J-6
port: A communication connection often located on the back of computers and peripheral
devices, usually in the form of a socket.
PostScript: A high-level page description language. PostScript commands describe the text
and graphic images in a document.
PostScript printer: A printer equipped with circuitry that changes PostScript information
into a bitmapped image for printing.
print server: A computer on a network that takes print jobs from other computers and
sends them to the printer. This means that other computers on the network can return to
processing almost immediately while the print server communicates with the printer. See
also NEST.
printer description files: Files that allow certain applications to use printer-specific fea-
tures.
printer driver: The software that creates a page description when you want to print a
document. This description is sent to the printer for printing.
printer font: The high-quality part of fonts for the Macintosh.
printer memory or printer RAM: Temporary storage space used to hold downloaded fonts
and for calculations during print jobs. If there’s insufficient printer memory, you may not
be able to print at the highest resolution of the printer.
printing software: Computer software needed for printing that includes the printer driver
and other related files.
printer’s disk: A hard disk attached to the printer that contains fonts and also serves as
temporary storage during print jobs.
processor: The CPU (central processing unit) or “chip” of the printer, which control all its
actions.
properties: Configuration characteristics of a peripheral or of a software feature. Usually
found in Windows operating systems or applications.
protocol: All the characteristics of (usually) a communications system, such as a network.
A protocol describes how the messages are constructed in software, as well as the types of
connectors used.
rasterize: To convert an image into a dot pattern that can be represented by dots of toner
on a page.