This is meant to be a simple glossary, and as such, there is
only a very simple explanation for each term.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)
A high-performance, component-level interconnect for 3D-graphics
applications.
Accessibility
The extent to which computers are easy to use and available
to a wide range of users, including people with one or more
physical disabilities.
Active Channel
A Web site that automatically delivers content to a user’s
computer on a regular schedule.
Active Desktop
An interface that integrates the Windows desktop with the Internet Explorer browsing software to provide a single metaphor for accessing content or applications.
Active Setup
An application that collects information about the user’s
computer before download of Internet Explorer begins, and then
uses this information to manage the download intelligently.
ActiveX
An umbrella term for Microsoft technologies that enable developers
to create interactive content for the World Wide Web. A set
of language-independent interoperability technologies that enable
software components written in different languages to work together
in networked environments. The core technology elements of ActiveX
are COM and DCOM.
Address class
A basis for differentiating networks of various sizes. The network
class can be determined from the first octet of its IP address.
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
A protocol for determining a host's Ethernet address from its
Internet address.
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
A system interface that provides a standard way to control power
management and Plug and Play functions of the computer hardware.
ACPI allows the computer motherboard to describe its device
configuration and power control hardware interface to Windows
98. This allows the operating system to automatically turn on
and off standard devices, such as CD-ROMs, network cards, hard
disk drives, and printers, as well as consumer devices connected
to the computer, such as VCRs, TVs, phones, and stereos.
Advanced Power Management (APM)
A software interface (defined by Microsoft and Intel) between
hardware-specific power management software (such as that located
in a system BIOS) and an operating system power management driver.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute.
API
See application programming interface.
Applet
An HTML-based program built with Java that a browser temporarily
downloads to a user's hard disk, from which location it runs
when the Web page is open.
Application programming interface (API)
A set of routines that an application program uses to request
and carry out lower-level services performed by the operating
system.
Architecture
The structure of all or part of a computer system. Also refers
to the design of system software.
ASPI
Advanced SCSI Programming Interface.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
A communications protocol defined for high-speed data communications.
Authenticode
A technology that makes it possible to identify who published
a piece of software and verify that it has not been tampered
with.
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B
BIOS
Basic I/O system. A set of routines that works closely with
the hardware to support the transfer of information between
elements of the system, such as memory, disks, and the monitor.
BIOS Parameter Block (BPB)
Information located inside the boot sector specific to the logical
drive information.
Block device
A device such as a disk drive that moves information in groups
of bytes (blocks) rather than one byte at a time.
Boot sector
First sector on a logical drive that includes code to boot that
drive, specific logical drive information, and error messages.
Broadcast
In general terms, a transmission sent simultaneously to more
than one recipient. In Internet terminology, a transmission
sent to a single address to be forwarded to many recipients.
In practice, Internet broadcasts function only on local networks,
because routers do not forward them.
Broadcast client
A versatile personal computer that can receive and display broadband
digital and analog broadcasts, blending television with new
forms of information and entertainment. Broadcast client programming
can include television, audio, World Wide Web pages, and computer
data content.
Broadcast server
A computer that sends broadcast programming across a broadcast
channel to broadcast clients. The programming sent can include
television, audio, World Wide Web pages, and digital data such
as stock prices, multimedia magazines, and computer software.
Browser
A client tool for navigating and accessing information on the
Internet or an intranet. A browser interprets hypertext markup
language (HTML) and displays information on a computer screen.
A popular example is Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Bus
A set of hardwire lines used for data transfer among the components
of a computer system.
Bus class driver
In Windows 98, a driver that provides an interface between the
hardware layer and bus minidrivers.
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C
Cabinet
A file that contains one or more files, usually compressed.
Call manager
The component that implements the media-specific signaling protocol
for virtual circuit (connection) management on connection-oriented
networks.
CardBus
A 32-bit PC Card.
CD-ROM
Compact disc read-only memory. A laser-encoded optical memory
storage medium.
CDFS
CD-ROM file system, which controls access to the contents of
CD-ROM drives.
Channel
A push technology that allows users to subscribe to a Web site
to browse offline, automatically display updated pages on their
screen savers, and download or receive notifications when pages
in the Web site are modified.
Channel bar
An area on the user’s Active Desktop that displays all
the subscribed channels.
Channel Definition Format (CDF) file
A file that specifies the content of an Active Channel and when
and how that content should be delivered to the user.
CHAP
Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol.
Checksum
A calculated value used to test data for the presence of errors
that can occur when data is transmitted or when it is written
to disk.
Chip set
A collection of integrated circuits designed to be used together
for a specific purpose.
Clean boot
Booting or starting a computer using the minimum system files
in the operating system.
Clean installation
Installation of an operating system on a new computer or a computer
with a reformatted hard disk.
Client
A process that requests a service provided by another program
(called a server). See server.
Client for Microsoft Networks
A 32-bit, protected-mode file system driver to support all Microsoft
networking products that use the SMB file-sharing protocol.
