Internet Terms-P

packed file a computer file in a compressed form. see compression.

packet sometimes called datagram, a packaged unit of characters or other form of computer output sent from one computer to another over a network. Packets are digitally encoded with the address of the sender and recipient so they reach their intended destinations as well as letting the receiver of the data know that it came from an authorized or recognized source.

packet switching the method used to send information over a network. Each packet has the address of the sender as well as the destination address. This allows information to intermingle with other packets of data, without being lost or misdirected, while making it’s journey over the network.

page 1. in a word processing program, a specified amount of information such as text or images, regardless of the size of the characters or other variables.
 2.short for Web page, a frame of information stored on a Web server, available on the Internet. Unlike a page in a word processing application, a Web page has an unlimited amount of space available. However, Website developers consider it wise to keep page sizes within reasonable limits.

Page Down key a key on the numeric keypad that, when set in the cursor mode, moves the cursor down by a pre-specified number of spaces on the display monitor.

page impressions (compare to hit) also referred to as page views, the number of times a particular Web page is visited by a user. This is a more accurate method of tracking site activity than counting hits because page impressions account for a server delivering an entire page to a viewer. A hit refers to individual P components of a page such as a single image or block of text. Consequently, a page containing five images would be counted as five hits. Determining the accurate number of page impressions is important for companies both buying and selling advertising. see hit.

Page Up key A key on the numeric keypad that, when set in cursor mode, moves the cursor up by a pre-specified number of spaces on the display monitor.

pagination the assignment of numbers to the pages in a document. Logically, one would think that one number simply followed another, but in word processing jobs, allowances can be made for objects such as charts and blank pages, which the author might want excluded from the logical numbering sequence. Word processing programs also automatically divide text into single pages. Without this function a document would appear to be one continuous page.

paint program an application that allows a user to draw pictures and create images using straight lines, boxes, ovals, as well as apply color and shading. The program also includes tools for manipulating images such as a pen or brush for drawing, scissors for cropping, a spray can used for painting, and an eraser. An image created by a paint program is formatted as a bitmap. Many operating systems include simple paint programs, however, such applications are available commercially and offer a wide range of creative options for artists and graphic designers.

palette one of a set of tools included in graphics and paint applications. The palette is a selection of colors, usually displayed in small boxes. The user can select the desired color, and click OK to apply it.

palmtop a computer small enough to fit in the user’s hand. Primarily used as personal organizers, they provide users with the ability to store names and addresses, play games, access the Internet, and use a calculator. 3Com’s Palm Pilot is a popular palmtop. see hand-held computer.

parallel port a computer connection that allows data to flow using more than one wire. Most printers are connected to a computer using a parallel port allowing faster transmission than a serial port connection. see serial port.

parallel processing the simultaneous use of more than one microprocessor to run a program, allowing for faster execution.

parameter an identifying feature, value, or characteristic. In programming, a parameter represents a boundary or value, which might trigger a function or action.

parent an element that passes its characteristics to an adjunct of that element (child). Modifying the properties of the parent will change the properties of the child but changing the properties of the child will not alter the parent.

parent directory the senior directory to a particular file or directory in a computer’s hierarchy. In the Windows operating system, the C drive is the computer’s main storage space or root directory. All of the other directories are kept here.
For example, to trace the lineage of a file labeled “My Recipes”, we would first look in the C directory, then to Program files (stored in the C Directory), then to MS Word, (the application that created the My Recipe document) kept in the Program Files Directory, then the individual file, My Recipes. Since MS Word is kept in the folder called Program files, Program files is the parent of the MS Word folder, just as the C directory is the parent to Program Files. C:\ Program Files\ MS Word\ My Recipes. see chart under hierarchy.

parity the state of equality or being equal. In computer programming, as well as the transmission of data, evenly (or oddly) matched groupings of data allow for a simple method of checking errors.

park to safely secure the read/write head of a hard disk so that it isn’t damaged when a computer is moved. Modern hard disks automatically do this when the computer’s power is shut off.

parse to divide, analyze, and categorize individual components of language into small units so they can be utilized usefully in computer programming.

partition to alienate sections of a hard drive for individual uses. Each section acts as a separate disk and improves the overall storage efficiency of the disk. Software applications are available allowing a user to partition a hard disk.

