| Term |
Definition |
| 80286 |
16-bit Intel microprocessor featuring a 16- bit data bus and 24-bit address bus. Supports real-time and virtual modes. |
|
| 80386DX |
Registers, address bus, and data bus are all 32-bit. Does real, virtual real, and protected virtual modes. |
|
| 80386SX |
Intel microprocessor with 32-bit registers, 24-it address bus, and 16-bit data bus. Operates in real, virtual real, and protected virtual modes. |
|
| 80387DX |
Intel math coprocessor for the 80386SX based systems. Adds 50+ new instructions. |
|
| 80486DX |
Intel 32-bit processor that features 8k cache and a math coprocessor. Operates in real, virtual real, and protected virtual modes. |
|
| 80487SX |
A math coprocessor upgrade for 80486SX systems. |
|
| 8086 |
One of the earliest 16-bit Intel processors that operated in real mode. 8-bit Intel microprocessor featuring an 8- bit data bus. |
|
| 8087 |
Math coprocessor for 8086 and 8087 systems. |
|
| AC |
Alternating current. |
|
| Accelerator Board |
An add-in board for a computer system that enables a task to be performed better and/or faster. A popular term often used in the 90's, accelerator boards were made for Video, Storage, Sound, etc. However, most boards accelerated only one type of process |
|
| Access Time |
Time from which something is requested to the point at which it is delivered. |
|
| ACPI |
"Advanced Configuration and Power Interface" - ACPI originated as a DOS-based power management software for PCs. However, in recent years Microsoft has utilized ACPI to replace the older Intel APM (Advanced Power Management) software utility. ACPI dynamically monitors power usage within the computer, its systems, and assigns power accordingly. Most ACPI controls are found within your PC's BIOS. |
|
| Active matrix display |
An Active matrix display is a type of flat-panel display found on many of today's laptop computers. Active matrix technology differs from "passive matrix" only in that the screen is refreshed more frequently, creating much better picture quality with better viewing angles. The most common type of active matrix screen is called TFT (or "thin film transfer"). The two terms are often used synonymously. |
|
| Actuator |
Device that moves a drive's read/write head across the platter surface. |
|
| Adapter Card |
An electronics board installed in a PC, which provides a network interface to and from that computer. A network interface card (NIC) is a type of adapter card. |
|
| Adaptor |
Device that serves as an interface between two objects |
|
| Addis |
Location of where a piece of data can be found in the computer. |
|
| Address Bus |
Electrical conductors used to carry binary code from the microprocessor to the rest of the system |
|
| ADSL |
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a term for one-way high speed transmission of signals over plain single twisted-pair wiring already run to residences. ADSL is provisioned with greater downstream than upstream rates (hence asymmetric). These rates are dependent on the distance of the user to the Central Office and can vary from as high as 6 Mbps to as low as 128 Kbps. |
|
| AGP |
"Accelerated Graphics Port" (AGP) is a relatively new type of dedicated PC graphics bus designed by Intel Corp to more efficiently render 3D graphics. The AGP can transfer data at a rate up to 528MB/sec. By comparison, the more common PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, used in Pentium and Mac machines, has a maximum transfer rate of 132MB/sec. AGP's big bandwidth allows games and 3D apps to use more realistically-rendered textures and faster frame rates and to store this data in system, instead of video, memory. This reduces the performance hit to the system as graphics are presented. |
|
| Alpha Channel |
In computer graphics, a portion of each pixel's data that is reserved for transparency information. 32-bit graphics systems contain four channels -- three 8-bit channels for red, green, and blue (RGB) and one 8-bit alpha channel. The alpha channel is really a mask -- it specifies how the pixel's colors should be merged with another pixel when the two are overlaid, one on top of the other. |
|
| Ampere |
Amp. Unit for measuring electrical current. |
|
| AMPS |
"Advanced Mobile Phone Service" (AMPS) is the analog celluar phone standard first introduced by AT&T in 1983. AMPS phones operate in the 800 to 900 Megahertz (MHz) radio spectrum. The term is "cell" phone because the signals are sent from radio transmitters that cover a broadcast area known as a cell. |
|
| AMR |
"Audio Modem Riser" (AMR) is an Intel specification for analog I/O (Input/Output) functions on motherboards. An AMR card removes analog I/O functions from the motherboard, relegating them to a plug-in "riser card" (a.k.a. a "daughter board"). By doing this, motherboard manufacturing is not restrained by the FCC and International Telecom certification processes which can often get bogged down in red tape. |
|
| Analog |
Continuously varying signals. |
|
| Analog Loopback |
Modem self test where data is sent from the keyboard, to the modem for modulating/demodulating, and then sent to the screen. |
