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T - Refer to tera.

T1 - A type of data connection able to transmit a digital signal at 1.544 megabits per second. T1 lines often are used to link large computer networks together, such as those that make up the Internet. Although T1 lines can support video, it is not TV-quality, full-motion video.

T2 - Connection device. Throughput is approximately 6.3 MBps.

T3 - A type of connection from a computer to the Internet, transmitting a digital signal at 44.746 megabits per second. T3 connection is more than fast enough to support data transfer necessary for full-screen, full-motion video.

TA - Refer to terminal adapter.

Tab - An indention at the beginning of a line to signify a new paragraph in a document. Usually about five spaces, tabs primarily are used to ensure equal spacing from line to line there also is a tab called the write-protect tab on diskettes. When in a certain position, this tab, which is also known as a notch, prevents data on the diskette from being overwritten or erased.

Tab character - A text character that directs a word processing program or printer to move the cursor or printer head to the next tab stop.

TAB key - A keyboard key that inserts a tab character or advances the cursor to other tab settings on a line. This key can also move between selectable items in a dialog box.

Tab stop - A place on a text line where the cursor goes when the TAB key is depressed. In word-processing documents, tab stops usually are placed at regular intervals across the line, but can be set wherever the user wants them.

Table - An arrangement of information in rows and columns that makes comparing and contrasting easier.

Tablet - Refer to graphics tablet.

Tagged image file format (TIFF) - A common way to store bit-mapped graphic images on both PCs and Macintosh computers. TIFF is a platform-independent format, which means a TIFF image created on a PC can be viewed on a Macintosh and vice versa. .Bit-map files, on the other hand are a graphic format for the Windows environment. This format was specifically designed for scanned images and is commonly used for that purpose. It also can be used in some applications to save images created on computers.

Tap - An access point onto a local-area network (LAN).

Tape - A strip of magnetically coated plastic that stores data. Tape storage is less expensive and has a higher storage capacity than diskette storage, but accessing data on it is much slower because information is stored sequentially, and the tape drive must be forward or reversed to a specific point on the tape to retrieve data. This storage method used to be popular as a main storage however currently is used mainly for backup.

TAPI - Refer to telephony application programming interface.

Target - The destination file or device for information transferred internally or over communication lines.

Task - One of several programs or subprograms that runs in a computer's multitasking environment. Each program is assigned a task number. For example if you're running Windows and you start Paintbrush, the program is assigned a task number and is one of the tasks Windows is running at that point.

Taskbar - A bar usually located at the bottom of Windows 95, NT 4.0, and Windows 98, that shows currently open programs and allows you to move between programs. This bar also will allow you to access most programs on the computer as well as show you the time, date, and other helpful information.

Task list - A menu that appears in Windows 3.1 when users press the CTRL+ESC key combination which provides a list of open applications from which to choose. In Windows 95, that key combination opens the start menu.

Task switcher - Refer to task switching.

Task switching - To change from one active task to another without losing your place in the first task. Task switching differs from multitasking in that programs switched to the background do not continue to process information but can be brought back to the foreground at any time. For example, if you were working in word processor and you switched to another program, when you return to the word processor, the cursor will be in the same place it was before switching.

TB - Refer to terabyte.

TCP - Refer to Transmission Control Protocol.

TCP/IP - Refer to Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

TCP/IP stack - Refer to Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

Tear-off menu - A menu that can be separated from the application window in a graphical user interface and moved to another location on the screen. This is done by dragging the menu and releasing the mouse button when the user has positioned the menu in the desired location.

Technical support - Refer to customer support.

Technobabble - A complicated and almost incomprehensible language used to describe or define an aspect of technology. Technobabble is the computer world's version of "legal-ese."

Technology Without An Interesting Name (TWAIN) A standard interface for scanning equipment. Most scanners come with a TWAIN or TWAIN32 driver, which allows scanners to work with any software that supports TWAIN. These drivers often allow graphics programs to automatically activate a scanner or other input device.

