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588 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Business Intelligence
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Information gleaned from large amounts of data, usually a data warehouse or online databases; a BI system discovers not-yet-known patterns, trends, and other useful information that can help improve the organization’s performance.
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Chief Information Officer (CIO), 25
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The highest-ranking IS officer in the organization, usually a VP, who oversees the planning, development, and implementation of IS and serves as leader to all IS professionals in the organization.
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Chief Security Officer (CSO), 25
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Also called Chief information Security Officer (CISO), the highest-ranking officer in charge of planning and implementing information security measures in the organization, such as access codes and backup procedures.
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Chief Technology Officer (CTO), 25
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A high-level corporate officer who is in charge of all information technology needs of the organization. Sometimes the CTO reports to the chief information officer, but in some companies this person practically serves as the CIO.
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Closed System, 10
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A system that stands alone, with no connection to another system.
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Customer Relationship Management (CRM), 19
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A set of applications designed to gather and analyze information about customers.
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Data, 7
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Facts about people, other subjects and events. May be manipulated and processed to produce information.
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Data Processing, 15
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The operation of manipulating data to produce information.
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Data Warehouse, 20
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A huge collection of historical data that can be processed to support management decision-making.
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Database, 11
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A collection of shared, interrelated records, usually in more than one file. An approach to data management that facilitates data entry, update and manipulation.
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Database Administrator (DBA), 24
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The individual in charge of building and maintaining organizational databases.
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Decision Support System (DSS), 20
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Information system that aids managers in making decisions based on built-in models. DSSs comprise three modules: data management, model management and dialog management. DSSs may be an integral part of a larger application, such as an ERP system.
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E-commerce, 22
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Business activity that is electronically executed between parties, such as between two businesses or between a business and a consumer.
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Enterprise Application, 18
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Applications that fulfill a number of functions together, such as inventory planning, purchasing, payment and billing.
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, 18
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An information system that supports different activities for different departments, assisting executives with planning and running different interdependent functions.
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Expert System (ES), 20
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A computer program that mimics the decision process of a human expert in providing a solution to a problem. Current expert systems deal with problems and diagnostics in narrow domains. An ES consists of a knowledge base, an inference engine and a dialog management module.
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Geographic Information System (GIS), 20
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Information system that exhibits information visually on a computer monitor with local, regional, national, or international maps, so that the information can easily be related to locations or routes on the map. GISs are used, for example, in the planning of transportation and product distribution, or the examination of government resources distributed over an area.
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Information, 7
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The product of processing data so that they can be used in a context by human beings.
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Information Map, 12
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The description of data and information flow within an organization – shows a network of information subsystems that exchange information with each other and with the world outside the system.
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Information System (IS), 11
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A computer-based set of hardware, software and telecommunications components, supported by people and procedures, to process data and turn it into useful information.
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Information Technology (IT), 13
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Refers to all technologies that collectively facilitate construction and maintenance of information systems.
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Input, 15
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Raw data entered into a computer for processing.
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Management Information System (MIS), 18
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A computer-based information system used for planning, control, decision making, or problem solving.
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Network Administrator, 24
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The individual who is responsible for the acquisition, implementation, management, maintenance and troubleshooting of computer networks throughout the organization.
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Open System, 10
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A system that interfaces and interacts with other systems.
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Output, 15
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The result of processing data by the computer; usually, information.
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Process, 8
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Any manipulation of data, usually with the goal of producing information.
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Storage, 15
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The operation of storing data and information in an information system.
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Subsystem, 9
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A component of a larger system
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Supply Chain Management (SCM) system, 18
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The coordination of purchasing, manufacturing, shipping and billing operations, often supported by an enterprise resource planning system.
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Synergy, 13
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From Greek “to work together.” The attainment of output, when two factors work together, that is greater or better than the sum of their products when they work separately.
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System, 9
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An array of components that work together to achieve a common goal or multiple goals.
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Systems Analyst, 23
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Involved in designing new ISs and in updating and maintain existing ISs.
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Telecommunications, 17
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Communications over a long distance, as opposed to communication within a computer, or between adjacent hardware pieces.
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Transaction, 15
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A business event. In an IS context, the record of a business event.
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Transaction Processing System (TPS), 15
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Any system that records transactions.
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Webmaster, 25
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The person who is in charge of constructing and maintaining the organization’s Web site.
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Affiliate Program, 46
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An arrangement by which a website promotes sales for another website through a link to the seller’s site, and for which the affiliate is compensated. There are various schemes of compensation to affiliates.
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Bleeding Edge, 56
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The situation in which a business fails because it tries to be on the technological leading edge.
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Competitive Advantage, 38
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A position in which one dominates a market; also called strategic advantage.
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Critical Mass, 42
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A body of clients that is large enough to attract many other clients.