|
| AND |
Logic statement. |
|
| ANSI |
American National Standards Institute. Develops to implement and set standards for the computer industry. |
|
| API |
Application Program Interface. Gives programmers access to services provided in an operating system and the ability to control hardware. |
|
| API |
"Application Program Interface" (API) is a series of software routines and development tools that comprise an interface between a computer application and lower-level services and functions (e.g. the operating system, device drivers, and other low-level software). APIs serve as building blocks for programmers putting together software applications. Sometimes called "Application Programming Interface." |
|
| ARCnet |
Attached Resource Computer Network. Baseband, token-passing local area network offering star/bus topology that transfers at 2.5 mb/s |
|
| ASCII |
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. 8-bit code containing 255 characters. |
|
| ASP |
"Application Service Provider" (ASP) is a growing number of "apps-on-tap" websites where applications are available for rent. ASPs allow small businesses to have access to programs and services that they might not otherwise be able to afford on their local area network. |
|
| ASP |
"Active Server Pages" (ASP) is a sophisticated server-side application-building environment that is used to dynamically create HTML-like pages (viewed on a normal browser as a HTML page). An ASP page is an TML page containing, client-side script and HTML tags, and a script than runs on the server, referred to as 'server-side scripting' (using a scripting language like Javascript or VBScript). ASP supports integration with other Microsoft server products, such as Microsoft Transaction Server, and access to COM objects. |
|
| Assembler Language |
Computer oriented language that communicates directly with hardware components. |
|
| ATA |
AT Attachment Interface. |
|
| ATA |
"Advanced Technology Attachment" (ATA) is the common disk drive interface technology that puts the drive controller right on the drive itself. There are a number of ATA versions, from the original a.k.a. IDE) to the 33MBps ATA-33 (a.k.a. Ultra-ATA) to the newest standard, ATA-66 which operates at 66MBps. |
|
| Athlon |
This is the name of AMD's newer chip intended to compete with Intel's Pentium III. The Athlon was formerly referred to as the K7. The September '99 issue of PC World claims that the 600MHz Athlon is on average 9% faster than a 600MHz PIII. In graphics tests, the Athlon was 21% faster running 3D modeling software. For comparisons and benchmarks, see AMD's Athlon page. |
|
| Audio |
Any signal that can be heard. |
|
| Autoexec.bat |
Dos Batch file that automatically executes commands. |
|
| AWG |
"American Wire Gauge" (AWG) is for rating the 'size' of a wire, the smaller the number, the larger the size. |
|
| Backplane |
A printed circuit board in an electronics device with sockets into which other circuit boards can be plugged. In most PCs, the backplane is the large board that contains the ISA, PCI and other sockets for modem, video, sound and other expansion cards. Sometimes used synonymously with "motherboard". |
|
| Bandwidth |
The amount of information or data that can be sent over the Internet during a given period of time. Bandwidth is usually stated in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps). |
|
| Baseband |
Transmitting digital Signals over a limited distance. |
|
| Batch File |
Set of commands stored in a file to be executed by the operating system. |
|
| Baud |
Unit of signaling speed often used with modems. |
|
| Bay |
Space in a computer case that holds disk drives CD-ROM or other components. |
|
| BBS |
Bulletin Board System. |
|
| Bezel |
The front covering on a CD-Rom Drive, Floppy drive etc. (The cream colored faceplates) |
|
| Binary |
Base-2. Computer numbering system that utilizes only 1's and 0's. |
|
| BIOS |
"Basic Input/Output System" (BIOS) is the root software in a PC that contains all of the basic code for controlling drives, keyboard, monitor, mouse, serial ports, etc. The BIOS acts as a bridge between the hardware and the operating system. The BIOS resides on a ROM chip (rather than in RAM), so that a computer can be booted. |
|
| Bit |
The smallest unit of computer storage. Represented by either a 1 or 0. |
|
| Bluetooth |
An open standard for short-range wireless communications being developed by a cooperative of mobile phone, computer and PDA manufacturers. The standard allows all of your (Bluetooth-compliant) personal tech devices to communicate with each other. For more info, see the Bluetooth website. |
|
| BNC |
British National Connector. For use with thinnet coaxial cabling. Typically has a twist-lock connector. |
|
| bps |
Bits per second. |
|
| Bridge |
A data communications device that connects two or more networks and forwards packets between them and function as routers. Bridges read and filter packets and frames. Bridges do not require IP addresses and will pass broadcast traffic. |
|
| Broadband |
