Appendix Glossary S

In the left margin you will find links to the glossary categorised alphabetically. Some of the pages are quite long and may take a few moments to load if you use a modem. This glossary is always being updated.

Glossary - S

Safe Mode - A temporary method of running Windows using the absolute minimum in resources. In the event of a hardware failure or malfunction, it can become necessary to run the operating system in the Safe Mode. In safe mode, it is sometimes possible to back up files and otherwise rescue data that is subject to loss due to eminent hardware failure. Windows is often able to alert the user to such problems before they actually occur. It would be wise to print out the instructions for Safe Mode operation prior to needing them. To do so, go to Start, Help, type "Safe Mode" into the keyword prompt box, click on Display and print the instructions for safekeeping.

Saturation - The degree of intensity of a colour. Deep vivid colour is said to be saturated, while decreasing saturation causes the colour to fade.

Save - The process of transferring information from memory onto a disk: either hard or floppy or both for long-term storage.

Save As - The option to save a file under a different name, format, or in a different folder. The Save As option comes in particularly handy in word processing functions when variations of a single document must be created.

Scalable Font - Sometimes called object-oriented or outline fonts, a versatile font available in graphics oriented language such as TrueType or Postscript that can be used to print characters of high resolution and of any size.

ScanDisk - A DOS and Windows diagnostic program that searches for hard disk errors.

Scanner - A device that digitises images so that they can be used in electronic document assembly. Scanners are available for a very wide range of prices, and their quality tends to vary accordingly. Thanks to scanner technology, a whole lot of really bad photos can be miraculously incorporated into a whole lot of really bad newsletters, brochures, and websites.

Screen Dump - This means taking the information on the screen and sending a copy of it to your printer. You can press the PRINT SCREEN key to activate this process.

Screen Res - Screen Res (screen resolution) refers to the amount of image density that a computer or video screen is capable of displaying. Screen res nearly always equates to 72 DPI. When preparing an image for use only on the display screen (as would be the case with multimedia presentations and websites), anything more than screen res is overkill. In other words, you can go ahead and res down that 600 DPI picture of your dog on your home page.

Screen Saver - A program that displays an animated picture or pattern when the computer has not received input from the keyboard for a specified period. Screen savers were originally used to prevent "screen burn" or ghosting, a condition that caused the screen's inner coating to wear from images or text that was constantly present. Modern display screens are no longer subject to this condition, yet the screen saver has retained it's popularity. Many interesting and unusual screen saver patterns are included in both Macintosh and Windows operating systems as well on thousands of Websites for free downloading.

SCSI - Acronym for small computer system interface, pronounced "scuzzy," is a very common means of connecting disk drives and other peripheral devices to a computer. The SCSI architecture makes it easy for users to attach and remove devices from the "SCSI Chain" without having to open the computer case. SCSI also affords a very high data transfer rate between connected devices. Apple Macintosh systems and many UNIX operating system workstations use the SCSI interface. Now available in several varieties, including "narrow," "wide," "Ultra wide" and "Ultra2," SCSI drives are popular among digital video and audio recording enthusiasts, or those running high-powered network servers, who typically demand the fastest hard drives. SCSI is also commonly used to connect scanners, CD recorders, tape backup units and other external storage devices. Some motherboards have SCSI onboard. The fastest variety of UltraSCSI supports transfer rates up to 160 MB/sec. Ultra2 LVD (low voltage differential) SCSI supports transfer rates of up to 80 MB/sec. SCSI devices are more expensive than their IDE counterparts, mainly because of the increased (and more expensive) logic on the device itself. SCSI controllers can typically cost anywhere from £25 to £1000, and IDE controllers are usually integrated onto the system's mainboard. If you have a high class 486, or a Pentium, chances are that you have an IDE controller on your motherboard.

SDK - (Software Development Kit) programming tools that allow a programmer to create applications that will enhance the operation of other software.

