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“Get a Personal Trainer for Your Computer!”© |
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TAG: Tags can be a number of things: For example, [1] A term or keyword assigned describe an item of information by a web site creator or site viewer which allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. Social networking sites such as Flickr, YouTube and Delicious use the addition of such metadata tags to items such as pictures, bookmarks and videos for later location. If you’re “tagged” on Facebook or similar sites, it usually means that your information (and photo, see Facial Recognition, Social Networking), is shared across the Internet. On a website in which many users tag many items, this collection of tags becomes what is called a folksonomy. [2] In Twitter, you follow a line of tweets using a “hash tag” which appends the pound (“#”) sign before the tweet (e.g. #Angelina Jolie). [3] Also, this term is a shorthand for “mobile tags,” which are QR codes which can be scanned by mobile phones, revealing links to web sites. [4] In website design, HTML tags are elements enclosed in angle brackets (like <html>) which allow images and objects to be embedded for viewing on the web page. They are known as start or opening and end or closing tags. |
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TAP: A device for splitting an incoming trunk cable. Click HERE for more. |
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TAR/TARBALL: A jargon term for a TAR archive, which is a group of files collected together and compressed as one (as opposed to zip, which compresses the files individually). Used quite often in Linux, to download programs in .tar format for installation. When in compressed format, the .tar designation includes an additional extension (e.g. “.tar.gz” (“gzip”)) which indicates one of the several compression programs used to perform that task. Derived from the term “tape archive” because it was originally created for Unix in order to write files for tape backup. |
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TARINGA!: A virtual community from Argentina created in 2004 in which users can share various topics through posts, many of which contain download links. |
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TAXONOMY: The practice and science of classification (from the Greek “taxis” [order] and “nomos” [science”]), generally referring to a heirarchal arrangement. Consider, for example, the structure of most web sites into so-called “parent-child” directories, in order to make it easier for users to search for and find the desired content: In this site, the home page (“parent”), leads to the Glossary, then the “D”, then the “DOS” (“child”) pages of the site. |
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TCP/IP: The most common protocol (“language”) used for communication over the Internet. Originally conceptually developed by Vint Cerf while at U.C.L.A. and Robert Kahn at Bolt, Beranck & Newman for ARPANET, TCP/IP provides the basic linking structure for the Internet, i.e., specifying the locations, known as “ports,” where files are sent and picked up on computers comprising the Internet. They are transmitted using TCP (“Transmission Control Protocol”), which sends the data by directly connecting to the recipient computer. [Another protocol, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) exists but, because it isn’t a direct connection and instead relies on devices between the sender and recipient computers, is far less reliable and is therefore infrequently used.] When data is sent over the Internet, it first must know the unique IP address for your individual computer. (For more about how this works, click HERE.] Then, when it reaches your computer, it must “bind” itself to a specific port out of the 65,535 possible TCP ports on every computer. Binding means that a computer will use that particular port to “listen” for and accept connections from another computer to transmit data between the two. A port is comparable to a channel on your TV box. Your IP address is like the serial number for your cable cable company’s box. When the signal reaches the box, it’s broken down into various receiving channels. And, just like a TV box, each computer will normally use the same port number every time (you’ll always find ABC on Channel 13). Furthermore, many applications have specifically defined ports that are reserved solely for them [e.g. Port 80 for the web or ports 20/21 for FTP]. If they don’t request a port, the receiving computer assigns a so-called ephemeral (temporary) one. These ports are assigned by an organization known as the IANA, which maintains a “registry” for this purpose. If you are using a router, you must make sure that the specific port you are expecting to use for an application is “open” (i.e. not blocked) for security purposes, or the signal won’t get through. For a list of common TCP/IP socket numbers and troubleshooting utilities, click HERE. |
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TCO: Total Cost of Ownership. A term referring to the total of all direct and indirect costs necessitated by the purchase of computer software, as opposed to solely the cost for the software itself. It includes additional items as training, technical support, installation, vendor service, and necessary upgrades to other equipment or software, as well as any other items of price or money (financing, interest on capital, opportunity cost), time and other resources which contribute to a total sum more accurately reflecting ownership of the program. See ICO. |
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TELECOMMUNICATION(S): The exchange of information over significant distances by electronic means. Ths information may be voice, data or other electronic signal. The electronics may be telephone, computer or the like. And the transmission may be wired or wireless or both. A device which embodies both a transmitter and a receiver is known as a transceiver. |
