The s

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n		Nano-. One billionth.
nerd		A person with limited social, but advanced technological skills and interests.
NetBench^{^®}		A portable benchmark program from Ziff Davis Labs that measures how well a file server handles file I/O requests from up to four different client types: DOS, 32-bit and 16-bit Windows, and/or Mac OS systems.
NetWare		A network operating system developed by Novell^®, Inc.
network		An arrangement of objects that are interconnected. See LAN. Also, the transmission channels in communications which interconnect all client and server stations as well as all supporting hardware and software.
network adapter		An expansion card that connects a computer to the cables of a network and transmits the type of signals used throughout the network. On some computers, mainly portables, the adapter may be an external device, not a card.
network administrator		The person who manages the operation of a network, such as adding and removing user IDs, adding peripherals, and making backups of the data on the network.
network architecture		The entire structure of a network, including protocols, operating system, hardware, type of cabling, topology, interfaces, and adapter cards.
network interface card.		See network adapter.
*network operating system*		An operating system able to handle the many tasks associated with a network, such as file locking, resource allocation, and error control.
network server		See file server.
NFS		Network File System. A method of allowing users to view drivers/directories on another computer as being on their computer.
NIC		Network Interface Card. See network adapter.
*NiCad*		(nye-cad) Nickel-Cadmium. A rechargeable battery chemistry. Must be conditioned occasionally to retain its ability to receive a charge.
NiMH		Nickel Metal Hydride. A rechargeable battery chemistry. Does not have memory, and costs more than NiCad.
node		Any device visible to a network. A printer accessible by all stations on a network is a node, but a printer attached to one of the stations and usable only by that station is not a node. Literally, anywhere a connection occurs.
non-interlaced		Refers to monitors whose electron gun scans the entire screen without skipping any scan lines. Compare interlaced.
nonmaskable interrupt		An interrupt that cannot be disabled by another interrupt.
non-parity memory		Newer than parity and does not include the extra "error-detecting" chip.
nonvolatile		Does not disappear when the power is shut off, especially when referring to memory. Compare volatile.
notebook computer		A portable computer about the size of a piece of paper and usually less than two inches thick. Fits in an attaché case.
ns		Nanosecond. A billionth of a second. Used as a measure of RAM speed. Light travels not quite a foot in one nanosecond.
NTSC		National Television System Committee. Refers to the signals received and displayed in broadcast television.
numeric keypad		Number keys on the right of the keyboard arranged calculator-style, including the math operation keys.
Num Lock key		Short for numeric lock. A toggle key that switches the numeric keypad keys between their numeric function and arrow key functions.
NVRAM		Non- Volatile Random Access Memory. Uses either a permanently connected battery or takes advantage of non-volatile cache to store data indefinitely in the event of a power failure.

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