First off. No such thing as a stupid question.
 
CODEC is an acronym for COder DECoder. It is not a driver but a standard way of encoding/decoding audio and/or video. They allow programmers to create an audio/video program that can be used with several audio/video types by using CODEC pluggins. This is how say windows media player can play WAV, MP3, WMA, MPG, AVI, DIVX, and MP2(DVD).
 
Well that is about the extent of my knowledge. Hope it helps.

I'm going out on a limb here, like I do so many times as it is , that perhaps you're referring to device drivers such as for AC97 CODEC's that most any motherboard has now a days, would this be accurate ?!?

I did find both explanations very helpful. Now I know where the term came from, for one and what it's used for (this is a definite audio/video piece I'm doing, so this does make sense).
 
The second explanation (post number two), does really apply to the piece I'm writing, as the individual that I'm composing it for, does refer to it as a "driver" within his original piece, calling them "rivers that run" the media in use, which left me totally clueless as to what they were and how specifically they are used. (When you tell a writer "rivers", they do take a totally "literal" view of the word). Thanks for "going out on that limb"!
 
But both posts have cleared up a great deal.
 
Thanks again!

You're welcome, now remember that there are going to be terms used in the computer arena that could be construed in both the literal and the obtuse sense

That's why I'll probably be hanging around here a great deal, so be prepared! LOL
 
I actually do a good deal of writing for technology businesses, believe it or not, but usually had to do a whole lot of research (hours upon hours) to get the answers to my questions. I was given the address of this forum by another member here, that I know, as he thought I could definitely put this forum to use (he might have been tired of my incessant questions too)! So you're stuck with me indefinitely.
 
Again, many thanks, and I'll be back religiously. You made my job so much easier already.

Don't worry, a lot of us learned the hard way about Computers.

I'm usually here everyday now reading, since I found this. I'm actually great at the "programs", Word, Access, Excel, Corel, Publisher, Power Point, etc. The inner workings of all of it though, and the terms elude me, as before I started my own writing and marketing business, I worked for years at a college, and of course, all we needed to do was call "tech support" for every little glitch, so I never was forced to analyze or digest any of it. I am now, so here I will be often!
 
Everyone here is so welcoming and friendly, too. Really one of the most open, accepting forums I've found in a long time.
 
Nice to meet you, Copernicus.