Terms A

A/DB

Analog-to-digital converter.
A device that converts data from analog to digital form

A/UX

A version of Unix created by Apple, that runs on some
versions of the operating system; Macintosh.

Abort

To cancel a command or stop a transmission

Abort/Retry/Ignore

An irritating error in DOS that is displayed when the computer
has trouble reading a disk or file. Usually meaning your only
option is to give up and start over. <g>

Abscissa

The x coordinate on an x, y graph

Absolute Address

A specific location in the memory of a computer or peripheral
device, which is not defined by reference to any other address.

Absolute Cell Reference

In a spreadsheet , a reference to one specific cell.

Absolute Path

Designation of the location of a file which is given in relation
to the root directory; it includes the root directory and the subdirectories leading to the end file

Absolute Vector

A vector whose end points are indicated as absolute coordinates

Accelerator

An addition to your computer, which usually is a card,
that increases the clock speed of your computer.

Accelerated Graphics Port

Accelerated Graphics Port. A bus specification from Intel that
gives graphics cards faster access to main memory than the
PCI bus, thus greatly speeding up graphics display and texture
rendering, especially virtual reality and 3D rendering and display

Access

Access simply means to read data stored on your
computer. You may not know it, but your computer
is constantly accessing different files, directories, etc.

Access Control

A way of protecting confidential data on a computer
or computer network from unauthorized access

Access Number

The telephone number you use to dial into your local ISP
or online service. To connect to the Internet you must first
establish an account with an ISP or online service provider.
Usually you will receive a list of telephone numbers you can
use to "dial-in" to the service. Sometimes access numbers
can be frustrating because you get continuous busy signals
and/or no answer. Submitted by: Travlinguy@earthlink.net

Access Time

How long it takes a certain program on your computer to find one
specific piece of information and make it useable by your computer.

Accessory

A device, such as a printer or modem that perform a useful
function, but isn't necessary for the computer to run.

ACCU

Association of C and C++ Users.

ACPI

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface.

A power management specification that replaces APM in Windows machines. ACPI gives the operating system the ability to control the
amount of power given to each device, and to turn off devices that
aren't being used. Submitted by: Ace2364

Acrobat

Created by Adobe Systems, Inc, Acrobat is a reader that reads and
converts documents to the Portable Document Format... (PDF).
This program allows scalable graphics and type to be displayed and
printed from any computer and from any platform regardless of the
fonts or software programs used to create the original..

Action Statement

An executable command that causes
the computer to perform an action

Active Component

A device that adds intelligence to a
signal or data that passes through it.

Active Hub

A central device to which other devices connect, and which not
only forwards signals, but also amplifies or refreshes the stream
of data which otherwise would deteriorate over a long distance.
Submitted By: Brybroken

Active Matrix Display

LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, used for computer
screens in which there is a transistor for each pixel, which
prevents losing image quality between scans

Active Program

The program which is currently in use, and in the foreground.
Also, the program which uses the most "system resources",
usually indicates it's the program being used currently.

ACTIVE WINDOW

This is the window you're currently reading. The active window will
always be the latest window you opened, moved, etc. Therefore,
the active window will always be in the foreground.

ActiveX

Developed by the Microsoft Corp., ActiveX is a computer language
that can be run over the web. ActiveX was created by the combining
of two earlier products, OLE & COM, both also created by Microsoft.

ADB

These are the ports built into all of Apple's Macintosh
computers, which support things like mouses, keyboards,
etc. ADB is the acronym for "Apple Desktop Bus".

AD Server

A program or a type of server that manages and maintains
ad banners for a Web site. These programs are capable of
keeping track and reporting Web site usage statistics. Ads
can then be targeted towards certain types of individuals.
It also provides the ability to rotate banners so a user won’t
see the same ad every time they come back to the same
page. Submitted by: Crazy4you

Adapter

A part that connects two devices or systems, physically and/or
electrically, and enables them to work together. Normally, a
piece of hardware that plugs into an expansion slot inside your
computer. Unlike an expansion card which may just expand the
computer's features, the adapter is used to communicate with
an external device, such as a hard drive, monitor, or other things.
It may also refer to a simple connector designed to hook up two
plugs of different types.

Adaptive Bridge

A network bridge that is programmed to remember destination
addresses so that subsequent data will be routed more efficiently.

Adaptive Routing

The feature in a network software that allows the network
to choose the best available path for data transfer

Address

The identifying location of a device or an area of storage; and
example of this would be a disk sector, or a memory register.

Address Mask

A pattern of characters, 32 bits long, used to select some of the bits
from an Internet address in order to route it to a subnet. It selects
the network part of the address and some of the local information

Address Resolution Protocol

(ARP). The Internet protocol which maps IP (Internet Protocol)
addresses to physical addresses on local area networks so that
packets can be transmitted

Admin

The person in charge of a multi user computer system, also
called sys admin can also be a server administrator such as
what you find on a chat server.

Administrator

An administrator performs the service of maintaining a network
resource, including registering users and user passwords

Adobe Acrobat

See Acrobat

ADP

Automatic Data Processing. The processing of information
using a computer.

ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

A technology that allows more data to be sent over existing
copper telephone lines . ADSL supports data rates of from
1.5 to 9 Mbps when receiving data known as the downstream
rate) and from 16 to 640 Kbps when sending data (known as
the upstream rate). ADSL requires a special ADSL modem.
submitted by- jason

AGP

Accelerated Graphics Port - A bus specification from intel
that gives graphics cards faster access to PCI bus.
submitted by- brnttoast

AIFF or AIF

One of the many Macintosh sound file formats

AIM

AOL Instant Messenger.
The instant messaging program of America Online.

