Glossary
page 19
LaCie FireWire 800 PCI Card
User’s Manual
Digital –
Discrete information that can be broken down to zero or one bits.
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).
Hardware –
Physical components of a computer system, including the computer itself and peripherals such as printers,
modems, mice, etc.
Host Bus Adapter (HBA) –
A printed circuit board that installs in a standard microcomputer and an interface between the
device controller and the computer. Also called a controller.
Initialize, -ed, Initialization –
After a hard drive (or other storage device) is formatted and partitioned, some special data
needs to be written to it that helps the Mac and Windows create files and save data. The process is called initialization. This
process, like formatting, causes all user data on the storage device to be lost.
Interface –
The protocol data transmitters, data receivers, logic and wiring that link one piece of computer equipment to
another, such as a hard drive to an adapter or an adapter to a system bus. Protocol means a set of rules for operating the
physical interface, such as: do not read or write before the drive is ready.
I/O (Input/Output) –
Refers to an operation, program or device whose purpose is to enter data into or to extract data from a
computer.
