The first or default hard disk accessed by most IBM compatible computers. A: and B: are reserved for floppy disk drives.
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Cache
A storage area in memory where large portions of frequently accessed instructions are stored to prevent repeated hard disk retrieval.
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Cache Memory
A set of special high speed memory chips with its own bus to the CPU, where the most frequently requested data is stored.
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Caddy
Removable holder for CD-ROM disc required by CD-ROM drives without built-in disc trays.
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Calculator
A Windows 95 accessory program that allows the user to do mathematical calculations. This program can be displayed as either a Standard or Scientific calculator.
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Calendar
This program is a combination wall calendar and daily calendar, allowing the user to input information, such as meetings and important dates.
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Camcorder
(Video) A video component incorporating both a camera and video tape recorder.
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Card File
A Windows 95 accessory program that creates electronic ╥index cards,╙ allowing the user to track small amounts of information according to the header on the card.
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Cascade
Option in Windows 95 available by right clicking on the taskbar. Arranges all currently open windows by overlaying and offsetting each window starting from the upper left.
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Cascading Windows
A display mode that overlaps windows displaying the title bars and edges.
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CAV
Constant Angular Velocity. Videodisk playback in which the disc spins at the same revolutions per minute, no matter where the read head is located, in relation to the center of the disc. For playback of NTSC material, the continuous rate of rotation is 1,800 rpm, whereas it is 1,500 rpm for the PAL format, each making one revolution per frame displayed.
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CD+G
Compact Disc Plus Graphics. CD format including extended graphics capabilities as written into the original CD-ROM specifications.
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CD
Compact Disc, or Compact Audio Disc. An optical disc measuring 4.75╙ (12cm) in diameter, containing digitally encoded information, most commonly in the form of music, stored in the CLV format. Commonly used for high fidelity music, due to its 90 dB signal to noise ratio, and its 74 minute capacity.
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CD Icon
Represents a CD-ROM drive on your computer or network available in Windows 95.
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CD-Audio (CD-DA)
The type of digital sound stored on compact discs.
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CDPD
Cellular Digital Packet Data. An open standard for data interchange on wireless data networks.
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CD-I (Compact Disc Interactive)
(Audio/Video) Consumer devices, 5 1/4" digital format, which allows control over audio/video sequences. A CD-I disk cannot be read by a CD-ROM drive.
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CD Player
An accessory program used in conjunction with the CD-ROM drive in Windows 95. It turns your computer into a Compact Disc player, allowing you to play any music CD inserted in the CD-ROM drive.
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CD-R
Compact Disc Recordable. Standard for pressing ╥one-off╙ CD-ROM discs.
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CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory)
(2nd Mode CD) This disc is designated as read only memory because a CD drive cannot record. It is able to read compressed data and video picture data.
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CD-ROM Drive
A read-only disk drive designed to read the data on a CD-ROM and transfer it to a computer.
(3rd Mode CD) This disc is able to interleave mode two compressed audio and mode two data sectors. Additional hardware is needed to separate these when playing the disc. The hardware is programmed to separate the audio from the data, decompress the audio and play it through the audio jacks, simultaneously passing data to computer.
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CDTV
Commodore Dynamic Total Vision. Commodore consumer multimedia system, that includes a 68000 processor, 1 MB of RAM, and a 10 key infrared remote control.
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Cel Based Animation
Traditional animation technique in which animated characters are drawn frame-by-frame as part of the overall animation. The various character animations can then be overlaid and positioned independently from the background.
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Central Processing Unit
A microprocessor chip containing the computer's arithmetic-logic processing and control unit. Sometimes called the brains of your computer.
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Certificate
An encrypted tag that uniquely identifies the originator of every transaction. Adds security to the system by identifying source of all encryption/decryption activities.
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Channel
A unique line of MIDI sequences assigned in the MIDI MAP to a particular MIDI device.
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Chapter Search
A task performed by a videodisk player when a specific chapter is requested by number.
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Chassis
The base and outside case of your personal computer.
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Check Box
A graphical representation of a toggle being turned on or off. When the option is turned on, a check or an X appears in the box.
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Check Disc
A videodisk or CD produced prior to mass production to check the accuracy of the program material.
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Child
An object in a model that is controlled by the attributes of a related parent object. Changes to the child╒s attributes do not affect the parent╒s attributes but changes to the parent╒s attributes do modify those of the child object.
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Chip
A microscopic electronic circuit produced on a tiny silicon chip or wafer. Types include RAM chips, CPU chips and ROM chips.
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Choose
In a program or system that uses dialog boxes and menus, the process of making a selection that begins an action.
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Chromakey
(Video) A fixed color or color range to which video from another source will be substituted. Commonly called the "weatherman effect.╙
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Chrominance
(Video) Chrominance typically stands for the color components hue and saturation. Hue is defined as tint, the characteristic of the color itself. Saturation indicates the degree to which the color is diluted by luminance, or white light.
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Click
To rapidly press and release the button on a mouse.
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Click and Drag
A procedure used to move an object such as an icon. So named because the mouse button is clicked and then the mouse dragged to place the mouse pointer (and the icon that follows) in a new position. Once the pointer and icon are over the desired position, the mouse button is released.
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Client
A workstation, usually a PC connected to a network, that can request information or applications from the server.
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Clip
A finite media sequence such as an audio or video segment.
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Clip Media
A collection, usually on CD-ROM, of audio, video, graphics or animation files designed to be used within other programs, usually in the creation of multimedia applications.
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Clip Art
Graphic images stored on disk that are available for use with programs that produce page layouts such as newsletters and brochures.
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Clipboard
In a windowing environment, a temporary area where text or other material that has been cut from a document is stored before it is pasted elsewhere.
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Clock Speed
The number of instructions per second processed by the
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Close
The process of ending access to an open file. A file that is closed can not be modified until it is opened again and frees up system resources for other purposes. A file can often be closed with or without saving the changes of the most recent editing session.
