V.34 The most recent modulation protocol, which permits two similarly equipped modems to exchange data at a rate of 28800 bps.
vaccine An antivirus program designed to protect against computer viruses.
value A numeric cell entry in a spreadsheet.
value-added network Enhanced services in which a company will lease dedicated lines and add services in order to improve the communications and then sell the enhanced services.
vector graphics A graphic image composed of distinct objects that can move independently.
very-large-scale integration (VLSI) A level of technological sophistication in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips that allows the equivalent of more than 100,000--and up to 1 million--transistors to be placed on one chip.
VESA local bus A bus design that directly connects video circuits with the microprocessor and improves performance.
video card Video circuitry that is designed to fit into an expansion bus and that determines the quality of the display and resolution of your monitor.
video digitizer A voice recognition device that can capture input from any type of video device and transform it.
video memory Memory capability supplied on graphic boards to enable graphics-intensive programs to run smoothly and quickly.
video RAM (VRAM) A specially designed random-access memory chip that maximizes the performance of video adapters.
videoconferencing The sending of video signals as well as telephone and computer data signals.
virtual memory A means of increasing the size of a computer's random-access memory (RAM) by using part of the hard disk as an extension of RAM.
virtual reality (VR) A computer technology that immerses the user in the illusion of a computer-generated world.
virtual university A form of distance education that enables students to complete a degree at home on a computer.
voice recognition system A system in which the computer recognizes human speech and transforms the recorded words into computer-readable digitized text or instruction.
Voice User Interface (VUI) A microcomputer interface capable of recognizing spoken input from a variety of individuals.
volatile Susceptible to loss; a way of saying that all the data disappears forever if the power fails.
VRAM See video RAM.