Term | Definition |
ADC | Device for sampling analog data and producing a digital sample of it. |
analog data | Continuous data which can be measured, such as the temperature in the room. |
analog to digital converter | Device for sampling analog data and producing a digital sample of it. |
BAN | Environmental campaign group that works to reduce the problems caused by e-waste. |
Basel Action Network | Environmental campaign group that works to reduce the problems caused by e-waste. |
Basel Convention, The | Environmental agreement regarding e-waste. |
blade servers | Server design which is modular, allowing systems to be rapidly expanded and reducing power consumption. |
continuous data | Analog data which can be measured, such as the temperature in the room. |
CRT | Old, large TV style computer monitors. |
data centres | Large warehouses of computers that host hundreds or thousands of gigabytes of data. |
data layers | Layers of information added to a Geographical Information System. |
data logging | Automatic recording of data using sensors. |
digital data | Discrete data which can be counted. |
digital footprint | An individual's effect on the environment due to e-waste. |
digital divide | The idea that money, language, education, or infrastructure creates a gap between those who have access to information technologies and those who do not. |
digitisation | The process of converting analog data into digital computer data. |
discrete data | Discrete data which can be counted. |
donation schemes | Schemes used to find additional uses for obsolete computer equipment to extend it's useful life. |
e-waste | Discarded electronic equipment that is either broken or obsolete. |
electronic waste | Discarded electronic equipment that is either broken or obsolete. |
Geographical Information System | A system which allows layers of data to be placed on map data to visualise and analyse it. For example, crime rate figures can be layered on a map of a city. |
geotagged | Adding tags to data (such as an image) to identify the location in which it was created. |
GIS | A system which allows layers of data to be placed on map data to visualise and analyse it. For example, crime rate figures can be layered on a map of a city. |
Global Positioning System | System of satellites that allows a user to determine their position on Earth using a special receiver. |
GPS | System of satellites that allows a user to determine their position on Earth using a special receiver. |
GPS receiver | Part of the GPS system which calculates its distance from satellites in space. |
laser imaging | Remote imaging method that users laser light, often used by satellites. |
LCD | Newer style "flat screen" monitors. |
LEDC | Countries to which electronic waste is often shipped for unsafe recycling and disposal. |
Less Economically Developed Country | Countries to which electronic waste is often shipped for unsafe recycling and disposal. |
Lidar | Remote imaging method that users laser light, often used by satellites. |
life cycle (hardware) | For computer hardware, the period of time from its manufacture, through its use, until its eventual disposal. |
location based service | Any service (e.g. web page content) which varies according to the user's location. |
MEDC | Countries which are often a significant source of electronic waste. |
More Economically Developed Country | Countries which are often a significant source of electronic waste. |
planned obsolescence | Idea that IT equipment is designed to have a short life expectancy before failing or becoming obsolete. |
power settings | Operating systems to affect the power consumption of a computer. |
radar | Remote imaging method used by satellites. |
recycling | The process of reclaiming valuable elements from waste electronic equipment, often done unsafely in developing countries. |
reduce | The 'R' concerned with preventing e-waste problems by producing less waste equipment and using fewer harmful chemicals. |
redundant systems | System which will take over the role of a primary system if it fails. |
remote sensing | Techniques used by satellites to image the Earth. |
refurbish | The 'R' concerned with finding additional uses for equipment which is obsolete but not broken. |
reuse | The 'R' concerned with finding additional uses for equipment which is obsolete but not broken. |
RoHS | A law which limits the harmful chemicals that manufacturers are allowed to put into their electronic equipment. |
Reduction of Harmful Substances | A law which limits the harmful chemicals that manufacturers are allowed to put into their electronic equipment. |
sample precision | During digitisation, the number of bits used to represent each sample. |
sample rate | During digitisation, the number of samples taken per second. |
sampling | The process of converting analog data into digital computer data. |
sat nav | Portable GPS receiver device often used in vehicles. |
satellite imaging | The use of sensors on satellites to measure or record information, usually about the Earth. |
satellite navigation system | Portable device that uses GPS to plot the user's position. |
sensors | Input devices used to measure physical traits, such as sound, heat, or light. |
sonar | Remote imaging method used by satellites. |
speed throttling | Reducing a processor's clock speed to save power when not in use. |
take-back scheme | Scheme operated by IT manufacturers to accept customers' old hardware for recycling at its end of life. |
virtual globe | A 3D software map of the Earth, usually with layers of information added, similar to a GIS. |
virtual machines | A software implementation of a computer system, allowing one physical computer to run several "virtual computers", each with their own independent operating system and application software. |
virtualisation | The process of using several virtual machines running on one computer to replace several separate physical computers. |
visualisation | Producing graphs or animations based on computer data, to help understand and analyse it. |
WEEE | A European law which requires electronic equipment manufacturers to accept back their equipment for recycling at its end of life. |