Glossary


802.11a,b,g

Family of specifications for wireless LAN that describes the over-air interface between a wireless router or access point and a wireless network card.



AAC

(Advanced Audio Coding) An audio compression file type similar to MP3, used in Apple's iTunes.



antialiased, antialiasing

A software technique for smoothing fonts and graphics.



API

(application program interface) Set of standard protocol tools for programming software applications. Applications that share the same API have similar interfaces.



archive file

A single file or multiple files that have been compressed into a smaller single file. Archives can be unpacked to access their contents.



authentication

Security term used to describe the process of identifying an individual for approved access to a system or object. Authentication is often in the form of a username and password.



avatar

A graphical icon or image used to represent a person online.



AVI

(Audio Video Interleave) A multimedia file type used to store video and audio information, often used to compress movie files.



boot

To load the software that starts a computer.



boot loader

Program used to load the operating system into a computer's memory when the computer is booted.



broadband

Transmission type for data that can carry multiple channels at the same time, used to identify Internet access types such as cable and DSL.



codec

(compressor/decompressor) Method for compressing and decompressing data, often used in relation to video and audio files.



compile

Act of transforming program source code into object code. Source code is written by programmers. Object code (with a linker) is executed as a program.



conduit (as related to PDA)

A channel for transmitting data between a PDA handheld computer and your PC.



cookie

A file placed on your computer by some Web sites through your browser that contains data, often used to store user information.



CSV

(comma-separated values) A format for data in which each value is separated by a comma.



daemon

Similar to a system agent or service, a background process that responds to specific events.



desktop environment

The graphical representation of your file system, with related tools. Examples of a desktop environment for Linux include KDE, GNOME, Fluxbox, Blackbox, and Enlightenment.



DHCP

(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Protocol for assigning addresses on a network automatically. This makes networking easier with the software tracking IP addresses and allows you to easily add a new computer to a network.



directory

Representation of an object used to hold and organize multiple files in an operating system.



DirectX

Microsoft API developed to easily access hardware features, often referred to in relation to graphics-intensive programs such as games.



disk image

An exact copy of a hard drive or file set.



distribution (distro)

Collection of programs, including the Linux kernel, that can be installed together as an operating system.



DNS

(domain name system) Service that translates domain names into IP addresses on a network.



driver

Program to control a device by translating between the device and the programs that use the device.



DRM

(digital rights management) System for protecting copyrights on data by limiting access to that data.



DSL

Broadband Internet service type in which data is carried over copper wires, usually a subscribed service through telephone companies or Internet service providers.



dual-boot

Setting up a computer to boot either of two operating systems on the same machine.



DVD

(digital video disk) Optical disk similar to a CD-ROM, often used for movies. Also now used for data storage because of its greater capacity.



emblem

Graphical representation of the category or type of a file or folder in a file manager, usually by an icon.



emoticon

(emotional icon) Series of keyboard characters used to show emotion, often used in Internet chat, instant messaging, and e-mail.



emulator

A program designed to imitate another program or operating system.



FAT32

(file allocation table) File system type used in older Windows operating systems.



file manager

Graphical program for navigating through a file system and for adding, editing, and deleting files and directories.



file system

Method used by operating systems to organize and track files.



firewall

A hardware or software barrier used to prevent unauthorized access to or from a computer on a network.



first-person shooter

Game type with a first-person viewpoint in which the player primarily shoots other players or characters.



folder

See [directory]
font

Design for displaying characters that includes typeface, pitch, size, and spacing.



frag

Term used in video games to describe killing a fellow player or game character.



FTP

(file transfer protocol) Protocol for sending and receiving files over the Internet.



Gantt chart

Graphical representation of activities and work over time in a project.



genius

Susan



glossary

You are reading it.



GPL

(general public license) A license often used in open source software in which the complete source of a document or program is distributed, and anyone who receives the data must share it with anyone else as a part of the license agreement.



GUI

(graphical user interface) A program interface that utilizes graphics to make a program easier to use and easier to learn.



HTTP

(HyperText Transfer Protocol) Communications protocol used on the World Wide Web to define how data and messages are formatted and transferred.



HTTP proxy

See [proxy]
icon

Representative icon often used in programs in place of text.



IMAP

(Internet Mail Access Protocol) Type of e-mail account similar to POP, but with which your mail remains on the server.



install media

Your installation disks.



IP address

(Internet protocol address) Identifier used to route data on a TCP/IP type of network.



IR

(infrared) Light waves that can be used to transmit data.



ISO

An exact-copy image of a CD-ROM.



ISP

(Internet service provider) Company you pay for your Internet access.



James K. Polk

The 11th president of the United States and my arch-nemesis.



kernel

The engine of your Linux operating system responsible for security, allocation of resources, and the lowest-level hardware interfaces.



kicker

The bottom panel on your KDE desktop.



LAN

(local area network) A network connecting computers within a small area such as a home or office, usually limited to one building.



LDAP

(Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) Set of protocols for accessing directories of information.



Linmodem

A software modem, or Winmodem, that users have gotten running in Linux.



Linux

An open source operating system based on the UNIX operating system. For a history of Linux, see http://www.li.org/linuxhistory.php.



live CD

A bootable CD-ROM with an entire operating system contained on it, allowing you to get online and get work done whether the computer you are on has an OS installed on it or not. Psst! There's a live CD in this book.



log file

List in a file that is a record of actions or errors that have occurred.



login manager

Program that handles user management and access to the Linux desktop environment.



