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| There are 40 entries in the glossary. |
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| Parallel Port | An interface for connecting external devices, such as printers and scanners. |
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| Parity | The quality of being either odd or even. |
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| Passive-matrix | Flat-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) which consists of energized, rod-shaped crystals that move and bend light. Each pixel either lets light through or blocks it. The direction of the crystals creates the picture. The picture produced is not as clear as an active-matrix diplay.
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| Password | A code used to gain access to a Web site, program, or computer system. |
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| Patch | A patch is an actual piece of computer code (instructions that tell the computer what to do) that is inserted (or patched) into the executable program. Normally a computer program is written in a programming language like C++, Visual Basic, or Cobol. This is called source code. The source code is run through a compiler, which translates that language into a set of instructions called object code. Then the object code is passed through a link editor, which transforms it into machine code. A patch is called a patch because it is really not integrated with the machine code. Instead, it is a piece of object code that has been written to correct a problem. It is like a band-aid that is applied to a cut or scrape, so patch is really an accurate term.
When a computer manufacturer finds a bug in their program after it has been released to the public, they issue a patch that corrects the problem. This is usually posted on the manufacturer’s Web site along with instructions on how to download and install the patch.
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| PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) | A local bus standard developed by Intel Corporation. |
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| PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card In | A standard that was adapted to enable credit card size devices to be used with computers, especially portable computers. PCMCIA cards are used for modems, hard disks and additional memory.
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| PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) | A handheld device that acts as a mini-computer. A PDA functions as a personal organizer and usually contains appointments, to do lists, and contact information for friends and associates. Most PDAs use a stylus and a touch screen for input, although some have small keyboards. The Palm with its own proprietary operating system was the first highly successful PDA, and it is still popular today. The Palm licenses its operating system to other manufacturers for use on their PDAs like the Handspring Visor and the Sony Clié.
Other popular PDAs are based on Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system. Handhelds like the Hewlett Packard Jornada that use the Pocket PC operating system are able to run Word, Excel, and other Microsoft programs; they also have the ability to record voice and play music.
Many extra programs and hardware add-ons are available for today’s personal organizers allowing them to access the Internet wirelessly, act as portable cell phones, and perform many other individualized functions.
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| PDF (Portable Document File) |
Sometimes a digital document appears differently on
different computers and prints differently when different printers are used.
This happens often with documents like forms and books that have a lot of
formatting. Adobe developed the PDF file format to eliminate this problem. The
PDF file format that allows a document to appear the same no matter which
computer they are viewed on or which printer is used. This format was developed
by Adobe as an open-file format so it is widely used. Adobe distributes a free software
program called Adobe Reader which is the software needed to properly read PDF
files. PDF files and the Adobe Reader program can be used on both PCs and Macs.
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| Pedometer |
Small devices that measure how
far a person walks or runs.
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| Peer Reviews | Most reputable resort or travel websites have an area where they allow everyday people to post their opinions of a location or service. These opinions are called peer reviews.
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| Pentium | The fifth generation of computer microprocessor chip from Intel Corp. Previous processors were given numbers, such as 286, 386, 486. Because Intel discovered that it couldn't trademark its CPU numbers, it shifted to a naming scheme, starting with the Pentium processor.
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| Pentium Pro | The sixth generation of microprocessor chips from Intel Corp. Each generation of chips is faster and more powerful. |
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| Peripheral | External device that connects to a computer, such as printer, mouse, scanner and keyboard. |
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| Phishing | This is
an Internet term that is used to describe a scheme which an unscrupulous person
uses to “fish” for personal information like social security numbers, credit
card numbers, passwords, and account information. Generally phishing is done by
sending an e-mail that sounds like it is from CitiBank,Visa, eBay or another
reputable institution. The e-mail requests that you verify your account
information. The e-mail gives a link to click. The link goes to a bogus Web
site. If you fill in your personal information at that Web site you are giving
it directly to a crook.
