What is T1?
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This is a data transfer system that transfers digital signals at 1.544 megabits per second (quite a bit faster than a 56K modem, which maxes out at around 0.056 Mbps). Most small to mid-sized colleges and business have T1 lines for their Internet connections. Because of the T1's large bandwidth, hundreds of people can be accessing the Internet from one T1 line. However, like all good things, too many people on one T1 line can cause dramatic decreases in data transfer speeds. For this reason, multiple T1s are often used.
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What is T3?
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What about T2, you ask? For some reason, there just is no such thing. (There was probably some legal dispute about it involving the name of a popular Arnold Schwarzenegger movie). If a T1 connection just isn't going to cut it for you, a T3 should do the trick. However, if you thought a T3 was 3 times faster than a T1 connection, you're slightly off. A T3 line actually 30 times faster, supporting data transfer rates of 44.736 megabits per second. What I wouldn't do to have one of those in my basement...
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What is Tag?
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On clothes, tags usually indicate the brand, size of the garment, fabrics used, and the washing instructions. In Web pages, tags indicate what should be displayed on the screen when the page loads. Tags are the basic formatting tool used in HTML (hypertext markup language) and other markup languages, such as XML. For example, to create a table on a Web page, thetag is used. The data that should be inside the table follows the
tag, and the table is closed with a
tag.
If you want something to show up in bold on a Web page, you would use the bold tag. For example, the line:
Sharpened.net is the best Web site ever!
would show up as: Sharpened.net is the best Web site ever!
Since there is often a need to format content within more general tags, the tags can be "nested," meaning one tag can enclose one or more other tags. For example:
This is the Times font, and this is in italics. Pretty exciting, huh?
would should up as: This is the Times font, and this is in italics. Pretty exciting, huh?
Tags are a fundemental part of HTML and they are pretty simple to understand. If you want to build a Web site of your own, you can either create it from scratch (using a text editor and typing your own tags) or you can use a layout program such as Adobe GoLive or Macromedia Dreamweaver, which will generate the tags for you. Best of all, tags used in markup languages don't itch or chafe your neck.
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What is Tape Drive?
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This is a removable storage device mainly used for backing up data. It is similar to a Zip Drive, but instead of Zip disks, it uses small tapes. The drive acts like a tape recorder, reading data from the computer and writing it onto the tape. Since tape drives have to scan through lots of tape to read small amounts of scattered data, they are not practical for most storage purposes. That is why they are used almost exclusively for data backup. The benefit of tape drives is that they typically have large capacities for storing data, for a lower cost than hard drives similar in size. Also, multiple tapes can be used to make incremental backups (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.), which is much cheaper than using multiple hard drives.
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What is Task Bar?
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The task bar was introduced with Windows 95 and has been part of every version of Windows since then. It is the bar that spans the bottom of the screen and contains the Start button on the left side and the systray on the right. The task bar also includes the current time on the far right side and can hold shortcuts to programs directly to the right of the Start button.
Most of the task bar, however, contains shortcuts to open windows. Whenever you open a program or window, it shows up in the task bar. So if you have Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word open, there will be at least two items in the middle area of the task bar. Since each window gets its own location in the task bar, if there are two Microsoft Word documents open and three Internet Explorer windows open, there will be a total of five items in the task bar. When you click on a window title in the task bar, that window will become active and show up in front of other open windows. You can also cycle through the task bar items by holding the Alt key and pressing Tab a few times.
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What is TCP IP?
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Stands for "Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol." These two protocols were developed in the early days of the Internet by the U.S. military. The purpose was to allow computers to communicate over long distance networks. The TCP part has to do with the verifying delivery of the packets. The IP part refers to the moving of data packets between nodes. TCP/IP has since then become the foundation of the Internet. Therefore, TCP/IP software is built into all major operating systems, such as Unix, Windows, and the Mac OS.
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What is Tebibyte?
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A tebibyte is a unit of data storage that equals 2 to the 40th power, or 1,099,511,627,776 bytes.
While a terabyte can be estimated as 10^12 or 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, a tebibyte is exactly 1,099,511,627,776 bytes. This is to avoid the ambiguity associated with the size of terabytes. A tebibyte is 1,024 gibibytes and precedes the pebibyte unit of measurement.
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What is Telnet?
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This is a program that allows you log in to a Unix computer via a text-based interface. If you have an account on a Telnet server, you can access certain resources on the system such your home directory, your e-mail account, FTP files, etc. The downside of Telnet is that, to use it, you need to use Unix commands, which can be a challenge.
