other, for example letting a computer connect to a nearby printer wirelessly or by a smart speaker that you tell to place a telephone call through your smart phone READ MORE
- BrowserA web browser or Internet browser, or simply 'browser,' is a software program used to access the Internet and view websites. The most common web browsers are Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox. Others include DuckDuckGo and Opera. A browser app can be used on desktops, ... READ MORE
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- CacheThe temporary storage space or memory that allows fast access to data. A common use is to store information in a web browser. See Clear cache. READ MORE
- Cell PhoneA cellphone is simply a telephone that doesn't need a landline connection. Users can make and receive phone calls, and some cellphones also offer text messaging. In comparison, a smartphone has more advanced features, including web browsing, software applications and a mobile operating system (OS). READ MORE
- Charlestown ConnectConnect or Charlestown or Erickson Connect Network is the name for the local telephone and Wi-Fi system at Charlestown. READ MORE
- ChatGPTChatGPT is a tool you can use on the web that allows you to have conversations with a computer. You can ask it questions or talk about anything, and it will respond like a person. It’s powered by OpenAI’s technology. ChatGPT stands for "Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer". The "GPT" refers ... READ MORE
- Cisco Unity telephone serviceCisco Unity Telephone Service is provided by Charlestown Connect. See Charlestown Connect and Telephone Line (VOiP). READ MORE
- Clear cacheClear cache is used as a troubleshooting technique when having problems accessing passworded websites. Clearing the cache deletes temporary files that your browser has downloaded. When the cache is cleared, it gives you a clean slate and forces your web browser to re-download fresh versions of all t... READ MORE
- Coax CableA coaxial cable, or coax for short, is a type of cable commonly used to connect a TV set or box to a feed built into your wall. One end screws onto the jack on the wall; the other screws onto the TV or cable box. READ MORE
- ComcastThe Charlestown Comcast bulk service contract provides basic HD television in the apartments. Address your concerns to General Services. See more information about apartment television and television connections. READ MORE
- CookieCookies are small data text files created by a web browser at the request of a website you visit — like shopping cart contents or a username and password — that are used to identify your computer as you use a computer network. Cookies are used to tell the server that users have returned to a par... READ MORE
- Cookie session managementCookie-based session management is a secure and efficient way of managing user sessions on a website. It involves the server assigning a unique number (session ID or token) to each user when they log in, which is stored in a cookie on their local computer. The server can then use this session ID to ... READ MORE
- CopilotMicrosoft Copilot: Microsoft has integrated OpenAI’s models into popular products like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, branded as "Copilot" for enhanced productivity tools. It is an AI-powered digital assistant that helps users with a variety of tasks: Copilot is a conversational chat interface that... READ MORE
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- Delete cookieSee Clear cache. READ MORE
- DownloadTo transfer a file from another system to your own computer system. Less precisely, it may also refer to a direct transfer from a server to your local terminal over a local area network or an FTP transfer from a remote system to your system. See Upload. READ MORE
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- Enterprise networkAs a retirement community resident, you may notice that the community enterprise IT network is quite different from the type of home network you had in your previous residence. An enterprise network and a home network are two very different types of networks. An enterprise network is typically much ... READ MORE
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- Fiber optic cableFiber optic cable is a network cable containing strands of glass fibers inside an insulated casing. It is designed for long-distance, high-performance data networking and telecommunications. The technology works by transmitting information as light pulses along a glass or plastic fiber. It is used f... READ MORE
- Fiber optic switchingA fiber optic switch refers to any piece of circuit switching equipment placed between fibers; hence, it refers not only to a networking switch used in fiber optic networking but also to a small device attached between lines in order to make light signals follow one path or another, like a selector ... READ MORE
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- Google GeminiGoogle's Gemini is an advanced technology created by Google that help computers understand and generate text. Gemini, originally knows as Bard, is a program that allows you to have conversations with a computer, just like you would with a person. It’s very similar to ChatGPT, another popular to... READ MORE
- Google PaLMPaLM is an advanced technology created by Google that help computers understand and generate text. PaLM (Pathways Language Model) is a powerful program that helps computers do complex tasks involving language. It can:
• Translate languages: It can help translate one language to another, lik... READ MORE
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- HDMIHDMI is a type of cable connector used to connect TV and video screens and projectors to their video and audio sources.For example, an HDMI cable is used to connect a cable box to a TV. Or in a classroom, it can be used to connect a computer (or tablet or phone with an adapter) to a big TV screen or... READ MORE
- Hot SpotA hotspot on your phone lets you share your high-speed data to connect more devices to the internet in more places—all powered by your cellular carrier. A typical WiFi uses electromagnetic waves under a 2.4 GHz radio frequency band for establishing communication. A typical HotSpot uses the technol... READ MORE
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- Internet path at CharlestownCharlestown has a very managed system from the wireless access point (WAP) to the Optical Network Terminator (ONT) to the network. The problems tend to be from the resident device to the WAP. READ MORE
- Internet Services ProvidersAn Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet. ISPs can be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned. Internet services typically provided by ISPs can... READ MORE
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- Large Language Models Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced computer systems that can understand and create human-like language. A popular type, called GPT, uses a special method called the Transformer to process words and phrases intelligently. These systems learn by analyzing huge amount... READ MORE
- Lightning ConnectorThe lightning connector is a cable connector used by Apple iPhones and iPads. When you want to connect another device by cable to an iPhone, such as a battery charger or printer or earphones, or a big screen, you must use a cable with a lightning connector on the end that plugs into the iPhone. It i... READ MORE
- LLaMAMeta, the company behind Facebook, has created a powerful technology called LLaMA, a computer program that can understand and create text. TLLaMA is used for a variety of tasks, such as:
• Writing text: It can generate written content based on what you ask it to do.