SDRAM - (Synchronous DRAM) A DRAM technology that uses a clock to synchronise signal input and output on a memory chip. The clock is co-ordinated with the CPU clock so the timing of the memory chips and the timing of the CPU are in synch. Synchronous DRAM saves time in executing commands and transmitting data, thereby increasing the overall performance of the computer. SDRAM allows the CPU to access memory approximately 25 percent faster than EDO memory. Faster is better (and more expensive). Be sure that BX or Super7 class systems come with PC100 SDRAM for maximum performance and future upgradeability.

SDSL - (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) new technology requiring a special modem that allows for the sending of data over copper telephone lines at high speeds. Data can be transferred at rates of up to 3 Mbps because SDSL transmits on frequencies not used for regular voice transmission.

Search Engine - A search engine is a website that is there to help its users find other websites or pages. Examples of popular Internet search engines are Alta Vista and Infoseek. A given website may also have its own search engine in place to allow users to look for specific content within that site. These are essential tools for performing research on the Internet. Without them it would be nearly impossible to find vital information, like an FAQ page dedicated to the Partridge Family's first album.

SECC - Single Edge Contact Cartridge. The large metal and plastic cartridge that holds a Pentium II or Pentium III. These cartridges fit into a Single Edge Contact (SEC), popularly known as Slot 1.

Sector - On a PC hard drive, the minimum segment of track length that can be assigned to store information. On Macintosh and UNIX drives, sectors usually are grouped into blocks or logical blocks that function as the smallest data unit permitted. Since these blocks often are defined as a single sector, the terms block and sector are sometimes used interchangeably in this context. (Note: The usage of the term block in connection with the physical configuration of the disk is different from its meaning at the system level.)

Seed Router - A seed router supplies routing information (network numbers and ranges, zone names, etc.) to the network.

Seek - The movement of a read/ write head to a specific data track.

Segment - A segment consists of one or more nodes. Segments are connected to subnets by hubs and repeaters.

Self Refresh - A memory technology that enables DRAM to refresh on its own and independent of the CPU or external refresh circuitry. Self-Refresh technology is built into the DRAM chip itself and reduces power consumption dramatically. Notebook and laptop computers use this technology.

SEPP - Single Edge Processor Package. Essentially, an SECC without the cartridge. This term is used to describe the form factor of Slot 1 Celeron processors.

Serial Port - This is a port into which a variety of devices can be plugged. The most common is the modem. You can also plug in a mouse, printer or scanner. Most computers have one or two serial ports. A standard port on the Macintosh for connecting external devices to the computer for either LocalTalk or high-speed serial communications.

Serial Presence Detect - An EEPROM chip that contains information about size and speed, as well as other specifications and manufacturer information of a memory module.

Server - A computer that provides shared resources to network users.

Server Based Network - A network in which all client computers use a dedicated central server computer for network functions such as storage, security and other resources.

Servo Data - Magnetic markings written on the media that guide the read/write heads to the proper position.

Servo Surface - A separate surface containing only positioning and disk timing information but no data. Used only in a dedicated servo system.

Settle Time - The interval between the arrival of the read/write head at a specific track, and the lessening of the residual movement to a level sufficient for reliable reading or writing.

SGRAM - (Synchronous Graphics Random-Access Memory) - Video memory that includes graphics-specific read/write features. SGRAM allows data to be retrieved and modified in blocks instead of individually. Blocking reduces the number of reads and writes the memory must perform and increases the performance of the graphics controller.

Shadowing - A method of increasing computer speed by configuring a system to utilise general-purpose ROM during the boot process rather than the slower BIOS ROM. To do this, BIOS ROM is copied into RAM when the computer is booted.

Shared Data - Files on the server that can be shared across the network.

Shared Ethernet - Standard 10BASE-T Ethernet method of sending data to a hub which then rebroadcasts this data to every port on the network until it reaches its destination.

Shared Resources - Files, printers, peripherals and other services that can be shared across the network.

