Glossary of terms : N - R

A . B . C . D . E . F . G . H . I . J . K . L . M
N . O . P . Q . R . S . T . U . V . W . X . Y . Z

N

National Grid for Learning (NGFL) – government initiative to connect all schools, colleges and universities to the Internet, and provide them with information and resources.

net – see Internet

netiquette – an agreed code of behaviour for using parts of the Internet such as mailing lists, email or newsgroups.

network – electronic communications system linking computers, computer systems and peripherals such as file servers and printers.

newsgroup – a type of electronic forum for discussion groups. Messages sent to a newsgroup are displayed for anyone to see. To subscribe to newsgroups you must have access to a news server. Also known as usenet.

news server – a server computer on the Internet that collects and distributes messages sent to newsgroups.

notebook – the smaller type of laptop computer.

O

object linking or embedding – see embed

on / off-line – When you are online your computer is connected to the Internet. When you are off-line it is not.

online database – remote database which can be accessed over a network or via the Internet.

online service – service accessed remotely via telecommunications links. Often, but not always, an email or database service.

on-screen grid / on-screen keyboard – grid on the computer screen which enables users who have difficulty accessing a conventional keyboard to use standard software (usually by switch input). A grid of numbers, letters and symbols represents the standard keyboard. The user selects the characters required by scanning the device with the switches and the information is sent to the computer.

operating system (OS) – program or set of programs which controls the computer. Different types of computer use different operating systems. E.g. MS-DOS, Windows (95, 98, NT, 2000, ME), RISC OS, MacOS, Linux and BeOS.

optical character recognition (OCR) – a means of converting printed text into computer text files, which may then be edited in a word processor, or ‘spoken’ through a text to speech engine. First the printed page is scanned into a digitized form (see scanner), then pattern-matching software converts this into text.

optical head pointer – input device which allows the user to control the computer with an optical pointer, usually attached to a headband.

optical mark reader (OMR) – scanner which can detect marks in given places on a sheet, for example, a completed multiple choice test or lottery ticket, and convert them to computer-held data.

overlay – paper placed on an overlay keyboard. Areas depict what will happen if that area is pressed. Images, symbols, words or tactile objects can indicate purpose to the pupil.

overlay keyboard – flat, touch-sensitive membrane on which paper overlays containing words, pictures or objects can be placed. The keyboard is used as a replacement or in accompaniment to the conventional keyboard for users with learning or physical difficulties. The keyboard consists of individual cells, which can be programmed individually or in groups to perform a particular task or display text on the computer screen.

P

package – software suite designed for a particular job, such as word-processing or accounts.

palmtop computer – a pocket-sized computer. The screen (which is usually touch-sensitive) is much smaller than on a laptop, and the keyboard may be replaced by an on-screen keyboard or handwriting recognition.

PC (PCMCIA) card – ‘Portable Computing’ – previously known as PCMCIA – a small, credit-card-sized card, generally used to expand the capability of a laptop computer, e.g. a modem card or network card. Do not confuse these with desktop PC expansion cards (e.g. ISA or PCI cards) or the Acorn RiscPC PC card.

Pentium – Intel’s successor to the 486 processor. Initially called a P5 and later referred to as a Pentium because it was the fifth in the 80X86 sequence of microprocessors.

peripheral – hardware device which can be plugged into the computer to perform some additional function such as a disc drive, a printer, an overlay keyboard or VDU. In this context, peripherals are usually attached in order to make the computer accessible to learners with severe and complex special educational needs.

Perkins Brailler – machine for typing in Braille and producing hard Braille copy.

personal computer (PC) – computer designed for individual users rather than several users at any one time. Usually taken to mean an IBM-compatible machine.

pixel – from ‘picture element’ – the smallest point in a screen image. See also resolution.

plotter – output device which draws on paper or film with pens, usually to produce graphics.

plug-ins – optional additional features which can be added to a software package.