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What is Template?
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Template
A template is a file that serves as a starting point for a new document. When you open a template, it is pre-formatted in some way. For example, you might use template in Microsoft Word that is formatted as a business letter. The template would likely have a space for your name and address in the upper left corner, an area for the recipient's address a little below that on the left site, an area for the message body below that, and a spot for your signature at the bottom.
When you save a file created with a template, you are usually prompted to save a copy of the file, so that you don't save over the template. Templates can either come with a program or be created by the user. Most major programs support templates, so if you find yourself creating similar documents over and over again, it might be a good idea to save one of them as a template. Then you won't have to format your documents each time you want to make a new one. Just open the template and start from there.
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What is Terabyte?
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A terabyte is 2 to the 40th power, or 1,099,511,627,776 bytes.
It can be estimated as 10 to the 12th power, or 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. A terabyte is 1,024 gigabytes and precedes the petabyte unit of measurement. While today's consumer hard drives are typically measured in gigabytes, Web servers and file servers may have several terabytes of space. A single 500GB hard drive can also be called a half-terabyte drive.
The prefix "tera" comes from the Greek word meaning "monster." So, if you have a 500GB hard drive, you could say you have half a monsterbyte of disk space. If nothing else, it sure sounds impressive.
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What is Text Editor?
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A text editor is any word processing program that you can use to type and edit text. Hey, they don't call it a text editor for nothing... Word Pad and NotePad for Windows and SimpleText and TextEdit for the Mac are common text editors. Larger programs such as Microsoft Word and Word Perfect are also text editors, but they have many more features. You can actually write HTML code and create HTML pages with a simple text editor, as long as you know the correct HTML syntax.
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What is TFT?
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Stands for "Thin Film Transistor." These transistors are used in high-quality flat panel liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). TFT-based displays have a transistor for each pixel on the screen. This allows the electrical current that illuminates the display to be turned on and off at a faster rate, which makes the display brighter and shows motion smoother. LCDs that use TFT technology are called "active-matrix" displays, which are higher-quality than older "passive-matrix" displays. So if you ever see a TFTAMLCD monitor at your local computer store, it is a "thin-film transistor active-matrix liquid crystal display." Basically, it is a high-quality flat screen monitor.
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What is Thick Client?
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Thick clients, also called heavy clients, are full-featured computers that are connected to a network. Unlike thin clients, which lack hard drives and other features, thick clients are functional whether they are connected to a network or not.
While a thick client is fully functional without a network connection, it is only a "client" when it is connected to a server. The server may provide the thick client with programs and files that are not stored on the local machine's hard drive. It is not uncommon for workplaces to provide thick clients to their employees. This enables them to access files on a local server or use the computers offline. When a thick client is disconnected from the network, it is often referred to as a workstation.
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What is Thin Client?
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In the 1950s, minimalism emerged as an popular art movement. In the 1990s, minimalism emerged again as a popular computer trend. As computer networking became more commonplace, minimalist computers became more common as well. In fact, these trimmed-down machines, often referred to as thin clients, are still popular today.
Thin clients function as regular PCs, but lack hard drives and typically do not have extra I/O ports or other unnecessary features. Since they do not have hard drives, thin clients do not have any software installed on them. Instead, they run programs and access data from a server. For this reason, thin clients must have a network connection and are sometimes referred to as "network computers" or "NCs."
Thin clients can be a cost-effective solution for businesses or organizations that need several computers that all do the same thing. For example, students in a classroom could all run the same program from a server, each using his own thin client machine. Because the server provides the software to each computer on the network, it is not necessary for each NC to have a hard drive. Thin clients also make it easier to manage computer networks since software issues need to be managed only on the server instead of on each machine.
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What is Thread?
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What do a t-shirt and a computer program have in common? They are both composed of many threads! While the threads in a t-shirt hold the shirt together, the threads of a computer program alllow the program to execute sequential actions or many actions at once. Each thread in a program identifies a process that runs when the program asks it to (unlike when you ask your roommate to do the dishes).
Threads are typically given a certain priority, meaning some threads take precedence over others. Once the CPU is finished processing one thread, it can run the next thread waiting in line. However, it's not like the thread has to wait in line at the checkout counter at Target the Saturday before Christmas. Threads seldom have to wait more than a few milliseconds before they run. Computer programs that implement "multi-threading" can execute multiple threads at once. Most modern operating systems support multi-threading at the system level, meaning when one program tries to take up all your CPU resources, you can still switch to other programs and force the CPU-hogging program to share the processor a little bit.
