Internet Terms-T

T1 line a leased telephone line connection allowing for the transfer of data at a speed of 1.544 Mbits (1.544 million bits) per second. Though not fast enough to accommodate realtime streaming video, a T1 connection is often used by businesses to connect to the Internet.

T3 line a leased telephone line connection allowing for the transfer of data at a speed of approximately 45 Mbps (45 million bits) per second. T3 connections provide the bandwidth for realtime streaming video. T3 lines comprise much of the backbone that allows for the transmission of data over networks such as the Internet. Many ISPs use a T3 connection to provide services to customers.

see bandwidth, backbone.

tab a designation in a program document or Web page similar to the ridge-like projection that divides and identifies sections in a notebook or planner. Like the physical tab in a notebook, the onscreen tab in a program application or Web page usually isolates a body of information. Clicking on such a tab with the mouse brings the material to the foreground.

Tab key a useful computer keyboard key that moves the cursor to a new insertion point as determined by a user’s margin settings. The tab key also brings a user to a new field when making entries in a cell or dialog box (form).

table a particular orientation of information, arranged in vertical columns and horizontal lines of items such as text or images. Spreadsheet applications produce many types of tables.

tab stop a designated point set by a user that positions the cursor in a particular spot on a page. In word processing, tab stops can be useful for setting recurring margins, paragraph indentions, and other repeated parameters in a document.

tag an instruction written into a program or document that signals a particular function or series of functions to occur. In HTML, commands are sometimes called tags.

tape a magnetically coated material used for the storage of computer, video, or audio data. The advantages of storing computer information on tape are that tapes can store large amounts of data and are less expensive than disks. The drawback to using tape is slow running speed. Tape is the preferred method of storing information that is not needed frequently such as archived data.

tape drive a device that reads and/or writes data onto a tape. Accessing data on tape can be time consuming depending upon the location of the information.

For example, a tape drive would need to fast forward through a large quantity of tape to access data stored in the middle of a spool.

talk realtime online chat (replete with all of the familiar abbreviations and acronyms) that takes place in a virtual community of which there are many, according to an individual’s interests. As with most other communication forums, regular participants take the medium seriously and discourage poor netiquette.

In some talk forums, administrators monitor discussions.

target also referred to as destination, the program, file or final location for computer data that is being transferred or copied. Target is the opposite of source.

task refers to the particular function being performed by a software application.

taskbar in Windows, the panel on the bottom of a display monitor that contains icons, beginning with the Start button on the far left, that provides shortcuts to opening selected applications. The taskbar also displays the symbols representing folders, programs, and/or files that are presently open. It is also home for the volume control and displays the current time. Clicking on an item in the taskbar brings that item to the foreground.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) a standard protocol that allows computers to process and display information such as Web pages and email that originate in the various networks that comprise the Internet.

teamware sometimes called groupware, software that lets individuals separated geographically work on the same project. The Internet is usually what links participants to each other.

technical support assistance provided by the manufacturer of both hardware and software. It is also a service provided by ISPs, online service providers, and Web hosting companies. Technical support may be offered by telephone, via an online chat program, by email, or by snail mail. Support personnel answer questions of all varieties such as, “How do I set up this equipment?” to “Where is the on switch for my new computer?” The popularity and success of many companies offering computer-related products and services is often directly related to the quality of technical support they offer.

telecommute a popular term originating in the 1970s used to describe working from home with the use of electronic devices such as a fax, computer, modem and telephone.

teleconference a meeting of individuals separated geographically, using telephone as well as audio and/or video connections provided by a private network or the Internet.

television board an expansion board that allows a computer and monitor to act as a television. Some allow a user to place a small TV picture in a corner of the monitor screen while using the computer for other work. A television board might also be called a TV card.

telnet a program that allows a user to log onto a remote server or host. For example, if you were away from home, and connecting to your ISP required a long distance call, you could use telnet to connect and avoid the charges. You would need a user name and password and would have access to services normally offered by your home ISP such as email.

template a model or pattern. The word is used to describe several functions with regard to software applications and graphical layout. For example, in a word processing application, a template might refer to a style sheet, in that the layout for a document is set before beginning work. Entering information into pre-set fields is all that is necessary to create the framework for the document. The same could apply to entering information into a spreadsheet. In graphic or Website design, a template might be used to maintain a uniform theme throughout the creation.

Terabyte approximately one trillion bytes.

Terminal hardware consisting of a keyboard and display screen allowing a user to communicate with a computer either through normal cable connections or by a network. see dumb terminal, smart terminal.