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TELECONFERENCING/TELEPRESENCE: Teleconferencing initially involved holding a meeting between more than one person via telephone or Internet. Telepresence goes one step further: It involves long distance interaction over broadband using custom-built conference rooms with banks of high definition cameras and screens, or even robots. |
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TELEMATICS: Computerized services such as GM’s OnStar and |
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TELNET: A user command and TCP/IP protocol for accessing remote computers, usually on a Unix computer via a text-based interface. With Telnet, you are actually logged on to the remote computer, as opposed to remote web protocols like HTTP and FTP, where you may request certain files without actually being logged on to the remote computer. |
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TEMPORAL LOGIC: A technique for verifying the reliability of computers, developed by an Israeli named Amir Pneuli in 1977, based upon the work of 1960s philosopher Arthur Prior, who created the concept of “tense logic” to evaluate statements whose truthfulness changes over time (i.e. “temporal”). Just as the concept of truth or tiredness or hunger can be qualified over time, depending on the circumstances, computers which juggle multiple tasks and changing and complex data can also alter such concepts. Therefore, a system of rules and symbolism reasoning about propositions qualified in terms of time are necessary to verify, for example, that the millions of transistors in a computer chip are calculating as designed, and that bugs in computer software are minimized. |
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TEMPEST: Refers to external electromagnetic radiation (so-called “EMR”) signals emanating from from most data processing equipment and the security measures taken to prevent them from escaping and being picked up by unauthorized listeners. A computer communicates with its monitor by transmitting signals over the cable connecting the two. The signals have frequency, which can be captured by a properly tuned receiver. The practice of monitoring, capturing and deciphering such emanated data is known as VanEck phreaking, named after the Dutch author of a paper on the subject. To counteract such evesdropping, Tempest software generates sufficient electronic noise to mask meaningful radio-frequency emissions so that, for example, government computers cannot be tapped by foreign spy planes flying above a military installation. It is said that TEMPEST was a code name for U.S. military operations throughout the 1960s which was later turned into an acronym: Telecommunications electronics Material Protected from Emanating Spurious Transmissions or Transient ElectroMagnetic Pulse Emanation Standard. |
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TEN BASE: An older type of ethernet cable, originally designated by the IEEE 802.3 standards, now only used in legacy systems due to its slower speeds. The type of cable is expressed as “10base5, 10base2 or 10baseT. The 10 means that the cable operates at 10Mbps. Base means that the cable is used for baseband (vs. broadband) networks. And the 5 and 2 refers to the maximum allowable length of a cable segment in meters (i.e. 5 meters, 2 meters). The “T” in 10baseT stands for “twisted” as the previous two designations refer to a coax type of cable. See Cable. |
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TERMINAL: Originally a term referring to early computer systems which consisted of only a keyboard and monitor, and sent commands to other computers rather than actually processing information. With modern computers, this usually refers to “terminal emulators,” which provide a text-based interface for typing commands, sometimes referred to as “command line” interface or TTY. |
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TESLA COIL: Named after Nikola Tesla (“the man who invented the twentieth century”) who, in 1891, invented coils of varying configurations which, among other things, boosted wireless signal transmissions. A simple example of the Tesla effect would be the resulting increase in bars achieved by adding an external antenna which is wrapped in a “coil” to increase the range of the signal. (See TELEPHONES). |
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TEST BED: An environment created for testing, either software and/or hardware. |
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TESTING: The process of using various methods to assess the usefulness and accuracy of hardware or software. Relating to software, there can be several common types of testing: Unit testing analyzes individual components before they’re integrated into larger systems. System and integration testing checks that modules work well together. Regression testing verifies that everything still works after a change is made to code. Security testing checks that the data is protected. Pen testing tests intrusion security. And fuzz testing attacks software with random data in search of weaknesses and unexpected responses. |
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TETHERING: The process of using one device through another. For example, when you connect your smartphone to your laptop (with a cable or via Bluetooth (see Tip #36)) in order to give your computer Internet access through a 3/4G network. Carriers are now cracking down on this unauthorized access to unlimited data usage. See PHONES for a detailed discussion. Similarly, with a router, you can tether two devices to create a portable hotspot. |