Pascal a high level programming language based on Algorithmic Language (AL GOL) developed in the early 1970’s by Niklaus Wirth. The language was named after the seventeenth century mathematician Blaise Pascal who built one of the first mechanical adding machines. Pascal is noted for its highly systematic and methodical structure, making it a popular teaching language.

passive matrix a low resolution liquid crystal flat-panel display used for computer monitors. Although the display quality is not quite up to par with the activematrix display screens, the significant difference in the cost of the passive matrix has caused it to remain popular.

password a secret series of characters (that might incorporate numerals or other symbols) which allows a user access to a program, subscriber Website or serparent 101 vice, a network, or a computer system. Many people, in an effort to remember a password, use a birthday, anniversary or another easy to remember phrase.
This is often what allows unauthorized individuals to easily break into a computer or otherwise gain access to a guarded system. An effective and hard to crack password might be: 8&!m>$t, because such a character string isn’t likely to be easily guessed. It is wise to change a password periodically.

paste an efficient way to insert a single letter, word, an entire block of text, or an image from one location within a document or file, to the same or another document or file. To paste, means to place the material, into a document. It’s easy to do. For example, in Windows, say you decide you want to move the first paragraph of a document to the middle of the page. Place the mouse cursor just to the left of the first word in the paragraph. Now, left click the mouse and keep the button down while dragging the mouse over the entire paragraph, until all of the text is highlighted. Release the button. Now, in the menu bar, click Edit, select Copy, and click. The block of text is now temporarily saved on the Windows clipboard. Next, place your mouse cursor at the point in the document where you want the paragraph to appear and click. The screen cursor should be blinking. With your mouse, go back to the Edit command and click on Paste. If you’ve done everything correctly, the paragraph will appear at the point of the blinking cursor, making room for itself by pushing any other text forward. You can also copy and paste in exactly the same way from one application to another. see copy and paste.

path in DOS and Windows, the series of directories where an operating system searches for executable files called up by a user.

PC (Personal Computer) originally the IBM personal computer, but today the term refers to any IBM clone or compatible computer, or any personal computer that isn’t a Macintosh. Additionally, PCs are considered to have Intel or Intel-compatible microprocessors.
Desktop Tower Figure P.01. PC personal computers PC 102 PC Card any of a number of printed circuit devices conforming to the PCMCIA standard that are easily attached to a computer enhancing its performance by adding or improving features such as memory, video or sound. see PCMCIA.

PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) an international standards body and trade association with over 500 member companies founded in 1989 to establish standards for Integrated Circuit cards and to promote interchangeability among mobile computers where durability, low power, and small size were critical. Among the standards a card needs for PCMCIA compliance are uniform thickness and size.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) a generic term for any number of electronic computing or communications devices that are able to act as cellular phones, fax senders or personal organizers. Although somewhat expensive, PDAs are becoming more sophisticated and easier to use.

PDF (Portable Document File) a standard for electronic document distribution developed by Adobe Systems. PDF is a universal file format that preserves all of the fonts, formatting, colors, and graphics of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it. PDF files are compact and can be shared, viewed, navigated, and printed exactly as intended by anyone with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is freely available for downloading from many sources on the World Wide Web.

pen a drawing tool used in a paint program.

pen computer a computer (usually hand held) that uses an electronic stylus for input.

Pentium refers to a number of microprocessors manufactured by Intel corporation, including the first in the line introduced in 1993, the Pentium microprocessor, the Pentium Pro, the Pentium II, and most recently, the Pentium III. With the introduction of each successive Pentium product, processing efficiency, speed and power has dramatically increased.

peripheral short for peripheral device, a hardware device such as a keyboard, printer, scanner, or display monitor connected to a computer.

Perl a popular programming language developed by Larry Wall primarily for processing CGI scripts.

personal computer see PC.

PgDn key see Page Down key.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) a free security application developed by Phillip Zimmerman that allows users to email files anywhere in the world. The program includes a feature that lets the sender know the files were received and that they actually came from the sender. Additionally, PGP Security offers a complete line of network security software, available from Network Associates of Santa Clara California.

