warm boot
The restarting of a running computer without first turning off the power. Also called a soft boot or warm start.
Web browser
A client application that enables a user to view HTML documents on the World Wide Web, follow the hyperlinks among them, and transfer files. Text-based web browsers, such as Lynx, use shell accounts and show only the text elements of an HTML document. Most Web browsers, however, require a connection that can handle IP packets and can also display graphics, play audio and video, and execute small programs (such as Java applets or ActiveX controls) that are embedded in the HTML pages. Some Web browsers require helper applications or plug-ins to accomplish one or more of these tasks. In addition, most current Web browsers permit users to send and receive e-mail and to read and respond to newsgroups.
Win32
The application programming interface in Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT that enables applications to use the 32-bit instructions available on 80386 and higher processors. Although Windows 95 and Windows NT support 16-bit 80x86 instructions as well, Win32 offers greatly improved performance.
window
In applications and graphical interfaces, a portion of the screen that can contain its own document or message. In window-based programs, the screen can be divided into several windows, each of which has its own boundaries and can contain a different document (or another view of the same document).
windowing
A technique to determine the century of the year when it is represented by a two-digit shortcut (for example, "98" for "1998"). The two-digit year shortcut is compared to a threshold set within a 100-year range ("window") that generally spans two centuries. If the two-digit shortcut is equal to or greater than the threshold, the year is interpreted as in the earlier century of the window. If the two-digit shortcut is less than the threshold, the year is interpreted as in the later century of the window.
For example, if the threshold is set to 28 (the "window" is actually 1928-2027), a two-digit shortcut less than 28 will be interpreted as 20xx (the 21st century). A two-digit shortcut equal to or greater than 28 will be interpreted as 19xx (the 20th century).
Windows
An operating system introduced by Microsoft Corporation in 1983. Windows is a multitasking graphical user interface environment that runs on both MS-DOS-based computers (Windows and Windows for Workgroups) and as a self-contained operating system (Windows 95, Windows NT). Windows provides a standard interface based on drop-down menus, windowed regions on the screen, and a pointing device such as a mouse.
Windows application
A software program (or application) designed for use with the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Windows CE
A scaled-down version of the Microsoft Windows platform designed for use with handheld PCs. Windows CE includes scaled-down versions of several Microsoft application programs, including Excel, Word, Internet Explorer, Schedule+ and an e-mail client.
Windows NT
An operating system released by Microsoft Corporation in 1993. The Windows NT operating system, sometimes referred to as simply NT, is the high-end member of a family of operating systems from Microsoft. It is a completely self-contained operating system with a built-in graphical user interface. Windows NT is a 32-bit, preemptive multitasking operating system that features networking, symmetric multiprocessing, multithreading and security. It is a portable operating system that can run on a variety of hardware platforms including those based on the Intel 80386, i486 and Pentium microprocessors and MIPS microprocessors; it can also run on multiprocessor computers. Windows NT supports up to 4 gigabytes of virtual memory and can run MS-DOS, POSIX, and OS/2 (character-mode) applications.
wizard
A tool that guides a user through the steps of a process or task, by asking a series of questions or presenting options. For example, wizards might be involved in helping you to start up a word processing document, install software, or create a database file for the first time.
word processor
A software program (or application) for creating and manipulating text-based documents. A word processor is the electronic equivalent of paper, pen, typewriter, eraser, and, most likely, dictionary and thesaurus. Word processors allow document formatting, such as font changes, page layout, paragraph indentation and the like. Some word processors can also check spelling, find synonyms, incorporate graphics created with another program, align mathematical formulas, create and print form letters, perform calculations, display documents in multiple on-screen windows and enable users to record macros that simplify difficult or repetitive operations.
