Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to appropriate section of the glossary or type the term on which you want to search.

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platform

the type of operating system or hardware that make up a computer or computer system. These factors provide a particular environment for operation. The platform determines the parameters under which a system runs associated hardware and software. For example, software designed to run on a Macintosh, will not run on a PC and visa-versa. For Mac software, or hardware, to work in a PC environment, it would need to be cross-platformed.

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plotter

a computer output device that draws images on paper using a pen. A plotter draws real lines rather than simulating them as a conventional printer would by producing a series of very close dots.

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Plug and Play

a computer hardware device such as a monitor or printer that is ready to use with other hardware without requiring special configuration. In simple terms, plug-and-play hardware introduces itself to the computer, and automatically sets itself up for functioning.

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plug-in

a software or hardware accessory required to enhance or provide a particular computer function. For example, to download and play audio files from the Internet, a user would require a special program such as RealJukeBox. Many plug-ins are freely available for downloading on the World Wide Web.

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PNG

(Portable Network Graphics) a graphics file format similar to GIF that encodes images as bitmaps.

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point

1. a designated spot on a display screen or a document.
2. the positioning of a cursor to select an item or option as in point and click.
3. hyperlinks (clickable links leading a user to another page) on a Web page are said to point to the destination page.
4. the fractional designation used to describe the size of a character in relation to a particular font.

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PointCast

a free online subscriber-based news and information service that utilizes a wide variety of sources from CNN and Reuters, to Newsweek and the New York Times and many more. A subscriber may customize news and information to her needs.

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pointer

a symbol displayed on a computer screen whose movement corresponds to that of the mouse. The pointer usually presents as an arrow, but may have other forms such as a hand or flashing I beam.

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point-of-sale system

a computer system that acts as a cash register as well as one that keeps track of invoicing, inventory, and sales in a retail environment.

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POP

1. (Post Office Protocol) the standardized protocol an ISP uses that tells its server software how to accept email.
2. (Point of Presence) a physical location where an ISP or Internet hosting service maintains a telephone or cable connection, modems, computers, and other equipment necessary for its business.
3. (Point of Purchase) see point-of-sale system.