Cluster
A specified number of sectors grouped together by the FORMAT
command. The number is determined by the size of the logical
drive. A cluster is the smallest storage unit for storing files.
Code page
An internal table that the operating system uses to relate the
keys on the keyboard to the characters displayed on the screen.
Codec
Compression/decompression technology for digital video and stereo
audio.
Cold docking
Insertion or removal of a device in the system before which
the device must be powered off or restarted.
Compatibility mode
A mode protocol defined in IEEE P1284 that provides a byte-wide
channel from a computer to a peripheral.
Component Object Model (COM)
The object-oriented programming model that defines how objects
interact within a single application or between applications.
In COM, client software accesses an object through a pointer
to an interface—a related set of functions called methods—on
the object.
Compressed volume file (CVF)
A file with read-only, hidden, and system attributes, and that
contains a compressed drive.
Container applications
Applications that maintain compound documents.
Cookies
A means by which, under the HTTP protocol, a server or a script
can maintain state or status information on the client workstation.
In other words, a cookie is bits of information about a person's
visit to a Web page. A cookie can include such information as
the way a Web page was customized or how a visitor shopped on
a Web site, or it can be used to track repeat visits.
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D
Data Link Control (DLC)
An error-correction protocol in the Systems Network Architecture
(SNA) responsible for transmission of data between two nodes
over a physical link.
Datagram
A packet of data and other delivery information that is routed
through a packet-switched network or transmitted on a local
area network.
DDE
Dynamic Data Exchange. An interprocess communication method
that allows two or more programs running simultaneously to exchange
data and commands.
DDI
Device driver interface.
DDK
Driver development kit.
Default emulated LAN
A virtual network that acts like a traditional LAN.
Default gateway
The gateway used to connect to the rest of the network.
Demand paging
A method by which code and data are moved in pages from physical
memory to a temporary paging file on disk.
Device class driver
In Windows 98, a driver that provides an interface between different
layers of the WDM architecture.
Device node
The basic data structure for a given device, built by Configuration
Manager; sometimes called devnode. Device nodes are built into
memory at system startup for each device and enumerator with
information about the device, such as currently assigned resources.
The complete representation of all device nodes is referred
to as the hardware tree.
Dial-Up Networking
A component of Windows NT and Windows 98 that makes it possible
for users to connect to remote networks such as the Internet
or a private network.
Digital ID
An electronic key, obtained from a certificate authority, that
provides a means for proving your identity on the Internet.
Also called digital certificate or authentication certificate.
DirectShow
A multimedia technology designed to play video, audio, and other
multimedia streams in a variety of formats that are stored locally
or acquired from Internet servers. DirectShow relies on a modular
system of pluggable components called filters arranged in a
configuration called a filter graph.
DirectX
A low-level API that provides user- mode media interfaces for
games and other high-performance multimedia applications. DirectX
is a thin layer, providing direct access to hardware services,
and takes advantage of available hardware accelerators and emulates
accelerator services when accelerators are not present.
Distributed Component Object Model (Distributed COM) Additions to the Component Object Model (COM) that facilitate the transparent distribution of objects over networks and over the Internet.
Distributed computing
Information processing in which computing tasks are divided
into two parts, one running on the client computer, the other
on the server.
Distribution media format (DMF)
A special read-only format for 3.5-inch floppy disks that permits
storage of 1.7 MB of data.
DIX
Digital/Intel/Xerox.
DLL
See dynamic-link library.
DNS
See Domain Name System.
Dock
To insert or remove a device in a computer system.
Docking station
A base unit into which you can insert portable hardware and that includes drive bays, expansion slots, and additional ports.
Domain Name System (DNS)
The naming service used on the Internet to provide standard
naming conventions for IP computers.
Dotted decimal notation
A method of signifying IP addresses in which each set of eight
bits is separated from the next eight bits by a period.
Drive Parameter Block (DPB)
Identical to the BIOS Parameter Block, except that it is in
memory. Applications should access the DPB instead of the boot
sector for logical drive information. Proper programming guidelines
have always stated that applications should go through the operating
system for information instead of going to the hardware itself.
DVD
Digital Versatile Disk. Optical disk storage that encompasses
audio, video, and computer data.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
An industry-standard (TCP/IP) protocol that assigns Internet
Protocol (IP) configurations to computers. The DHCP-server computer
makes the assignments, and the client computer calls the server
computer to obtain the address.
Dynamic HTML
A collection of features that extends the capabilities of traditional
HTML, giving Web authors more flexibility, design options, and
creative control over the appearance and behaviour of Web pages.
Dynamic-link library (DLL)
An API routine that user-mode applications access through ordinary
procedure calls. The code for the API routine is not included
in the user’s executable image. Instead, the operating
system automatically modifies the executable image to point
to DLL procedures at run time.
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E
Emulated LAN
A virtual network that acts like a traditional LAN.
