w3 ~ WinG
A/B Switch box ~ America On-line AMI BIOS ~ Arithmetic Operation ARP ~ AVI Backbone ~ Bit Image Bit Map ~ Boot Disk Boot Drive ~ Bytes Per Inch C++ ~ Carrier Frequency carrier system ~ certification CGI ~ Chooser extension cipher ~ Clipper Chip clock ~ color color bits ~ communications satellite communications server ~ computer security CON ~ copy copy program ~ cycle time daemon ~ defragmentation demand paging ~ digitize DikuMUD ~ disk disk buffer ~ Document Style Semantics and Specification Language document window ~ dynamic Web page Easter egg ~ erase erase head ~ ezine F2F ~ finger2 firewall ~ font suitcase footer ~ FYI Game Control Adapter ~ GUI HAL ~ hot key1 hot key2 ~ Hz i486DX ~ internal modem internet ~ ISO 9660 ISO/OSI model ~ just-in-time K1 ~ knowledge base L1 cache ~ LU luggable computer ~ LZW compression MAC ~ MILNET mime ~ msec MTBF ~ MYOB named anchor ~ network drive Network File System ~ number crunching object ~ overwrite mode P5 ~ PC/XT keyboard PDA ~ pipeline processing piracy ~ preventive maintenance preview ~ pwd quasi-language ~ QWERTY keyboard R&D ~ registration marks Registry ~ RFI RF shielding ~ run-time library SAA ~ server error server push-pull ~ soft return software ~ style sheet stylus ~ System T1 ~ ToggleKeys token ~ typography UART ~ uupc V.120 ~ view2 viewer ~ VxD w3 ~ WinG WINS ~ WWW X.25 ~ X Windows Yahoo! ~ yotta- Z39.50 standard ~ Zulu time
w3
n. See World Wide Web.
W3
n. See World Wide Web.
W3C
n. See World Wide Web Consortium.
wallet PC
n. A pocket-sized portable computer designed to function like a wallet, carrying "virtual" versions of one's identification, money, credit cards, and other essentials, as well as a mobile information source and communications tool. The wallet PC is still under development.
wallpaper
n. In a graphical user interface such as Windows, a pattern or picture in the screen background that can be chosen by the user. See also graphical user interface.
WAN
n. See wide area network.
warm boot
n. The restarting of a running computer without first turning off the power. Also called soft boot, warm start.
WAV
n. A file format in which Windows stores sounds as waveforms. Such files have the extension .wav. Depending on the sampling frequency, on whether the sound is monaural or stereo, and on whether 8 or 16 bits are used for each sample, one minute of sound can occupy as little as 644 kilobytes or as much as 27 megabytes of storage. See also sampling (definition 2), waveform.
WBEM
n. Acronym for Web-Based Enterprise Management. A protocol that links a Web browser directly to a device or application that monitors a network. See also communications protocol.
WDL
n. See Windows Driver Library.
web
n. A set of interlinked documents in a hypertext system. The user enters the web through a home page. See also World Wide Web.
Web
n. See World Wide Web.
Web address
n. See URL.
Web-Based Enterprise Management
n. See WBEM.
Web browser
n. A client application that enables a user to view HTML documents on the World Wide Web, another network, or the user's computer; follow the hyperlinks among them; and transfer files. Text-based Web browsers, such as Lynx, can serve users with shell accounts but show only the text elements of an HTML document; most Web browsers, however, require a connection that can handle IP packets but will also display graphics that are in the document, play audio and video files, and execute small programs, such as Java applets or ActiveX controls, that can be embedded in HTML documents. Some Web browsers require helper applications or plug-ins to accomplish one or more of these tasks. In addition, most current Web browsers permit users to send and receive e-mail and to read and respond to newsgroups. Also called browser. See also ActiveX controls, helper application, hyperlink, Internet Explorer, Java applet, Lynx, Mosaic, Netscape Navigator, plug-in.
WebCrawler
n. A World Wide Web search engine operated America Online. See also search engine.
Web development
n. The design and coding of World Wide Web pages.
Web directory
n. A list of Web sites, giving the URL and a description of each. See also URL.
Web index
n. A Web site intended to enable a user to locate other resources on the Web. The Web index may include a search facility or may merely contain individual hyperlinks to the resources indexed.
Webmaster
or webmaster n. A person responsible for creating and maintaining a World Wide Web site. A Webmaster is often responsible for responding to e-mail, ensuring the site is operating properly, creating and updating Web pages, and maintaining the overall structure and design of the site. Also called webmistress, webweaver.
Web page
n. A document on the World Wide Web. A Web page consists of an HTML file, with associated files for graphics and scripts, in a particular directory on a particular machine (and thus identifiable by an URL). Usually a Web page contains links to other Web pages. See also URL.
Web site
n. A group of related HTML documents and associated files, scripts, and databases that is served up by an HTTP server on the World Wide Web. The HTML documents in a Web site generally cover one or more related topics and are interconnected through hyperlinks. Most Web sites have a home page as their starting point, which frequently functions as a table of contents for the site. Many large organizations, such as corporations, will have one or more HTTP servers dedicated to a single Web site. However, an HTTP server can also serve several small Web sites, such as those owned by individuals. Users need a Web browser and an Internet connection to access a Web site. See also home page, HTML, HTTP server, Web browser.