A transmission medium or channel that has a wider bandwidth than one voice channel (with a carrier wave of a certain modulated frequency). It allows multiple services like voice, data, video, etc. to transit over the network. It is Analog transmission over a great distance. |
|
| Browser-safe colors |
216 colors in the common 256-color display palette rendered the exact same way on both Mac and PC operating systems. |
|
| Buffer |
Block of memory used for storing data temporarily. |
|
| Bug |
Error in a program or component. |
|
| Bus |
A portion of computer architecture which carries data from one component to another. As a general rule, more than one component is attached to a bus, and the particular component (or section of memory) being used is selected through the use of address lines in the bus. Electronic pathway over which data travels. |
|
| Bus Master |
Device that takes control of the bus. |
|
| Byte |
Collection of 8 bits. |
|
| Cache |
A buffer that stores data that is commonly accessed in order to speed up operation. |
|
| Cache |
(pronounced "cash") - A form of high-speed storage that can be either a section of main memory (as in "memory caching") or an independent storage device ("disk caching"). Memory caching is effective because most programs access the same data or instructions over and over again. By storing this information in cache memory, overall data processing speed is improved. Level 2 (L2) cache, which is common in many of today's computers, is usually located on a second chip between the main computer processor and the DRAM. |
|
| Card |
A completed circuit board designed to plug into a slot or adapter and is set to perform a specific task. |
|
| CD-ROM |
Compact Disc Read Only Memory. Digital storage device utilizing lasers that read a surface of a Compact Disc as being pitted or unpitted. |
|
| CDPD |
"Cellular Digital Packet Data" (CDPD) is a wireless radio frequency (RF) communication service that can deliver data packets over existing cellular phone networks that have been upgrading for CDPD. CDPD is capable of transfer speeds of up to 19.2 kbps. The CDPD packets are actually sent between pauses in the cellular phone conversations. CDPD cellular modem service is currently available in about 65 US cities. |
|
| Character |
Coded binary digits that represent a letter number, or symbol. |
|
| Chip |
Integrated Circuit. |
|
| Circuit |
A complete electronic path. |
|
| Circuit Board |
Collection of circuits on a metal-coated plastic board. |
|
| Circuit-Switched Cellular |
A system for transferring modem data over a conventional analog cellular network that has not been updated for CDPD communication. |
|
| CISC |
Complex Inatruction-set Computers. Intel 80xxx family PC's fall in this category. |
|
| CLEC |
"Competitive Local Exchange Carrier" (CLEC) is a telecom company that is in competition with the local Bell (or other) telephone company. The term was coined after the 1996 Telecommunications Act which deregulated the telecom industry. CLECS include cable companies, ISPs, cellular providers and others. |
|
| Clock Speed |
Measurement of the rate at which the clock signal for a device ocillates. Expressed in MHz. |
|
| Cluster |
Allocation Unit. Group of sectors on a disk that form a unit of storage for an operating system. |
|
| CMOS |
Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. Stores clock information and system configuration. |
|
| CMS |
Cable Management System (CMS), refers to the products used to neaten-up a cable plant. |
|
| CMS |
Content Management System (CMS), refers to a software frontend that allows for the automation of additional web content integration on to a website. |
|
| Coaxial cable |
A cable with one inner conductor, and an outer shield (which is usually grounded), insulated from one another by a dielectric foam. Both conductors share the same axis, thus the name coaxial. Coaxial cable is used in 10-Base2 Ethernet, and in a variety of RF applications, including CATV. Each type of coaxial has a characteristic impedance (expressed in Ohms). Coax cable is rate with an RG prefix (old military jargon for "Radio Guide" and followed by the cable type (expressed in a number) and the suffix "/U" if it's a general utility cable (as opposed to special application coax made of different material, designed for shorter runs, etc.). RG-6/U coax is a 75-ohm cable designed for internal wiring of cable and antenna television. RG-59/U coax is a 75-ohm cable commonly used in video transmission, and CB, Ham radio and TV antennas. |
|
| COM Port |
Serial port on a PC. |
|
| COMDEX |
Largest international computer trade show. |
|
| Command |
Instructions telling a computer to perform a task. |
|
| CompactFlash |
Type of flash memory card, approximately one-third the size of a PC card. CompactFlash cards can be used in Type I & II PC-Card slots with an adapter. One factor that distinguishes CompactFlash cards from other types of flash memory cards is that they have their own controller onboard so that cameras, PDAs and other devices that use the cards are not burdened with the controller software. CompactFlash cards comes in sizes from 2MB to 64MB. |
|
| Computer |
