Compaq 277958-001 manual Scroll mouse

Understanding Computer Terms

scroll mouse

A mouse with a scroll wheel (between the two mouse buttons) for automatic scrolling through long documents or Web pages. See scroll and mouse.

search engine

A program, accessed on the Internet, that allows you to search large databases for information by using keywords or phrases. See database.

sector

The smallest recordable unit on a CD. A CD can contain [(75 sectors per second) x (60 seconds per minute) x (number of minutes on a CD)] sectors. The amount of data contained in the sector depends on the physical format in which it is recorded; for “regular” CD-ROM data, you can fit 2048 bytes (2 kilobytes) of data into a sector.

secure Web site

A Web site that encrypts data to protect it from unauthorized use. When you purchase items over the Internet, you are asked to type your name, mailing address, e-mail address, and credit card information on an electronic form. Sending information to a secure Web site is comparable to giving it over the telephone when you order from a catalog. (Never send your social security number over the Internet. Criminals can steal your identity with your social security number.) See encrypt.

sequential erase

Erasing the entire CD so that it can be re-used. (Available with CD-RW CDs).

serial port

A small connector on the back of the computer (or keyboard) for plugging in a thin cable attached to a serial device, such as a mouse. Serial devices transfer data one bit at a time through a data wire. The serial cable has two wires for bi-directional communication (sending and receiving information simultaneously). See bit. See also parallel port.

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