Web terminal
n. A system containing a central processing unit (CPU), RAM, a high-speed modem, and powerful video graphics, but no hard disk, intended to be used solely as a client to the World Wide Web rather than as a general-purpose computer. Also called network computer.
Web TV
n. A system for accessing the World Wide Web and displaying Web pages on a television screen using a set-top box.
webzine
n. An electronic publication distributed primarily through the World Wide Web, rather than as an ink-on-paper magazine. See also ezine.
WELL
n. Acronym for Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link. A conferencing system based in San Francisco, California, that is accessible through the Internet and through dial-up access points in many major cities. The WELL attracts many computer professionals, along with other people who enjoy participating in one of the Internet's most successful virtual communities. Because of the number of journalists and other prominent people who participate in the WELL, it has substantial influence beyond its own relatively small number of subscribers.
whatis
n. 1. A UNIX utility for obtaining a summary of a keyword's documentation. See also man pages. 2. An Archie command for locating software whose description contains desired words.
What You See Is What You Get
adj. See WYSIWYG.
Whetstone
n. A benchmark test that attempts to measure the speed and efficiency with which a computer carries out floating-point operations. The result of the test is given in units called whetstones. The Whetstone benchmark has fallen out of favor because it produces inconsistent results compared to other benchmarks such as the Dhrystone and the sieve of Eratosthenes. See also benchmark1, Dhrystone, sieve of Eratosthenes.
whiteboard
n. Software that allows multiple users across a network to work together on a document that is simultaneously displayed on all the users' screens as though they are gathered around a physical whiteboard.
white paper
n. An informal paper stating a position or proposing a draft specification, usually on a technical topic. See also specification (definition 1).
whois
n. 1. An Internet service, provided by some domains, that enables a user to find e-mail addresses and other information for users listed in a database at that domain. 2. A UNIX command to access the whois service. 3. A command that displays a list of all users logged onto a Novell network.
whois client
n. A program (such as the UNIX whois command) that enables a user to access databases of usernames, e-mail addresses, and other information. See also whois.
whois server
n. Software that provides the usernames and e-mail addresses from a database (often listing people who have accounts at an Internet domain) to users who request the information using whois clients. See also whois.
wide area network
n. A communications network that connects geographically separated areas. Acronym: WAN.
Wide SCSI
n. A form of the SCSI-2 interface that can transfer data 16 bits at a time at up to 20 megabytes per second. The Wide SCSI connector has 68 pins. Also called Wide SCSI-2. See also SCSI, SCSI-2. Compare Fast SCSI, Fast/Wide SCSI.
wildcard character
n. A keyboard character that can be used to represent one or many characters. The asterisk (*), for example, typically represents one or more characters and the question mark (?) typically represents a single character. Wildcard characters are often used in operating systems as a means of specifying more than one file by name.
Win32
n. The application programming interface in Windows 95 and Windows NT that enables applications to use the 32-bit instructions available on 80386 and higher processors. Although Windows 95 and Windows NT support 16-bit 80x86 instructions as well, Win32 offers greatly improved performance. See also 16-bit machine, 32-bit machine, 80386DX, 8086, application programming interface, central processing unit, Win32s.
Win32s
n. A subset of the Win32 application programming interface that works under Windows 3.x. By including the Win32s software, which is distributed as freeware, an application can gain in performance from using the 32-bit instructions available on 80386 and higher processors while running under Windows 3.x. See also 32-bit machine, 80386DX, central processing unit, Win32.
Winchester disk
n. An early IBM name for a hard disk. The term is derived from IBM's internal code name for its first hard disk, which stored 30 megabytes (MB) and had a 30-millisecond access time, reminding its inventors of a Winchester .30-caliber rifle known as a ".30-.30."
window
n. In applications and graphical interfaces, a portion of the screen that can contain its own document or message. In window-based programs, the screen can be divided into several windows, each of which has its own boundaries and can contain a different document (or another view into the same document).
windowing environment
n. An operating system or shell that presents the user with specially delineated areas of the screen called windows. Windowing environments typically allow windows to be resized and moved around on the display. The Macintosh Finder, Windows, and the OS/2 Presentation Manager are all examples of windowing environments. See also graphical user interface, window.
Windows
n. An operating system introduced by Microsoft Corporation in 1983. Windows is a multitasking graphical user interface environment that runs on both MS-DOS-based computers (Windows and Windows for Workgroups) and as a self-contained operating system (Windows 95, Windows NT). Windows provides a standard interface based on drop-down menus, windowed regions on the screen, and a pointing device such as a mouse.
