COMPUTER
`USER’S
`DICTIONARY
`
`Au it: or itative
`V
`a
`o
`K
`v“
`..
`Befimtmns .
`n;
`it ape tor
`l
`V
`,
`I’M};
`.'
`7'
`i“ BMEYS
`
`,
`
`38
`
`mum
`
`l
`
`I.
`;
`
`,
`
`’
`
`m 7
`
`3
`(I)
`
`E ‘
`
`n a
`
`“E
`#7:;
`h<<
`
`1
`
`t
`
`,
`
`Dues
`
`COMPUTER
`USER’S
`. DICTIONARY
`
`More terms. More concise, plain-English definitions. And more of
`the latest and greatest information on everything related to the
`world of computers!
`Que’s authoritative dictionary explains over 2,500 terms, acronyms,
`jargon, and techno-bahble—all translated in o easy-to—understand
`English. This is the most up—to—date dictionary available, covering
`everything from Accelerator Boards to Zapf Dingbats.
`Each entry is concise and practical, providing you with user-friendly
`information on how to interpret the language of computers and
`apply it to your daily tasks. Que’s Computer User’s Dictionary,
`5th Edition, is the perfect resource for computer knowledge!
`
`Packed with easy-to—use features!
`I Insider tips to help you work
`smarter and faster
`
`-
`
`I Extensive cross-referencing
`for easy use
`
`I Cautions that point out trouble
`spots to avoid
`l Illustrations to shed light
`1‘ key terms
`'
`
`I Ptonllnciation guides for
`lI‘ley Words
`I A-Z coverage of all the
`latest jargon and industry
`trends
`
`Category: General Comput g
`User Level: All Users
`Covers: IBM & Compatibles
`
`=_
`
`$12.99 USA/$16.99 CAN/£11.99 Net UK
`ISBN 1756529788170
`
`90000
`
`9 781565 298811
`
`andMadnmh
`
`lllllllllllllll
`
`l
`
`m
`
`1
`
`LG 1024
`
`LG 1024
`
`1
`
`

`

`Copyright©1994 by QueB Corporation.
`
`All rights rescrved, Printed in the Unired States ofAmerica. No part of
`this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, or
`stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission
`of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical
`articles and reviews. Making copies of any part of this book for any pure
`pose other than your own personal use is a violation of United States
`copyright laws. For information, address Que Corporation, 201 W.
`103rd Street, lndianapolis, lN 46290.
`
`Library ofConngss Catalog No.2 94-67366
`ISBN: 1565298810
`
` Que's Computer User’s Dictionary, 5th Edition
`
`This book is sold a: Lt, without warranty of any kind, either express or
`implied, respecting the contents ufthis book, including but not limited to
`implied warranties for the book's quality, performance, merchantability,
`or fitness for any particular purpose. Neither Que Corporation nor its
`dealers or disnibutun shall be liable to the purchaser or any other person
`or entity with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused in alleged to
`be caused directly or indirectly by this book.
`969594432]
`
`Interpretation of the printing code: the rightmost doublerdigit number is
`the year rifthe book’s printing; the rightmosr singledigit number, the
`number ofthe book's printing. For example’ a printing eude of94»|
`shows that the first printing ofthe book occurred in 1994.
`
`Publisher: David P. Ewing
`Associate Publisher: Corinne Walls
`Publishing Director: Lisa A. Bucki
`Managing Editor: Anne Owen
`Marketing Managcr: Greg Wiegand
`
`Credits
`
`Publishing Manager
`Lisa A, Biirki
`
`Acquisitions Editor
`Nanty Stewrimn
`Product Director
`Steven M, Schafl'r
`Production Editor
`Sun/m Shaw Dir/m
`
`Copy Editors
`Geneil Breeze
`Kai/i M Broah:
`Lisa Gehhm
`
`Technical Editor
`C/Jrir l’icherc/lzr
`
`Editorial Assistants
`Theme Mat/Jim
`Ruth Slam
`
`Book Designer
`Amy Peppler-Adzlrm
`
`Covet Designer
`Dtm Armstrong
`
`l
`
`Production Team
`Stephen Admm
`Angela D. Banmm
`Cheryl Cameron
`Elaine thtree
`Maxine Billing/mm
`Karen Darimn
`Chad Drmler
`Trrem Forrerter
`joclynn Gifford
`Bah LnRarhe
`j/mzie .Milazzo
`Stephanie Mir/2m
`Tmz Mnntgnmery
`Kay/me Rirrmm
`Nanci Sam Perry
`Dennis Shes/Mn
`Stir/m Swinger
`Mir-heel Thur/ms
`Tim Trenin
`Sue VaneraZle
`Many Beth Wlkefle/d
`Donna Writer
`
`Composed in Adah Grimmand and MCY’ziz'gir/ilby Que Corporation.
`
`2
`
`