Telecommunications - Transmitting data electronically over a communications line. Telecommunications includes using a modem to send a file, using a fax machine to send a document to another person, and using a modem to access a bulletin board service (BBS) or online service.

Telecommuting - To work at home and communicate with an office via telecommunications line. Telecommuting is increasingly popular as the technology that allows works to work from a company from home effectively becomes available. Many companies allow works to telecommute a few days a week, but require them to work in the office much of the time as well.

Teleconferencing - To hold a conference or meeting over telephone lines where users in separate locations can all hear one another speak. Computer, audio and sometimes video equipment is lined to the telephone systems to enable these conferences to take place.

Telecopying - Refer to fax.

Telephony - Technology that lets users use a PC to make and receive telephone calls. Telephony software often includes features such as voice mail, auto dialing, and on screen messaging. Sounds are converted into electronic signals as they are transmitted to another location where they are converted back to sound. Telephony includes communications such as teleconferencing and facsimile (fax). Telephone also lets you have a universal Inbox, where E-mail, fax, and voice mail messages are all accessible from your computer.

Telephone Applications Programming Interface (TAPI) - A standard that allows PC support of a broad range of communications devices. It also allows computer to interface with telephone equipment.

Teleprinter - Refer to teletypewriter.

Teleprocessing - To use a computer equipped with communications software to access distant computers and files. A term coined by IBM. Also called remote control computing.

Teletypewriter (TTY) - A communications setup that has a keyboard and a printer. When a key is pressed on keyboard, a signal is sent to the printer and the appropriate character is printed.

Telnet - Terminal emulation in which a user is connected to a remote host using an Internet account as if the user were directly connected to the host. For example, typing telnet hostname connects a user to a host name "hostname." After a prompt for a user name and password, the session continues as if the user was at a terminal connected to the host, though the user is actually connected to another site, using the Internet connect to the host.

Template - A ready-to-use, permanent document setup with basic layout, formatting commands, and formulas. Users can enter information to create individualized reports, letters, and other documents.

Temporary directory (TEMP directory)- A specific directory on a hard drive, usually named "TEMP," used as a storage space for temporary files.

Temporary file - A file designed to store information while a user is working with that file. Temporary files are retrieved from storage by an application and manipulated by the user, leaving the original file intact until the user saves it under the original file name. Temp files are created automatically by applications and usually are deleted automatically. In some cases the files are not deleted and are safe to delete, temporary files will usually end with .tmp.

Tera (T) - A prefix that stands for 1 trillion.

Terabyte (TB) - A unit used to measure a storage device's capacity. One terabyte equal's 1,099,511,627,776.

Terminal - A set of hardware normally composed of a keyboard and a monitor that allows the user to communicate with the internal CPU, is also a program shipped with Windows systems, as well as a software application designed for all plat forms of computers that allows you to connect to another computer.

Terminal adapter (TA) - A device that lets a PC interface with another computer via an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) phone line. It is the equivalent of a modem for an ISDN communications line.

Terminal emulation - A technique in which a computer acts like a type of terminal other than its own by using special software to communicate with another computer, such as a mainframe.

Terminate-and-stay-resident program (TSR) - A program that remains in memory until it is needed then performs some function. An example of a TSR would be a program such as a Virus Scanner.

Texas Instruments Graphics Architecture (TIGA) - A graphics specification developed by Texas Instruments that doesn't require a specific resolution or a set amount of colors.

Text - Alphanumeric data that a computer stores as ASCII characters, the code for representing English characters as numbers.

Text-based interface - Refer to character-based interface.

Text cursor - A blinking horizontal or vertical line or a square that denotes where new characters or changes will appear in a text field.

Text editing - Refer to edit mode.

Text editor - Refer to editor

Text file - A file that holds text characters and groups of text characters. The file is saved in ASCII format. Text files have no formatting, such as bold, italic, underlining or any type of special formatting.

Text flow - Refer to text wrap.

Text mode - A display mode where the screen is divided into rows and columns of boxes, in which only Alphanumeric characters are shown. Also called character mode or Alphanumeric mode. In addition, Text mode can describe the state of a computer when it displays only text. A computer running DOS is usually in Text mode, unless it is running a program that includes graphic elements.