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Close Button
The button that terminates an application or closes a window.
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CLV
Constant Linear Velocity. A videodisk format in which the rpm rate of the disc varies with respect to the read head╒s position relative to the center of the disc. This allows for twice as much play time, at the expense of such features as still frame, which are possible in CAV format. The rpm rate of the disc varies from 1,800 rpm when the read head is nearest the center, to 600 rpm at the outer edge.
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CMYK
Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK The colors used in four color process printing.
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Codec
Compression/Decompression. Refers to any of several different software or hardware-assisted algorithms for reducing the amount of data required to store or play digital video.
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Color Bars
(Video) Standard color test signal, displayed as columns or "bars" of color. Broadcast engineers use "scopes" to test the image quality and stability.
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Color Correction
Adjusting colors to compensate for differences between devices or in the same device over time.
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Color Depth
The number of possible colors per pixel supported by a video card or color printer. See pixel depth.
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Collapse
When using the Windows 95 Explorer, folders with a minus sign can be ╥collapsed╙ to hide the display of contents of the folder.
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Combo Box
A dialog box control that is a combination of a text box and list box where you can select from a list or type in your own choice.
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Command Button
A dialog box control button such as OK, Cancel and Help that causes an action to occur.
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Component Video
(Video) Three separate signals are used for Luminance (Y), Red-Y, and Blue-Y. Superior color and image quality is enabled. Considered broadcast quality. See Composite Video, S-Video.
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Composite Sync
(Video, Computer Graphics) Horizontal and vertical sync signals are combined into one signal.
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Composite Video
(Video) A signal combining color signals (R, G, and B) with the luminance signal and sync pulses. This is the form the signal must take before it can be broadcast or recorded by standard means (this is the basic manner in which all standard color TVs work). Until recently, most monitors and projectors have accepted only composite to television. Composite video means that the video signal contains sync as well as picture information. See Component Video, S-Video.
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Compositing
(Computer Graphics) Overlaying of one image with another. This usually combines a computer graphic in the foreground with either another computer graphic or a video signal in the background.
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Compression
Reducing the size of an image of a file so it occupies less space in memory or on disk. The computer can work more efficiently with the compressed file, and display images faster on disk. See frame differencing, lossy compression, lossless compression.
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Computer-Based Training (CBT)
Use of a computer to present instruction or training.
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Configuration
The combination of hardware and software settings that uniquely defines your computer. The choices included in setting up a computer system or application that meet the user's needs.
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Configuration Manager
In Windows 95, the component of Plug and Play responsible for managing the software configuration associated with the system's hardware configuration.
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Content
Refers to the meaningful media needed to communicate subject material in entertainment, reference and instructional settings.
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Contents Pane
The right pane in the Windows Explorer window that shows the contents of a folder or desktop icon.
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Contrast
The control that adjusts the overall image and raster light output.
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Control Key
On an IBM PC-compatible keyboard, a key used in combination with other keys to issue a command.
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Control-L
(Editing) Interface standard for control of video decks and camcorders. Also called bi-directional. Allows counter information to be sent back to the computer for searches and editing. See LANC.
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Control Menu
In Windows, a drop-down menu that contains options for managing the active window.
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Control Menu Button
The button in the top left corner of a window that opens the control menu.
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Control Panel
1. In Windows 95, the control panel contains the controls for the Windows 95 environment such as the colors of the screen. 2. Also used to refer to a row of buttons appearing in a multimedia interface.
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Control Panel Icon
Represents the control panel for your computer available in Windows 95. You should use the control panel icon to access important operational characteristics of your computer.
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Control-S
(Editing) Interface standard for control of VCRs, video decks, projectors and monitors. A one way protocol only. The controlling device or PC cannot receive counter information or device status.
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Control Track
(Editing) The area of a videotape or laser disk used to record time coding and synchronization information.
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Conventional Memory
In an IBM PC-compatible computer, the first 640K of random access memory.
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Convergence
The CRT gun's ability to focus the three electron beams (red, green and blue) onto a single point to accurately produce the color white, without color bleed through.
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Co-publish
An arrangement whereby the developer of a CD-ROM title delivers a master disc to a publisher who manufactures, packages and distributes the title.
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Copy
A file duplicated from an original. To duplicate data and use it in another location in a document; or to store an additional instance of the same file on another disk.
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Copyright
Legal protection from unauthorized use by others for tangibly recorded intellectual property such as writing, music, videos and software applications.
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Courseware
A set of materials, including software, tapes, etc., used to make up a complete instructional course.
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CPU
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary processor used in any computer system. Common microprocessors are Intel's Pentium and 80486, Motorola's PowerPC and 68040 and SUN Microsystems╒ SPARC.
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Crop
Deleting information and imagery from an image or bitmap file outside a specified boundary.
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CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
The primary tube technology employed by television and computer displays.
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Current Directory
The directory in DOS that is used as the default by an application to store and retrieve files.
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Current Window
The current window has a highlighted title bar and, in Windows 95, the button on the taskbar with the current window title appears to be depressed. It appears in the foreground while inactive windows appear in the background. Also referred to as the active window.
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Cursor
A blinking character used to show where the next character will appear.
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Cursor Keys
The arrow keys that move the cursor on the screen.
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Cut
This allows the user to remove a selected object from within a document or window. After the selection is removed, it can then be pasted into another document or window.
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Cut and Paste
An editing function where media is cut from one location in a document and placed in another.
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Cyberbanking
Financial transactions through the internet or other on-line connections.
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Cybercrimes
Criminal activity conducted via computer technology especially on-line.
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Cybersex
Erotic, sexually explicit or pornographic media access through computer technology such as CD-ROM, the internet or on-line services.
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Cyberspace
A general term for the virtual environments made possible by computer, communications and multimedia.