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TEXTING: The means of sending a written message from one phone to another (vs. email, which is between computers). Also sometimes called SMS (for “Short Message Service”). See also, blogging for more definitions. And “sexting” nude or suggestive pictures, possibly illegally. [According to news studies, 39% of Florida teenagers and 24% of all 14 to 17 year olds, engage in sexting. See LAWS.] Finally “power texting” for sending 10 or more texts at the press of a single button, as in a blast. Etiquette: Presently the subject of some debate, as in those who so incessantly text that they cannot help themselves as they interrupt their face-to-face communications, group meetings and even legislative sessions, and also those who text while driving (now illegal in a dozen states and D.C.), and operating subway trains and trollies, causing accidents that harm others. Somewhat less interest is focused on those individuals who text and hurt only themselves (falling into manholes in the street, for example). But there is a much more basic conflict between pre- and post-techno generations about the general politeness of texting in many situations, not just about the perceived banality of most of the content, but also over the effect that the constant interruption of thought has on the texter (lack of linear concentration or even faked attention; Do you really want your surgeon texting while operating on you?) as well as those around them (increased annoyance and anxiety) in virtually every setting (theatres, restaurants, schools, hospitals to name a few). Put another way: Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should or must do something, including texting. You may know how to pick your nose, but it just isn’t acceptable to do it at the dinner table. You may know how to operate a chain saw, but it’s not acceptable to play with it in your office. This shouldn’t be all that difficult: A little self-control, common sense and respect should be the norm, that’s all. It’s sad that we may have to legislate this but evidently we must, because texting is no longer the province of unruly adolescents, and it’s now permanently in the mainstream. See also Twitter and Social Networking.. |
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TEXT ANALYTICS: a/k/a Text Mining. Software from companies like Attensity and Clarabridge that use software to analyze mountains of text, not just for counting words or numbers, but which “mine” for concepts. Using this type of business intelligence (“BI”) model, for example, JetBlue airlines was able to mine its thousands of e-mails following an ice-storm disruption in February 2007 and pairing it with other analytics (arrivals, runway wait times, fares, crews, etc.) to determine whether customers concerns centered around arrival times, discomforts, security, fares or the like, and when and why such concerns increased or decreased, in order to change its business practices. |
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TFT: Thin Film Transistor. The term typically refers to active matrix screens on laptop computers. Active matrix LCD is considered to provide a sharper screen display and broader viewing angle than does passive matrix. |
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TFTP: Trivial File Transfer Protocol. See, UDP. |
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THERMAL GREASE: Also, Thermal Compound or Paste. A special high temperature substance which is sandwiched between a computer processor and it’s heat sink, ensuring heat conduction between the two surfaces. There are two types: Non-conductive (silicone, zinc) and Conductive (silver, copper & aluminum; slightly better but more expensive) based. |
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THIN CLIENT: A low-cost, centrally managed computer, also known as a “Lean” client. It is called a client because these computers are generally used as clients to a server. Thin clients can encompass a variety of designs, but generally have a limited or no local processor or storage capability and a high-speed network connection to a central server for the application processing. Because of this variety, thin clients can range from diskless “dumb [or “X”] terminals” to “zero clients” (which have no CPU and serve only as a local display and peripheral controllers for a virtualized desktop), to “hybrids” (which are essentially complete PCs without local storage that rely upon a network server to boot, load applications, and store data). The capabilities of thin clients are also usually limited as to software, and are used mostly as workstations, often using SaaS software. Thin Clients are different from Blade PCs in that Blade PCs are actually full computers, just packaged in a thin blade profile so they can be stacked horizontally to save space. Still, Thin Clients tend to save server room space, use less power, are less expensive to purchase and are not as vulnerable to malware attacks than traditional full service computers. Opposite of a Fat Client The newest addition to thin clients is a type of hybrid wireless device that looks like a notebook computer but is designed to connect with a smartphone and share its operating system and software applications. See, Laptops. |
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THICKNET/THINNET: Refers to ethernet cable connectors. The older thicknet cable uses a 15-pin connector to connect the NIC to the cable, while thinnet connects directly. See connectors for photos, AUI for more. |
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THREE FINGER SALUTE: Shorthand for the simultaneous pressing of the CTRL + ALT +DEL keys to open the Windows Task Manager in order to force an uncooperative program to close down. |