• Summarizing inform... READ MORE - Local area networkA local area network (LAN) consists of a series of computers linked together to form a network in a limited area The computers in a LAN connect to each other via TCP/IP ethernet or Wi-Fi. A LAN is normally used by an organization, such as a school, office, or association. See also Portal and Virtual... READ MORE
- LTELong term evolution (LTE) is a type of 4G cellular network that will sometimes appear on your smartphone as its means of connecting, READ MORE
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- MAC addressThe Media Access Control (MAC) address is given to all devices that communicate electronically. It is a unique identifier, and every device has a different MAC address. The address is normally assigned to a device when it is manufactured. The numbers as displayed consist of numbers 0 through 9 and l... READ MORE
- My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE
- My Erickson as a smartphone or tablet app versus its use on a laptop or desktop computerThere is a software application for MyErickson to download for both Apple iPhone/iPad in the Apple Store and Android smartphones and tablets in Google Play. An alternative way to reach MyErickson is through a web browser linking to https://myerickson.erickson.com You can reach My Erickson that way t... READ MORE
- MyUnityMyUnity is the database census system of record for resident contact information, which also is used to integrate our personal information into Dining Reservations and Online Billpay READ MORE
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- Near Field CommunicationsNFC is a very short-range means of communication between devices almost touching each other to enable an action. NFC is built into ID tags and credit cards, smartphones and watches and is often used to do such things as identify yourself, unlock doors, and pay for items at checkout. Your Charlestown... READ MORE
- NetworkA network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. See also... READ MORE
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- OPT by MetaOPT (Open Pretrained Transformer) is a Large language model created by Meta (the company behind Facebook). It works like a very smart computer brain that can understand and generate text, similar to how people talk or write. Meta made OPT open source, open to researchers and developers, meaning anyo... READ MORE
- Optical Network Terminal Box (ONT)The ONT is the box in the wall outside resident apartments. Each CharlestownTellabs Optical network terminal box (ONT) provisions two telephone circuits and four 10/100/1000GB Internet ports with POE+ (Power over Ethernet) that can power a wireless access point. The current ONT is the Tellabs 142R. READ MORE
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- PerplexityPerplexity is a new type of search engine powered by artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional search engines that provide a list of links, Perplexity gives you direct and clear answers to your questions by pulling information from the web in real time. It even includes citations, so you can see w... READ MORE
- PortalPortal is a term, generally synonymous with "gateway," for a World Wide Web site that is or proposes to be a major starting site for users when they get connected to the Web or that users tend to visit as an anchor site. At Charlestown, a separate network (CCI-Portal) is used for "headless" devices ... READ MORE
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- Radio Resource Management (RRM) profileRadio Resource Management under Unified Wireless Networks, Auto Radio Resource Management (RRM) uses WiFi radio statistics from each access point in a network location to calculate the best channel and best transmit power for the access point. Auto RRM is sometimes called Smart Wi-Fi, which automati... READ MORE
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- Search EngineA search engine is a software system that helps people find information on the internet. It's like a librarian that helps you find books in a library. Instead of searching through physical books, a search engine searches through web pages, images, videos, and other types of online content to find in... READ MORE
- ServiceMaxServiceMax is the software platform used by General Services to track order and repair requests. READ MORE
- Sign in using biometric or faceInstead of logging in with your username and password, use your face or fingerprint that has been set up with your device, often a smartphone or tablet. READ MORE
- Smart PhoneA Smart phone is a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications. The majority of smartphones use Android or IOS (Apple) systems. In comparison, a cell pho... READ MORE
- Smart speakerA speaker, with or without an attached screen that accepts voice commands from you, can answer questions by voice, and much more. Examples of these are Amazon Alexa and Echo, Apple Homepods and TV (addressed as Siri), and Google Nest devices. Increasingly, the capability is being built into other de... READ MORE