Alarm Filtering

The ability of a network management system to precisely identify
the device that has failed

Alert

A signal from the computer that something requires the
user's attention. Like a error message, usually indicated
by a sound, an alert box or flashing of words or images.
You know like UH OH <g>

Alert Box

The window which usually pops up when your computer has just
performed an illegal error, or when a problem has occurred. The
information in this box usually explains what just happened. You
can get rid of this box by clicking the "OK" or "Cancel" button.

Algebra

Yick <g> A system of mathematics or logic in which abstract entities
are represented in symbolic form and used in operations similar to
arithmetic

Algorithm

A set of steps which lead to solving a problem. For something to
be an algorithm, it has to have a very understandable compilation
of rules and a noticeable place to stop. Algorithms can be found
in many programming languages for the computer.

Alias

What a particular file is linked to when you open it. So, if you have
the alias for a .txt file to open up with Notepad, whenever you click
on that file, it will open up in Notepad.

Alignment

When used to describe hard disks the alignment refers to the drive
head's ability to read and write information without error. When used
to describe text, the alignment refers to the text's relationship to the
left and right margins, as in "centered" "left justified" and so on

Allocate

The process of dividing a computer's resources
between two or more items.

Alpha Testing

The thorough testing done on a newly made computer program,
to find all the major / minor bugs or glitches in it, so they can be
fixed in later revisions of that program.

Alpha Version

The first run-able and testable version of software. This version of
a program is usually only tested by a small group of people as the
majority of alpha versions are very unstable.

Alphanumeric

This term simply means any character found in the alphabet
or any digit that ranges from 0 to 9.

Allt

Top-level newsgroup category for a newsgroup with alternative
discussions. Some of the topics are practical, some funny, some
are just plain strange.

Alt Key

The Alt key on a computer keyboard gives alternate meanings to
other keys, thus expanding the keyboard's capability. The Alt key
is held down like a Shift key, and another key is pressed.

Alternating Current

(AC). An electric current that reverses its direction at regular intervals

Alternate Routing

Using another transmission channel when the regular channel is busy

Analog

Basically this word is used to mean the opposite of digital. Loosely it
means the measuring of data on more physical grounds as opposed
to digital that that is a more electronic or "wired state."

Analog Channel

A voice or video communication channel which carries a
signal with varying frequencies

And

One of three logical operations of Boolean logic. The AND operation
is true when the combining of two bits (0,1) or two Boolean values
(false or true) is such that both inputs are true

And Gate

A Boolean logic gate used in computer arithmetic. The AND
gate has an output of 1 only if all of its inputs are 1.

Anime

An artistic, type of Japanese animation. On the internet
one can find hundreds of anime Web pages and sites.
Submitted by: AnimeGuy

Annotations

Comments or suggestions which are attached to a word
processing document, which may be a report, proposal,
etc. Many word processing programs support annotations
now.

anonymous

A way for a person to connect to an FTP site, search through
the files, and download any file, document, or program without
having to establish a user ID and/or password.
Submitted by: BlackDog

ANSI

A group founded in 1918, who's members are usually from
large computer companies. These members set standards
on computer programs, so specific programs run very similarly.
ANSI is the acronym for "American National Standards Institute."

Antialiasing

A technique which was developed in the MIT Media Lab
that allows pictures or text to be viewed much easier by
blurring the edges.

Antivirus

A type of software that scans your system and detects
viruses or other harmful software.

Any key

Any key on your keyboard, most likely the enter key
or the spacebar.

Apache

A free HTTPD (web server) for Unix. It is constantly evolving
and extremely popular with web-hosting services. More info
can be found at apache.org (Suggested by: YTCC Guru)

API

Application Program Interface

Interfaces that extend the capabilities of Web servers; used
by programmers to write applications that can interact with
other applications. A server API is a published interface that
lets software developers write programs that become part of
the Web server itself. (Submitted by: BurntToast

Apple Computers

Apple Computers is a large computer manufacturer.
Apple is known for developing the Apple ][ and the
Macintosh which is the largest competitor for the
Windows operating system produced Microsoft.

Apple Menu

The menu on the far left of the menubar, on the Macintosh
operating systems It contains many useful applications such
as a calculator and a notepad. The top element of this menu
takes you to a window which describes the program you are
using.

AppleShare

AppleShare is Apple Computer's local area network, LAN.
It uses AppleTalk protocols for communicating.

Applet

A program which is launched from a different program. When
you run different java programs from viewing a web page, that's
considered an applet. Applets run hand-in-hand with JavaScript.

AppleTalk

The network protocol which is used by Apple's computers;
the Macintoshes.

Application

An executable program, such as America Online which you
are using now. An application could be a variety of computer
programs, such as: word processors, paint programs, and
even games. Applications can't be run without an operating
system and the utilities that go with it.

Application Menu

The menu on the far right of the menu bar, on the Macintosh
operating system. This menu contains a list of current running
applications, and lets you control weather you want to see
them or hide them.

Application Server

A program or group of programs which collectively integrate into
a Web server’s environment and interact with the Application
Programming interface. By being connected to an API, more
flexibility and high-level tasks can be performed remotely or over
the Internet. This allows a user at a Web page to perform more
sophisticated internet interactions such as querying a database
or running other programs loaded on that server’s computer.