Windows XP Starter Edition GlossaryAactive Describes the window or icon that you are currently using or that is currently selected. The operating system always applies the next keystroke or command you choose to the active window. Windows or icons on the desktop that are not selected are inactive. To make a window or icon active, click on it. active content Information that updates the data it displays, such as a stock ticker, a weather map, or news. Active content is usually updated from the World Wide Web. Automatic Updates A security feature that allows Windows to automatically download and install security updates, critical updates, and service packs according to the schedule you determine. You can also set up Automatic Updates to notify you whenever important updates are available. Bbackground The image displayed on the Windows desktop. You can choose any pattern or picture that can be stored as a bitmap (.bmp) file and display it as the screen background. Bcc An abbreviation for blind carbon copy. If you add a recipient's name to this box when addressing an e-mail message, a copy of the message is sent to that recipient, and the recipient's name is not visible to other recipients of the message. broadband connection A high-speed Internet connection such as DSL or cable modem service. browser Software that formats and displays HTML files as Web pages. Some browsers also permit you to send and receive e-mail, read newsgroups, and play sound or video files embedded in Web documents. Internet Explorer is a Web browser. See also World Wide Web CCc An abbreviation for carbon copy. If you add a recipient's name to this box in an e-mail message, a copy of the message is sent to that recipient, and the recipient's name is visible to other recipients of the message. check box Check boxes are used to enable or disable one or more features or options from a set. When an option is selected, an x or a check mark appears in the box. clear To turn off an option by removing the X or check mark from a check box. You clear a check box by clicking it, or by selecting it and then pressing the SPACEBAR. click To position the mouse over an object, and then press and release the primary (left) mouse button. client A computer that uses shared network resources provided by another computer (called a server). See also server command An instruction to a computer program that, when issued by the user, causes an action to be carried out. Commands are usually either typed at the keyboard or chosen from a menu. command-prompt window A window displayed on the desktop used to interface with the MS-DOS operating system. MS-DOS commands are typed at an entry point identified by a blinking cursor. See also MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) Ddesktop An on-screen work area that is set up just like a real desk. On it, you will find items such as icons, menus, and windows that you will use to open programs and complete tasks. The Windows desktop allows you to move and rearrange these objects and to start and stop as if you were working on an actual desk. See also graphical user interface device Any piece of equipment that can be attached to a network or computer, such as a computer, printer, joystick, adapter, or modem card, or other peripheral equipment. Devices normally require a device driver to function with Windows. See also device driver; peripheral device driver A software program that allows a specific device (such as a modem, network adapter, or printer) to communicate with the operating system. Although a device might be installed on your system, Windows cannot use the device until you have installed and configured the appropriate driver. Device drivers that are set up and operating load automatically and run invisibly when a computer is started. When you need to obtain or update a driver, it is often available from the device manufacturers Web site. dial-up connection The connection to your network if you are using a device that uses the telephone network. dialog box A special window displayed by a program that contains buttons and various options for the user to carry out commands and tasks. disk A storage device that is attached to a computer. Examples include floppy disks (removable) or hard disks (internal and permanent part of the computer). double-click To press and release a mouse button twice without moving the mouse. Double-clicking is a means of rapidly selecting and activating a program or program feature. See also click, drag download To transfer a copy of a file from the Internet to your computer by using a modem or network. drag To move an item on the screen by selecting the item and then pressing and holding down the mouse button while moving the mouse. For example, you can move a window to another location on the screen by dragging its title bar. drag-and-drop To perform operations by dragging objects on the screen with the mouse. For example, to delete a document, a user can drag the document icon across the screen and drop it in the Recycle Bin. By positioning the document over the Recycle Bin until the Recycle Bin is highlighted, the document goes inside the Recycle Bin folder when the mouse is released. See also drag, graphical user interface drive, drive letter An area of storage that is formatted with a file system and has a drive letter. The storage can be a floppy disk, a CD, a hard disk, or another type of disk. Drives are named by letter, beginning with A, followed by a colon. You can view the contents of a drive by clicking its icon in Windows Explorer or My Computer. drop-down menu A menu that drops from the menu bar when the user clicks on it and remains open without further action until the user clicks the mouse again or chooses a menu item. Eembedded object Information created in another program that has been pasted inside your document. When information is embedded, you can edit the information in the new document using toolbars and menus from the original program. To edit the embedded information, double-click it and the toolbars and menus from the program used to create the information appear. Embedded information is not linked to the original source. If you change information in one place, it is not updated in the other. Ffile A file is the basic unit of storage that enables a computer to distinguish one set of information from another. Similar to a paper document that can contain text and pictures, a file is a collection of data that a user can retrieve, change, delete, save, or send to an output device such as a printer or e-mail program. Files can contain a program, data used by a program, or a user-created document. file name extension Windows file names always include three-letter file