Glossary
Satellite A30 Series 10
Satellite A30 Series
Version
1
Last Saved on 12/08/2003 14:15
ENGLISH using Euro_M.dot –– Printed on 12/08/2003 as IM_A30EN
modem: Derived from modulator/demodulator, a device that converts
(modulates) digital data for transmission over telephone lines and
then converts modulated data (demodulates) to digital format
where received.
monitor: A device that uses rows and columns of pixels to display
alphanumeric characters or graphic images. See CRT.
motherboard: A name sometimes used to refer to the main printed circuit
board in processing equipment. It usually contains integrated
circuits that perform the processor’s basic functions and provides
connectors for adding other boards that perform special functions.
Sometimes called a main board.
MPEG: Moving picture coding expert group is an industry standard
architecture for compression of video signals.
MP3: An audio compression standard that enables high-quality
transmission and real-time playback of sound files.
N
non-system disk: A formatted diskette (floppy disk) you can use to store
programs and data but you cannot use to start the computer. See
system disk.
non-volatile memory: Memory, usually read-only (ROM), that is capable
of permanently storing information. Turning the computer’s power
off does not alter data stored in non-volatile memory.
numeric keypad overlay: A feature that allows you to use certain keys on
the keyboard to perform numeric entry, or to control cursor and
page movement.
O
OCR: Optical Character Recognition (reader). A technique or device that
uses laser or visible light to identify characters and input them into
a storage device.
OCR wand: A device that reads, using an optical device, hand written or
machine printed symbols into a computer. See also OCR.
on-line state: A functional state of a peripheral device when it is ready to
receive or transmit data.
operating system: A group of programs that controls the basic operation
of a computer. Operating system functions include interpreting
programs, creating data files, and controlling the transmission and
receipt (input/output) of data to and from memory and peripheral
devices.
output: The results of a computer operation. Output commonly indicates
data 1) printed on paper, 2) displayed at a terminal, 3) sent through
the serial port of internal modem, or 4) stored on some magnetic
media.