Glossary

A

access permissions

Settings that determine who can read, write, or move a file or folder.

accessibility

The degree to which a device or program is usable by people with disabilities.

Action menu

A pop-up menu that appears in dialog boxes and windows in the form of a gear icon. It provides access to commonly used commands.

admin user

An administrative user of Mac OS X; a user who can read, write, and move some files that do not belong to him and who can change locked System Preferences settings and install new software.

AIFF

Audio Interchange File Format is a sound file format used by iMovie and other multimedia programs.

AirPort

An Apple-branded combination of hardware (AirPort cards and the AirPort base station) and software with which computers can form a network and communicate with each other and the Internet without wires.

alias

A small file that, when double-clicked, opens the original file from which it was created.

Apple ID

A username for the Apple website and the iTunes Music Store.

Apple menu

The menu at the left end of the Mac’s menu bar, which is accessed by clicking the Apple logo; it contains commands such as Shut Down that can be used no matter which application you’re using.

AppleTalk

A proprietary Apple system for network communication, used primarily by Macs and Mac-compatible devices such as printers.

Application menu

The menu that appears to the right of the Apple menu in each program; it’s always named with the name of the program.

archive

A compressed version of a file that must be unarchived before it can be opened.

B

back up

To copy important files to a new location in case the originals are damaged or deleted.

base station

A device that creates a wireless AirPort network in conjunction with Macs equipped with AirPort cards.

Bluetooth

A wireless technology that enables computers to communicate with other devices such as PDAs, keyboards, and mice.

bookmark

A record of a web page’s location, saved for future reference.

boot

To start up a computer.

broadband

A high-speed Internet connection such as DSL or a cable modem.

burn

To write data to a disc; it usually refers to a CD or DVD.

burnable folder

A folder whose contents will be burned to a CD or DVD when the user chooses.

C

cable modem

A high-speed Internet connection that operates over your cable television line.

CD-R

Recordable CD, which can be recorded only once.

CD-RW

Rewritable CD, which can be erased and recorded again several times.

check box

Interface equivalent of the real-world object used to select options in a list or dialog box.

clip

A short section of video that can be combined with other clips in iMovie to create a movie.

Clip Shelf

The area of iMovie’s window where individual video clips are stored before they’re used in a movie.

Clip Viewer

The area of iMovie’s interface where clips are combined with transitions, effects, and each other to form a movie.

collection

A group of fonts.

color management

The science of translating and adjusting scanned, displayed, and printed colors to produce consistent color from original art to final printout.

Column view

A Finder view in which columns of file and folder listings are placed from left to right, with the left columns representing folders closer to the root level of a drive.

compressed

Refers to a file that’s reduced in size by manipulating its underlying data.

contextual menus

Menus that pop up wherever you click if you use a modifier key—specifically, the Control key. Their commands vary according to the context in which you’re working.

D

Dashboard

An interface for using small, desk accessory programs called widgets without switching out of the current program or document.

database

A data file in which each type of information is delimited in a field so the data can be sorted or otherwise manipulated based on categories.

desktop

The visual workspace in the Finder.

desktop printer

An icon that provides quick access to a printer’s features.

device profile

A file that describes the color reproduction characteristics of a printer, scanner, or monitor.

DHCP

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a method of automatically assigning a personal computer an Internet address so that the computer can connect to the Internet.

dialog box

A window in which you can click buttons, enter text, choose from pop-up menus, and drag sliders to determine the settings you want to make in a program or your system software.

dial-up

An Internet connection over a standard telephone line.

disclosure triangle

A button to the left of a folder or category name in a list; clicking it reveals the folder’s or category’s contents.

DNS server

A computer that translates URLs (such as www.apple.com) into the domain name system (DNS) numeric addresses where web browsers can find the files that make up websites.

Dock

The panel at the bottom of your Mac OS X Desktop that contains an icon for every running program, as well as icons for any other programs, folders, or documents you want to access quickly.

download

To copy files from the Internet to a local computer.

dragging and dropping

Clicking a file’s icon and dragging it into a dialog box, on top of an application’s icon, into the Dock, or elsewhere.

Drop Box

A folder within your Public folder that other users can use to give files to you; you are the only person who can see the contents of your Drop Box folder, but each user has his or her own Public folder and Drop Box.

DSL

Digital Subscriber Line, a high-speed Internet connection that operates over your phone line.

DVD

Digital video disc; a CD-like medium that holds several times as much data as CDs and that is generally used to distribute movies.

E

email

Electronic mail that travels from your computer to another computer, across the Internet or over a local network.

Ethernet

A networking technology that enables you to transfer data at high speeds.

export

To store data in a new file, separate from the currently open file.

Exposé

A set of features for moving Finder and application windows temporarily out of the way.

extension

See filename extensions.