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D1
(Video) Digital video format established by the SMPTE that allows for unsurpassed broadcast quality video record/playback. Differential gain of less than 2% and differential phase of less than 1% is expected. Uses component Y, R-Y, B-Y signal. Sampling frequency of y:13.5 MHz and R-Y/B-Y:6.75 MHz. Video signal to noise ratio of 54db is typical. Digital video and 4 digital audio tracks. Analog cue, control and time code tracks are also a part of the standard.
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D2
(Video) Digital video format established by the SMPTE that allows for extremely high quality video record/playback. Differential gain of less than 2% and differential phase of less than 1% is expected. Video signal to noise ratio of 56db is typical. One composite digital video track and 4 digital audio tracks. Analog cue, control and time code tracks are also a part of the standard.
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Daisy Chain
More than one device connected in series to the same cable. Each device must have a unique identifier if it is to perform uniquely. Technologies using daisy chain connections include SCSI and VISCA.
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DAC
See digital to analog conversion.
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Data
Any information in the form of text, sound, numbers or images that can be processed by a computer.
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Data Buckets
Slang term applied to CD-ROM titles that are composed primarily of text or numeric information with little complimentary audio, video, graphics or animation.
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Data Entry
The process of inputting information in a data management system.
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Data File
A file that contains information useful to or generated by a computer program..
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Database
A collection of related pieces of information about a subject that can later be organized into a useful form such as a report.
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Data Transfer Rate
One of the most important measures of system performance in multimedia, data transfer rate is the amount of data that can be read from a disk or written to a disk in one second. Devices may have different values for maximum or burst rates versus average or sustained rates. The sustained data transfer rate is usually the most relevant measure.
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Date & Time Settings
A Windows 95 accessory program that displays the date in calendar form, time of day, and time zone. It can be adjusted by the user.
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DCI
Display Control Interface. A Windows standard that allows superior playback performance from graphics cards designed to utilize DCI. Playback of digital video and other graphics functions are enhanced.
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Deck
(Editing) An audio/video component used for playback and/or recording.
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Decoder
1. (Video) A device which converts composite video to component video.
2. A device that transforms NTSC or PAL analog signals to NTSC or PAL digital signals. The resulting digital video may be displayed on some computer displays or processed through for genlock/overlay of computer graphics.
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Decryption
The process of decoding data so that a user with the proper hardware or software may access it.
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Default
The initial value assigned for any of a variety of program or operating system settings when the system or application is first used.
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Defragment
A process in which files stored in non-contiguous locations on a hard disk are reallocated to new areas where the entire file is stored in a contiguous space. This greatly enhances speed and performance by eliminating unnecessary access time during playback or ╥read╙ operations.
Delete
To remove a file or folder from its current location to the recycle bin in Windows 95 or to remove a file already in the recycle bin permanently.
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Delivery System
The hardware configuration used to present the interactive software to the target audience, such as a computer, keyboard, mouse, CD-ROM drive, monitor, etc.
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Delta T Recording
(Video, Editing) Sony trademark for 1" tape decks well suited to frame-by-frame recording requirements. Quick accurate pre-roll and step mode recording.
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Dependency
A QuickTime movie containing segments copied from other movie files is said to have dependencies. The original files must be present for the movie to play.
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Depth Cueing
(Modeling) The process of reducing the apparent brightness of an object the further away it is from the viewer. This often enhances the perception of depth.
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Desktop
In a graphical user interface such as Windows, a representation of the items found on an actual desk displayed on the computer screen.
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Destination
The location in which data that has been moved or copied will reside, usually a record, file, document or disk.
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Device
Any hardware component capable of sending or receiving data such as a modem, CD-ROM drive, sound card, etc.
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Device Driver
A software program that provides the operating system with the information needed to work with a specific device such as a modem or printer.
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Desktop Publishing
The use of a personal computer to produce inexpensive typeset-quality page layouts.
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Diagnostic Utilities
Programs that test computer hardware and software to make sure they work properly.
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Dialog Box
An on-screen message area in Windows that conveys or requests information from the user.
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.DIB
Windows device independent bitmap file format capable of storing monochrome or color images.
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Diffuse
(Modeling) Light that is reflected equally in all directions from a point on the surface of an object. It does not, therefore, depend on the observer's position relative to the surface point. This can be thought of as the "not-shiny" property of a surface. Tissue paper is an example of an object with primarily diffuse lighting.
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Digital
Information that is stored on, for example, a computer disk, as discrete binary information. This allows information integrity to be accurately maintained in processing and storage.
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Digital to Analog Conversion (DAC)
Process used to convert computer recordings (of sound or video) into continuously variable, or analog, electrical signals (sound or video). Applications of DAC technology other than sound or video are rarely used in multimedia. See transducer.
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Digital Video
1. The storage and playback of television on a computer disk.
2. Any of several tape formats that store digitally.
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Digitize
To convert signals from an analog source, such as video or audio, into digital information, which can be stored and processed by a computer.
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Digitizer
1. (Computer Graphics) A tablet across which a pen (stylus) or cursor (puck) is moved to act as a pointing device. Unlike a mouse, a digitizer may be used as an absolute reference grid for tracing. Advanced digitizers measure proximity and pressure.
2. (Computer Graphics) A video board that accepts analog video input and transforms it into a stream of digital information. See Frame Grabber.
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Directory
A means of organizing and displaying files on a portion of a disk. In Windows it is graphically represented as a folder.
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Directory Tree
A graphical way of displaying the branching structure of directories and subdirectories.
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Disc
Any flat, circular, rotating medium that can store and retrieve data. The optical variety is usually referred to as a ╥disc,╙ while the magnetic version is referred to as a ╥disk.╙
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Disk Defragmenter
This Windows 95 program is designed to rewrite all the files on a hard disk so that all parts of each file are written to contiguous sectors. This is especially important to do when working with digital video files, in order to avoid interruption of the video stream.