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First mover, 42
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A business that is first in its industry to adopt a technology or method.
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Late mover, 53
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An organization that adopts a technology or method after competitors have adopted it.
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Reengineering, 49
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The process by which an organization takes a fresh look at a business process and reorganizes it to attain efficiency. Almost always, reengineering includes the integration of a new or improved information system.
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Strategic Advantage, 38
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A position in which one dominates a market; also called competitive advantage.
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Business Intelligence (BI), 20
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Information gleaned from large amounts of data, usually a data warehouse or online databases; a BI system discovers not-yet-known patterns, trends, and other useful information that can help improve the organization’s performance.
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Chief Information Officer (CIO), 25
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The highest-ranking IS officer in the organization, usually a VP, who oversees the planning, development, and implementation of IS and serves as leader to all IS professionals in the organization.
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Chief Security Officer (CSO), 25
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Also called Chief information Security Officer (CISO), the highest-ranking officer in charge of planning and implementing information security measures in the organization, such as access codes and backup procedures.
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Chief Technology Officer (CTO), 25
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A high-level corporate officer who is in charge of all information technology needs of the organization. Sometimes the CTO reports to the chief information officer, but in some companies this person practically serves as the CIO.
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Closed System, 10
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A system that stands alone, with no connection to another system.
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Customer Relationship Management (CRM), 19
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A set of applications designed to gather and analyze information about customers.
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Data, 7
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Facts about people, other subjects and events. May be manipulated and processed to produce information.
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Data Processing, 15
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The operation of manipulating data to produce information.
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Data Warehouse, 20
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A huge collection of historical data that can be processed to support management decision-making.
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Database, 11
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A collection of shared, interrelated records, usually in more than one file. An approach to data management that facilitates data entry, update and manipulation.
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Database Administrator (DBA), 24
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The individual in charge of building and maintaining organizational databases.
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Decision Support System (DSS), 20
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Information system that aids managers in making decisions based on built-in models. DSSs comprise three modules: data management, model management and dialog management. DSSs may be an integral part of a larger application, such as an ERP system.
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E-commerce, 22
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Business activity that is electronically executed between parties, such as between two businesses or between a business and a consumer.
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Enterprise Application, 18
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Applications that fulfill a number of functions together, such as inventory planning, purchasing, payment and billing.
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, 18
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An information system that supports different activities for different departments, assisting executives with planning and running different interdependent functions.
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Expert System (ES), 20
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A computer program that mimics the decision process of a human expert in providing a solution to a problem. Current expert systems deal with problems and diagnostics in narrow domains. An ES consists of a knowledge base, an inference engine and a dialog management module.
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Geographic Information System (GIS), 20
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Information system that exhibits information visually on a computer monitor with local, regional, national, or international maps, so that the information can easily be related to locations or routes on the map. GISs are used, for example, in the planning of transportation and product distribution, or the examination of government resources distributed over an area.
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Information, 7
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The product of processing data so that they can be used in a context by human beings.
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Information Map, 12
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The description of data and information flow within an organization – shows a network of information subsystems that exchange information with each other and with the world outside the system.
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Information System (IS), 11
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A computer-based set of hardware, software and telecommunications components, supported by people and procedures, to process data and turn it into useful information.
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Information Technology (IT), 13
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Refers to all technologies that collectively facilitate construction and maintenance of information systems.
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Input, 15
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Raw data entered into a computer for processing.
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Management Information System (MIS), 18
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A computer-based information system used for planning, control, decision making, or problem solving.
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Network Administrator, 24
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The individual who is responsible for the acquisition, implementation, management, maintenance and troubleshooting of computer networks throughout the organization.
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Open System, 10
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A system that interfaces and interacts with other systems.
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Output, 15
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The result of processing data by the computer; usually, information.
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Process, 8
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Any manipulation of data, usually with the goal of producing information.
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Storage, 15
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The operation of storing data and information in an information system.
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Subsystem, 9
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A component of a larger system
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Supply Chain Management (SCM) system, 18
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The coordination of purchasing, manufacturing, shipping and billing operations, often supported by an enterprise resource planning system.
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Synergy, 13
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From Greek “to work together.” The attainment of output, when two factors work together, that is greater or better than the sum of their products when they work separately.
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System, 9
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An array of components that work together to achieve a common goal or multiple goals.
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Systems Analyst, 23
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Involved in designing new ISs and in updating and maintain existing ISs.
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Telecommunications, 17
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Communications over a long distance, as opposed to communication within a computer, or between adjacent hardware pieces.
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Transaction, 15
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A business event. In an IS context, the record of a business event.
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Transaction Processing System (TPS), 15
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Any system that records transactions.
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Webmaster, 25
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The person who is in charge of constructing and maintaining the organization’s Web site.
