Apple Express Fax/Modem - Manual (Page 176)

S
serial communication Data that is transmitted one bit at a time over one wire,
as compared with parallel communication, where data is transmitted several
bits at a time over several wires.
serial interface connection A socket (or port) on the back of your computer
designed to connect with a device that receives characters one at a time or
serially.
serial modem A modem that uses a serial interface and serial
communications.
smoothing A process of converting the 200 dpi fax display to the 72 dpi of
the Macintosh display without losing resolution.
synchronous Having a constant time interval between successive bits,
characters, or events. The term implies that all the equipment in the system is
in step.
synchronous transmission A transmission process such that between any two
significant instances there is always an integral number of unit (time)
intervals.
T
telecommunications The transmission of information across long distances,
such as over telephone lines.
terminal An input/output device consisting of a typewriter-like keyboard and
a display device, used for communicating with a large computer. Personal
computers typically have all or part of a terminal built into them.
terminal emulation Software that transforms your Macintosh into a remote
terminal for any dial-up computer system.
terminal mode The communications software mode of operation in which
keyboard input is sent to the modem, which recognizes it as commands or
passes it on to the remote modem. Contrast with command state.
164 G L O S S A R Y