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Disk Operating System (DOS)
Since 1982, the low-level master control program for IBM PC and compatible computers that manages files and internal functions while providing a means of controlling computer operations. While previous versions of Windows still relied on DOS as an operating system, Windows 95 replaces it entirely, maintaining only a shell for compatibility reasons. See DOS.
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Display
Windows 95 control panel that allows the user to control the appearance of their display by adjusting things like Pattern and Wallpaper settings.
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Display - Pattern
Windows 95 control panel item that allows the user to either select a design or edit a pre-made design for the background of their desktop.
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Display - Appearance
Windows 95 control panel item that allows the user to adjust the color and font used to differentiate between active windows, inactive windows, and message boxes.
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Display - Settings
Windows 95 control panel item that allows the user to choose the Color Palette, Desktop size (in pixels), and Display type for their screen. These may need to be adjusted for certain programs and software requirements.
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Distance Learning
Remote education via video satellite communications, telecommunications, computer networking, on-line, cable or closed-circuit TV and other related technologies.
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Dithering
(Computer Graphics) Technique used when a limited color palette is available to create an impression of smooth color gradations or to represent a color not on the palette. The technique involves the mixing of different colors of pixels in patterns that take on the appearance of the desired color or blend.
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DLL (Dynamic Link Library)
In Windows, an executable software application that can be called by another. A file containing a collection of functions within DLL╒s are called (invoked) as necessary by applications to perform the desired operations.
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DMA
Direct Memory Addresses are used by adapters such as sound cards and SCSI interfaces to provide access to memory for these peripherals to function without the need for the CPU to transfer data.
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DMC (Dynamic Motion Control, or Dynamic Tracking)
(Video, Editing) Allows stable jitter free display of video at high speed rewinds or fast forwards.
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Documents
In Windows 95, the Start Menu pull across menu that includes a list of your 15 most recently accessed data files.
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Dolly
(Modeling) Animation or camera movement that moves the point of view forward in actual position (as opposed to zooming the lens of a stationary camera).
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DOS
See Disk Operating System.
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DOS Prompt
The basic interface offered by DOS to the user consisting of a letter followed by a greater-than symbol that represents the current disk drive in MS-DOS.
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Dot Pitch
The distance of one phosphor dot or stripe to the nearest phosphor dot or stripe of the same color. .24 mm dot pitch is considered excellent while .28 mm is average.
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Double-Buffering
1. (Computer Graphics) The use of two separate frame buffers. While one frame buffer is being displayed, the other is being updated. When the update is complete, the display switches to the new frame buffer. See Frame Buffer. 2. (Data Transfer) I/O method of efficiently transferring information to and from a ╥smart╙ hard drive controller card with DMA.
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Double-Click
To press and release a mouse button twice in rapid succession.
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Double Speed
CD-ROM drive rating for data transfer rate of 300 kbytes per second. This is twice the speed of the original CD-ROM drives which transferred data at 150 kbytes per second.
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Download
To copy or transfer a file from a distant computer using a modem or other data communication link.
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DPI (Dots Per Inch)
A measure of resolution for printed output, scans, bitmaps and displays.
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Drag and Drop
A way to perform operations by dragging an object with the mouse to another location. Certain files may be dragged to a parent application and dropped over the application icon in order to open the file and application for use together.
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Drive
A secondary storage device such as a floppy disk or hard drive.
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Drive Bays
The area inside your computer where hard disk, floppy discs and CD-ROM drives can be installed.
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Drive Icon
A graphical representation of a disk drive or directory in Windows Explorer or File Manager.
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Drivers Extension
In Windows 3.1, the control panel used to adjust the way multimedia hardware interacts with the system.
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Drive Letter
A letter that represents a disk drive in DOS or Windows 95, such as C:, D:, etc.
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DriveSpace
This Windows 95 accessory program allows the user to create a compressed drive. This is not a real drive, however. Its contents are stored in a single file called a compressed volume file (CVF). The computer assigns a different drive letter, then compresses the drive into a file and saves it under this new drive letter, thus creating more room on a hard drive.
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Drop-Down List Box
A menu in a graphical user interface that pops open to allow the user to select an item from a list of choices.
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Drop Shadow
(Computer Graphics) Refers to a text/graphic aesthetic that offsets a shaded duplicate of the characters/graphics onto the background.
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Drum Machine
MIDI device designed to provide percussion and other rhythm sounds.
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DTP
See Desktop Publishing.
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DVI
Digital Video Interactive. A hardware-assisted codec based on chip technologies by Intel.
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DXF
(Modeling, Computer Graphics) File interchange format developed by Autodesk for AutoCAD and other CAD and modeling software.
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Dynamic Data Exchange
A channel in Windows through which data and commands can be exchanged between two or more Microsoft programs.
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Dynamic Range
The range of values between the largest and smallest magnitude of a signal.
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Easing
(Animation) A reduction in the acceleration or deceleration of motion to present a smoother, more continuous movement. Also used to blend two motions.
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Edit
1. A mode in which text and other data can be easily corrected.
2. To sequence, transition and mix audio or video.
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Edit Menu
Available from the menu bar of all Windows 95 windows. Lists options to undo/redo, cut, copy and paste to the clipboard, paste a shortcut, select all, and select the inverse of the current selection.
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EGA (Enhanced Graphics Adapter)
(Computer Graphics) Outdated type of graphics display. See VGA, SVGA.
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Electron beams
Stream of subatomic particles fired from the electron gun inside your monitor towards the phosphors in each pixel.
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Electron Gun
The device in the CRT that produces electron beams. These beams are attracted to the phosphors on the face of the CRT. The phosphors are then activated causing them to emit red, green or blue light.
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Electronic Book
A book in software form. May be linear as in traditional books or non-linear as in newer interactive books. Often contains multimedia enhancements to the text including audio, video, graphics and animation.
