character string:
A series of characters treated as text. Character strings can contain numbers and letters.

crack:
To break into a computer system, typically with the intent to steal or otherwise manipulate information, or to do damage to the system itself.
 
 direct access::
The ability of a computer to locate and retrieve data immediately from a storage device, without having to start at the beginning and read all the data

multisession::
A way of recording CD-ROM discs that adds data in blocks instead of recording the entire disc at once. For example, half of the disc could be written one
day and the rest written a few weeks later. Some older CD-ROM drives can't read multisession discs. This type of recording is used by some CD-R (CD-recordable)
drives and all CD-RW (CD-rewriteable) drives.
 
diffuse:
In an image-editing program, this is a technique used to displace colors in an image, giving it an impressionistic look.
 
wizard:
A feature that provides step-by-step instructions to lead users through certain tasks in applications. Unlike online help menus, which often must be read
before executing a task or printed out, wizards use dialog boxes that walk users through each step of a process. Also can describe an extraordinary programmer.
 
workbook:
A term used by Microsoft Excel to describe a spreadsheet file. A workbook can contain numerous spreadsheets in a single file.
 
halt:
The command issued to immediately shut down a Linux system. This command is usually called by issuing the shutdown command.
 
vacuum tube:
A glass tube from which all gas has been removed, creating a vacuum. Such tubes containing electrodes for controlling electron flow were used in early computers
(before semiconductors) as a switch or an amplifier. Vacuum tubes allowed digital computations at what was then considered a high speed.
 
rocker switch:
Unlike a traditional switch that trips when it is switched, a rocker switch rocks between the on and off positions, hence its name. When one side of the
switch is moved to a down position, the other side is always up. Switching on the up side will change the position of the two and trip the switch. You
can find rocker switches on many kinds of computers and computer add-ons, including various power devices, surge protectors, monitors, and others.

quarantine:
To place a file that is infected with a virus or otherwise poses a threat in a directory where it cannot do any harm. Functions that divert threatening
files to a quarantined directory are typically part of antivirus software.
 
hello packet:
A packet sent over a network by a system containing information such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the system, to indicate the system is ready
to receive and transmit data.
 
 terminal:
A set of hardware normally composed of a keyboard and a monitor that lets users communicate with the internal CPU (central processing unit), which is the
"brain" of the computer.
 
electrode:
A conductor through which current flows. Batteries, for instance, have two electrodes, the positive electrode is also known as the anode and the negative
electrode is known as the cathode.
 
null cycle:
The absolute minimum length of time required to completely execute a program without introducing new data or extraneous processing.
 
lapping:
The process of smoothing, finishing or acheiving an extremely close tolerance on the heat-absorbing side of the heatsink, with the idea that heat will transfer
more efficiently with a tighter fit between the heatsink and heat-generating component.
 
reboot:
To restart the computer and reload the operating system. Many types of computers reboot when the key combination CTRL-ALT-DELETE is pressed. In Windows
95 and newer, rebooting can also be done by selecting Shut Down from the Start menu, then clicking Restart The Computer. Rebooting is sometimes the only
way to regain control over a computer that is frozen due to error. Rebooting a computer, however, causes all unsaved data in open applications to be lost.

 cold fault:
An error that takes place after starting a computer. This failure usually is caused by a mis-alignment within the computer by the expansions and contractions
that occur because of temperature fluctuations when the computer is turned on and off. To avoid this, some users leave the computer running when not in
use and only shut off the monitor.
 
prompt:
A symbol indicating that the computer is waiting for you to enter information in order to continue.
 
workstation:
A setup composed of a computer and peripheral devices that enable someone to do their work. In terms of processing power, workstations fall between personal
computers and minicomputers. Also can designate any computer connected to a network.
 
vertex:
In computing, 3-D graphics are created by combining numerous triangles to form a desired shape. The term “vertex” typically refers to the individual points
or corners of these triangles—the points where two sides of a triangle meet. These vertices are, in fact, the very “virtual matter” that creates a 3-D
object.

kiloflop:
1,000 floating point operations.
 
warping:
An effect in some digital imaging software programs where algorithms are applied to an image, bending it, and ultimately giving it a spherical shape.
 
hybrid:
In computers, hybrid refers to a device that is made of two or more technologies. A hybrid computer has both analog and digital capabilities. It uses both
analog-to-digital conversion and digital-to-analog conversion so it can read and produce analog and digital data. Robots, for instance, are hybrid computer
systems. They accept a command in digital format (the program instructs the machine using binary data) and execute a function in analog format (the robot
walks). On the flip side, the robot might use an analog sensor to recognize an object, but it will use a digital computer to process what to do with it.
ADCs (analog–to-digital converters) transform factors, such as temperature, motion, pressure, sound, and images, into a binary code the robot can understand.

thermal adhesive:
A glue-like substance specifically designed to connect metal pieces and conduct heat between them. Thermal adhesive is made of substances such as aluminum
or silver and is available in syringes or tubes with applicators. Thermal adhesive is not used to connect certain sensitive components; for example, the
substance is not intended for attaching a heatsink to a processor.
 
hub:
A hub is a piece of equipment that provides a connection point for a group of computers and peripherals, and it works on a low-level network protocol layer.
Just like a wheel on a bicycle, a hub is a central point from which the spokes, or in this case, cables, fan out. Hubs are commonly used in LANs (local-area
networks), where two or more computers are sharing the same devices, such as printers, Internet connection, scanners, and so on. The cables for these devices
are plugged into ports in the hub. Data is sent to the hub, which then distributes it to other areas on the network. For example, someone working on a
computer can send a file to a printer, but that request must be channeled through the hub before it reaches the printer. Most hubs support the Ethernet
standard, meaning the hub accepts an Ethernet cable, which also plugs into an NIC (network interface card). There are also non-Ethernet hubs, including
Token Ring.

A hub can be passive, active, or intelligent. Passive hubs simply accept an electric signal from an incoming packet and broadcast it to the rest of the
network. An active hub, sometimes called a repeater, amplifies the signal before sending it to the rest of the network. Amplification guarantees that the
signal has enough power to make it throughout the network. An intelligent hub, or manageable hub, is similar to an active hub, but it has extra features.
For instance, it provides bridging, routing, and switching and supports remote management and virtual LANs.

The term “hub topology” is used to describe how larger networks are arranged. A hub topology has a main area from which outgoing lines run, and each line
has connection ports for attaching devices. ISPs (Internet service providers) use this format for providing access to their subscribers.
 
Telenet:
One of the largest PDNs (public data networks) in the United States. Telenet serves as the communications backbone for many online services.
 
keycap:
The part of a key on the keyboard seen in normal use. Under the plastic keycap marked by a symbol is the actual key, which is a small switch.
 
zettabyte:
A unit of measurement equal to 1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424 bytes, 2 to the 70th power bytes, or roughly 10 to the 21st power. It's also the equivalent
of 1,024 exabytes.
 
zoo virus:
A term used to describe computer viruses that exist only in research labs. Used primarily as tools for scientists and programmers, these infectors (estimated
to number at least 20,000) make up the majority of existing computer viruses. However, they pose no danger to the public’s computer systems until released
“in the wild.”

