Compaq Presario Internet PC - Manual (Page 126)

G LOSSARY 12 M Y P RESARIO —G ETTING S TARTED AND B EYOND
peripheral An external device connected
to a computer. Examples are a monitor,
keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner,
printer, and digital camera. See component.
PDF (portable document format) A file
format that has captured all the elements of
a printed document as an electronic image
that you can view, navigate, print, or
forward to someone else. PDF files are
created using Adobe Acrobat, Acrobat
Capture, or similar products. To view and
use the files, you need the free Acrobat
Reader, which you can easily download.
Once, you have downloaded the Reader, it
will start automatically whenever you want
to look at a PDF file.
photo CD A CD format based on the CD-
ROM XA and Orange Book Hybrid Disc
specifications, used to store photographic
images for display and printing.
pixel (short for picture element) One of
the individual dots that compose a
graphical image. See graphics.
playlist Tracks chosen to play from a CD
or DVD.
plug-and-play A feature, introduced with
Windows 95, to simplify the use of some
peripheral devices. Once the device has
been installed (in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions), you can plug
it in to the computer while the computer is
running. The operating system
automatically recognizes the new device.
(In order to connect a nonplug-and-play
device, you must first shut down the
computer.) See peripheral.
pop-up menu A list of options that pops
up when you right-click an icon on the
desktop or taskbar, the vacant part of the
desktop, a selection in a document, or a file
in Windows Explorer. See right-click.
processor (short for microprocessor). The
brains of the computer. See
microprocessor.
product key A unique series of letters and
numbers that are assigned to each software
package you buy. You are asked to enter
the product key when you install the
software. When you register the software,
you transmit the product key to the
manufacturer to enter in a customer
database. Registration activates your
warranty. When you telephone for
technical support, you are asked for the
product key. The technician matches it
against the database to determine whether
you qualify for support. You should keep a
record of all product keys to protect your
investment. They are comparable to the
serial numbers on hardware. See software.
See also hardware.
program A set of instructions, written in
invisible code, that tells the hardware what
tasks to perform. Some programs are
installed at the factory as ROM chips that
cannot be altered; they are essential for
operating the microprocessor. These
programs are called firmware. Most
programs are installed as software from
removable storage media. The word
“program,” however, is commonly used
for a specific type of software: applications