extensions. Extensions follow the period in a file name and indicate the type of information stored in a file. For example, in the file name Example.txt, the file name extension is .txt. The extension indicates that this file is a text file. You do not need to insert the extension when saving the file. The program will insert the extension automatically. file type A designation of the characteristics of a file. The file type identifies the program, such as Microsoft Word, that is used to open the file. File types are associated with a file name extension. For example, files that have the .txt or .log extension are of the Text Document type and can be opened using any text editor, such as Notepad or WordPad (available in the Accessories folder on the Start menu). firewall A firewall is a security system that acts as a protective boundary between a network (such as the Internet) and the outside world. In Windows XP Starter Edition, Windows Firewall is automatically set to ON. floppy disk A reusable rigid 3.5-inch data storage medium. Floppy disks used today hold 1.44 MB of data. It is called a floppy because the first varieties were housed in bendable jackets. folder A container for programs and files symbolized on the screen by an icon (small picture) of a file folder. A folder can hold both files and other folders. A folder is the best way to organize programs and documents on your disk. font A set of typographical characters that displays letters, numbers, and symbols. See also typeface fragmentation The scattering of parts of the same file over different areas of the hard disk. Fragmentation occurs as files on a disk are deleted and new files are added. This eventually slows disk access and degrades the overall performance of disk operations. The Disk Defragmentation tool is designed to resolve this issue. It is located in the System Tools folder inside the Accessories folder on the Start menu. Ggame port A connector to which you attach a joy stick or other game device to your computer. See also serial port gigabyte (GB) Measurement of data, 1,024 megabytes. See also kilobyte (KB); megabyte (MB) graphical user interface (GUI) A visual computer environment that represents programs, files, and options with small pictures on the computer screen. Items include icons, menus, and dialog boxes. The user can select and activate these options by pointing and clicking with a mouse or with the keyboard. Most navigation items (such as scroll bars) work the same way for the user in all programs. Hhard disk A device (also called hard disk drive) that records and stores data. The hard disk is usually located inside the computer. hardware The physical components of a computer system. Equipment such as printers, modems, and mouse devices are also classified as hardware. highlight To use your keyboard or mouse to specify data or text on the screen by marking it, with the intent of performing some operation on it. hyperlink Colored and underlined text or a graphic that you click to go to a file, a location in a file, or a Web page on the World Wide Web. Iicon A small image displayed on the screen that represents an object that you can manipulate. Icons allow you to perform many computer actions without needing to remember or type commands. input language The language and keyboard layout designed for the language that you type in. insertion point The place where text will be inserted when typed. The insertion point usually appears as a flashing vertical bar in an application's window or in a dialog box. install To add program files and folders to your computer for the first time. Installing is different from upgrading a program, which updates existing program files and folders to a more recent version. Internet A worldwide network of computer servers. If you have access to the Internet, you can retrieve information from millions of sources, including schools, governments, businesses, and individuals. See also World Wide Web Internet service provider (ISP) A company that provides access to the Internet and the World Wide Web. An ISP provides a telephone number, a user name, a password, and other connection information. An ISP typically charges a monthly or hourly connection fee. Kkeyboard language The language you want to use when you type. Some programs that are designed for Windows recognize this setting. When you add a new keyboard language, a keyboard layout for that language is also added. The keyboard language for Windows XP Starter Edition is preset and cannot be changed, as it can in Windows XP Home Edition. keyboard layout The arrangement of character and symbol locations used by different languages. Keyboard layouts determine which characters appear when you press the keys on your keyboard. kilobyte (KB) Measurement of data, 1,024 bytes. See also gigabyte (GB); megabyte (MB) Llinked object An object that is inserted into a document but still exists in the original source file. When information is linked, the new document is updated automatically if the information in the original document changes. To edit the linked information, double-click the object. The toolbars and menus from the original program will appear. If the original document is on your computer, changes that you make to the linked information will also appear in the original document. See also source document Mmaximize To enlarge a window to its largest size by clicking the Maximize button (at the right side of the title bar). See also minimize; title bar media Any fixed or removable objects that store computer data. Examples of media include hard disks, floppy disks, tapes, and compact discs. megabyte (MB) Measurement of data, 1,048,576 bytes. See also gigabyte (GB); kilobyte (KB) menu A list of options from which a user can make a selection and perform a desired action, such as choosing a command or applying a particular format to part of a document. menu bar A rectangular bar displayed at the top of a program's window that displays the menus for user actions. Names of available menus are displayed in the menu bar. Choosing one with the keyboard or with a mouse causes the list of options in that menu to be displayed. minimize To reduce a window to a button on the taskbar by clicking the Minimize button (at the right of the title bar). See also maximize; title bar modem A device that allows computer information to be transmitted and received over a telephone line. motherboard The main circuit board of a computer. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards. mouse A common pointing device. The basic features of a mouse are a flat-bottomed casing designed to be gripped by one hand, one or more buttons on the top, a multidirectional detection device (usually a ball) on the bottom, and a cable connecting the mouse to the computer. By moving the mouse around, the user controls the on-screen cursor. To select items or choose commands on the screen, the user presses one of the mouse's buttons to produce a mouse click. mouse pad A surface on which a mouse can be moved, typically a rectangular rubber pad covered with fabric that provides more traction than a wooden or glass desktop or tabletop. mouse pointer An on-screen element that changes location as the user moves the mouse. Depending on the location of the mouse pointer and the operation of the program with which it is working, the area of the screen where the mouse pointer appears serves as the target for an action when the user presses one of the mouse buttons. MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) An operating system used on all personal computers and compatibles. MS-DOS translates user keyboard input into operations the computer can perform. MS-DOS can be easily accessed by using the command prompt, while MS-DOS-based programs can be accessed through the use of shortcuts on the desktop. See also command prompt window; MS-DOS-based program MS-DOS-based program A program that is designed to run with MS-DOS and therefore may not be able to take full advantage of all Windows features. See also MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) My Computer A folder that displays the contents of your hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM drive, and any attached peripherals. You can access this folder by clicking Start, and then clicking My Computer. My Documents A folder that provides you with a convenient place to store documents, graphics, or other files that you want to access quickly. When you save a file in a program, such as WordPad or Paint, the file is automatically saved in My Documents unless you select a different folder. You can access this folder by clicking Start, and then clicking My Documents. My Music A folder that provides you with a convenient place to store music files and perform tasks specific to these files. You can access this folder by clicking Start, and then clicking My Music. My Pictures A folder that provides you with a convenient place to store picture and graphic files and perform tasks specific to these files. You can access this folder by clicking Start, and then clicking My Pictures. My Support A resource area where you can learn about using Windows XP Starter Edition and find answers to your questions. In My Support, you will find Help topics, tutorials, links to online support sites, and other important information. You can access this resource area by clicking Start, and then clicking My Support. Nnetwork A group of computers (and other devices, such as printers and scanners) connected by a communications link, enabling all the devices to interact with each other. Networks can be small or large, permanently connected through wires or cables, or temporarily connected through phone lines or wireless transmissions. The largest network is the Internet, which is a worldwide group of networks. notification area The area on the taskbar to the right of the taskbar buttons. The notification area displays the time and can also contain shortcuts that provide quick access to programs, such as Volume Control and Power Options. Other shortcuts can appear temporarily, providing information about the status of activities. For example, the printer shortcut icon appears after a document has been sent to the printer and disappears when printing is complete. Oobject Any item on your computer (such as a file, folder, or printer) that can be described by specific attributes. For example, the attributes of a File object include its name, location, and size. Pparallel port The input/output connector for a parallel interface device. Printers are generally plugged into a parallel port. See also serial port password A security measure used to restrict access to computer systems and user accounts. A password is a string of characters that must be provided before access is authorized. A password can be made up of letters, numbers, and symbols, and it is case sensitive. peripheral A device, such as a disk drive, printer, modem, or joystick, that is connected to a computer and is controlled by the computer's microprocessor. See also device pixel A pixel is the smallest element that software and display or print hardware can manipulate to create letters, numbers, or graphics. Short for picture element, a pixel is one spot in a rectilinear grid of thousands of such spots that form an image produced on the screen by a computer or on paper by a printer. See also screen resolution port A connection point on your computer where you can connect devices that pass data into and out of a computer. For example, a printer is typically connected to a parallel port (also called an LPT port), and a modem is typically connected to a serial port (also called a COM port). Other types of ports include the serial port (primarily for data transmission) and the USB port, which is used to connect peripheral devices. A USB port is usually located on the front or the back of your computer near the serial port or parallel port. primary mouse button The button you use most often for clicking and double-clicking. The primary mouse button is the left button on most mice and trackball devices, and the lower button on some trackball devices. You can switch the function of the buttons by going to the Mouse folder in Control Panel and clicking the correct check boxes. print spooler Software that accepts a document sent to a printer and then stores it on disk or in memory until the printer is ready for it. printer A device that places text or images on paper (or other print media). printer driver A program designed to allow other programs to work with a particular printer without concerning themselves with the specifics of the printer's hardware and internal language. By using printer drivers that handle the specific features of each printer, programs can communicate properly with a variety of printers. See also device driver Printer window The Printer window shows information about print jobs in line waiting for the printer. For each printer you have installed or to which you are connected, you can look at this information to see how many documents are waiting to be printed, who owns them, and how large they are. Printers The folder that appears in Control Panel on the Start Menu that contains the Add Printer Wizard and icons for all the printers installed on your computer. program A program allows you to perform tasks such as word processing, accounting, or data management. Programs are also called applications. Qqueue A list of programs or