ABC - Atanasoff Berry Computer. ABI - Application Binary Interface - means by which code built on a previous version of an OS (or compiling app?) will work on new versions. Sometimes new code will also work on older versions (if features aren't used which didn't exist previously). Access - M$ database creation and access app. Active file - An open file that is currently being worked in. The cursor rests in the active file. Actor - A drawing that moves on the screen, consisting of a series of cels. Ada - A low level language used by the MOD and for military applications. Named after Augusta Ada, Lord Byron’s daughter, who worked with Babbage. Adminisphere - Organizational layers above the rank and file. Decisions from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve. Algol - ALT - Alternate key, similar to the control key, used in tandem with another key to send modified code to the computer. Analyst - Prepares specification and method statement Animation - A series of drawings strung together to give the illusion of movement. Application - A software program. Archive - A copy of a file that is made when it is no longer needed in the working environment, but still needed for reference or possible use in the future. Artistic text - Strings of text that can have special effects applied. Assembler - A program operating on symbolic input data to produce the equivalent executable machine code. Used by engineers for machine control. Assembly Language - A programming language that is a close approximation of the binary machine code. Also called assembler. ASL - Age/Sex/Location ASP - Java related language? Avatar - Screen persona. Background layer - The common full-page design used in all slides of a presentation. Backup - Operating utility that allows the creation of copies of files that are not directly usable but can be restored if required. Basic - Beginners All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (High level programming language, designed by Microsoft, easy to learn, available in many different versions/simplified user-level programming language often employed with remote or time-sharing computer centres, not used for industrial applications as it is a very structured program - it will run an entire program to carry out one action. Most other programs are able to divert, or skip parts of it which are not applicable for a specific action.) Betamaxed - When a technology is overtaken by an inferior, but better marketed technology. Bézier Mode - A connect-the-dots approach to drawing curves. Bézier mode is more accurate way to draw curves than Freehand mode. Bio-break - Techie euphemism for BRB. BIOS - Basic Input Output System (program, usually inside a ROM chip called the BIOS ROM, which performs test routines when the system is switched on. Searches for and loads operating system from disk and contains programs to access system hardware.) Biots - Mobile artificial agents that can sense an artificial environment, interact with other biots, and learn and evolve over time. Bit - Binary Digit Bitmap - A file type by which the image is stored pixel by pixel. BLOB - Binary Large Object (a very large binary file.) Also to mail bomb someone with a large file. BMP - Bitmap (extension indicating graphics file) Bots - Small programs designed to perform automated tasks on the Internet and to act as human surrogates. There can be hundreds of different types of bots (malicious and otherwise); clonebots, floodbots, cancelbots, chatterbots, softbots, userbots, taskbots, sloth bots, and Xbots. Bounding box - A dotted line with nodes that appears when you select an envelope shape. You can change the shape of the envelope by moving the nodes on the bounding box. BPR-X - BRB - Be Right Back (online break whilst avatar stays on screen.) Brilliant Weapons - Military term for the next generation of weapons systems beyond ‘smart’, i.e. those based on nanotechnology. BTDT - Been There Done That btw - By the way. Byte - Unit of measurement for counting the capacity or size of various parts of a computer. Generally, the amount of space to hold one character or code C - A low level programming language widely used on computers where application speed is critical. Used a lot in industry. Used with a compiler. CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing? Caps - Corners and end points. Cards - Circuit board which enables whatever. C++ - Object orientated program similar to C & designed by Microsoft for use with Windows. CD-A - Compact Disc Audio CD-I - Compact Disc Interactive CD-ROM - Compact Disc Read Only Memory CD-R - Compact Disc Recordable CDR - CorelDRAW! files Cell - The intersection of a row and a column in a spreadsheet, a cell holds a piece of information, such as a number or title. Cell references - The reference to an item or group of items in a spreadsheet. Cels - The individual frames that make up an actor. Each cel is a single drawing in one stage of the movement. CCapture - A screen capturing program that can capture the current configuration of your screen. CGM - Computer Graphics Metafile Chart - Shows the progress, cost, or value of items over time. Chart styles - Various formats that determine the layout of graphed data (pie, bar, line, area, etc.). Comes in several