The shape the cursor takes in the area of a window where text can be
entered.
I/O address
Input/Output address. Many I/O devices, such as COM ports, network cards,
printer ports, and modem cards, are mapped to an I/O address. This address
allows the computer and operating system to locate the device, and thus send
and receive data. Such I/O addresses don't tie up system memory RAM space.
However, there are a limited number of I/O addresses. You can access an I/O
port in one of two ways: either map it into the 64K I/O address space, or map
it as a memory-mapped device in the system's RAM space.
Icon
A small graphic symbol used to represent a folder, program, shortcut,
resource, or document. The little pictures that you see on the screen, usually
representing folders and files - icons can be dragged onto other icons, onto
applications, and into folders. Icons usually get a double-click, while
buttons get a single left-click.
IDE
Integrated Device Electronics - an electronic device that has control
electronics built into the device
IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)
An open community of networkers who manage and shape the Internet.
image color matching (ICM)
Image Color Matching (ICM), a technology developed by Kodak, creates an
image environment that treats color from the screen to the printed page.
Microsoft licensed ICM from Kodak to be able to repeatedly and consistently
reproduce color matched images from source to destination.
import
An OLE term. In Object Packager, you can import a file into a package and
later embed it into a destination document.
in place editing
A feature of OLE 2. With in place editing, you may edit an embedded or
linked object WITHOUT that object being placed into an additional window (the
way it was in OLE 1.0). Instead of creating an additional window, the tools
for the object you want to edit appear in the toolbar for the container
object, (see container object). Also, the menus for the object you want to
edit replace the menus of the container object. In place editing is less
disruptive; it is much simpler to ensure that the changes you make to an
embedded or linked object are updated to the original complex document.
In box
Inbox holds incoming and outgoing messages and Faxes that are sent or
received over Microsoft Exchange.
inactive
An open window that is not currently in use. On the task bar, the active
window looks like a pressed button, inactive windows are represented by
unpressed buttons.
incremental backup
See differential backup.
Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
This term describes the design of the 8/16-bit AT bus (sometimes called
the "classic bus") developed by IBM in the original IBM PC.
insertion point
A flashing vertical line showing where text will be inserted.
instance
A copy of an object that maintains the original object's properties (such
as relative location, color, or rotation) throughout transformations
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
A later drive design that incorporated an embedded controller on a smaller
(3 1/2 inch) disk drive. IDE drives can be connected together, but the second
drive must be a slave to the first, using the primary disk controller and not
its own embedded controller. This type of drive is interfaced to a computer
bus with an IDE host adapter, not a controller.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
A special phone line that supports modem speeds up to 64Kbps. However,
these phone lines can be quite expensive to acquire. Many ISDN adapters
support two-channel access.
interface
The visible layer enabling a user to communicate with a computer. In DOS,
the interface consisted largely of typed commands and character-based
feedback, Windows 95 is an entirely graphical interface, using a mouse, menus,
windows, and icons to allow the user to communicate his instructions and
requirements to the computer.
interframe compression
A technique that achieves compression of a video file by eliminating
redundant data between successive compressed frames
internal command
A command embedded in CMD.EXE, the command interpreter for Windows 95, or
in COMMAND.EXE, the MS-DOS equivalent. Internal commands don't require
additional support files.
Internet
The Internet is a "network of networks," a global linkage of millions of
computers, containing vast amounts of information, much of it available to
anyone with a modem and the right software... for free. The Internet is an
aggregation of high speed networks, supported by the NSF (National Science
Foundation) and almost 6,000 federal, state, and local systems, as well as
university and commercial networks. There are links to networks in Canada,
South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, and more than 30,000,000 users.
Internet appliance
a name given to the system (cost $500) which is designed to connect to a
large host computer system to run all kinds of different applications
Internet Explorer
A web browser bundled with the Windows 95 Plus kit. It takes advantage of
features in Windows 95, such as shortcuts and long file names.
Internet Protocol (IP)
A network protocol that provides routing services across multiple LANs and
WANs that is used in the TCP/IP protocol stack. IP packet format is used to
address packets of data from ultimate source and destination nodes (host)
located on any LAN or WAN networked with TCP/IP protocol. IP provides routing
services in conjunction with IP routers, which are incorporated into many
computer systems and most version of UNIX. IP Packet format is supported in
NetWare 3.11 and 4.0 operating systems, and is used throughout the Department
of Defense Internet--a network of thousands of computers internetworked
worldwide.
interoperability
Compatibility, or the capability for equipment to work together. Industry
standards are agreed upon or used by vendors to make their equipment work with
other vendor's equipment.
interrupt request line (IRQ)
A line (conductor) on the internal bus of the computer (typically on the
motherboard) over which a device such as a port, disk controller, or modem can
get the attention of the CPU to process some data.
