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Glossary
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I
icon—A small image displayed on the screen that represents a
function, file, or program.
interlaced—A method of refreshing a computer screen, in
which only every other line of pixels is refreshed. Interlaced
monitors take two passes to create a complete screen
image. Compare non-interlaced.
internal device—See device.
Internet—The decentralized, world-wide network of computers
that provides electronic mail, the World Wide Web, and other
services. See also World Wide Web.
K
keyboard shortcut—A key or combination of keys that you
use to perform a task instead of using a pointing device such
as a mouse.
L
L1 (level one) cache—Memory cache built into the processor
to help improve processing speed. See also cache, CPU
cache, L2 cache.
L2 (level two) cache—Memory cache installed on the
motherboard to help improve processing speed. It is slower
than L1 cache and faster than main memory. See also
cache, CPU cache, L1 cache.
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.