Dictionary of Computer Terms for PC Hardware and Data Communications: &DATA COMMUNIC.TERMS - Softcover

Shnier, Mitchell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1565921585 ISBN 13: 9781565921580

Publisher: O'Reilly Media, 1996

Synopsis

The Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications Terms covers terms in two of the most volatile and interesting areas of computer development: personal computers and networks. It provides up-to-date information about everything from a common item like "batteries" to an obscure font technology called "Speedo."The book's strength is that it is comprehensive. The author has combed the Internet and other online services to find the latest and most vexing acronyms and terms. Each entry has three sections. First, it lists the acronym; then the expansion of that acronym; and third, the definition of it.In a way, it's inaccurate to call this a dictionary because it provides long and useful descriptions of the complex terms in these two computer areas. For example, the description of PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), a popular data encryption protocol, covers three and one-half pages. The entry for PowerPC contains a table listing the clock speed, number of transistors, width in bits, cache in kilobytes, and pins of each PowerPC processor currently in use.The author has carefully cross-referenced the terms as well (to other sections of the book, and to ftp and www sites on the Internet).

About this title

From the Back Cover

Traditional computer dictionaries provide a short identifying definition, but the information is often frustratingly incomplete. You need more than an expansion of the acronym - you need enough information to understand the term's importance, context, and scope. The Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications Terms gives each term the breadth of definition it deserves. It tells you what the acronym stands for; where the technology is used and what it does; which other terms are related to it; which technologies it competes with; whether it is a standard, and if so, who supports it; whether there are problems or shortcomings you need to know about; when it was released, and what enhancements you can find in its current version; and where you can get more information about it. More importantly, this book won't go stale. O'Reilly & Associates has created a Web site, maintained by the author, where you'll always be able to find the latest information. You'll be able to look up a term by acronym or expansion and see what's new. Get started with this book; it's the one source you need.

Synopsis

Explains computer terms and acronyms, detailing what each acronym stands for and which other terms are related to it.

Edition details

• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 1565921585
• ISBN 13: 9781565921580
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 516