GUI Definition
Stands for "Graphical User Interface" and is pronounced "gooey." It is a user interface that includes graphical elements, such as windows, icons and buttons. The term was created in the 1970s to distinguish graphical interfaces from text-based ones, such as command line interfaces. However, today nearly all digital interfaces are GUIs.
The first commercially available GUI, called "PARC," was developed by Xerox. It was used by the Xerox 8010 Information System, which was released ...
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Macintosh Definition
Macintosh Definition
Macintosh is a line of desktop and laptop computers developed by Apple. Each Macintosh computer, or Mac, runs a version of the Mac OS, Apple's desktop operating system. Since 2001, all Macs have run Mac OS X, a redesigned version of the original Mac OS that was built from the NeXTSTEP operating system.
The original Macintosh, released in 1984, was the first personal computer to have a graphical user interface, or GUI. It was in all-in-one machine with a color display and in...
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UICC Definition
UICC Definition
Stands for "Universal Integrated Circuit Card." A UICC is a "smart card" designed to operate with 3G and 4G wireless technologies, including LTE. It can be used for multiple applications, but is commonly used as a SIM card in mobile phones. UICCs have mostly replaced ICCs (Integrated Circuit Cards), which were used with 2G and early 3G systems.
A UICC is a tiny card, smaller than a thumbnail, that includes an integrated circuit. This circuit contains a processor, non-volatile me...
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Escape Key Definition
Escape Key Definition
The Escape key is located in the upper-left corner of a computer keyboard. It typically resides to the left of the Function keys (F1, F2, F3, etc.) and above the tilde (~) key. Most often, is is labeled with the abbreviation "esc."
The Escape key has many purposes, which have evolved over time. Most uses share the common action of exiting or "escaping" an operation. The Escape key is often used to quit, cancel, or abort a process that is running on a computer.
Some specif...
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Molex Connector Definition
Molex Connector Definition
A Molex connector is a common type of connector used to power internal computer components. The name comes from the Molex Connector Company, which pioneered the two-piece electrical connectors that became standard in computers and other electronics.
Since Molex makes dozens of different connectors, there is no single connector technically called a "Molex connector." However, the term "Molex connector" has become a generic way to describe the Molex 4-pin 8981 power con...
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Cable Management Definition
Cable Management Definition
Cable management is the organization of cables connected to electrical devices. This includes power cables, network cables, audio/video cables, and many others. Managing cables is a key aspect of a clean and safe home or work environment.
Electrical devices often require multiple cables. For example, a desktop computer may require a power cord, Ethernet cable, and multiple USB cables for peripheral devices. A home theater system may include multiple power cables, as ...
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Logic Gate Definition
Logic Gate Definition
Logic gates perform basic logical functions and are the fundamental building blocks of digital integrated circuits. Most logic gates take an input of two binary values, and output a single value of a 1 or 0. Some circuits may have only a few logic gates, while others, such as microprocessors, may have millions of them. There are seven different types of logic gates, which are outlined below.
In the following examples, each logic gate except the NOT gate has two inputs, A a...
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Broadband Definition
Broadband Definition
This refers to high-speed data transmission in which a single cable can carry a large amount of data at once. The most common types of Internet broadband connections are cable modems (which use the same connection as cable TV) and DSL modems (which use your existing phone line). Because of its multiple channel capacity, broadband has started to replace baseband, the single-channel technology originally used in most computer networks. So now when you see companies like AT&...
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Coaxial Cable Definition
Coaxial Cable Definition
Coaxial (or “coax”) cable is a common type of cable used for transmitting data over long distances. It can carry either an analog or digital signal. While coax cables have many applications, they are most commonly used to transmit cable TV and Internet signals.
Coax cables that run underground are typically thicker and more heavily insulated than the cables that connect your cable box or cable modem to the wall outlet. However, they all transmit data via a thin copper l...
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T1 Definition
T1 Definition
This is a data transfer system that transfers digital signals at 1.544 megabits per second (quite a bit faster than a 56K modem, which maxes out at around 0.056 Mbps). Most small to mid-sized colleges and business have T1 lines for their Internet connections. Because of the T1's large bandwidth, hundreds of people can be accessing the Internet from one T1 line. However, like all good things, too many people on one T1 line can cause dramatic decreases in data transfer speeds. For th...
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