Glossary

Definitions of some Windows 98 terminology.

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V

Active window

The window accepting input (sometimes called the window that has the focus).

ActiveX

Microsoft's method of distributing components over the web.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

A standard for characters that allows different makes and models of computers to communicate with one another. Generally ASCII text contains only the characters found on the keyboard, with no pictures or formatting codes. Each ASCII character is assigned a number, and all computers use the same number-character conversion set.

Associate

To link a filename extension to a program. For example, the .doc filename extension is associated with Microsoft Word. When file extensions are associated with software, double-clicking on the file listing in Explorer opens the associated software.

B

Backward compatibility

The capability to use documents and functions from earlier versions of a software product.

Baud

The speed of a modem (see bps).

BBS (Bulletin Board Service)

A service you can contact by using a modem and a communications program such as HyperTerminal.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

The part of your computer that controls the startup procedures, such as RAM tests, disk drive setup, and configuration (see POST).

Bookmark

To mark a page on the World Wide Web for quick access in the future. In Microsoft Internet Explorer, the term favorite is usually used instead of the term bookmark.

bps (bits per second)

A measure of modem speed.

Browse

To view drives, folders, and files by using My Computer, Windows Explorer, or a dialog box Browse button.

browser

Also called a Web browser, a special program for viewing Web pages.

Byte

The amount of space required to store one character.

C

Cache

An area of RAM where frequently accessed data is stored to speed up access to it.

Certificate

A file that verifies the sender's identity, often used to insure that an e-mail message is from the person who is listed in the From field.

CDFS (Compact Disc File System)

The system Windows 98 uses to manage files stored on a CD-ROM.

CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory)

CD-style disks used in CD-ROM drives on a PC.

Channels

Web resources you can subscribe to in order to keep up to date on information.

chat

A system by which users can talk to each other via real time on the Internet.

Client

A computer on a network that uses the resources of another computer on the network (called the server).

Clipboard

An area in memory where data is stored temporarily so it can be pasted in a document.

CMOS

Memory kept by a small battery inside the PC. Used to manage the computer's settings (unrelated to the operating system).

compressed file

A file that's been reduced in size by a compression program for transfer over network or phone lines.

Context menu

The menu that appears when you right-click an object. Also called a shortcut menu.

Context-sensitive help

Onscreen help that relates to whatever you're trying to do at the moment. In Windows 98, you usually click the question mark (?) button to get context-sensitive help.

Control Panel

The folder in Windows 98 where you choose your settings and preferences and add new hardware and software.

Cyberspace

Another name for the electronic world of the Internet.

D

Default

The selection that will be used unless you specify something else. For example, when you print a document, it is sent to the default printer unless you specifically choose a different one.

Default icons

The icons that appear on your Desktop automatically after installation of Windows 98.

Desktop icon

An icon that appears on the desktop, such as My Computer or the Recycle Bin.

Device

A general term for any piece of hardware you put into a computer or attach to a computer with a cable.

Device driver

A program that connects hardware to the operating system to make the hardware work.

Dialog box

A window with options you can use to select configuration or performance choices.

Dimmed

An option or command that's grayed out because it's not available at the moment. For example, Copy and Cut commands are dimmed when no data is selected, and Paste is dimmed when the Clipboard is empty.

Directory

An area on a disk that has a name and contains objects (either other directories or files). In Windows 98, the word directory has been replaced by the word folder.

Document

A file you create while using a software program.

DOS (also MS-DOS)

The original Disk Operating System for the IBM PC.

Dial-Up Networking

A Windows 98 service that lets a computer dial in to another computer and access its resources.

Domain name

The location portion of an email address. For example, in author@mcp.com, mcp.com is the Internet domain name.

download

The process of transferring a file from another computer to your computer.

Drag

To hold down the mouse button while moving the mouse, in order to move an object to a new location. At the target location, releasing the mouse button "drops" the object. The actions are frequently called drag-and-drop.

Driver

(also called a device driver) A program that connects hardware to the operating system to make the hardware work.

Drop-down list

A list of choices you can access in a text box by clicking the arrow to the right of the text box. Sometimes called a combo box.

Download

The process of copying a file from another computer on to your computer.

E

Email

Electronic mail sent over a network or the Internet.

Email address

The address that identifies you on a network or the Internet.

Explorer

A browsing tool in Windows 98 that displays drives, folders, and files.

F

File

The basic unit of storage on a disk. For example, when you create and save a document, it's stored as a file.

Folder

An area on a disk that has a name and contains objects (either other folders or files). Folders are also called directories.

Free space

The amount of space on a disk that is currently not being used to store files.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A program standard used to transfer files betwen computers and on networks.