Text-only - A display mode that shows text without any graphics. In a Web browser text only mode would people with slow modems to view the internet faster without having to load image.

Text wrap - Feature in most word processors that allows the user to continue typing and have the text continue on the next line without having to press enter.

Texture mapping - To give surface texture to an image in a computer graphics program.

TFT - Refer to thin film transistor.

Thermal printer - A printer that uses heated pins to "burn" images onto heat-sensitive paper. The pins are electrically heated and brought into contact with the specially treated paper easily, instead of with great impact. The coating on the paper discolors when heated in this way. These printers, used in calculators and many fax machines, are inexpensive, but produce low-quality, low resolution print. They are however, quiet and fast as they print.

Thermal transfer printer - Printer that uses a heat element to transfer images from a thermal wax ribbon to the paper. Pins like those in a plain thermal printer apply heat to a colored wax ribbon which melts onto the paper, cools and resolidifies to create the image. This type of printer is more expensive than inkjet printer, but less expensive than laser printers. The cost per page however, is fairly high. Thermal transfer printers can generate nearly photo-realistic output.

Thermal wax paper - Refer to Thermal transfer printer.

Thermal wax-transfer printer - Refer to Thermal transfer printer.

Thesaurus - A tool included with some word processors that provides synonyms for selected words on command.

Thick Ethernet - A type of Ethernet cable that is one centimeter in diameter and used to connect machines up to 3,300 feet apart.

Thimble printer - Printer that uses a typing element called a thimble, which contains a full set of characters, to press images on paper through a ribbon. The result is the same as with a daisy-wheel printer, which has the characters on spokes of a wheel, and is nearly indistinguishable from a typewriter product. Thimble printers are cheap, but slow, compared to laser printers. Popular before inkjet and laser printers.

Thin Ethernet - A type of Ethernet cable that is five millimeters in diameter and used to connect machines up to 1,000 feet apart.

Thin Film Transistor (TFT) - Sometimes called active-matrix LCD's. A type of flat-panel PC. screen used on portable computers. Each pixel is controlled by between one and for transistors. Making TFT screens faster, brighter, and more colorful than passive matrix screens, which use a grid of transistors to turn rows and columns of pixels on and off. TFT provides the best resolution of any flat panel technique, but is also the most expensive.

Third party - A company other than the original manufacture who sells hardware, software, and even books for a product, such as a computer.

Thread - A message and its response in a newsgroup or mailing list. A thread is a conversation of sorts as people continue to add responses to previous responses. Thread also can refer to a small, independent set of operations belonging to a larger program being executed.

Threading - Refer to multithreading.

Three-dimensional (3-D) - A visual classification indicating that an object has or appears to have depth of field. In computers, 3-D video and audio devices do not necessarily offer three dimensions, but they usually have greater depth and richer output. A 3-D audio device uses psycho-acoustic technology to "trick" the brain into believing sound is coming from all directions rather than from two speakers. 3-D video cards offer better graphics by using fast, built-in hardware to do certain computing tasks rather than software to perform some graphics calculations. The result is a more fluid image with enhanced colors.

Throughput - The number of useful data bits transmitted each second by a modem or processed by a CPU., usually measured in bits higher than data transfer speed because of its compressed to 5KB and then transmitted through a modem in 1 second, the data transfer speed is 5Kbps and the throughput speed is 10Kbps.

Thumbnail - A smaller version of a graphic or document page that takes up less pace on the screen to allow multiple images to be viewed simultaneously. These smaller images also are faster to load than full size images. On the World Wide Web, a Thumbnail graphic can sometimes be clicked to begin the automatic loading of a full-sized image.

.TIF - Refer to tagged image file format.

TIFF - Refer to tagged image file format.

TIGA - Refer to Texas Instruments Graphics Architecture.

Tile - Refer to tiling.

Tiled windows - Refer to tiling.

