Lossy Definition
Lossy file compression results in lost data and quality from the original version. Lossy compression is typically associated with image files, such as JPEGs, but can also be used for audio files, like MP3s or AAC files. The "lossyness" of an image file may show up as jagged edges or pixelated areas. In audio files, the lossyness may produce a watery sound or reduce the dynamic range of the audio.
Because lossy compression removes data from the original file, the resultin...
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Software
Lossless Definition
Lossless Definition
Lossless compression reduces a file's size with no loss of quality. This seemingly magical method of reducing file sizes can be applied to both image and audio files. While JPEGs and MP3s use lossy compression, newer compression algorithms, such as JPEG 2000 and Apple Lossless compression, can be used to create lossless compressed files.
Lossless compression basically rewrites the data of the original file in a more efficient way. However, because no quality is lost, ...
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Codec Definition
Codec Definition
Codec is short for "coder-decoder." It is an algorithm used to encode data, such as an audio or video clip. The encoded data must be decoded when played back.
A media codec is not equivalent to media compression, since it is possible to encode a file without compressing it. However, most codecs do compress the original data, reducing the size of the original file. This is important for multimedia files, since they often have large file sizes. Compressed files take up les...
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Yosemite Definition
Yosemite Definition
Yosemite is the name of Apple's eleventh version of OS X, released on October 16, 2014. It follows Mavericks (OS X 10.9) and is also called OS X 10.10.
While it is normal for each new version of OS X to include slight modifications to the user interface, Yosemite presented the most drastic change in several years. The interface includes many translucent elements, in which objects are semi-transparent. It includes a more "flat" design than earlier versions of OS X with new...
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Lion Definition
Lion Definition
Lion is another name for Mac OS X 10.7, the eighth version of Apple's desktop operating system. It was released on July 20, 2011, almost two years after Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and preceded the release of Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. Lion was the first version of Mac OS X to be released on the Mac App Store and was not sold on a DVD like previous versions of the operating system.
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion was one of the most substantial updates to Mac OS X and included more than ...
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Snow Leopard Definition
Snow Leopard Definition
Snow Leopard is another name for Mac OS X 10.6, which was released on August 26, 2009. It followed Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and preceded the release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.
Unlike Leopard, Mac OS X Snow Leopard did not include hundreds of new features. Instead, the update was primarily designed to improve the performance and efficiency of Mac OS X. Snow Leopard was the first Mac operating system to require an Intel-based Mac, which means it cannot be used on older Macinto...
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El Capitan Definition
El Capitan Definition
El Capitan is the 12th version of Apple OS X, also known as OS X 10.11. It was released on September 30, 2015 and succeeded OS X 10.10 Yosemite. It was followed by OS X 10.12 Sierra.
OS X 10.11 was not a significant update to Apple's operating system, but it included a number of performance updates. It was the first version to include "Metal," a graphics technology developed by Apple that accelerates Core Animation and Core Graphics processing. Metal makes full use of t...
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Mountain Lion Definition
Mountain Lion Definition
Mountain Lion is another name for Mac OS X 10.8, the ninth version of Apple's desktop operating system. It was released on July 25, 2012, almost exactly one year after Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. Like Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion was not a major update to the Mac OS. Instead, it was primarily a performance update and included a small number of enhancements to further integrate Mac OS X with iOS, Apple's mobile operating system.
Unlike previous versions of Mac OS X, Apple offi...
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Leopard Definition
Leopard Definition
Leopard is another name for Mac OS X 10.5, which was released on October 26, 2007. It followed Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and preceded the release of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
Mac OS X Leopard was one of the most significant updates to Mac OS X, with over 300 new features. Some of the most notable additions include Time Machine (an automated backup solution), Spaces (a virtual desktop environment), and Quick Look (a feature that allows many file types to be viewed directly in t...
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Sierra Definition
Sierra Definition
Sierra, also known as macOS 10.12, is the 13th version of OS X, released on September 20, 2016. It followed El Capitan (OS X 10.11) and is preceded by macOS High Sierra. Sierra was the first version of OS X that Apple officially labeled "macOS" instead of OS X.
Like other incremental releases of Apple's desktop operating system, Sierra built on previous versions, incorporating the same user interface and adding several new features. Notably, Sierra was designed to work more...
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