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3-D: Stands for ”Three Dimensions.” Usually only a simulation of the three dimensions, achieved through special viewing apparatus (e.g. glasses). |
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Historically, 1G was the first-generation wirless analog standard for cell phones, which originated in the 1980s. 2G was introduced commercially in 1991, and signaled the transition from analog to encrypted digital technology, using the GSM (“Global System for Mobile Communications”) standard, making it possible to transmit data services. 2.5G was a largely a marketing but not a technology standard, and was used to indicate some of the advances in between 2G and 3G, including packet-switched systems and faster and higher-capacity data transmission. 3G, introduced in in 2001, upped the data-transmission speeds so that cell phone users could use more data-demanding applications, such as streaming video and audio. 4G (a/k/a WiMax) promises even higher data rates than 3G (Sprint, which introduced its 4G phone first, in June, 2010, claims a 10x increase), for faster voice, data, multi-media and streaming applications. |
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THROUGHPUT: The amount of work (often measured in batch jobs) a computer can perform within a given time period. Sometimes measured against a benchmark. Interestingly, while a measure like C/MIPS (cost per million instructions per second) is a measure of the cost of raw computing over time, throughput is a better number because it should reveal how much useful work the MIPS are producing. |
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THUMBS FILE: Actually, the “thumbs.db” file. Windows creates a file of this name for every folder that contains pictures. It’s purpose is to cache a thumbnail version of the pictures in the folder so that the images can be viewed faster each time the folder is opened. You don’t always see this file. Only then the Tools>Folder Options>Show Hidden Files is selected. You can remove the thumbs file, but it will be recreated each time the folder is reopened. |
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THUMBNAIL: A miniature version of a picture, photo or slide. Often, you can click on the thumbnail to display the larger version. |
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TILDE: A character (“~”) usually on the upper left of most computer keyboards. Originally, this was a language character (a small letter n) that served as a form of contraction for an n or m following a vowel, such that the n or m following the vowel was omitted and, instead, the tilde was placed over the vowel. The name of the character comes from Spanish, in turn derived from the Latin word titulus, meaning title or superscription. Aside from its language usage, in English, the tilde before a number means approximately (“~100”); when used instead of a hyphen between two numbers, it is used to indicate a range (“101~200”); in electronics (~ 120 v), it means the sine wave signal (indicating alternating current); in logic, it represents negation. Although it was not included in the original 1963 ASCII set, it was added shortly in the 1965 revision (along with the underscore (“_”), circumflex (“^”) and “@” characters). IBM first used the character to contract the names in the Microsoft FAT file system, which limits file names to eight characters plus a three character extension (the so-called “8.3” format), using the tilde after the first six characters followed by a single digit (e.g. “MICROS~1.TXT”). The tilde has also been used to indicate a user’s home directory (or sometimes current directory) in Unix-like operating systems, as “regular expressions” in Perl and other programming languages, and (although not recommended) in URLs (web addresses). |
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TIM BERNERS-LEE: Creator of the WWW. See, Berners-Lee. |
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TIME MACHINE: A feature of Apple’s OS X (starting with Leopard) which creates backups of files and drives that can be restored at a later date. It can work with external drives such as Apple’s Time Capsule wireless network-attached storage device. |
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TINY.URL: Like BIT.URL, these are free programs that reduce the size of a lengthy URL, so that it can easily fit into a webphone browser. |
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TIOBE INDEX: A graphic index which tracks the popularity of various development programming languages. |
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TIP AND RING: Stands for the transmit (“TIP”) and receive (“RING”) wires on a standard telephone. These terms were derived in the early days of telephone when operators manually plugged the line into a cord board (manual switchboard). In order to see if a particular extension was already in use, the operator touched the tip of the plug to the outer ring of the extension socket on the board. Known as “tipping,” if static was heard, the line was busy. |
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TLD: Stands for Top Level Domain, which is the most general part of the domain name in an internet address, such as .com, .net, etc. See Domain. |
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TLS: Stands for Transport Layer Security, which guarantees privacy over Internet communications, using a two layer protocol: TLS Record Protocol (encryption and encapsulation) and TLS Handshake Protocol (authentication and encryption). See, SIP, IPSec, SSL, SSH. |
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TOKEN RING NETWORK: An older methodology of computer networking (it used speeds of only 4 or 10 Mbps) that purported to be more accurate than ethernet transmissions, because each computer on the network could only transmit when it possessed a special packet called a “token,” which is constantly passed around the network, therefore avoiding signal collisions. |