Shareware - Software that is offered for a very low price and is distributed widely (often on the Internet), in hopes that potential users will come across it, use it, decide to pay for it, and tell all their friends how cool it is. By the way, making copies of commercial software and "sharing" it with others does not automatically turn it into shareware.

Shell - Also called user interface or command shell, the part of an operating system that processes user commands and allows them to be executed.

Shock Rating - A rating (expressed in Gs) of how much shock a disk drive can sustain without damage. Operating and non-operating shock levels are usually specified separately.

Shockwave - Shockwave is a technology that allows multimedia documents created in Macromedia's Director or Flash to be viewed and interacted with over the web within the web browser program. In order to retrieve Shockwave content, one must outfit one's web browser with the specialised decoding software called a "plug-in," which can be downloaded over the Internet for free. Some delightfully bad examples of Shockwave technology can be viewed at ASAP's Toybox site: toybox.asap.net.

Shortcut - In Windows, the ability to execute a program or open a file by clicking on an icon, usually located on the desktop. A user can easily create a shortcut to a program by first clicking on My Computer, selecting the desired icon and right clicking. Then, with the left mouse button pressed, he drags the icon to the desktop. From then on the user needs only to double click this icon to open the program.

Shovelware - Software that has virtually no value to a user, but that is packaged and/or sold as if it did. Shovelware became very prevalent in the early days of CD-ROM distribution, when profiteers began collecting readily available freeware and shareware programs and delivering them on CDs. There was a time when the marketplace at large was willing to pay for anything delivered on a CD-ROM, the assumption apparently being that 650 megabytes of data couldn't be all bad. Now, thanks to the Internet, we all know that no matter how profuse the quantity, most data is useless to most people.

Shut Down - To properly turn off a computer. In the Windows operating system, select Start either by left clicking on the icon or pressing the "Windows" key, select Shut down, and press Enter or left click the mouse.

SIMD - Single Instruction, Multiple Data. A type of CPU design that allows a single instruction to work with multiple pieces of data at once, so they can do several things at once. Each path through an instruction is called a vector. Thus, these are sometimes called Vector Processors. Intel's Pentium III includes SIMD capabilities.

SIMM - (Single In line Memory Module) A printed circuit board having memory devices and gold or tin/lead contacts. A SIMM plugs into a computer memory expansion socket. SIMMs offer two main advantages: ease of installation and minimal consumption of board surface. A vertically mounted SIMM requires only a fraction of the space required by a horizontally mounted DRAM. A SIMM may have as few as 30 or as many as 200 pins. On a SIMM, the metal leads on either side of the board are electrically tied together.
A type of memory found in some Super7 motherboards (but not Pentium II systems). SIMMs must be added two at a time. Consult your system's manual to ensure the right type of memory - there are many varieties, including EDO, which provides a modest boost over "standard" Dynamic RAM on systems that support it.

SIMM Socket - A motherboard component that holds a single SIMM.

Single Banked - A module that has only one bank or row.

Site - A particular "spot" on the Internet or World Wide Web. Sometimes a single computer, but may be a network of computers. Examples include: Gopher site, WWW site, FTP site.

Site Manager - The Site Manager page is where all the files on your web site are listed. This includes your original Talk City home page (which is automatically named "index.html"), as well as the new files you have added or uploaded, including image files. It also has buttons for adding new pages, editing your existing pages, and copying, deleting and renaming your files.

Site Wide Style - The Site-Wide Style controls the look of many of your web pages. It is a combination of background image, text colour, and, in some layouts, graphic images that are used by default on the Classic Bio and Photo Album layouts. If you change your Site-Wide Style (using the Site Properties button in the Site Manager), you will change the look of all web pages that used the default style. If you change the style of the web page to a different style, then that style will take precedence. However, layouts that have a fixed style (like the Birth and Wedding Announcements) are not affected by the Site-Wide style.

SLDRAM - (Synclink) Although obsolete today, SLDRAM was a main memory technology developed by a consortium of twelve DRAM manufacturers as an alternative to Direct Rambus technology.