Tiling - A method of arranging open windows so none overlap and all are visible.

Time out - A communications program error that results when a responds is not given in a specified length of time. For example, you can be disconnected from an online service if you do nothing for a period of time.

Time-sharing - To give multiple users access to a system at the same time. In a time sharing computer system, a computer gives users its processing time one at a time in small portions so it appears the activity is happening at exactly the same time. This is similar to multitasking, but instead of one user and multiple processes, time-sharing involves multiple users. Most mainframes and minicomputers are time sharing computers; most PCs are not.

Time-slice - The length of time each user gets on a multi-user system, or the length of time each segment of a program gets in multitasking.

Title bar - The bar located along the top of a window or dialog box that displays the application's name.

TOF - Refer to top-of-file.

Toggle - To switch back and forth between settings, such as on and off. Also can mean the actual switch that controls these settings.

Token - Special bit of data passed from computer to computer in a token-ring network. Possession of the token grants an individual computer to send data over the network.

Token passing - Network control protocol in which a special pattern of bits called a token grants the right of a computer to send a message. It is analogous to a relay race. Each runner must receive the baton before running. Each computer in the network has to wait for the token before it can send the message.

Toner - Dry, powdery pigment used by laser printers and copy machines to form images on paper.

Toner cartridge - Removable container that holds toner for a laser printer, and which can be thrown away when empty. Some toner cartridges contain only the toner, while others include the photosensitive drum, making it less likely that someone will touch the drum and damage or mark its surface.

Toolbar - Row of boxes, often at the top of an application window, which control various functions of the software. The boxes often contain images that correspond with the function they control.

Top-of-file (TOF) - The starting point of a file, generally accompanied by a character that indicates the document's beginning and informs the user that no information is missing.

Topology - The physical configuration of a network that determines how the network's computers are connected. Common configuration include the bus, star, and ring.

TOPS - Refer to Transparent operating system.

Touch pad - An input device for some portable computers. Moving an object such as a pen or a finger, across the touch pad moves a pointer on the screen; tapping one's finger on the pad is the same as clicking the mouse button. Some touch pads also can be used to up and down by moving your finger up and down on the very right hand side of the touch pad.

Touch screen - A type of monitor with a sensitive panel directly on the screen that registers the touch of a finger as input. Some, instead of being touch-sensitive use beams across the screen to create a grid which is interrupted by the presence of a finger near the screen.

Touch-sensitive tablet - Refer to touch pad.

Touch tablet - Refer to graphics tablet.

Tower - Refer to tower model.

Tower case - The upright case that holds tower model computers.

Tower configuration - Refer to tower model.

Tower model - Housing method where the components of a computer are staked vertically in an upright case. This is opposite of the desktop models and allows heat to rise and escape more easily as well as more easy accessibility to components within the computer.

TPI - Refer to tracks per inch.

Track - A data storage ring on a diskette or hard drive. A double-density diskette that continues 80 concentric tracks, and a high-density diskette has 160. Tracks are recorded onto a diskette by an operating system during a diskette format and can be further broken down into sectors.

Trackball - Type of input device that looks like an upside-down mouse. The onscreen pointer is moved by the trackball with a thumb or finger. A trackball requires less arm and wrist motion that a regular mouse takes.

Track density - Refer to tracks per inch.

Tracking - To synchronize the movement of an on-screen pointer or cursor with that of an input device such as a mouse.

Tracking speed - The rate at which a mouse (or other input device) pointer travels across a computer screen. The tracking speed often can be adjusted relative of how fast you move t he mouse, so the speed at which the pointer moves on your screen may not be the same speed at which you are moving the mouse.

Track pitch - The distance between two tracks on a surface. In computing, it affects the tracks per inch (TIP) or the density of tracks on a diskette.

Tracks per inch (TPI) - The number of tracks that will fit in a given area on a diskette. The higher the TPI, the more data a diskette can hold.

Tractor feed - Refer to pin feed.