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) file
A file that prints at the highest possible resolution for your
printer. An EPS file may print faster than other graphical representations.
Encryption
A way of making data indecipherable to protect it from unauthorized
viewing or use.
Enhanced metafile (EMF)
A device-independent rendering of a print job that is much faster
to produce than a device-specific rendering.
Enumeration
The process by which, during startup, the operating system identifies
Plug and Play devices by creating unique device IDs and reporting
those IDs to Device Manager.
Exception handling
An event that occurs as a program runs and that requires software
outside the normal flow of control to be run.
Explorer (Explorer) bar
In Internet Explorer, a way to browse through a list of links
while displaying the pages those links open in the right side
of the window.
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F
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions. A document containing basic questions
and answers.
FAT file system
A file system based on a file allocation table, maintained by
the operating system, to keep track of the status of various
segments of disk space used for file storage.
FAT32
An enhancement of the File Allocation Table file system that
supports large drives with improved disk space efficiency.
Fiber distributed data interface (FDDI)
A standard for high-speed fiber-optic LANs.
File Allocation Table (FAT)
An area on the disk (floppy or logical drive) set aside to reference
file locations on that disk. The table is a chain identifying
where each part of a file is located. It acts similarly to a
table of contents for a book.
File Control Block (FCB)
A small block of memory temporarily assigned by a computer’s
operating system to hold information about an opened file.
Firewall
A system or combination of systems that enforces a boundary
between two or more networks and keeps hackers out of private
networks. Firewalls serve as virtual barriers to passing packets
from one network to another.
Font mapping
Matching screen fonts to printer fonts.
Frame
In broadcast television, a single screen-sized image that can
be displayed in sequence with other slightly different images
to animate drawings. For NTSC video, a video frame consists
of two interlaced fields of 525 lines; NTSC video runs at 30
frames per second. For PAL or SECAM video, a video frame consists
of two interlaced fields of 625 lines; PAL and SECAM video runs
at 25 frames per second.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol. The Internet standard high-speed protocol
for downloading, or transferring, files from one computer to
another.
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G
Gateway
A computer connected to multiple physical networks, capable
of routing or delivering packets between them.
GIF
See Graphics Interchange Format.
Gopher
An early Internet protocol and software program designed to
search for, retrieve, and display documents from remote computers
or sites. Gopher clients are used to connect to remote Gopher
servers Interaction is typically carried out through a menu
hierarchy.
Graphics Device Interface (GDI)
The graphical system that manages what appears on the screen
and provides graphics support for printers and other output
devices. One of three core components in Windows 98.
Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
A computer graphics file format developed in the mid-1980s by
CompuServe for use in photo-quality graphic image display on
computer screens. Now commonly used on the Internet.
GUI
Graphical User Interface
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H
Hardware tree
The hierarchical representation of all the buses and devices
on a computer.
HDLC
High-level Data Link Control. A protocol for information transfer
in which messages are transmitted in frames.
High Performance File System (HPFS)
An OS/2 file system that allows long file names.
HiPack
A file and folder compression format.
Home page
The central document of a Web site, usually designated as the
default document. The starting point for a Web site or section
of a Web site is often referred to as the home page.
Host ID
The portion of the IP address that identifies a particular computer
within a particular network ID.
Host table
The HOSTS or LMHOST file that contains lists of known IP addresses
mapped to host names or NetBIOS computer names. Windows 98 uses
this for local name resolution if other methods are not available.
Hot docking
Insertion of a device in the system while the device is running
at full power
HTML
See Hypertext Markup Language.
HTTP
See Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
Human Interface Device (HID) specification
The device class definition developed by the USB standards group
for HIDs. Serves as the basis for the WDM input device support,
and unifies input devices by providing flexible data reporting,
typeless data, and arrayed and variable input and output.
Hyperlink
Also called simply a link. A way of jumping to another place
on the Internet. Hyperlinks usually appear in a different format
from regular text. You initiate the jump by clicking the link.
Hypertext
Documents with links to other documents. Click a link to display
the other document. A hypertext document is a document structured
in chunks of text and marked up, usually using HTML, which is
connected by links.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
The underlying protocol by which Web clients and servers communicate.
HTTP is an application-level protocol for distributed, collaborative,
hypermedia information systems. It is a generic, stateless,
object-oriented protocol. A feature of HTTP is the typing and
negotiation of data representation, allowing systems to be built
independently of the data being transferred.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
A simple markup language used to create hypertext documents
that are portable from one platform to another. HTML files are
simple ASCII text files with codes embedded (indicated by markup
tags) to indicate formatting and hypertext links. The formatting
language used for documents on the World Wide Web.
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I
ICC
International Colour Consortium.
ICM
Image Colour Matching.
IDE
Integrated Device Electronics. A type of disk-drive interface
where the controller electronics reside on the drive itself,
eliminating the need for a separate adapter card.
IE
See Microsoft Internet Explorer.
IEAK
Internet Explorer Administration Kit. A set of tools that make
possible the fine-tuning of Internet Explorer browsing software
installations.