:XY coordinates
Refers to points along the horizontal and the vertical axes of the computer screen, usually starting in the lower-left corner of the screen. Each pixel
(the color dots that make up the screen display) on the display screen has a location on the map of the screen that identifies it to the programs that
make the screen addressable (meaning the mouse can tell where it is on the screen and let the application know). Generally, the x-coordinate is the number
of pixels going across the screen and the y-coordinate is the number of pixels going up the screen. When the pair intersects, that intersection represents
a specific location on the screen.

When programming Web sites and Web-deployed applications, it is common to define the location of the pixel (or set of pixels) in relation to a specific
area of the screen. This is the method used to create areas on the screen that will respond to the click or double-click of the mouse. The programmer defines
an area that will be sensitive to the mouse activity by outlining the XY coordinates that constitute the boundaries of the area and then linking that area
to a URL (uniform resource locator) that contains additional information that the programmer or designer wishes the user to see. Because there are millions
of pixels on each screen, the programmer relies on software that creates the coordinate mapping, rather than trying to map each coordinate manually.

This approach creates what’s known as an image map on the Web page. The “map” is really a graphic (it could, in fact, be an image of an actual map) with
its coordinates mapped and with sets of coordinates linked to other HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) pages. The image map thus serves as a sort of menu.
For example, in the case of a mapped picture of an actual United States map, clicking on one state might take the user to information about that state,
while clicking on another state takes the user to a different page. The image could also simply be a product photo that links to information about a product.

ghosting:
When an object or icon dragged across the screen leaves a trace behind it.

tab:
An indention at the beginning of a line to signify a new paragraph in a document. Usually about five spaces, tabs are primarily used to ensure equal spacing
from line to line. There is also a tab called the write-protect tab on diskettes. When in a certain position, this tab prevents data on the diskette from
being overwritten or erased.

: kermit

A FTP (File Transfer Protocol) that works over phone lines and is noted for its relatively slow speed and high accuracy. Most communications programs allow
users to select Kermit as the protocol for a specific transfer or as the default protocol for all transfers.

 
:hacker
A technically sophisticated user who spends a lot of time at a computer. It refers to a person who writes computer programs, "hacking" up the digital code.
Hacker is often erroneously used, instead of cracker, to refer to those who illegally break into computer systems to do damage, steal secrets, or enter
simply because they can.

backside bus:
Another term for the data bus that runs between the (CPU) central processing unit and the L2 (level 2) cache memory. The backside bus is typically faster
than the frontside bus because cache memory usually offers faster access times than system memory, allowing the bus to closer approximate the speed of
the CPU.

nanowire:
A wire that is one nanometer (one thousandth of one millimeter) thick. Nanowires are used as semiconductors, barcodes, and LEDs (light-emitting diodes),
depending on their chemical composition.
 

 nastygram:

The nastiest form of nastygram, an ill-tempered, malicious, or disapproving e-mail message, has its roots in Unix systems, where users on different terminals
share one large computer.

It was possible to send e-mail containing computer code that would freeze up the recipient’s terminal or computer or execute as a program in order to do
something prankish or even damaging. Known as letterbombs, these nastygrams were the ancestors of the modern e-mail attacks that try to trick recipients
into downloading and running attached virus programs.

The term also refers to a more formal and legitimate style of unwanted e-mail in the form of a rebuke from an online authority. An example would be a warning
for breaking some rule of a newsgroup or e-mail list, such as an off-topic posting or letting an argument get out of hand.

Programmers have sometimes used the term nastygram to refer to an e-mail message that expresses dissatisfaction or criticism from a client or from superiors
within the company. In this context, nastygram carries the connotation of criticism that’s overly nitpicky or otherwise unfair.

Less commonly, nastygram may refer to automated unpleasant e-mail, such as bounce notices to let you know that an e-mail message you sent is undeliverable.
But as mail handling robots have no ill will in their messages, however unwelcome they may be, the reference to automatic mail as nastygrams is often facetious.
 
myria:
A metric prefix meaning ten thousand. A myriabyte would be 10KB or 0.01MB. The symbols for myria are ma or my.
 
SPDIF:
Sony Philips Digital Interface Format
A type of interface used to connect a variety of electrical components, primarily audio devices. 

ATAPI:
Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface (ATAPI)

An extension to the EIDE (Enhanced IDE) interface that supports CD-ROM and tape drives, which were left out of the original EIDE and IDE standards.
Also known as Fast AT Attachment (Fast ATA), this is an updated version of the Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) storage interface that works with hard
drives and CD-ROM drives. It can shuttle data to and from the drive three to four times faster than the IDE standard (transferring data between 11MB and
16.6MB per second) and can support data storage devices that store up to 8GB more than IDE drives.
Also known as ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), the EIDE standard lets storage devices, such as hard drives and CD-ROM drives, connect to computers.
Initially, EIDE supported drives of approximately 8GB in size, and it supported data speed rates between 11MBps (megabytes per second) and 16.6MBps. Once
the 8GB limit was overcome by better support from a PC’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System; the underlying software that lets a PC use basic hardware), the
theoretical limit for ATA drives became 137GB, but users can expect this limit will be breached, just like all the others. Currently, the largest ATA or
EIDE drives are about 120GB in size.

EIDE is an upgrade to the older IDE (or Advanced Technology Attachment) standard, which supported drives of 528MB and was only one-third to one-fourth as
fast as first-generation EIDE. The primary competitor to the EIDE standard is SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), which is common in Apple computers;
SCSI generally allows greater speeds, but it is expensive and more difficult to use. The latest descendents of the standard are Ultra ATA-66, which offers
speeds up to 66MBps, and Ultra ATA-100, which offers speeds up to 100MBps. Also, keep on the lookout for Serial ATA, a new standard that should offer even
greater speeds.


Serial ATA (SATA)

A new interface for internal devices such as hard drives, debuting in 2002. Serial ATA, initially having a theoretical maximum throughput of 150MBps, allows
better signal timing and higher speeds than the parallel EIDE standards such as Ultra ATA/133/100/66. SATA also enables easier device setup and better
airflow within the computer case with less obstructive data cables. Industry analysts expect SATA eventually to supplant EIDE.

complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)

An electronic component used for RAM and fast data switching. CMOS semiconductors are made of two metal-oxide field effect transistors for high speed and
low power use. However, they can be damaged by static electricity.
(Pronounced see-moss.) A type of computer chip that requires very little power. This makes it particularly suitable for use in notebook computers, which
need to get as much life as possible out of each battery charge, and for the computer memory holding system startup information.

PCs contain a CMOS memory chip that stores information the computer needs each time it boots up. This includes things such as the date and time, as well
as information about the system configuration—how many disk drives and what kind, how much memory, what type of processor, and so on. Without this information,
a computer is very limited in how it can operate.

Computer memory requires power, so most memory empties out when a computer is powered down. Because the CMOS chip requires so little power, it is run continuously
off a battery inside the computer. A single battery is usually enough to power the CMOS for the life of the computer. Therefore, whenever the computer
is powered on, the information in the CMOS can load right in for immediate use by the computer's BIOS (Basic Input/ Output System).

When you turn on your computer, you usually see a lot of information flash on the screen about memory, video card in use, etc. The computer is actually
running diagnostic tests on its components and initializing those components for use, based on information pulled up from the CMOS.

Rip:
To Record a song from an audio CD and encode it into the MP3 format. MP3 files are significantly smaller than audio CD files, therefore ripping them can
save quite a bit of space on your hard drive. There are several software programs available that one can use to rip songs from a CD.