Texas Instruments a global semiconductor company and the world’s leading designer and supplier of digital signal processors and analog integrated circuits, the engines driving the digitization of electronics. These two types of semiconductor products work together in digital electronic devices such as digital cellular phones. In 1958, Jack Kilby, a researcher for Texas Instruments, developed the first integrated circuit. In 1967 the company introduced the first hand-held electronic calculator.

text characters, numerals and symbols that make up sentences and paragraphs.

text box a designated area within a software program or Web page where a user may enter text.

text file a file containing primarily text. A word processing document however, is usually not simply a text file. Word processing files are different because they incorporate items such as boldface and italic characters, margins, underlined words, and many other variables that set them apart them from text files. A true text file is one where the sentences have no special characters or uniformity such as margins or columns. Some word processing programs allow a user to save documents in a “text only” or an ASCII format, allowing for easy uploading and downloading to others.

text wrap also called text flow, a feature supported by many word processing programs allowing a user to enter text around a picture, clipart or other image placed on the page. see Figure T.03.

thermal printer a low cost printer that produces characters and images using heat applied to a special type of paper. Calculators and some fax machines employ this technology.

Thrash to move about wildly without accomplishing anything useful. With computers, thrashing occurs when too many programs are open and the system does not have the resources to accommodate them all. Closing one or all applications will get things under control. A more permanent solution is to install more memory.

thread a series of posted messages of the same topic found on a bulletin board or newsgroup. It is often possible for a user to call up all of the messages associated with the original.

three-dimensional audio a method of enhancing stereo sound. A device listens to the sound while evaluating factors such as room acoustics. It then sends this information back to the computer and the sound card makes adjustments, producing optimal sound.

three-dimensional graphics the process by which software makes two dimensional images appear to be three dimensional. 3-D graphics are essential for many games and other animation. The process requires a large amount of memory and a special microprocessor.

thumbnail 1. refers to a preview of an image and is usually considerably smaller than the actual image. When viewing images such as photos and clipart stored on a CD-ROM or floppy disk, the user is sometimes shown a smaller sample (preview) that allows her to either continue on through the samples, or enlarge the preview image to display the entire graphic. 2. on a Web page, a small image that contains a hyperlink. When clicked with a mouse, the image is enlarged.

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) a popular file format for saving bitmap images on both PCs and Macintosh computers. The TIFF format can store large im- Figure T.03. text wrap thrash 145 ages, black and white graphics, unlimited color, and can display an image in any resolution. TIFF files are identified by the .TIF file extension.

tilde the keyboard symbol (~).

TLD (Top Level Domain) the suffix attached to Internet domain names such as .com, .net, org, uk, .ws .cc, etc. As the Internet grows in popularity and domain names become increasingly scarce, new TLDs are being created.

Tillamook an Intel processor designed for use in portable computers. The Tillamook chip is a version of the Pentium that runs at more than 200 MHz.

time out after waiting for an answer, a program or hardware device will often display a time out message and abandon the function. For example, when accessing computerized stock quotes on the telephone, the program will ask for the user’s account number. If it isn’t given within a certain period of time, say 30 seconds, the computer might return the user to the main menu or even disconnect.

time sharing refers to more than one user having access to the same computer.

Time sharing utilizes the multitasking concept, that is, that a computer rapidly switches processing duties among two or more open applications.

Times Roman a popular font style noted for its legibility both on the printed page and on a Web page. The font is characterized by its vertical orientation and serifs. The vast majority of type used in this book is Times New Roman, a slight variation to the original Times Roman.

title bar the uppermost rectangular bar in the frame of a program or Web page containing the program title or file name, and possibly an icon that identifies it.

toggle a term used to describe several actions. Primarily, to toggle means to switch functions from one to another. Occasionally people refer to clicking hyperlinks while surfing the Internet as toggling through the Net.

token 1. a single component of a programming language such as a keyword or symbol. 2. a code or message transmitted from one member of a token ring to another, allowing the holder the ability to transmit.

token ring network a network arranged in a circular fashion where a message is transmitted from one member to another. It is the token that gives the holder the ability to transmit. see ARCnet.

toner electrically charged ink-like power used in copiers and laser printers. Toner is available in disposable cartridges for both printers and copy machines or may be added to a reservoir as needed.

tool one of any number of utility function devices available in a software application allowing a user to accomplish useful work. Often a tool can be manipulated with the mouse cursor. For example, in a paint program, the spray can, scissors, and pen are all tools.

toolbar an assembly of tools, represented by buttons, placed on the top, bottom, or either side of the display monitor. The toolbar allows a user easy access to a number of functions offered by the program. Usually, one needs only to left click on a function to activate the desired tool. see tool, floating toolbar.

