Toshiba Portege 3500, User Manual

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Glossary
6 Portégé 3500
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data bits: A data communications parameter controlling the number of
bits (binary digits) used to make up a byte. If data bits = 7 the
computer can generate 128 unique characters. If data bits = 8 the
computer can generate 256 unique characters.
data: Information that is factual, measurable or statistical that a computer
can process, store, or retrieve.
DC: Direct Current. Electric current that flows in one direction. This type
of power is usually supplied by batteries.
default: The parameter value automatically selected by the system when
you or the program do not provide instructions. Also called a
preset value.
delete: To remove data from a disk or other data storage device.
Synonymous with erase.
device driver: A program that controls communication between a
specific peripheral device and the computer. The CONFIG.SYS file
contains device drivers that MS-DOS loads when you turn the
computer on.
dialog box: A window that accepts user input to make system settings or
record other information.
disk drive: The device that randomly accesses information on a disk and
copies it to the computer’s memory. It also writes data from
memory to the disk. To accomplish these tasks, the unit physically
rotates the disk at high speed past a read-write head.
disk storage: Storing data on magnetic disk. Data is arranged on
concentric tracks much like a phonograph record.
diskette: A removable disk that stores magnetically encoded data used
on a microcomputer. Also called floppy disk.
display: A CRT, plasma screen, LCD, or other image producing device
used to view computer output.
documentation: The set of manual and/or other instructions written for
the users of a computer system or application. Computer system
documentation typically includes procedural and tutorial
information as well as system functions.
DOS: Disk operating system. See operating system.
driver: A software program, generally part of the operating system, that
controls a specific piece of hardware (frequently a peripheral
device such as a printer or mouse).
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echo: To send back a reflection of the transmitted data to the sending
device. You can display the information on the screen, or output it
to the printer, or both. When a computer receives back data it
transmitted to a CRT (or other peripheral device) and then
retransmits the data to printer, the printer is said to echo the CRT.