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Toshiba Portege M800 User Manual

Page 164

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User’s Manual

Glossary-3

Glossary

A

AACS: A standard for copy protection that is used for HD DVD. It manages

copy and output.

adaptor: A device that provides a compatible connection between two

units. For example, the computer’s internal display adapter receives

information from the software and translates it into images on the

screen. An adapter can take a number of forms, from a

microprocessor to a simple connector: An intelligent adapter (one

that is capable of doing some processing) may also be called a

controller.

alphanumeric: Keyboard characters including letters, numbers and other

symbols, such as punctuation marks or mathematical symbols.

alternating current (AC): Electric current that reverses its direction of flow

at regular intervals.

analog signal: A signal whose characteristics such as amplitude and

frequency vary in proportion to (are an analog of) the value to be

transmitted. Voice communications are analog signals.

application: A group of programs that together are used for a specific task

such as accounting, financial planning, spreadsheets, word

processing and games.

ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII code is

a set of 256 binary codes that represent the most commonly used

letters, numbers, and symbols.

B

backup: A copy of a file, usually on a removable disk, kept in case the

original file is lost or damaged.

binary: The base two number system composed of zeros and ones (off or

on), used by most digital computers. The right-most digit of a binary

number has a value of 1, the next a value of 2, then 4, 8, 16, and so

on. For example, the binary number 101 has a value of 5. See also

ASCII.

BIOS: Basic Input/Output System. The firmware that controls data flow

within the computer. See also firmware.

bit: Derived from "binary digit", the basic unit of information used by the

computer. It is either zero or one. Eight bits is one byte. See also

byte.

Bluetooth: A short-range radio technology designed to simplify wireless

communication among computers, communication devices and the

Internet.

board: A circuit board. An internal card containing electronic components,

called chips, which perform a specific function or increase the

capabilities of the system.