Glossary

A

AccuPoint II: A pointing device integrated into the TOSHIBA computer keyboard.

adapter: A device that provides an interface between two dissimilar electronic devices. For example, the AC adapter modifies the power from a wall outlet for use by the computer. This term also refers to the add-in circuit cards that control external devices, such as video monitors and magnetic tape devices.

allocate: To assign a space or function for a specific task.

alphanumeric: Keyboard characters including letters, numbers and other symbols, such as punctuation marks or mathematical symbols.

alternating current (AC): Electric current that reverses its direction of flow at regular intervals.

analog signal: A signal whose characteristics such as amplitude and frequency vary in proportion to (are an analog of) the value to be transmitted. Voice communications are analog signals.

ANSI: American National Standards Institute. An organization established to adopt and define standards for a variety of technical disciplines. For example, ANSI defined the ASCII standard and other information processing requirements.

antistatic: A material used to prevent the buildup of static electricity.

application: A group of programs that together are used for a specific task such as accounting, financial planning, spreadsheets, word processing, and games, etc.

ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII code is a set of 256 binary codes that represent the most commonly used letters, numbers, and symbols.

async: Short for asynchronous.

asynchronous: Lacking regular time relationship. As applied to computer communications, asynchronous refers to the method of transmitting data that does not require a steady stream of bits to be transmitted at regular time intervals.

AUTOEXEC.BAT: A batch file that executes a series of MS-DOS commands and programs each time you start the computer.

B

backup: A duplicate copy of files kept as a spare in case the original is destroyed.

batch file: A file that can be executed from the system prompt containing a sequence of operating system commands or executable files. See also AUTOEXEC.BAT.

TOSHIBA TE2300

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