Glossary-12

Multimedia Extension (MMX) – A microprocessor technology developed by the Intel Corporation that runs multimedia programs faster and more efficiently.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) – A computer file format used to represent musical sounds. MIDI files can be identified by the file extension .mid.

navigate – To move from one site or directory to another site or directory.

Netscape Navigator – A Web browser developed by the Netscape Communications Corporation; used to view hypertext documents on intranet Web sites as well as documents on the World Wide Web.

network – Two or more computers linked together for the purpose of sharing resources, such as files, programs, or printers. See local area network, wide area network.

network adapter See network interface card.

network interface card – A device that enables a computer to be physically connected to and participate in data communications on a network.

newsgroup – A public special-interest forum on a network similar to a bulletin board. Subscribers can read and post messages to the newsgroup site.

NIC See network interface card.

notebook computer – A portable computer about the size of a large notebook usually weighing about four pounds. Contrast desktop computer, laptop computer.

online – The state of being connected to a network, especially the Internet.

online Help Program-specific information stored on the hard disk that can be accessed through the Help option on the program menu bar.

operating system (OS) – A set of system software programs that control how the computer works.

OS See operating system.

parallel port – A device that transfers bits of data simultaneously through the eight separate wires in a parallel cable. Printers are often connected to a parallel port.

partition – To format a hard disk so that it behaves as if it is two or more smaller hard disks.

PC – Personal computer.