a protocol for sending e-mail messages between servers; most e-mail systems that send mail over the Internet use SMTP to send messages from one server to another; the messages can then be retrieved with an e-mail client using either POP or IMAP; in addition, SMTP is generally used to send messages from a mail client to a mail server; this is why you need to specify both the POP or IMAP server and the SMTP server when you configure your e-mail application
A video technology used by S-VHS and Hi-8 Video cameras and VCRs that produces higher-quality video than standard "composite" video format. It works by dividing the video signal into two parts, one for color and one for luminance. Since televisions are designed to display the signals for color and luminance separately, S-video displays sharper than composite on a TV screen. S-video inputs and cables use a special 5-pin connector instead of the RCA plug used by standard VHS and 8mm video equipment.
Often abbreviated SATA or S-ATA, an evolution of the Parallel ATA physical storage interface. Serial ATA is a serial link -- a single cable with a minimum of four wires creates a point-to-point connection between devices. Transfer rates for Serial ATA begin at 150 MBps and SATA II 300MBps. One of the main design advantages of Serial ATA is that the thinner serial cables facilitate more efficient airflow inside a computer case and also allow for smaller chassis designs.
To "write" or store a file or document you have been working on to a secondary storage device. Frequent use of the Save command could help resurrect at least some data after a system crash.
A peripheral that "digitizes" printed images, converting them to a digital form that can be manipulated by a computer. See related articles on scanners.
Small Computer System Interface, pronounced "scuzzy." Mostly used in Macintosh computers, SCSI ports require a controller board inside the computer, and they can handle up to seven peripherals connected in a daisy chain. (A computer's internal hard drive often counts as one of the seven.) One benefit of SCSI is a transfer rate as high as 5 megabytes per second. The disadvantages include the wide variety of connectors and overall fussy nature when setting up multiple devices.
Newer versions of SCSI support even higher transfer rates. "Fast SCSI" has a maximum transfer rate of 10 Mbps, and "Wide SCSI" moves data as fast as 20 Mbps.
A card that serves as a driver for an SCSI port.
A port for connecting peripherals to an SCSI interface.
Any non-volatile device -- such as a floppy disk, hard disk drive or tape drive -- that stores data permanently, even when the power is off. See primary storage.
Financial or other business transactions carried out using privacy and authentication procedures adequate to the nature and risks of the transaction. In general, on the Internet, this means using Secure HTTP, Secure MIME, encryption, or other procedures to protect privacy and the use of credit card numbers and other personal information.
The average time it takes the read/write heads in a hard disk drive to move between tracks on a platter. The lower the seek time, the faster the hard drive. Also known as "access time."
A connector on a computer to which you can connect peripherals that communicate using a serial (not parallel) configurations, such as modems, serial printers or other computers.
A central computer that "serves" information to other computers, or clients, connected by a network. Also see e-mail server, Web server.
Software distributed on the basis of an honor system. Most shareware is delivered free of charge, but the author usually requests that you pay a small fee if you like the program and use it regularly. By sending the small fee, you become registered with the producer so that you can receive service assistance and updates. You can copy shareware and pass it along to friends and colleagues, but they too are expected to pay a fee if they use the product.
Single Inline Memory Module. A memory module used to increase the amount of RAM in a computer. Most SIMMs come with 72-pin interfaces.
The family of Motorola microprocessors used in the first generation of Macintosh personal computers. Also referred to as "68K," 680x0 (in which the 'x' is the missing numeral) is a generic term that includes the 68000 through 68040. Mac computer manufacturers have stopped using 68K chips in favor of the PowerPC family of RISC microprocessors.
Traditional, paper-and-postage mail sent via the postal service.
Computer programs, as opposed to the hardware that runs the programs.
a hardware interface that is either built into a computer's motherboard or inserted into one of the computer's internal expansion slots. Sound cards allow the computer to play digital audio and/or musical instrument sounds. Many sound cards also provide a MIDI interface.
Programming instructions for the computer, written in a programming language which is later converted ("interpreted" or "compiled") into machine language the computer can understand. Select "view source" or "view document source" in your Web browser, and you can see the source code for this Web page.
Spamware is software designed by or for spammers. Spamware varies widely, but may include the ability to import thousands of addresses, to generate random addresses, to insert fraudulent headers into messages, to use dozens or hundreds of mail servers simultaneously, and to make use of open relays. The sale of spamware is illegal in eight U.S. states.
A general term for a class of software that monitors the actions of a computer user. This software falls into a number of categories: Software that may be installed legitimately to provide security or workplace monitoring, software with relatively benign purposes that may be associated with marketing data collection and software that is maliciously installed, either as a general violation of a user’s privacy or to collect information to allow further attacks on their computer or online
1:Describes the criterion or standards of performance which must be attained. An established norm against which measurements are compared; 2: Technical specifications that lay down characteristics of a product such as size, quality, performance, or safety. Standards may also cover terminology, testing methods, packaging, labelling, or marking requirements; 3: Agreed principles of protocol. Standards are set by committees working under various trade and international organizations.
A realtime delivery method for sound or video that allows a user to experience the file as it is being downloaded, instead of having to wait for the entire file to download before it can be played.
A type of disk (about the physical size of a floppy disk) that can hold about 100 megabytes of data (about 160-200 megabytes using compression software). A superfloppy is used as a quick way to store chunks of data or move them from one place to another.
See crash.
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