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K
keyboard: The device you use to type information into the computer. Each key on the
keyboard is a switch that is activated when you press it. The switch sends a
specific code, representing the character printed on the key, to the processor.
keyboard shortcut: A key or combination of keys you use to perform a task instead of
using a pointing device, such as a mouse.
kilobyte (KB): A unit of data storage equal to 1024 bytes. Although kilo means 1000, for
computers it refers to 1024, or 2 raised to the 10th power. See also byte.
L
laser disc: Reflective-optical videodisc, recorded and read by laser light.
legacy device: (1) A peripheral device or card that does not have Plug and Play capability
built into it. (2) In networking, a device that is designed to work with proprietary
communication protocols instead of conforming to open standards.
light-emitting diode (LED): A semiconductor device that emits light when it receives an
electric current. Used for indicators like disk activity lights.
liquid crystal display (LCD): A type of display that uses a liquid substance between two
transparent electrode panels. By selectively turning the electrodes on and off,
the LCD creates the images you see on the screen.
load: To move information from a storage device (such as a CD-ROM) into memory,
making it available to the computer for processing.
local bus: A type of bus that connects devices directly to the microprocessor. Because
there are no wires between the CPU and the device, information is passed at a
much greater speed than through the system bus. See also bus.
logical drive: A section of a disk that is recognized by the operating system as a separate
disk drive. A system's logical drives may differ from its physical drives. For
example, a single hard disk drive may be partitioned into two or more logical
drives.
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