KERNEL: The code which is the core or main functions of an operating system.  The kernel’s job is to manage the devices, processes, files and I/O in the computer itself, interacting with user commands.  This includes the CPU and memory and how the applications communicate with these devices, primarily through a series of program interfaces referred to as system calls.  It is the first part of the O/S to load during boot, and stays on continuously; and, when your computer “crashes” it is the kernel that has crashed, usually requiring reboot.  The kernal varies according to each O/S, but generally contains a scheduler, a supervisor, an interrupt handler and a memory manager.  The four broad categories of kernels are: Monolithic, micro, hybrid and exo. A kernel is not the same as a shell, which is the outermost part of an O/S which directly interacts with user commands, as the kernel itself interacts with the shell to control the O/S.  Nor is it the BIOS, which is permanently encoded on a motherboard chip, while the kernel can be modified.  PCs, Macs, Linux and Unix all have different kernels for each version of their O/Ss.

KEY: Keys are used in many computer definitions, not just to refer to a part of the keyboard.  The Windows Registry contains 6 “Keys” that store important information about your computer’s hardware and software configuration.  Also, an encryption key is the string sequence of characters used to encrypt or decrypt data. Some programs have a physical key that is a connector between the printer cable and the computer or the keyboard cable and the computer, without which access to a particular program will not be granted.

KEYBOARD:      An input device which uses typewriter-type keys  (called “keycaps”) to deliver text and commands to the computer.  Click HERE for lots more about keyboards.

KEYFILE: A  type of password used with encryption, which uses the first 1,024 characters of a file as the password.  For more, see PASSWORDS; also encryption.

KIN: A family of cell phones sold by Microsoft between only April and July 2010 through Verizon Wireless.  It was discontinued after only 48 days due to poor sales.

KINDLE: An electronic book (e-book) reader promoted by Amazon, essentially a notepad computer onto which various books can be loaded and synchronized between devices, all over a wireless network.  There’s also a new, improved Kindle 2 and the cheaper “AdverKindle”! But digital books can sometimes be deleted, without notice, as was done with two George Orwell novels in July, 2009, when Amazon discovered that they had sold digital copies of the books obtained from a supplier which had no legal right to the books.  They just “disappeared” from the eBook (although purchasing customers did receive a credit).  Bet you’re glad they can’t do that with the bound books in your home.  Why the name Kindle?  Amazon isn’t saying, but the word can mean to start a fire or light a torch, also to arouse or inspire (into reading more, of course).  Makes sense.  The third definition, a collective term for a group of kittens, makes less sense.  Sony also makes its own eBook digital book reader, as does Barnes and Noble (the “Nook”) and others are sure to follow.

KINECT: An X-Box 360 add-on which, by locking onto people and following their voices and motions, eliminates many of the myriad buttons used on game controllers, allowing users to move onscreen just as they do in front of it.  Introduced in late 2010.

KLIP: An Apple app developed by Alan Rossman, a former Apple developer of the Macintosh, which is like a photo version of Twitter, allowing sharing of minute-or-less videos.  Available from the App Store.

KLOUT SCORE: An online service that measures your “social media influence” and assigns it a numeric score between 1 and 100.  The theory is that when you recommend, share and create content, you impact others in the social network.  Klout uses three different metrics (network influence, amplification probability and true reach)  across 10 social media networks to measure impact.  Started in beta version in 2011.

KOOBFACE: The name of a Trojan worm virus which infected FaceBook (also MySpace, Bebo, Friendster, MyYearbook and Blackplanet) users in 2008 and 2009.  The virus comes through an e-mail purportedly from one of your friends inviting you to view a video.  Once the URL is clicked, you are prompted to update your Flash player before the video can be displayed.  If this is supposedly done, the virus is loaded onto your computer and the work transforms your machine into a zombie computer on a botnet, which is then used to infect other computers.  See, Spyware.

KOPIMISM: A Sweedish “religion”  [The Missionary Church of Kopomism] formed by activist Peter Sunde (formerly of file-sharing site Pirate Bay).  This cult religion, founded about 2010, whose primary leader is Isak Gerson, advocates the principal of “copy and seed,” a call to download files and make them available for endless duplication and file sharing in the name of intellectual freedom.  Sweeden recognize virtually any religion, so it’s a pretty low bar.

KVM: Keyboard-Video-Mouse.  This acronym refers to a switch that connects a single keyboard, video and mouse for several computers, so that a click of a button will enable a user to switch between them, seeing each computer on the same monitor, controlling them with the same mouse and keyboard, as if each computer was physically present.  They can be physically connected (for controlling more than one computer at a desk, for example) or even over IP (so a network administrator can control whole networks of computers from a remote location.  Microsoft also has come up with software known as “Mouse Without Borders,”  which does the same thing with software.  Click HERE for the YouTube video showing how it works, and HERE for the discussion in the TechNet blog.

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