Easy Mac OS X Lion - Kate Binder [62]
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 they 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, or LAN.
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 MobileMe.
iLife Apple’s bundle of entertainment programs, including iMovie, iPhoto, and GarageBand.
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.
Internet The global network of computers that encompasses the World Wide Web, instant messaging, email, and many other ways to communicate and share data.
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, a company that provides access to the Internet.
iTunes Store Apple’s online content store, accessible via iTunes, which offers music, podcasts, and video both free and for sale.
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.
Launchpad A grid of application icons designed to give quick access to all of the Mac’s programs.
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
mail server A computer that directs email to and from a local computer on the Internet.
memory See RAM.
menu A list of commands that appears when the user clicks a keyword or icon.
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.
Mission Control An “eagle’s eye” view of all Spaces currently in use, including the Dashboard.
MobileMe An online service available