Device capable of data input, process, and output. |
|
| Concentrator |
A high-density hub, usually designed to allow for future expansion. |
|
| Controller |
Electronic device that is designed to control a different device. |
|
| Coprocessor |
Aditional computer processing unit designed to handle specific tasks. |
|
| CPE |
Customer Premise Equipment are any communications equipment that resides on the customer’s premises. The CPE for DSL services is often called a DSL "modem". |
|
| CPS |
characters per second. |
|
| CPU |
Central Processing Unit. Consists of several million transistors working together to process data and perform many different functions. |
|
| Crash |
Malfunction that brings a program or system to a halt. |
|
| CRC |
Cyclic Redundancy Checking. Error detecting for transmissions. |
|
| Cross-over Cable |
(Usually referring to Ethernet) - A cable that crosses the transmit and receive pins appropriately so that two devices can communicate directly without the use of a hub, or similar intermediate device. |
|
| CRT |
Cathode Ray Tube. Electrodes surrounding a glass cylinder that create a display by having a beam of electrons strike on a phosphor coating |
|
| CSMA/CD |
Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detect (CSMA/CD). A transmission technique that operates as follows: Before a device sends a packet it checks to see if another device is already transmitting. If the line is clear it will send its packet. If two devices start sending at the same time a 'collision' is caused, the devices can detect this collision, and will each wait a random amount of time before re-retrying. This is the access method used by Ethernet. |
|
| Current |
Flow of electrons messured in Amps |
|
| Cursor |
Flashing hyphen that indicates where input from the keyboard will be displayed |
|
| Cylinder |
Set of tracks on a disk that are on each side of the disk platters and are equidistant from the center of the disk. |
|
| Daisy Chain |
Stringing components so that all data moves in serial form. |
|
| Data |
Grounps of facts processed into information |
|
| dB |
A Decibel (dB) is one tenth of a Bel, named for Alexander Graham Bell. The measurement quoted in dB describes the ratio (10 log power difference, 20 log voltage difference, etc.) between the quantity of two levels, the level being measured and a reference. This page is a more detailed reference. |
|
| DC |
Direct Current. Messured in volts |
|
| DCE |
Data Communications Equipment. Hardware that does communication |
|
| Dedicated Line |
A transmission circuit that is reserved by the provider for the full-time use of the subscribe |
|
| Density |
Amount of data that can be stored in a certain area of storage media |
|
| DIP |
Dual inline package. |
|
| DIP Switch |
Small switch on a circuit board. |
|
| Directory |
Area on a disk that acts as a file folder. |
|
| Diskette |
Floppy disk media |
|
| DMA |
Direct Memory Acess. High speed transfer between storage devices and memory. |
|
| Dot Pitch |
A measurement of the dots making up a pixel. Smaller the Dot pitch, the sharper the image will appear. |
|
| Duplex |
Communication channels ability to carry data streams in both directions |
|
| E-mail |
Method of electronically transferring messages. |
|
| EGA |
Enhanced Graphics Adapter |
|
| EIA |
Electronic Industries Association. Defines electronic standards. |
|
| EISA |
Extended Industry standard architecture. 16-bit and 32-bit slot based interface. |
|
| EMS |
Expanded memory specification. Provides access to more memory for DOS. |
|
| Emulator |
A device or program that imitates or emulates the function of the original device. |
|
| EPROM |
Erasable Programmable read only memory. Type of Rom in which the data can be erased to allow new data. |
|
| ESD |
Electrostactic discharge. Static electricty that is dangerous to computer components. |
|
| Extended Partition |
Non bootable partition under the Active bootable partition. |
|
| FAT |
File allocation table. Area near outer edge of the disk that tells what sectors are allocated to each file. |
|
| FIFO |
First in / First Out. Method of storing and retrieving items. |
|
| File |
Collection of information on storage media. |
|
| Fix-IT.org |
Fix-It.org Website established 2004 by Chad Osos and Jeff Bilbrey. |
|
| Fix-IT.org Forums |
Fix-It.org Forums established 2004 by Chad Osos and Jeff Bilbrey |
|
| Form Factor |
Physical dimension of a device. Devices with the same form factor are ussually interchangable. Common form factors are AT and ATX. |
|
| Format |
Preparing a disk to be able to be written to. Also checks for errors and assigns a file allocation table. |
|
| Frame |
Block of data sent through network communications. Frames consist of: start/end indicators, error checking, and data. |
|
| Full Duplex |
Simultaneous signal flow as the same time. |
|
| Full Scene ANTI Aliasing ( FSAA ) |
FSAA is a feature of most newer 3D cards that smooth out any rough edges that appear on screen. ATI and nVidia were pioneering this technology back in 2000. However, at the time, many critics were of the mindset that FSAA was not a suitable compensation to high-resolution image.
