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media uses a phase-change recording layer and is available as a bare disc, a
single-sided disc in a removable cartridge, or a dual-sided disc in a permanent
cartridge.
DVD-ROM –
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory) a disc with a
capacity up to 25 times greater than that of a CD-ROM, which offers digital
quality images for superior multimedia processing. The term DVD-ROM, which
indicates it is a disc that can be used in read-only mode, is generally used to
refer to a multimedia disc.
DVD-Video –
Using the same technology for DVD, this format is designed to
store movies on a DVD medium. Most DVD drives have the ability to read
DVD-Video.
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).
Hardware –
Physical components of a computer system, including the
computer itself and peripherals such as printers, modems, mice, etc.