Sleep Mode - A computer setting where, usually after a pre-set idle period, the computer shuts down unnecessary operations such as the display monitor and disk drive. The sleep mode is designed to preserve energy.

SLIP/PPP - Two protocols for allowing a computer to connect to the Internet through a dial-up connection, using a modem.

Slot 1 - The type of slot, sometimes known as an SEC (single edge contact) or SEPP, on a motherboard a Pentium II or Pentium III processor fits into. SEC Celeron processors also fit this slot. Adapter boards are available, allowing the use of normally incompatible Socket 370 processors, as well.

Slot 2 - The type of slot on a motherboard a Xeon processor fits into. Adapter boards are available, allowing the use of normally incompatible Slot One processors.

Slotkit - An adapter designed to allow a Slot 1 motherboard to accept FC-PGA and/or Socket 370 processor[s].

SMART CARD - An electronic device, similar in size to a credit card, that can store data and programs while enhancing security. Applications include identification, mass transit, and banking.

Smartdrive - A disk caching system developed by Microsoft and used in earlier versions of Windows and DOS that provided faster access to data on a hard disk by caching.

SMDS - (Switched Multimegabit Data Services) A standard for high-speed data connections whereby local area networks (LANs) can be connected to form a wide area network (WAN).

Smiley - A symbol in e-mail and newsgroup messages used to convey emotion, or simply amusement. Create smileys by typing various keyboard characters. For example, :-) means happiness.

SMTP - "Send Mail Transfer Protocol" This is effectively the "Language" that e-mail servers use to communicate with each other. An SMTP server is the "post office" of the e-mail communication model. Unlike real-world Post Offices, SMTP servers are usually open at night and on national holidays.

Sneakernet - While it sounds as though this term refers to a network protocol, it is actually a cute way of describing a situation in which no true network is used. Sneakernet means getting files from one computer to another by copying them to a floppy disk or removable drive, then walking over to another computer and copying them to it. For the record, it's still called sneakernet when the user is wearing another type of shoe. For instance, when executives do it, it isn't called "Wingtip-Net."

SNMP - (Simple Network Management Protocol) A set of protocols used for communications software and devices such as switches and routers connected to a TCP/IP.

SO DIMM - (Small Outline Dual In line Memory Module) An enhanced version of a standard DIMM. A 72 pin small-outline DIMM is about half the length of a 72-pin SIMM.

SO RIMM - The trademarked name for a Direct Rambus memory module in notebook computers. SO-RIMMs provide memory bandwidth comparable to desktop memory configurations.

Socket 370 - The type of socket that Intel's PPGA (Plastic Pin Grid Array) Celeron 366 (or newer) processor fits. This socket looks superficially similar to, but is electrically and physically different than, a Socket 7. The PPGA Celeron has, as the socket name implies, 370 pins. Most Celeron processors slower than 466 MHz are also available in slightly more expensive SEPP versions.

Socket 7 - Super 7, motherboards designed for "Socket 7" processors such as the Cyrix M2, AMD K6 and K6-2, and Intel's Pentium or Pentium with MMX processors. Super7 boards support 100 MHz bus speeds, enhancing performance of chips such as the AMD K6-2. Better Super7 boards have 1 megabytes of cache, which improves performance over the 512K found in inexpensive models.

Socket 8 - The type of socket that Intel's now-discontinued Pentium Pro processor fits into.

Soft Error - A faulty data reading that does not recur if the same data is reread from the disk or corrected by ECC. Usually caused by power fluctuations or noise spikes.

Soft Sectored - Disks that mark the beginning of each sector of data within a track by a magnetic pattern.

Software - This is the collection of programs that you have in your possession to make life easier for you. Software controls the computer  hardware. There are all kinds of software (word processing, databasing, spreadsheeting etc) to help you organise your life.

SOHO - (Small Office Home Office) often refers to individuals working from home (and the many resources available to them), one of the largest markets for computers, supporting devices, and software.