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Affiliate Program, 46
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An arrangement by which a website promotes sales for another website through a link to the seller’s site, and for which the affiliate is compensated. There are various schemes of compensation to affiliates.
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Bleeding Edge, 56
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The situation in which a business fails because it tries to be on the technological leading edge.
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Competitive Advantage, 38
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A position in which one dominates a market; also called strategic advantage.
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Critical Mass, 42
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A body of clients that is large enough to attract many other clients.
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First mover, 42
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A business that is first in its industry to adopt a technology or method.
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Late mover, 53
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An organization that adopts a technology or method after competitors have adopted it.
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Reengineering, 49
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The process by which an organization takes a fresh look at a business process and reorganizes it to attain efficiency. Almost always, reengineering includes the integration of a new or improved information system.
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Strategic Advantage, 38
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A position in which one dominates a market; also called competitive advantage.
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Strategic Information System (SIS), 38
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Any information system that gives its owner a competitive advantage.
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Switching Costs, 41
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Expenses that are incurred when a customer stops buying a product or service from one business and starts buying it from another.
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Bill of Materials (BOM), 78
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A list showing an explosion of the materials that go into the production of an item. Used in planning the purchase of raw materials.
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Brainstorming, 78
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The process of a group collaboratively generating new ideas and creative solutions to problems.
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Cash Management System (CMS), 74
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Information system that helps reduce the interest and fees that organizations have to pay when borrowing money and increases the yield that organizations can receive on used funds.
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Computer-aided Design (CAD), 75
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Special software used by engineers and designers that facilitates engineering and design work.
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Computer-aided Manufacturing (CAM), 75
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Automation of manufacturing activities by use of computers. Often, the information for the activity comes directly from connected computers that were used for engineering the parts of products to be manufactured.
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Customer Relationship Management (CRM), 71
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A set of applications designed to gather and analyze information about customers.
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Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), 78
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The optimal (cost-minimizing) quantity of a specific raw material that allows a business to minimize overstocking and save cost without risking under-stocking and missing production deadlines.
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Effectiveness, 70
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The measure of how well a job is performed.
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Efficiency, 70
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The ratio of output to input; the greater the ratio, the greater the efficiency.
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Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), 74
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The electronic transfer of cash from an account to one bank to an account in another bank.
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Electronic Product Code (EPC), 81
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A product code embedded in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. Similar to the older UPC.
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, 95
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An information system that supports different activities for different departments, assisting executives with planning and running different interdependent functions.
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Just-in-time (JIT), 79
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The manufacturing strategy in which suppliers ship parts directly to assembly lines, saving the cost of warehousing raw materials, parts and subassemblies.
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Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II), 79
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The combination of MRP with other manufacturing-related activities to plan the entire manufacturing process, not just inventory.
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Master Production Schedule (MPS), 79
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The component of an MRP II system that specifies production capacity to meet customer demands and maintain inventories.
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Material Requirements Planning (MRP), 78
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Inventory control that includes a calculation of future need.
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Productivity, 78
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Efficiency, when the input is labor. The fewer labor hours needed to perform a job, the greater the productivity.
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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), 81
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Technology that enables identification of an object (such as product, vehicle or living creature) by receiving a radio signal from a tag attached to the object.
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Rapid Prototyping, 75
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Using software and special output devices to create prototypes to test design in three dimensions.
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Supply Chain, 77
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The activities performed from the purchase of raw material to the shipping of manufactured goods and collected for their sale.
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Supply Chain Management (SCM), 77
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The coordination of purchasing, manufacturing, shipping, and billing operations, often supported by an enterprise resource planning system.
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Targeted marketing, 84
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Promoting products and services to the people who are most likely to purchase them.
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Time to market, 75
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The time between generating an idea for a product and completing a prototype that can be mass-manufactured; also called engineering lead time.
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Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), 116
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The electronic circuitry in the central processing unit of a computer responsible for arithmetic and logic operations.
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Backward Compatibility, 133
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Compatibility of a device with another device that supports only an older standard. For example, USB 2.0 is backward-compatible with computers that support only USB 1.1 devices.
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Bit, 112
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Binary digit; either a zero or a one. The smallest unit of information used in computing.
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Bus, 118
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The set of wires or soldered conductors in the computer through which the different components (such as the CPU and RAM) communicate. It also refers to a data communications topology whereby communicating devices are connected to a single, open-ended medium.
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Byte, 112
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A standard group of 8 bits.
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CRT (Cathode-ray tube), 123
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A display (for a computer or television set) that uses an electronic gun to draw and paint on the screen by bombarding pixels on the internal side of the screen.
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Central Processing Unit (CPU), 112
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The circuitry of a computer microprocessor that fetches instructions and data from the primary memory and executes the instructions. The CPU is the most important electronic unit of the computer.
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Clock Rate, 117
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The rate of repetitive machine cycles that a computer can perform; also called frequency. Measured in GHz.