Interrupt
A method by which a piece of hardware communicates with the processor.
It's called interrupt, because the device (such as a sound card) interrupts
the computer to carry out a function (such as playing a sound). See IRQ. (more
information)
intraframe compression
A technique that compresses the video by removing redundancy from
individual video images.
Intranet
a network that uses standard TCP/IP services within a corporate
network
inverse kinematics
A method by which a parent object (such a a forearm) inherits motion from
a child object (such as a hand) to more easily simulate linked motions. The
reverse process is known as forward kinematics
IPX Internetwork Packet Exchange
(IPX) is a network protocol developed by Novell to address packets of data
from ultimate source and destination nodes located on any LAN networked with
NetWare. IPX also provides routing services in conjunction NetWare and
third-party routers. An IPX packet has information fields that identify the
network address, node address, and socket address of both the source and
destination, and provides the same functionality of the of the OSI Network
layer in the OSI model.
IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
The live-chat area of the Internet in which real-time conversations among
two or more people take place in virtual "rooms."
ISA
Industry Standard Architecture - the design standard for performance and
construction of components which include motherboard parts and bus
connections
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
Digital telephony scheme that allows two simultaneous connections over the
same wire; can include audio or data.A digital system which uses telephone
lines to achieve 128,000 bits per second of data transfer.
ISP
Short for Internet Service Provider; these are the folks who bill you for
access to the Internet. If you have free Internet access through a university,
then the university is your ISP. Tip: look for an ISP that doesn't charge by
the hour!
An algorithm for compressing still images. Motion-JPEG, a variation of
JPEG, is used to compress moving images.
jumpers
jumpers are small devices that complete a circuit between two pins of a
multi-pin header, specifying various aspects about a card--for example, which
IRQ, base memory address, or I/O port address to use. Jumpers are not normally
used on a card that is compliant with Plug and Play, but were common on
"legacy" (pre Plug and Play) cards.
An abbreviation for Kilobyte. Kilobyte One thousand bytes, or more
precisely, 1,024 bytes.
kernel
The core of an operating system, usually responsible for basic I/O and
process execution.
kernel driver
A driver with direct access to hardware. A hardware driver.
keyboard buffer
Memory set aside to store keystrokes as they're entered from the keyboard.
Once it's stored, the keystroke data waits for the CPU to pick up the data and
respond accordingly.
keyboard equivalent
See keyboard shortcut.
keyboard shortcut
A combination of keystrokes that initiates a menu command without dropping
the menu down, or activates a button in a dialog box without clicking the
button.
keyword
A word by which subjects can be searched on online services and
databases.
KHz
Kilo Hertz. The speed at which a device takes to complete one cycle of an
event or change states. For example a modem can have a speed of 28.8KHz if it
can modulate its transmitted signal 28,800times per second.
kiosk
In the Microsoft Network, a download-and-run document that contains
additional information about a forum. Kiosks are usually found in forums.
A network that connects computers in a small area (like a room, a
building, or a set of buildings).
LCD
Liquid Crystal Diode - a device that responds to small electrical charges
that, when applied, cause the device to illuminate.
legacy
Refers to pre-Windows 95 software or hardware. Legacy cards don't support
Plug and Play, and legacy software is older software (although you may have
just purchased it!) typically designed for Windows 3.1 or Windows for
Workgroups 3.11.
license
Refers to the agreement you are assumed to have acceded to when you
purchase slftware. As with much other computer software, you don't own your
copy of the program, but instead, just license the use of it. You own the
diskette. As such, there is a long list of legalese-type things you supposedly
agree to when you open the envelope containing your copy of software. These
legal agreements are part of the license. They are generally not supportable
in courts by the software vendors.
line by line
When using terminal emulation (see terminal emulation), some primitive
terminals only allowed you to edit text on the single line on which you were
working. Once you pressed Enter to move to the next line, you couldn't go back
and change something on the previous line(s)--because those lines had already
been sent to the host computer that the PC emulates a terminal of. In line by
line editing, there is a line length limit as well, so you can't simply type
an entire paragraph before pressing Enter.
linked object
In OLE terminology, data stored in a document that originated from another
application. Unlike an embedded object, this type of object has its own file
on the disk. The source application is run for editing when you double-click
it. For example, a Paint drawing linked to a Word document. Linking saves
space over embedding when a particular object must be included in more than
one other document, since the data does not have to be stored multiple times.