Ripping, or simply rip, is a word used in digital music to refer to the process of extracting digital audio data from audio CDs so that you can easily store
or share them with other computer users. Sharing music that was ripped over the Internet became a popular and controversial practice in past years. Actually,
the process of ripping involves two distinct steps. First, a so-called ripper is used to extract or copy tracks from a CD onto another storage device,
such as a hard drive. In the second step, an encoder is used to convert the tracks into a compressed format, such as MP3. You can then burn a song to a
CD-R (CD-recordable) or CD-RW (CD-rewriteable). You can find many applications online for both ripping and encoding. In addition, programs such as MGShareware’s
FreeRIP MP3 (
www.mgshareware.com)
can combine both steps into one easy-to-use package.

ripper:
A program that extracts digital audio from an audio CD and stores it as a digital sound file (usually a WAV file). The audio "ripped" from the CD then can
be copied on to a blank CD or converted to an MP3 file.
burn:
The process of writing data or information to a CD-ROM.

CD-Audio (.CDA):
The file format developed by Philips for storing audio files on CDs (compact discs).

digital audio extraction (DAE):
A feature on CD-ROM drives that lets them pass data from audio CDs through the computer buses (i.e., IDE or SCSI) like any other CD-ROM data, instead of
converting it to an analog signal sent to the sound card. This feature is especially useful for copying CDs. Without digital audio extraction, CD audio
is converted to analog then converted back to digital when written to the blank CD. The multiple conversions degrade the sound quality, so performing a
straight digital transfer is desirable for the best sound quality. This feature is relatively new, so older CD-ROM drives may not support it.

portable language:
A type of programming language used to create software for more than one type of computer system.
 
abscissa
The x coordinate on an (x, y) graph. See Ordinate.
 
video card:
A circuit board in a computer that controls display factors such as resolution, colors displayed, and speed of images displayed. A video card cannot bring
an older monitor up to its standard. Both the monitor and the video card must support a resolution, such as 800 x 600, for that resolution to be possible
on the system. Today's video cards typically contain some memory so that the PC's RAM (random-access memory) isn't bogged down with handling displays.
Some cards, often called video accelerators or graphics accelerators, contain a graphics coprocessor that handles graphical computations. Also called a
video adapter, video board, or video controller.
 
cable matcher:
A device that lets a cable be attached to a device that requires slightly different wire connections.
 
femto:
An International System of Units (SI) prefix meaning one quadrillionth, or 10 to the negative 15th power. For example, a femtosecond would be one quadrillionth
of a second, or 1/1,000,000,000,000,000th of a second. The symbol for femto- is f.
 
nesting:
The placement of one object within another. In computing, this refers to the placement of a graphic in a word processing document or a text document within
a database. A set of instructions also can be nested in another set of instructions or within a document activated when selected. Programmers also can
nest programming loops within other programming loops.

 necrocam:
A Web camera positioned in the coffin of a deceased person. The term comes from the Dutch film of the same name, which used the idea as a way to comment
on the extremes to which technology can lead us.
 
trunk:
In telephone systems, a trunk is a connection between two main switching stations. The trunk carries several lines of voice and data transmissions simultaneously.
 
quit:
To end a session with a program by purposely closing the application.
 
ubiquity:
A quality attributed to anything that seems to be everywhere at all times. Often used in technology circles to describe technologies in widespread use.
Some may say mobile phones, for instance, are ubiquitous.
 
Aloha:
A data transmission standard developed in the late 1960s by Norman Abramson and a team of researchers at the University of Hawaii. Using TDMA (time division
multiple access) technology, Aloha transmitted data in packets containing addressing information, and in the event of a collision the data was retransmitted.
Aloha was the basis for Alohanet, a precursor to the Ethernet network standard.
 
long-haul:
A communications device, such as a modem, that can transmit and receive signals from distances of more than one mile. Most modems are long-haul modems.
Compare to short-haul.

wiki:
A wiki is a type of collaborative blog. Instead of one author providing and editing content, any user can post content and edit the content of others.
 Mathematica

Computers are obviously good at crunching numbers and allowing for detailed simulations. Until Mathematica was released in 1988, however, no single program
could harness all that power and let scientists, engineers, theorists, and programmers bend it to their will. Individual applications were available before
then that were designed to perform specific tasks, but Mathematica let just about anybody do just about anything math-related.

Stephen Wolfram designed Mathematica and Wolfram Research, a company he founded in 1987. The software completely revolutionized the field of technical computing,
providing users with a single package that could perform practically any mathematical calculation. From physics calculations and astronomical star charts
to electrical circuit design and economics equations, if it involves numbers, Mathematica can handle it. From the very beginning, Mathematica could handle
symbolic equations and had powerful graphing abilities, and the product has improved steadily over the years, adding more features while retaining its
ease-of-use.

The core of the software is a powerful programming language that lets users write programs in a variety of ways. Several add-on packages also are available
that give people in specific fields tools they can use to do their jobs more efficiently. Optica, for example, is a package that makes it easy to solve
optical engineering problems without having to write any fundamental programs to get started. The software also links directly into other programs, such
as Microsoft Excel, letting users apply Mathematica’s power to nearly any other application that involves numbers. It can even be integrated into Web pages
to create interactive graphs and calculations. This connectivity works both ways, as output from Mathematica can be easily sent to an external program,
such as an application designed to render high-resolution 3D graphs.

More than 20,000 copies of Mathematica were sold within months of its original release, and the number of users today has expanded into the millions. Professionals
now view the software as an indispensable tool, and students use it in many high school and college math courses. An ever-increasing number of Web designers
use an offshoot of the original software, webMathematica, to add interactive calculations to their sites.

snow:
A cast of pixels on a monitor that appear as small, white, flickering dots. Snow can be caused by simple interference or by conflicts within the video memory.
 
cold boot:
To turn on the computer after it has been shut off. Also called cold start. Compare to warm boot. See boot.

unbundled:
Software or hardware that once was included with several other products (a bundle) but was removed from the packaging or is sold separately. For example,
games and word processing applications often are bundled with new computers and included in the price. When the product is sold separately, however, it
is considered unbundled. Compare to bundled software.
 
jam:
A signal from an Ethernet device alerting all other devices that a collision has occurred and to stop transmitting. The purpose of a jam is to clear the
network’s data transmission lines and have all devices begin attempting to send data again. See
collision.

texel:

Texture element. The smallest component of a texture in a 3-D image.
 
daisywheel:
A printing mechanism shaped like a round disk with a number of spokes, or arms, that extend from its center. Each arm has a fully formed character on its
tip. The arm hits the ribbon, and the impact makes a mark on the paper. One daisywheel contains all the characters for one font only; a change in fonts
requires a different daisywheel. Daisywheels are found on a daisywheel printer. Also called print wheel.
 
firewall:
Software or hardware that limits or restricts certain kinds of computer access from a network or other outside source. A router is a good example of a hardware
device that often has a built-in firewall. Firewalls are used to thwart would-be hackers from infiltrating computer systems. See
hacker.

wand:
A pen-like scanning device, a wand is commonly used with such hardware peripherals as bar code readers. Also used to describe a stylus used with graphics
tablets. To scan text with a wand, a user passes the tip of the wand over text; the optical scanning mechanism in the wand takes the text it has "read"
and passes it along to the computer for processing.
 
metadata:
Metadata is technically data about data. NTFS (NT file system) uses the concept of metadata frequently. In NTFS metadata maintains information about the
various files on the system including a file’s location on the hard drive, file name, and security information. Metadata may also track information about
the hard drive in general. For instance, bad clusters that can no longer reliably hold information are tracked using metadata. Most metadata resides in
the Master File Table or MFT although, technically, the MFT itself is a metadata file. Media metadata is a type of metadata many users may recognize. For
instance, an MP3's (Moving Pictures Experts Group Audio Layer 3's) metadata may contain information such as song title, artist, and album. This data is
visible in most media players as well as in the file's properties. See
NT file system (NTFS).

safety ring:
A plastic ring that fits into a reel of magnetic tape to prevent its files from being overwritten or erased. See file protect ring.
 
