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Network Chico Computer
terms glossary
Some definitions from the Sharpened Glossary
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=H=
Hacker: While this term
originally referred to a clever or expert programmer, it is now
more commonly used to refer to someone who can gain unauthorized
access to other computers. A hacker can "hack" his
or her way through the security levels of a computer system or
network. This can be as simple as figuring out somebody else's
password or as complex as writing a custom program to break another
computer's security software. Hackers are the reason software
manufacturers release periodic "security updates" to
their programs. While it is unlikely that the average person
will get "hacked" some large businesses and organizations
receive multiple hacking attempts a day.
Half-duplex communications:
A type of network communication in which only one member of a
pair of networked devices can transmit data at any given time.
The other member must therefore "listen" to all incoming
data. Then the sending and receiving roles reverse.
Handle: In online chat
the name you use is called your handle. So if you decided to
name yourself 'MooArt' that would be your handle. Handles are
nice because they allow you to represent yourself without giving
away your real identity. The term originated from CB radio where
people refer to each other by their "handles."
Hard drive: This is where
all the data in your computer is stored. It is where all your
files and folders are physically located. A typical hard drive
is only slightly larger than your hand yet it can hold over 120
GB of data. The data is stored on a stack of disks that are mounted
inside a solid encasement. These disks spin extremely fast (typically
at either 5400 or 7200 RPM) so that data can be accessed immediately
from anywhere on the drive. The data is stored on the hard drive
magnetically so it stays on the drive even after the power supply
is turned off. The term "hard drive" is actually short
for "hard disk drive." The term "hard disk"
technically refers to the actual disks inside the drive. However,
all three of these terms are usually seen as referring to the
same thing; the place where your data is stored.
Hard page fault: An exception
that occurs when data a program needs must be called back into
memory from its storage space on the hard drive. Hard page faults
are relatively time-consuming to resolve.
Hayes-compatible: The
modem standard based on the Hayes Smartmodem.
HCL: "Hardware Compatibility
List" A vendor-maintained list of all hardware compatible
with a particular operating system. In practice it is the name
of a document maintained by Microsoft that lists all hardware
compatible with Windows NT or Windows 2000/2003.
HDLC: "High-level
Data Link Control" A synchronous communication protocol.
Hertz: (Hz, KHz, MHz,
GHz, THz...) A measure of broadcast frequencies in cycles per
secong; named after Heinrich Hertz who was one of the inventors
of radio communications.
Hexadecimal: A mathematical
notation for representing numbers in base 16. The numbers 10
through 15 are expressed as A through F; 10h or 0 X 10 (both
notations indicate the number is hexadecimal) equals 16.
Hit: Technically a hit
is a request made to a web server. It is a popular misconception
that the term refers to the number of visits a web page gets,
but that is not the case. If a web page has five images on it
when the page is loaded six "hits" will be recorded.
This is because the browser has to make six requests to the web
server; one for the HTML of the web page and five for the images.
The term "hit" can also be used to refer to search
engine results. When you search for a phrase and the search engine
finds 510 results you can say there were 510 hits.
HMA: "High Memory
Area" The region of memory on an Intel based PC between
640 KB and 1024 KB (usually referred to in hexadecimal as A0000
through 100000). This is the area where device driver buffer
space and shared system memory are typically allocated.
Home page: This is the
starting point, default or front page of a web site. This page
usually has some sort of table of contents on it and often describes
the purpose of the site. For example, http://www.netchico.com/index.html
is the home page of Netchico.com.
When you type in a basic URL, such as "http://www.netchico.com,"
you are typically directed to the home page of the web site.
Many people have a "personal home page" which is another
way the term "home page" can be used.
Host: This is a computer
that acts as a server for other computers on a network. It can
be a web server, an e-mail server, an FTP server, etc. For example
a web host is what provides the content of web pages to the computers
that access it. A host is also known as the mother computer.
Hot-swappable: Components,
such as power supplies or disk drives, that can be removed and
replaced without shutting off power to the computer, eliminating
down time. USB and Firewire
devices are generally hot-swappable.
HTML: "Hyper-Text
Markup Language" This is the language that web pages are
written in. Also known as hypertext documents web pages must
conform to the rules of HTML in order to be displayed correctly
in a web browser. The HTML syntax is based on a list of tags
that describe the page's format and what is displayed on the
web page. Fortunately the HTML language is relatively easy to
learn. Many web development programs allow you to create web
pages using a graphical interface. These programs allow you to
place objects and text on the page and the HTML code is written
for you.
HTTP: "HyperText
Transfer Protocol" This is the protocol used to transfer
data over the World Wide Web. That's why all web site addresses
begin with "http://". Whenever you type a URL
into your browser and hit Enter your computer sends an HTTP request
to the appropriate web server. The web server, which is designed
to handle HTTP requests, then sends to you the requested HTML
page.
Hub: This is a hardware
device that is used to network multiple computers together. It
is a central connection for all the computers in a network, which
is usually Ethernet-based. Information sent to the hub can flow
to any other computer on the network. If you need to connect
more than two computers together a hub will allow you to do so.
If you only need to network two computers together a simple crossover
Ethernet cable will work.
Hybrid hub: A device used
to interconnect different types of cables and to maximize network
efficiency.
Hybrid network: See
combination network.
Hypertext: Hypertext is
text that links to other information. By clicking on a link in
a hypertext document a user can quickly jump to different content.
Though hypertext is usually associated with web pages the technology
has been around since the 1960s. Software programs that include
dictionaries and encyclopedias have long used hypertext in their
definitions so that readers can quickly find out more about specific
words or topics. Apple Computer's HyperCard program also used
hypertext which allowed users to create multi-linked databases.
Today the web is where hypertext reigns; where nearly every page
includes links to other pages and both text and images can be
used as links to more content.
Network Chico Computer
terms glossary
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