Information+Technology-+Glossary

**Absolute reference:** A cell or range reference in a formula whose location remains the same (absolute) when copied. A**ccident report**: A document that should be filled out by anyone involved in workplace accidents/injuries, regardless of however minor they might be.
 * .bmp:** Short for //bitmap// - a collection of small dots known as pixels that are used to create an image[[image:informationpt11:andrew_glossary2.gif align="right"]]
 * .gif:** Graphical Interchange Format – a common format for saving graphic files
 * Acquisition number:** A unique number given to an item of inventory
 * Active listening:** Responding to what you hear, indicating you are listening.
 * ACTU**: Australian Council of Trade Unions
 * Aggressive:** To put others down, only see your point of view, pushy and abusive at times.
 * Anonymous FTP site:** Sites that offer files that are open to the general public for downloading.
 * Answering machine:** A machine that records messages when the telephone is unanswered. The recipient can play these messages back.
 * Archie**: A search engine for anonymous FTP sites.
 * Assertive:** To be clear and honest when speaking about your feelings and respect the rights and needs of others without making judgements.
 * Asset**: An item having some value
 * Attachments**: Files that are sent separately from, but attached to, an e-mail message.
 * Auto correct:** Automatically corrects common typing and spelling errors as your type
 * Auto text**: Offers a way to store and quickly insert text, graphics, fields, tables, bookmarks, and other items that you use frequently.

**Backup**: To copy files to another media as a precautionary measure, in case the first media fails
 * BCC Blind Carbon Copy (sometimes Blind Courtesy Copy)**: A recipient of an email that no other recipient knows about. Useful when you have a list of email addresses that you want to keep confidential.
 * Body language:** Movement of the body and facial expressions to communicate.
 * Bookmarks**: Notation that you create to list sites you visit often or would like to quickly return to.
 * Boot sector infector:** Virus that infects the boot sector of a floppy or hard disk
 * Browser:** A software program that translates and allows you to view HTML files.
 * Bullets**: Can be represented by a range of symbols, usually round dots, which are used to set apart points in paragraph style.
 * Business**: An organisation that seeks profit by providing goods and services.

**Cache**: The location where browsers keep a copy of recently visited pages.
 * Calculated field:** A field that displays the result of a calculation in a query.
 * Call waiting:** Where a caller is put on hold and can be listening to music, the radio or messages.
 * CC**: Carbon Copy
 * CD-ROM Compact Disk Read Only Memory:** An optical 120mm diameter disk with 650 megabytes capacity. It is used to store text, graphics, sound and video. The digital data is recorded in a spiral from the centre to the outermost edge
 * Cells**: The rectangles created at the intersection of columns and rows.
 * Chart**: A graphical representation of data
 * Checksum:** A mathematical calculation that verifies whether the data being transferred in a packet has been corrupted.
 * Clipboard:** A facility in operating system to store items of text or graphics when they have been cut or copied, so they can be pasted to a different location.
 * CMOS Complementary Metal-Oxide Semi-conductor**: A low power using memory chip in personal computers the holds time, date and other critical system startup information
 * Code of practice**: Guidelines that should be implemented to maintain safe work practices.
 * Communicate**: Successfully convey an idea from one person to another using some form of medium – verbal, non-verbal.
 * Communication Breakdown**: Failure to communicate or be understood for some reason.
 * Compose:** To produce or put together an idea, usually written.
 * Conference call:** This is where several people are calling by telephone from different locations and everyone can be heard simultaneously.
 * Consumables:** Items that need to be replaced such as toners, ink cartridges, paper, blank disks etc.
 * Cookies:** Text files that visited Web sites store on you computer’s hard disk.
 * CPU Central Processing Unit:** A chip or chips on the mainboard containing the control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit, that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer.
 * Criteria:** A specific set of conditions that you want records to meet in order to be displayed in a query, form or report.
 * Cut and paste:** A feature that allows you to remove information from one place to another.

**Data:** A collection of pieces of information.
 * Data type:** The attribute for a field that determines what type of data it can contain.
 * Database:** An organised collection of related information.
 * DBMS:** Database Management System
 * DCITA:** Department of Communication Technology and Arts
 * Detail section:** The section of form and report design that contains the records of the table (in Micros.
 * Dialogue box:** Dialog boxes prompt the user to enter information.
 * Differential backup:** Any files that have changed since the last full backup, are duplicated
 * DIR**: Department of Industrial Relations
 * Disaster recovery plan:** Detailed, written plan describing how an organisation will restore computer operations, in the event of a disaster.
 * Disk drive**: The device that operates (reads and writes) to the floppy disk, HDD, DVD and CD-ROM.
 * DMA:** Direct Memory Access -: A method of allowing the peripherals to bypass the processor and send blocks of data to a secured memory location. This can speed up data transfer operations enormously.
 * Domain:** The name of a particular Internet site.
 * Download**: The act of copying information from a distant computer to your local computer.
 * Driver:** Operating systems and applications use a general system call to operate hardware devices. The driver is a software routine that translates it into the specific instructions needed to control the hardware device.
 * DVD:** Digital Versatile Disc: 120mm optical disc with a capacity of 4.7 gigabytes. Expected to replace CDROM.