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| Photoshop | Adobe Photoshop is a high-end
professional photo and graphic editing software program. Photoshop can be used
to change the look of photos and graphics in many different ways, including
cropping, resizing, and adding special effects. It can also be used to create
graphics from scratch. The Photoshop Elements program is a similar, less
expensive program that has fewer features. It is aimed at amateurs rather than
professionals.
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| PIM (Personal Information Manager) | A type of software that is used to organize information, especially, addresses, to-do lists and appointments. |
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| Pixel (Picture element) | A cluster of colored dots that combine to form images on the computer screen. |
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| Plasma Display |
Plasma is a type of flat panel
display that is commonly used for large screen televisions. This technology
uses an inert mixture of gas between two panels of glass. When the cells in the
gas are electrically stimulated the phosphors emit light which displays the
picture. First renditions of this technology had some problems, but these have
all been eliminated making this an excellent display technology.
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| Playlist |
A playlist is simply a list of
songs. Most digital music software, like Windows Media Player or iTunes, allows
you to create playlists of music to listen to. You can create a playlist of
music of a certain type, mood, by a certain artist, or by any other criteria of
your liking. Your computer or digital music player will then allow you to play
the songs in each playlist that you create.
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| Plotters | A output device like a printer, which draws lines with pens. Often used in architectural or engineering applications. |
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| Plug-in | A smaller piece of software that adds features to a larger piece of software. Internet browsers often use plug-ins to increase the functionality of the basic program. |
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| Podcasts | Internet
audio broadcasts that are presented in a series, somewhat akin to a radio or
television series. You subscribe to a
podcast and listen to it over the Internet or on your iPod or similar audio
device.
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| Point-and-Shoot |
A type of camera that has automatic settings that allow a
person to simply point the camera at the subject and press the button to take
the picture without having to take the time to adjust the camera settings.
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| POP (Point of Presence) or Post Office P | A protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a mail server. Most e-mail applications use the POP protocol. |
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| Pop-Ups | Windows that appear on top of the browser window when the user visits a website. Pop-ups are generally used for advertising, but they can have other uses such as a pop-up that gives you a valuable tip or additional information.
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| Portrait | This pertains to the orientation of the paper. In landscape
orientation, the paper is turned so that it is wider than it is high. In
portrait orientation, the paper is taller than it is wide. You can remember the
difference by thinking about a picture of a landscape usually being wider while
a portrait, or picture of a person, is usually taller than it is wide.
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| Posting | Posting to the web is sending
information to the web. This term is often used in message boards and forums.
When you click on the post icon or button, the information you entered is sent
to the web. |
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| PostScript |
A page description language developed by Adobe that was built
into many laser printers to enable them to recreate the page layout more
accurately. PostScript is being replaced by PDF documents.
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| Presentation Software | Software that is used to create a series of documents, slides, transparencies or video images and sounds used to exhibit a product or image. |
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| Print Driver | A piece of software that acts as the interface between the computer and the printer. (see Driver) |
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| Print Preview | This
is a very useful feature. Click on the menu choice or icon for a Print Preview
and you will be shown an image of exactly what the printed output will look
like.
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| Print-on-Demand (POD) |
A method of book publishing using new printing technology to print books one at a time, as they are ordered.
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| Printer Self-test | A routine that a printer goes through to show that it is working properly. It usually involves printing a sample sheet without the need to be attached to the computer. |
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| Processor | See CPU
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| Progressive Scan | In contract to interlacing, a
progressively scanned image displays a full frame of video (both odd and even lines)
at the same time. This eliminates the flickering that is sometimes found in
interlaced images. High definition
televisions displays can be either interlaced or progressive. A progressive
image is denoted by the “p” in terms like 1080p and 720p.
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| Projection Television | These televisions use a technology
that projects the light on the screen from either the front or the rear. They
are bulkier than LCD or Plasma televisions. Some use separate projectors. Some,
like DLPs, use mirrors built into the television to project the image.
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| Protocol | A set of standards that allows two products to work together by standardizing communications between the two products. |
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| Public Domain Software | Software that is not copyrighted. It is free and can be used without any restrictions. |
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| Publishing | Posting to the Web means sending your website or changes and additions to your website to the web. This is also called uploading or publishing or posting.
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