100 Glossary
USB — Universal Serial Bus. A USB connector provides a single connection point for
multiple USB-compliant devices, such as mice and keyboards. USB devices can be
connected and disconnected while the system is running.
utility — A program used to manage system resources—memory, disk drives, or
printers, for example.
UTP — Unshielded twisted pair. A type of wiring used to connect systems in a
business or home to a telephone line.
V — Volt(s).
VAC — Volt(s) alternating current.
VDC — Volt(s) direct current.
VGA — Video graphics array. VGA and SVGA are video standards for video adapters
with greater resolution and color display capabilities than previous standards.
video adapter — The logical circuitry that provides (in combination with the
monitor) your system’s video capabilities. A video adapter may be integrated into the
system board or may be an expansion card that plugs into an expansion slot.
video driver — A program that allows graphics-mode application programs and
operating systems to display at a chosen resolution with the desired number of colors.
Video drivers may need to match the video adapter installed in the system.
video memory — Most VGA and SVGA video adapters include memory chips in
addition to your system’s RAM. The amount of video memory installed primarily
influences the number of colors that a program can display (with the appropriate
video drivers and monitor capabilities).
video resolution — Video resolution (800 x 600, for example) is expressed as the
number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down. To display a program
at a specific graphics resolution, you must install the appropriate video drivers and
your monitor must support the resolution.
W — Watt(s).
WH — Watt-hour(s).