PgUp key see Page Up key.

Photo CD a proprietary format for the digital storage of photographs developed by Kodak. A special Photo CD Player along with special software is needed to read the discs.

photo scanner an optical scanner that specializes in scanning photos. Photo scanners usually offer better resolution than conventional scanners.

PhotoShop a popular image editing program produced by Adobe that allows a user to create original artwork, retouch or dramatically modify photographs, and create special effects for a wide variety of projects such as magazines, books, posters, or Web pages. Many artists feel PhotoShop is the standard by which other image editing software is judged.

phreaking similar to hacking, only the phreaker’s goal is to access a phone system for the purpose of making free long distance calls. see cracker, hack, hacker.

physical 1. relating to computer hardware. 2. in contrast to virtual, or a computer generated world, physical refers to the tangible world. For example, some netizens have expressed the desire to leave the physical world for a full time existence in cyberspace.

PIF (Program Information File) in DOS and Windows, a file that contains instructions on how to run a program other than DOS or Windows.

pin 1. a small wire shaft in a dot-matrix printer that strikes an inked ribbon producing the dots that make up characters and images. The resolution of a dotmatrix printer depends on the number of pins present on the printer head - the more pins, the better the resolution. 2. an individual wire component found in a cable connector such as a 29 pin connector. see Figure P.02.

PING (Packed Internet Groper) a timed interval echo-like message sent by a computer over a network to another computer to determine if the receiver is available for communication.

 pipe a connection between two software programs that acts as a shortcut in accessing data.

pipelining an advanced function of a microprocessor that enables a computer to call up and read data before it has finished executing previous commands, thus allowing for faster operation.

piracy the unauthorized duplication and/or use and distribution of a software program.
Buying a program usually allows the user a limited license for its use on a single computer. In the past, software manufacturers tried to discourage piracy by copy-protecting their products. However, because US copyright laws allow a legitimate holder of a program to make a backup disk, measures such as owner registration have been used to discourage unauthorized use. Aside from being illegal, there are several other reasons for not using pirated software.
Among them, the user gets no operating manual, no technical support, and runs the risk of introducing viruses into a computer by installing a bootlegged program.

pitch 1. the number of characters of a particular font that will fit into a measured space. 2. the amount of space dividing pixels on a display monitor.

pixel one of many tiny points that make up an image or character on a display screen or printed page. A pixel is the smallest component of an image on a screen or in printed material. For example, the quality of a display screen image depends on how many pixels the monitor can accommodate. There are a wide variety of monitors available with varying resolution qualities ranging from 300,000 to more than 16 million pixels per screen.

PKZIP a popular free file compression program developed in the 1980s by Phillip Katz. Once a file is compressed it is said to be zipped. When decompressed, unzipped.

plasma display a flat display monitor that uses ionized gas compressed between panels to produce images.

platform the type of operating system or hardware that make up a computer or computer system. These factors provide a particular environment for operation.
The platform determines the parameters under which a system runs associated hardware and software. For example, software designed to run on a Macintosh, will not run on a PC and visa-versa. For Mac software, or hardware, to work in a PC environment, it would need to be cross-platformed.

plotter a computer output device that draws images on paper using a pen. A plotter draws real lines rather than simulating them as a conventional printer would by producing a series of very close dots.

Plug and Play a computer hardware device such as a monitor or printer that is ready to use with other hardware without requiring special configuration. In simple terms, plug-and-play hardware introduces itself to the computer, and automatically sets itself up for functioning.

plug-in a software or hardware accessory required to enhance or provide a particular computer function. For example, to download and play audio files from the Internet, a user would require a special program such as RealJukeBox. Many plug-ins are freely available for downloading on the World Wide Web.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) a graphics file format similar to GIF that encodes images as bitmaps.

point 1. a designated spot on a display screen or a document. 2. the positioning of a cursor to select an item or option as in point and click. 3. hyperlinks (clickable links leading a user to another page) on a Web page are said to point to the destination page. 4. the fractional designation used to describe the size of a character in relation to a particular font.