different types. Chart types - Variations of a chart style. There can be several different chart types associated with a chart style. Child object - A single object that is part of a grouped object. Client - A Windows application to which you can link or embed. Some applications are both clients and servers; others are only clients. Clip art - Graphics that can be imported. Clipboard - Windows utility that allows the transfer of information to a new location. When an item is cut or copied, the item is placed on the clipboard so it can be pasted to another location on the current page, a new page, a new file or to a file in an entirely different Windows application. Clone - A duplicate object linked to a master object. Most changes made to a master object will also automatically be applied to the clone. Cobol - program used on mainframes and similar to BASIC COBAL programming - Comms Specialists - A person with specific knowledge of the transfer of data by communication means using high frequencies, fibre optic, satellites and telephone line systems Compiler - A program-user friendly interface (like a translator) So that a person with lesser skills can execute a lower level program. Control points - Points at the end of a dotted line that appear when dragged over a node. Determine the direction and shape of a segment. Copy - The operating utility command that allows you to make a copy of a file onto another disk, subdirectory or the same one but with a different filename. CPU - Central Processing Unit CSS - CTRL - Control key. Used in tandem with another key to modify the code sent to the computer. Curve segment - Has a control point, Data - Term for information or more technically, code. Database - An organised, structured collection of related data that is defined and processed using a database processing system. Data-bus - Usually a cable or fibre optic which allows the transfer of information in a computer network or between peripherals. Information can only pass through in isolation therefore there has to be protocols which enables the transfer of information in an orderly fashion. Data Integrity - Refers to ensuring the correctness of data at all stages - point of entry, throughout processing and at output. Data Manager - Spreadsheet program in which all of the chart data can be entered, including titles, labels and numbers. Data Security - Ensuring that data can be accessed or updated only by those users who have authority. DBF - database file Default - The settings that hardware and software are set at to start with. Delete - Operating utility that allows you to erase a file. Desktop publishing - Software that enables the creation of artwork documents for publishing. Many word processing packages include DTP features. ‘High end’ DTP will produce copy ready for final printing. Destination Application - Into which a linked or embedded object has been placed. Developer - A person who interfaces between the application or the client and the software house/programmers (project engineer) DHTML - Diagnostic software - Designed to assist with fault finding. Dialog boxes - Windows that appear to request command options, information, or confirmation needed to carry out a particular task. A dialog box often appears as a result of the command you have just selected. Digitiser - Input device used for converting data in its current form into digital data which can be processed by the computer. Directory - The information about the files stored on each disk to enable both the user and the computer operating system to locate the files on the disk. Includes details about the name, date and time created or updated, location on the disk and the size of the file. Disk - A round magnetic data storage unit. Disk drive - Mechanical device that drives the disk and operates the read/write heads to access the data. Referenced by a number followed by a colon. Disk space - The amount of space available on either the computer’s hard drive or on a floppy disk where data can be written. Divert - DNS - Dial-Up Networking. DOC - Document. File that contains principally text and sometimes graphs and other images. DOS - Disc Operating System( see Q-DOS & MS-DOS) ?DX - Editable view - The view of graphics as they will be printed, with fill, colours, and attributes. EDP - Electronic Data Processing EGA Enhanced Graphics Adapter E-IDE Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics e-mail - Electronic mail - communication system that enables messages and information to be sent electronically to other users. Embed - The insertion of an object from another application. Embedding an object allows you to use that application’s tools to create something from within another application. Embedded object - When you double-click on an embedded object, the application used to create the object starts up. Embedded C - Envelope editing style - Determines how the envelope’s shape moves when you drag its nodes and control points. Envelope mode - Determines the severity of the distortion created by an envelope. Environment - A ‘user-friendly’ way of working with the computer hides the raw operating system and lets the user carry out many of the basic functions through the use of WIMPs. EPS - Encapsulated PostScript Esc - Escape