F–G

file sharing

A system feature that enables you to transfer files from your Mac to other computers and vice versa; it can also enable other users to access your files if you allow it.

filename extensions

Three-letter (usually) codes placed at the end of filenames to signify the type of file. These may not be visible in the Finder or in application dialog boxes.

FileVault

A feature that encrypts the contents of a user’s home folder so it can’t be accessed without a password.

Finder

The part of Mac OS X that displays the contents of your hard drives and other drives in windows on your desktop.

FireWire

A type of connector for digital camcorders, hard drives, and other devices.

flash drive

A keychain-sized storage device with no moving parts that plugs into a USB port.

folder

A system-level equivalent of a real-world file folder, in which you can store files and other folders to help you organize them.

font

The software that enables your Mac to represent a particular typeface.

format

To prepare a removable disk or hard drive to accept data.

function keys

The “F” keys at the top of a keyboard are used for performing special functions that vary depending on the program being used.

H

hard drive

A device for data storage, usually found inside a computer.

hardware router

A device that shares an Internet connection across a local network.

home folder

The folder in your Mac OS X system in which you can store all your personal files.

HTML

Hypertext Markup Language, which is the coding language used to create web pages.

hub

A device that connects multiple individual computers to form a network.

I–K

icon

A picture indicating a file’s contents or type.

Icon view

A Finder view in which files are represented by graphic icons rather than just lists of names.

iDisk

A storage space on Apple’s website that’s available to any Mac user who registers for .Mac.

iLife

Apple’s bundle of programs, including iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes, and iDVD.

IMAP

The Internet Message Access Protocol, which is a less common method of connecting to a mail server.

import

To retrieve data from a file using a format other than the program’s own format.

instant messaging

A method of communicating over the Internet in which users type short messages and instantly send them to other users.

IP address

A numerical code that identifies the location of each computer on the Internet, including your Mac.

iPod

Small, portable Apple device for playing music in MP3 format.

ISP

Internet service provider, which is a company that provides access to the Internet.

JPEG

A graphic file format (Joint Photographic Experts Group) commonly used for photos displayed on the World Wide Web.

L

label

A color applied to a file icon in the Finder.

LAN

Local area network, which is a small network enclosed entirely within one building.

List view

A Finder view in which each window displays the contents of a single folder or drive in the form of a list of files.

local network address

An identifier of a computer on a LAN.

log in

To identify yourself as a particular user by entering a username and password.

login icon

A picture representing an individual user that is displayed when that user logs in or uses iChat.

M

.Mac

An online service available to any Mac user that includes an email address and web storage space, among other features.

mail server

A computer that directs email to and from a local computer on the Internet.

memory

See RAM.

menu bar

The wide, narrow strip across the top of the screen that contains drop-down menus in the Finder and in applications.

menu screens

Screens on a DVD containing buttons that lead to other screens or open movies.

minimized

A folder or document window that has been placed in the Dock, where you can see a thumbnail view of it.

modem

A device that enables your computer to connect to the Internet over a standard phone, DSL, or cable line.

modifier keys

Special keys (such as Shift, Option, , and Control) that enable you to give commands to your Mac by holding them down at the same time as you press letter or number keys or the mouse button.

monitor

A computer’s display.

motion menus

DVD menu screens that incorporate moving video in their backgrounds.

mount

To connect to a disk drive (either one connected to your Mac or one connected to a network computer) so you can access its files in the Finder.

MP3

A compressed music file that’s very small but that retains very high quality.

multiwindow mode

Finder mode in which double-clicking a folder displays its contents in a new window rather than in the same window.

N–O

network locations

Groups of network settings for specific situations or locations, such as an office LAN.

network port

Computer hardware interface used to connect the computer to a network.

NTP server

See timeserver.

operating system (OS)

The software that enables a computer to run.

P

pane

A separate page in a dialog box, usually accessible by choosing from a pop-up menu or (as in the case of System Preferences) clicking a button.

pathname

The address of a file on a hard drive; it lists the nested folders in which the file resides.

PDF

See Portable Document Format.

peripheral

A device that connects to your Mac, such as a printer, scanner, tape backup drive, or digital camera.

permissions

File attributes that determine which user owns each file and which users are authorized to read it and make changes to it.

pixel

Picture element; a square on the screen made up of a single color.

Places sidebar

A column of disk and folder icons that appears on the left side of each Finder window in multi-window mode.

playlist

A collection of songs in iTunes.

PNG

The Portable Network Graphic format is a graphic file format used on the World Wide Web.

POP

The Post Office Protocol, which is the most common method of connecting to a mail server.

pop-up menu

A menu that appears in a dialog box or other interface element rather than dropping down from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Portable Document Format

The file format used by Adobe Reader (formerly Acrobat Reader) and its related software, as well as Apple’s Preview. PDF documents look just like the original documents from which they were created.

PPP

The Point-to-Point Protocol, which is a method of connecting to the Internet via a phone modem.

