IBM AnyPlace Kiosk 4838 Model 5 Series, Service Manual

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message. (1) An arbitrary amount of information
whose beginning and end are defined or implied. (2) A
group of characters and control bit sequences
transferred as an entity. (3) In telecommunication, a
combination of characters and symbols transmitted
from one point to another. (4) A logical partition of the
user device’s data stream to and from the adapter. See
also
error message , operator message .
MICR. See magnetic ink character reader and
magnetic ink character recognition.
module.
A program unit that is discrete and
identifiable with respect to compiling, combining with
other units, and load; for example, the input to, or
output from, an assembler, compiler, linkage editor, or
executive routine.
N
network. (1) A configuration of data processing
devices and software connected for information
interchange. (2) An arrangement of nodes and
connecting branches. Connections are made between
data stations.
network architecture. The logical structure and
operating principles of a computer network. Note: The
operating principles of a network include those of
services, functions, and protocols.
nit. A nit is a unit of luminance equal to one candela
per square meter. It is often used to quote the
brightness of computer displays.
noise. (1) A disturbance that affects a signal and that
can distort the information carried by the signal. (2)
Random variations of one or more characteristics of
any entity, such as voltage, current, or data. (3) Loosely,
any disturbance tending to interfere with normal
operation of a device or system.
nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) .
Random access memory that retains its contents after
electrical power is shut off. Contrast with
volatile
memory .
NVRAM. See nonvolatile random access memory.
O
operating system. Software that controls the execution
of programs and that may provide services such as
resource allocation, scheduling, input/output control,
and data management. Although operating systems are
predominantly software, partial hardware
implementations are possible. (T)
operator. A person who operates a system .
operator message. A message from the operating
system or a program telling the operator to perform a
specific function or informing the operator of a specific
condition within the system, such as an error condition.
option. (1) A specification in a statement, a selection
from a menu, or a setting of a switch, that can be used
to influence the execution of a program. (2) A hardware
or software function that can be selected or enabled as
part of a configuration process. (3) A piece of hardware
(such as a network adapter) that can be installed in a
device to modify or enhance device function.
OS. Operating system.
P
page. The information displayed at the same time on
the screen of a display device.
panel. (1) A thin flat sheet, usually (a) of pressed
metal and carrying controls and indicators, (b) of glass,
or (c) of plastic. (2) A formatted display of information
that appears on a display screen.
parallel port. A port that transmits the bits of a byte
in parallel along the lines of the bus, one byte at a time,
to an I/O device. On a personal computer, it is used to
connect a device that uses a parallel interface, such as a
dot matrix printer, to the computer. Contrast with
serial
port .
PC. See personal computer .
personal computer (PC). A desktop, free-standing, or
portable microcomputer that usually consists of a
system unit, a display, a keyboard, one or more diskette
drives, internal fixed-disk storage, and an optional
printer. PCs are designed primarily to give independent
computing power to a single user and are
inexpensively priced for purchase by individuals or
small businesses.
plug. (1) A connector for attaching wires from a
device to a cable, such as a store loop. A plug is
inserted into a receptacle or plug. (2) To insert a
connector into a receptacle or socket.
Plug and Play (PnP). Pertaining to the capability of a
hardware or software component to be installed on a
system with minimal effort and to be available for use
immediately thereafter.
PnP. See Plug and Play .
point-of-sale (POS). A method of providing
information to support sales and of collecting the
resulting sales information from retail devices located
in stores.
port. (1) An access point for data entry or exit. (2) A
connector on a device to which cables for other devices
such as display stations and printers are attached.
Synonymous with
socket .
Glossary
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