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Glossary
Operating System
A group of control programs that convert application
commands, including driver programs, into the exact
form required by a specific brand and model of micro-
processor in order to produce the desired results from
that particular equipment.
Partition
A block of space on a hard drive which is set aside
and made to appear to the operating system as if it
were a separate disk, and addressed by the operating
system accordingly.
PCMCIA
PCMCIA is a trademark of the Personal Computer
Memory Card International Association. The Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association is an
organization that sets standards for add-in cards for
personal computers.
Peripheral Device
A piece of equipment which performs a specific
function associated with but not integral to a computer.
Examples: a printer, a modem, a CD-ROM.
Pitch (keyboard)
The distance between the centers of the letter keys
of a keyboard.
Pixel
The smallest element of a display, a dot of color on your
display screen. The more pixels per area the clearer your
image will appear.
POP3
Post Office Protocol. Protocol that is used to retrieve
email from a mail server.
POST
Power On Self Test. A program which is part of the BIOS
which checks the configuration and operating condition
of your hardware whenever power is applied to your
LifeBook notebook. Status and error messages may be
displayed before the operating system is loaded. If the
self test detects failures that are so serious that operation
can not continue, the operating system will not be
loaded.
PPPoE
Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet. A protocol for
Ethernet, using a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), which
is used for connection on the phone line.
Program
An integrated set of coded commands to your
computers telling your hardware what to do and how
and when to do it.
PS/2
An IBM series of personal computers which established
a number of standards for connecting external devices
such as keyboards and monitors.
RAM
Random Access Memory. A hardware component of
your LifeBook notebook that holds binary information
(both program and data) as long as it has the proper
power applied to it.
RAM Module
A printed circuit card with memory and associated
circuitry which allows the user to add additional
memory to the computer without special tools.
Reset
The act of reloading the operating system. A reset erases
all information stored in RAM.
Restart
See Reset.
Resume
To proceed after interruption. In your LifeBook note-
book, this refers to returning to active operation after
having been in one of the suspension states.
ROM
Read Only Memory. A form of memory in which infor-
mation is stored by physically altering the material. Data
stored in this way can not be changed by your LifeBook
notebook and does not require power to maintain it.
SDRAM
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory.
Shadow RAM
A technique of copying data or applications stored in
ROM (Read Only Memory) into RAM (Random Access
Memory) for access during actual operation. RAM is
much faster to access than ROM, however ROM
contents are not lost when power is removed.
Shadowing allows permanently stored information
to be rapidly accessed.
SPDIF
Sony Philips Digital Interface. Technology that allows
you to download digital audio data onto a MiniDisc
recorder.
SSID
Service Set Identifier. Specifies which network you are
joining. Some systems allow you to specify any SSID as
an option so you can join any network.
Status Indicator
A display which reports the condition of some portion
of your hardware. On your LifeBook notebook this is an
LCD screen just above the keyboard.
P Series.book Page 97 Monday, May 13, 2002 2:44 PM