|
Term
|
Description
|
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I/O Address
|
An
address in memory that is associated with a specific device, (serial
port, parallel port, expansion slot) and allows the CPU to communicate
with that port or expansion slot, thus allowing communication
with the device attached. |
|
IBM Compatible
|
A
term used to describe a wide array of computer systems, made by
different companies, that adhere to IBM standards. |
|
IC
|
See
Integrated Circuit Chip. |
|
Icon
|
A
small graphical image or picture used to represent a program,
folder, or function. Operating Systems that use a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) allow you to start a program or perform file navigation
and manipulation by clicking or double-clicking on these icons. |
|
ICQ
|
An
online, real-time chat program developed by Mirabilis that allows
users to send and receive messages back and forth on the Internet.
It can be configured to alert or notify the user when acquaintances
are online. |
|
Importing
|
To
bring a file created in one application or program into another
application for use in that program. |
|
Inactive
Window
|
Some
Operating Systems will allow more than one window to be visible
on screen at the same time. Any window that you are not currently
working in is an Inactive Window. The window your are currently
working in is considered the Active window. |
|
Incremental
Backup
|
Backing
up only those files that have been changed since the last backup
was performed. |
|
Industry
Standard Architecture
|
See
ISA. |
|
Initialization
|
Starting
up, or making preparations to start up a computer system, a program,
or a device by running a self-diagnostic program, or loading drivers,
changing settings, and preparing it for use. |
|
Initialization
File
|
See
.INI file. |
|
Input
|
The
data or information entered into a computer; or the act of entering
that data into the computer. |
|
Input
Device
|
Any
device that sends information into your computer system. i.e.
: keyboard, scanner, mouse, trackball. |
|
Input/Output
Controller
|
I/O
controllers free up the CPU by managing the communication between
various input and output devices. |
|
Integrated
Circuit Chip
|
Circuits
are made up of different electronic components (capacitors, resistors,
transistors) wired together in a manner that performs a specific
electronic function. With today's technology, these circuits can
be etched into small wafers of silicon and sandwiched into a package
with small metal pins protruding. These are Integrated Circuit
Chips. |
|
Interface
|
A
communication link in a computer between hardware and software
components. A user interface is the way a user communicates with
a computer. As a verb, to interface is to communicate. |
|
Interlaced
|
A
method of refreshing the image on a monitor. Instead of refreshing
the entire image (non-interlaced), an interlaced monitor refreshes
the odd-numbered scan lines first, then refreshes the even-numbered
scan lines on the second pass. This reduces the amount of new
information that has to be passed on each sweep, but causes almost
unnoticeable flicker, that can result in eye fatigue. |
|
Internal
Cache
|
A
small amount of very fast RAM that is stored inside the CPU. It
is faster than External or L2 cache and is referred to as L1 or
Level 1 cache. |
|
Internet
|
A
global network that links millions of computers together for communication
purposes. The Internet was originally developed in 1969 for the
U.S. military and grew to include educational and research institutions.
Today, all kinds of clients, from home users to multimillion-dollar
corporations, communicate over the Internet, sharing files, information,
resources and messages. |
|
Internet
Service Provider
|
See
ISP. |
|
Interpolated
Resolution
|
Image
resolution is measured in Dots Per Inch (DPI). Software programs
have the ability to enhance an image and increase the resolution
by guessing at the color of a dot in between dots of a known color.
This software enhanced resolution is known as Interpolated Resolution. |
|
Interrupt
|
An
interrupt is a command sent to the processor to get its attention.
The CPU then has to decide whether to continue with what its doing
and handle this command later, or set aside what its doing and
handle the interrupt immediately. Interrupts are prioritized and
can be sent from hardware devices or software. |
|
Interrupt
Handler
|
A
program (either BIOS or a device driver), that is used by the
CPU to process a hardware interrupt. |
|
Intranet
|
An
Intranet is a network of computers in an office or building that
communicate with each other and share files and resources such
as laser printers and file storage space on servers. |
|
IO.SYS
|
A
system file for the MS-DOS operating system. Its a hidden file
in the root directory of the primary partition of the primary
drive. This file provides the basi I/O capabilities for the system,
allowing it the ability to communicate with the different peripherals.
IO.SYS directs the overall process of loading the Operating System.
|
|
IRQ
|
Interrupt
Request Lines are electronic pathways that are assigned to specific
devices such as modems, keyboards, mice, sound cards, etc.. These
IRQs are assigned and prioritized according to the importance
of each device, so that the most important interrupt requests
are handled first by the CPU. |
|
ISA
|
Industry
Standard Architecture.. ISA is a 16-bit expansion bus standard
that was modeled after IBM's original 8-bit PC bus. A wider bus
allows for larger and faster data transfer. The 16-bit ISA slots
can still be found on computers today because of the large number
of ISA-compatible expansion cards still in existence. |
|
ISP
|
An
Internet Service Provider allows your computer access to their
computers and Internet access for a fee. Most ISPs provide access
to the Internet and the World Wide Web with one or more email
addresses. You can also get Internet access through Online Service
Providers such as CompuServe and America Online. They offer other
features such as chat rooms, forums, and searchable databases,
but are usually more expensive. |