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TOKENIZATION: A type of encryption, used most often in credit card processing (PCI) that uses a service where a system inputs a sensitive piece of information (such as a credit card number) and receives a one-time token, such as a 64-digit number. When this number is then substituted in applications where one would have used the actual credit card number, it is useless to a hacker, who cannot reverse the 64 digit number back to the credit card number. |
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TORRENT: A file downloaded or shared via the bittorent protocol; also, a small file that, when used with a bittorent client, tells the client how to find the (usually shared) file and download the software. |
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TOR/TORPARK PROJECT: Free open-source software for anonymous browsing and Internet communication. For more, see onion router. |
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TORX: A special screw which uses a star-shaped driver, used in many computers (also cars). Compare to Apple’s pentalobe, a variation. |
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ToS: Stands for Terms Of Service, the fine print that you agree to when signing up for a social networking site or web portal (like Yahoo). |
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TOSLINK: Standard optical fibre cable and connection system. See, photos of connectors. Commonly uses the rectangular EIAJ/JEITA RC-5720 connector. Generally carries an audio stream between such devices as CD players and DAT recorders. |
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TOUCHSCREEN: A type of computer monitor where, instead of using a mouse or keyboard to enter a command, you touch the screen with your finger on the appropriate icon. Common in dedicated systems like restaurants, where a server selects and enters orders from a fixed set of choices on the screen. These monitors require special software drivers. They come in two types: The newer Acoustic Pulse Recognition (“APR”), which works primarily by recognizing the sound created when the glass is touched at a given pos |
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TOWER: See, CASE. Generally, refers to the case that holds a desktop computer. |
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TRACEROUTE: A utility that traces a packet from your computer to an Internet host, showing how many “hops” the packet requires to reach that host. Used to find the path of an internet connection, sometimes to reduce delays due to the length of the route. Windows traceroute utility is named “tracert” and is accessed from the run line. Tracert works by sending packets with low time-to-live (“TTL”) fields. Each time the packet is sent, it specifies a limit on the number of hops the packet is allowed before it is returned with an identification. By sending a series of packets with incrementally greater TTL values, tracert can identify all of the intermediary hosts to the connection. |
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TRAILING SLASH: A forward slash sometimes placed at the end of a line of code or command, which often adds necessary meaning. For example, www.thecomputercoach.net may be valid for some purposes, but for others one might have to type www.thecomputercoach.net/ . The “/” addition is the “trailing slash”. |
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TRANSCEIVER: A device which embodies both a transmitter and a receiver. |
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TRANSCLUSIONED: Refers to posted images displayed on one web site that originated with or have been copied from another, usually violating or infringing on the proprietary rights of the original creator. |
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TRANSISTOR: A device commonly found on integrated circuit boards, |
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3DES or TRIPLE DES: This is a highly secure encryption system that encrypts data 3 times, using 3 64-bit data keys, for an overall encryption key length of 192 bits. If you’ve ever wondered what the 3DES stands for when your scrolling through the advanced settings in Outlook Express, now you know. |
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TROJAN HORSE: See, Spyware. |
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TROLLING: The act of posting inflammatory, derogatory or provocative messages in public forums. Lots of these usually anonymous trolls appear in public blogs and in response to various articles (“How many times do we have to listen to this crap! There was no Holocost!”). They can also be quite malicious, such as the posting of crime scene photos (Nicole Catsouras, the 18 year old who died in a gruesome car crash in California in 2006, whose parents were shocked to find them on the Internet) or links to fake web sites (fake tribute pages with posts like “Hey Daddy, I’m still alive”). |
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TROMBONING: A term referring to Internet traffic, one in which traffic between two cities in one country will flow through other nations. This is done to assure the continuance of traffic even if a local connection is disturbed or immobilized. (NYT 8/30/08, Business, “Internet Traffic Begins to bypass U.S.”) |
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TrueType: See FONTS. |
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TRUNK: The main line into a home or office from which other lines “branch.” |