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Control Unit, 116
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The circuitry in the CPU that fetches instructions and data from the primary memory, decodes the instructions, passes them to the ALU for execution, and stores the results in the primary memory.
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Data Word, 117
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The number of bits that a CPU retrieves from memory for processing in one machine cycle. When all other conditions are equal, a machine with a larger data word faster.
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Digital Video Disc (DVD), 128
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A collective term for several types of high-capacity storage optical discs, used for data storage and motion pictures. Also called digital versatile disc.
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Direct Access, 125
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The manner in which a record is retrieved from a storage device, without the need to seek it sequentially. The record’s address is calculated from the value in its logical key field.
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Direct Access Storage (DAS), 129
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Any data storage device that is directly connected to a computer as opposed to being connected via a communications network. When a disk is contained in the computer box or externally but directly linked to it, it is considered DAS.
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Dot-matrix Printer, 125
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A printer on which the print head consists of a matrix of little pins; thus, each printed character is made up of tiny dots.
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Ergonomics, 119
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The science of designing and modifying machines to better suit people’s health and comfort.
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External Memory, 112
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Any non-RAM memory, including internal and external hard disks, flash memory and optical discs.
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Flash Drive, 126
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A storage device containing flash memory. Flash drives are used in numerous electronic devices and often are designed to connect to a computer through a USB port.
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Flash Memory, 128
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A memory chip that can be rewritten and can hold its content without electric power. Thumb drives, as well as ROM, are made of flash memory.
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Flat-panel Monitor, 124
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Slim profile, sharper images and lower consumption of power.
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Hard Disk, 127
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A stack of several rigid aluminum platters coated with easily magnetized substance to record data. Usually installed in the same box that hold the CPU and other computers components, but may be portable.
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Hardware, 111
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All physical components of a computer or computer system.
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Imaging, 122
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The transformation of text and graphical documents into digitized files. The document can be electronically retrieved and printed to reconstruct a copy of the original. Imaging has saved much space and expense in paper-intensive business areas.
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Impact Printer, 125
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Reproduce an image on a page using mechanical impact.
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Input Device, 111
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A tool, such as a keyboard or voice recognition system, used to enter data into an information system.
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Internal Memory, 112
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Also called main memory or primary memory, located near the CPU, stores data and instructions just before and immediately after the CPU processes them.
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Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), 124
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A flat-panel computer monitor in which a conductive-film-covered screen is filled with a liquid crystal whose molecules can align in different planes when charged with certain electrical voltage, which either blocks light or allows it to pass through the liquid. The combination of light and dark produces images of characters and pictures.
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Machine Cycle, 117
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The steps that the CPU follows repeatedly: fetch an instruction, decode the instruction, execute the instruction, and store the result.
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Magnetic Disk, 127
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A disk or set of disks sharing a spindle, coated with an easily magnetized substance to record data in the form of tiny magnetic fields.
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Magnetic-ink Character Recognition (MICR), 121
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A technology that allows a special electronic device to read data printed with magnetic ink. The data are later processed by a computer. MICR is widely used in banking. The bank code, account number, and the amount of a check are printed in magnetic ink on the bottom of checks.
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Magnetic Tape, 126
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Coated polyester tape used to store computer data; similar to tape recorder or VCR tape.
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Mainframe Computer, 113
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A computer larger than a midrange computer but smaller than a supercomputer.
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Microcomputer, 114
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The smallest type of computer; includes desktop, laptop and handheld computers.
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Microprocessor, 116
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An electronic chip that contains the circuitry of either a CPU or a processor with a dedicated and limited purpose, for example, a communications processor.
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Midrange Computer, 114
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A computer larger than a microcomputer but smaller than a mainframe.
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MIPS, 118
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Millions of instructions per second; an inaccurate measure of computer speed.
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Motherboard, 112
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A larger circuit board in the computer case where the CPU and primary memory usually reside
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Mouse, 119
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An input device that controls an on-screen pointer to facilitate the point-and-click approach to executing different operations.
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Multiprocessing, 113
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The mode in which a computer uses more than one processing unit simultaneously to process data.
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Multithreading, 116
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Computer technology that allows more than one stream (thread) of processing at the same time.
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Network-attached Storage (NAS), 129
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An arrangement of storage devices linked to computer through a network.
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Non-impact printer, 124
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A printer that creates an image on a page without pressing any mechanism against the paper; includes laser, ink-yet, electrostatic and electrothermal printers.
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Notebook Computer, 114
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A compute as small as a book, yet with computing power similar to that of a desktop microcomputer.
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Optical Disc, 127
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A disc on which data are recorded by treating the disc surface so it reflects light in different ways; includes CD and DVD.
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Output Device, 112
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A device, usually a monitor or printer, that delivers information from a computer to a person.
