Common IT Terms and Jargon

Tags Jargon

Description

This article provides a simple guide to common IT jargon, offering plain-language explanations for technical terms used in Information Technology, making it easier for users and IT professionals to communicate and collaborate effectively.

Details

IT Term Alternate Name(s) Description
VPN
  • Virtual Private Network
  • GlobalProtect
  • Secure Network
 Pima uses Palo Alto's GlobalProtect VPN. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows users to establish a secure and encrypted connection to a private network over the Internet, allowing access to internal resources like Banner and Share Drives.
Google Drive
  • Share Drive
  • G Drive
  • File Share
  • Network Folder
 Pima formerly relied on the NAS to allow users to store their data, but has now shifted to Google Drive for personal storage.
NAS
  • Network Attached Storage
  • Share Drive
  • Y Drive
  • Letter Drive
 While the NAS is still active, the user's personal data folders (Y drive) are being phased out. Individual departments do still have their own share drives on the NAS, for example, Finance or ADR.
D2L
  • Desire2Learn
  • Brightspace
  • Pima Online
 Desire2Learn/Brightspace is the primary Learning Management System used at the college and is managed by the PimaOnline/D2L support team.
D2L Shell
  • Course Template
  • Course Copy
 D2L shells are templates for a course, including basic setup like folders, modules, and more. They are set up and handled by the PimaOnline/D2L support team.
ListSrv
  • List Server
  • Group
  • Mailing List
  • Distribution List
 The term ListSrv refers to a distribution list of email addresses. This term is no longer used as the college utilizes Google Groups to send messages to a list of users.
Banner
  • SIS
  • Student Information System
  • Banner 9
 Banner is an Information System utilized by Pima for managing student and staff data, including class registration, student records, and financial aid.
PCC Number
  • Asset Tag
  • Inventory Tag
  • Computer Number

A PCC Number is a unique identifying tag on college-owned equipment, such as computers and printers. It is a white sticker with a barcode and a number, used for inventory and tracking purposes.
A Number
  • Student ID

An A Number is your unique student ID number, always beginning with “A” followed by 8 digits. Treat this as you would your Social Security number — protected and private.
UID
  • Username
  • Unique Identifier

The Unique Identifier is the official name used to identify you across all Pima Community College systems and is typically referred to as your Username.
Password
  • Pass
  • PW
  • Credentials

A password is a combination of characters (letters, numbers, and symbols) tied to a user's identity.
Gmail / Email
  • Electronic Mail
  • webmail
  • Google Mail

Email stands for electronic mail. It is a digital method of creating, sending, and receiving messages over the internet using computers or smartphones. The term refers to both the messaging system and individual messages themselves.

Gmail stands for Google Email and is the email service used at the college.

 

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