SOJ - (Small-Outline J lead) A common form of surface-mounted DRAM packaging. An SOJ is a rectangular package with J-shaped leads on the two long sides.

Solano - Intel's i815 chipset, used in some computers shipped after June 2000. The i815 features 133MHz FSB support.

Sound Card - A printed circuit board that allows a computer to record and play sound such as stereo music and MIDI files. Although generic sound cards come as standard equipment with most off-the-shelf computers, the term implies an added feature, as a card is an expansion (circuit) board.

Source - This is the original from which a copy is made. When you copy a file or duplicate a disk the original is called the source. The source drive is the drive from which you are making the copy. The destination, or location to which you are copying is referred to as the target.

Spam - A deliberate barrage of unrequested and often inappropriate information in an electronic forum. It is used both as a noun and as a verb. The term is applied quite broadly and can refer to anything from e-mail solicitation to misrepresenting the contents of one's website in order to generate traffic. For example, if you have listed your website as the world's leading connection for "PORN" when in fact your site is all about "Pete's Oboe Recital Network," you may be guilty of spamming. Spamming is a breach of netiquette.

SPD - Serial Presence Detect, has to do with the EEPROMs in PC SDRAM modules

Spell Check - A feature found in many text oriented software applications such as word processors that scans the text in a document and alerts the user to misspelled words, many with the ability to offer suggestions for the correct spelling. Such a program needs to maintain its own dictionary. A small drawback to a spell check feature is that many don't recognise a misused word that is correctly spelled, such as the words there and their.

Spider - A program that searches out information online. It works by systematically accessing one Web page after another, making use of the many hyperlinks connecting the pages on the World Wide Web. Search engines employ spiders to seek out information from millions of sources.

Spindle - The drive's centre shaft, on which the hard disk platters are mounted.

Split Screen - The division of a display screen into two or more frames each displaying a different document or different portion of the same document.

Spooling - To order items or jobs in a queue before sending them to an output device such as a printer. Spooling furnishes a waiting area for documents to pause while waiting for the printer to accommodate each item in the queue.

Spreadsheet - A specific type of database program made up of rows and columns. This is used as an electronic spreadsheet or bookkeeper. Spreadsheet programs have mathematical functions built in to manipulate the figures after you have entered them. Eg. SUM (adding a row or column)!

SQL - "Symbolic Query Language" SQL (usually pronounced "sequel") is a standard that defines how information is stored and retrieved within a database. SQL is very powerful and very efficient, and a whole lot of fun at parties.

SRAM - (Static Random-access Memory) Pronounced S-ram, unlike dynamic RAM, which requires refreshing with electrical current thousands of time per second to function, Static RAM does not need to be refreshed. Consequently, it is faster and more expensive. It is used in caches and video memory, where speed is of the essence.

SSE - Streaming SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) Extensions. 70 new instructions in Pentium III processors that are Intel's answer to the 3Dnow! instructions in AMD's popular K6-2.

SSL - SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an open protocol for securing data communications across networks. Secure Websites (where you can confidently enter credit card details, personal details, etc.) are indicated by the key at the bottom of your browser (normally broken) being joined together.

Stack - In programming, a set order of prioritising tasks (also called last in, first out) where each additional item is added to the top of the order and acted on first.

Stand Alone - A hardware device that is able to operate independently. An electronic calculator or handheld video game would be a stand-alone device, while a computer monitor is not because it requires input from a computer.

Standoffs - These are usually little pieces of plaster that are used to separate the motherboard from the motherboard tray, or case to prevent shorts.

Star Topology - A networking set-up used with 10BASE-T cabling and a hub where each node on the network is connected to the hub like points of a star.

Static RAM - (SRAM) A memory chip that requires power to retain content. SRAM is faster than DRAM but more expensive and bulky. A typical use for SRAM is cache memory.

Stepper - A type of motor that moves in discrete amounts with each electrical pulse. Steppers were originally the most common type of actuator engine, since they can be geared to advance a read/ write head one track per step.

