Compaq 1200 - Manual (Page 146)

G LOSSARY -12 P RESARIO N OTEBOOK B EYOND S ETUP G UIDE
1200 S ERIES
screen saver A moving picture or
pattern that appears on the screen when
you stop using your computer for a
specified period of time. Originally
designed to protect the monitor, screen
savers are now used for amusement.
scroll To gradually move information
across the screen when a document or Web
page is too long or too wide to view all at
once. Scroll bars are located along the right
side and across the bottom of a window.
When scroll arrows are present at the ends
of the bars, you know that some
information is off the screen. Click on one
of the arrows to scroll the information into
view.
scroll mouse A mouse with a scroll
wheel (between the two mouse buttons) for
automatic scrolling through long
documents or Web pages.
search engine A program, accessed on
the Internet, that allows you to search large
databases for information, using keywords
or phrases. See database.
secure Web site A Web site that
encrypts data to protect it from
unauthorized use. When you purchase
items over the Internet, you are asked to
type your name, mailing address, e-mail
address, and credit card information on an
electronic form. Sending information to a
secure Web site is comparable to giving it
over the telephone when you order from a
catalog. (But never send your social
security number over the Internet.
Criminals can steal your identity with your
social security number.) See encrypt.
serial port A small connector on the back
of the computer (or keyboard) for plugging
in a thin cable attached to a serial device,
such as a mouse. Serial devices transfer
data, one bit at a time, through a data wire.
The serial cable has two wires for
bidirectional communication (sending and
receiving information simultaneously). See
digital. See also parallel port.
shareware Software you can try before
you buy. After a trial period, usually 30
days, the program uninstalls unless you
pay for it You can download shareware
from the Internet. See software.
shortcut An icon on the Windows
desktop that you double-click to
launch a program.
shortcut menu A menu that pops up
when you right-click an icon on the
Windows desktop or taskbar, the vacant
part of the desktop, a selection in a
document, or a file in Windows Explorer.
The options on the pop-up menu are the
most commonly used commands that relate
to the item you right-clicked.
See right-click.
sleep mode A low-power state that saves
electricity when the computer is not in use.