20091215

Glossary of Windows Terms

Ellipsis : An ellipsis consists of three dots (…) like this… An ellipsis on the end of a command button or a menu option means that there is more to come when you click on it.
Explorer : Windows Explorer is a program that comes with Windows 95 that is more advanced than File Manager. This program lets you manage and view files on your system.
extended memory : Extended memory refers to memory that Windows can access past the first MB (Megabyte) of memory from your system.
external command -:A command that requires a separate file to run.
fiber optic -:A kind of cable that transmits information through light signals.
file allocation table (FAT) : A DOS file system that uses a file allocation table to store information locations, sizes, and properties of files saved on the disk.
file name : The name that an operating system gives to a file when it is stored to a disk.
file name extension : A three letter extension after a file name tell you what type of file it its. For example, WORD.DOC is a Word file whose file name extensions is .DOC.
Font -:A description of how a certain set of characters should be displayed.
Folder : A folder represents a directory on disk drives. They can contain files, other folders, and programs.
FPM RAM (Fast Page-Mode RAM) : FPR RAM was the type or RAM found in all PC’s before the invention of EDO RAM.
Help : A program that gives you information on how to use Windows and will assist you with any problems you may have as well.
hidden file : A file that is not visible in Windows Explorer is known as a hidden file. However, you can view these in Windows 95 by changing a setting under Options from the View menu.
host drive : The physical hard drive where DriveSpace compressed volume files exist.
Hub -: A passive or active multiport repeater or wiring concentrator.
Hue -: A numerical depiction of a color which is part of a color wheel.
I-beam : An I-beam (I) is a symbol that appears over places where text can be entered.
Icon -: A graphic representation of a file, folder, shortcut, program, etc.
Import -: To bring in an object.
inactive window -: A window that is open but is not active.
insertion point -:A vertical flashing line that shows the user where text will be inserted.
Interface -: The visible layer which allows a user to communicate with a computer.
Internet work Packet Exchange (IPX) : A network protocol created by Novell to address packets of data from ultimate destination and source nodes located on a LAN networked with NetWare.
Interoperability -: The ability for equipment to work together.
Interrupt Request Line (IRQ) : A conductor (line) on the internal bus of the computer which can tell the CPU to process certain data.
I/O address -: Input/Output address.
Jumpers : Small devices that act as switches between two pins of a multi-pin header.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) : JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEG is a committee that created a method for storing photographs on computers. Photographs on the WWW (World Wide Web) are usually in either JPEG or GIF format.
Kernel : Responsible for basic process and input/output execution. Also called the core of an operating system.
kernel driver -: A hardware driver.
keyboard buffer -: Memory where keystrokes are stored.
keyboard shortcut -: A combination of keystrokes that, when pressed, will perform a certain action.
L2 Cache (Level 2 Cache) : A separate memory area configured with SRAM. The function of a L2 Cache is to stand between DRAM and the CPU.
License : An agreement that you either agreed to or were assumed to have agreed to with most software titles. When you installed Windows 95, you agreed to the license.
linked object : Data which is stored in a document that was originally from another application.
list box : A dialog box that shows all available options.
local printer : The printer which is directly connected to the computer.
local reboot : The ability that Windows 95 has to close down a single application that is causing a problem without affecting other running programs.
logical drive : A logical drive is an extension of an existing drive. For example, you may have a hard drive that takes up more than one drive letter due to its size. A logical drive is the part of that hard drive which is not the main letter, but still part of it. Data from all logical drives is read from the same drive.
long file name : Windows 95’s ability to use file names up to 256 characters long.
LPT : A parallel port in which the printer is connected to.
Luminosity : Refers to the brightness of a color.

Macro : A series of keystrokes and mouse clicks that can be abbreviated into a single keystroke or mouse click.

map network drive : Associating a network drive. Doing this will have the drive appear in My Computer.
maximize (button) : To make a window appear at its largest possible size. In Windows 95 applications, the maximize button is a square in the top right corner of the window.
Menu : A list of command options that are available.
menu bar : Displays the names of all the menus available. Located under the title bar.
menu command : A command from a menu that will perform an action when clicked.
Microprocessor : A miniature-sized processor.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) : A connection of electronic instruments. Basically, it’s a digital sound file that can read electronic notes to play music.
minimize (button) : To make a window disappear from the screen and move down to the taskbar. The minimize button in Windows 95 applications is an underscore (_) in the top right corner of the window.
Modem : A device, usually connected to a serial port of a computer, that transmits data over regular phone lines. Modem stands modulator\demodulator ; it converts a digital stream of data into sound for transmission (modulator) and converts incoming sound signals into data (demodulator).
motion JPEG : Created by the Joint Photograph Experts Group, motion JPEG is a compression/decompression program for video files.
mouse pointer : A symbol that represents mouse movement. When you move your mouse, the mouse pointer will move on the screen accordingly.
MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) : MPEG stands for the Motion Picture Experts. MPEG is a compression/decompression program for movie and animation files.
MS-DOS : Microsoft Disk Operating System.
MS-DOS based application : An application that does not require Windows and would normally run on a DOS based machine. Most DOS based applications have no problem running under Windows 95’s DOS box.
Multimedia : A collection of, but not limited to, animations, sounds, graphics, movies, and so on. Multimedia literally means "more than one type of media."
Multitasking : The possibility of an operating system to efficiently manage more than one task at a time.
My Computer : An icon which appears on the Desktop of all Windows 95 users. My Computer allows users to access disk drives, view and manage files and folders, and access other areas of Windows 95 such as the Control Panel and the Printers screen.
My Briefcase : My Briefcase is an item that Windows 95 users have an option to keep it on their Desktop or not. My Computer gives portable users a way to bring data along with them as they travel.
NetBIOS : A protocol developed by IBM and Sytek that provides users several networking functions.
Network Neighborhood : Network Neighborhood is a utility that users of Windows 95 and NT can access only if they are part of a network. It allows the user view all resources available on their network.
NIC (Network interface Card) : A card that is connected to the bus of a computer that is used to interface to a LAN.
null modem : A null modem link is a serial link to another computer directly through the use of a cable.
Object : An item that can be linked to another Windows application that supports OLE.
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) : A program for data sharing that allows two non-compatible applications to work together when creating the document that is to be shared.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) : The term OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturers. This refers to equipment or software that was provided, and not purchased by the user.
OLE Automation : The ability of a server application to make its own objects available for use in a macro language with another application.
Offline :A device is said to be "offline" when it is not ready to accept input.
Online : A device is said to be "online" when it is ready to accept input.
option button :An item in a dialog box that allows the user to select only one option from a group of options.
Orientation : The setting in which a page will be printed. For example, portrait orientation will print normally, and landscape orientation will print the page sideways.
Palette : A collection or group of tools.
Pane : A distinct area of a window.
paragraph formatting : Refers to the format style of an entire paragraph in a word processing program. This includes font, indention, alignment, spacing, margins, bulleting and so on.
parallel port : A port that has a parallel transmission rate of 8 bits at one time.
Parity : A fragment of data added to each byte of transmitted or stored data.
Partition : A section of a hard drive that acts as a separate disk, even though it is not.
Path : The location of a file in the directory tree.

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