Windows 95
n. An operating system with a graphical user interface for 80386 and higher processors, released by Microsoft Corporation in August 1995. Intended to replace Windows 3.11, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, and MS-DOS, Windows 95 is a complete operating system, rather than a shell that requires MS-DOS, as does Windows 3.x. For backwards compatibility, Windows 95 can run MS-DOS software. The My Computer icon on the Windows 95 destop provides access to the system files and resources, and the Network Neighborhood icon provides access to any network (if the computer is attached to one). Windows 95 supports the Plug and Play method for installing and configuring hardware and can access Windows, NetWare, and UNIX networks. The minimum configuration for Windows 95 is an 80386 processor with 4 MB of RAM, but an i486 or higher processor with at least 8 MB of RAM is recommended. See also MS-DOS, NetWare, Plug and Play, Windows, Windows for Workgroups.
Windows application
n. A software application designed for use with the Microsoft Windows environment.
Windows-based accelerator
n. A type of super VGA (SVGA) video adapter designed specifically to run Windows and Windows-based applications more quickly. A Windows-based accelerator achieves performance improvements over a standard SVGA video adapter with the help of special routines built into the adapter's read-only memory. These routines relieve the Windows operating system of some of the video-related duties it must perform on a nonaccelerated system. Also called Windows-based accelerator card. See also SVGA.
Windows CE
n. A scaled-down version of the Microsoft Windows platform designed for use with handheld PCs. Windows CE includes scaled-down versions of several Microsoft application programs, including Excel, Word, Internet Explorer, Schedule+, and an e-mail client. See also handheld PC.
Windows Driver Library
n. A collection of hardware device drivers for Microsoft Windows operating system that were not included in the original Windows package. See also driver. Acronym: WDL.
Windows Explorer
n. A utility in Windows 95 that enables the user to locate and open files and folders. Windows Explorer resembles the File Manager of Windows 3.1. The user can select folders from a list displayed on the left side of the screen and access files in a selected folder from a list displayed on the right side of the screen.
Windows for Workgroups
n. A version of Windows released in 1992 and designed to run on an Ethernet-based LAN (local area network) without the need for separate LAN software. See also LAN, Windows.
Windows Metafile Format
n. A graphics file format used by Windows to store vector graphics in order to exchange graphics information between applications and to store information between sessions. See also vector graphics. Acronym: WMF.
Windows NT
n. An operating system released by Microsoft Corporation in 1993. The Windows NT operating system, sometimes referred to as simply NT, is the high-end member of a family of operating systems from Microsoft.. It is a completely self-contained operating system with a built-in graphical user interface. Windows NT is a 32-bit, preemptive multitasking operating system that features networking, symmetric multiprocessing, multithreading, and security. It is a portable operating system that can run on a variety of hardware platforms including those based on the Intel 80386, i486, and Pentium microprocessors and MIPS microprocessors; it can also run on multiprocessor computers. Windows NT supports up to 4 gigabytes of virtual memory and can run MS-DOS, POSIX, and OS/2 (character-mode) applications. See also MS-DOS, operating system, OS/2, POSIX, Windows.
Windows NT Advanced Server
n. A superset of Windows NT that provides centralized, domain-based network management and security. Windows NT Advanced Server also offers advanced hard disk fault-tolerance features, such as mirroring and additional connectivity. See also Windows NT.
WinG
n. Short for Windows Games. An application programming interface for games in the Windows 95 environment. Under WinG, games can access the video frame buffer directly for increased speed. See also application programming interface, buffer1, frame buffer.
A/B Switch box ~ America On-line AMI BIOS ~ Arithmetic Operation ARP ~ AVI Backbone ~ Bit Image Bit Map ~ Boot Disk Boot Drive ~ Bytes Per Inch C++ ~ Carrier Frequency carrier system ~ certification CGI ~ Chooser extension cipher ~ Clipper Chip clock ~ color color bits ~ communications satellite communications server ~ computer security CON ~ copy copy program ~ cycle time daemon ~ defragmentation demand paging ~ digitize DikuMUD ~ disk disk buffer ~ Document Style Semantics and Specification Language document window ~ dynamic Web page Easter egg ~ erase erase head ~ ezine F2F ~ finger2 firewall ~ font suitcase footer ~ FYI Game Control Adapter ~ GUI HAL ~ hot key1 hot key2 ~ Hz i486DX ~ internal modem internet ~ ISO 9660 ISO/OSI model ~ just-in-time K1 ~ knowledge base L1 cache ~ LU luggable computer ~ LZW compression MAC ~ MILNET mime ~ msec MTBF ~ MYOB named anchor ~ network drive Network File System ~ number crunching object ~ overwrite mode P5 ~ PC/XT keyboard PDA ~ pipeline processing piracy ~ preventive maintenance preview ~ pwd quasi-language ~ QWERTY keyboard R&D ~ registration marks Registry ~ RFI RF shielding ~ run-time library SAA ~ server error server push-pull ~ soft return software ~ style sheet stylus ~ System T1 ~ ToggleKeys token ~ typography UART ~ uupc V.120 ~ view2 viewer ~ VxD w3 ~ WinG WINS ~ WWW X.25 ~ X Windows Yahoo! ~ yotta- Z39.50 standard ~ Zulu time