`

`
`
`494 timed backup
`
`toner 495
`
`0 fiAflTlfiN: Usingo timed backupfi’otme it no mostimtefor
`sovingyour work to disk at the and ofo war/ting session. T/ae
`files created by timed backup utilities are temporuxyfiles the):
`are deleted when you exit tbeprogmm properly. Use timed
`backups, out don ’tfinger to save your war/z. See backup procev
`durc, save, and tape drive.
`
`time division multiplexing In local area networks, a tech-
`nique for transmitting two or more signals over the same cable by
`alternating them, one after the other. Time division multiplexing
`is used in baseband (digital) networks See homeland, frequency
`division multiplexing, local area network (LAN), and multzplexing
`
`time out An interruption, resulting in a frozen keyboard, while
`the computer tries to access a device (or a remote computer) that
`isn’t responding as it should. The computer keeps trying for a
`predetermined time and then gives up, returning control to you.
`
`time-sharing A technique for sharing a multiuser computer’s
`resources in which each user has the illusion that he or she ls the only
`person using the system. In the largest mainframe systems, hundreds
`or even thousands ofpeople can use the system simultaneously with-
`out realizing that others are doing so. At times of peak usage, how,
`ever, system response time tends to decline noticeably.
`
`In graphical user interfaces such as Microsoft Win-
`title bar
`dows, a bar that stretches across the top ofa window, indicating
`the name of the document displayed in that window. The color of
`the title bar indicates whether the window is active, Sec graphic/ll
`user interface (GUI).
`
`toggle To switch back and forth between two modes or states.
`On the IBM PC»compatible keyboard, for example, the Caps Lock
`key is a toggle key. When you press the key the first time, you switch
`the keyboard into a caps-entry mode. When you press the key the
`second time, you switch the keyboard hack to the normal mode, in
`which you must press the Shift key to type capital letters.
`
`a "HP: Ifyou’1':shoppingforonIBMPGoompotible system, loo/éfor
`one equipped with o leeyoozml that has indicator [lg/75ft” the Cap:
`Lac/e, Now Look, and Scroll Lock leg/t.
`\Witl/aut there [1'
`ts, you
`may not realize thatyou bepressed on: oft/rem keys atoidentolly,
`
`toggle key A key that switches back and forth between two
`modes. Scc Cops Loo/e key, Nam Loo/e lee), Stroll Loo/e key, and toggle.
`
`token passing In local area networks, a network protocol
`in which a special bit configuration, called a token, is circulated
`among the workstations. A node gains access to the network only
`if the node can obtain a free token. The node converts the token
`into a darofi'ome containing a network message.
`Every workstation constantly monitors the network to catch a
`token addressed to that workstation. When a workstation receives
`a token, it attaches an acknowledgment message to the data frame.
`When the data frame with an acknowledgment comes back to the
`source node, the node puts a token into circulation.
`BECausc token passing rules out the data collisions that occur when
`two devices begin transmitting at the same time, this channel
`access method is preferred for large, highwolume nctworks. See
`carrier sense multiple M‘Cess with collision detection {CHM/CD),
`contention, loml area network (LA N}, and polling.
`
`token-ring network In local area networks, a network architec/
`one that combines token passing with a hybrid star/ring topology.
`Developed by IBM and announced in 1986, the IBM ’l‘oken»Ring
`Network uses a Multistatinn Access Unit at its hub. This unit is
`wired with twisted-pair cable in a Star configuration with up to
`255 workstations, but the resulting network is actually a decentral»
`ized ring network. See loo/ll (Wed network (LAN) and taken potting.
`
`toner The electrically charged ink used in laser printers and
`photocopying machines. To form the image, tuner is applied to an
`electrostatically charged drum and fused to the paper by a heating
`element. Sec laser printer and loner cartridge.
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`