key - In most packages used to cancel an instruction, other packages use it in different ways. .EXE - Execute Export - To save a file in another file format so that it can be used in another application. EXT - When displayed in bold the Extended selection key (n) is being used. Extension - Second part of a filename in MS-DOS and some other OS’s, often used to indicate the type of file. Extrusion lines - Dotted lines that appear when an object is being extruded. They show what the outer dimensions of the object will be. FANUC - (industrial) program designed for the specific application of robots manufactured by the FANUC Corporation of the USA FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Fax (facsimile) - The transmission of exact copies of a document over the telephone network - any document, hand-written, containing pictures, diagrams, charts or typed text can be transmitted at great speed for relatively low costs. File filter - A code that can translate code formats from a program so that files created in that program can be imported to another. FileGrabber - AOL’s binary file decoder (usually used for viewing newsgroup porno). Filename - Every file has a name to identify and access it. Each operating system has a set of rules about the structure of filenames and permitted characters, but every name must be unique in the subdirectory and disk. Fill - Colour or pattern inside a closed object. Fitting text to a path - Wrapping text around an object, curve, line or symbol. Floppy disk - A lower capacity disk, usually 1.44 Mb, which is not kept permanently inside the computer but is removed when not being used. Folder - Term that some systems use for a subdirectory. Footer - The area below the main part of the page used to include text that appears at the bottom of every page, may include page numbers. Foreground layer - Top layer of a slide on which individual objects can be placed, which will then sit on top of the background layer. Format - Noun. The way an item of data or a piece of text is presented. Format - Verb. The process of preparing a new unused disk for use with a particular OS and disk drive. Forth - A high speed programming language lower than BASIC Uses a compiler and has an ability to divert.) Fortran - Formula Translation (The first high-level programming language, developed by IBM; for problems that can be expressed algebraically, used mainly in mathematics, science and engineering. Used a compiler and has an ability to divert.) Fountain Fill - Blends two types colours or tints of colours. Freehand mode - Drawing an object by dragging the mouse across the screen. FTP - File Transfer Protocol F2F - Face-To-Face (as opposed to over the Internet) Function keys - Usually twelve of them across the top of the keyboard, they are often set up to carry out commands for a particular package. GDI - GEnie - GIF - Graphics Interchange Format Gigabyte - 1073741824 bytes - often referred to as one thousand million or an American million. Graphics tablet - A flat board connected to the computer on which you can draw images with a special pen - these are displayed directly on the VDU and can be stored on the computer. Greyscale - The digital progression of density in a monochrome image. Grouped object - Two or more objects that have been grouped together. Often a grouped object is treated as if it were a single object, with regards to transformation, rotation, size, etc. GUI - Graphic User Interface Hard disk - A high-capacity disk which is usually permanently inside the computer. Hard return - The code included in a word-processing document to indicate the end of a paragraph. Hardware Engineer - Specifies the non-data parts of a system which may include the computer, lap-tops, interfaces such as relay boards, additional memory boards, printers and modems, etc. HD - High Density HDD - Hard Disk Drive Header - See footer. Highlighting box - An invisible rectangle formed by the selection handles of a selected object. Housekeeping - The management and maintenance of the disk filing system. HTML - Hyper Text Mark-up Language HTTP - Hypertext Transport Protocol. Information in HTML files transmitted by using HTTP IBM - International Business Machines. IBM AT - International Business Machines Advanced Technology. (started the next generation of computers) Icon - An image which is used to represent a command, function, program, tool, group window, etc. Image Processing - Picture enhancement. IMHO - In My Humble Opinion Implementers - Brings together all parties to ensure the specification is structured correctly and totally integrated. Import - To open a file that was created in a different program. Index - Alphabetical list usually with section and page references, the creation of which is usually a facility available in word processing packages based on marked text. Information - Processed data that has been given meaning, output. Ingress - A general language program used to form data-bases and is similar to Oracle. INI - Inkjet printer - Used to produce good-quality printouts - particularly cost effective for colour printouts. Intermediate shapes - Steps, the objects between two blended objects. Internet - International network of computers that can be accessed through an Internet