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Electronic components
Computer parts such as microprocessors, transistors, resistors, semiconductors and other elemental devices.
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Electronic Document
Any computer recorded data file. The word electronic is usually added to help distinguish these documents from their non-computer cousins.
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Electronic Mail
Messages sent and received with the use of a network or on-line system.
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Electrostatic
Stand alone electrically charged particles that build up on an electronic component such as a CRT surface.
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ELF (Extremely Low Frequency)
Consisting of magnetic fields and alternating electric fields, the ELF fields range from 5 Hz to 2 kHz. Typically used for submarine and through earth communications. See VLF.
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Emission
The emitting of different types of radio frequencies, magnetic fields and light.
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Empty Bin
Command that deletes files in the Windows 95 Recycle Bin.
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Enable Early Recovery
Mode page parameter that activates software error correction for hard drives and controllers.
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Encoder
1. (Video) A device which transforms NTSC/PAL RGB or S-Video signals into a single NTSC or PAL composite signal combining luminance, chrominance (color), and sync information.
2. A device which converts analog to digital.
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Encryption
The process of coding data so that only a user with the proper hardware or software may access it.
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End key
Key on a standard 101 key PC keyboard that is normally used to jump to the end of a line or file.
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Energy Saver Mode
On an Energy Star display monitor, a mode to conserve electrical power use in which the screen is shut down after a specified amount of time when not in operation.
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Eraser Head
1. Generic term applied to the type of pointing device developed by IBM for use in notebook and other computers. It sits in the middle of the keyboard and has the appearance of an ╥eraser head.╙ The mouse is repositioned by subtle motion and pressure on the head of the device. 2. A second special purpose head found on many audio and video decks to blank any existing recording before recording new information to it.
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Ergonomic
Applies biological and engineering solutions to problems relating to the individual and the machine.
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EIDE
Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics. Standard developed by Western Digital as an extension to IDE/ADAPTI.
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Enter Key
The key on a computer keyboard that confirms a command by sending it to the CPU.
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Environment
The particular type of hardware and/or operating system for application programs.
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Error Message
An on-screen message in a system or application program informing the user that the current operation cannot be carried out.
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Escape Key
A key on the keyboard that usually cancels an operation but can be programmed for other functions.
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Event
In an environment that functions in an idle loop waiting for events to occur, moving, clicking a mouse or keyboard input that generates a message.
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Execute
To carry out instructions such as running a program.
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Existing Content
The materials currently available to an individual or organization at the outset of a multimedia production that can be repurposed for use in the multimedia production itself. Available media.
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Exit
To terminate a program.
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Expand
When using the Windows 95 Explorer, folders with a plus sign can be ╥expanded╙ to display the contents of the folder indented one level in the explorer list.
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Expansion Slot
An electronic circuit board receptacle connected to the computer's data bus.
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Explorer
A feature in Windows 95 that provides the user with the ability to display and browse files, folders and other resources.
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Export
Saving data in a format that can be read by a different program.
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Extended Memory
The memory above 640K.
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Extension
A three-letter suffix attached to a file name that describes the file's contents and allows it to be associated to a particular executable program.
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Extrude
(Modeling) Taking a two-dimensional object (x and y) and turning it into a three-dimensional object by giving it depth (z).
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Faceted
(Modeling) The appearance of roughness or texture to an otherwise smooth surface. Especially, the use of line segments to represent the model boundaries of curved objects. This saves time in modeling but reduces image quality when flat or Phong shading is used. Advanced rendering techniques will usually overcome these problems.
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Fast SCSI
Small Computer Systems Interface capable of up to 10 MB/s data transfer rates.
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Fast and Wide SCSI
Small Computer Systems Interface capable of transmitting data in 16 bit (double) or 32 bit (quadruple) data packets. Transmission rates of up to 40 MB/second are possible.
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Fatal Error
A processing error from which the program cannot recover without rebooting the computer.
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FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
(Communications) The U.S. federal bureau that regulates radio and television broadcast standards. FCC regulations carry the force of law. All computer and video components require FCC testing and approval in the United States.
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Feedback
1. Information received as part of a control system, used to correct a control signal. 2. Sound (or video) information that is reprocessed in a loop, typically becoming over-amplified or distorted. 3. In communications, positive or negative responses from the recipient of a message designed to signal the sender of a message as to accuracy, appropriateness or discernment.
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Fiber Channel
Device independent data interchange protocol based on fiber-optic technology capable of data transfers at up to 100 MB/second.
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Field
(Video) One of two portions of the image in an interlaced scanning display system. A field is half of an interlaced television image consisting of either all the odd (odd field) or all the even (even field) horizontal scan lines of a frame. A field is scanned or displayed in 1/60 second. A full frame consisting of odd and even fields is therefore displayed 30 times per second. See Frame, Interlaced, Flicker.
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File
A collection of data stored as a unit on a disk and identified by a unique name.
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File Allocation Table
The file allocation table (FAT) is a hidden file table that records the location of files and how they are stored in clusters.
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File Manager
A program in Windows 3.1 that allows you to display, move and copy files, view directory structures and perform housekeeping functions such as improving disk performance.
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File Menu
Available from the menu bar of all Windows 95 windows. Lists options to Open files, run explorer, find files, share files and folders, send files and folders, create new objects, create shortcuts, delete, rename, adjust properties and close files.
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File Fragmentation
The allocation of a file to non-contiguous sectors on a disk due to lack of sufficient room in the first sector and those contiguous to it.
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File Format
A program standard used to store data on a disk.
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File name
A unique name assigned to a file when it is first written to disk.
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File Transfer
Data exchange between different hardware storage devices through the use of a utility program.
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File system
The logical structure of files stored on a disk.
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Filters
An effect that alters a media file based on a formula or algorithm. Examples are blur, sharpen, posterize, mosaic and ripple for still images or video and reverb, echo and chorus for audio.