**Edit:** To make changes to existing text.
 * EEO:** Equal Employment Opportunity
 * E-mail:** Electronic mail: messages that are sent and received electronically.
 * Empathy:** The ability to see things from the other person’s point of view.
 * Entity**: The subject of the database or table.
 * Ergonomics**: The study of the work environment in relation to the user.
 * Export:** The process of taking (exporting) data from an application, i.e. a database, and placing it into another application, i.e. a spreadsheet
 * External lines:** Telephone access from outside the organisation or company.

**Facsimile (FAX) machine:** Operated via telephone lines, producing a hard copy for the receiver.
 * FAQ:** Frequently Asked Questions- llist of questions and answers to the most commonly asked question about a topic.
 * Feedback:** Any reply to a message.
 * Field:** A single category of data in a database.
 * Field name:** Label used to identify the data stored in a field.
 * Field property**: An attribute of a field that affects its appearance or behaviour.
 * File compression:** Refers to files that have been reduced in size using file compression software.
 * File infector:** Virus that attack and modify program files, usually .exe and .com files. When the program is run the virus is executed.
 * Filter:** A restriction placed on records in an open form or datasheet to temporarily isolate a subset of records.
 * Firewire:** A fast (up to 50megabyes per second) serial bus with support for 63 hot swap, plug and play devices. Has the potential to replace serial, parallel, IDE and SCSI hard disk type interfaces.
 * Flame:** A rude or inflammatory e-mail message.
 * Font:** All the characters in a particular typeface.
 * Footer:** Information that appears at the bottom of a page.
 * Form:** A database object used primarily for data entry and making changes to existing records.
 * Format:** To change the look of a document, text, graphics, characters.
 * Formula:** An equation that performs operations on worksheet data.
 * FTP:** F ile Transfer Protocol - Protocol used to transfer files between two computers.
 * Full backup:** All files in the system, including program files and data files, are duplicated
 * Function:** A predefined formula that performs calculations by using specific values, called arguments

**Gopher:** Text-based Internet protocol that allows people to view documents in a menu-driven environment. **Hacker:** A person who illegally gains access to computer systems.
 * GUI:** Graphical User Interface - combines text, graphics and other visual cues to make software easier to use.
 * Hands-free:** Not having to hold the telephone, but carry on a conversation using a microphone speaker facility.
 * Hardware:** The physical components of the computer system eg keyboard, mouse, speakers etc.
 * Hazard:** A situation or substance that could cause injury or illness.
 * Header:** Information that appears at the top of a page.
 * Hits**: The number of matches a search engine returns based on the search topic.
 * Home page:** The main or introductory Web page for a site.

**IF statement:** A function that can be used when the value you want to assign to a cell depends on a logical test. **Justification**: Paragraph alignment: left, centre, right or fully justified. **Landscape**: The orientation of the document when printed; wider than it is long.
 * Import:** The process of bringing (importing) data into an application which has been exported from another application
 * Inbox:** The location where new e-mail messages arrive.
 * Incremental backup**: Any files that have changed since the last full or incremental backup, are duplicated
 * Information**: Data that has been processed and is meaningful.
 * Insertion point:** The flashing vertical bar that indicates where the text will be entered; the current position.
 * Integrate**: The process of combining data from multiple applications
 * Internal Client:** Other workers within the same organisation.
 * Internal line:** Telephone access inside the organisation or company.
 * Interpretation**: What the receiver understands from the communication and what they get from it.
 * Inventory**: A list of assets
 * IRQ**: Interrupt ReQuest: hardware devices can gain some processor attention by sending a signal via the interrupt request line. Early devices required some knowledge of interrupts to avoid conflicts. Plug and Play now handles the set up of a new device’s communication channels with the rest of the system including the IRQ.
 * IT**: Information Technology: the application of science and engineering to provide a practical efficient method for the collecting, processing and storing of information.
 * Leaders**: Used between text and tab stops such as dots, dashes, lines or symbols.
 * Left align:** All text aligns to the left hand side of the document
 * Legislation**
 * Local printer:** A printer directly attached to the server computer.
 * Logic bomb:** Virus that activates when it detects a certain condition, e.g., a certain date