Additionally, you can directly edit a linked file, and all the documents that
the link to the file update automatically.
list box
A dialog box item that shows all available options.
LISTSERV
A software program for setting up and maintaining discussion groups. Many
LISTSERV discussion groups are gatewayed to Usenet newsgroups.
local area network (LAN)
A limited-distance, multipoint physical connectivity medium consisting of
network interface cards, media, and repeating devices designed to transport
frames of data between host computers at high speeds with low error rates. A
LAN is a subsystem that is part of network.
local printer
A printer connected directly to your computer.
local reboot
The ability of Windows 95 to close down a single misbehaving application.
When you use the Alt+Ctrl+Delete key sequence, Windows 95 queries you for the
application to shut down. In this way, you can close down only the application
you want, without affecting other running applications.
logical block addressing (LBA)
A type of addressing scheme for IDE disk drives that allows the drive to
exceed the original 512 megabyte (1/2 gigabyte) IDE size limit. With logical
block addressing, an IDE drive can hold up to 8.4 gigabytes.
logical drive
A drive that isn't a physical drive, as in the floppy drive A or B.
Instead, a logical drive is a drive created on a subpartition of an extended
partition and given an arbitrary letter such as C, D, or E.
long file name
A reference to Windows 95's ability to use file names up to 256 characters
long.
lossy compression
Compression techniques that lose some of the data when compressing the
file. Although lossy compression isn't acceptable for compressing application
file and certain types of data files (for example, database, word processing),
it is often acceptable to have a low degree of loss when compressing video or
graphic files, since you likely won't notice the missing data. Also, lossy
compression can gain considerably higher compression ratios than "lossless"
compression. However, when using lossy compression, you don't want to
decompress the file, then use the result to recompress, as the loss of data
gets worse with each cycle.
Lost Chains
Pieces of files that are no longer being used, but are still taking up
disk space. Use Scandisk (see Fine-Tuning Windows95 for more info) to clean up
your lost chains and delete them. If you convert them to files, they will have
the CHK extension - these files will be useless to you unless you know how to
retreive your data from them.
LPT
The parallel port (used for printing). Most computers have a single
parallel port (labeled LPT1), but some may have two. The parallel port
transmits data one byte (8-bits) at a time. This parallel transmission of all
8 bits gives the port its name.
luminosity
When working with colors, indicates the brightness of the color.
Lycos
A database of more than 3.5 million Web sites. This widely used search
engine has answered over 9 million queries to date. You can set custom search
configurations to help you find what you're looking for. Lycos is found at
http://lycos.cs.cmu.edu.
M or F (Male or Female)
When someone asks if you're male or female, you've been "MorFed!."
When someone asks if you're male or female, you've been "MorFed!."
macro
A sequence of keyboard strokes and mouse actions that can be recorded so
that their playback can be activated by a single keystroke, keystroke
combination, or mouse click. Unlike Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups,
Windows 95 does not come with a Macro Recorder.
Mailing List (Internet)
An email discussion group focused on one or more topics. The Mailing List
is made up of members who subscribe that mailing list.
map network drive
The act of associating a network drive makes the drive available in My
Computer. Windows 95 uses the next available drive letter, and you can access
the network drive just like any other hard drive.
Marketing
The only way a company with a customer satisfaction rating as low as
Microsoft's could be so successful.
maximize button
A button in the upper right corner of a Window with a square in it. When
clicked, it enlarges the window to its maximum size. When the window is
already at its maximum size, the maximize button switches to the restore
button, which returns the window to its previous size.
MB
An abbreviation for Megabyte. Megabyte One million bytes, or more
precisely, 1,024 kilobytes (totalling 1,048,576 bytes).Used to define the
amount of storage space a device is capable of achieving. Generally speaking,
the more the better. This applies to both RAM or Hard Disk Drives.
media control interface (MCI)
A standard interface for all multimedia devices, devised by the MPC
counsel, that allows multimedia applications to control any number of
MPC-compliant devices, from sound cards to MIDI-based lighting controllers.