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Parallel Processing, 113
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The capacity for several CPUs in one computer to process different data at the same time.
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Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), 114
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A small handheld computer. Many PDAs require the use of a special stylus to click displayed items and to enter handwritten information that is recognized by the computer. An increasing number of PDAs also serve as mobile phones, music players, and GPS devices.
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Pixel, 123
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The smallest picture element addressable on a monitor, short for “picture element.” In a LCD monitor, it is a triad of three transistors controlling the colors of red, green, and blue that can be switched on and off and kept on with varying amounts of electricity to produce various colors and hues. In a CRT monitor, the triad is made of phosphorous dots that are excited by an electron gun.
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Port, 132
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A socket on a computer to which external devices, such as printers, keyboards, and scanners, can be connected. Also, software that enables direct communication of certain applications with the Internet.
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RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), 130
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A set of magnetic disk packs maintained for backup purposes. Sometimes RAIDs are used for storing large databases.
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RAM (random access memory), 112
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The major part of a computer’s internal memory. RAM is volatile; that is, software is held in it temporarily and disappears when the machine is unplugged or turned off, or it may disappear when operations are interrupted or new software is installed or activated. RAM is made of microchips containing transistors. Many computers have free sockets that allow the expansion of RAM.
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ROM (read-only memory), 112
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Smaller internal memory
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Resolution, 124
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The degree to which the image on a computer monitor is sharp. Higher resolution means a sharper image. Resolution depends on the number of pixels on the screen and the dot pitch.
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Scalability, 133
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The ability to adapt application as business needs grow.
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Sequential Storage, 125
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A file organization for sequential record entry and retrieval. The records are organized as a list that follows a logical order, such as ascending order of ID numbers, or descending order of part numbers. To retrieve a record, the application must start the search at the first record and retrieve every record, sequentially, until the desired record is encountered.
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Solid State Disk (SSD), 129
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Flash memory that serves as external storage medium as if it were a hard disk.
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Source Data Input Device, 120
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A device that enables data entry directly from a document without need for human keying. Such devices include bar-code readers and optical character readers.
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Speech Recognition, 122
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The process of translating human speech into computer-readable data and instructions.
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Storage Area Network (SAN), 130
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A device that enables multiple networked computers to save data on a group of disks located in a special area.
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Stylus, 114
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A penlike marking device used to enter commands and data on a computer screen.
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Supercomputer, 113
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The most powerful class of computers, used by large organizations, research institutions, and universities for complex scientific computations and the manipulation of very large databases.
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System Clock, 117
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Special circuitry within the computer control unit that synchronizes all tasks.
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Tablet Computer, 114
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A full-power personal computer in the form of a thick writing tablet.
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Technology Convergence, 115
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The combining of several technologies into a single device, such as mobile phone, digital camera, and Web browser.
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Throughput, 118
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A general measure of the rate of computer output.
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Touch Screen, 120
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A computer monitor that serves both as input and output device. The user touches the areas of certain menu item to select options, and the screen senses the selection at the point of the touch.
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Trackball, 119
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A device similar to a mouse, used for clicking, locking, and dragging displayed information; in this case, the ball moves within the device rather than over a surface.
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Trackpad, 120
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A device used for clicking, locking, and dragging displayed information; the cursor is controlled by moving one’s finger along a touch-sensitive pad.
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Universal Serial Bus (USB), 126
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A ubiquitous socket that enables the connection of numerous devices to computers.
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USB Drive, 128
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Any storage device that connects to a computer through a USB socket, but especially flash drives.
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Workstation, 114
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A powerful microcomputer providing high-speed processing and high-resolution graphics. Used primarily for scientific and engineering assignments.
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Applet, 152
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A small software application, usually written in Java or another programming language for the Web.
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Application, 147
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A computer program that addresses a general or specific business or scientific need. General applications include electronic spreadsheets and word processors. Specific applications are written especially for a business unit to accommodate special activities.
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Application Software, 147
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Software developed to meet general or specific business needs.
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Application-specific Software, 154
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A collective term for all computer programs that are designed specifically to address certain business problems, such as a program written to deal with a company’s market research effort.
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Assembly Languages, 148
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Second-generation programming languages that assemble several bytes into groups of characters that are human-readable to expedite programming tasks.
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Compiler, 153
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A program whose purpose is to translate code written in a high-level programming language into the equivalent code in machine language for execution by the computer.
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Debugging, 149
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The process of finding and correcting errors in software.
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Driver, 161
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The software that enable an operating system to control a device, such as an optical disc drive or joystick.
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General-purpose Application Software, 154
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Programs that serve varied purposes, such as developing decision-making tools or creating documents; examples include spreadsheets and word processors.
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Groupware, 157
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Any of several types of software that enable users of computers in remote locations to work together on the same project. The users can create and change documents and graphic designs on the same monitor.