PointCast a free online subscriber-based news and information service that utilizes a wide variety of sources from CNN and Reuters, to Newsweek and the New York Times and many more. A subscriber may customize news and information to her needs.

pointer a symbol displayed on a computer screen whose movement corresponds to that of the mouse. The pointer usually presents as an arrow, but may have other forms such as a hand or flashing I beam.

point-of-sale system a computer system that acts as a cash register as well as one that keeps track of invoicing, inventory, and sales in a retail environment.

POP 1. (Post Office Protocol) the standardized protocol an ISP uses that tells its server software how to accept email. 2. (Point of Presence) a physical location where an ISP or Internet hosting service maintains a telephone or cable connection, modems, computers, and other equipment necessary for its business.
3. (Point of Purchase) see point-of-sale system.

pop-up-menu a group of options or selections offered to a user that appears as the result of pressing a special function key, clicking a button with the mouse, or any number of menu or toolbars either in an application or on a Web page.

port a slot on a computer that allows it to be connected to another computer or hardware device for the purpose of the input or output of information. Ports may exist both internally and externally. For example, many modems are present internally and are connected via internal ports. Printers, optical scanners, monitors and mice are usually connected via external ports.

port replicator similar to a docking station, a device that incorporates a number of ports allowing notebook computers to access stationary devices such as printers and monitors.

portable when speaking of hardware, lightweight and easily transported such as a laptop or a hand-held computer. When speaking of software, the ability to operate on more than one type of computer.

Portable Document File see PDF.

portal an entry point to the World Wide Web usually providing services such as email, search engines, news, weather, stock quotes, chat and message forums, and a number of additional benefits designed to attract users to the site.
Such Websites encourage users to set the site as their Homepage. Many of the top search engines, in an effort it increase site traffic, have endeavored to become all-purpose cyber-utilities, providing a user with many of the services the World Wide Web has to offer. Yahoo and MSN are common portals.

portrait a document with vertical orientation. In other words, the page is taller than it is wide. Portrait orientation is opposite of Landscape.

post as a verb, to write and upload (send) a message to any number of public or private online forums such as a chat room or bulletin board. As a noun, the actual message that ends up on display in the forum.

Postscript a programming language developed by Adobe Systems for importing files in all environments and printing documents on high resolution laser printers.
Utilizing the standard requires a printer to support specific fonts as well as have the ability to automatically change the font size and create circles and lines in particular positions.

PowerPC a computer containing a high-powered microprocessor. They were developed as part of a joint venture among IBM, Apple and Motorola in an effort to compete with Intel and Microsoft. The first of the PowerPCs was the Power Mac introduced in 1994.

PowerPoint a popular Microsoft software product allowing a user to create visual demonstrations incorporating photos, clipart, charts, graphs and text (displayed on a computer monitor or through a projector) to accompany speeches or in - structional presentations.

power supply an internal computer component that supplies and regulates the power a computer receives. The power supply is designed to keep a steady stream of power flowing to the computer as well as preventing unexpected power spikes or surges.

ppm (pages per minute) the number of pages per minute a printer can produce.
The standard applies to text only as printing graphics slows a printer significantly.

PPP (Point to Point Protocol) a communications protocol used in connecting computers over a network using a modem and telephone lines.

Pretty Good Privacy see PGP.

preview in word processing applications, a feature that allows a user the ability to look at a document on the screen and have it appear exactly as it would when printed. This is a useful tool because many programs permit the user to view only a portion of a document while actually working on it.

printed circuit board (PCB) sometimes called a card, a sheet of nonconductive material containing electronic components such as transistors, resistors and chips used in virtually all modern electronic devices. Computers often contain several PCBs including a motherboard and expansion boards used for adding features to a machine or enhancing existing features.

printer a hardware output device used to produce a hard copy of a text or image oriented document. Printers are available in color or black and white. Printer resolution has improved greatly over the years as costs have continued to fall.
Among the printer types available are the daisy wheel, where the actual printing mechanism is similar to the IBM Selectric typewriter with its ball and wheel paper striking device; the dot matrix; the ink jet; the laser printer, designed for high resolution, the high-speed line printer that produces low quality output; the LCD and LED, both high resolution devices and the thermal printer such as might be found with older copy or fax machines. Some printers, such as the line and daisy wheel, are capable of producing text-only documents. Hewlett Packard, Cannon, and Epson are among the many companies manufacturing low-cost, high-speed quality printers capable of many functions.

printer engine the fundamental component of the printer that does the actual printing. The engine determines the resolution quality of the printed product as well as the speed of the printer.

printout also referred to as hard copy, printed computer output.