Memory
Also known as RAM, this is what allows your applications to run. The more
memory you have, the more windows you can have open, and the more applications
you can run simultaneously. Memory, while not the same as disk space, is also
measured in bytes, kilobytes, and megabytes.
menu bar
Located under the title bar, the menu bar displays the names of all
available menu lists.
menu command
A word or phrase in a menu that, when selected, enables you to view all
the commands.
Menu
A list of things that an application does. In Windows95, nearly every
application has a menu along the top of its window, usually containing the
items File, Edit, View, and Help - when clicked, additional subordinate menu
items are displayed. A list of available command options.
MHz
Mega Hertz. The speed at which a device takes to complete one cycle of an
event or change states. For example a CPU can have a speed of 100 MHz if the
clock cycle of the chip can execute a change in state (clock cycle) 100
million times per second.
Micro-Channel Architecture (MCA)
A proprietary 32-bit computer and bus architecture designed by IBM to
improve bus bandwidth and facilitate bus mastering. MCA is not backward
compatible with ISA and requires exclusive use of MCA devices.
microprocessor
A miniaturized processor. Previous processors were built in integrated
circuit boards with many large components. Most processors today use
high-tech, silicon-based technology that improves performance, reduces heat
generation, increases efficiency.
Microsoft Client for Netware Networks
Windows 95 Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks allows users to connect
to new or existing NetWare servers. It permits you to browse and queue print
jobs using either the Windows 95 network user interface or existing Novell
NetWare utilities. The Microsoft Client for NetWare interfaces equally well
with both NetWare 3.x and 4.x servers.
Microsoft Exchange
Microsoft Exchange provides a universal Inbox that you can use to send and
receive electronic mail (email). In addition, you can use the Inbox to
organize, access, and share all types of information, including faxes and
items from online services.
Microsoft Fax
Microsoft Fax is a program included with Windows 95 that enables you to
send and receive faxes directly within Windows 95.
Middleware
middleware provides a set of services that are specifically geared towards
supporting distributed computing. These services ensure that any
distributed application whether it is built over the Internet or not - is
scalable, reliable, gives high performance, is secure and available. Over the
Internet, middleware can provide services that - ensure a message cannot
be read or removed, such as encryption - make messages smaller and
faster, such as compression and buffer optimization - improve the speed
connection, such as address caching and optimal address resolution -
increase availability, such as retry connect and automatic fault
handling - synchronize events over the network, such as distributed time
services.
MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
Originally a means of connecting electronic instruments (synthesizers) and
letting them communicate with one another. Computers then came into the MIDI
landscape and were used to control the synthesizers. Windows 95 can play MIDI
files.
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension)
An extension that lets you transmit non-text data (like graphics, audio,
video) via e-mail. An encoding system supported by many internet email
packages to send binary files over the internet. Necessary since internet
computers can only transfer text files.
Minesweeper
A game of chance and skill included with Windows 95. When playing
Minesweeper, you are presented with a mine field, and your objective is to
locate all the mines as quickly as possible. minimize button The button in the
upper right corner of the window that has an line in it. When clicked, it
reduces the window to display the task bar only.
MIPS
Millions of instructions per second- a unit of speed measure for CPU
design
mission-critical application
An application program considered indispensable to the operation of a
business, government, or other operation. Often, these applications are
transaction-based, such as for point-of-sale, reservations, or real-time
stock, security, or money trading.
MMX
Multimedia extension- a proprietary CPU design from Intel which
incorporates instructions into the CPU for handling multimedia presentations,
speeding up the process
modem (Modulator/Demodulator)
A device, usually attached to a computer through a serial port or present
as an internal card. A modem makes it possible to use ordinary phone lines to
transfer computer data. In addition to a modem, a communications program is
required. "Modem" is short for modulator/demodulator the processes whereby a
digital stream of data is converted to sound for transmission through a phone
system originally designed only for sound (modulator) and the conversion of
received sound signals back into digital data (demodulator). A device which
uses telephone lines to convert digital data to analog frequencies and
transmit them at high speeds. Usually measured in terms of baud, this device
can modulate the digital data, transmit it over a phone line where a device on
the receiving end will demodulate this data back into the digital form in
which it was sent.
moire
On CRT's, the wavy pattern cause by interference. Results from the pixels
produced by the video card not aligning precisely with the screen phosphors.
Monitor
A device, CRT or LCD, used to view the output of the computer. Needless to
say, the computer is useless without one.