provider. I/O - Input Output IP - IRC - Internet Relay Chat. IRL - In Real Life ISP - Internet Service Provider ISDN - I??? S???? D??? N???? IT - Term generally used to describe the use of computers to capture, process and provide information. I-Way - Information Superhighway Java/JavaScript - Keyboard - Frequently includes the standard QWERTY keys, a numeric keypad, cursor control keys and function keys. This type of keyboard is known as an extended or 102-key keyboard. Key combination - Used to execute a command without using the screen menu. Kilobyte - 1024 bytes - often referred to as one thousand bytes. LAN - Local Area Network Laser printer - Used to print out high quality printouts. LBL technology - Little Blinking Lights (to test exactly what the computer sales assistant really knows) see also LRF Legend - In two-dimensional charts, identifies which series are represented by colours of bars, lines, etc. Level - low level are those programs with high speed but difficult to program. High level are user friendly. From low level Machine Code; Assembler; C; ADA; Forth; C++; Basic to high Light pen - Pen-shaped input device which is pointed at the screen to make selections or create images. Link - To insert an object from another application so that whenever the original is changed, the linked object automatically changes as well. liS - Lol - Laugh out loud LRF support - Little Rubber Feet (see LBL) LTR - letter Machine Code - a low level language that uses numbers. Since it is a basic form the program will run very quickly. It is also difficult to use and requires considerable experience as a machine code programmer Main-frame - A large computer system built for a specific application such as banking. Mapper - Marquee box - A dotted rectangle that appears as the Selection tool is dragged over objects to select them. Master - An object that has been cloned. Mb - Megabyte-a unit which measures the storage capacity of a disk or the amount of memory. Also known as a ‘meg’. Approximately 1,048,576 bytes. Megabyte - 1048576 bytes - often referred to as one million bytes. Memory - Temporary storage areas. Menu - Set of options (drop or pull down) which is usually used to give a choice from a number of similar commands or functions. Menu bar - Holds a program’s menus. Menu command - Any command that appears on a menu. MFC - Microsoft Facility Classes. Classes of C++ which help build Window objects. MHz - Megahertz MMX - Multimedia Extensions MOTIF - A GUI for UNIX MRK - When displayed in bold Revision Marking is active. MRP - (industrial) MS-DOS - Microsoft Disk Operating System MOUSE - Manually Operated User Selection Equipment. Used to control a pointer on screen. Multi media applications - Applications associated with films, demo tapes, CD ROM’s, Internet, Protocol standards and associated soft and hardware. Network - A number of computers and peripherals connected in order to share resources and give access to data, and provide communication facilities between users. Network server - A computer which specifically serves a PC network Newsgroup - Newspaper columns - In word processing refers to columns of text that flow from top to bottom and continue at the top. Node - An endpoint of an object. The number and position of nodes determine the shape of an object. Novell - NRN - No Response Necessary NT Server - To do with the Internet and Microsoft. Numerical models - Defined sets of rules that calculate or project numerical data - spreadsheet software is one of the most frequently used packages to achieve this. Object - Discrete item contained within word processing document. OLE - OIC - Oh, I See Oracle - A program used to construct data-bases and their reports and forms. Also has multi-media applications. OS - Operating System. The set of instructions and rules that enable the different parts of the computer to work together - includes software to start the computer, to interpret each key pressed and display it on the screen, to save the work and to communicate with any devices attached to the system. OS/2 - Operating System GUI OSI - Open Systems I?????, a protocol standard. OVR - When in bold Overtype mode is being used. (Insert key) Paragraph - In word processing, all the text between two hand returns - many formatting functions and particularly word wrapping and justification are applied a paragraph at a time. Paragraph text - Blocks of text that automatically wraps to the next line. Parallel Columns - Refers to text where each block of text in a column starts on the same line as that in the column adjacent to it. Parallel Extrusion - An evenly shaped object with a 3D appearance. Pascal - A program used by education and Universities. Has a compiler. Named after Blaise Pascal who invented the Pascaline, the first automatic counting machine. Path - The way to a file on a disk - indicated the directory currently worked in, within the directory tree, to the subdirectory where the file is located. Path - Essentially, the outline of any object, or a line or curve. PCD - PhotoCD PCTV - PCX - P??? C???? X??? Pegasus - Accounting language/program Perspective extrusion - An unevenly shaped object with a 3D appearance. Perl - Plotter - An output device used to produce high-quality graphics data - the