If you want to add password protection, click the Change Password button. Type the

Glossary print queue An area in which all print jobs for a specific printer wait to be printed. The print queue holds the jobs so that you can get on with your work in Windows. As the printer becomes available to print a job, the queue sends them along, one by one. print server The server that manages the printing for all users on a network. It receives all requests for print jobs sent by the networked PCs, places the jobs in a queue to wait their turn, and then routes the job to available printers attached to the server. program virus Viruses that attach themselves to executable files and load themselves into memory when you run the file. The file might be an EXE or COM file, but it also might be a SYS, DLL, BIN, or other file on your system. If you double-click an infected EXE file, such as an ani- mation file you receive from a friend, the virus activates and spreads through your computer. proprietary Describes a protocol or communications system that was developed by a com- pany rather than one that follows established standards. protocol Part of software is a language that the computers can use to communicate, called a protocol. Windows contains three such protocols from which you can choose. proxy server These servers control what the user can and cannot access on the Internet. Proxy servers also might reduce user wait times by relieving bandwidth congestion, offer net- work security features, log events, and so on. Some proxy server software is installed on a dedicated computer that acts as a gateway and barrier between the LAN and the Internet. QoS Short for quality of service. QoS is Microsoft’s addition to Windows 2000 and XP, although it is used by other manufacturers, to enable a smoother flow of traffic on the network. An administrator can set higher and lower priorities on a network using the QoS settings. quick logon This type of logon ignores any network drive connections you might have set so that you can get on the network and start working immediately. radio frequency RF A method of wireless networking, radio frequency describes the num- ber of times per second a radio wave vibrates 900 MHz, in this case. Radio signals penetrate light obstacles, such as thin walls. radio frequency shielding Also called RF shielding, this is usually a thin piece of metal placed between a circuit board and other electronic equipment to help prevent interference with the circuit board. RAM random access memory Temporary memory in a computer. The memory stores the data related to a task that the processor is currently dealing with. RAMDAC RAM digital-to-analog converter In a video card, RAMDAC is the electronic com- ponent that changes the digital video signal of the card to a signal the monitor can read. RAM- DAC speed affects the speed of images appearing on the screen. The standard RAMDAC is 135 MHz, although some cards are faster. The faster the RAMDAC, the better. Random Access Memory See RAM. RARP Reverse Address Resolution Protocol One of the TCPIP protocols; it translates physical network addresses into IP addresses. read-only access Sharing option that enables others to open and view folders, or open, view, and copy files; however, read-only access doesn’t enable others to modify a file or delete anything. Glossary read-only memory See ROM. real time Describes an event or process that is currently taking place. A good example of real time is this: When you’re talking on the telephone to someone, you’re talking in real time. When you leave a message on someone’s answering machine and that person hears the mes- sage later, that person is not hearing your message in real time. Red Hat Linux A popular distribution of Linux. refresh rate Describes how many times per second the image is refreshed, or redrawn, on the screen. The faster the refresh rate, the less flicker you see on screen. The default setting for most monitors is 60 Hz, but you should use 75 to 85 Hz to reduce flicker and eyestrain. Registry The area of the Windows operating systems that contains all configuration files for the computer user. For example, the Registry lists user preferences, desktop colors, fonts, and program settings. If the Registry becomes corrupted, Windows might stop working altogether. Registry keys The Registry is organized in keys, or folders, that describe specific information about the computer or user. The organization is a hierarchy: Six keys represent all configura- tions and settings. Contained within the keys are subkeys and values. Registry subkeys Distinct categories represented by folders and found within Registry keys. Each subkey holds values that describe hardware, software, or other computer components. remote A hardware device that enables a user to communicate with another computer or networked device; for example, there are remote sensors you can use with your SmartHome, there are routers you can use to remotely connect to another computer, and there are wireless remotes to connect your computers. remote access Refers to the process of attaching to a network from another location and accessing resources from the remote computer. remote administration Enabling remote administration allows a user to create, change, and monitor shares on your computer. Windows lets you assign a password to this permission so that only a person who knows the password can perform these tasks. The person who knows the password can monitor the workstations from any computer on the network. remote file transfer Another common method of remote access is file transfer. File transfer involves uploading a file to or downloading a file from the remote computer. remote node The most common method of remote access is when a computer connects to an office or corporate network. The remote computer user accesses any of the resources on the office network and works as if he or she were actually in the office, sharing programs and files with coworkers. Remote Registry Service A network service that enables programs such as the System Policy Editor or System Monitor to change the Registry in a network computer repeater A network device that boosts and amplifies an analog signal in the network. repeater functions Refer to the retransmission of network packets when a collision or timing problem takes place. resolution Describes the number of pixels a device such as a scanner or printer applies to an image. Resolution is measured by a grid, such as 300×300 pixels or dots per square inch. The higher the resolution, the better the image output and the more expensive the scanner.