Latest computer dictionary terms added to Computer Hope

What is chdir?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

Short for change directory, chdir is a command used in Linux, MS-DOS, and the Windows command line to change the current directory.

What is core logic?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

Corel Corporation developed and released a software program called CorelDRAW, a vector graphics editor. The software is more of a graphics suite than just a single, simple program, providing many features for users to edit graphics, including contrast adjustment, color balancing, adding special effects like borders to images, and it is capable of working with multiple layers and multiple pages.

What is Garry's Mod?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

Also called GMod, Garry's Mod is a standalone game available on Steam, a content delivery service created by the company Valve. Garry's Mod allows players to manipulate objects, or "props", in the game, to make creative devices. The game provides players with a Physics Gun and a Tool Gun to manipulate the props and position them whether they want. Players can also enjoy multiplayer gaming, where they can create devices with another player, communicating with each other via text or voice chat.

What is LaserJet?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

LaserJet is a brand of laser printers from Hewlett Packard that was first introduced in May of 1984 and was the first desktop laser printer. In the picture to the right, is an example of one of the more recent HP LaserJet printers, the M1212nf Multifunction printer.

What is leaderboard?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

The term Leaderboard typically is used in the video gaming industry, to signify rank among people who play various video games. Players can be ranked against other players, based on the number of kills in a game, number of items collected in a game, or many other statistics. The most common ranking is based on the number of kills, whether its kills of other players or kills of non-player characters (NPCs) in a game, like bosses.

What is physics engine?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

A physics engine is general used to describe a software program that is used to simulate physical phenomena. One of the first uses of a physics engine was for simulating where artillery shells would land based on their weight, force behind the firing of the shells, and angle of the firing. Since then, it has also been used to help in the design of aircraft and watercraft, as well as vehicles.

What is point release?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

For software programs, a point release is referred to as small, or minor, release of the software. The point release typically fixes bugs or cleans up minor issues. They can include new features one more rare occasions, but feature release is usually reserved for major software releases instead. Point releases are often made available fairly frequently, unlike major releases, which may occur once every few months or years.

What is robot?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

Roblox is a free-to-play online video game where players can use blocks to build structures and shape the environment around them. The blocks vary in shape and size, as well as the types of materials that make the block. Roblox is designed for ages 7 and older and has won various awards for being a kid-friendly game, as well as educational.

What is SFX?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

When referring to a power supply, SFX is a form factor similar to the ATX form factor, except it does not include the -5V rail. This rail was used by some ISA expansion cards, but today's motherboards no longer feature the ISA expansion bus, or slot), so the -5V rail is not needed. SFX power supplies can be cheaper to manufacture due to not including this rail.

What is type?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

Originally developed to help the blind be able to write the first practical typewriter along with the QWERTY keyboard was invented by Christopher Sholes and patented on July 14, 1868. After inventing the typewriter Sholes abandoned the typewriter and sold the patent that ended up in the hands of E. Remington and Sons who made it a commercial success. Today, typewriters are rarely used or found and have been widely replaced by the computer and word processors. However, the QWERTY keyboard layout is still used on almost every US keyboard. In the below picture is an example of what a typewriter may have looked like.

What is VMware?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

VMware, Inc. is a software company, well known in the field of system virtualization and cloud computing. VMware's software allows users to create multiple virtual environments, or virtual computer systems, on a single computer or server. Essentially, one computer or server could be used to host, or manage, many virtual computer systems, sometimes as many as one hundred or more. The software virtualizes hardware components, mainly the video and network adapters and the hard disk drive. For businesses, this is especially useful for setting up multiple server systems without having to purchase separate hardware for each of them. They can create virtual servers using VMware's software, saving a lot of time and money.

What is computer museums?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

There are dozens of computer museums around the world that help everyone learn and relive the past. Below is a short list of all the computer museums and centers available online and around the world that you can visit to learn more about the history of computers.

What is indigo?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

Indigo was once a printer manufacturer that has been acquired by Hewlett Packard.

What is wall?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

When talking about Facebook, the Wall is your own personal page that is visible to all your friends and displays all your life events, likes, news, and posts that you and your friends have made to the wall. In December 2011 Facebook replaced the Facebook Wall with the Facebook Timeline, which shares all the features of the Wall, but had a new layout and a full timeline of your life.

What is the /? switch?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

When used with a MS-DOS or Windows command line command, the /? is a command switch that gives additional help about any of the available commands.

What is font size?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

The font size is the overall size (generally height) of a font shown on a screen or printed on a page. A font is typically measured in a point (pt) size, which is the vertical measurement of the lettering. There are approximately 72 (72.272) points in one inch or 2.54 cm. In the example below are four different examples of different point sizes.

What is name?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

With hardware, a name refers to a description of a device. For example, your computer has a computer name that identifies it on a computer network. A name in this context should not be confused with a MAC, which is a physical addresses or an IP, which is an address.

What is Catfish?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

A catfish is a person who creates a fake online profile with the intention of deceiving someone else. For example, a woman could create a fake profile on an online dating website, create a relationship with one or more people and then create a fake scenario where they are in need and ask all their fake relationships for money. Another example is someone who creates a fake Facebook account that resembles a friend so that they can view that persons private information.

What is a bitcoin?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

A Bitcoin (BTC) is a digital currency, used on the Internet for various services. This currency utilizes an open-source, peer-to-peer internet protocol for tracking of transactions involving bitcoin transfers. Web sites and applications can send and receive bitcoins through the use of wallets, using ECDSA digital signatures to verify the transactions. The bitcoin is not a standard currency, meaning it has no central bank to manage it, like a standard currency does (i.e. the Federal Reserve for U.S. currency). For this reason, the equivalent dollar value can fluctuate greatly, resulting in criticism that it is not suited for use in the worldwide economy.

What is GPT (GUID Partition Table)?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:53:58 MST

Short for GUID Partition Table, GPT is a part of the EFI standard that defines the layout of the partition table on a hard drive. GPT is meant as a replacement to hard drives using a MBR partition table, which have a 2.20TB size limitation and extends upon UEFI. Using GPT a drive could support between 8 and 9.4 ZB depending on the sector size.