N-P

NetBEUI (NetBIOS Extended User Interface)

An extended or enhanced version of the NetBIOS protocol.

NetBIOS (Network Basic Input Output System)

An application programming interface (API) protocol that expands the utility of the DOS BIOS by adding special functions for Local-Area Networks (LANs). The message format (SMB) provides the foundation for NetBIOS.

network

A collection of two or more computers and other devices that can communicate with each other so that the users and computers can share information and hardware devices such as printers.

network card

A device that connects the computer to the network. Network cards come in the form of a separate card or are built in to the motherboard. It is an electronic circuit board that attaches a computer to a network. It connects to a wire that typically leads to a networked hub, router, or bridge. Synonyms: network adapter, network interface card, NIC.

newsgroup

A group of subscribers who can post and reply to messages over the Internet using a newsreader program such as Outlook Express. Microsoft and other companies make use of newsgroups for professional and peer technical support. See Usenet.

NIC (Network Interface Card)

See network card.

NLX (InteLex Form Factor)

A computer motherboard form factor designed to provide more room for components than the LPX form factor.

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol)

A protocol used to manage messages that are posted to Usenet newsgroups.

notebook

A small portable computer. Although notebooks are supposed to be smaller than laptops, the two terms are often used interchangeably, including in this book.

NTFS (NT File System)

A Windows NT hard drive file system that offers file- and object-level security features, file compression, encryption, and long file name support. A new version of the NTFS file system, called NTFS5, is offered with the Windows 2000 operating system.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

Refers to any product that is designed for manufacturers and retail computer builders to supply with their equipment. For example, Microsoft requires end users of OEM versions of Windows to get technical support from the manufacturer or computer builder rather than from Microsoft.

OLE (Object Linking and Embedding)

A specification created by Microsoft that allows objects created in one program or application to be embedded or linked to other applications. With OLE, if a change is made to an application, the change is also made to the second application.

optical drives

Includes CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, and various writable DVD drives. Optical drives are devices that read, or read and write data from or onto discs using laser beams.

option button

One of at least two small round circles within a dialog box that can be selected (a dot placed inside) or cleared (the dot removed). With option buttons, normally only one in a group can be selected at a time. Originally referred to as “radio buttons,” which came from old car radios with mechanical station preset buttons, in which only one button could be pushed in at a time.

OSI (Open Systems Interconnect)

The OSI reference model is a networking model developed to provide network designers and developers with a model that describes how network communication takes place.

page file

The file used by Windows for virtual memory. Synonym: swap file.

paging

When Windows moves data between memory and the page file for the use of virtual memory.

parallel

An interface used for external devices such as printers and scanners. Parallel devices communicate with the system by sending as many as eight electrical pulses simultaneously.

patch

Software designed to fix problems in other software.

path

1. The hierarchy of drives, folders, and subfolders that indicates the location of a file, folder, printer, or other element. In a network, the path can include the computer, usually in the form of the computer name preceded by two backslashes. The indication of the location of commands in a command prompt or Run dialog. Usually called the path. When you change an environment variable related to the path to commands or Windows program files, you change the path to those commands or files.

PC Card

A credit card-sized hardware device that plugs into a slot in a laptop or the occasional desktop with a PC Card slot. The most common PC Card devices are modems and network adapters. The term PC Card replaced the term PCMCIA because nobody wanted to pronounce a six-syllable term. There are three main types of PCMCIA cards. Type I is used mainly for RAM, Type II is used for modems, and Type III is used for hard disks.

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

A 32- to 64-bit expansion bus created by Intel and used in most modern computers. Today, most NICs, sound cards, and modems are connected to a motherboard through a PCI expansion bus.

PCI Special Interest Group (SIG)

Originally formed as the Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group, PCI SIG is the industry organization chartered with the development and management of the PCI bus specification, the industry standard for a high-performance I/O interconnect to transfer data between a CPU and its peripherals. Founded in 1992, PCI SIG stands at the forefront of its field and can tout an active membership base of 850 industry-leading companies. To reach PCI SIG, visit them online at http://www.pcisig.com, or by phone at [phone], or by fax at [phone].

PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association)

See PC Card.

PDA (Personal Data Assistant)

A small handheld mobile computing device that provides functions similar to a desktop or laptop computer. Most PDAs today use a pen or stylus in place of a keyboard to input data.

PDF (Portable Document Format)

A file format developed by Adobe Systems. PDF captures all the formatted elements of a printed document from a multitude of desktop publishing applications and converts them into an electronic image. Therefore, it is easier and to view, print, and send the formatted documents to others. To view the files, you need the free Acrobat Reader. PDF files are most beneficial when needing to maintain the online graphic appearance, quality, and clarity of documents, such as for brochures, maps, and magazines.

PIF (Program Information File)

A file that is used to provide settings for 16-bit DOS applications. A PIF file has a .PIF extension and stores information such as window size and memory that should be allocated to an application or program.

pins

Conductive metal pieces that are part of electrical connectors.

pixel

The smallest picture element in a video display or an image file.

PnP (Plug and Play)

A technology introduced in Windows 95 that has the ability to autodetect devices that are attached to a computer system. In order for a system to be fully PnP compliant, there must be a PnP operating system, a PnP BIOS, and PnP devices.

pointer

The image on a computer screen that indicates the location of the pointing device control.

pointing device

A device that is used to move the on-screen pointer and choose or select screen elements. A mouse is the most common pointing device.

port

Connector on the outside of a computer to which peripheral devices can be connected. Examples are parallel, serial, PS/2, VGA, USB, and FireWire. Not to be confused with the networking term.

POST (Power-On Self-Test)

A program that tests computer components at system start-up, such as RAM, disk drives, and peripherals. If the POST finds a problem during its diagnostic testing, it usually reports a numeric error to the screen or sounds a series of beep error codes.

POST card

A card that can be plugged into an expansion slot and contains a small display to a show a problem code. A POST card is ideal for diagnosing computers that won’t boot. It can be a great timesaver.

POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)

Also known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), most homes have this telephone service. This standard service is in comparison to high-speed, digital services such as ISDN. Speed and bandwidth are the criteria that differentiate between POTS and non-POTS services. Generally, the standard speed for POTS is limited to about 52Kbps.

power supply

A box-shaped device that converts wall-outlet AC power to low-voltage DC used to power the devices in the computer.

processor

See CPU.

PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory)

A ROM chip that can be written to once.

properties, property page

A dialog box that presents information about a device, folder, or file, usually allowing one or more configuration options.

protocol, network

A piece of software containing rules for a particular networking purpose. Every network connection requires all parties to be using the same protocol in order to communicate.

PS/2

Interface for keyboards and pointing devices on most ATX-based motherboards.