Appendix Glossary T

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 - T

T and L - Transform and Lighting The geometry set-up portion of the 3D pipeline. The transform stage translates 3D geometry descriptions into 2D vertex data, and the lighting stage resolves how each light source in a scene interacts with each 3D object.

T1 - A high bandwidth cable connection, used for telecommunications or wide area networking. A T1 connection is the equivalent of 24 voice channels. This means that it can be used for a whole lot of telephone lines or a computer connection that's a whole lot of fast.

T3 - A high bandwidth cable connection (really, really high), used for telecommunications or wide area networking. A T3 connection is the equivalent of 672 voice channels. Whether it's used for telephones or networking, this equates to a monstrous amount of bandwidth.

Tab - A designation in a program document or Web page similar to the ridge-like projection that divides and identifies sections in a notebook or planner. Like the physical tab in a notebook, the onscreen tab in a program application or Web page usually isolates a body of information. Clicking on such a tab with the mouse brings the material to the foreground.

Table - A particular orientation of information, arranged in vertical columns and horizontal lines of items such as text or images. Spreadsheet applications produce many types of tables.

Tape - A magnetically coated material used for the storage of computer, video, or audio data. The advantages of storing computer information on tape are that tapes can store large amounts of data and are less expensive than disks. The drawback to using tape is slow running speed. Tape is the preferred method of storing information that is not needed frequently such as archived data.

Tape Drive - A device that reads and/or writes data onto a tape. Accessing data on tape can be time consuming depending upon the location of the information.

Target - This is the location of a copy, or duplicate of an original file. A target can be a filename, a subdirectory, or a disk drive. It is the final destination of the file.

Task - Refers to the particular function being performed by a software application. taskbar in Windows, the panel on the bottom of a display monitor that contains icons, beginning with the Start button on the far left, that provides shortcuts to opening selected applications.

The Taskbar - Also displays the symbols representing folders, programs, and/or files that are presently open. It is also home for the volume control and displays the current time. Clicking on an item in the taskbar brings that item to the foreground.

Terabyte - Tbyte (TB).One trillion bytes; 10^12.Or, 2^40 (1,099,511,627,776).Binary numbers are often used when measuring computer storage.

TCP/IP - "Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol" TCP/IP is the common data communication mode that makes the Internet work. TCP/IP is not a program or a language, but a protocol that defines how data packets are to be transferred from one computer or network to another computer or network.

TELNET - TELNET lets Internet users log in to computers around the world that are connected to the Internet, and to use them as if they were their own.

Template - A model or pattern. The word is used to describe several functions with regard to software applications and graphical layout. For example, in a word-processing application, a template might refer to a style sheet, in that the layout for document is set before beginning work. Entering information into pre-set fields is all that is necessary to create the framework for the document. The same could apply to entering information into a spreadsheet. In graphic or Website design, a template might be used to maintain a uniform theme throughout the creation.

Terabyte - Approximately one trillion bytes.

Terminal - Hardware consisting of a keyboard and display screen allowing a user to communicate with a computer either through normal cable connections or by a network.

Terminator - A resistor at each end of an Ethernet coax, or thinnet, cable that absorbs energy to prevent reflected energy back along the cable (signal bounce). It is usually attached to an electrical ground at one end.

Text Editor - A specific kind of word processor that creates of edits text files only. It is often called ASCII, and creates unformatted, non-document files. It is not a fancy word processor.

Text File - A file containing primarily text. A word processing document however, is usually not simply a text file. Word processing files are different because they incorporate items such as boldface and italic characters, margins, underlined words, and many other variables that set them apart them from text files. A true text file is one where the sentences have no special characters or uniformity such as margins or columns. Some word processing programs allow a user to save documents in a "text only" or an ASCII format, allowing for easy uploading and downloading to others.

Thermal Printer - A low cost printer that produces characters and images using heat applied to a special type of paper. Calculators and some fax machines employ this technology.

Thick Ethernet Cable - Also called "standard Ethernet," thick Ethernet refers to industry-standard Ethernet cable or any other cable that uses the IEEE 802.3 Media Access Unit (MAU) interface. Also called 10BASE-5.

Thin Ethernet Cable - Also called "cheaper net," or 10BASE-2, thin Ethernet refers to thin Ethernet cable or its equivalent (IEEE 802.3 10BASE2) that connects to the Ethernet cable system with a cylindrical BNC connector. Usually quarter-inch black coaxial cable, identified by type such as RG-58/U.

Thin Film - A type of coating allowing very thin layers of magnetic material used on hard disks and read/write heads. Hard disks with thin film surfaces can store greater amounts of data.

Thrash - To move about wildly without accomplishing anything useful. With computers, thrashing occurs when too many programs are open and the system does not have the resources to accommodate them all. Closing one or all applications will get things under control. A more permanent solution is to install more memory.