image is created using a number of different-coloured pens picked up and put down by an ‘arm’ that moves across the paper. Pointer - Used to select an option or position on the screen - usually controlled through use of input device such as a mouse or light pen. PoP - Point of Presence (the computer that provides a contact for other computers to the Internet) Power Builder - A programming language similar to Visual Basic, slow and non-diverting. Presentation - Collection of slides that can be printed, made into 35mm slides, overhead transparencies, or run in a screen show. Processor - The part of the computer that carries out the instructions. Program group - A window that holds icons for all of a related package of programs. Program icon - An icon that starts a program Program Manager - The main Windows window, the Windows ‘home base’. Programmers - Write a program in code and work from a specification. Also test the program on completion. Prop - Drawing which remains stationary in the background as the actors move during an animation. PS/2 - Q-DOS - Quick & Dirty operating System (well, it might mean Quick Disk Operating System) RAM - Random Access Memory (chip memory whose contents can be read by the CPU and over written as necessary. Contents are usually volatile) Temporarily holds the programs and the data that has been inputted. Real Time Development System - A program associated with a process or a machine and is associated with time for example able to measure the speed of a shaft. REC - When in bold Recording a Macro RISC - Reduced Instruction Set Computer. First million transistor microprocessor. RL - Real Life Roll-up - Window that can be permanently displayed on the screen, giving direct access to menu commands and functions. ROM - Read Only Memory (any device which can be read from but not re-written, added to, edited or deleted from. Contents non-volatile) Root directory - The main directory set up on each disk when it is formatted - referred to by use of a back slash \. RSS - Really Simple Syndication Sage - Accounting program/application Satellite Comms - The exchange of data information from satellites involving aerial techniques. Such information includes telephone systems such as mobiles and location used for position plotting. SCADA - Associated with robotics or process automation Screed - Screen show - Presentation that is played back on-screen. SCSI - Small Computer Systems Interface Segment - A line or curve between two nodes. Selection handles - Boxes that border a selected object. Used for sizing, transforming, skewing objects. Series - Data which is being charted; series items are row labels. Server - Windows application which can be linked from or embedded. Some applications are both clients and servers; others are only servers. Set-up - The way the system had been installed and organised to enable the user to get the best from it in terms of memory, type of printing facilities and the most frequently used aspects of the packages. Slide - A presentation page. Soft return - Start of a new line which has been inserted by the software to meet the paragraph margins. Software Engineer - A programmer Source application - The place where the original object was created. Steps - Intermediate shapes between two objects blended together. Structured - Related to the form a program takes. SQL - Structured Query Language (Oracle/Ingress) SQL Server - Subdirectory - Subdivision of a directory. SVGA - Super Video Graphics Array (monitor) System Designer - able to design overall requirements of the system and precludes programming TAS - Accounting program/ language? TCP/IP - Transfer Control Protocol (Networking and data-bus protocols and includes Sockets and Streams). Texture fill - Fills with a mixture of colours and gradients. Pre-designed. TIF/TIFF - Tagged Image File Format Tile fill - Fills an area with a repeating pattern. Toolbox - A section of the screen that holds all of the tools available in the current program. Uniform fill - Solid colour fill, including, white, black, shades of grey. UNIVAC - First commercially available stored program electronic digital computer. UNIX - A computer operating system similar to DOS. Also associated with the C programming language. VB Script - Visual Basic? VDT - Video Display Terminal VDU - Video/Visual Display Unit Vector graphics - Uses lines with precise start and end points. VISC ++ - A programming language similar to Microsoft C++. Visual Basic - WIMPS - Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. Windows - Operating system that serves as the foundation of many programs. Wireframe view - Only the outlines of objects, making it a lot easier and faster to edit objects. WPH - When in bold WordPerfect Help is being used. X-Axis - Bottom edge of a chart frame; items here are column heads. XMS - Extended Memory System X Windows - A GUI for UNIX. Y-Axis - YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary. The outcome of a program may be different on various computers. Z-Axis - In 3D charts it describes the type of measurement used to chart the data. *.bat - batch file *.cdt - CorelDRAW! Template *.chk - *.doc - document file *.exe - execute file *.jpg - Jpeg *.log - *.pcc - *.qic - Backup? *.rpt - *.tmp - temporary file