IEAK Profile Manager
A tool that network or workgroup administrators can use to create
custom Active Desktop and Active Channel configurations and
deploy them to users.
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Impersonation
A technique by which one process can take on the security attributes
of another process, as when a server process impersonates a
client process to complete a task involving objects to which
the server does not normally have access.
INF file
A file that provides Windows 98 Setup with the information required
to set up a device, such as a list of valid logical configurations
for the device, the names of driver files associated with the
device, and so on. An INF file is typically provided by the
device manufacturer on a disk.
Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
Publisher of a wireless connectivity standard, which makes it
possible to connect computers and hardware devices without using
cables.
INI files
Initialisation files used by Windows-based applications to store
per-user information that controls application startup. In Windows
98, such information is stored in the registry, and INI files
are supported for backward compatibility.
Interactive television
Television combined with interactive content and enhancements.
Interlacing
A video display technique in which the electron beam refreshes
(updates) all odd-numbered scan lines in one sweep of the screen
and all even-numbered scan lines in the next. Interlacing takes
advantage of both the screen phosphor's ability to maintain
an image for a short time before fading and the human eye's
tendency to average subtle differences in light intensity. By
refreshing alternate lines, interlacing halves the number of
lines to update in one screen sweep.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
An international association of member countries, each represented
by its leading standard-setting organization—for example,
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) for the United
States. The ISO works to establish global standards for communications
and information exchange.
Internet
A set of dissimilar computer networks joined together by means
of gateways that handle data transfer and the conversion of
messages from the sending network to the protocols used by the
receiving networks. These networks and gateways use the TCP/IP
suite of protocols.
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
The Internet group that assigns groups of IP addresses to organizations.
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
A network-level Internet protocol that provides error correction
and other information relevant to IP packet processing.
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
A consortium that introduces procedures for new technology on
the Internet. IETF specifications are released in Requests for
Comments.
Internet Protocol (IP)
The part of TCP/IP that is responsible for addressing and sending
TCP packets over the network.
Internet Protocol Control Protocol (IPCP)
A protocol used to configure, enable, and disable IP Protocol
modules at both ends of the link.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A public provider of remote connections to the Internet.
Interrupt
An asynchronous operating condition that disrupts normal execution
and transfers control to an interrupt handler. Interrupts are
usually initiated by I/O devices requiring service from the
processor.
Interrupt request (IRQ)
A method by which a device can request to be serviced by the
device’s software driver. The system board uses a programmable
interrupt controller to monitor the priority of the requests
from all devices.
Intranet
Use of Internet standards, technologies, and products within
an enterprise to function as a collaborative processing infrastructure.
The term is generally used to describe the application of Internet
technologies on internal corporate networks.
IP
Internet Protocol.
IP address
Internet Protocol address. A unique address that identifies
a host on a network. It identifies a computer as a 32-bit address
that is unique across a TCP/IP network.
IPX/SPX
Internetwork Packet Exchange /Sequenced Packet Exchange. On
Novell NetWare systems, IPX is a network layer protocol used
in the file server operating system; SPX is a transport layer
protocol built on top of IPX and used in client/server applications.
IRQ
See interrupt request.
ISA
Industry Standard Architecture. An 8-bit (and later, a 16-bit)
expansion bus that provides a buffered interface from devices
on expansion cards to the PC internal bus.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
A completely digital telephone /telecommunications network that
carries voice, data, and video information over the existing
telephone network infrastructure. It is designed to provide
a single interface for hooking up a telephone, fax machine,
computer, and so on.
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J
Java
A derivative of the C++ language, SunSoft's distributed programming
language, offered as an open standard.
JavaScript
A scripting language developed by Netscape Communications and
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
A widely accepted international standard for compression of
colour image files, sometimes used on the Internet.
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K
Kernel
One of three core components in Windows 98. It provides base operating system functionality, including file I/O services, virtual memory management, and task scheduling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L
LAN
Local area network. A group of computers and other devices dispersed
over a relatively limited area and connected by a communications
link that enables any device to interact with any other device
on the network.
Layered architecture
An architecture in which each layer isolates portions of the
services.
Legacy
Any feature in the computer system based on older technology
for which compatibility continues to be maintained in other
system components. In the context of Windows 98, a non–Plug
and Play feature.
Link Control Protocol (LCP)
A protocol that establishes, configures, and tests the integrity
of a data-link connection.
Location
A set of dialing rules defining a place from which a user makes
Dial-Up Networking connection.
Logical block addressing (LBA)
A method of accessing hard disk drives based on the extensions
of INT 13.
Logon script
A batch file that runs automatically every time the user logs
on. It can be used to configure a user’s working environment
at every logon, and it allows an administrator to control a
user’s environment without managing all aspects of it.
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M
Maillot
A mechanism for one-to-one or one-to-many interprocess communications
(IPC).
Master browse server
The computer that maintains the list of servers in a workgroup.