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Hypermedia, 156
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A feature that enables a user to access additional information by clicking on selected text or graphics.
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Interpreter, 153
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A programming language translator that translates the source code, one statement at a time, and executes it. If the instruction is erroneous, the interpreter produces an appropriate error message.
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Machine Language, 148
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Binary programming language that is specific to a computer. A computer can execute a program only after the program’s source code is translated to object code expressed in the computer’s machine language.
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Multimedia Software, 156
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Software that processes and displays various forms of information: text, sound, pictures, and video.
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Object Code, 153
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Program code in machine language, immediately process-able by the computer.
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Object-oriented Programming (OOP) language, 150
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A programming language that combines data and the procedures that process the data into a single unit called an “object,” which can be invoked from different programs.
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Open Source Software, 163
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Software whose source code can be accessed by the general public.
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Operating System (OS), 159
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System software that supports the running of applications developed to utilize its features and controls peripheral equipment.
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Packaged Software, 154
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General-purpose applications that come ready to install from a magnetic disk, CD, or file downloaded from a vendor’s Web site.
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Plug-and-Play (PnP), 161
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The ability of an operating system to recognize a new attachment and its function without a user’s intervention.
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Programming, 147
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The process of writing software.
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Programming Language, 148
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Sets of syntax for abbreviated forms of instructions that special programs can translate into machine language so a computer can understand the instruction.
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Proprietary Software, 163
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Software owned by an individual or organizations. The owner can control licensing and usage terms of the software. Nonproprietary software is not owned by anyone and is free for use.
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Software, 147
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Set of instructions that control the operations of a computer.
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Source Code, 153
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An application’s code written in the original high-level programming language.
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Suite, 155
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A group of general software applications that are often used in the same environment. The strengths of the different applications can be used to build a single powerful document. Current suites are usually a combination of a spreadsheet, a word processor, and a database management system.
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System Software, 147
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Software that executes routine tasks. Systems software includes operating systems, language translators, and communications software. Also called “support software.”
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Utilities, 160
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Programs that provide help in routine user operations.
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Virtual Memory, 161
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Storage space on a disk that is treated by the operating system as if it were part of the computer’s RAM.
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Virtual Reality (VR), 157
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A set of hardware and software that creates images, sounds, and possibly the sensation of touch that give the user the feeling of a real environment and experience. In advanced VR systems, the user wears special goggles and gloves.
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Visual Programming Language, 149
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A programming language that provides icons, colors, and other visual elements from which the programmer can choose to speed up software development.
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Web Page Authoring Tools, 156
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Software tools that make Web page composition easier and faster than writing code by providing icons and menus.
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Access point (AP), 193
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An arrangement consisting of a device connected to the Internet on one end and to a router on the other end. All wireless devices link to the internet through the router.
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Backbone, 192
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The network of copper lines, optical fibers, and radio satellites that supports the Internet.
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Bandwidth, 184
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The capacity of the communications channel, practically its speed; the number of signal streams the channel can support, usually measured as number of bits per second. A greater bandwidth also supports a greater bit rate, i.e., transmission speed.
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Baseband, 184
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A communications channel that allows only a very low bit rate in telecommunications, such as unconditioned telephone twisted pair cable.
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Bits per seconds (bps), 184
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The measurement of the capacity (transmission rate) of a communications channel.
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Bluetooth, 195
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A personal wireless network protocol. It enables wireless communications between input devices and computers and among other devices within 10 meters.
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Bridge, 189
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A device connecting two communications networks that use similar hardware.
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Broadband, 184
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High-speed digital communication, sometimes defined as at least 200 kpbs. T1, Cable modem, and DSL provide broadband.
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Broadband over Power Lines (BPL), 202
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A broadband service provided over electric power lines.
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Circuit switching, 190
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A communication process in which a dedicated channel (circuit) is established for the duration of a transmission; the sending node signals the receiving node; the receiver acknowledges the signal and then receives the entire message.
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Coaxial cable, 185
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A transmission medium consisting of thick copper wire insulated and shielded by a special sheath of meshed wires to prevent electromagnetic interference. Supports high-speed telecommunication.
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Dial-up connection, 190
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A connection to the Internet through a regular telephone and modem. Dial-up connections are slow, as opposed to broadband connections.
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Digital subscriber line (DSL), 198
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Technology that relieves individual subscribers of the need for the conversion of digital signals into analog signals between the telephone exchange and the subscriber jack. DSL license are linked to the Internet on a permanent basis and support bit rates significantly greater than a normal telephone line between the subscriber’s jack and the telephone exchange.
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DNS (Domain Name System), 192
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Hardware and software making up a server whose purpose is to resolve domain names (converting them back to IP numbers) and routing messages on the Internet.