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Find
1. In Windows 95, the Start Menu pull across menu (Or the Windows 95 Explorer Tools menu option) that includes utilities to sign onto the Microsoft Network, look for files or folders, or check for specific computers on your network.
2. A common multimedia feature enabling the user to locate media elements or parts of a program.
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Flat Shading
(Modeling/Rendering) Shading by filling each facet of a model╒s surface with a single color.
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Flicker
(Video) Bothersome light fluctuation on a screen that occurs if the display is not refreshed at a sufficiently high rate. Worse on high contrast images or thin horizontal lines. Not as noticeable on continuous tone graphics. Particularly noticeable when non-interlaced graphics are decoded for display to interlaced displays. See also Interlaced, Field, Frame.
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Flicker Free Monitors
Monitors with vertical scanning frequencies (refresh rates) of 60 Hz, and higher. Higher horizontal scan frequencies are required to support high refresh.
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Flip Book
(Animation) Historically, animation caused by fanning pages of drawings or illustrations. The term is sometimes borrowed to refer to a method of viewing animation by first saving the images in RAM and then viewing them sequentially in real time.
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Floppy Disk
A removable data storage medium made of a magnetically coated mylar disk enclosed in a plastic envelope.
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Floppy Disk Icon
Represents a floppy drive on your computer available in Windows 95.
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Floppy Drive
The device that reads and writes to floppy disks.
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FM Synthesis
A frequency modulation synthesizer used to provide basic MIDI music sounds on sound cards. Based on mathematical representations of various instruments.
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Folder
A graphical representation in Windows, of a container used to store and group any collection of items such as documents, files and other folders.
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Font
A unique typeface, e.g., Helvetica, Times Roman or Arial.
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Font SetAll the different sizes of a font that can be displayed or printed.
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Format
1. To prepare the surface of a disk according to the standards of the operating system. 2. In Windows 95, after the user has highlighted a selection from within the document, this function can be used to change the font, font size, and make the font bold, italicized, or underlined. Multiple properties can be added to a single font.
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fps
Frames per second. A measure of the number of images displayed each second in video, film or animation.
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Frame
1. (Video) A single complete video image, created by one complete interlaced scanning cycle. In the NTSC system, there are 30 frames per second, each made up of 525 scan lines. A frame equals 1 odd field (odd lines of the image) plus 1 even field (even lines of the image). See Field, Interlaced, Flicker.
2. In animation, one of the static drawings that, when combined with other frames in a series, gives the illusion of motion.
3. In interface design, an area for displaying media.
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Frame Accuracy
(Video) "Accuracy" refers to two concepts: search accuracy (the ability to find a specific frame on the tape) and edit accuracy (the ability to have the specific frames of source video recorded to a second tape during editing). Frame accurate editing usually requires professional broadcast products.
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Frame Address
The number identifying each frame on a videodisk or tape.
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Frame Buffer
(Computer Graphics, Video) A device that holds one or more frame's worth of pixel information. Typically uses VRAM or DRAM devices for storage. See Double-Buffering.
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Frame-by Frame Recording
(Animation) The process of transferring an animation from computer to tape or film a frame at a time.
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Frame Differencing
A compression feature for video or animation files. If frame differencing is used, only the difference between successive frames is stored, rather than each entire frame. See also compression, key frame, inter-frame compression.
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Frame Grabber
(Computer Graphics) A device that allows the real time capture of a single frame of video into a frame buffer. Some frame grabbers may have buffers large enough to store several complete frames, allowing the rapid capture of a number of images.
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Frame Rate
The number of frames per second at which a movie is played or recorded. Frame rate does not affect a movie╒s total playing time.
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Frequency Range
The high and low limits of the frequencies that are found in a video or audio signal. Sometimes pertains to horizontal and vertical sync ranges of a video monitor or compputer display.
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Full Frame Time Code
Standardized SMPTE method for the address-coding of a videotape, retaining all frame numbers in a chronological order, resulting in a slight deviation from clock time. Also called non-drop frame time code.
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Function Keys
A programmable key on the computer keyboard numbered F1, F2, etc.
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General MIDI
A standard numbering system for assignment of 128 different instrument patches.
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Generation Loss
The resulting degradation of audio or video quality after multiple copies of the same signal are made, for the purpose of editing or distribution.
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Genlock
(Video) The ability to synchronize video signals of one device with those of another video source. This is required when mixing signals, as in overlaying computer graphics on an image from a camera, VCR, or videodisk player.
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Gigabyte
A unit of measurement equal to approximately one billion bytes.
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Glitch
An inexplicable power fluctuation in an electronic circuit or other unexpected event.
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Global
Pertaining to system wide default settings.
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Glossary
A feature in Microsoft Word used to store frequently used phrases and boilerplate text for later insertion into a document.
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Golden Master
The final version of a particular software release. Sometimes called the ╥release version.╙
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Gouraud
(Modeling) Pronounced guh-ro. Gouraud is a relatively quick and simplified method of shading, which renders flatter and faster than Phong shading. See Phong Shading.
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Granularity
(Computer Graphics) The appearance of dots or segments instead of smooth gradations of shade or color. Granularity occurs as a result of certain video compression algorithms, for example.
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Graphical User Interface
The part of the program that interacts with the user that uses icons, windows, dialog boxes and other visual objects to graphically represent features.
EPS - Encapsulated Postscript. A file containing Postscript information along with a bitmap that can be displayed on screen.
IGES - Initial Graphics Exchange Specification. Defined by the American National Standards Institute for use in cross platform CAD programming.
PICT - Picture Format. Developed by Apple in 1984 to be the standard format for black and white images. Later updated to support color.
PICS - A combination of several PICT files into one file. Macintosh animation standard before the development of QuickTime.
3DGF- 3D Geometry File. Platform independent format for the exchange of three dimensional data.