Also called browse master.
Messaging application program interface (MAPI)
An open and comprehensive messaging interface used by programmers
to create messaging and workgroup applications—such as
electronic mail, scheduling, calendaring, and document management.
Microsoft Internet Explorer browsing software
A suite of Internet software that includes several communication
and collaboration tools in addition to the Internet client.
Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
A general-purpose management display framework for hosting administration
tools.
Microsoft Service for NetWare Directory Services
A service that enables Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks
to log into a Novell Directory Services (NDS) tree.
Microsoft Systems Management Server
An application used to install and maintain Microsoft Windows
98 on networked computers.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A serial interface standard
that allows for the connection of music synthesizers, musical
instruments, and computers. The MIDI standard is based partly
on hardware and partly on a description of the way in which
music and sounds are encoded and communicated between MIDI devices.
MIDI stream
A technology used in advanced sound cards to play very complex
MIDI sequences with less CPU use.
MIME
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A standard that extends
SMTP to allow the transmission of such data as video, sound,
and binary files via Internet e-mail without translating them
into ASCII format.
Minidriver
A hardware-specific DLL that uses a Microsoft-provided class
driver to accomplish most actions through function calls and
provides only device-specific controls. Under WDM, the minidriver
uses the class driver's device object to make system calls.
Mobile computing
Computing done by intermittently-connected users who access
network resources.
Model computer
A computer on which all the components needed for other similar
computers in your organization have been installed.
MPEG
A standard designed by the Motion Pictures Experts Group for
video playback of NTSC quality from CD-ROM.
MS-CHAP
Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication.
Mt. Fuji specification
A specific command set used in DVD-ROM drives.
Multicasting
Transmitting a message to multiple recipients at the same time.
A point-to-many networking model in which a packet is sent to
a specific address, and only those computers that are set to
receive information from this address receive the packet.
Multihued system
A computer that is configured with more than one IP address.
Multilane
A protocol that enables a computer to establish a dial-up connection
using two modems or ISDN devices.
Multipoint data conferencing
A technology that allows two or more people to share information
in real time over the Internet or an intranet.
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N
Name resolution
The process used on the network for resolving a computer address
as a computer name, to support the process of finding and connecting
to other computers on the network.
Named pipe(s)
An interprocess communication (IPC) mechanism that allows one
process to communicate with another local or remote process.
NDISWAN
Network driver interface specification wide area network.
NetBEUI
NetBIOS Extended User Interface. A local area network transport
protocol provided with Windows 98.
NetBIOS
Network basic input/output system. A software interface for
network communication.
NetBIOS Frames Control Protocol (NBFCP)
A protocol used to configure, enable, and disable the NetBEUI
protocol modules on both ends of a data link.
Net mask
A binary value that defines which portion of the network address
must match in order for that route to be used.
Network adapter
A hardware card installed in a computer that so it can communicate
on a network.
Network Address Translation (NAT)
A process that lets an entire network connect to a PPP server
and appear as a single IP address, thus helping to conceal IP
addresses from external hackers and to alleviate address space
shortage.
Network Device Interface Specification (NDIS)
The interface for network drivers used in Windows and Windows
NT operating systems. All transport drivers call the NDIS interface
to access network adapters.
Network ID
The portion of the IP address that identifies a group of computers
and other devices that are all located on the same logical network.
Nibble mode
A mode protocol defined in IEEE P1284 that provides a channel
from the peripheral to the host through which data is sent as
4-bit nibbles.
NLS
National language support. Services that ensure globally-aware
information handling.
NTFS
Windows NT file system.
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O
Object application
An application that acts as a server to provide various data
objects to be included in a compound document.
OnNow
A design initiative that seeks to create all the components
required for a comprehensive, system-wide approach to system
and device power control. OnNow is a term for a PC that is always
on but appears off and that responds immediately to user or
other requests.
Open Datalink Interface (ODI)
A specification defined by Novell and Apple Computer to provide
a protocol and API for communicating with network adapter drivers,
and to support the use of multiple protocols by a network adapter
driver.
Open Group, The
Parent company of a number of standards organizations including
The Active Group—now managing the core ActiveX technology,
X/Open, and OSF.
OpenType
A font specification for Windows 98 that extends the TrueType
font standard by adding tables containing information for advanced
multilingual typesetting and typographic control.
Option ROM
Optional read-only memory found on PC bus expansion cards. This
ROM usually contains additional firmware required to properly
boot the peripheral connected to the expansion card, for instance,
a hard drive. Also referred to as an expansion ROM.
OSI
Open Systems Interconnection (Reference Model).
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P
Packet
A transmission unit of fixed maximum size that consists of binary
information representing both data and a header containing an
ID number, source and destination addresses, and error-control
data.
PANOSE
A font matching system based on a numeric classification of
fonts according to visual characteristics.
Parse
To analyse or separate (for example, input) into more easily
processed components.
Password
A unique string of characters that must be provided before logon
or access to a resource or service is authorized.