The term "thread" can also refer to a series of related postings in an online discussion. Web-based bulletin boards are made up of many topics, or threads. The replies posted in response to the original posting are all part of the same thread. In e-mail, a thread can refer to a series of replies back and forth pertaining a certain message.
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What is Thyristor?
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A thyristor is a four-layer semiconductor that is often used for handling large amounts of power. While a thyristor can be turned on or off, it can also regulate power using something called phase angle control. This allows the amount of power output to be controlled by adjusting the angle of the current input. An example of this is the a dimmer switch for a light.
While thyristors have the advantage of using phase angle control and handling large amounts of power, they are not as suitable for low power applications. This is because they can only be turned off by switching the direction of the current. For this reason, a thyristor may take longer to turn on or off that other semiconductors. Also, thyristors can only conduct in one direction, making them impractical for applications that require current to be conducted to and from each device.
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What is TIFF?
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Stands for "Tagged Image File Format." It is graphics file format created in the 1980's to be the standard image format across multiple computer platforms. The TIFF format can handle color depths ranging from 1-bit to 24-bit. Since the original TIFF standard was introduced, people have been making many small improvements to the format, so there are now around 50 variations of the TIFF format. So much for a universal format. Recently, JPEG has become the most popular universal format, because of its small file size and Internet compatibility.
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What is Tiger?
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This ferocious cat is the code name for Mac OS X 10.4, released April 29, 2005. Tiger follows a list of other felines in the Mac OS X lineup, including Panther (10.3), Jaguar (10.2), Puma (10.1), and Cheetah (10.0). Apple originally used the cat names as internal names for the operating system development, but actually started to market the names with the release of Jaguar.
According to Apple, Tiger includes over 200 improvements from Mac OS X 10.3. A few of the most notable additions include an enhanced search feature called "Spotlight," an internal scripting program called "Automator," and quick information access via widgets from the new "Dashboard." Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger is a feature-rich operating system that some may consider as a serious alternative to Windows.
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What is TLD?
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A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of which Internet domain names consist of. For example, in the domain name iwebtool.com the top-level domain is com (or COM, as domain names are not case-sensitive).
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What is Token?
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Besides those small copper coins that allow you to play video games, there are three different types of tokens:
1. In networking, a token refers to a series of bits that circulate on a token-ring network. When one of the systems on the network has the "token," it can send information to the other computers. Since there is only one token for each token-ring network, only one computer at a time can send data.
2. In programming, a token is a single element of a programming language. Some examples of programming tokens are reserved words, punctuation marks, and operators (i.e. +,-,*,/).
3. In security systems, a token is small card that displays an ID code which can be used to log into a network. The card user enters a password which causes the card to display the current ID needed to log into the network. The token adds an extra security level to the network because the IDs change every five minutes or so.
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What is Toolbar?
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In a graphical interface on a computer monitor a toolbar is a row, column, or block of onscreen buttons or icons that, when clicked, activate certain functions of the program.
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What is Toslink?
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Toslink is a type of digital audio connection developed by Toshiba Corporation. It uses a fiber optic cable to transmit an audio signal in the form of pulses of light. A single Toslink cable can be used to carry a mono, stereo, or even a surround audio signal.
Toslink is similar to the Sony/Philips Digital Interfance, known as S/PDIF. It provides the same digital audio data as S/PDIF, but uses a light beam instead of an electrical current to send the data. Because the Toslink cable does not use electrical currents, the connection is immune to electrical or magnetic interference. Toslink connections are most commonly found on high-end home theater receivers, MiniDisc players, and professional audio equipment, as well as the Power Mac G5 computers.
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What is Traffic?
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Traffic is the amount of data sent and received by visitors to a web site. This is determined by the number of visitors and the number of pages they visit. Sites monitor the incoming and outgoing traffic to see which parts or pages of their site are popular and if there are any apparent trends, such as one specific page being viewed mostly by people in a particular country. There are many ways to monitor this traffic and the gathered data is used to help structure sites, highlight security problems or indicate a potential lack of bandwidth – not all web traffic is welcome.
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What is Trinitron?
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Trinitron is arguably the best consumer CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technology available. The technology was developed by Sony Corporation, who owns complete rights to it. The Trinitron design has helped the company lead the market in the manufacturing of TVs and monitors for many years. The difference between a Trinitron tube and most other tubes is that the Trinitron uses an aperture grille instead of a shadow mask for creating the image on the screen.