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TRUSTED COMPUTING: A technology used by enterprises for security purposes, with the expectation that a computer will behave consistently in expected ways and, if not, will be blocked from interaction. The technology, called the Trusted Platform Module “TPM”), was supported by the Trusted Computing Group, an initiative started by AMD, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and others and relies heavily on encryption and features built directly into both hardware and software. There is also a Trusted Network Connect (“TNC”) technology, which is an open architecture for network access control. |
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TSA: Tiered Storage Architecture . This storage approach revolves around getting the right people to the right level of data when needed without sacrificing performance or cost. This is done by, for example, migrating critical and frequently accessed data to the top tier (more expensive, higher quality storage), while migrating older or non-critical data to storage on lower tiers (slower, lower quality, less expensive storage). |
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TSR: Terminate and Stay Resident. A computer system call in DOS that refers to a program that remains in memory when the user exits it in order that it may remain available at the press of a hotkey (such as a calendar or calculator). With the advent of Windows’ “multi-tasking,” TSR effectively works with every Windows program automatically. |
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TTY: See, Terminal, above. |
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TU: Time Unit. A measurement used in networking in which 1 time unit equals 1024 microseconds. |
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TUPLE: In mathematics set theory and computer science, an ordered list of elements, preceded by an integer (number) indicating the number of sequences in the list. For example, in TCP/IP, above, each connection is a “4-tuple,” consisting of “serverIP/server port/clientIP/client port.” |
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TV (“TELEVISION”): A medium for transmitting and receiving moving images. Derived from Latin/Greek tele (“far sight”) and visio (“to see”). TV has been around since the 1930s, and has many different technical standards, such as analog, digital and high-definition digital, closed-circuit, etc. NTSC (stands for National Television System Committee) sets TV and video standards in the U.S. The standard for television defines a composite video signal with a refresh rate of 60 half-frames (interlaced) per second. Each frame contains 525 lines and can contain 16 million different colors. It is not compatible with computer monitors, which which generally use RGB video signals. However, you can insert special video adapters into your computer that convert NTSC signals into computer video signals and vice versa. In Europe and most of the rest of the world, the dominant television standards are PAL (“Phase Alternating Line,” which utilizes a wider channel bandwidth than NTSC which allows for better picture quality, running on 625 lines/frame) and SECAM (“Sequential Color With Memory,” used in France, and which uses the same bandwidth as PAL but transmits the color information sequentially, running on 625 lines/frame). Digital TV, in turn, can be ATSC (“Advanced Television Systems Committee”) over-the-air (can be received free with an antenna); clear QAM (are broadcasted on a free-to-view unencrypted digital cable network); or dedicated/encrypted digital or high-def providers. In addition to the different types of screens (CRT, plasma, LCD, etc.), the newest versions of TVs can play 3D (with or without special eyeglasses). About the glasses - As yet there’s no standard yet for how the glasses interpret the signals that work the control “shutters” in the glasses, so each pair only goes with the particular brand of the TV. See also IPTV. To learn more about so-called Wireless TV, click HERE. |
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TV BOXES: A general term for the set-top boxes used to receive digital signals and streaming video (e.g. movies). Depending on your preference and cost range, there are already dozens of these devices for downloading, recording and streaming TV shows and movies. A few: Roku, Sezmi, Slingbox, TiVo, XBOX 360, Apple TV, Boxee, hulu, Netflix, PS3. |
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TWAIN: TWAIN is a standard, first released in 1992, primarily used as an interface between image processing software and scanners and digital cameras. Supposedly, the word came from Kipling’s “The Ballad of East and West” where he wrote “...and never the twain shall meet” which was a reflection of the early difficulties experienced by users attempting to connect scanners and personal computers. Interestingly (at least to me) a contest to define TWAIN as an acronym led to the (allegedly) winning definition of “technology without an interesting name,” which continues to appear to this day. |
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TYPOSQUATTING: The practice of registering purposely misspelled domain names in order to direct traffic to the illegitimate website (e.g. McDonalds, MacDonalds, MacDonald’s), where e-mails could be opened containing personal information, proprietary data, passwords, corporate info, etc. Also could be used for Man in the Middle malware attacks, known more as MITMB (man in the mailbox), where the redirected mail is returned to the original sender with a malicious or virus payload so that it infects other computers. See SPYWARE for more. |
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CLICK THE FIRST LETTER OF YOUR ACRONYM OR TERM TO SEARCH GLOSSARY: |
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Ford’s SYNC, which provide navigation and emergency assistance to motorists who drive cars equipped with these services.