tasks waiting in line to perform the action requested by the user. For printing, a queue refers to a group of documents waiting to be printed. See also printer RRAM (random access memory) RAM is used by your computer for computational processes that run software programs. RAM also temporarily stores the information that displays data on the computer screen. Increasing the amount of RAM in your computer makes it more powerfulable to run complex programs and work with larger files. All information stored in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off. Recycle Bin The Recycle Bin is on the Windows desktop. You can drag files to the Recycle Bin to delete them. You can also open the Recycle Bin and retrieve files deleted in error. To empty the Recycle Bin and create more disk space, right-click the icon, then click Empty Recycle Bin. See also right-click resource Generally, any part of a computer system or network (such as a disk drive, printer, or memory) that can be used by a running program or process. right-click To position the mouse over an object, and then press and release the secondary (right) mouse button. Right-clicking opens a shortcut menu that contains useful commands, which change depending on where in Windows you click. ROM (Read-Only Memory) An acronym for Read-Only Memory, in which code or data is permanently installed by the manufacturing process. ROM contains instructions or data that can be read but not modified. Sscreen resolution The setting that determines the amount of information that appears on your screen, measured in pixels. In Windows XP Starter Edition, you can choose either low or medium screen resolution. Windows XP Home Edition allows you to choose low, medium, or high resolution, giving you greater flexibility in how you set up your display size. Security Center The Security Center shows you the security status of your computer and notifies you of recommended actions to make your computer more secure. Security Center checks your computer for the three security essentials, which are the firewall, virus protection software, and Automatic Updates. select To specify a block of text or data on the screen by highlighting it. The intent is to perform some action or do something to the highlighted material. To highlight, position the cursor at the beginning of the text or data, then drag the mouse over the material, then release the mouse button. serial port A connector usually used by printers and located on the back of the computer. server A computer that provides shared data such as files, folders, computer data, and e-mail services to network users. See also client shortcut A link to any item accessible on your computer or on a network, such as a program, file, folder, disk drive, Web page, printer, or another computer. You can put shortcuts in various areas, such as on the desktop, on the Start menu, or in specific folders. See also desktop; icon Sound card An accessory board for computers that permits recording and playing of sounds. sound file A sound file contains information that Windows uses to play sounds on your computer. Windows sound files have the file name extension .wav. source document The document where a linked or embedded object was originally created. See also embedded object; linked object standby A state in which your computer consumes less power when it is idle, but remains available for immediate use. While your computer is on standby, information in computer memory is not saved on your hard disk. If there is an interruption in power, the information in memory is lost. Ttab Part of a dialog box that resembles a notebook or file divider and provides navigation between different sections of information in the dialog box. taskbar The bar that contains the Start menu button and appears by default at the bottom of the desktop. You can click the taskbar buttons to switch between programs. You can also hide the taskbar, move it to the sides or top of the desktop, and customize it in other ways. See also desktop; notification area text box On-screen rectangular box into which you type information to carry out a command. thumbnail A miniature version of an image that is often used for quick browsing through multiple images. title bar The horizontal bar at the top of a window that contains the name of the window. On many windows, the title bar also contains the program icon, as well as the Maximize, Minimize, and Close buttons. See also maximize; minimize toolbar A row, column, or block of on-screen buttons or icons in a software program. When clicked, these buttons or icons activate certain functions or tasks of the program. For example, the toolbar in Microsoft Word contains buttons for performing actions such as changing text to italic or boldface and for saving or opening a document. Users can usually customize toolbars and move them around on the screen. typeface A set of characters that share common characteristics, such as stroke width and the presence or absence of serifs. See also font Uuninstall The act of removing program files and folders from your hard disk and removing related data from your computer so the software is no longer available. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) An address that uniquely identifies a location on the Internet. A URL for a World Wide Web site is preceded with http://, as in the fictitious URL http://www.example.microsoft.com/. user A person who uses a computer. Vvideo adapter An expansion board that plugs into a computer to allow it to display data. A computer's display capabilities depend on both the video adapter and the monitor. virus protection software Programs that scan e-mail and other files on your computer for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. If a virus, worm, or Trojan horse is found, the antivirus program either quarantines it or deletes it entirely before it damages your computer and files. Wwindow A portion of the screen where programs and processes can be run. For example, you can open your e-mail in one window and search for information on the Web in another window. Windows can be closed, resized, moved, minimized to a button on the taskbar, or maximized to take up the whole screen. wizard A tool that guides a user through the steps of a process or task by asking a series of questions or presenting options. For example, wizards might help you to start up a word processing document, install software, or create a database file for the first time. World Wide Web A system for exploring the Internet by using hyperlinks. When you use a Web browser, the Web appears as a collection of text, pictures, sounds, and digital movies. See also Internet ©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. |