No FSAA
FSAA
|
|
| GB |
Gigabyte, 1,073,741,824 bytes |
|
| Giga |
multiplier indicating 1 billion (1,000,000,000) |
|
| Half Duplex |
Signal flow in 2 directions but not simultaneously |
|
| Hard Disk |
High capacity fixed storage drive. |
|
| Hardware |
Physical components of a computer system |
|
| Head |
Small electromagnetic device inside a hard disk that reads, records, and erases data. |
|
| Heat Sink |
Mass of metal that is attached to a device or component in order to dispurse heat. |
|
| Hexadecimal |
base 16 code in which the numbers 0-9 and letters A-F are used. |
|
| Hz |
Hertz |
|
| I/O |
Input/Output. Circuit that allows indipendent communication between processor and device. |
|
| IC |
Intgrated circuit |
|
| IDE |
Integrated Drive Electronics. Describes hard disk and controller technology. |
|
| Incremental Backup |
Backing up all files that were changed since the last backup. |
|
| Input |
Any data sent into the computer from devices or components such as: Keyboard, mouse, modem, video card, scanner, joystick, etc. |
|
| IRQ |
Interrupt Request. Numbers 1-15 assigned to devices/components in a computer so that the device can signal the processor for prcessing time. IRQ's for devices must be unique meaning that a different ITQ is assigned to each device. Due to expandability problems, virtual IRQ's were developed for USBcomponents. also see Virtual IRQ. |
|
| ISDN |
Integrated Services Digital Network. Digital Service that allows channels that allow digital data to travel simultaneously with voice and video. |
|
| J-Lead |
J-Shaped leads on chip cariers. |
|
| Jumper |
Small, plastic covered, meta clip that slips over two pins on a circuit board. When in place, the jumper completes the circuit by connecting the two protruding terminals. This acts similar to a switch (jump=on, no jumper=off) |
|
| KB |
Kilobyte, 1,024 Bytes |
|
| Kermit |
Protocol designed for file transfer between microcomputers and mainframes. |
|
| Key Disk |
A disk used for copy protection. The disk must be in the system in order for the program to run. |
|
| Key Disk |
A disk used for copy protection. The disk must be in the system in order for the program to run. |
|
| Landing Zone |
Unused track on disk surface on which the read/write heads can land when power is shut off. This is where the head is parked in order to decrease damage to disk when computer is shut down. |
|
| Latency |
Average access time for a component. Often referred to with disk drives, memory, and cache. |
|
| LED |
Light-emitting diode. A Semiconductor that emits a light when current is passed through it, with diodes, current may only pass in one direction. |
|
| Low Level Format |
Format that divides tracks into Sectors on the platter surface. |
|
| LUN |
Logical Unit Number. This is a number given to a device attached to a SCSI unit and not directly attached to the SCSI bus. |
|
| LVD |
Low Voltage Differential. This is a term often used with SCSI devices. |
|
| Magnetic Domain |
A Tiny Segment of a track just large Enough to hold one of the magnetic flux reversals that encode data on a disk surface. |
|
| Magneto Optical Recording |
Erasable optical disk that uses a laser beam to heat pits on a disk surface, at which point a magnet can make a flux change, |
|
| Master Partition Boot Sector |
One sector record that gives essential information about the disk as well as starting patitions on the disk. The master partition boot sector is always on the first partition, on the first physical sector. |
|
| MB |
Megabyte, 1,048,576 bytes. |
|
| MCA |
Multi Color Graphics Array. Supports 256 colors in 320x200 resolution, or 2 colors in 640x480. |
|
| MDA |
Monochrome Display Adapter. Colors are black, white, bright white, and underlined. |
|
| Media |
Type is storage being used. Examples: CD, DVD, Hard Disk, etc. |
|
| Medium |
Magnetic coating that covers a disk. |
|
| Mega |
Multiplier indicating 1 million. |
|
| Memory |
Any component in a computer system that stores data temporarily for future use. |
|
| Network |
One or more computers or devices connected with one another, such as a telephone network. |
|
| NIC |
Network Interface Card. An adapter board which is plugged into a computer so it can be connected to a network. |
|
| Noise |
An outside signal that interferes with a communications transmission.It can come from heavy machinery, power line spikes, nearby TVs or radios, etc. |
|
| NTFS |
NT (New Technology) File System.The file system used by Windows NT.It supports multiple file systems, has file recovery for hard disk crashes, uses the Unicode character set, and provides for file names up to 255 characters long. |
|
| NVRAM |
Non-Volatile Random Access Memory.Static RAM which is preserved when the power is turned off, either by means of a battery connected to it, or by saving to EEPROM and reloading when the power is switched back on. |
|
| ODI |
Open Data-link Interface. Novell protocol-independent device driver specifications for network adapter cards (NIC). |
|
| OEM |
Original Equipment Manufacturer - As the name states, an OEM is the original manufacturer of equipment |
|
| OLE |
Object Linking and Embedding. Specification describing how to embed objects within other objects in order to activate more advanced functions. |
|
| On-line |
Being actively connected to a network or computer system; usually being able interactively to exchange data, commands, and information |
|
| Online Analytical Processing |
Utilities that sit between a database and user in to provide interpretation of data stored within a database. |
|
| Open-Network Architecture |
An industry wide standard that allows different telecommunications vendors to interconnect with a network. The industry standard is the OSI Model, a seven-layer reference model for Open Systems Interconnection, developed by the members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). |
|
| OSI Model |
Open System Interconnection. A standard network model that seperates communication rules into 7 layers. The use of these layers allow protocols to be applied to a network. Each layer utilizes the layer below it to build on, and provides a service to the layer above it.
