Transcript COMPUTER CONCEPTS Vocabulary

COMPUTER CONCEPTS
Vocabulary
Chapter 6
The Computer Marketplace
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Benchmark test
A set of tests used to measure
computer hardware or software
performance.
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Level 1 cache (Ll cache)
Cache memory built into a
microprocessor chip. Ll cache can
typically be read in one clock cycle.
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Level 2 cache (L2 cache)
Cache memory that is located in a chip
separate from the microprocessor chip.
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SDRAM
Short for synchronous dynamic RAM, it
is a type of RAM that synchronizes itself
with the CPU, thus enabling it to run at
much higher clock speeds than
conventional RAM.
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Controller
A circuit board in a hard drive that
positions the disk and read-write heads
to locate data.
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DMA
Short for direct memory access, DMA
refers to specialized circuitry that
transfers data between drives and RAM,
bypassing the CPU.
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EIDE
Short for enhanced integrated drive (or
device) electronics, EIDE is a disk drive
technology formally known as ATA.
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SCSI (Small Computer
System Interface)
An interface standard used for attaching
peripheral devices such as disk drives.
Pronounced "scuzzy."
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Ultra ATA
A disk drive technology that is an
enhanced version of EIDE. Also referred
to as Ultra DMA or Ultra IDE.
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Touchpad
A touch-sensitive input device that
allows the user to control an on-screen
pointer by moving the fingertips over the
pad's surface.
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Track point
A small pencil-eraser-shaped device
embedded among typing keys that
controls an on- screen pointer when the
user pushes the track point up, down,
left, or right.
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Trackball
A pointing device consisting of a ball
that is rotated in a frame to move a
pointer around a computer screen.
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Wavetable synthesis
A MIDI standard that creates music by
playing digitized sound samples of
actual instruments.
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CRT (cathode ray tube)
A display technology that uses a large
vacuum tube, similar to that used in
television sets. Although CRT
technically refers to the vacuum tube, it
is often used to refer to the entire
monitor.
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LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
A type of flat panel computer screen,
typically found on notebook computers.
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Viewable image size (vis)
A measurement of the maximum image
size that can be displayed on a monitor
screen.
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Dot pitch
The diagonal distance between colored
dots on a display screen. Measured in
millimeters, dot pitch helps to determine
the quality of an image displayed on a
monitor.
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Maximum resolution
The maximum number of pixels a
monitor can display, measured in
number of horizontal pixels x number of
vertical pixels.
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Accelerated graphics card
A type of graphics card that contains
special circuitry to increase the speed at
which graphics can be displayed.
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Active matrix screen
A type of LCD technology that produces
a clear, sharp image because each pixel
is controlled by its own transistor.
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Color depth
The number of bits that determines the
range of possible colors that can be
assigned to each pixel. For example, an
8-bit color depth can create 256 colors.
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Passive matrix screen
A display found on older notebook
computers that relies on timing to
ensure that the liquid crystal cells are
illuminated.
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SVGA (Super Video Graphics
Array)
SVGA typically refers to 800 x 600
resolution.
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Video memory
Memory chips located on a graphics
card that store images as they are
processed. More video memory allows
a computer to display images at higher
resolutions and color depth.
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XGA (Extended Graphics
Array)
XGA usually refers to 1024 x 768
resolution.
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External bay
An opening in the computer case that
allows the user to install a device, such
as a floppy disk drive, that must be
accessed from out- side the case.
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Internal bay
A location inside the system unit case
where devices that do not need to be
accessed from outside the case can be
installed.
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PCMCIA card
A small credit card-sized circuit board
used to connect a modem, memory,
network card, or storage device to a
notebook computer.
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PCMCIA slot
A PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory
Card International Association) slot is an
external expansion slot typically found
on note- book computers.
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Part replicator
A device that connects to a note- book
computer, by means of a bus connector
plug, and contains a duplicate of the
notebook computer's ports for
connecting devices such as an external
monitor, mouse, or keyboard.
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Hot swap
Switching batteries or other plug-in
devices while the computer is on.
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Dpi
Dpi refers to the resolution of an image.
Images with more dots per inch (dpi)
appear more realistic than images with
fewer dots per inch.
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Duty cycle
The amount of output that can be
expected from a printer, typically
measured in pages per month.
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Ink jet printer
A non-impact printer that creates
characters or graphics by spraying
liquid ink onto paper or other media.
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Laser printer
A printer that uses laser-based
technology, similar to that used by
photocopiers, to produce text and
graphics.
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PostScript
A printer language, developed by Adobe
Systems, which uses a special set of
commands to control page layout, fonts,
and graphics.
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Printer Control Language
(PCL)
The unofficial standard language used
to send page formatting instructions
from a PC to a laser or ink jet printer.
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Dot matrix printer
A printer that creates characters and
graphics by striking an inked ribbon with
small wires called pins, generating a
fine pattern of dots.
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Multifunction printer
An output device that combines printing
capability with other functions, such as
scanning, faxing, copying, and
answering machine.
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Computer industry
The corporations and individuals that
supply goods and services to people
and organizations that use computers.
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Vaporware
Software that is announced but not
produced.
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Alpha test
One of the first phases of software
testing, usually conducted by the
software publisher's in-house testing
team.
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Beta test
A testing phase near the and of the
software development process in which
a software product is tested in realworld computer environments, often by
and-users.
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Revision
An updated form (indicated by x) of a
software program, incorporating minor
enhancements and eliminating bugs
found in the most recent version.
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Software publisher
A company that produces computer
software.
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Version
A new or totally redesigned product (for
example, in the identifying number 6.1,
the 6 is the version number).
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Competitive upgrade
A special price offered to consumers
who switch from one company's
software product to the new version of a
competitor's product.
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Street price
The average discounted price of a
product.
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Version upgrade price
A special price for a new version of a
software package, offered to owners of
an earlier version.
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Computer retail store
A store that typically sells several
brands of computers from a store-front
location, such as a mall or shopping
center.
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Mail-order supplier
A merchant that takes orders by
telephone or from an Internet site, then
ships orders by mail or other courier
service.
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Manufacturer direct
The selling of products by hardware
manufacturers directly to consumers, by
means of a sales force or mail order.
create a system designed to meet the
needs of specific customers or
industries.
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Computer-related jobs
Jobs in the computer industry that are
similar to jobs in other industries
(computer sales, high-tech recruiting,
etc.).
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Computer-specific jobs
Jobs that are unique to the computer
industry (computer programmer,
Webmaster, etc).
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Computer-use jobs
Jobs that require the use of computers
to accomplish tasks in fields other than
computing (laboratory technician,
accountant, etc.).
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Computer engineering
A career that focuses on the design and
development of computer hardware and
peripheral devices.
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Computer science
A career field that focuses on
developing fast and efficient computers,
from their construction, to their
programming and operating systems.
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Information system
Refers to a computer system that stores
data and supplies information, usually
within a business context. Also refers to
the career field that focuses on
developing such systems.
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Prepared by James Q. Jacobs
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