:vendor ID
A number that allows plug-and-play systems to identify an added device and configure it properly. The number indicates the device's manufacturer, model,
and version number.

: exit
A command or option that will let users leave and close a program. It may require a special keystroke or key combination in a DOS program, or it may require
users to select the Exit option from the File menu in a Windows program.
 
unarchive:
To restore files from an archive or backup to their original location, usually a hard drive. Compare to archive file.
 
pack:
To compress data, or "smash" it together by taking out excess space, so it occupies less space when stored or transmitted. Compressed data must be decompressed
before it can be used again. Compare to unpack. See data compression.
 
garbage:
Although an unsophisticated user tends to denounce any type of unreadable images that appear on his screen as garbage, the true definition of garbage is
meaningless, unnecessary data the computer places in the RAM. Garbage collection is a system for automatically reclaiming this storage space in programs,
ensuring that systems aren’t needlessly tied up by preserving RAM data that is no longer needed (The failure to clean up memory that is no longer being
used is called a memory leak). Such garbage collection, which frees programmers from having to write software that explicitly requests storage and returns
it to the system when no longer needed, is also known as automatic storage (or memory) allocation.

A garbage collection program must first identify unneeded data and then make the storage area it occupies available for use by the computer again. An object
in a program is considered live if the program might access that object in the future. If not, the object is considered dead. Many garbage collection programs
consider a given object dead if the program has eliminated all pointers to it. Some programs keep track of the pointers on each object and designate it
dead when the count falls to zero. Others keep track of which objects are considered live and eliminate dead objects not within that group.

Early garbage collection programs only kicked in after the amount of memory used reached a particular limit. Once across that threshold, the program would
pause to examine all its memory, causing delays. More modern garbage collection programs kick in every time memory is allocated or when there are pauses
in activity. It was first developed for languages such as LISP (list processing), a high-level programming language developed in 1960 for use in artificial
intelligence applications that computes with symbolic expressions rather than numbers. Such garbage collection programs were also used with the language
SNOBOL (String Oriented Symbolic Language), an early list-processing language developed in the early 1960s. More recently, it has appeared in embedded
languages such as PostScript and object-oriented languages such as Java.

The third definition for garbage centers on a widely used acronym within the computer industry: GIGO (garbage in, garbage out). That admonition warns all
computer users that, no matter how advanced the machine, inputting faulty or substandard information will only result in more problematic data. Another
interpretation of the term is garbage in, gospel out, warning users against placing too much faith in computers that may be handling faulty data.

write error:
An error that occurs during the transfer of data.
 
doctor blade:
In laser printers, a doctor blade is a straight edge set a precise distance from the developer roller. It ensures that just the right amount of toner sticks
to the roller. The doctor blade scrapes away any excess toner.
 
dye sublimation:
A printing process in which a printhead heats tiny sections of a colored ribbon to transfer ink to the paper. A dye sublimation printer may use three or four colored ribbons or perhaps a single ribbon with differently colored sections. See thermal transfer printer.
 
card:
A printed circuit board or adapter that plugs into a computer to add a new function such as modem capabilities or hardware device support. The term also
refers to the punched cards used for data storage and entry devices in early computing. See punched card.
 
dummy:
A temporary file, document, program, process, or alphanumeric character that is used to hold a place for another file, document, program, process, or character.
When the actual information is available, the dummy information is deleted. Dummy is often required as a place holder when a program cannot deal with blank
spaces while waiting for data to arrive.

suite:
A program package that combines a number of other, seemingly distinct, programs into a single package. Also called integrated software.

balance:
A control feature often found in computer or stereo speakers. The balance control adjusts the amount of sound you hear from the right or left speakers.
Generally, the balance should be adjusted so that the sound level from both speakers is the same.
 
tab:
An indention at the beginning of a line to signify a new paragraph in a document. Usually about five spaces, tabs are primarily used to ensure equal spacing
from line to line. There is also a tab called the write-protect tab on diskettes. When in a certain position, this tab prevents data on the diskette from
being overwritten or erased. See 3.5-inch diskette. See 5.25-inch diskette.
 
back up:
To copy a file or files to an alternate location so a safe copy remains if the original is destroyed or damaged. A single file or an entire drive can be
backed up if media of sufficient size are available. Because of their large capacity, magnetic tape drives often are used for backing up information. Backup
programs often save files in a compressed format that occupies less space on the backup media. This means that to view the backed-up files, the program
that backed them up must be used to restore them to their original form. See restore.
 
hot swap:
To replace a computer component while the computer is on. This ability is especially important for mainframe computers or servers in a client-server system
that can't afford downtime. These computers generally have redundant parts, such as hard drives and power supplies, to ensure reliability, and these parts
can be switched out if they fail. Storage systems on client-server networks also often use hot swap functions for the same reasons. For personal computers,
the advent of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard lets users hot swap peripherals into USB ports; the computer automatically recognizes them without
rebooting.
 
walled garden:
An environment on the Internet that prohibits users from accessing specific material or Web sites. Such an environment may not make it impossible to access
this information, but it makes it more difficult. For example, in 1999, America Online’s Kid’s Channel in the United Kingdom created a walled garden to shield children from unsuitable material.
 
unprintable character:
A hidden command in a document that will not be printed when the document is sent to the printer, because it usually represents formatting commands that
tell the program to perform functions such as return and indent. Examples of these characters include the TAB, ENTER, ALT, and CTRL keys.
 
lamer:
A slang term used in chat rooms and other interactive Web sites to signify an obnoxious or irritating person who uses profane language or excessive abbreviations
or engages in other unacceptable behavior. The term is also used to describe someone who distributes pirated, outdated, and virus-infected software via
the Internet or an individual who copies code, ideas, and techniques from crackers and presents the results as her own.
 
machine learning:
The ability of a machine to recognize patterns and improve future performance based on this experience.
 

aperture ring:
A rotating ring usually just behind the focusing ring on a camera. This ring lets you control the amount of light you let into the camera. Only professional-level
digital cameras currently have aperture rings.
 
optimal resolution:
Usually relating to monitors, the screen pixel resolution and refresh rate the manufacturer recommends for optimal, flicker-free performance.
 
halftone:
In desktop publishing, a halftone image is created using dots. Changes are made in brightness and tone. For example, black-and-white dots create different
shades of gray (more black dots will create a darker area). When all these levels and layers of gray are printed, they blend and form the image. The higher
the resolution of the image and printer, the smoother the image of black-and-white dots and the greater number of gray tones possible.
 


vulnerability scanning:
Vulnerability scanning automatically examines a network for known security holes that could be exploited by outsiders to gain access to a network. The software
contains a database of known vulnerabilities and examines a network for these vulnerabilities. Vulnerability scanning is typically employed by companies
and corporations looking to close security holes before they’re exploited.
 
cable connector:
The plug at either cable end. One end plugs into the computer, and the other plugs into the device being hooked up to the computer. Connectors are either
male (containing pins) or female (containing sockets). The type of cable often determines the shape of the connectors. For example, most cable connectors
for mice or keyboards are round, while printer cables have trapezoidal connectors.
 