Password Authentication Protocol (PAP)
A security protocol that uses a two-way handshake for the peer
to establish its identity.
Password caching
Automatically storing a password in a password list (PWL) file
so that whenever the user logs on again, the logon password
unlocks the PWL file and the resource passwords it contains.
PC Card
A trademark of PCMCIA. A removable device that is designed to
be plugged into a PC Card slot and used as a memory-related
peripheral.
PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect. A high-performance, 32-bit
or 64-bit bus designed to be used with devices that have high
bandwidth requirements, such as display subsystems.
PCMCIA
The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association,
which standardizes credit card-sized interface cards used in
portables and other small computers.
Permission scoping
Preventing permissions granted to a trusted component from being
misused, either intentionally or inadvertently, by a less trusted
component.
Permission signing
Allowing a signed cabinet file to specify securely not only
the identity of the signer but also the set of permissions being
requested for the signed classes.
Personal Information Exchange (PFX)
A set of public key-based security technologies that is part
of the Microsoft Internet security framework.
Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS)
A system providing for the voluntary rating of World Wide Web
site content by either the publisher of the page or a third-party
rating group.
Plug and Play
A design philosophy and set of specifications that describe
hardware and software changes to the PC and its peripherals,
making it possible to add new components without having to perform
technical procedures.
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
Protocol that enables a computer to securely connect to the
Internet or an intranet by tunneling through an Internet or
LAN connection.
PPP
Point-to-Point Protocol. An industry standard, a part of Windows
98 Dial-Up Networking, designed to ensure interoperability with
remote access software from other vendors. It is used in making
point-to-point links, especially with dial-up modem servers.
PPTP
See Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol.
Pre-emptive multitasking
A method by which the operating system takes control away from
or gives control to another running task, depending on the needs
of the system.
Private Communication Technology (PCT)
A protocol used to create a secure Internet or intranet channel.
Protected mode
An operating mode supporting more advanced features than real
mode, including multitasking, data security, and virtual memory.
Protocol
A set of rules and conventions by which two computers pass messages
across a network. Networking software usually implements multiple
levels of protocols layered one on top of another. Windows 98
includes NetBEUI, TCP/IP, and IPX/SPX-compatible protocols.
Protocol rollover
Sending ASF files over a default protocol and then trying to
send them via an alternative server or protocol if the original
attempt fails.
Proxy server
A server that acts as a go-between, converting information from
Web servers into HTML to be delivered to a client computer.
It also provides a way to deliver network services to computers
on a secure subnet without those computers needing to have direct
access to the World Wide Web.
Pull model
A broadcast model in which information is downloaded as it is
requested.
Push model
A broadcast model in which a server sends information to a large
number of clients on its own schedule, without waiting for requests.
The clients scan the incoming information, save the parts they
have been instructed to save, and discard the rest.
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Q
Quality of service (QoS)
Network characteristics such as desired bandwidth and maximum
acceptable delay that an application can request from a network.
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R
RAM
The most common computer memory which can be used by
programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer
is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows
information to be stored or accessed in any order and
all storage locations are equally accessible
Raster fonts
Fonts stored in files as bitmaps and rendered as an array of
dots for displaying on the screen and printing on paper. Raster
fonts cannot be cleanly scaled or rotated.
Real mode
The backward-compatible mode of the Intel 80386 family. In real
mode, all of the CPU’s protection features are disabled,
paging is not supported, and program addresses correspond to
physical memory addresses. The address space is limited to 1
MB of physical memory and uses a memory segmentation scheme.
Real mode is compatible with 8086, the 8088, the 80186, and
the real mode of the 80286.
Redirector
Networking software that accepts I/O requests for remote files,
named pipes, or mailslots and then sends (redirects) them to
a network service on another computer. Redirectors (also called
network clients) are implemented as file system drivers in Windows
98.
Registry
The database repository for information about a computer’s
configuration. The registry supersedes use of separate INI files
for all system components and applications that know how to
store values in the registry.
Registry Checker
A system maintenance program that finds and fixes registry problems
and backs up the registry.
Registry Editor
An application that is used to view and edit entries in the
registry.
Registry key
An identifier for a record or group of records in the registry.
Remote Access Service (RAS)
A service that provides remote networking for telecommuters,
mobile workers, and system administrators who monitor and manage
servers at multiple branch offices.
Remote administration
Administration of one computer by an administrator located at
another computer and connected to the first computer across
the network.
Remote procedure call (RPC)
A message-passing facility that allows a distributed program
to call services available on various computers in a network.
Used during remote administration of computers, RPC provides
a procedural view, rather than a transport-centered view, of
networked operations.
Request for Comments (RFC)
An official document of the Internet Engineering Task Force
(IETF) that specifies the details for protocols included in
the TCP/IP family.
Resolve
Under DNS, a client that queries the name server across the
network to gain information about the domain name space.
