Glossary
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LaCie Dupli Disc CD121
User’s Manual
modem or printer. The configuration also implies software: the operating system and various device managers (drivers), as
well as hardware settings and options set by the user via configuration files.
Controller –
This is a component or an electronic card (referred to in this case as a "controller card") that enables a computer
to communicate with or manage certain peripherals. The controller manages the operation of the peripheral associated with
it, and links the PC bus to the peripheral via a ribbon cable inside the PC. An external controller is an expansion card which
fills one of the free slots inside your PC and which enables a peripheral (CD-ROM drive, scanner or printer, for instance) to be
connected to the computer.
Cross-platform –
Term that refers to a device that is able to be operated by both Mac and Windows operating systems.
Data Stream –
The flow of data that accomplishes a task, usually related to moving data from storage to computer RAM or
between storage devices.
Digital –
Discrete information that can be broken down to zero or one bits.
Disc at Once (DAO) –
CD authoring process in which the entire CD is recorded in one session, and data cannot be added
after the recording is finished. This mode allows for the most control of the recording process for audio CDs because the gap
between tracks can be set and the maximum capacity of the CD can be utilized.
Driver (peripheral manager) –
A software component that enables the computer system to communicate with a peripheral.
Most peripherals will not operate correctly – if at all – if the appropriate drivers are not installed on the system.
File System –
Links the physical map of a disc to its logical structure. Thanks to the file system, users and computers can easily
display path, directories and files recorded onto the disc.
Firmware –
Permanent or semi-permanent instructions and data programmed directly into the circuitry of a programmable
read-only memory or an electronically-erasable, programmable read-only memory chip. Used for controlling the operation of
the computer or tape drive. Distinct from the software, which is stored in random access memory and can be altered.
Folder –
A list created on a disk to store files. Creating folders and sub-folders enables you to organize the storage of your
files in a logical, hierarchical manner so that you can find and manage them more easily.
Format, -ting, -ted –
This is a process where a device is prepared to record data. In this process, the hard disk writes special
information onto its own recording surfaces into areas (blocks) that are ready to accept user data. Since this operation causes
all current user data stored on the hard disk to be lost, this is an infrequent operation that usually only happens at the factory
that created the hard disk. It is unusual for something to happen to a hard disk that requires the end-user to initially perform
this operation.
GB (GigaByte) –
This value is normally associated with data storage capacity. Basically, it means a thousand million or a
billion bytes. In fact, it equals 1,073,741,824 bytes (or 1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024).
