FBLA-Computer Problem Solving Vocabulary – Flashcards
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access time -The performance of a hard drive or other storage device
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how long it takes to locate a file.
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FREEBIE
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FREEBIE
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active program or window
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The application or window at the front (foreground) on the monitor.
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FREEBIE
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FREEBIE
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alert (alert box)
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a message that appears on screen, usually to tell you something went wrong.
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alias
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an icon that points to a file, folder or application (System 7).
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apple menu
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on the left side of the screen header. System 6 = desk accessories System 7 = up to 50 items.
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application
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a program in which you do your work.
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application menu
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on the right side of the screen header. Lists running applications.
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ASCII (pronounced ask-key )
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American Standard Code for Information Interchange. a commonly used data format for exchanging information between computers or programs.
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background
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part of the multitasking capability. A program can run and perform tasks in the background while another program is being used in the foreground.
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bit
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the smallest piece of information used by the computer. Derived from "binary digit". In computer language, either a one (1) or a zero (0).
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backup
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a copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.
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boot
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to start up a computer.
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bug
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a programming error that causes a program to behave in an unexpected way.
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bus
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an electronic pathway through which data is transmitted between components in a computer.
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byte
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a piece of computer information made up of eight bits.
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card
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a printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer.
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cartridge drive
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a storage device, like a hard drive, in which the medium is a cartridge that can be removed.
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CD-ROM
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an acronym for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory.
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Chooser
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A desk accessory used to select a printer, or other external device, or to log onto a network.
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Clipboard
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A portion of memory where the Mac temporarily stores information. Called a Copy Buffer in many PC applications because it is used to hold information which is to be moved, as in word processing where text is "cut" and then "pasted".
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Clock Rate (MHz)
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The instruction processing speed of a computer measured in millions of cycles per second (i.e., 200 MHz).
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command
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the act of giving an instruction to your Mac either by menu choice or keystroke.
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command (apple) key
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a modifier key, the Command key used in conjunction with another keystroke to active some function on the Mac.
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compiler
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a program the converts programming code into a form that can be used by a computer.
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compression
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a technique that reduces the size of a saved file by elimination or encoding redundancies (i.e., JPEG, MPEG, LZW, etc.)
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control key
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seldom used modifier key on the Mac.
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control panel
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a program that allows you to change settings in a program or change the way a Mac looks and/or behaves.
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CPU
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the Central Processing Unit. The processing chip that is the "brains" of a computer.
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crash
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a system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted.
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cursor
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The pointer, usually arrow or cross shaped, which is controlled by the mouse.
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daisy chaining
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the act of stringing devices together in a series (such as SCSI).
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database
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an electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched.
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data
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(the plural of datum) information processed by a computer.
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defragment
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(also - optimize) to concatenate fragments of data into contiguous blocks in memory or on a hard drive.
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desktop
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1. the finder. 2. the shaded or colored backdrop of the screen.
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desktop file
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an invisible file in which the Finder stores a database of information about files and icons.
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dialog box
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an on-screen message box that appears when the Mac requires additional information before completing a command.
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digitize
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to convert linear, or analog, data into digital data which can be used by the computer.
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disk
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a spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material on which data can be stored.
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disk drive
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the machinery that writes the data from a disk and/or writes data to a disk.
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disk window
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the window that displays the contents or directory of a disk.
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document
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a file you create, as opposed to the application which created it.
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DOS
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acronym for Disk Operating System - used in IBM PCs.
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DPI
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acronym for Dots Per Inch - a gauge of visual clarity on the printed page or on the computer screen.
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download
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to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading ).
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drag
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to move the mouse while its button is being depressed.
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drag and drop
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a feature on the Mac which allows one to drag the icon for a document on top of the icon for an application, thereby launching the application and opening the document.
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driver
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a file on a computer which tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment (like a printer).
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Ethernet
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a protocol for fast communication and file transfer across a network.
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expansion slot
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a connector inside the computer which allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or enhanced features.
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extension
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a startup program that runs when you start the Mac and then enhances its function.
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fibre channel
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as applied to data storage and network topology - link to FC Glossary.
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file
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the generic word for an application, document, control panel or other computer data.
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finder
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The cornerstone or home-base application in the Mac environment. The finder regulates the file management functions of the Mac (copying, renaming, deleting...)
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floppy
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a 3.5 inch square rigid disk which holds data. (so named for the earlier 5.25 and 8 inch disks that were flexible).
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folder
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an electronic subdirectory which contains files.
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font
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a typeface that contains the characters of an alphabet or some other letterforms.
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footprint
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The surface area of a desk or table which is occupied by a piece of equipment.
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fragmentation
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The breaking up of a file into many separate locations in memory or on a disk.
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freeze
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a system error which causes the cursor to lock in place.
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get info
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a Finder File menu command that presents an information window for a selected file icon.
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gig
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a gigabyte = 1024 megabytes.
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hard drive
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a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.
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head crash
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a hard disk crash caused by the heads coming in contact with the spinning disk(s).
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high density disk
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a 1.4 MB floppy disk.
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highlight
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to select by clicking once on an icon or by highlighting text in a document.
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icon
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a graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.
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initialize
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to format a disk for use in the computer; creates a new directory and arranges the tracks for the recording of data.
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insertion point
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in word processing, the short flashing marker which indicates where your next typing will begin.
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installer
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software used to install a program on your hard drive.
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interrupt button
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a tool used by programmers to enter the debugging mode. The button is usually next to the reset button.
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K
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short for kilobyte.