Baby Bill:
Slang for each of the smaller companies a breakup of Microsoft would create. When the Department of Justice declared Microsoft a monopoly, it proposed that
Microsoft split into two companies, or Baby Bills: an applications-based company and an operating systems-based company.
 Encrypting A File:
When you encrypt a file, you translate the original contents into a code to keep the file secret. Data encryption software uses advanced algorithms to encode
a file’s contents so they can’t be read by anyone who doesn’t have the proper key to unscramble them. Encryption algorithms are mathematical, or they apply
other rules to files, which systematically change the contents of those files. When children pass secret messages in class, they might use the alphabet
replacement method where they write “a” for “b” and “b” for “c” and so on. The shifting of the letters is the algorithm, and nobody could crack the code
without knowing which or how many letters were shifted. Encrypting data of any type involves processing a message through an algorithm to scramble it.

half-life:
The term comes from scientific disciplines, where it is most often used as a measurement for the amount of time a radioactive substance takes to lose half
of its atoms. In technology, it refers to the amount of time that it takes for a storage device to loose half of its effectiveness.
 
email spoofing:
By altering the headers in an email message, someone with the proper know-how can make an email message appear as if it came from someone or somewhere else.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol; the protocol most often used to send email) doesn’t include much security, making it possible for people to forge,
or spoof, the origins of the email.

video buffer:
A section of memory that holds information before it is sent to the monitor. The video buffer, also called a screen buffer or a regeneration buffer, is
usually a part of the video card.
 
Smart Tags:
Smart Tags are a technology found in Microsoft Office XP. Smart Tags can be used to link portions of a document with other documents or information on the
Internet or company intranet. Microsoft was playing with the idea of adding Smart Tags to the next version of Internet Explorer. The plan met with some
resistance from Web designers and others who were afraid Microsoft would abuse the Smart Tag technology.
 
back door:
An entry way into a password-protected system that bypasses having to actually use a password. In some systems, designers usually deliberately leave a back
door so technicians can enter a system later for maintenance or other purposes.

 misconvergence:
When one or more of the three color beams inside a monitor do not align on the screen. This is often seen as a blurring of color onto parts of the monitor
that should not have it. Also called convergence error.

yoyo mode:
A slang expression for a PC that alternates between working and nonworking states. One minute a PC is up and working, the next minute it’s down.

 graphics tablet:
A rectangular, flat input device that controls an on-screen cursor by tracing a finger or a stylus across the surface of the tablet. A graphics tablet is
used instead of a mouse or trackball when more intricate cursor control is needed, such as when using a drawing or graphics program. Also called a digitizer,
digitizing tablet, or drawing tablet.

radio button:
A circle that represents choices in a common option list form in graphical user interfaces. Only one item in a list with radio buttons can be selected at
a time. To select an item in such a list, the user clicks the radio button in front of the desired option, and a dot appears in the circle of the radio
button to show the option has been selected. The name radio button comes from the fact that these buttons are similar to those on a radio; choosing one
automatically undoes the previous choice.

translator:
A tool to convert one language into another that more closely resembles machine code. Translators are also called language processors and include assemblers,
compilers, interpreters, and preprocessors.
 
shortcut key (accelerator key):
A key or key combination that executes a specific function or command within an application or operating system. For example, the F7 key in Microsoft Word
6.0 initiates the spelling checker while the F12 key initiates the Save As command. Also called an application shortcut key. A shortcut key can be specified
with a specific software package, such as using the ALT key plus the first letter of a pull-down menu option, or it could be a user-created macro.
 
modding:
The act of modifying a piece of hardware or software to perform a function not intended or authorized by the original manufacturer. In gaming, changing
a game's code to alter game play; for example, adding new content to existing games, or "total conversion" mods which change the game significantly.

gamma testing:
A term for the expected customer feedback after a product’s official release. Gamma testing is a play on the term “beta testing”, which is the testing software
or hardware undergoes before release. Some critics derisively use the term to chastise companies that knowingly release an undertested product, leaving
customers to find and report bugs.

nagware:
A pop-up box that nags the user to update, register, or pay for the software. Nags can occur at random while using the software. Nags can also occur when
you start or close the software. Usually, the user must perform some sort of action to close the pop-up box.
 
wafer:
A flat disk of silicon crystal sliced from a larger piece. Used in semiconductor chip manufacturing, these disks are approximately 1/30th-inch to 1/50th-inch
thick and 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Made to hold circuitry components, wafers are eventually enclosed in another substance, such as plastic or metal.

 macro virus:
A virus that travels as a macro embedded in documents, especially Microsoft Word and Excel documents. Such viruses remain dormant until the infected file
is opened. Then, if the virus is malicious, the virus may damage other files, perform a prank, or infect other files. Some macro viruses will delete all
files in a directory or your entire hard drive. Others are more benign, simply attaching their code to documents. Once an infected file is opened, the
virus will usually infect all files that are opened afterward until the virus is removed by software that disinfects the appropriate template file. Macro
viruses are quickly spread through email messages or shared files. Antivirus scanning software should be used and updated so macro viruses can be caught
before they infect a system.
 
online profiling:
A method used by some Web sites and marketing companies to track the surfing habits of visitors to their sites. Online profiling is common among shopping
sites. It may include noting which products a visitor appears interested in or buys. This data is then used to target products and services to the person
visiting the site. The data may be collected with or without the permission and knowledge of visitors to the Web site.
 
compaction:
The act of defragmenting information stored in memory, thereby arranging data so the largest free space possible is created.

tablet computer:
Like a notebook computer, a tablet computer is a portable PC that runs on batteries or AC (alternating current), is 1 or 2 inches thick, and is roughly
the width and length of a writing tablet or notebook (8.5 x 11 inches). Although notebook computers typically have an LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen
that's attached to the notebook via hinges, a tablet computer typically has a touch-sensitive LCD screen that is part of the main device.
 