topology refers to the manner in which individual items or points are connected. In networking, topology usually refers to the arrangement of computers connected in the network. see local area network for network configurations.

touchpad a touch-sensitive area on a portable or hand-held computer allowing a user input by use of a special pen or her finger. The touchpad is used in place of a keyboard.

touch screen a display monitor that, when running with certain software allows a user to make selections and input data into the computer by touching the screen with a finger. Touch screen technology is often used in kiosks.

tower computer components are assembled inside of a metal box. Tower refers to a box that is taller than wide. The advantage of a “tower model” computer versus a desktop model, is the tower saves space. see PC.

track a circular section on a data storage disk containing data, resembling a single musical selection on a vinyl record album. Data storage is further isolated into sectors.

trackball a device similar to a mouse used for pointing to and clicking on items on a display monitor. The difference is the trackball has a free-moving ball that is housed in a socket in the device. The user rolls the ball to position the cursor while the device remains stationary.

traffic 1. refers to the number of communications being sent over a system or network.
The extent of traffic sometimes determines a users ability to login and navigate a network. 2. the frequency and number of visits received by a Web page or Website.

transfer interrupted a message box appearing on a display monitor after the downloading of data has been stopped. A user may have pressed the stop button, or the source server may have shut down for any number of reasons.

transfer rate the speed that data travels from one hardware device to another, either through conventional wire and cable connections, or over a network.

Factors such as network traffic, the type of data being transmitted, and individual computer speeds affect the transfer rate.

transistor a small electronic device composed of semiconductor material such as germanium or silicon, that amplifies or otherwise modifies a signal or current.

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and are rapidly being replaced by printed circuit boards, both of which perform the same or similar functions. Computers, as we know them today would not exist without transistors.

transparent 1. unable to be seen or noticed. In software applications, functions that automatically happen without the user being aware of them are said to be transparent. 2. in paint and graphics applications, to make transparent means to take an image and eliminate its background so it can be placed in a new field without any trace of the old background.

Trash the folder in the Macintosh where deleted files are kept until they are permanently cleared or restored. The Trash bin in the Mac is the equivalent to the Recycle bin in the Windows operating system.

tree a data storage structure where new items are attached to elements below them.
The first item in the structure is the root. The connections are called branches.

Trojan horse a program downloaded from the Internet that contains destructive elements to a computer. Unlike a true virus, the Trojan horse does not replicate itself, it simply erases the users hard drive. A Trojan horse can come disguised as a useful application such as a game or even a virus protection program. The name is taken from Greek mythology, where the Greeks gifted their Trojan enemies, a large wooden horse as a peace offering. Once inside the city of Troy, Greek soldiers, who were hiding inside the hollow horse, opened the gates to the city allowing fellow soldiers to invade.

troll sometimes referred to as flame bait, a message posted to any number of public chat or bulletin board forums that is designed to prompt a large number of responses.
Often the message is a complete exaggeration, lie, or insult. One might be said to be “trolling” for a particular type of response.

typeface tron to communicate online and not through more conventional means such as telephone or face-to-face.
true color a graphics application using at least 24 bits for each pixel of color. True color applications are able to display more than 16 million colors.

TrueType developed as a joint venture between Apple and Microsoft in 1991, an outline font included in both company’s operating software that has become a standard of sorts for everyday home computing.

truncate to shorten something. In programming languages, (especially when disk storage space was at a premium) there would not always be room to enter an entire character string, so there was a need to shorten it. For example, the number 45.070921 becomes 45.

tune to clean up hard disk space by deleting old files and otherwise run applications that improve the speed and efficiency of a computer. Running a defragmentation utility would be one method of tuning a computer.

turnkey system a computer system that is designed for a particular application and comes to the user ready to perform certain functions. For example, a desktop publishing system would come with publishing, scanning, and printing drivers as well as the appropriate hardware and software. A user could figuratively turn a single key to be up and running.

TWAIN (Technology Without An Interesting Name) an interface that allows optical scanners to communicate with application software. A TWAIN driver delivers the scanned image to the various software applications a user might be working with, allowing the scanned image to be used in many applications.

tweak to adjust, align, manipulate, or otherwise fine tune a hardware device or software application for maximum efficiency.

type 1. to enter characters as computer input using a keyboard. 2. the various styles of characters and symbols produced by a keyboard.

typeface a particular design for characters such as Courier or Times New Roman.

The two major distinctions that separate typeface styles are Serif and Sans serif.