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Downstream, 197
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The movement of data bits from another computer to your computer via the Internet. Downstream speed of Internet connection services is usually greater than the upstream speed.
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Dynamic IP number, 192
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The IP number assigned to a computer that is connected to the Internet intermittently for the duration of the computer’s connection.
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Electromagnetic interference (EMI), 185
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Twisted pair cables used to reduce this.
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Encryption, 193
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The conversion of plaintext to an unreadable stream of characters, especially to prevent a party that intercepts telecommunicated messages from reading them. Special encryption software is used by the sending party to encrypt messages, and by the receiving party to decipher them.
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Ethernet, 192
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The design, introduced and named by Xerox, for the contention-based data communications protocol.
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Fax, 182
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Facsimile is the transmission and reception of images over telephone lines.
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Fixed wireless, 199
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A network of fixed transceivers to facilitate connection to the Internet. Requires line of sight between transceivers.
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Frame relay, 191
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A high-speed packet switching protocol used on the Internet.
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Gigabit Ethernet, 193
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A network protocol often used in local area networks (LANs) supporting up to 1 Gbps.
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Host, 192
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A computer that contains files and other resources that can be accessed by “clients,” computers linked to it via networlk.
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Hotspot, 193
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An area, usually of 300-feet radius, in which a wireless device can connect to the Internet. The hotspot is created by installing an access point consisting of a device connected to the Internet on one end and to a router on the other end. All wireless devices link to the Internet through the router.
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Hub, 189
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In networking, a device connecting several computers or other electronic devices.
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IEEE 802.11, 193
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A standard for wireless communication. Several other IEEE 802.x standards have been approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
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Internet service provider (ISP), 189
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An individual or organization that provides Internet connection, and sometimes other related services, to subscribers.
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IP number, 192
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A unique number assigned to a server or another device that is connected to the Internet for identification purposes. Consists of 32 bits.
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Local area network (LAN), 187
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A computer network confined to a building or a group of adjacent buildings, as opposed to a wide area network.
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Metropolitan area network (MAN), 188
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Usually links multiple LANs within a large city or metropolitan region and typically spans a distance of up to 50 km (30 miles).
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Microwaves, 186
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Short (high frequency) radio waves. Used in telecommunications to carry digital signals.
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Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA), 195
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IEEE 801.20 standard to support continuous wireless connection while moving in vehicles.
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Modem, 189
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A communications device that transforms digital signals to analog telephone signals, and vice versa, for data communications over voice telephone lines. The term is widely used for all devices that connect a computer to a wide area network, such as the Internet, even if the device does not modulate or demodulate.
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Network, 187
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A combination of a communications device and a computer or several computer, or two or more computers, so that the various devices can send and receive text or audiovisual information to each other.
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Network interface card (NIC), 187
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Circuitry embedded or installed in a computer to support proper linking of the computer to a network.
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Node, 187
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A device connected to at least one other device on a network.
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OC (optical carrier), 201
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A family of several very high-speed technologies using optical fibers. Usually, the standard is marked as OC-3, OC-12, OC-48, etc.
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Packet, 191
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Several bytes that make up a part of a telecommunicated message.
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Packet switching, 191
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A telecommunications method whereby messages are broken into groups of fixed amounts of bytes, and each group (packet) is transmitted through the shortest route available. The packets are assembled at the destination into the original message.
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PAN (personal area network), 189
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A network of devices typically within a small radius that enables a user to use two or more devices wirelessly, such as wireless keyboard and mouse.
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Peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, 183
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Software applications that enable two Internet users to send and receive to each other. The technology is highly objectionable to organizations that sell copyrighted materials because the sf
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Protocol, 191
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A standard set of rules that governs telecommunication between two communications devices or in a network.
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Repeater, 189
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A device that strengthens signals and then sends them on their net leg toward their next destination.
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RFID (Radio frequency interference), 185
|
Technology that enables identification of an object (such as product, vehicle, or living creature) by receiving a radio signal from a tag attached to the object.
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Router, 189
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A network hub, wired or wireless, that ensures proper routing of messages within a network such as a LAN and between each device on that network and another network, such as the Internet.
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Scalability, 188
|
The ability to adapt applications as business needs grow.
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Server, 188
|
A computer connected to several less powerful computers that can utilize its databases and applications.
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Static IP number, 192
|
An Internet Protocol number permanently associated with a device.
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Switch, 189
|
Like a hub, except that it is more “intelligent.” Communications only go to designated devices on the network.
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T1 and T3 lines, 199
|
Point-to-point dedicated digital circuits provided by telephone companies.
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TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), 192
|
A packet-switching protocol that is actually a set of related protocols that can guarantee packets are delivered in the correct order and can handle differences in transmission and reception rates.
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Telecommunications, 180
|
Communications over a long distance, as opposed to communication within a computer, or between adjacent hardware pieces.