TOMLINSON, RAY: An ARPA programmer who implemented the original e-mail system in 1971, also the use of the @ symbol to separate the user or recipient from the machine or post office, a format which has been used ever since. For more, click 
ition, and the older Projected Capacitive Technology (“PCT”), which detects the presence and location of a touch within the display area. PCT is used more often by PDAs, cellphones and SATNAVs, APR more often in restaurant touch screens (manufactured by Elo, for example). See also “touch mouse,” in Mouse.
composed of semiconducting material such as silicon or germanium, having three terminals. Its purpose is to vary the conductivity of a piece of semiconductor; the transistor can switch current on and off, or even amplify, the current. See also, memristors.
UNNELING: The transmitting of data structured in one protocol within the format of another. I realize that’s not real helpful...Remember the old Hogan’s Heros sitcom? Hogan was constantily trying to escape from the POW camp by 
digging tunnels or disguising the Americans as Germans. The principle was that, while they couldn’t dress as prisoners or pass through the front gate, they could either disguise themselves as German soldiers or create a distinct but parallel route underground to get past the guards. Similarly, think of a car (data) passing through a tunnel in a mountain (the Internet), entering at one end and exiting at the other. The tunnel doesn’t really care what type of vehicle is passing through. But sometimes it does care: No sports cars are permitted, they’re too dangerous. They’ll be blocked at the entrance. So what to do? No problem if the sports car is transported inside a tractor-trailor, say a UPS truck. The truck picks it up at the entrance of the tunnel (“encapsulates” it), transports it through the tunnel, then off-loads it at the other side of the tunnel, where it reassumes its true identity as a sports car, which is completely acceptable at that point on the highway. That’s tunneling. It’s lots easier than disassembling or modifying the sports car at one end, then attempting to properly reassemble it at the other end, or building a separate tunnel for sports cars only. [Hogan would have disguised the car as a German tank or dug a parallel tunnel with a fork.] Let’s all say it together: “Don’t re-create, encapsulate!” Now apply this to a real data example: When the IPv4 internet addressing protocol evolves into IPv6 soon, the two protocols are going to be completely incompatible. One of the choices for users who require the use of both v4 and v6 protocols will be for the users of the v6 protocol to “tunnel” through the v4 format, encapsulating the v6 packet in a v4 format to then be transmitted over the old v4 connection (in effect, “dressing up” the prisoners as German soldiers). The old v4 transmission is the tunnel; the v6 is encapsulated to travel through the v4 tunnel, where it would not otherwise be allowed, assuming its true v6 identity once through the tunnel. See also, VPN Tunneling.
Turing, Alan: (1912-1954) An English mathematician who was highly influential in the development of the field of computer science through the “Turing Machine,” an experimental device that simulated the logic of a computer algorithm by manipulating symbols on a tape according to a table or rules. He also led a team of cryptologists and others which deciphered the Enigma coding machine used by the Germans in WWII, shortening the war by at least two yers. A homosexual, he was thought to have committed suicide rather than submit to chemical castration. See also, CAPTCHA.