Motherboard
a printed circuit card upon which all of the components for the computer
resides
Motion JPEG
Developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group, motion JPEG is a
compression and decompression scheme (Codec) for video files. It is a
variation on JPEG, this group's codec for compressing still pictures. It uses
only intraframe lossy compression (see intraframe compression, lossy
compression), but offers a tradeoff between compression ratio and quality.
mounting a compressed drive
When you are working with removable storage media--such a diskettes--that
are compressed, you must mount the compressed drive if it wasn't present when
the computer was started. Mounting a drive links a drive letter with a
compressed volume file (CVF). This enables your computer to access the files
on the compressed volume files. Mounting a compressed drive is done using
DriveSpace.
mouse pointer
The symbol that displays where your next mouse click will occur. The mouse
pointer symbol changes according to the context of the window or the dialog
box in which it appears.
MPEG
Motion Pictures Expert Group - the industry professional standard for
displaying motion video on a computer. This is only one standard generally
used with PC's, Apple computers use a standard of their own called MOV. An
algorithm for compressing audio and video; not to be confused with
Motion-JPEG.
MPEG Layer 3
a compression technique that drastically reduces the file size in
comparison with the standard compression commonly used today. You must have a
special program or CODEC in order to view/hear files compressed with this
method.
MS-DOS-based application
An application that normally runs on a DOS machine and doesn't require
Windows 95. Many MS-DOS-based applications will run in Windows 95's DOS box,
but some will not.
MUD (Multi-User Dungeon)
Role-playing games that were originally modeled on "Dungeons and Dragons"
games, but are now used as conferencing tools and educational aids, and in
other contexts.
multimedia
A combination of various types of media, including (but not necessarily
limited to) sound, animation, and graphics. Due to the generally large size of
"multimedia" files, a CD-ROM is usually necessary to store files. Of course, a
sound card and speakers are also necessary.
Multitasking
An operating system performs multitasking when it runs more than one
application simultaneously. See Preemtive Multitasking, Cooperative
Multitasking, and Multithreading.
Multithreading
The method by which an operating system is able to run different parts of
the same application simultaneously. A process allowing a multitasking
operating system to, in essence, multitask subportions (threads) of an
application smoothly. Applications must be written to take advantage of
multithreading. Windows 95 supports multithreading. See Multitasking.
My Briefcase
An icon present on the Windows 95 desktop. My Briefcase is the way that
portable computer users can take data with them as they travel. When they
return to the office, Windows examines the files in My Briefcase and updates
the contents of their desktop computer.
My Computer
An icon present on the Windows 95 desktop that enables you to view drives,
folders, and files.
An IBM protocol (and packet structure) that provides several networking
functions. NetBIOS was developed by IBM and Sytek to supplement and work with
BIOS in PC-DOS-based, peer-to-peer networks. NetBIOS protocol provides
transport, session, and presentation layer function equivalent to layers 4,5,
and 6 of the OSI model. The NetBIOS software that is used to implement this
protocol is the NetBIOS interface.
Netiquette
Etiquette for the Internet.
Netware Core Protocol (NCP)
A NetWare protocol that provides transport, session, and presentation
layer functions equivalent to layers 4,5, and 6 of the OSI model.
NetWare
A trademarked brand name for the networking operating systems and other
networking products developed and sold by Novell.
Netwatcher
A tool included with the Windows 95. Net Watcher allows you to monitor and
manage network connections, as well as create, add, and delete shared
resources.
network
A group of computers connected by a communications link that enables any
device to interact with any other on the network. The "network" is derived
from the term "network architecture" to describe an entire system of hosts,
workstations, terminals, and other devices.
Network Interface card (NIC)
Also called a network adapter, an NIC is an interface card placed in the
bus of a computer (or other LAN device) to interface to a LAN. Each NIC
represents a node, which is a source and destination for LAN frames, which in
turn carry data between the NICs on the LAN.
Network Neighborhood
An icon which Windows 95 displays only if you are connected to a network
and Windows has been installed for a network. Double-clicking the Network
Neighborhood icon displays all the resources available on any network to which
you are connected.
non-Windows program
A program not designed to be used specifically in Windows. Most
non-Windows applications or programs are character-based in nature (for
example, DOS programs).
Non-volatile RAM
RAM memory on a card that is not erased when power is cut off. Cards that
don't use jumpers often store their resource requirements (IRQ, I/O Base
address, I/O port, DMA channel, etc.) in non-volatile RAM. Non-volatile RAM is
not normally used on a card that is compliant with Plug and Play, but was
common on "legacy" (pre Plug and Play) cards.