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Transmission rate, 184
|
The speed at which data are communicated over a communications channel.
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Twisted pair cable, 185
|
Traditional telephone wires, twisted in pairs to reduce electromagnetic interference.
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Upstream, 197
|
The movement of data from your computer to another computer via a network, usually the Internet. Upstream speed through the services of Internet providers is typically lower than the downstream speed.
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Value-added network (VAN), 188
|
A telecommunications network owned and managed by a vendor that charges clients periodic fees for network management services.
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Videoconferencing, 182
|
A telecommunications system that allows people who are in different locations to meet via transmitted images and speech.
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Virtual private network (VPN), 190
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Hardware and software installed to ensure that a network path that includes the Internet enables employees of the same organization or employees of business partners to communicate confidentially. The hardware and software create an impression that the entire communication path is private.
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VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), 202
|
Technologies that enable voice communication by utilizing the Internet instead of the telephone network.
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Wide area network (WAN), 188
|
A network of computers and other communications devices that extends over a large area, possibly comprising national territories. Example: the Internet.
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Wi-Fi, 193
|
A name given to the IEEE 802.11 standards of wireless communication. Wi-Fi technologies are used in hotspots and in home and office networks. Wi-Fi is usually effective for a radius of 300 feet.
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WiMAX, 195
|
The IEEE 802.16 standard for wireless networking with a range of up to 50 km (31 miles). (WiMAX stands for the organization that promotes that standard, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.)
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Wireless LAN (WLAN), 188
|
A local area network that uses electromagnetic waves (radio or infrared light) as the medium of communication. In recent years almost all WLANs have been established using Wi-Fi.
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Character, 219
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The smallest piece of data in the data hierarchy.
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Composite key, 224
|
In a data file, a combination of two fields that can serve as a unique key to locate specific records.
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Data dictionary, 228
|
The part of the database that contains information about the different sets of records and fields, such as their source and who may change them.
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Data integrity, 219
|
Accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of data in context.
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Data mart, 232
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A collection of archival data that is part of the data warehouse, usually focusing on one aspect of the organization such as sales of a family
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Data modeling, 229
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The process of charting existing or planned data stores and flows of an organization or one of its units. It includes charting of entity relationship diagrams.
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Data redundancy, 218
|
The existence of the same dtat in more than one place in a computer system. Although some data redundancy is unavoidable, efforts should be made to minimize it.
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Data warehouse, 232
|
A huge collection of historical data that can be processed to support management decision making.
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Database administrator (DBA), 221
|
The individual in charge of building and maintaining organizational databases.
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Database approach, 218
|
An approach to maintaining data that contains a mechanism for tagging, retrieving, and manipulating data.
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Database management system (DBMS), 219
|
A computer program that allows the user to construct a database, populate it with data, and manipulate the data.
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Encapsulation, 225
|
Combined storage of both data and the procedures that manipulate them
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Entity, 219
|
Any object about which an organization chooses to collect data.
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Entity relationship diagram (ERD), 229
|
One of several conventions for graphical rendition of the data elements involved in business processes and the logical relationships among the elements.
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Field, 219
|
A data element in a record, describing one aspect of an entity or event. Referred to as attribute in relational databases.
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File, 219
|
A collection of related records.
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Foreign key, 225
|
In a relational database: a field in a table that is primary key in another table. Foreign keys allow association of data between the two files.
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Inheritance, 225
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The ability in object-oriented structures to create a new object automatically by replicating all or some of the characteristics of a previously developed object (call the parent object)
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Join table, 225
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Metadata, 228
|
Information about the data in a database, often called data dictionary.
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Many-to-many relationship, 225
|
In databases, a relationship between two tables whereby every record in a table can be associated with several records in the other table.
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Object-oriented database model, 225
|
A database, in which data are part of an object, that is processed using object-oriented programs.
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One-to-many relationship, 225
|
In a database, a relationship between two tables such that each record in the one table an be associated with several records in the other table but each record in the other table can be associated with only one record in the first table.
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Primary key, 224
|
In a file, a field that holds values that are unique to each record. Only a primary key can be used to uniquely identify and retrieve a record.
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Record, 219
|
A set of standard field types. All the fields of a record contain data about a certain entity or event.
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Relational model, 222
|
Consists of tables. Its roots are in relational algebra…
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Relational operation, 226
|
An operation that creates a temporary table that is a subset of the original table or tables in a relational database.
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Schema, 228
|
The structure of a database, detailing the names and types of fields in each set of records, and the relationships among sets of records.
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Structured Query Language (SQL), 227
|
The data definition and manipulation language of choice for many developers of relational database management systems.
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Table, 222
|
A set of related records in a relational database.
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Traditional file approach, 218
|
Have no mechanism for tagging, retrieving, and manipulating data
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