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- page scanner
- device that captures a whole page and
convert it to digital image
- page printer
- printer that uses toner and a heat bar to
form characters, like a copy machine.
- page out
- moving data from main memory to virtual
memory
- painting program
- a graphics program that deals with images
on a dot-by-dot basis. Each pixel is defined separately. Required
for photos. Formats include bmp, gif, jpg, pcx, png, tiff, tga and
many more.
- palm-top
- personal computer small enough to fit in
your hand. Limited capabilities.
- parallel printer cable
- sends data 8 bits at a time. Printer must
be within 50 feet of the computer.
- parity
- a method of checking for errors in
digital data. In an even parity system an extra bit (making a
total of 9 bits) is assigned to be on or off so as to make the
number of on bits even. In an odd parity system the number of on
bits would have to be odd. If the number of on bits is wrong, an
error has occurred
- partition
- a portion of a hard disk. Disks are
partitioned in order to reduce cluster size or to have separate
partitions for different operating systems.
- password
- a secret code used to validate user's
identity
- paste
- place clipboard contents at cursor
location
- path
- a list of locations for the computer to
look for commands if the full path is not given.
- PCI slot
- newer type of slot on motherboard for
peripheral device boards
- PDA
- Personal Digital Assistant. Small personal computer with
limited capabilities.
- pen input
- a pen-like device used to control mouse
motions, enter data by drawing letters, or give commands by using
set gestures. Esp. used on PDAs.
- peripheral device
- a device that connects to the
motherboard. Includes monitor, mouse, keyboard, modem. etc.
- personal computer (PC)
- computer for personal use which comes in
a variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny PDAs (personal digital
assistant) to hefty towers
- Personal Information Management (PIM)
- a special kind of database for recording
appointments, addresses, phone numbers, tasks.
- pixel
- one dot on a screen. From "picture
element".
- plasma screen
- screen type used for very large screen
involving a gas plasma for creating characters.
- plotter
- printer used for very wide pages like
architectural or engineering drawings
- point size
- measures the height of letters where one
point is 1/72 inch
- point-of-sale terminal
- a special-purpose terminal. Replaces cash
register.
- POST
- Power On Self Test. Set of basic test of hardware run
when a computer is turned on.
- power button
- on/off switch for your computer
- power supply
- converts the electricity from the wall
outlet into the flavor that the computer can digest
- power spike
- a huge jump that lasts for fractions of a
second.
- power surge
- more electricity through the line than
normal for several seconds
- ppm
- pages per minutes. Measures printer speed
- presentation graphics
- program which links together a sequence
of slides containing text and graphics, for example for a sales
presentation or training
- primary storage
- main memory, which holds what is
currently being processed.
- print
- putting the document on paper with a
printer
- print preview
- displays how the document will print as
opposed to how it looks on the screen
- print spool
- a temporary file created to hold print
jobs so user can continue working while printer is printing
- print manager
- program which manages printing, handling
the job order
- printer resolution
- a measure of print quality. Measured in
dots per inch (dpi)
- processing
- taking data and doing things with it. It
is the "thinking" that the computer does - the calculations,
comparisons, and decisions
- processor speed
- measure of how fast a CPU processes data
- program
- a set of detailed directions telling the
computer exactly what to do
- programmer
- writes the actual code for a computer
program
- project management
- specialized spreadsheet that is optimized
to track all of the people, tasks, and deadlines in a major
project
- proprietary
- unique to a given manufacturer
- PS/2 port
- small connection port used by some mice.
Computer MUST be off to connect or disconnect at this port.
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