PNG – ‘portable network graphics’ – a graphics file format intended to replace GIF. It has better capabilities for colours and transparency, and uses patent-free software technology.

point and click software – software which only requires the use of a mouse, or other pointing device, for access.

pointer – in a GUI or WIMP system movements of the mouse / mouse alternative are followed on screen by a pointer. This is usually a small arrowhead, but the shape may change to reflect different system activities (e.g. ‘busy’). Some systems allow the user to choose a different pointer, e.g. a larger arrow.

port – a hardware interface between the central processing unit and a peripheral device.

portal – portals are Web sites that aim to provide services such as news, Web directories, and even shopping. Your ISP might have their own portal site.

portable computer – generic term covering all personal computers which are light enough to carry with one hand, such as laptops, notebooks and palmtops.

portable document format (PDF) – a file format invented by Adobe, developed from their postscript printing format. The definition includes efficient image compression. PDF files should look the same whatever machine they are viewed on. The documents you are reading were sent to the print house as PDF files.

prediction software – software which anticipates the completion of words as text is entered into the computer (see also fuzzy matching). Useful for those who have difficulty with typing or spelling.

printer – device used to produce hard copy (paper copy) from a computer. Various types are available: a dot matrix printer produces output by firing pins against an inked ribbon, bubble or inkjet printers squirt ink through many tiny holes, and a laser printer works in a similar way to a photocopier, scanning the image onto a rotating drum that then picks up the toner.

procedure – ordered and structured commands to perform a particular task. For example, a Logo procedure for turning two lights on and off in order might be: TURNON 1 WAIT 10 TURNOFF 1 WAIT 10 TURNON 2 WAIT 10 TURNOFF 2.

processor – see central processing unit.

program – This American spelling is the standard term for the set of instructions carried out in sequence by a computer to perform a given task. Large software systems are normally sets of several programs.

programmable toys – toys which will obey a sequence of computer instructions; e.g. floor turtles or Roamer.

programming language – artificial language constructed to enable the user to instruct a computer, creating programs for it to run. Examples of programming languages used in school are Logo and BASIC.

protocol – rules or procedures usually set out in an agreed international standard (e.g., file transfer protocol) governing how communications are handled by a network of computers.

public domain software – freely available and distributable software, also known as freeware. It is free of copyright and should not be confused with shareware.

Q

QWERTY keyboard – standard computer keyboard with keys laid out in the same order as a traditional typewriter. The first six keys in the top left-hand corner spell QWERTY. The keyboard was so arranged to slow typing down because keys on a typewriter would jam if hit in quick succession.

R

RAM – see memory

random access memory – see memory

read-only memory – see memory

real-time video – display of moving pictures on a computer screen as they happen. For example, a television broadcast can also be broadcast on the Internet. Two-way real-time video is used in video conferencing. The recipient can see and hear the sender as they speak and can reply in the same way at the same time.

resolution – clarity and sharpness of pictures and text as they appear on the screen or on paper, measured in dots per inch (dpi) or dot pitch (in mm).

retrieval – ‘calling back’ stored data into the computer’s working memory. Also used for rescuing data which has been erased or corrupted.

robot – mechanical device which can be programmed by the user to follow a sequence of commands.

rollerball – device used to control the cursor. The user moves the ball which in turn moves the pointer on the screen. Selections are made by pressing the buttons on the device. This can be especially suited to pupils who find small hand movements difficult.

ROM – see memory.

root directory – see directory. The top level of the file structure.

router – communications device that chooses the route by which information should travel through a network.

RTF – ‘rich text format’, complex format used to store data produced in word-processing software. It carries particular features of a text; emboldening, underlining, italics, styles, colours, sizes, and so on, so that it can be used to transfer data between different word-processing packages without losing that information.

A . B . C . D . E . F . G . H . I . J . K . L . M
N . O . P . Q . R . S . T . U . V . W . X . Y . Z

This ICTS website is maintained by Inclusive Technology.