NOS
Network operating system.
Notepad
A program that comes with Windows 95 and enables you to view and edit text
files.
NT
software of Microsoft that is fully 32 bit in nature. Stands for New
Technology
null modem cable
A serial cable link between computers. Standard modem software is often
used to transmit information, but because there are no actual modems in the
connection, very high transfer rates with good accuracy are possible. The
cable must be different from a regular serial cable, however, because several
of the wires in the cable must be cross connected to simulate the modem's role
in acknowledging a transmission.
A general term used to describe almost everything on the screen. In a
stricter sense, objects are used in an object-oriented design. Object-Oriented
An overused term, originally used to describe an advanced method of computer
programming. For example, the interface in Windows95 is considered to be
sortof object-oriented, because files and most of the controls are treated as
strict objects, each having its own property sheet.
OCR
Optical character recognition- software which can read scanned pages and
turn the scan into editable text
ODBC
Open Database Connections- a method fo connecting client-servier
databases
OEM Fonts
OEM fonts are provided to support older installed products. The term OEM
refers to Original Equipment Manufacturers. This font family includes a
character set designed to be compatible with older equipment and software
applications
offline
A device that is not ready to accept input. For example, if your printer
is off-line, it will not accept data from the computer, and attempting to
print will generate an error.
OLE
Short for Object Linking and Embedding; a method by which applications can
share information. Basically, it allows you to Cut something from one
application and Paste it into another, and then edit the object in place. This
second-rate technology (invented and pushed by Microsoft) has been known to
cause Pentium-class systems to behave like 286's, is responsible for erratic
drag-drop behavior, and is completely outclassed by competing technologies
such as OpenDoc. See DDE and Marketing. A data sharing scheme that allows
dissimilar applications to create single, complex documents by cooperating in
the creation of the document. The documents consists of material that a single
application couldn't have created on its own. In OLE, version 1,
double-clicking an embedded or linked object (see embedded object, and linked
object) launches the application that created the object in a separate window.
In OLE version 2, double-clicking an embedded or linked object makes the menus
and tools of the creating application available in the middle of the parent
document. The destination document (contains the linked or embedded object)
must be created by an application which is an OLE client, and the linked or
embedded object must be created in an application that is an OLE server.
OLE automation
Refers to the capability of a server application to make available (this
is known as expose) its own objects for use in another application's macro
language. online Indicates that a system is working and connected. For
example, if your printer is online, it is ready to accept information to turn
into a printed output.
Open Data Link Interface (ODI)
A Novell specification that separates the implementation of a protocol and
the implementation of the NIC hardware driver. Novell's MLID specification
enables NIC drivers to interface through Link Support Layer with IPX ODI and
multiple ODI-onforming packet drivers.
Operating System
The software used to control a computer and run applciations. Windows95,
DOS, and Unix are all examples of operating systems.
Operating System
The software used to control a computer and run applciations. Windows95,
DOS, and Unix are all examples of operating systems.
option button
A dialog box item that enables you to choose only one of a group of
choices. orientation For printer paper, indicates whether the document is to
be printed normally (for example, in "portrait" mode) or sideways (in
"landscape" mode).
OSI Model
Opens Systems Interconnect 7-layer Model is a model developed by
International Standards Organization to establish a standardized set of
protocols for interoperability between networked computer hosts. Each layer of
the model consists of specifications and/or protocols that fulfill specific
functions in a networking architecture. Novell's UNA was patterned against the
OSI model. The OSI model consists of specific protocols that are
nonproprietary and offered in the hope of unifying networking protocols used
in competing vendor's systems.
A limited-length unit of data formed by the network, transport,
presentation, or application layer (layers 3-7 of the OSI Model) in a
networked computer system. Data is transported over the network, and larger
amounts of data are broken into shorter units and placed into packets.
Higher-layer packets are encapsulated into lower-layer packets for
encapsulation into LAN frames for delivery to the ultimate host destination.
Packet Writing
a new approach to writing information to a CDROM that lets the information
be written in batches
Paint
A program that comes with Windows 95 that enables you to view and edit
various formats of bit maps.
palette
A collection of tools. For example, in Paint, there is a color palette
that displays the 48 colors available for use in creating a graphic.
pane
Some windows, such as the window for Explorer, show two or more distinct
"areas" (Explorer's window shows two such areas). These areas are referred to
as "panes".