Print Screen key a command key on most computer keyboards that, depending on the application running, sends the image displayed on the monitor to the clipboard.

procedure an individual component of a software program that performs a particular function.

process the execution of a computer function or functions.

processor short for microprocessor. see CPU, microprocessor.

Prodigy a popular online Internet service provider offering users Internet access, news, travel, email, business, sports, online chat and many other services.

program a software application designed to perform a specific task. A program is a compilation of commands and instructions written in programming language, Figure P.05. dot matrix, inkjet, and laser printers program 110 designed to allow an operator to use a computer in a particular way. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Adobe PhotoShop, and Corel WordPerfect are among the thousands of programs available to allow people to get the most from their computers.

programmer a person who creates programs.

programming language the instructions used in creating computer programs. There are a great number of programming languages in existence and no one language is suitable for writing all types of programs. The language a programmer uses to create an application will depend on the desired properties of the program.
Some programming languages lend themselves to mathematical and analytical functions while others are better suited for creating business or data processing applications. The programming language field is wide and complex, encompassing a large number of disciplines.

PROM (Programmable Read-only Memory) a type of memory chip that differs from RAM in that once a program has been written to the chip, it cannot be changed.

prompt a request by a computer asking the user to do something such as enter information. In most cases, the computer will cease functioning until the request is met. For example, when logging on to the Internet, the computer will ask for a password before connecting.

proprietary features exclusive to a particular company’s product that add distinctive qualities to the product and often give it an edge in the marketplace. A proprietary component of a software program may be protected by a trademark or copyright and is not available to other manufacturers for use. For example, Worden Brothers, the creators of TC2000 stock tracking software, have included in their software a proprietary feature called Moneystream. This tool measures institutional and individual investor dollars flowing into and out of a stock, but only Worden Brothers know the exact parameters used for measuring Moneystream. Proprietary features are present in many hardware devices as well as in software.

protected mode a computer standard that guarantees particular programs receive a portion of memory for individual operation.

protocol a pre-set parameter used by a computer to communicate with another computer over a network. Protocols include how data is compressed, and the method for recognizing and acknowledging the sender of data over a modem.

proxy server existing between a client Web browser and a real server, a computer that caches common and often requested Web pages and holds them for easier access by users. Proxy servers allow for faster access to Web pages for groups of users in a particular area. For example, quick access to popular online services such as America Online is provided by AOL’s many proxy servers, which are positioned regionally.

public domain software, clipart, photographs, music and other intellectual property that is available for use by the general public for free. Public domain items may be un-copyrighted or intellectual property where the copyright has run out and now available for anyone to use.

pull to call for information from a Web server. The majority of Internet activity is currently based on pull technology. That is, a user requests information from a server. The opposing concept, called push, is oriented toward a user having information broadcast or transmitted to them as a subscriber.

pull-down menu a list of options or selections a user calls for by selecting a choice offered from a menu bar or other on-screen prompt.

purge to permanently remove or delete unneeded data from a computer.

push receiving information over a network without necessarily having asked for it.
Most Internet users actively call for Web pages from servers. In doing this they are utilizing pull technology. The opposite is push technology whereby a user receives information randomly. An example of push technology is email.

pyramid scheme (Ponzi scheme) a method of making money that requires new participants to invest in order for previous investors to be paid. The problem with this plan is that it continuously requires new investors. The Ponzi scheme can be thought of as an expensive game of Old Maid. Unfortunately, pyramid schemes eventually collapse because it becomes increasingly difficult to attract new players.
Chain letters, asking people to send money to others listed in the letter, and then crossing off the last recipient’s name and replacing it with yours, are a form of pyramid scheme. The pyramid scheme is mentioned in this book because the Internet is alive with such offers. As with anything else, a user would be wise to know the company or individual he is dealing with before sending money.