- SpeedtestA speed test is a simple tool that helps you check how fast your internet connection is working. It measures how quickly your computer can download and upload information from the internet, as well as how long it takes for your computer to connect to a website. A speed test can help you understand w... READ MORE
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- Telephone line (VOiP)Charlestown landlines use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to manage their calls. A VoIP system converts analog voice signals into digital signals over your wi-fi connection. A VoIP server is used to connect calls to other telephone networks. International calls are free. See Voice over Internet ... READ MORE
- Third party applications at CharlestownCharlestown 3rd party applications: include Dining Reservations, My Nutrition, Online BillPay, Shuttletracker, and even Community Videos (YouTube). READ MORE
- Thunderbolt ConnectorThe thunderbolt connector is a cable connector designed to give a cable plug-in to Macintosh computers. Macs may have other connectors, too, such as HDMI video connectors, USB connectors, audio jacks, and power connectors. The current thunderbolt connector can perform any of these connection funct... READ MORE
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- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)An uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source (UPS) is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source fails. It is supposed to kick in when there is a power outage. A UPS is typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data cent... READ MORE
- UploadTo transfer a file from your computer system to another system. Less precisely, it may also refer to a direct transfer from your local terminal to a server over a local area network or an FTP transfer from your system to a remote system. See Download. READ MORE
- USB ConnectorUSB, short for Universal Serial Bus, was designed to standardize the connection of peripherals to personal computers, both to communicate with and to supply electric power. It replaced earlier interfaces such as serial and parallel ports. The plugs take various forms. The form that was used very com... READ MORE
- USB-C ConnectorUSB-C is a recent standard for cable connections that is compatible with a lot of current computers and smart devices. It is used on most new Windows and Android computers and devices sold today. It is also compatible and interchangeable with the Thunderbolt cables and connectors used with Mac compu... READ MORE
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- VGAVGA is an older type of cable used to connect computers to video screens and projectors. It has a 15-pin connector that can be screwed on to ensure a tight connection. It does not support the higher speed and resolution of modern devices. It has largely been replaced by newer HDMI cables and USB-C c... READ MORE
- Virtual local area network (VLAN)Charlestown has set up virtual local area networks to improve access to resident printers. Printers are subdivided into VLANS by building. READ MORE
- Voice over Internet ProtocolVoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone,... READ MORE
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- Website AccessibilityWhen websites and web tools are properly designed and coded, people with disabilities can use them. However, currently many sites and tools are developed with accessibility barriers that make them difficult or impossible for some people to use. See the W3C Website Accessibility Introduction READ MORE
- Wi-FiWi-Fi is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for wireless networking and allow nearby devices to exchange data by radio waves. Wireless local area networks (WLAN) are widely used in the world to link laptop computers, tablet co... READ MORE
- Wi-Fi CallingWi-fi-calling is a service that allows users to make and receive phone calls and send text messages over a Wi-Fi connection, instead of using a cellular signal: READ MORE
- Wireless Internet Services Providers (WISP)A wireless Internet service provider (WISP) is an Internet service provider (ISP) that allows subscribers to connect to a server at designated hot spots (access points) using a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi. Companies include AT&T Internet, Verizon Internet, Xfinity Internet (Comcast), Cox I... READ MORE
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)WLAN is a wide area network -- a form of a telecommunication network that can connect devices from multiple locations and across the globe. Wide Area Networks (WANs) are the largest and most expansive forms of computer networks available to date. READ MORE
- Wireless survey in apartmentA wireless survey is done by IT staff to determine the best location in an apartment for the wireless access point. (Erickson used Red River for this Survey at Charlestown) READ MORE
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- Zoom ChatsZoom chat is a feature in Zoom Workplace that allows users to send messages, share files, and collaborate while a Zoom meeting is in progress. You capture that information and save it to your own device. If the meeting host has the function enabled, it will be saved to the local computer of the web... READ MORE