Gopher:
A menu-driven, search-and-retrieval tool that helps Internet users locate information online through menus, which are itemized according to collections
of information and stored databases. The menus also may lead to other menus, files, and search tools. Developed at the University of Minnesota in 1991
and named after the school's mascot, the Golden Gophers, Gopher lets users retrieve data over the Internet without using complicated commands and addresses.
 
stuck pixel:
A pixel in an LCD (liquid-crystal display) monitor that doesn't work correctly and is always turned on (or stuck as) a certain color, usually red, green,
or blue.

dirty power

A term used to describe an increase or decrease in electrical power that can damage the circuitry of a computer. Dirty power can be in the form of spikes
or surges.
 
kiosk:
A computer and a display screen that display information in public areas. Kiosks can display simple rotating graphics or HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
pages. More complicated, interactive kiosks allow a user to access the information they want. Kiosks are used to provide information about a specific location,
to provide directions, or to provide countless other services to the public. An ATM is a good example of a kiosk.

failover:
To automatically switch operation from a defective device to a good one. Essentially, the work completed by the faulty device fails over onto the one that
is working properly.

 data signal:
The form in which information is transmitted within a computer or a network. Data signals usually are binary codes transmitted between devices. Data signals
might consist of viewable information, such as documents or graphics, or internal computer information, such as virus checks or control characters.
 
generation

A computer introduced as a result of a technological breakthrough. Hardware, such as microprocessors, also can be classified in generations. For instance,
Intel's Pentium processor line makes up the generation following the company's 80486 CPU (central processing unit) line. Programmers may also refer to
generations of commands, implying a lineage of processes (one process that may give rise to other processes). When users store files in directories and
subdirectories, this relation is sometimes expressed in generations (with a grandmother, mother, and daughter directory or file).
 
jack in:
Slang term for logging in to a computer or network.

network cloud:
The unpredictable area of a network that data passes through. Clouds exist because data sent in packets can take various paths to reach the same end point.

 device conflict:
A device conflict occurs when a device attempts to access a port that is in use by another device.
 
wet cell:
Early batteries often used some sort of liquid solution as an electrolyte. This liquid solution could spill or leak and was often harmful if not handled
properly. Dry cell batteries eventually replaced wet cell batteries because they were versatile and durable.
 
Baby Bill:
Slang for each of the smaller companies a breakup of Microsoft would create. When the Department of Justice declared Microsoft a monopoly, it proposed that
Microsoft split into two companies, or Baby Bills: an applications-based company and an operating systems-based company.

 shadow printing:
A printing technique that produces a replica of each character in a lighter shade and slightly off center so it appears the letter has a shadow.

 mickey:
A mickey is the unit of measurement used in determining the speed and movement direction of a computer mouse. The speed of the mouse is determined by the
ratio of how many pixels the cursor moves on the screen to how many centimeters the mouse moves on the mouse pad. Directional movement is referred to in
terms of a horizontal mickey count and a vertical mickey count. One mickey is roughly 1/200 of an inch.
 
jump page:
An intermediate Web page that can prelude a Web site’s home page. When users click an advertisement, the ad tag sends them to a special site the advertiser
has created to continue the ad. Jump pages often include rich media. Also called a splash page.

 name caching":
A method of storage used by a router that keeps track of addresses and host names to provide quick access when future packets are sent.

split screen:
A software-activated division of the screen in which different documents can be displayed. Each document can be manipulated individually. Also called split
window.

 laganoia:
The fear of being ignored or ostracized in the online community brought about by delays in Internet chat rooms, message boards, and Internet telephony communications
due to a network lag. People communicating by such means may experience laganoia if responses to their messages are a long time coming. Sometimes, though,
other users are responding, but responses take a long time because of poor bandwidth or problems with transmittal from one portion of the Internet to another.
 
jabber:
A component of a network, typically a NIC (network interface card), that is operating incorrectly. A jabber will send a continuous stream of incorrect or
meaningless data to the rest of the network, which could cause the entire network to stop working.

 header:
A section of a message, ordinarily at the beginning, that routes it to its destination and often identifies the sender. Another type of header is text such
as numbers or chapter titles that appear at the top of each page in a document. In data storage, a header lists a file's name, size, and the time and date
of its creation or revision. In a database, a header is a record identifying the fields and kinds of information in the following data records.

leapfrog attack:
In a leapfrog attack, a malicious user "borrows" a user ID and password from any of a number of sources, such as a file containing IDs and passwords, and
uses it to penetrate another system. A user can also use this tactic to make it difficult for other computers to trace him.

 download count:
This number represents the number of times a software program has been downloaded from the Internet by users. It is often used to signify a program's popularity.

 stylus:
A pen-shaped instrument used with graphics tablet or touch screen input devices to write or draw on the computer screen as on a sheet of paper.

 wizard:
A feature that provides step-by-step instructions to lead users through certain tasks in applications. Unlike online help menus, which often must be read
before executing a task or printed out, wizards use dialog boxes that walk users through each step of a process. Also can describe an extraordinary programmer.
 
dual-boot system::

A computer that has two OSes (operating systems) installed, each in a separate partition. When the user starts the computer, a menu appears from which the
user can choose the desired OS.
 
game-play:
Refers to the way a gamer interacts with other elements in the game. Often found in game reviews, the term is also used as a means to rate the quality of
the experience the player had while playing a particular game.
 
resample:
Refers to changing the resolution of a digital image. An image can be resampled up or down, meaning the resolution can be increased or decreased with the
use of software.

license agreement:
A packet of legal paperwork that allows users to purchase the use of a software company's product. It does not transfer ownership. Most license agreements
appear on a software's package, and when the package is opened, users agree to the terms listed.
 
graphic:
The digital version of an image, photograph, or picture displayed on a monitor screen. The computer must change photographs or other images into the digital
form of files for it to understand and work with them.

 workstation:
A setup composed of a computer and peripheral devices that enable someone to do their work. In terms of processing power, workstations fall between personal
computers and minicomputers. Also can designate any computer connected to a network.

 e-form:
An electronic form used to gather information about a user. E-forms are used to provide feedback, make inquiries, order merchandise, sign up for services,
and more.

 black level:
The darkest black a computer monitor is capable of producing. The black level in a good monitor should be purely black.

 pin feed:
A kind of printer feed used with continuous-feed paper that has holes along the left and right sides. The tractor feed is named for the sprocketed wheels,
which look like tractor wheels, that fit into the holes in the paper and pull the paper through the printer. Also called tractor feed.

 single step:
To execute a program one step at a time. Usually used to find the flaw or error that is causing a program to run improperly.

job:
A specified operation completed by the system. A job can be as simple as saving a document or as complex as organizing data into a report.
 
bomb:
To end prematurely, hang without allowing user input, or otherwise fail. Applications are said to bomb, while entire systems usually are said to crash.
However, the terms can be used interchangeably. In Windows, the CTRL-ALT-DELETE key combination sometimes can regain control of or end an application that
has bombed.

jump page:
An intermediate Web page that can prelude a Web site’s home page. When users click an advertisement, the ad tag sends them to a special site the advertiser
has created to continue the ad. Jump pages often include rich media. Also called a splash page.

 display image:
The collection of icons, graphics, and text displayed on-screen at a given time.
 
voice verification:
A biometric technology that measures the characteristics of a user’s voice against templates created during initial use. Users speak into a microphone,
and the computer measures variables such as cadence, pitch, tone, and the shape of the speaker’s larynx to verify identities. Since users can easily change
some of the variables involved at will, voice verification is not considered as accurate as other biometric techniques such as retinal scans or fingerprint
verification. However, it is generally cheaper to implement than such methods because it doesn’t require special or costly hardware.
 
digitize:
The process of converting linear pictorial images into digital data for storage. For example, a scanner converts a non-digital image, such as a portrait
or photograph, into a digital format of positively (1) and negatively (0) charged signals so the image can be stored on a hard drive. Likewise, a sound
card can digitize a sound by translating it from analog (its actual sound) to digital (a form that can be read by a computer).

toolbar:
A row of boxes, often at the top of an application window, which control various functions of the software. The boxes often contain images that correspond
with the function they control. In Microsoft Word, for example, the box that controls the print function contains an icon of a printer inside it. In most
programs, toolbars can be turned on and off and often can be personalized with controls specific to an individual user's needs.
 
