Glossary-9

intranet – An information site usually implemented by businesses, schools, or other large institutions designed to provide information to members of the organization. An intranet can be thought of as a smaller, private version of the World Wide Web. See extranet.

ISO See International Organization for Standardization.

ISP See Internet service provider.

ITU See International Telecommunication Union.

joystick – A device that permits more realistic game play than is possible with a mouse or touchpad.

K56flex – A data communication protocol developed by Lucent Technologies Incorporated and Rockwell International Corporation designed to transfer data at a maximum rate of 56 Kbps over standard telephone lines using a modem. See modem. See V.90 Standard.

KB See kilobyte.

Kbps See kilobits per second.

keyboard – The primary device used for entering alphanumeric data.

kilobits per second (Kbps) – A unit of measurement used to describe the rate of data transfer.

kilobyte (KB) – A unit of measurement used to describe data quantity. One KB is equal to approximately one thousand bytes. See byte.

LAN See local area network.

laptop computer – A portable computer, usually weighing approximately eight pounds. Contrast desktop computer, notebook computer.

LCD See liquid crystal display.

LED See light-emitting diode.

light-emitting diode (LED) – A device that glows when an electric current passes through it. Status lights on computers are often LEDs.

link – An item that provides direct access to a file, program, directory, or Web site. See hyperlink, shortcut.