Resource reservation protocol (RSVP)
A signaling protocol that is used to establish connections with
the QoS requested by an application
RFC
See Request for Comments.
RIP
See Routing Information Protocol.
RIP listening
A process in which a computer listens in on RIP packets and
adds information gleaned from those packets to add entries to
the route table. Also called silent RIP.
Robot
A fast, automated program, such as a search engine, indexing
program, or cataloging software, that requests Web pages much
faster than humans can.
Root directory
A specific area set aside to store boot files and directories.
Route table
A table that is used to determine where a computer routes packets.
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S
Sand boxing
The Java security model, which provides control over how Java
applets can interact with a computer system.
Script
A program consisting of a set of instructions to an application
or utility program.
Script let
A reusable Web page in which Dynamic HTML script has been written
according to certain conventions.
SCSI
Small computer standard interface. An I/O bus designed as a
method for connecting several classes of peripherals to a host
system without requiring modifications to generic hardware and
software.
SDK
Software Development Kit. A kit that programmers can use to
create new applications.
Secure password authentication (SPA)
Any authentication in which the actual password is not sent
over the network.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
A protocol that supplies secure data communication through data
encryption and decryption. SSL enables communications privacy
over networks through a combination of public key cryptography
and bulk data encryption.
Security zone
In Internet Explorer, a segment of the Internet or intranet
assigned a particular level of security.
Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP)
A data link protocol that allows transmission of IP data packets
over dial-up telephone connections, typically used by UNIX remote
access servers.
Server
For a LAN, a computer running administrative software that controls
access to all or part of the network and its resources. A computer
acting as a server makes resources available to computers acting
as workstations on the network. See client.
Server message block (SMB)
The protocol developed by Microsoft, Intel, and IBM that defines
a series of commands used to pass information between network
computers. The redirector packages SMB requests into a network
control block (NCB) structure that can be sent over the network
to a remote device. The network provider listens for SMB messages
destined for it and removes the data portion of the SMB request
so that it can be processed by a local device.
Service Advertising Protocol (SAP)
The Novell NetWare broadcasting protocol.
Set-up script
A text file that contains predefined settings for all the options
specified during setup.
Share-level security
A security methodology in which passwords are used to restrict
access to shared resources on a peer server. The only security
level available on peer-to-peer networks.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
A protocol used for exchanging mail on the Internet.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
The Internet’s standard for remote monitoring and management
of hosts, routers, and other nodes and devices on a network.
A TCP/IP-derived protocol governing network management and monitoring
network devices.
Smart card
A small electronic device, approximately the size of a credit
card, that contains an embedded integrated circuit. Used for
such tasks as storing medical records, storing digital cash,
and generating network IDs.
SNMP
See Simple Network Management Protocol.
Socket
A software object used by a client to connect to a server; basic
components include the port number and the network address of
the local host.
SOCKS
A protocol for traversing firewalls in a secure and controlled
manner, made publicly available by the Internet Engineering
Task Force.
Source routing
A method of routing data across bridges.
SPI
Service provider interface, a single, well-defined set of functions
used by Windows 98 to request network services.
Step captures
A process in which a user captures digital-video data one frame
at a time.
Still Image Architecture (STI)
A WDM architecture for still image devices. A still image minidriver
provides support for still image devices, such as scanners and
cameras.
Stream
A continuous series of bits, bytes, or other small, structurally
uniform units.
Streaming architecture
A model for interconnection of stream-processing components,
in which applications dynamically load data as they output it.
Dynamic loading means data can be broadcast continuously. See
WDM streaming.
Streaming data
Data continuously broadcast to an application. For example,
a broadcast client's user might subscribe to continuously broadcast
sports scores.
Subnet mask
A 32-bit value that allows the recipient of IP packets to distinguish
the network ID portion of the IP address from the host ID.
Subscription
Stored information describing how a user will have access to
an Active Channel Web site, including frequency and method of
access.
Swap file
A hidden file on the hard drive that Windows uses to hold parts
of programs and data files that do not fit in memory.
System policies
Settings that allow an administrator to override local registry
values for user or computer settings.
System Policy Editor
A tool with which one can change many common registry settings
for an individual computer.
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T
TAPI
See telephony application program interface.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A networking
protocol that allows computers to communicate across interconnected
networks and the Internet. Every computer on the Internet supports
TCP/IP.
Telephony application program interface (TAPI)
A set of calls that allows applications to control modems and
telephones, by routing application function calls to the appropriate
“service provider” DLL for a modem.
Telnet
A protocol used for interactive logon to a remote computer.
Thunking
A translation process that converts a 16-bit value to its 32-bit
equivalent.
TrueType
A font specification by which fonts are stored as mathematical
models that define the outline of each character.
Trust-based security
A cross-platform security model that adds intermediate levels
of trust to the Java security model.
Tunnelling
The process of sending packets to a computer on a private network
by routing them over some other network, such as the Internet.
TWAIN
An industry-standard software protocol and API that provides
easy integration of image data between input devices, such as
scanners and still image digital cameras, and software applications.