PPPoE

PPP over Ethernet, a method of connecting to the Internet via a DSL modem.

preview

Small or low-res view of a file’s contents.

printer driver

A file that describes the characteristics of a printer and enables programs to use the printer’s features.

processor

The core of a computer; its brain.

profiles

Data files that characterize how a device reproduces color. See also color management.

project

A collection of files used to produce a movie in iMovie or a DVD in iDVD.

protected memory

An operating system feature that places barriers around the areas of a computer’s memory (or RAM) being used by each program, so that if one program crashes, the other programs are unaffected.

proxy preview

A thumbnail version of a document, usually in a dialog box, that can be manipulated to change the real document in the same way.

Q–R

queue

The list of documents waiting to be printed.

QuickTime

Apple’s proprietary video format.

RAM

Random access memory, which is the part of a computer that stores the currently running programs and the currently open documents so you can work with them.

reboot

To restart the Mac.

removable disk

Any media that can be ejected from its drive and used in another computer.

resolution

The number of pixels per inch contained in a graphic or displayed on a monitor.

rip

To convert songs on a CD to files on a hard drive.

router address

The IP address of the computer or device that is providing a shared Internet connection.

RSS

Really Simple Syndication, an XML format for distributing web content such as news headlines, events listings, and excerpts from discussion forums.

RTF

Rich Text Format, a format for word processor documents that retains information about bold, italic, and other formatting in a form that almost all word processors can understand.

S

screen name

A nickname by which iChat users are identified.

screen saver

A moving display that covers the screen to prevent monitor burn-in.

screen sharing

Feature that enables network users to see another Mac’s screen on their own screens and, if authorized, to control the other Mac.

screen shot

A picture of the computer’s screen.

script

A simple program that can be created and customized by a user; the Mac OS’s built-in scripting language is AppleScript.

search field

Text entry field at the top of a window where users enter search parameters.

select

To choose or designate for action; for example, the user must click a file to select it in the Finder before he can copy the file.

Services

A set of ways to access programs’ features while those programs are not running.

single-window mode

The Finder mode in which double-clicking a folder displays its contents in the same window rather than in a new window.

sleep

A state in which the Mac is still powered on but consumes less energy because it’s not being used.

slider

A dialog box control for choosing a value along a continuum.

smart folder

A folder that collects files from all over the user’s hard drive based on search criteria set by the user.

smart group

An Address Book group whose contents are updated automatically based on user-determined criteria.

smart mailbox

A mailbox in Mail that displays email messages that are actually filed in other mailboxes, based on user-determined criteria.

Space

Custom screen layout that hides extraneous windows and programs, showing only what’s in use at the time.

spam

Junk email.

speech recognition

A technology by which the Mac can understand spoken commands.

Stack

Group of related files that can be stored in separate locations on a hard drive but viewed together by clicking the Stack’s icon.

startup items

Programs or documents that open automatically when a user logs in.

storage media

A type of computer media used for data storage rather than active information exchange.

submenu

A menu that extends to the side from a command in a drop-down menu.

SuperDrive

An internal drive for writing CDs and DVDs.

sync

To synchronize data between a computer and a device such as a PDA or cell phone.

system software

See operating system (OS).

T

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol, the networking method Mac OS X uses; it is an industry standard.

text buttons

Buttons in iDVD that don’t have video images.

themes

Sets of menu and button designs that can be applied to iDVD projects.

thumbnail

Miniature image.

TIFF

A graphic file format (Tagged Image File Format) used for images destined to be printed.

timeserver

A computer on the Internet that transmits a time signal your Mac can use to set its clock automatically.

title bar

The part of a window that displays the folder’s or document’s title.

toolbar

A row of buttons for common functions that appears at the top of a window in Preview or another program.

track

A component of a song in GarageBand, consisting of the part played by a single instrument.

transition

A special effect inserted between scenes in iMovie.

Trash

The holding location for files or folders you want to delete.

U–V

URL

Uniform Resource Locator, an alphanumeric address that points to a specific location on the Internet, such as www.apple.com for Apple’s website.

USB

Universal serial bus, a type of computer connector.

username

An alphanumeric identifier of a single user.

vCard

A small file containing contact information that can be attached to an email message.

video buttons

Buttons in iDVD that have video images.

virus

A program that damages a computer or the computer’s files in some way and then reproduces itself and spreads via email or file transfers.

W–Z

web browser

A program used to view websites. Safari is the web browser that comes with OS X.

webcam

A small, digital camera used with iChat or to provide a constantly updated image over the World Wide Web.

WebDAV

A type of server that makes iCal calendars available to subscribers over the Internet.

widget

A small program that can be accessed using Dashboard.

wireless

The capability to communicate without cables; for example, AirPort is Apple’s technology for creating a wireless network between multiple Macs. See also AirPort and Bluetooth.

word processor

A program used for composing, laying out, and printing text.

Zip disk

A removable disk larger than a floppy disk that holds at least 100 times as much data as a floppy.