Storage - A data-holding device, such as a hard disk or CD-ROM.

Store And Forward - The most accurate data transferring technique that examines each packet of a transmission to verify accuracy, and ensuring bad or misaligned packets are eliminated, then sends it to its destination. When the network is busy, the packet is stored until the network is able to carry the traffic and packets are transmitted without error.

Streaming Audio/Video - This technology allows a web browser to begin playing an audio or video clip while that clip is still being downloaded from the server. This minimises the amount of time that the user spends waiting for the data to come over the Internet. Examples of software that facilitates this technology are Shockwave and Real Audio.

String - This refers to any group of characters. A string of text is a line of text.

Stripping - Assembling the elements of an offset print job by hand. Strippers take individual pieces of film and construct the pages to be printed by physically laying them into position.

Stuffit - A Stuffit file is a common means of compressing and distributing data on the Macintosh platform. Through the use of a program created by Aladdin Systems, one can make a given file or folder much smaller for backup or distribution. The Windows counterpart of the Stuffit process would be to create and distribute "zip" files.

Subdirectory - This is a directory that has a relation to another directory. All directories on a disk are subdirectories of the root directory.

Subnet - A network segment connected by hubs or repeaters. Subnets can stand alone or can be connected to other subnetworks onto a larger network.

Substrate - The material underneath the magnetic coating of a disk. Common substrates include aluminium for hard disks, glass for optical disks, and Mylar for floppy disks.

Super VGA - Video graphics with higher resolution than VGA. Display monitors receive instructions from a video card that, among other functions, allow for colour display and screen resolution. VGA (Video Gate Array or Video Graphics Adapter) was a standard introduced by IBM in the 1980s that had a maximum resolution of 640x480 pixels with 16 colours. Although SVGA features differ according to individual manufacturers, the standard allows for resolutions of up to 1600x1200 pixels and colour display capabilities from 256 colours to 16 million colours. Standards for video display are reviewed by a number of graphics manufacturers known as the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).

Surf - The act of exploring (often aimlessly) on the Internet, or more specifically, the world wide web. Since websites are profusely stocked with links to other websites, a person can spend a colossal amount of time linking from page to page with no particular course of action in mind. When one is surfing at work, it is usually referred to as "critical research" or something like that.

Surface - The top or bottom side of the platter that is coated with the magnetic material for recording data. On some drives one surface may be reserved for positioning information.

Surfing - "Jumping" or navigating from site to site on the Internet.

Swapping - Using part of the hard drive as memory when RAM is full.

Switched Ethernet - Unlike shared Ethernet, it provides a private connection between two nodes on a network, speeding up the rate at which data is sent along the network and eliminating collisions. Switched connections allow full duplex, which means network nodes can send and receive data at the same time. This doubles the theoretical "speed limit" of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet, maxing out in the latter at 200 MBps.

Synchronous - A signal or message occurring at evenly timed periods. Usually, communications within a computer are evenly timed, while communication between computers and peripheral devices is not regularly timed, therefore referred to as asynchronous.

Syntax - The is the format of a DOS command. This is what you type, the command, the options, the order in which they come. If you make a mistake a "syntax error" will flash up on the screen .... then you get to enter it all again .. hopefully correctly this time!

SyQuest - SyQuest is a removable disk technology that allows users to store files on relatively inexpensive modular volumes that are independent from the SCSI device that reads from and writes to them. SyQuest disks were first introduced as five-and-a-quarter-inch volumes that were each capable of holding 44 megabytes of data (which seemed like an awful lot at the time). Since their initial introduction, the product line has grown to include removable disks of many different sizes (both physical and virtual), most of which are not compatible with one another.

System Board - Transmission Line Technology - A technology that supports the backside bus in Direct Rambus systems. Information is quickly pipelined in simultaneous packets. The memory controller reassembles the packets for frontside bus transfer and communication to the processor.