boot – To start up a computer. During the start up process, information necessary for the computer to operate is loaded into the memory.
browser – A program used to access and view information. See Web browser.
bug – An error in computer program code.
bulletin board – A computerized meeting and announcement system that can be accessed directly by dialing the bulletin board system telephone number using a modem or through an ISP connection and the Internet.
bus – The main communication path used by the components of a computer.
byte – A unit of measurement used to describe a quantity of data, equal to eight bits. A character is one byte in size. See bit.
CAB files (CABinet files) – Files in the Windows directory on your hard disk that contain the Microsoft Windows operating system distribution files. These files are automatically accessed when necessary.
cable modem – A device that provides constant access to the Internet through a cable Internet service provider.
cache – A portion of memory where frequently used information is duplicated for the purpose of instant access. See memory.
CardBus PC Card – A
CD – See compact disc, digital versatile disc, digital video disc.
central processing unit (CPU) – Controls the operation of a computer. Arithmetic and logic operations, as well as the decoding and execution of instructions are performed by the central processing unit. See chip, microprocessor.
channel – A communication path.
Channel Bar – A feature of the Microsoft Windows 98 active desktop that provides
chip – A tiny silicon wafer that contains miniature transistors and circuits. See central processing unit, microprocessor.
client – A computer workstation on a network that has access to the data and services of a central computer known as a server. Contrast server.