Centronics: The printer manufacturer whose method of data
transmission between a parallel printer and a computer has become
an industry standard.
character: Any letter, number or symbol you can use on the computer.
Some characters are non-printing characters, such as a paragraph
break in a word-processing program. A character occupies one byte
of computer storage.
chip: A small piece of silicon containing computer logic and circuits for
processing, memory, input/output and/or control functions. Chips
are mounted on printed circuit boards.
choose: To use the pointing device or keyboard to select a menu item, a
button or an icon.
click: To press and release a mouse button or AccuPoint button. In
Windows, refers to the left mouse button or primary AccuPoint
button, unless otherwise stated.
cold boot: See boot.
COM1 and COM2: Names that the operating system gives the
computer's serial ports to distinguish between them.
commands: Instructions that tell the computer and its devices what to do.
You can enter commands individually, using the keyboard or
pointing device, or combine them into macros or programs. See also
macro, program.
communications: The means by which a computer sends data to and
receives data from another computer or device.
compatibility: The ability of two computers, programs and/or devices to
operate together. For example, if you install a modem that is not
compatible with your computer, the modem will not work.
component: A part of the computer system. Many components are
combined to create the whole system.
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Glossary
Part III: Appendixes