Information
secvice
A
luge
dau
base
from
which subscribers
can
draw
news,
stock
quotes,
movie reviews,
and
other
information. Some also
have
software, electronic mail services,
and
electronic catalogs for discount
shopping.
lniLlaUze: To prepare a disk
so
the compulcr can
store information
on
it.
Another
word
for
format.
ink
Jel
printer:
A type
of
printer that forms
impressions
on
paper
by
squirting dots
of
ink
on
the paper. As with
dot
matrix printers,
the
dots
form characters
or
gnphics.
InpUl:
1lle
dau
you givt:
to
a program for
processing;
it
can
come
from
!.he
keyboard, a diSk,
a
modem,
or
some
other
device.
Input/output
(I/O):
1lle processes by which the
computer
ukes
input
(for
example,
characters
typed
at
the
keyboard)
into ItS memory
and
moves
output
to
a peripheral device Oike sending
characters
10
the
screen
of
a video monitor). Input
and
output occur
between
the computer
and
all
of
its devices, like disk drives, printers,
and
modems.
Integrated
drcult:
A miniarurized electrical
circuit
etchcd
on
a silicon chip. Usually this
chip
is
mounted
in a plastic case
or
·package.·
The
case
has
pins
that
connect
into a ciraJit
board
Also
called
an
ICor
a chip.
integrated
so(n,,'3rC:
A
group
of
application
programs, usually
on
one
disk,
designed
to
share
data. Typically,
such
software
indudes
a
word
processor,
data
base,
and
spreadsheeL
interface:
Hardware
or
software through which
computers
and
devices communicate.
interface
card:
A card you plug into
an
Applc lie
to
link the "Computer to a peripheral device.
Sometimes called a
peripheral
card
or
just
card
152
Glossory
Inlerprder:
A language translator that reads
through
a program statcment
by
statement.
translating
and
executing
each
instnJction
before
proceeding
to
the
next statement.
Compare
compiler.
In-use
Ughl: A light
on
the front
of
a disk drive
that
is
on
when
a disk drive
is
aetive---either
loading data from
or
storing data
on
a disk. Also
called the
dISk drille IighL
inverse
video,
A way
to
display characters,
such
that
the
brightness
of
the
character
and
its
background
are reversed. For
example,
a
normally bright character
becomes
dark,
and
its
normally
dark
background
becomes
brighL
I/O:
see
input/output.
I/O
ERROR: A message that appears
when
the
computer
has
a problem
communiating
with a
peripheral device.
Jack:
A simple, single-pin connector: for
example, the video jack
on
the back panel
of
an
Apple computer.
Jackel: For a S.2S-inch disk, the square plastic
wrapper into which the
disk
is
sealed. For a
3.5-
inch disk, the plastic case into which the disk
is
sealed.
The
jacket protectS
and
deans
the
disk.
Never remove a disk from its jacket. Comp2re
envelope.
jo}"sLlck: An accessory that moves creatures
and
objectS
in
game
programs.
K:
see
kllob}'le.
keyboard:
The principal device for
communicating with
the
computer.
It
looks
and
responds much like the keyboard
on
a typewriter.
keypad
See
numeric
keypad
ke)'S:
See
control
key,
special
keys,
and
specific
names
of
keys.
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