TWUNKER
A virtual device that allows communications between 32-bit and
16-bit applications.
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U
U Interface
A 2-wire ISDN circuit, essentially today's standard 1-pair telephone
company local loop made of twisted-wire. The U interface is
the most common ISDN interface and extends from the central
office.
UDF
Universal Disk Format. A file system developed by the Optical
Storage Technology Association for storage of data on optical
media.
UltraPack
A file and folder compression format that offers better compression
than standard or HiPack compression.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
A naming convention that uniquely identifies the location of
a computer, directory, or file on the Internet. The URL also
specifies the appropriate Internet protocol, such as HTTP or
FTP.
Universal naming convention (UNC)
A way to specify a directory on a file server. UNC names are
file names or other resource names that begin with the string
\\, indicating that they exist on a remote computer.
USB
Universal Serial Bus. A bidirectional, isochronous, dynamically
attachable serial interface for adding peripheral devices such
as game controllers, serial and parallel ports, and input devices
on a single bus.
User
One of three core components in Windows 98. It manages input
from input devices, output to the user interface, and interaction
with the sound driver, timer, and communications ports.
User profile
User-specific information contained in the file User.dat, which
is one of the two files in the Windows 98 registry
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V
VCACHE
A 32-bit, protected-mode cache driver, which replaces the 16-bit,
real-mode SMARTDrive disk cache software.
VCOMM
In Windows, a 32-bit protected-mode communications driver.
Vector fonts
Fonts rendered from a mathematical model, in which each character
is defined as a set of lines drawn between points. Vector fonts
can be scaled to any size or aspect ratio.
Version table
A file that contains a list of executable files, followed by
the version number of MS-DOS with which the applications were
designed to run.
Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI)
The time period in which a television signal is not visible
on the screen because of the vertical retrace (the repositioning
to top of screen to start a new scan). Data services can be
transmitted using a portion of this signal.
VFAT
32-Bit File Access using protected-mode code to write to the
disk. In Windows 98 the 32-bit virtual File Allocation Table
(VFAT) file system is the primary file system.
Video Electronic Standards Association (VESA)
An industry standards organization focusing on IBM-compatible
personal computers.
Video Graphics Array (VGA)
A display standard for personal computers.
Virtual memory
Memory that appears to an application to be larger and more
uniform than it is.
Virtual private networking (VPN)
A technology by which one can securely connect to a remote server
by tunneling through an intermediary network.
Virtualisation
The act of managing a system resource so that more than one
application can use it at the same time.
VRML
Virtual Reality Modeling Language. A language for coding three-dimensional
HTML applications.
VxD
Virtual device driver. The x represents the type of device—for
example, a virtual device driver for a display is a VDD and
a virtual device driver for a printer is a VPD.
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W
WDM
Win32 Driver Model. A 32-bit driver model based on the Windows
NT driver model that is designed to provide a common architecture
of I/O services for both Windows NT and Windows operating systems
for specific classes of drivers.
WDM Streaming (streaming)
An extension of the Microsoft DirectShow application programming
interface (API) based on the Windows Driver Model (WDM). WDM
streaming provides the kernel connection and streaming services
used by the WDM streaming class driver and by components of
the next major versions of Microsoft Windows NT and Microsoft
Windows 98. In these operating systems, WDM streaming provides
low-level services in Ring 0 for the lowest latency streaming.
DirectShow provides higher-level features and control.
Webcasting
The automated delivery of personalized and up-to-date information
via the Internet or a corporate intranet.
Win32 Driver Model
See WDM.
Windows Internet Name Service (WINS)
A name resolution service that resolves Windows networking computer
names to IP addresses in a routed environment. A
WINS server, which is a Windows NT Server computer, handles name registrations, queries, and releases.
Windows NT
The portable and secure, 32-bit, preemptive-multitasking member
of the Microsoft Windows operating system family. Windows NT
Server provides centralized management and security, advanced
fault tolerance, and additional connectivity.
Windows NT file system (NTFS)
The file system designed for use specifically with the Windows
NT operating system. NTFS supports file system recovery and
extremely large storage media, in addition to other advantages.
It also supports object-oriented applications by treating all
files as objects with user-defined and system-defined attributes.
Wizard
An interactive Help utility within an application that guides
the user through each step of a particular task.
Workgroup Advertising
A method of implementing browsing for large NetWare networks
that include computers running Windows 98 or Windows 95.
World Wide Web (WWW)
Also called the Web. The graphical Internet hypertext service
that uses the HTTP protocol to retrieve Web pages and other
resources from Web servers. Pages on the Web usually contain
hyperlinks to other pages, documents, and files.
Write-behind caching
Temporarily storing data in memory before it is written on disk
for permanent storage.
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X
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Y
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Z
Zero Administration Initiative for Windows
An initiative to establish a management infrastructure in Microsoft
Windows that will allow managers to automate processes and more
effectively exercise centralized management