The 7 Layers of the OSI Model:
7 - Application layer
6 - Presentation layer
5 - Session layer
4 - Transport layer
3 - Network layer
2 - Data link layer
1 - Physical layer |
|
| Package Software |
An application program or collection of programs developed to meet the needs of a variety of users, rather than custom designed for a specific user or company. Packaged software is sold to the general public. |
|
| Packet |
A unit of data formatted for transmission on a network.Data is broken up into packets for sending over a packet switching network.Each packet has a header containing its source and destination, a block of data content, and an error-checking code.All the data packets related to a message may not take the same route to get to their destination; they are reassembled once they have arrived. |
|
| Packet Switching |
A technology for sending packets of information over a network.Data is broken up into packets for transmission. Each packet has a header containing its source and destination, a block of data content, and an error-checking code. All the data packets related to a message may not take the same route to get to their destination; they are reassembled once they have arrived. The international standard for packet switching networks is X.25. |
|
| Page Break |
A code that tells the printer where to end a page. |
|
| Page Footer |
Text that appears at the bottom of every page in a document, which may include page numbers, or other information. |
|
| Page Header |
Text that appears at the top of every page in a document, which may include page numbers, running heads, or other information. |
|
| Parallel Computing |
Using more than one computer at the same time to solve a problem, or using a computer that has more than one processor working simultaneously. |
|
| Parallel Processing |
Using more than one computer at the same time to solve a problem, or using more than one processor working simultaneously within the same computer. |
|
| Parameter |
In computing, a value sent to a program or operation by the user. |
|
| Parity |
An integer's property of being odd or even. Parity checking is used to detect errors in binary-coded data. |
|
| QBasic |
The version of QuickBASIC that comes with DOS 5 and later versions.It replaces, and accepts programs written for, Microsoft's GW-BASIC. |
|
| Quadra |
A brand name for one of the Macintosh series of computers. |
|
| Queue |
A first-in first-out data structure used for lining up requests for a resource such as a printer or communications channel. |
|
| QWERTY |
The standard typewriter or computer keyboard.The arrangement of letters originally was designed to keep fast typists from jamming the old mechanical typewriters; frequently-used keys are separated from each other.With modern keyboards there are no longer jamming problems.An alternative keyboard called the Dvorak layout was designed which has the most frequently-used keys all on the center line for faster typing, but the qwerty keyboard continues to be used because so many typists know it. |
|
| Rack Mounted Computer |
Computers built to fit into a metal rack.Some computer components are rack mounted units. Many network servers are rackmount computers. |
|
| Radio Buttons |
Buttons on the computer screen of which only one can be selected at a time, by clicking on it. Radio buttons are used a lot with forms on web pages. |
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| RAM |
Random Access Memory. The working memory of the computer. RAM is the memory used for storing data temporarily while working on it.."Random access" refers to the fact that any area of RAM can be accessed directly and immediately, in contrast to other media such as a magnetic tape where the tape must be wound to the point where the data is.RAM is called volatile memory; information in RAM will disappear if the power is switched off before it is saved to disk. |
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| RAM Disk |
Random Access Memory disk.A program which simulates a hard disk drive, using part of the computer's random access memory, for fast processing of data.Files can be copied into the RAM disk and edited.The RAM disk can not store files permanently; the updates must be written to the hard disk or floppy disk before the power is turned off. |
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| RAMDAC |
Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Converter.A chip that stores the color palette and converts digital information into analog signals to a color monitor.It has three analog-to-digital converters and a static RAM for storing the color palette.Each color is composed of three values representing red, green, and blue, which together make up the chosen color. |
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| Raster |
The scan pattern on a display screen, in which the area is scanned from side to side in horizontal lines and from top to bottom by an electron beam. |
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| Raw Data |
Unprocessed data. |
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| Raw Mode |
A mode that allows a computer to input or output raw data. |
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| RDRAM |
Rambus Ram. |
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| Read Only |
Able to be read but not changed. A read only file or disk is protected and may only be read and not edited. |
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| Real Time |
Able to respond immediately; this term refers to a system which must respond to external events, such as process control at a manufacturing plant or an embedded system that runs a piece of equipment. |
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| Reboot |
A warm boot, or a boot after the computer has not been turned off for long. |
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| Recursive |
Referring back to itself. |
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| Reformat |
To reinitialize a hard or floppy disk, which erases all the data on it. |
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| Refresh Rate |
The maximum number of frames per second that a computer monitor can display, expressed in hertz.Each frame begins with the electron gun at the upper left corner of the screen.An electron beam is scanned horizontally across the screen, making one line; it moves down slightly to make the next line, and continues until it reaches the bottom.The electron gun returns to the upper left corner to begin the next frame.Too low a refresh rate causes a flickering screen which is hard on the eyes. |
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| Registry |
A central hierarchical database used by Windows OS to store configuration information. The Registry has information Windows continually accesses during operations, such as what types of applications are installed on the computer and what kind of document each can create. It is possible to edit the Registry. However, a computer can be disabled if there are any errors after editing the Registry. |
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| Relative Path |
A designation of the location of a file in relation to the current working directory, as opposed to an absolute or full path which gives the exact location. |
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| Remote Console |
A console in another location that controls a local computer. |
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| Remote System |
Any other computer in the network with which the local computer can communicate. |
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| Removable Disk |
A disk that can be put in the disk drive when reading from it or writing to it, and removed when not in use. |
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| Render |
To use computer graphics to draw three-dimensional objects realistically. |
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| Repeater |
A device that amplifies or refreshes a stream of data transmitted over a network, so it can travel to more remote computers.Without repeaters, a transmission will deteriorate as it travels farther and farther from the source.