**Macro virus:** Makes use of the built in programming languages in Microsoft Word and Excel (VBA). A macro that duplicate itself into other documents and spread just like any other virus once the file has been opened
 * Mail merge:** To attach a data file or database to one main word document, enabling multiple copies to be printed.
 * Mail merge**: The process of merging a main document with a data source to produce form letters
 * Mailing list:** An automated software program that distributes your message to a large group of people via e-mail. Also known as a listserver or listprocessor.
 * Manual handling:** Lifting or moving any equipment or other objects.
 * Marquee**: A dashed line, used to define an area in a window to be operated upon. In Excel it defines items placed on the clipboard or to be used in a calculation or chart.
 * Medium**: The method or channel you choose to send the message by: verbal, written, visual, non-verbal.
 * Memory dialling:** The facility to store numbers in memory on the telephone and be able to dial or redial by a code.
 * Menu**: In Microsoft Word, pull-down menus give a choice of options to make it easier to use the program eg File, Edit, View
 * Message**: What you want to communicate: an idea, instruction, request, statement.
 * Mission statement:** A brief statement stating the purpose of the organisation.
 * Modem**: A communications device that converts a computer’s digital signals to analog signals so they can be transmitted over standard telephone lines.
 * MSDS:** Material Safety Data Sheets: specifies how to handle certain material and substances.

**Netiquette**: The etiquette rules of the Internet.
 * Network:** Two or more computers connected together for the sharing of resources such as printers and drives.
 * Network peripheral:** A hardware device connected to the network allowing users on the network access to that device.
 * Network printer:** A printing device connected to the network; it is accessed through a print server or may be directly connected to the network, without using a server.
 * Newsgroup**: Discussion group or forum.
 * Newsreader**: A software program designed to read newsgroup articles.
 * Non-verbal:** Without talking (words)
 * NOS**: Network Operating System.

**Object**: A table, form, or report that can be selected and manipulated as a unit.
 * Office Assistant:** In Microsoft Office products, it assists in the use of the software, can give on-screen prompts when necessary or can be used as on-line help.
 * OH and S:** Occupational Health and Safety
 * OHS committee:** A body of workplace employees committed to ensuring a safe work environment; attends regular meetings and carries out regular inspections.
 * On-line help**: Can be accessed to explain and help the user with any questions or problems relating to the application being used.
 * OOS**: Occupational Overuse Syndrome, also know as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Caused by repetitive tasks and/or having poor posture.
 * Oral**: By way of speaking in words.
 * Organisation**: A group of people working together to accomplish a goal.
 * Overtype (OVR):** A word processor feature that can be turned on or off by the Insert Key, which deletes current text as you are typing.

**PABX:** Private Automatic Branch eXchange: can handle many telephone lines within an organisation. Print server: A computer configured to accept print requests from other computers over the network and may send the resulting print jobs over the network to a physical printer.
 * Packet switching:** The process where packets of data are transferred over the Internet via different paths.
 * Pager:** A small device used to page a person by displaying a message or telephone number.
 * Passive**: When you do not clearly communicate what you think or feel.
 * PC:** Personal computer -CPU, keyboard, mouse, monitor
 * Peripheral**: Hardware device connected to a PC to enhance the capabilities of the machine. Examples include: printers, modems, scanners, CDROM.
 * Peripherals**: Hardware devices which are attached to the computer eg printer, speakers, scanner etc.
 * Pessimists**: People who always seem to see the negative side of things.
 * Plug-ins:** Software applications that expand a browser’s basic capabilities by becoming extensions of the browser itself.
 * Polymorphic virus:** Virus which modifies its program code every time it attaches itself to another program file
 * Port**: With reference to printing is the physical port on PC the printing device is connected to.
 * Portrait**: The orientation of the document when printed; longer than it is wide.
 * Ports**: The interface or point of attachment an external device has to the system unit.
 * Power supply**: Converts wall outlet AC power into DC power, which is the type of power required by a computer.
 * Primary industry:** Industries that are involved in the production of raw materials.
 * Primary key:** One or more fields in a table that uniquely identify a record.
 * Print driver:** Software component that translates the printer device driver interface (DDI) into printer specific commands.
 * Print monitor:** Software component that transmits the print job to the printing device.
 * Print processor:** Performs any necessary modifications to the print job before passing the job to the print monitor.
 * Print router:** Directs print jobs to the appropriate print spooler.
 * Print spooler**: It accepts print jobs from the print router and stores the print jobs that are waiting to be printed in memory or on disk as spool files.
 * Protocol:** A set of rules by which data is transferred; a set of standards, rules or procedures.
 * PS/2:** A 6-pin mini DIN socket on most computers used for the mouse and keyboard.

