Glossary
RAM (Random Access Memory)
The working memory of a computer that is used to run programs
and hold active files. The RAM becomes active each time the computer is booted and is shut down each time the computer is turned off. RAM is usually measured in megabytes.
Refresh Rate
The speed at which a monitor sends a new image to the screen. A cathode ray tube (CRT) sends an image vertically down a screen one line at a time. The whole screen is thus refreshed at a certain interval (as the CRT cycles down the screen and then returns to the top). This speed is usually mea- sured in Hz, which is a unit of frequency. A refresh rate of 60 Hz will pro- duce a slightly perceptible flicker of the screen that can cause eye strain. A rate of 72 Hz or faster will usually produce a comfortable image. Your monitor may refresh as different frequencies depending on the resolution.
ROM (Read Only Memory)
A memory chip or medium that permanently stores information. The information cannot be altered.
SCSI Cards
Interface cards that connect your computer to accessories, usually disk drives, that conform to the Small Computer Systems Interface standard.
Server
A computer on a network that receives connections from other “client” computers and performs functions for them, as well as serving as the point of exchange for information among the clients. A server usually tends to be a very fast computer with a large amount of storage space.
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