TIFF - Tag Image File Format. Format for the storage and exchange of scanned images at resolutions higher than the standard 72 dpi supported by the PICT file format. Compatible with both IBM and Macintosh systems.
RIFF - Raster Image File Format. An extension of the TIFF format developed by Letraset.
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Graphics Accelerator Board
An expansion card that frees up the CPU by handling graphics processing tasks.
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GUI
Graphical User Interface. Access to computer commands by interacting with graphics.
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Handle
The small black squares around an object in Windows, used to drag or scale the selected object.
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Hard Copy
Output that has been sent to the printer.
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Hard Disk Icon
Represents a logical fixed disk drive on your computer or network available in Windows 95.
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Hard Drives
Storage device for computer information that is capable of high data transfer rates and capacities.
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Hardware
All the electronic equipment that makes up your computer system.
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HDCD
High Density Compact Disc. CD format proposed by Sony, Phillips and 3M capable of holding 3.7 gigabytes of data on a single sided disc.
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Header
Information at the beginning of the file that identifies the format, creator and content of the file.
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Header Bits
Digital information encoded at the beginning of digital media that identifies its contents, format, creator, etc.
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Headphones
A pair of speakers designed to cover the ears and thereby allow the listener to hear sounds while emitting virtually no sound into the surrounding environment. May be designed to block outside sounds from being heard as well.
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Helical Scan
Videotape system involving two video heads mounted on opposite sides of a revolving drum, which spins at a rate of one frame per revolution.
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Help
An online reference provided in Windows as well as other applications that provides information on using commands and functions and performing other operations.
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Help Menu
A menu available in Windows 95 that provides access to help topics.
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Help Menu Find
Allows the user to find a particular topic without necessarily knowing the exact name of the topic beforehand. First, a letter is entered. Next, a selection is chosen from the list. Finally, a topic is chosen from the defined list.
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Help Menu Index
A menu that allows the user to either enter the first letter of the Help topic they wish to find or scroll through a list of all Help topics.
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Hertz (Hz)
Standard unit of measure for frequency. One Hertz (Hz) is equivalent to one ╥cycle╙ per second. Thus, one kilohertz (kHz) equals 1,000 ╥cycles╙ per second, and one megahertz (MHz) equals 1,000,000 ╥cycles╙ per second. Named after German physicist Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894).
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Hi8
A video format for 8mm tape that produces superior picture quality. Provides over 400 lines of horizontal resolution and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Also offers a digital audio track.
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High Definition Television (HDTV)
General term for a variety of formats offering higher resolution than the current standards of NTSC, PAL, or SECAM. Formats generally range in resolution from 655 to 2,125 scanning lines, at aspect ratios of 3 to 5, much more akin to those of movies than traditional television. Digital HDTV has a bandwidth of 300+ MHz
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High Sierra Format
Standard format for the placing of files on CD-ROM discs, proposed by a committee of vendors, developers and publishers, at the High Sierra Hotel at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. A revised edition was later accepted by the International Standards Organization as ISO 9660.
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Highlight
1. A way of using the cursor or mouse pointer to mark a command or character when making a selection.
2. An object whose color or other visual characteristics are modified to indicate that they are selected.
3. The file that contains the graphic representing the highlighted state of a button or similar graphic.
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Home Key
A key on a PC keyboard that usually moves the cursor to the beginning of the line or the top of the screen.
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Horizontal Frequency
The time it takes for a monitor to scan from the beginning of one line to the beginning of the next line, typically stated in kHz (Kilohertz).
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Horizontal Scan
The act of the electron beam sweeping across one line of the CRT.
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Horizontal Sync
(Video, Computer Graphics) The portion of the composite video signal that synchronizes the scanning electron beam of the monitor so that each line of picture information will start at the same lateral position during scanning.
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Hot Keys
A keyboard shortcut key used to access a menu command.
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Hotspot
Any area of the screen display in a multimedia or other software application where mouse interaction is available.
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Hot text
1. Any word or group of words which when selected (usually by clicking the mouse) links to a different screen or media element. Hot text is usually highlighted to indicate that it can be selected.
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Hot word
A specific piece of hot text. See hot text.
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HTML
Hypertext Markup Language. A protocol for embedding media and interactivity in text documents on the Internet so that Web browsers can access multimedia and hyperlinks. A derivative of SGML.
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Hue
(Graphics) The color tint of an image. The color of an analog video signal is determined by three factors: hue, saturation, and luminance. In the composite video signal, the hue is determined by the phase relationship to burst.
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Hybrid Disk
A CD-ROM containing both HFS and ISO-9660 data thus making it readable by both Windows and Macintosh systems. Normally data is placed on the ISO-9660 track while the executable multimedia application for Windows is on the ISO 9660 track and the executable application for Macintosh is on the HFS track.
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Hybrid Link
A CD-ROM based multimedia application that accesses data from the CD-ROM itself as well as by means of an on-line interconnect.
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Hyperlink
A button or other interface element that, when activated, will access a different page.
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Hypermedia
Related to Hypertext, but involving media other than simple text.
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Hypertext
1. The programming of highlighted words or blocks of text as interactive buttons. When this text is selected it can take the user to related information. Hypertext can be linked to any media element including other text.2. Text documents with embedded media and interactivity control codes.
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Hz (Hertz)
(Video) A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second. See kHz, MHz
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Icon
An on-screen symbol that represents an entity or function such as a program, a file, a directory, an accessory, etc.
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IDE
Integrated Device Electronics. Drive controller technology where a significant portion of the electronic components are integrated into the drive itself.
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IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification)
(Computer Graphics, Modeling) An ANSI-standard file format used to exchange drawing information among computer-aided design (CAD) systems.
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Import
To retrieve a file created by one program into a different program.
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Information
All the types of data in a form that can be used by a computer.
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IR port
Infrared port. Computer communications connector enabling receipt or transmission of data via pulsating light waves imperceptible by the human eye.