Mandrake cooker

Mandrake's online repository of packages that developers are experimenting with but that might not be stable.



Master Boot Record

Small program that loads when a computer boots and reads the disk's partition table, deciding which partition to boot from.



MMORPG

(massive multiplayer online role-playing game) A type of video game played online in which you create a character that interacts with other characters that also represent real human players.



mount

To make a storage device readable by the operating system.



MP3

Type of audio compression format that is currently the most popular format for music.



multimedia

Collective term referring to text, audio, video, animation, or images on the computer.



network proxy

See [proxy]
NTFS

(NT File System) A file system type originally developed for Windows NT but that is also used in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.



object oriented

A method of programming that uses functions and data structures to create reusable objects.



OGG

Type of audio compression format that is often popular in Linux because the format is freely available.



OS

(operating system) The most important program on your computer that processes input and output, controls hardware, and tracks files.



package

  1. Archive file containing several files.

  2. RPM package; collection of files clustered into one file for easy installation of programs.



panel

Desktop object on which small programs and icons can be placed.



partition

Divided section of a hard disk. Disks are often partitioned to install multiple operating systems on one disk.



peripheral hardware

Computer device that is not part of the central computer hardware, CPU, and motherboard. Examples include CD-ROM drives, mouse, keyboard, printer, and monitor.



PIM

(personal information management) Programs designed to help users organize small bits of personal information, usually including schedules, contacts, tasks, and reminders.



plug-in

A hardware or software module that adds features, often used to describe add-on modules for programs such as Web browsers.



POP3

(Post Office Protocol) Type of e-mail account; protocol for retrieving mail from a server.



pop-up ad

Online advertisement on a Web site that opens unrequested browser windows on your computer.



port

Computer interface for connecting a device.



PPC

(Power PC) Type of computer processor used by many Apple computers.



PPP

(Point-to-Point Protocol) Protocol for connecting a computer to a network, usually used with dial-up modems.



protocol

A standard format for transmitting data between two devices.



proxy

A server that sits between a client and network servers to improve efficiency and filter requests.



RDF

(Resource Description Framework) A framework for describing data about a Web site, often used in reference to keyword data for search engines, site maps, and update dates.



resolution

The clarity and sharpness of an image, also used to describe the number of pixels on a screen display.



ROM

(read-only memory) Prerecorded data that cannot be rewritten but can only be read.



root

The superuser account on a Linux or UNIX operating system.



router

A networking device that forwards packets of data between two networks.



RPM

(Red Hat Package Manager) Program installation files grouped together for easy installation. RPM-based Linux distributions include Red Hat, Fedora, Mandrake, and SUSE.



RSS feed

(Rich Site Summary) An XML format for syndicating Web site content. Users can create customized newsfeeds, and Web sites can display feeds from other sites when using RSS.



serial port

An interface, or port, that transmits data 1 bit at a time.



server

The computer that manages network resources on a network.



skin

A theme for a program to change the appearance of that program.



SMTP

(Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) The common protocol for sending e-mail messages between servers.



spatial

File-management method in which files, directories, and devices are displayed by their respective spaces, not by a hierarchy.



spoofkata

The dust, clutter, papers, soda cans, books, sticky notes, and other paraphernalia that gathers on your computer desk.



SSH

(Secure Shell) A program used to log into a computer over a network.



SSL

(Secure Socket Layer) Protocol for transmitting data securely over a network by using keys to encrypt the data during transport.



stream (or streaming)

A method for delivering multimedia content on the Web in which the client user's browser only needs to download the content in small portions that are continuously delivered.



swap

File system space used to augment the main computer memory.



theme

Set of visual elements applied to a program's interface to change the look of the program.



torrent

File type used by the peer-to-peer file-sharing program BitTorrent that contains pointer information to find other users who have the file you want to download.



Tourrette's syndrome

Neurological condition in which the subject has uncontrollable shouts, grunts, facial movements, tics, and upper-body movement.



True Type font

Outline font type created by Microsoft and Apple that is the most popular font type in use.



unmount

See [mount]
URL

(uniform resource locator) The unique global address system used for documents online.



usability

The practice of increasing the efficiency and enjoyment of experiencing a program or Web site for users.



USB

(universal serial bus) A type of port for connecting peripheral devices that is very fast.



user

You.



vcard

(virtual card) An electronic business card format often attached to e-mail messages.



VFAT

(virtual file allocation table) A file system type used by older versions of Windows.



virtual machine

A program that creates its own independently running environment, often used to simulate other operating systems.



WEP

(wired equivalent privacy) A security protocol for wireless networks.



window manager

Program part of an operating system that handles the rendering and movement of windows.



Winmodem

Common name for software modems that are manufactured to use a program for handling operations usually handled by hardware, originally manufactured to save hardware makers money.



wireless access point (WAP)

Hardware used as a node in a wireless network for transmitting and receiving data.



WMA

(Windows Media Audio) Audio compression type created by Microsoft for use in its Windows Media Player program.



X (X Window System)

An open standard GUI system that is device independent, used commonly in Linux and UNIX systems.



XML

(Extensible Markup Language) A flexible specification for Web documents that allows developers to create their own tags.



Y

The letter that comes after X. Sure, you already knew that, but I didn't want X to feel lonely. Oh yeah, Y can be used as a vowel or a consonant.





Linux Desktop(c) Garage
Linux(R) Desktop Garage
ISBN: 0131494198
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 141

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