Panose
Panose refers to a Windows internal description that represents a font by
assigning each font a PANOSE ID number. Windows uses several internal
descriptions to categorize fonts. The PANOSE information registers a font
class and determines similarity between fonts paragraph
parallel port
A port (usually used for printing) that transmits data 8 bits at a time.
This parallel transmission of 8 bits at a time gives the port its name.
parity
An additional portion of data added to each byte of stored or transmitted
data. Used to ensure that the data isn't lost or corrupted. In Hyperterminal,
parity is used to ensure that the data is transmitted and received properly.
Parity is also used in RAM chips to determine if RAM errors have occurred.
partial backup
See incremental backup
partition
A portion of a physical hard drive that behaves as a separate disk
(logical drive), even though it isn't.
path
The location of a file in the directory tree.
PC Cards
Formerly called PCMCIA cards, these are small (usually only slightly
larger than a credit card) cards that plug into special slots provided in
notebook computers. PC Cards can provide functionality for additional memory,
modems, sound, networking, hard drives, and so on. PC Cards normally identify
themselves to the computer, making configuring them quite simple.
PCI (Peripheral Control Interface)
A data bus capable of tranferring information much faster than the older
ISA and EISA busses. ISA (8.33 MHz, two clock cycles), EISA (8.33 MHz, one
clock cycle), PCI transfers data at the rate of 132 Mbytes per second. These
faster rates equate to more enjoyable games and video capture.
PCL
Printer Control Language- generally associated with Hewlett Packard as a
standard set of instructions to the printer for printing documents from
application software.
PCMCIA
The old name for PC Cards (see PC Cards).
peer-to-peer
A type of networking in which no workstation has more control over the
network than any other. Each station may share its resources, but no station
is the sole resource sharer or file server. Typically less expensive than
client/server networks, peer-to-peer networks are also more difficult to
administer and less secure because there is no central repository of data.
Pentium Processor
A CPU chip designed/manufactured by Intel Corporation which was preceded
by the 486 CPU. Originally named to thwart competition which had been adopting
their chip numbers, it is generally referred to as a 586 chip in the x86
family of processors.
Personal Information Store
The Personal Information Store is Exchange's term for the file that
contains the structure of folders that make up your In box, Out box, sent
files, deleted files, and any other personal folders you may choose to create.
Phone Dialer
Phone Dialer is a program that is included with Windows 95 that enables
you to place telephone calls from your computer by using a modem or another
Windows telephony device. You can store a list of phone numbers you use
frequently, and dial the number quickly from your computer.
picon
Picons are small bitmapped images of the first frame of your video clip.
They can be used to represent the in and out source of your video segments.
PIF
A file that provides Windows 95 with the information it needs to know in
order to run a non-Windows program. Unlike earlier versions of Windows, there
is no PIF editor in Windows 95. Instead, you set up a PIF file from the
properties for the file. Access the file properties by right-clicking the file
from My Computer.
Ping
A network utility that determines if TCP/IP is working properly. Simply
executing the Ping command (from a DOS prompt) and specifying the IP address
should produce a response (the response will depend on how the remote machine
has been programmed to respond to a Ping), but virtually any response that
references the remote machine's identity indicates that the Ping was
successful and TCP/IP is working correctly.
pixel
a pixel is the area which is targeted in a monitor by an electron gun for
display. Pixels are illuminated by one or a mixture of the green, blue or red
electron guns. Illuminating all three will produce the color white.
Play List
In CD Player, a list of tracks from an audio CD that you want to play.
Plug and Play (referred to sarcastically as Plug N Pray)
An industry-wide specification supported by Windows 95 that makes it easy
to install new hardware. Plug and Play enables the computer to correctly
identify hardware components (including plug-in cards) and ensures that
different cards don't conflict in their requirements for IRQs, I/O addresses,
DMA channels, and memory addresses. In order to fully implement Plug and Play,
you need an operating system that supports it (as stated, Windows 95 does), a
BIOS that supports it (most computers manufactured since early 1995 do) and
cards that identify themselves to the system (information from these cards
stored in the Windows Registry). If you have hardware, such as modems that
aren't Plug and Play ( so called "legacy hardware"), then Windows 95 will
prompt you for the information necessary for setup, and store such information
in the Registry.
pointer
The on-screen symbol controlled by the mouse. As you move the mouse on the
desk, the pointer moves on-screen. The pointer changes shape to indicate the
current status and the type of functions and selections available.
polygon
A multisided shape, in which each side is a straight line.
port
A connection or socket for connecting devices to a computer (see I/O
address).
port replicator
On portable computers, a bus connection that makes all bus lines available
externally. The port replicator can be used to plug in devices which, in a
desktop computer, would be handled as cards. Port replicators are also the
connection used to connect a portable computer to its docking station.