Traffic - How much activity is taking place on a communications system. Too many users on a network will lead to more traffic than the system was designed to carry, or a kind of traffic jam. Overloaded networks will sometimes malfunction, so network administrators work to control traffic.

Trailer - The last part of a data transmission usually containing error-correction information that confirms whether the transmission made it through intact.

Transition log - Refer to change file.

Transaction processing - Dependent upon user input. After a user enters a request, or transaction, the computer will immediately respond.

Transceiver - A transmitter / receiver that can send and accept information. For example, a modem or other device that provides an input / output connection to the internet or a local-area network.

Transducer - A mechanism for transforming energy. For example, transducers in sonar transmitters change electricity into sound waves.

Transfer - Transmitting data from point A to point B, whether the points are on a communications link or between components on a computer system.

Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol - Refer to Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.

Transfer Rate - The speed at which information or instructions can be moved between locations. Transfer rate is measure din units of information per units of time. For example, the transfer rate for a modem is measured in bits per second (bps).

Transfer time - The length of time it takes to complete a data transmission.

Transformer - Set of coils wound around a core (usually iron but sometimes air cores are used) that creates a magnetic field coupling energy between two or more coils or windings. Used to step up or step down voltages or currents.

Transient - An area in RAM where a program resides until it is replaced by another opened program. The term also can refer to the program in such storage. Also can mean a random, inexplicable electronics error.

Transistor - Used to control the amount of current for the purpose of amplification, oscillation and switching. There are two types; NPN and PNP (Not to be confused with Plug and Play or PnP). There are several methods of constructions; among these are MOSFET and JFET.

Transmission - The information sent over a communications line.

Transmission channel - Refer to channel.

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, TCP/IP is a language governing communications among all computers on the Internet. TCP / IP is two separate protocols, TCP and IP, that are used together. The Internet Protocol portion of the standard dictates how packets of information are sent out over networks. IP has a packet-addressing method that lets any computer on the Internet forward a packet to another computer that is a step (or more) closer to the packet's recipient. The transmission Control Protocol ensures the reliability of data transmission across Internet connected networks. TCP checks packets for errors and submits request for re-transmissions if errors are found; it also will return the multiple packets of a message into a proper, original sequence when the message reaches its destination.

Transmission standard - Refer to CCITTV series.

Transmit (XMT) - Sending data over one point to another point, usually over a telecommunications link.

Transmit data (TXD) - A physical line that transmits information between two sources, such as a computer to a modem.

Transparent - A device or program that has no effect on the data that passes through it, or a device or program that works so efficiently that the user is unaffected or unaware that it is even working. When referring to graphics refers to an image that is clear and can take the effect of any images behind it.

Transparent operating system (TOPS) - A local-area network (LAN) that can connect IBM, Apple, and Sun microcomputers to each other. Transparent means that users see the interface for the computer they are using. TOPS doesn't require a dedicated file server, as it uses peer-to-peer communications.

Transportable computer - Refer to portable computer.

Trap - Refer to Interrupt.

Trap handler - Refer to interrupt handler.

Tree structure - A hierarchical data structure that organizes data elements, called nodes, by connecting them with links, called branches. To see a good example of this see our Site Map Page.

Trichomatic - Using a mixture of red, yellow, and blue to render the entire color spectrum. A color inkjet printer's ink cartridge will have vials of each color inside, which it sprays in different quantities onto paper to create other colors.

Trillion - One Million - Million (1,000,000,000,000).

Triplet - A byte that is made up of three bits. Although most modern computer systems define a byte as eight bits, manufactures can define a byte as a different number of bits.

Trojan horse - A virus that falsely appears to be useful application, such as a game or a utility, that slips into a system unnoticed.

Troubleshoot - To solve problems or attempt to ascertain what may be wrong with a device or program.

True BASIC - A version of the programming language BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) that the original authors, John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz, wrote in 1983 to update the language in response to criticisms of the original language. True BASIC is a compiled, structured language. It doesn't require line numbers, as the original BASIC did, and includes the advanced control structures necessary for structured programming.