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| Reserved Memory |
The memory area of 640-1024 Kb on an IBM PC, which is reserved for BIOS and add-on cards |
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| Resistor |
A component that has electrical resistance and that is used to control the flow of current in an electronic circuit.
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| Return |
To press the return key on the keyboard.This action is used to put a paragraph return in the text, select items in a dialog box or close the box, or enter other information such as a search query or requested action.On some keyboards the return key is called the "enter" key. |
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| RIAA |
Recording Industry Association of America. |
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| Ribbon Cable |
A flat cable used in the computer for such purposes as internal connection to peripherals. |
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| RISC |
Reduced Instruction Set Computing.A microprocessor design which is intended to make operations run faster by processing a few simple instructions rather than many complex ones.CISC (complex instruction set computing) processors do more of the processing of complex operations within the CPU than RISC processors, which require certain operations to be performed by the software before the data gets to the CPU. |
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| RJ-11 |
The standard telephone jack used in North America for plugging a telephone or modem into the wall. |
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| RJ-45 |
A serial connector used with Ethernet and Token Ring devices that looks like a telephone jack but has eight wires instead of four or six. |
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| RLE |
Run-Length Encoding. |
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| RMON |
Remote Monitor or Remote Monitoring. |
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| Router |
A device that finds the best path for a data packet to be sent from one network to another.A router stores and forwards electronic messages between networks, first determining all possible paths to the destination address and then picking the most expedient route, based on the traffic load and the number of hops.A router works at the network layer (layer 3 of the OSI model); a bridge works at the data link layer (layer 2).A router does more processing than a bridge does.
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| RPG |
Role Playing Game. |
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| Runtime |
The time during which a process is being run. |
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| RXD |
Receiving Data |
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| S-Video |
Short for Super Video.A high-quality method of transmitting video signals over cable to a television from a device such as a Camcorder VCR or game machine.S-Video separates information into two signals: Chrominance (separates color information) and Luminance (brightness).This prevents color bleeding and dot crawl, and increases clarity and sharpness.Once the information is finally delivered to the TV it is done so as a single signal over one wire. |
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| S/N Ratio |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio.The amount of communication signal in relation to the amount of interference, or noise, on the medium.It is usually expressed in decibels. |
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| SAN |
Storage Area Network. |
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| SATA |
Serial ATA |
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| Scalable |
Able to be changed in size or configuration to suit changing conditions.For example, a company that plans to set up a client/server network may want to have a system that not only works with the number of people who will immediately use the system, but the number who may be using it in one year, five years, or ten years. |
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| SCSI |
Small Computer Systems Interface.(Pronounced "scuzzy".) A high-speed interface that can connect to a computer devices such as hard drives, CD-ROM drives, floppy drives, and printers. |
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| SDDI |
Sony Digital Data Interface |
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| SDLC |
Synchronous Data Link Control.A data transfer protocol used in IBM's SNA networks.SDLC conforms to ISO’s High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) and ANSI’s Advanced Data Communication Control Procedures (ADCCP). |
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| SDRAM |
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM).High-speed DRAM that adds a separate clock signal to the control signals.SDRAM can transfer bursts of non-contiguous data at 100 MBytes/sec, and has an access time of 8-12 nanoseconds.It comes in 64-bit modules: long 168-pin DIMMs. |
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| Search Engine |
A program on the Internet that allows users to search for files and information. |
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| Serial |
One at a time.In serial transmissions, one bit at a time is sent over the serial line. |
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| Serial Device |
Any hardware unit that is connected to a computer by plugging it into the serial port; for example, a modem, a keyboard, or a serial printer. |
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| Serial Port |
A socket on a computer which is usually used to connect a modem, mouse, scanner, or serial printer. |
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| Server |
The computer in a client/server architecture that supplies files or services.The computer that requests services is called the client.The client may request file transfer, remote logins, printing, or other available services. |
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| SGRAM |
Synchronous Graphic Random Access Memory.Memory that is used for graphic-intensive operations such as 3-D rendering and displaying full-motion video. |
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| Shareware |
Software that is copyrighted, but may be downloaded and used for a limited time for free, after which the user is asked to voluntarily send the author a small payment.Some shareware products offer additional features, documentation, technical support, and/or updates to registered users. |
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| Sideband |
A band of frequencies just above or just below a carrier frequency, produced by modulation of a carrier wave. |
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| SIMM |
Single Inline Memory Module.A slim circuit board that holds Random Access Memory (RAM) chips. |
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| SISD |
Single Instruction Single Data. |
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| Slave |
A computer or device rendering control to another computer, or device controlled. |
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| SMTP |
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. |
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| Sound Card |
An add-on expansion board that improves a computer's sound quality, and adds other sound capabilities.A sound card makes it possible to use speakers, a stereo, and a microphone to record and play sound; some sound cards also include MIDI. |
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| Spider |
A program that searches the World Wide Web automatically by retrieving a document and all documents linked to it. |