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keyboard shortcut
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a combination of keystrokes that performs some function otherwise found in a pulldown menu.
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kilobyte
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1024 bytes.
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landscape
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in printing from a computer, to print sideways on the page.
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launch
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start an application.
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Measurements (summary)
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*a bit = one binary digit (1 or 0) *"bit" is derived from the contraction b'it (binary digit) -> 8 bits = one byte
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*1024 bytes = one kilobyte
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K
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kilobyte
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Kb
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kilobit
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*MB = megabyte
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*Mb = megabit
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*MB/s = megabytes per second
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*Mb/s = megabits per second
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*bps = bits per second
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i.e., 155 Mb/s = 19.38 MB/s
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MB
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short for megabyte.
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megabyte
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1024 kilobytes.
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memory
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the temporary holding area where data is stored while it is being used or changed; the amount of RAM a computer has installed.
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menu
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a list of program commands listed by topic.
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menu bar
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the horizontal bar across the top of the Mac¹s screen that lists the menus.
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multi finder
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a component of System 6 that allows the Mac to multi task.
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multi tasking
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running more than one application in memory at the same time.
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nanosecond
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one billionth of a second. ( or, the time between the theatrical release of a Dudley Moore film and the moment it begins to play on airplanes).
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native mode
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using the computers original operating system; most commonly used when talking about the PowerPC can run software written for either the 80x0 systems, or the PowerPC¹s RISC code.
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NuBus
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expansion slots on the Mac which accept intelligent, self-configuring boards. NuBus is a different bus achitecture than the newer PCI bus and the boards are not interchangable.
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operating system
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the system software that controls the computer.
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optical disk
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a high-capacity storage medium that is read by a laser light.
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palette
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a small floating window that contains tools used in a given application.
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partition
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a subdivision of a hard drives surface that is defined and used as a separate drive.
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paste
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to insert text, or other material, from the clipboard or copy buffer.
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PC
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acronym for personal computer, commonly used to refer to an IBM or IBM clone computer which uses DOS.
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PCI
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acronym for Peripheral Component Interchange - the newer, faster bus achitecture.
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peripheral
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an add-on component to your computer.
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point
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(1/72") 12 points = one pica in printing.
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pop-up menu
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any menu that does not appear at the top of the screen in the menu bar. (may pop up or down)
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port
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a connection socket, or jack on the Mac.
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Power PC
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a processing chip designed by Apple, IBM and Motorola (RISC based).
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Power Mac
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a family of Macs built around the PowerPC chip.
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print spooler
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a program that stores documents to be printed on the hard drive, thereby freeing the memory up and allowing other functions to be performed while printing goes on in the background.
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QuickTime
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the Apple system extension that gives one the ability to compress, edit and play animation, movies and sound on the Mac.
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RAM
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acronym for Random-Access Memory.
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reset switch
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a switch on the Mac that restarts the computer in the event of a crash or freeze.
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resize box
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the small square at the lower right corner of a window which, when dragged, resizes the window.
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RISC
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acronym for Reduced Instruction Set Computing; the smaller set of commands used by the PowerPC and Power Mac.
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ROM
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acronym for Read Only Memory; memory that can only be read from and not written to.
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root directory
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the main hard drive window.
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save
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to write a file onto a disk.
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save as
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(a File menu item) to save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new name.
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scroll
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to shift the contents of a window to bring hidden items into view.
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scroll bar
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a bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows scrolling.
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scroll box
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the box in a scroll bar that is used to navigate through a window.
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SCSI
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acronym for Small Computer System Interface.
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SCSI address
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a number between zero and seven that must be unique to each device in a SCSI chain. Fast and Wide SCSI devices will allow up to 15 SCSI Ids (hexidecimal); however, the length restriction (3 meters) is such that it is virtually impossible to link 15 devices together.
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SCSI port
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a 25 pin connector on the back of a Mac (native SCSI port); used to connect SCSI devices to the CPU. Some SCSI cards (like the ATTO) have a 68 pin connector.
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SCSI terminator
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a device placed at the end of a SCSI chain to complete the circuit. (some SCSI devices are self-terminating, or have active termination and do not require this plug).
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serial port
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a port that allows data to be transmitted in a series (one after the other), such as the printer and modem ports on a Mac.
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server
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a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a network).
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shut down
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the command from the Special menu that shuts down the Mac safely.
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software
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files on disk that contain instructions for a computer.
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spreadsheet
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a program designed to look like an electronic ledger.
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start up disk
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the disk containing system software and is designated to be used to start the computer.
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surge suppressor
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a power strip that has circuits designed to reduce the effects of surge in electrical power. (not the same as a UPS)
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System file
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a file in the System folder that allows your Mac to start and run.
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System folder
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an all-important folder that contains at least the System file and the Finder.
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32 bit addressing
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a feature that allows the Mac to recognize and use more than 8MB of memory.
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title bar
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the horizontal bar at the top of a window which has the name of the file or folder it represents.
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upload
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to send a file from one computer to another through a network.
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Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS)
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a constantly charging battery pack which powers the computer. A UPS should have enough charge to power your computer for several minutes in the event of a total power failure, giving you time to save your work and safely shut down.
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UPS
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acronym for Uninterruptible Power Source.
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vaporware
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"software" advertised, and sometimes sold, that does not yet exist in a releasable for.
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virtual memory
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using part of your hard drive as though it were "RAM".
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WORM
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acronym for Write Once-Read Many; an optical disk that can only be written to once (like a CD-ROM).
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zoom box
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a small square in the upper right corner of a window which, when clicked, will expand the window to fill the whole screen.
