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- P -

parity
An infrequently used technique for error correction in a telecommunications setting. A parity bit can be added to each transmitted character, instructing the receiving modem to expect either an even or odd number of bits. If the actual sum of bits does not match, the data is resent.

password
A word or number, known usually only to the user, and used generally in conjunction with a username, which allows access to a computer system or network.

pathname
A description of the location of a file on a storage device such as an FTP archive, hard disk, or floppy disk. On the Internet, uniform resource locators use a to specify pathname the directory location and/or filename of a particular resource.

PC
An abbreviation for a personal computer that is (generally) IBM-compatible.

PCMCIA card
Also known as a PCMCIA device, an abbreviation for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. The size of a credit card, these devices can be inserted into many notebook and laptop computers to provide extra storage space, networking, or telecommunications capabilities.

Pentium
A microprocessor designed by Intel as the successor to the 486. Originally it was called the 80586

personal computer
A collective term for all types of computer designed to meet the computing needs of an individual user. The main components are the system unit, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

pixel
Derived from PICture ELement, it refers to the individual bits of data that make up a bitmapped image. It is also used to refer to screen resolutions, where 640 x 480 pixels is very common. Higher resoutions such as 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 are becoming increasingly popular. The aspect ratio has remained a constant 4/3.

platform
A category of computer hardware, such as Macintosh orIBM-compatible. Hardware and software designed for one platform do not generally work on another. However increasingly, manufacturers are aiming for cross-platform compatibility so that software will run across different platforms. This happens a great deal on the Internet, where a PC user may exchange documents and graphics with MAC or UNIX users over the internet.

Point of Presence (PoP)
A bank of modems supplied by an Internet Service Provider, often permitting access to their high-speed TCP/IP network by way of a local call.

Point to Point Protocol (PPP)
A network interface that allows dial-up users to temporarily connect their computers to the Internet and use TCP/IP-based clients. It is generally preferred to the alternative, SLIP.

port
Two definitions...

  1. The socket on a PC where communications cables are connected, for example the Printer Port or the COM Port.
  2. In networking, a port number is used to indicate a contact address for the server on a host computer. Certain Internet Services have a default port. For example, Gopher clients expect to find the Gopher server at port 70 on a given host.

Post Office Protocol (POP)
A protocol used on the Internet for storing and retrieving e-mail.

PowerPC
A computer which incorporates a new, high performance microprocessor developed jointly by Apple, IBM and Motorola to compete with Intel's Pentium and its successor, the P6 - 80686.

printer
A hardware device capable of printing output from a computer, including both text and graphics on paper. There are several categories of printer, including dot matrix, ink jets, and laser printers.

program
A set of instructions written to make your PC perform certain tasks. See software and application.

protocol
An agreed set of software instructions that allow different devices and computers to communicate with one another.

proxy
Two definitions...

  1. A server acting as a secure gateway between and internal network and the wider Internet. Incoming and outgoing requests made by clients must pass through the server.
  2. Alternatively, it refers to a cache on the WWW for frequently-accessed WWW pages. Specifying a proxy usually helps conserve bandwidth on intercontinental communications links, and can result in a quicker response to client requests.

public domain
Computer software that the author allows anyone to use and copy, without expecting payment. Sometimes called freeware. See also shareware

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