Toshiba Qosmio G20 (PQG21) - Manual (Page 232)

Glossary-10 User’s Manual
Glossary
non-system disk: A formatted floppy disk you can use to store programs
and data but you cannot use to start the computer. See system disk.
nonvolatile 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 nonvolatile 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.
online 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.
P
PAL: PAL (Phase Alternating Line) is the dominant video and broadcasting
standard in Europe.
parity: 1) The symmetrical relationship between two parameter values
(integers) both of which are either on or off; odd or even; 0 or 1. 2) In
serial communications, an error detection bit that is added to a
group of data bits making the sum of the bits even or odd. Parity can
be set to none, odd, or even.
password: A unique string of characters used to identify a specific user.
The computer provides various levels of password protection such
as user and supervisor.
pel: The smallest area of the display that can be addressed by software.
Equal in size to a pixel or group of pixels. See pixel.
peripheral component interconnect: An industry standard 32-bit bus.
peripheral device: An I/O device that is external to the central processor
and/or main memory such as a printer or a mouse.
Péritel: Péritel is a 21-pin connecting cable/port system that allows images
and high-quality stereo sound (including Dolby ® Pro-Logic sound
formats) to be sent from one audio-visual device to another. It is
also known as a “SCART connector” or “Euro connector”.
pixel: A picture element. The smallest dot that can be made on a display or
printer. Also called a pel.