An aperature grille consists of wires stretched vertically down the screen (allowing for a vertically flat screen). A shadow mask is basically a metal plate with holes in it, where light can pass through. Because Trinitron monitors are vertically flat, they have less image distortion and less glare than most other monitors. If you look very closey at a Trinitron screen, you should see one or two very thin dark horizontal lines that span the width of the screen. These lines are small wires that support the aperture grille.
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What is Trojan Horse?
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In Greek mythology, there is a story about the Trojan War. This war lasted many years, as the Greeks could not penetrate the heavily barricaded city of Troy. So one day, a few of the Greek soldiers brought the people of Troy a large wooden horse, which they accepted as a peace offering. The horse was moved inside the city walls, where it sat until the night. After the people of the city had fallen asleep, Greek soldiers jumped out of the wooden horse, opened the gates to let their fellow soldiers in, and took over the city.
So what is the moral of this story? Mainly, beware of Trojan horses. But how does that relate to computers? That's a good question. In the computing world, Trojan horses are more than just a myth. They really exist and can cause damage to your computer. Trojan horses are software programs that masquerade as regular programs, such as games, disk utilities, and even antivirus programs. But if they are run, these programs can do malicious things to your computer.
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What is TTL?
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Stands for "Time To Live." Pretty intense for a computer term, huh? It refers an aspect of the Internet Protocol. TTL is used when a "ping," or a request for a response, is sent to another computer, such as a server. The TTL represents the number of hops, or servers in different locations, the request can travel to before returning a failed attempt message.
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What is Tutorial?
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A computer tutorial is an interactive software program created as a learning tool. Tutorials help people learn new skills by using a step-by-step process that ensures the user is following along and comprehending the material. For example, a Web development tutorial may begin with instructions on how to create a basic Web page. This page might only include the words "Welcome to my website" on it and use the minimum HTML required in order for the page to load in a Web browser. Once the user is able to create a working Web page, the tutorial may explain how to add other features, such as styled text, table layouts, and images, to the page. Then the tutorial may provide instructions on how to publish the Web page to the Internet.
Some software tutorials provide testing features to ensure comprehension of the material, while others may be simple walkthroughs of a software program. Tutorials can be used for both school and business purposes and are written for basic, intermediate, and advanced users. Even smart computer programmers use tutorials. Most software development programs include a tutorial for creating a "Hello World!" program, which is the most basic program that can be created with the software. Since tutorials offer a gradual approach to learning, they can be helpful to people at many different skill levels. If a computer programmer can benefit from a tutorial, just about anybody can.
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What is TWAIN?
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Other than being the last name of the author of "Huckleberry Finn," there are numerous other ideas concerning the origin of this term. Some believe it stands for "Toolkit Without An Informative Name," while others argue it is "Technology Without An Interesting Name." Still, there are some who believe that it came from the saying, "Ne'er the twain shall meet."
Though the real story behind the name may never be known, the purpose of TWAIN is quite clear. It is a graphics and imaging standard that allows companies to make drivers for scanners and digital cameras. Nearly all scanners on the market today are TWAIN-compliant, meaning the way they interact with your computer is based on the TWAIN standard. If you feel the need to know more about TWAIN and its fascinating history, the TWAIN Group has a website that you can visit.
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What is Tweak?
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When you modify a certain piece of hardware for better performance, it is often referred to as "tweaking" it. Overclocking the computer's CPU or changing jumper settings on the motherboard are common examples of hardware tweaking. Removing system limitations and adding plug-ins or extensions to a computer's operating system are types of software tweaking.
Tweaking a computer is much like "tuning" a car (you know, the ones with the huge mufflers, big spoilers, and pimped out rims). It may increase performance, but is best left in the hands of the technically savvy. For example, overclocking your computer's processor may cause it to crash frequently, or worse yet, overheat and destroy the CPU. So, for most people, it is best to leave well enough alone.
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What is Typeface?
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A typeface is a set of characters of the same design. These characters include letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and symbols. Some popular typefaces include Arial, Helvetica, Times, and Verdana. While most computers come with a few dozen typefaces installed, there are thousands of typefaces available. Because they are vector-based (not bitmaps), typefaces can be scaled very large and still look sharp. The term "typeface" is often confused with "font," which is a specific size and style of a typeface. For example, Verdana is a typeface, while Verdana 10 pt bold is a font. It's a small difference, but is good to know.
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