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- Glossary
Operating System
A group of control programs that convert application commands, including driver programs, into the exact
form required by a specific brand and model of microprocessor in order to produce the desired results from
that particular equipment.
Partition
A block of space on a hard drive which is set aside and made to appear to the operating system as if it were
a separate disk, and addressed by the operating system accordingly.
PCMCIA
PCMCIA is a trademark of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. The Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association is an organization that sets standards for add-in cards
for personal computers.
Peripheral Device
A piece of equipment which performs a specific function associated with but not integral to a computer.
Examples: a printer, a modem, a CD-ROM.
Pitch (keyboard)
The distance between the centers of the letter keys of a keyboard.
Pixel
The smallest element of a display, a dot of color on your display screen. The more pixels per area the
clearer your image will appear.
POST
Power On Self Test. A program which is part of the BIOS which checks the configuration and operating
condition of your hardware whenever power is applied to your notebook. Status and error messages may
be displayed before the operating system is loaded. If the self test detects failures that are so serious that
operation can not continue, the operating system will not be loaded.
PPPoE
Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet. A protocol for Ethernet, using a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP),
which is used for connection on the phone line.