:voice synthesis
Technology that lets a computer “speak” in a human-sounding voice. A current application for voice synthesis is called text-to-speech. UC (unified communications)
applications let a user retrieve her email messages over the phone, among other things. Using text-to-speech, the message server will “read” the user’s
email to her.

 blog hopping:
Often blogs will have links that lead to other blogs. Blog hopping involves following links from one blog to another while also visiting related sites,
forums, and articles.
   digital watermark:
Data inserted into copyrighted work that contains vital information, such as the author and copyright dates. Such watermarks can be viewed only with the
correct software and are designed to be invisible to ordinary users. 

   abort:
To intentionally and prematurely terminate an active computer command.

 clamshell:
The popular design for portable computers, with a shallow case hinged at the back so the screen folds up from the keyboard.

domain name:
The identifying title given to a system of computers, usually including the top domain and all of its subdomains. For example, a domain name, such as socrates.nd.edu,
indicates that the Socrates network is found at the University of Notre Dame (nd), which is an educational institution (edu).

 read-only:
Stored data that can be accessed but not altered. Usually, this term refers to information that can't be physically altered. For example, traditional CD-ROMs
are created by a method of creating pits in the storage medium. Users usually can read, but not change, the information stored in this way. Read-only also
may refer to the status of a file. For example, files can be placed in read-only status for security purposes. This status is used for documents such as
newsletters that are available to all users on a corporate network.
 
card cage:
The area in the computer where cards are installed. The area usually has protective metal and mounting brackets. The term comes from an external, cage-like
box where cards were on older computers.

 skin:
In the computing world, there are typically two kinds of skins: one refers to images or themes that change the appearance of a user interface, and the other
refers to the ability to change the look of a character in a video game. You can change the look for Web browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and
MP3 players such as WinAmp by adding a skin to it. Skins are usually based on a specific theme such as a movie or type of product. Video game skins are
options that players can use to enhance the look of characters in a game by giving the character different clothes, for example, or by changing the character's
gender or species. In both cases, end users can create their own skins and incorporate them into the programs.

account:
In communications, a registered or billed connection with a network, an online service, or an ISP (Internet service provider). Online accounts are used
to keep track of connect time and monthly service costs. In multiuser networks and operating systems, accounts primarily are used for identification purposes.
 
 case badge:
A small (usually about one inch square) sticker or metal plate applied to a computer case depicting the logo or image associated with the computer's manufacturer.
 
dongle:
A device that locks hardware or software to prevent unauthorized use. Often a small metal key that secures the hardware contained within a computer case.
The dongle can prevent a computer from being booted.
 
temporary file:
A file designed to store information while a user is working with that file. Temporary files are retrieved from storage by an application and manipulated
by the user, leaving the original file intact until the user saves it under the original file name. Temp files are created automatically by applications
and usually are deleted automatically when they are no longer needed. The user can delete them, however, to recover disk space. Also called a temp file.

data compression:
Any method of condensing information so it can be stored in less space or transmitted in less time. Many large graphics and sound files are compressed so
they can be downloaded faster. Although data compression can be done in many ways, a compression program generally looks for redundancies in a file, then
compresses the identical pieces of data into one representative token. Also called data compaction.
 
 diode:
Any device or circuit that allows electrical currents to travel in one direction only.
 
blooming:
A term used to describe a monitor screen distortion that displays defocused images and reduced detail and sharpness in bright objects. Also refers to a
problem with some digital camera sensors. Blooming occurs when camera sensors become overcharged, resulting in blurred details.

global:
Action or characteristic related to the entity as a whole. For example, an action that affects an entire file, directory, program, or project.
 
background:
In multitasking environments such as Microsoft Windows, several applications can run simultaneously. One runs in the foreground while the others run in
the background. The application or window in the foreground is active and can accept user input with a mouse, keyboard, or other device. Applications in
the background cannot accept user input, but they still can run internal processes such as printing, reading and writing data to the hard drive, or performing
calculations. In Windows, users can move background applications to the foreground by pressing the ALT-TAB key combination or by clicking a background
window. Background also can refer to the color of the screen in DOS or Windows environments. Background colors can be selected according to the user's
preference.

 damping:
A technique that stifles the response of a circuit or device so it does not exceed certain limits. Damping is used to pace the flow of electricity or information
within the computer.
 
backbone:
The part of a network that carries the majority of the data traffic. Backbones connect smaller networks, or nodes, together to create larger networks. Backbones
usually transmit data at higher speeds than the rest of the network. On large networks, such as the Internet, there may be more than one backbone, all
of which span long distances. On smaller networks, the backbone sometimes is called the bus.
 
gesture recognition:
Gesture recognition refers to the ability of a computer to read and accept human gestures as input. Instead of moving a mouse or keyboard, for instance,
a simple pointing gesture might do the trick. Gesture recognition has a number of applications ranging from helping disabled individuals to video games.
Gesture recognition usually involves the use of some sort of camera connected to a PC.
 
device conflict:
A device conflict occurs when a device attempts to access a port that is in use by another device.
 
heatsink:
An object used to absorb and eliminate heat to prevent overheating and breaking down. Some computer components generate heat as they operate because they
run so quickly. Computer manufacturers often install these small metal devices on powerful microprocessors.
 
balloon help:
A help system featured in many applications that uses small pop-up "balloons" of text that appear when the cursor is moved over certain spots in an application's
interface. The balloons usually describe the function of a button on a toolbar. Similar to tool tips, which are rectangular pop-up help words that appear
in many Windows-compatible programs.

data frame:
In a network system, a data frame is a packet of information transmitted as a single unit. This data frame exists only as it moves along, encapsulated,
on the connecting cables or line. The information takes another form before and after the transmission.
 
magnetic media:
Any type of storage medium, such as tapes and diskettes, in which magnetic patterns represent stored values.
 

 benchmark:
To test aspects of computer hardware or software against a known standard. When used as a noun, a benchmark usually is the result of such a test. Benchmarks
are only useful if all computers or applications being tested are tested under the same conditions. When measuring the speed of computers, for instance,
a benchmark utility program should attempt to perform the same operations with each machine. It also is necessary to know exactly what a benchmark is designed
to test. A machine that is speedy at one type of mathematical operation could be slow at other tasks.
 
head slot:
The slot or opening at the top of a diskette that provides access to the magnetic diskette inside. The read/write head in a disk drive must directly access
the magnetic diskette to store and retrieve information. To get to the magnetic diskette through the head slot on a 3.5-inch diskette, the drive moves
a metal cover off to the side. It's simpler for a disk drive to get to the magnetic diskette inside a 5.25-inch diskette because the head slot is always
uncovered.
 
ghosting:
When an object or icon dragged across the screen leaves a trace behind it.
 
tracking:
To synchronize the movement of an on-screen pointer or cursor with that of an input device such as a mouse. Also, the spacing between letters and words.
 
camper:
A term used in multiplayer console, PC, and Internet gaming that refers to a player who directs his or her game character to stay in roughly the same spot
for the duration of the game. Sometimes campers stake out a spawn point (a location where others players returning or entering the game appear) to get
an unfair kill. Other times a camper stands near a valuable item spawn point to horde that item. Campers are generally not considered to be breaking the
rules, but the activities they engage in are frowned upon by most gamers.
 
target:
The destination file or device where source data is moved, copied, or stored, whether transferred internally or over communication lines. For example, if
a user wishes to download a file from the A: drive into the C: drive, the A: drive is the source, and the C: drive is the destination and therefore the
target. The target can also be the audience for whom a certain product is designed.
 