G

Graphics

Pictures.

Graphics accelerator

A hardware device that helps draw graphics on your screen faster.

H

Hack

Usually used to refer to the action of getting past security devices when accessing another computer. For many computer veterans, it means merely "working with computer code." For example, administrators who do troubleshooting frequently say they have to "hack the registry."

High Color

A color scheme that shows close to photograph-quality color on a computer. Also called 16-bit color.

Hot swapping

A feature of some PC cards that allows you to insert or remove the card without turning off the PC.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

A set of programming codes (called tags) that are used to add attributes such as bold or italic to text or to insert images and links to web documents and email messages.

Hyperlink

A spot on a web page or some link-enabled document that takes you to a new page when you click it.

hypertext

A linking system that lets documents connect to each other via text or graphical hyperlinks. The World Wide Web is based on a hypertext system.

I

Icon

A picture that represents an object.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

A service you dial in to that connects your computer to the Internet.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

A communications hardware device that works much faster than a modem.

K

KB (Kilobyte)

1,024 bytes.

Kernel

The part of an operating system that interacts directly with the processor.

L

LAN (local area network)

A network in which computers are connected by cable.

Legacy

Older (pre-Windows 98) hardware devices and software.

Local printer

A printer that's physically connected to your computer.

M

Map

To assign a drive letter to a shared device on a local area network.

MIDI (Musical Interface Digital Interface)

A standard for composing and playing music on a computer.

MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)

A protocol that permits email messages and attachments to contain more than plain text.

MMX

A feature in newer Pentium processors that helps multimedia applications run faster.

Modem

A hardware device that connects your computer to a telephone line.

My Briefcase

A desktop folder that lets you take documents out of the office and synchronize the changes you make with the original documents on your office computer.

N

Newsgroup

An electronic bulletin board on the Internet where people post messages (usually called articles).

O

OLE

Object linking and embedding, a feature in Windows that lets you take an object from one program and link it to a document prepared in another program. When the original object changes, its link in the second document changes as well.

P

Password

A string of characters that must be entered in order to access protected data.

Path

The location of a file described along with its drive, folder, and subfolder. For example, c:\My Documents\Letters\Letter to Clinton.

Plug-and-Play

A term for devices that can be installed and then recognized immediately by Windows 98.

Plug-and-Play BIOS

A Basic Input/Output System capable of recognizing and configuring Plug-and-Play devices during computer startup.

Port

A connector on the back of your computer into which you plug a cable that connects to some external device.

Properties

The characteristics of an object in your computer system. You can view an object's properties by right-clicking the object and choosing Properties from the shortcut menu.

Protocol

A set of governing rules that help computers exchange information and allow different computer systems to talk to each other.

R

Recycle Bin

A desktop folder that holds files you've deleted until you're sure you want to delete them permanently.

Refresh

To update the screen display so it shows current data.

Registry

The database where Windows 98 stores the settings for your system.

Root directory

The highest level folder on a disk, designated by \. For example, C:\ represents the root directory of the C: drive.

S

Select

To choose the object(s) on which you plan to perform an action.

Server

A computer on a network that validates logons and/or holds files that users share.

Shortcut

An icon that enables you to open a folder, document, or program without going through the Start menu.

SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module)

Circuit boards with RAM chips that have been soldered on.

Startup menu

A menu that can be displayed when Windows 98 starts, giving you choices about the way you want the operating system to load.

Status bar

The bar at the bottom of a window that provides information about the contents or the status of a selected object.

Subfolder

A folder within a folder.

SVGA (Super Virtual Graphics Array)

A video controller and monitor that permits higher resolution.

Syntax

The format for entering a command.

T

Taskbar

The area at the bottom of your screen that holds icons and buttons for access to system features.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

A set of communications protocols for transferring data between computers.

Title bar

The area on the top of the window that displays the window's name and holds the Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons.

Toolbar

A set of buttons and icons that provide one-click access to frequently used menu commands.

ToolTip

A small label that appears above or below a button or icon when you hold the mouse pointer on that button for a few seconds.

Tray

An indented section on the right side of the Windows 98 taskbar that holds icons representing system functions.

True Color

A scheme that shows photograph-quality color on your computer. Also called 24-bit color.

Upload

To copy something from your computer to another computer.

U

Upload

To transfer a file from your computer onto another computer using the Internet or a Network.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

The address of a page on the World Wide Web (for example, http://www.websitename)

Usenet

A service on the Internet for communicating through newsgroups. Each newsgroup specializes in a subject and users post messages/articles instead of communicating directly through email messages.

V