True color - The use of at least 24 bits to represent each pixel in a graphic. More than 16 million colors can be shown with 24-bit color. This is substantially more than approximately 250 colors that the unaided human eye can discern.

True complement - Refer to complement.

TrueType - A scalable font that can be printed or displayed on-screen at any size introduced in 1991 and developed by Microsoft Corp. and Apple Computer, TrueType fonts can be used by all Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

TSOP - Gained in status with the advent of the SIMM however was surpassed by SOJ.

TSR - Refer to Terminate-and-Stay-Resident program.

TTY - Refer to teletypewriter.

Turing machine - A machine proposed by Alan Turing in 1936 that became the foundation for theories about computing and computers. The machine was a device that printed symbols on paper tape in a manner that emulated a person following a series of logical instructions. Turning went on to propose that computers could equal the though process of a human brain, if a set number of states of mind could be determined.

Turning test - Test developed by Alan Turning, the inventor of the Turning machine. The test proposed that if a computer could pass for a human in his test it could be said to be able to "think." Turning's test involved putting a human interrogator in a room with two terminals, one connected to a human the other to a computer. If the interrogator couldn't tell the difference between the two during his communication, the computer passed and demonstrated human intelligence. So far, no computer has passed the test.

Turnaround time - Refer to response time.

Turnkey system - A computer system that is ready-to-go (just "turn the key"). Turnkey systems come equipped with all necessary hardware and software for a specific environment or set of tasks. For example, a law office might have a turnkey system set up with software needed for the staff's tasks. Not all consumer PCs are turnkey system; many consumers need to add software or hardware to the PC before being able to use it for their specific needs.

Turnpike effect - The "rush-hour traffic" on a communications line or network. Too many users can slow or even stop the transfer of information.

Turtle graphics - Refer to logo.

Tutorial - An instructional lesson. Tutorials can be presented in almost any medium: books, tapes, programs, and CD-ROMs. Many programs, including the Windows operating system, include a tutorial so you can practice the software before using it.

TWAIN - Refer to Technology Without An Interesting Name.

Tweak - To make minor improvements to a computer system.

Tweening - To render the stages of transformation from one shape to another in a graphics program. For example, in a graphics program was tweening a triangle into a circle, the program could be told to show each of the steps during this change.

Twisted-pair cable - A type of cable made by intertwining two separate insulated wires together. There are two types of twisted pair: shielded and unshielded. Shielded has a fine wire mesh surrounding the wires to protect the transmission; unshielded does not. Shielded cable is used in older telephone networks, network, and data communications to reduce outside interference.

Two's complement - A binary number that is created by reversing all the digits and then adding 1. In computing, the two's complement often is used to represent negative numbers.

TXD - Refer to transmit data.

.TXT - Refer to text file.

Type - To input characters into a computer with a keyboard. Also can be used to describe the characters that make up text.

Type 1 font - The most common type of PostScript font.

Typeahead - When a program stores characters in a buffer before sending them to the screen. Although many program have this capability, it is not universal. You can see typeahead when, for example, you are typing in a word processor document, and an automatic save operation takes place; the letters you typed as you were saving will appear after the document has been saved.

Typeahead buffer - Storage area that hods typed characters.

Type ball - A sphere that contains raised character son its surface. Mounted on the printer head of a printer or typewriter, a type ball is used to imprint characters onto a paper's surface.

Typeface - Certain design for a chargers set. The typeface is just one aspect of a character's font. Examples of typefaces you're likely to find in a word processor program or other programs are Arial, Times New Roman, and Garamond.

Type font - Refer to font.

Typematic rate - The number of times a computer will repeat a character when its key is held down. Sometimes refereed to as the repeat rate.

Typeover mode - Refer to Overwrite mode.

Type size - How the dimensions of a character appear on-screen and on paper. Type size is measured in points. For example, a common type size for words in a newspaper article is 10 points, while a head line would be larger.

Typesetter - Refer to imagesetter.

Type style - The extent to which a typeface is slanted. If characters have no slang (upright), they are called normal type. If they are slanted it is refereed to italic.

 

   

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