In a rather unique attempt to provide users with the end-all be-all guide to computer terms, Apple has posted the Apple glossary to their Knowledge Base. The A-Z document covers a wide range of topics about a wide range of hardware…for a wide range of user level.
It seems to try to provide more than you could ever possibly want to know about your (or your parents’) computer. Ever. Seriously.
Some examples of entries for the beginner:
- Arrow Keys-The keys in the lower-right corner of the Apple IIgs keyboard that you can press in most applications to move the cursor insertion point in the direction indicated.
- Backspace-To move the cursor to the left.
- Button-The raised area on top of the mouse. You press it when you want to choose from a menu or perform other activities in mouse-based applications. Also, in mouse-based applications, a rectangle with rounded corners and a word inside that you click to designate, confirm, or cancel an action.
- Case-The outer covering of the computer.
For the more advanced user:
- Cache Memory-Cache RAM is fast random-access memory that is used to store data for CPU operations. Level 1 cache RAM is part of the CPU itself; level 2 L2 cache RAM is on separate chips. Conventional L2 cache is connected to the system bus, and the speed of its transactions with the CPU is limited by the system bus speed. Level 2 backside cache a feature introduced with G3 computers is located on the same board as the CPU processor board and is connected directly to the CPU through its own high-speed bus. The L2 backside cache allows the system to run significantly faster than conventional L2 cache. As more and more processors begin to include L2 cache into their architectures, Level 3 cache is now the name for the extra cache built into motherboards between the microprocessor and the main memory-what was once L2 cache on motherboards now becomes L3 cache when used with microprocessors containing built-in L2 caches.
- Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance CSMA/CA-A networking protocol that avoids collisions instead of detecting a collision like the algorithm used in Ethernet networks IEEE 802.3 standards.
- TCP Transmission Control Protocol-A method used along with the Internet Protocol IP to send data in the form of message units between computers over the Internet. IP takes care of handling the actual delivery of the data, and TCP takes care of keeping track of the individual units of data called packets into which a message is divided for efficient routing through the Internet.
- SLP Service Location Protocol DA Directory Agent-A protocol that registers services available on a network and gives users easy access to them. When a service is added to the network, the service uses SLP to register itself on the network. SLP/DA uses a centralized repository for registered network services.
You can browse through the A-Z glossary at your leisure by searching for the AppleCare Knowledge Base article #51908.
The Mac Observer Spin:
It’s entertaining to see entries relating to Apple’s newest operating system nestled next to a reference to pre-Mac machines like the Apple II. That said, the presentation almost seems haphazard, which could limit the Apple Glossary’s effectiveness for some people. Hopefully Mac users and Apple II users alike will will find it helpful, and we are delighted Apple chose to add this to the Knowledge Base.