Postoffice
This machine will be the place in which all mail messages are stored for
the workgroup.
Postscript
A special description language, invented by Adobe. This language is used
to accurately describe fonts and graphics. Printers which can directly read
this language and print the results are termed "postscript printers".
PPTP
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol - technology that promises to permit
secure access to private networks
pre-emptive processing
In a multitasking operating system, multiple tasks (threads) are generally
controlled by a scheduler that preempts or interrupts each process, granting
processor time in the form of a time slice. This enables multiple tasks to
apparently run at the same time. However, each task runs for a time slice and
is then preempted by the next process, which in turn is preempted--rotating
processor time among active threads. In preemptive multitasking, the operating
system is empowered to override (or pre-empt) an application that is using too
much CPU time, as opposed to cooperative multitasking, where the application
is responsible for relinquishing the CPU on a regular basis.
Preemtive
A type of multitasking where the operating system Multitasking assigns
processor cycles to applications depending on how much power they need.
Preemtive multitasking is used in Windows95, and is better than the less
efficient cooperative multitasking found in Windows 3.1. However, only 32-bit
applications can take advantage of this feature.
primary partition
A portion of the hard disk that can be used by the operating system and
that can't be subpartitioned like an extended partition can. Only primary
partitions are bootable.
printer driver
A Windows 95 program that tells programs how to format data for a
particular type of printer.
printer settings
A window that displays all the printers for which there are drivers
present. You can select the default printer from the installed printers, as
well as configure each printer using the shortcut menu and the options dialog
box.
printer window
For each installed printer, you can view the printer window. The printer
window displays the status of each print job in the queue, and enables you to
pause, restart, and delete the print job.
Processor
This is the chip in your computer that does all the calculations - for
Windows95 users, it's based upon Intel's x86 architecture, which includes the
386, 486, and Pentium series. This is also referred to as the CPU.
program file
A program that runs an application directly (not via an association) when
you click it.
program window
A window that contains a program and its documents.
property sheet
A dialog box that displays (and sometimes enables you to change) the
properties of an object in Windows 95. To access a property sheet, right click
the object to view the shortcut menu, and select Properties from the shortcut
menu. Property sheets vary considerably between different objects.
proportional-spaced fonts
Proportional-spaced fonts adjust the inter-character space based on the
shape of the individual characters. An example of a proportional-spaced font
is Arial. The width of a character is varied based on its shape. Adjusting
inter-character spacing is really a function of kerning, which is a similar
but not exactly the same. For instance, the letter 'A' and the letter 'V' are
typically stored in each font as a kerning pair where they will be spaced
differently when appearing next to each other. Where in a mono-space font vs.
a proportional-font you will see a difference in the width of the letter 'i'.
protected mode
A memory addressing mode of Intel processors that allows direct "flat
memory" addressing (linear addressing) rather than using the awkward
"segmented" scheme required by real mode, which was pioneered on the Intel
8088 and 8086 processors. Protected mode derives its name from the fact that
sections of memory owned by a particular process can be protected from rogue
programs trying to access those addresses.
protocol
Rules of communication. In networks, several layers of protocols exist.
Each layer of protocol only needs to physically hand-off or receive data from
the immediate layer above and beneath it, whereas virtual communications occur
with the corresponding layer on another host computer.
A formatting standard for tapes used by various tape backup devices. The
amount of information that can be stored on a tape varies by the QIC number.
Windows 95's Backup program supports QIC 40, 80, 3010, and 3020 formats. It
also supports QIC 113 compression format.
queue
Documents lined up and waiting to be printed, or commands lined up and
waiting to be serviced. Use the Printer window to view the print queue for a
printer.
quick format
A quick way to format a floppy disk, quick format doesn't actually wipe
the whole disk, nor does it test the media for bad sectors. It just erases the
FAT.
Quick View
A program included with Windows 95 that enables you to view files stored
in 30 different file formats without needing to open the application that
created the file. Quick View is available from the File menu of Explorer if a
viewer is available for the selected file type.
QuickTime
Developed by Apple, QuickTime is a compression and decompression (codec)
scheme for animation files. It is unique in that versions are available for
both Windows and Macintosh, enabling software designers to provide their data
in a format compatible for both platforms.