Thread - A thread is a collection of articles within a Newsgroup that follow the same subject.

TIFF - "Tagged Image File Format" TIFF is a very common format for saving print graphics. It was originally created by the now defunct Aldus Corporation. Through the use of a file structure called "run-length encoding" the data in a TIFF graphic can be stored very efficiently. The resolution, file size, and colour depth available in TIFF are basically limitless. The functional advantages are complemented by nearly universal support by electronic publishing applications, make TIFF a natural choice for a wide range of layout and design tasks. The standard file extension for TIFFs is ".TIF" (perhaps the extra F is for "flexibility").

Tilde - The keyboard symbol (~).

Time Out - After waiting for an answer, a program or hardware device will often display a time out message and abandon the function. For example, when accessing computerised stock quotes on the telephone, the program will ask for the user's account number. If it isn't given within a certain period of time, say 30 seconds, the computer might return the user to the main menu or even disconnect.

Timna - The code name for Intel's successor to the Celeron processor, expected in early 2001. The Timna processor will be a low-cost CPU with an onboard graphics controller, making it most suitable for use in low-cost, limited expandability PCs.

Toggle - A term used to describe several actions. Primarily, to toggle means to switch functions from one to another. Occasionally people refer to clicking hyperlinks while surfing the Internet as toggling through the Net.

Token - 1. a single component of a programming language such as a keyword or symbol. 2. a code or message transmitted from one member of a token ring to another, allowing the holder the ability to transmit.

Token Ring Network - A network arranged in a circular fashion where a message is transmitted from one member to another. It is the token that gives the holder the ability to transmit.

Toner - Electrically charged ink-like power used in copiers and laser printers. Toner is available in disposable cartridges for both printers and copy machines or may be added to a reservoir as needed.

Topology - A wiring configuration used for a network. Examples are rings, stars, bus, and so on.

Touchpad - A touch-sensitive area on a portable or handheld computer allowing a user input by use of a special pen or her finger. The touchpad is used in place of a keyboard.

TPI - Acronym for tracks per inch. The number of tracks written within each inch of the disk's surface, used as a measure of how closely the tracks are packed on a disk surface. Also known as track density.

Track - One of the many concentric magnetic circular patterns written on a disk surface as a guide for storing and reading data.

Track To Track Seek Time - The time required for the read/write heads to move to an adjacent track.

Transceiver - Derived from transmitter/receiver, a transceiver is a device that sends and receives signals, that can connect a computer to the network, such as a network interface card.

Transfer Rate - The rate at which the disk drive sends and receives data from the controller. The sustained transfer rate includes the time required for system processing, head switches, and seeks, and accurately reflects the drive's true performance. The burst mode transfer rate is a much higher figure that refers only to the movement of data directly into RAM.

Trash - The folder in the Macintosh where deleted files are kept until they are permanently cleared or restored. The Trash bin in the Mac is the equivalent to the Recycle bin in the Windows operating system.

Tree - A data storage structure where new items are attached to elements below them. The first item in the structure is the root. The connections are called branches.

Trojan Horse - A program downloaded from the Internet that contains destructive elements to a computer. Unlike a true virus, the Trojan horse does not replicate itself, it simply erases the users hard drive. A Trojan horse can come disguised as a useful application such as a game or even a virus protection program.

True Colour - A graphics application using at least 24 bits for each pixel of colour. True colour applications are able to display more than 16 million colours.

TrueType - Developed as a joint venture between Apple and Microsoft in 1991, an outline font included in both company's operating software that has become a standard of sorts for everyday home computing.

Truncate - To shorten something. In programming languages, (especially when disk storage space was at a premium) there would not always be room to enter an entire character string, so there was a need to shorten it. For example, the number 45.070921 becomes 45.

TSOP - (Thin Small-Outline Package) - A DRAM package that uses gull-wing leads on both sides. TSOP DRAM mounts directly on the surface of the printed circuit board. The TSOP package is one-third the thickness of an SOJ. TSOP components commonly occur in small-outline DIMMs and credit card memory.

Turnkey System - A computer system that is designed for a particular application and comes to the user ready to perform certain functions. For example, a desktop publishing system would come with publishing, scanning, and printing drivers as well as the appropriate hardware and software. A user could figuratively turn a single key to be up and running.

Twain - "Technology without an interesting name" Actually its the interface used by a input device such as a scanner to import images (generally graphics) into the computer.

Tweak - To adjust, align, manipulate, or otherwise fine tune a hardware device or software application for maximum efficiency.

Twisted Pair Cable - A cable used for both network communications and telephone communications. Also known as UTP (unshielded twisted pair) and 10BASE-T/100BASE-T cable.

Typeface - A particular design for characters such as Courier or Times New Roman. The two major distinctions that separate typeface styles are Serif and Sans serif.