Terms 237

 

Glossary

 

 

 

RAM

random access memory

RFI

radio frequency interference

ROM

read-only memory

RTC

real-time clock

SCSI

small computer system interface

SDRAM

synchronous dynamic random access memory

SRAM

static random access memory

SVGA

super video graphics adapter

TFT

thin film transistor

USB

universal serial bus

URL

uniform resource locator

WAN

wide area network

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Terms

The following terms may appear in this user’s guide.

A

active-matrix display — A liquid crystal display (LCD) made from an

 

 

array of liquid crystal cells using active-matrix technology. Also

 

known as a “TFT display,” in its simplest form there is one thin film

 

transistor (TFT) for each cell. This type of display works well with

 

notebook computers because of its shallow depth and high-quality

 

color. Active-matrix displays are viewable from wider angles than

 

most passive-matrix displays.

 

adapter — A device that provides a compatible connection between two

 

units. For example, the computer’s internal display adapter receives

 

information from the software and translates it into images on the

 

screen. An adapter can take a number of forms, from a microprocessor

 

to a simple connector. An intelligent adapter (one that is capable of

 

doing some processing) may also be called a controller.

 

alternating current (AC) — The type of power usually supplied to

 

residential and commercial wall outlets. AC reverses its direction at

 

regular intervals. Compare direct current (DC).