Glossary

disk drive: The device that randomly accesses information on a disk and copies it to the computer’s memory. It also writes data from memory to the disk. To accomplish these tasks, the unit physically rotates the disk at high speed past a read-write head.

disk storage: Storing data on magnetic disk. Data is arranged on concentric tracks much like a phonograph record.

diskette: A removable disk that stores magnetically encoded data. Also called a floppy disk.

display: A CRT, LCD, or other image producing device used to view computer output.

documentation: The set of manuals and/or other instructions written for the users of a computer system or application. Computer system documentation typically includes procedural and tutorial information as well as system functions.

DOS: Disk Operating System. See operating system.

driver: A software program, generally part of the operating system, that controls a specific piece of hardware (frequently a peripheral device such as a printer or mouse).

Dual Pointing Device: Pointing device consisting of AccuPoint and Touch Pad. Both of these device can function together or separately. See AccuPoint and Touch Pad.

DVD-RAM:A Digital Versatile Disc Random Access Memory is a high- capacity, high performance disc that lets you store large volumes of data. The DVD-ROM drive uses a laser to read data from the disc.

DVD-ROM:A Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory is a high capacity, high performance disc suitable for play back of video and other high- density files. The DVD-ROM drive uses a laser to read data from the disc.

E

echo: To send back a reflection of the transmitted data to the sending device. You can display the information on the screen, or output it to the printer, or both. When a computer receives back data it transmitted to a CRT (or other peripheral device) and then retransmits the data to printer, the printer is said to echo the CRT.

erase: See delete.

escape: 1) A code (ASCII code 27), signaling the computer that what follows are commands; used with peripheral devices such as printers and modems.

2) A means of aborting the task currently in progress.

escape guard time: A time before and after an escape code is sent to the modem which distinguishes between escapes that are part of the transmitted data, and escapes that are intended as a command to the modem.

TECRA M2

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