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Initialize
To prepare software or hardware to perform a task.
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Input
To enter data into a computer for the purpose of processing, or the data itself.
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Installation Program
A utility that accompanies an application used to install the program on the hard drive and configure it for use with your system.
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Insert Edit
(Editing) Editing technique that allows the editor to edit video, and audio tracks in separate passes. Superior to assemble edit in most cases because generation loss can be reduced. See Assemble Edit.
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Interactive
The give and take quality of a program or system that derives its direction from user input, and gives information in response to user requests.
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Interactive Brochure
(Multimedia) A computer-delivered presentation, reference tool, or learning tour typically stored on floppy disk or CD-ROM disc. This form of communication is used to demonstrate a company's products and services in an interactive medium that the user can control to access rich forms of information such as data, sound, graphics, animation and video. More extensive forms are called "point of purchase demonstrations╙ or "electronic publishing."
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Interactive Media
1. Media whose message content and duration is controlled by direct user input.
2. A system designed to take maximum advantage of the ability to ╥page out╙ to videotape or videodisk players for media.
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Interactive Video
The combination of a computer and video equipment to create an interactive visual environment.
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Interface
The means of interaction between a user and the computer or between two hardware devices.
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Interframe Coding
Video compression method in which redundant data between frames is not repeated thereby reducing data required to define a video sequence. See frame differencing.
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Interlaced
(Video) An NTSC or PAL scanning method that divides the screen into two fields, alternately drawing odd-numbered and even-numbered scan lines. Lines from each field are interwoven to create a single image. Interlaced is the method used by broadcast standards. First, the odd lines are scanned, and then the even ones. For NTSC, 262 1/2 lines are scanned at a time. Since the scan is alternated between the odd and even lines, the scan must take place a high speed or the image would blink (flicker). This is done by scanning the screen from left to right, top to bottom on alternate lines 60 times a second. Each time the screen is scanned (odd or even) a single field is displayed. Two fields equal a single frame (the entire display of odd and even lines). Since the human eye has a persistence of vision equal to about 1/50 of a second, each field displayed appears to be visible as the next is scanned. See Non-Interlaced, Field, Flicker, Frame.
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Internet
Global computer communications network used by millions across a wide variety of hardware and software environments. Access is available in Windows 95 through the Microsoft Network or other popular Internet connection applications.
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Interpolation
1. (Animation) The calculation of the in-between values based on two surrounding values, usually the first and last frames of a segment.
2. (Image Processing) The calculation required to smooth edge lines of images when, for example, resolution or dpi is increased or decreased.
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I/O Card
Input /output card generally refers to an adapter board that connect to external devices, especially through parallel or serial communications.
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Interrupt
(Programming) A signal requesting attention, usually sent from a peripheral device to the host.
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Intraframe Coding
Video Compression technique in which each frame of digital video is analyzed for contiguous areas of similar color.
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Invert Selection
Windows 95 edit menu option to select the exact opposite group of icons from the currently selected set in a window.
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IRQ
Interrupt request. Defines how an adapter card notifies the CPU of data to be processed.
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ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network. An international digital communications standard, essentially an advanced telephone line, developed for the transmission of simultaneous high-bandwidth data, video, and voice signals in digital form.
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ISA
Industry Standard Architecture. A 16-bit data bus card slot standard.
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ISO 9660
International Standards Organization standard for describing the file structure for a CD-ROM. Various computer operating systems can read this standard with the addition of special software.
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Jack
Any of a variety of electrical signal connectors based on a simple pin with a recessed ridge at the end. Sound cards use 1/8╙ diameter jacks sometimes called mini-connectors to connect to speakers and microphones.
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Jaggies
(Computer Graphics) A colloquial term for the jagged edges formed on raster-scan displays when displaying diagonal lines. See Antialiasing.
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Jog
(Editing) Advancing or reversing a tape in a VTR deck one frame at a time using a jog/shuttle controller.
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Joystick
1. A yoke used to designate direction, usually in computer games.
2. A program that allows the user to control the settings by selecting which joystick and what style of joystick it is.
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JPEG
(Computer Graphics) Standard mathematical algorithm developed by Joint Photographic Experts Group for the purpose of compression of still images. Motion JPEG treats each video frame as a still image. This results in large file sizes or quality degradation at high compression ratios.
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Jumps
The link between two unique positions in a multimedia application, especially those that are not in sequence.
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kb
See Kilobyte.
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Keyboard
1. Alphanumeric entry device.2. In Windows 95, an accessory program that allows the user to control the settings for the character repeat rate and delay. Also allows for adjustment of the cursor blink rate, language used, and keyboard style.
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Keyframe
(Animation) A particular frame in an animation that is used as a guide for subsequent action.
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kHz (Kilohertz)
(Video) One thousand hertz, or cycles per second. See Hz, MHz
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KilobyteA unit of measurement for computer memory and disk storage equal to 1024 bytes.
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Kiosk
(Multimedia) A stand-alone display for dissemination/collection of information by untrained users.
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LANC
(Editing) Interface standard for control of video decks and camcorders. Also called Bi-directional. Allows counter information to be sent back to the computer for searches and editing. See Control- L.
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Land
The non-recessed area of a CD-ROM that corresponds to a binary value of 0.
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Laserdisc
(Video) An optical device used to store 30 minutes of video per disk side that can be randomly accessed.
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Laser Printer
A high resolution printer that uses technology similar to copying machines.
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Laser Rot
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The degradation of quality in any type of optical disc, due to improper production technique, or by faulty materials used in production. No longer a common problem.
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LCD
Liquid Crystal Display. A flat panel display based on either a passive or active matrix. May be color or monochromatic.
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Learning Tour
(Multimedia) Usually an interactive, animated presentation of a product or technology's basic features and functions. The program acts as a guide, and the user moves step-by-step through a finite path of information.
