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Glossary
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LAN (Local Area Network)—A group of computers or other devices
dispersed over a relatively limited area and connected by a
communications link that enables any device to interact with any
other on the network.
LED (Light Emitting Diode)—A solid state lamp (SSL) that uses light-
emitting diodes (LEDs) as the source of light, which offers long life
and high efficiency output. Multiple diodes are used together, since
the light created by individual light-emitting diodes is small
compared to incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)—A type of display that uses a liquid
substance between two transparent electrode panels. When an
electric current passes through the electrodes, the molecules in the
liquid form a crystalline pattern that polarizes the light passing
through it. A filter over the electrodes permits only non-polarized
light to pass to the surface of the display, creating light and dark
pixels.
load—To move information from a storage device (such as a hard disk)
into memory for processing.
local area network—See LAN.
logical drive—A section of a disk that is recognized by the operating
system as a separate disk drive. A system’s logical drives may differ
from its physical drives. For example, a single hard disk drive may
be partitioned into two or more logical drives.
M
memory—Typically refers to the computer’s main memory, where
programs are run and data is temporarily stored and processed.
Memory can be volatile and hold data temporarily, such as RAM, or
it can be nonvolatile and hold data permanently, such as ROM. A
computer’s main memory is RAM. See also RAM, ROM.
microprocessor—See Central Processing Unit (CPU).
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)—A standard for
connecting musical instruments, synthesizers, and computers. The
MIDI standard provides a way of translating music into a form
computers can use, and vice versa.
modem—Short for “modulator/demodulator.” A device that converts
information from digital to analog, and back to digital, enabling
information to pass back and forth between digital computers and
analog telephone lines.