Appendix A
Glossary of Terms
Adapter Cards
Adapter cards (a.k.a, controller cards, expansion cards, interface cards, etc.) plug into slots of
the computer’s main data bus, or bus extensions such as Local Bus. They ‘adapt’ the flow of
data and instructions between the CPU and the device (peripheral).
Bootable CD
A bootable CD is one that the PC can boot from.
Bus
In computers, a bus is the main or continuous channel of electrical connection between the
CPU, the system memory (RAM), and the peripheral devices.
CD
The Compact Disc was first implemented commercially for storing digital audio (CD Digital
Audio). The CD is made up of a polycarbonate substrate, a thin reflective metallic layer (the
mirror-like aluminum), and a lacquer coating. The encoded data track is a spiral, with the pits
making a central band.
CD-Digital Audio
CD-Digital Audio was implemented to hold about 74 minutes of audio data, in up to 99 tracks
(songs) at a sampling rate of 44.1 KHz and a sample size of 16 bits, to produce high quality
stereo sound.
CD-Recordable
CD-Recordable technology allows production of CD-ROMs on the desktop (‘one-offs’). It
requires a CD-R recorder, appropriate software, a computer, and appropriate media.
CD-Recordable involves a special CID, the ‘one-off’ blank, very different from the mass
reproduced or ‘hot-pressed’ CDs. It is sold pregrooved, in 63 or 74 minute capacities, and it
involves a layered structure-with a sensitive chemical recording layer, almost always with a
gold reflective layer, and ready for a CD- Recordable drive. Once recorded, the CD-Recordable
discs (one-offs) perform in the same way as the mass-reproduced CDs.
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Appendix
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