**Query**: The process of asking a question of a database. Queries are used to view, change, and analyse data in different ways

**Receiver**: The person you want to communicate with.
 * Record**: The set of fields that contain the data for one entity.
 * Redirecting calls**: A system whereby you can redirect calls from one place to another if you know where you are going to be eg from an office phone to a mobile.
 * Relationship**: A link made between tables, usually through at least one common field.
 * Relative reference:** A cell or range reference that automatically adjusts to the new location in the worksheet when the formula is copied.
 * Remote printer:** A printer attached to either another server or workstation on the network.
 * Report**: A way of summarising and grouping data which can be formatted as required
 * Request for Proposal (RFP)**: A form on which problem details and user requirements are listed. Suppliers use this to submit details of their proposed solution.
 * Request for Quotation (RFQ):** A form on which hardware and software requirements are listed. The RFQ is forwarded to suppliers and helps to ensure that quotations are based on exactly the same items.
 * Restore**: The process where files are returned from a backup to their original condition and location
 * RS-232:** Recommended Standard 232C - now ratified as the EIA-232 standard, which is used by all dial-up modems. The serial port may be either 25-pin or 9-pin D shell.

**Scheduling**: Controls the availability of the printer and how print jobs are presented to the printer.
 * Screening calls:** Listening to the caller and asking questions to establish the purpose of the call, then make a decision based on this information and the company policy.
 * Search engine:** A tool to help locate information on the Internet.
 * Secondary industry:** Industries that are involved with the manufacture of goods.
 * Secondary storage:** Hardware device used to record and retrieve data and instructions eg floppy disk, tape, CD-ROM
 * Shareware**: Software you can use free of charge for a trial period, usually 30 days, after which time you are expected to pay for the program.
 * Sharing:** Configuration of peripherals attached to a network to allow permitted users to use the peripheral over the network.
 * Software**: Programs: a series of instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do; can also be the interface between the user and the computer system.
 * Software licence:** The terms and conditions under which a piece of software may be used
 * Specifications**: A description of the criteria for the construction, appearance or performance of a computer system.
 * Spellcheck**: A process where the words in a document are matched against a list of words in a dictionary. If a word in the document does not match one, it is signalled as a spelling error.
 * Spreadsheet**: Computerised worksheet on which text, numbers and formulas can be entered for fast, accurate calculations.
 * Standard**: An approved model.
 * Status bar:** Located at the bottom of the screen and displays information for the user eg Page no, Section, Total pages, line, column.
 * STD**: Subscriber Trunk Dialling: long distance calls.
 * Stereotyping**: Judging or classifying people into a particular category according to appearance, behaviour, clothes or a belief.

**Table:** A facility, which allows the user to make columns with or without borders, can be used instead of tabulating.
 * Taskbar**: Contains the Start button, the clock and currently running tasks.
 * TCP/IP:** Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol: the suite of programs that determine how information is sent over the Internet.
 * Template:** A document that can be used as a pattern for creating other similar documents.
 * Thesaurus**: Provides synonyms (word with similar meanings) and antonyms (words with opposite meanings) for a word or phrase.
 * Toolbar**: A toolbar contain buttons with that can be clicked to provide a shortcut to tasks.
 * Trojan horse:** A destructive program that masquerades as a harmless application. While Trojan horses do not copy themselves, they can do just as much damage as viruses
 * Troubleshooting**: To locate the cause of trouble and removes, fixes or treats it.

**UNCL**: Universal Naming Convention
 * Undo**: Allows the user to reverse the last action performed.
 * Union**: An association that seeks to defend and improve employee wages and working conditions
 * URL**: Uniform Resource Locator: an address on the Internet.
 * USB:** Universal Serial Bus: An external peripheral interface with a 12 Mb transfer rate. It supports up to 127 hot swappable, plug and play devices. It is expected to replace the standard serial and parallel ports
 * USENET**: An Internet service made up of discussion groups called newsgroups to which you can subscribe or join.

**Validation rule:** A check that Microsoft Access performs to determine whether entered data meets certain criteria.
 * Validation text:** Text that is displayed when a validation rule is violated.
 * VDU**: Visual Display Unit or screen or monitor.
 * Virus**: A program that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs without your consent. Most viruses can also replicate themselves
 * Vision statement:** A brief statement on what the organisation sees and wishes for the future.
 * Voicemail**: A type of answering machine where messages can be recorded.

**Windows Explorer:** The file manager used where you can locate all folders, files and drives available.
 * Word wrap:** When your text reaches the right-hand margin in a document it automatically starts on the next line.
 * Workbook**: A spreadsheet file containing one or more worksheets
 * WorkCover**: The managing body for NSW Workplace Health and Safety
 * Worker’s compensation:** A payment made to any person who is injured or suffers a work-related illness to compensate for the injury or illness.
 * Worksheet**: A sheet within a spreadsheet workbook; used for displaying rows and columns of figures and labels
 * Worksheet tab:** The tab at the base of a worksheet, default tab names in Excel are Sheet1, Sheet2 etc.
 * Workstation**: Includes the whole work area and positioning of the computer, monitor, keyboard, desk, chair, document holder and footrest.
 * WWW World Wide Web:** documents that reside on computers on the Internet.