Glossary 7
multimedia
Integrated forms of media such as sound, text, graphics, and video.
N
nonvolatile memory
Storage media that retains its data when system power is turned off. Nonvolatile
memory in the Versa is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip
which is backed up by an internal battery. The backup battery preserves the
clock/calendar data and system configuration parameters stored in CMOS. See volatile
memory.
O
operating system
Set of programs that manage the overall operation of the computer.
overwrite
Storing information at a location where information is already stored, thus destroying
the original information.
P
page
A type of message transmission in which a message is sent or received via modem to a
paging device from a computer (with paging communications software) or telephone.
parallel interface
Interface that communicates multiple data bits at a time.
parallel printer
A printer with a parallel interface.
parameter
A characteristic of a device or system.
partition
Process of dividing mass storage (hard disk drive) into isolated or separate sections.
Partitioning a hard drive creates additional logical drives, e.g., a 5.1 GB hard drive
partitioned into three logical drives creates drives C, D, and E. Partitioning facilitates
file management by allowing you to isolate the computer’s operating system to drive C
while storing applications and data files on separate drives D and E (also referred to as
partitions).