hit:
Each individual request made in a Web server's log. The number of hits a Web page receives equals the number of times a part of that page has been accessed.
One Web page could receive as many hits as it has files to download. Typically a page will include an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) text file and several
other files including graphics, sound, video, and/or text. Thus a page made up of one HTML file and nine graphics files that receives 1,000 hits has been
viewed 100 times. This information can be useful, but many advertisers are more interested in page impressions, which count the actual number of visits
to a page.
 
key in:
To input information into a computer using a keyboard or numeric pad. Often used to describe the inputting of large amounts of data into a database.
 
jaggies:
Perpendicular lines on the edge of an on-screen image. Jaggies are caused by a monitor resolution setting lower than the one the application requires or
by a font or graphic with poor scalability. Also called jags.
 
application (app):
An executable program capable of performing a specialized function other than system maintenance (which is performed by utilities). Games, educational programs,
and communications software are all examples as are word processors, spreadsheets, and databases. Also called software.
 

global
Action or characteristic related to the entity as a whole. For example, an action that affects an entire file, directory,:program, or project.
 
Web camera:
These devices, also known as Web cams (or Webcams) and desktop digital video cameras, are small, focus on one object (such as a person sitting at a computer),
and usually sit on top of a PC monitor. Web cams capture still images and video motion, and then transmit this data for such purposes as videoconferencing,
video email, and enhancing Web pages.
 
video editing:
In computing, the process of using software to manipulate images and sounds within a video media file. This can involve adding sound effects or music, shortening
or rearranging segments, or adding transitions or other visual effects.
 
data compression
Any method of condensing information so it can be stored in less space or transmitted in less time. Many large graphics and sound files are compressed so
they can be downloaded faster. Although data compression can be done in many ways, a compression program generally looks for redundancies in a file, then
compresses the identical pieces of data into one representative token. Also called data compaction.
 
cable segment:
A length of cable running between different PC components or between devices on a network. A segment can consist of a single cable or multiple cables connected
to each other.
 
data manipulation:
The processing of information. The retrieval, sorting, modifying, filtering, and querying of data are a few of the primary methods of data manipulation.
Essentially, data already must be present within a file or database for data manipulation to occur; it does not involve entering new data. The creation
or deletion of files, however, is considered part of data manipulation.
 
e-paper:
A generic term used to refer to electronic paper. E-paper exhibits some of the same properties as paper. It’s thin, flexible, and inexpensive. Using special
devices, however, you can create an electric image on the paper. Unlike paper, e-paper is completely reusable.
 
video card:
A circuit board in a computer that controls display factors such as resolution, colors displayed, and speed of images displayed. A video card cannot bring
an older monitor up to its standard. Both the monitor and the video card must support a resolution, such as 800 x 600, for that resolution to be possible
on the system. Today's video cards typically contain some memory so that the PC's RAM (random-access memory) isn't bogged down with handling displays.
Some cards, often called video accelerators or graphics accelerators, contain a graphics coprocessor that handles graphical computations. Also called a
video adapter, video board, or video controller.

wait state:
A pause in a microprocessor's clock cycles that allows for differences in speed between one component and others in a computer (such as input/output devices
or RAM). Wait states are common in systems where the microprocessor has a much higher clock speed than other components, requiring the latter to "play
catch up." During a wait state, the microprocessor idles for one or more cycles while data comes in from RAM or other components. Although unnoticeable
to users, this idling can affect a system's performance because it involves the microprocessor's clock speed; if clock speed is reduced, system performance
will slow. Wait states also are not uncommon between buses and expansion cards, where the expansion cards run slower than their buses.
 
cladding:
The insulation that surrounds the core of a fiber optic cable. The cable jacket is placed on top of the cladding.
 
contention:
A conflict when more than one computer, or more than one program in a single computer, tries to access the same resource at the same time. Different systems
and networks respond in different ways; some require all parties to access the information again, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
fall back:
A capability of a modem protocol that lets two modems lower their speeds to compensate for transmission problems.

hard bounce:
An email that is returned undelivered before being accepted by the recipient's server. A common cause is a mispelling of the domain name or the second part
of the e-mail address. For example,if the sender enters yourname@sartcomputing.com instead of yourname@smartcomputing.com, a hard bounce will occur.
 
leaf:
A file at the bottom of a hierarchical file system that can have nothing below it. Using a tree structure analogy, the leaves connect to the branches, which
connect to the roots.
 
keyboard buffer:
A specific location in a computer's memory where keystrokes from the keyboard are stored until the computer acts upon them. This allows fast typists to
continue typing even if the computer is unable to immediately display the letters.
 
wire jam:
Slang term for Internet congestion. Large amounts of data are clogging a network, slowing down network performance, not unlike traffic during rush hour.
 
stack:
Memory buffers your computer uses like sticky notes to decide which piece of hardware is next in line to work.
 
key pals:
Similar to pen pals, key pals are two users who communicate frequently by email instead of written correspondence.
 
dinosaur pen:
Storage space that houses huge, outdated mainframe computers.
 
single drive:
A term used when a system only contains one hard drive inside the computer’s case.
 
tron:
A term used to describe someone who seems to have become only accessible through electronic means, such as email or video talk, and is no longer accessible
by phone or in person.
 
rollers:
Parts located in a printer that stretch across the width of a page and pull the paper through during the printing process.
 
wearable computer:
Any computing device worn on the body. Some wearable computers are portable multifunctional devices such as a PDA (portable digital assistant), mobile phone,
and MP3 player designed to be worn for easy access. Some wearable computers even include a head-mounted LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen. Prototypes
for future wearable computers include specially-designed power-generating clothing such as a shirt with solar cells.
 
talker:
Refers to an Internet site that hosts text-chatting functionality. The term is most popular among users from the United Kingdom.
 
halo effect:
Areas of light around bright objects that appear on a computer monitor when they shouldn't. The halo effect is a sign of an inferior monitor.
 
voice synthesis:
Technology that lets a computer “speak” in a human-sounding voice. A current application for voice synthesis is called text-to-speech. UC (unified communications)
applications let a user retrieve her email messages over the phone, among other things. Using text-to-speech, the message server will “read” the user’s
email to her.
 
toeprint:
A particularly small footprint. Manufacturers use the term footprint to indicate how much desktop space a product consumes.

 toggle:
To switch between settings, such as on and off. Also can mean the actual switch that controls these settings. For example, in Microsoft Word, the buttons
controlling the switches for bold, italic, and underlined text are toggle switches, because each of those text characteristics is either on or off when
the buttons are clicked.
 
giga (G):
Used to represent 1 billion, or 10 to the ninth power. In computer terminology, however, the prefix giga means 2 to the 20th power, or 1,073,741,824.
 
scalable:
A measure of how easy it is to upgrade a particular hardware or software product. For example, on a small network hub, how easy is it to add more ports
to the network? Or, if a company bought a powerful computer for a Web server, can they significantly upgrade the hard drive and RAM (random-access memory)?
Software scalability indicates that a product can handle heavier usage if it's given more computing power or memory. Programs that aren’t scalable will
crash under heavier usage conditions even if there is plenty of memory or computing power available. Scalability is a very important feature for hardware
and software to have. If you’re making a significant investment in a product, you should be confident that you can add to it and use it for years to come.
 
digital sort:
A separation process that divides and arranges digital information.