240 Glossary
restart — Synonymous with reboot. To reset the computer by reloading
the operating system without turning the computer off. See also
boot.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) monitor — A monitor that reproduces all
colors by mixing red, green, and blue light in various combinations.
RJ11 connector — A modular connector used on most U.S. telephone
systems and direct-connect modems. The RJ11 connector is a 6-
wire connector.
RJ45 connector — An eight-wire connector used to connect a computer
to a network.
ROM (read-only memory) — Non-volatile memory that can be read
but not written to. Non-volatile here means that information in ROM
remains whether or not the computer is receiving power. This type
of memory is used to store your computer’s BIOS, which is
essential instructions the computer reads when you start it up. See
also BIOS, memory. Compare RAM.
Sselect — To highlight or otherwise specify text, data, or graphics with the
intent to perform some operation on it.
serial — Processes that occur one at a time. In communications, it means
the transmission of one bit at a time sequentially over a single
channel. On your computer, the serial port provides a serial interface
between the computer and an appropriate device. Compare parallel.
shortcut — See keyboard shortcut.
Sleep — A feature of some Windows® operating systems that allows you
to turn off the computer without exiting your open applications and
to continue from where you left off when you turn the computer on
again.
software — See program. Compare hardware.
solid state drive —A data storage device that utilizes solid-state memory
as opposed to a hard disk (see hard disk). Much like hard disks, solid
state drives hold much more information than diskettes and are used
for storage of programs and data.
Suspend — A feature of some Windows® operating systems that allows
you to turn off the computer without exiting your open applications
and to continue from where you left off when you turn the computer
on again.