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| Spoofer |
A program used by a hacker to trick a computer system into thinking it is being accessed by an authorized user. |
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| Spool |
Simultaneous Peripheral Operation On-Line.To perform a peripheral operation while the computer is busy with other work.The most common use of spooling is with the printer; files are sent to the print spooler, which organizes a queue and then prints one file after another. |
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| SPX |
Sequenced Packet Exchange.A Novell NetWare communications protocol used to transmit messages reliably over a network. |
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| SQL |
Structured Query Language (pronounced SQL or Sequel).A language used to create, maintain, and query relational databases. |
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| SRAM |
Static Random Access Memory.A kind of random access memory that requires a constant supply of power in order to hold its content. |
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| SSI |
Server Side Includes.The ability to include files from the server inside an HTML document. |
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| Star Network |
A network configuration in which each node is connected to a separate line, and all lines lead to the same central hub |
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| Static IP |
A static or dedicated IP Address is a type of account from an ISP where your computer(s) are assigned the same IP Address at all times. While this used to be a requirement for web-site serving, it is usually used today for security purposes. |
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| STP |
Shielded Twisted Pair cable that is wrapped in a metal sheath to provide extra protection from external interfering signals
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| Surge Protector |
A Device that shields computers and other electronic devices from surges or deviations in electrical power. |
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| SVCD |
Super Video CD. SVCDs use MPEG as its compression standard and can hold between 35 to 60 minutes of full motion video on 74/80 min CDs |
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| Switch |
A networking device which can send packets directly to to port associated with a given network address. |
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| T bit |
Terabit (Tb).One trillion bits. |
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| T Byte |
Terabyte (TB).One trillion bytes. |
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| T1 Line |
A telephone line connection for digital transmission that can handle 24 voice or data channels at 64 kilobits per second, over two twisted pair wires. |
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| TAPI |
Telephony Application Programming Interface. |
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| TCP |
Transmission Control Protocol.The most common Internet transport layer protocol, defined in STD 7, RFC 793.This communications protocol is used in networks that follow U.S.Department of Defense standards.It is based on the Internet Protocol as its underlying protocol; TCP/IP means Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol.TCP is connection-oriented and stream-oriented, and provides for reliable communication over packet-switched networks. |
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| Telnet |
A terminal emulation protocol that allows a user to log in remotely to other computers via the Internet through a command line interface. |
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| Topology |
Configuration.For example, the topology of a network shows the pattern in which the computers are interconnected.Common network topologies are the star, bus, and Token ring. |
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| Traffic |
The amount of data traveling across a network. |
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| TXD |
Transmitting Data |
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| UDF |
Universal Disk Format.The volume format of DVD disks. |
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| UDMA |
Ultra DMA (Ultra Direct Memory Access).A protocol developed by Quantum Corporation and Intel for disk drives that enables the computer to take advantage of the fast Ultra ATA disk drives. |
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| UDP |
User Datagram Protocol. |
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| URL |
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)is a text-based web address used to direct users to web-based content. An example is http://glossary.fix-it.org directs users to our glossary. HTTP URL's, are often referred to as web or internet addresses, and often they appear within the address bar of a web browser.
Tim Berners-Lee created the URL in 1991 to allow the publishing of hyperlinks on the World Wide Web, a fundamental innovation in the history of the Internet. Since 1994, the URL has been subsumed into the more general Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), but URL is still a widely used term.
The U in URL has always stood for Uniform, but it is sometimes described as Universal, perhaps because URI did mean Universal Resource Identifier before RFC 2396.
* http - HTTP resources
* https - HTTP over SSL
* ftp - File Transfer Protocol
* mailto - E-mail address
* ldap - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol lookups
* file - resources available on the local computer or over a local file sharing network
* news - Usenet newsgroups
* gopher - the Gopher protocol
* telnet - the TELNET protocol
* data - the data: URL scheme for inserting small pieces of content in place
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| V.90 |
An International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard for 56-Kbps modems. |
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| VB |
Visual Basic. |
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| VBX |
Visual Basic Custom Control.A software module that can be used in many different applications. |
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| Vcard |
An electronic business card format. |
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| Vector |
In computer graphics, a quantity represented as a line with a start and end point identified by x-y coordinates which indicate both magnitude and direction. |
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| VGA |
Video Graphics Array. This supported 640x480 @ 16 Colors (4-bit). |
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| VRAM |
Video Random Access Memory. High-speed memory used for the computer's display. |
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| WAN |
Wide Area Network.A network in which computers are connected to each other over a long distance. |
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| WAP |
Wireless Application Protocol. A global standard for developing applications over wireless communication networks. |
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| WHOIS |
An Internet directory service which can be used to find information about users registered on a server, or other information about the network. |
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| Workstation |
A computer in a network, which may have its own processing capability. |
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| WYSIWYG |
What You See Is What You Get. |
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| Xbase |
The generic term for database languages similar to dBASE. |
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