The window where the input (focus) is directed.
Application Program
Programs such as word processors, transaction processors, and computer-aided drafting, that you run on your network computer. Also know as client. See Client.
Button (on the display)
A small display box that has a raised appearance and contains text. Generally, clicking on a button activates a function or performs some action. See Clicking.
Button (on the mouse)
The three buttons on the top of the mouse. See Select, Menu, and Custom.
Clicking
Quickly pressing and releasing the Select mouse button without moving the pointer.
Client
An application program that connects to the server. A client program performs a variety of tasks, including window management.
Chroma
A term that describes the saturation or vividness of a color. A chroma of 0 describes a neutral, gray color. Chroma ranges to the most vivid color a screen or printer generates for a specific hue and value. See Hue and Value.
Colormap
Consists of a set of entries defining color values. A pixel value indexes into the colormap thereby producing intensities of red, green, and blue which are visible on a display.
Command Line
The line that you type to invoke a program or initiate an action. A command line usually contains the name of an X client or application program, along with optional arguments known as command-line options.
Cterm
A user-level protocol which is part of the DECnet Protocol set. Cterm provides a Network Virtual Terminal, which allows you to log in to a remote host on the network as if you are using a terminal directly attached to the remote host.
Custom (mouse button)
The factory default defines this as the right mouse button.
Cursor
The visible shape of a pointer on the screen. Defining a cursor for a window controls the visible appearance when the pointer is in that window. See Pointer.
DAP
See Data Access Protocol.
Data Access Protocol (DAP)
A protocol that provides read and write support for font files, the color definition file, or remote configuration files.
Dialog Box
A box where you choose options and enter information. Use the mouse to move from field to field, click on buttons and position the text cursor. Enter information with the keyboard.
Display
A device that receives video output from the logic module and displays the video output on a screen.
Dragging
Pressing and holding down the Select mouse button while moving the pointer.
Ethernet
An IEEE standard protocol used within various networks, including TCP/IP.
Ethernet Address
The factory-defined hardware address of the network computer. Network hardware uses the Ethernet address when communicating to the network. This address is on the serial number label on the back of the logic module. You can also display the Ethernet address by viewing the TCP/IP Configuration Summary Menu in Setup.
Event
In the X Window System, information sent by the X server to an X client - for example, notification to the client that you pressed a mouse button.
Factory Default
The value assigned to a parameter as delivered from the factory.
Firmware
Software instructions that are permanently stored in the memory of a computer and are not lost when you turn the power off. Also called NVRAM.
Hardcopy
A physical copy (typically printed on paper) of a file.
Hardware
The physical parts of a computing device, such as a network computer.
Host Computer
A computer device that controls the exchange of data between itself and another network computer. Network computers typically boot from a host.
HostMenu
A window showing a list of host computer names and network addresses. Use the mouse to select a computer where you have a login account.
Hue
A term that describes a color family (for example, red or yellow). Hue is a polar coordinate - that is, it moves in a circular motion around the color spectrum - and ranges from 0º to 360º, with 0º being red. Hue is measured in degrees. See Chroma and Value.
Index Area
A box on the screen that lets you enter a color index - an integer used to label a particular color - from the keyboard.
Input Device
A device that allows you to send information to a window. Typical input devices include keyboards, mice, tablets, and trackballs. See Pointer and Pointing Device.
Interface
A common connection that is used for sending or accepting information and control between programs and machines.
Internet Address (IP Address)
A system administrator-assigned address for the network computer. This address is used under TCP/IP when the network software of the network computer generates messages to another host. The IP address is in the form nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn where nnn is a decimal number in the range 0 to 255. You can display the IP address by viewing the Network Configuration Summary Menu in Setup.
Internet Protocol (IP)
The network layer protocol for the Internet Protocol Suite. Internet Protocol is responsible for addressing and routing packets between hosts.
Keyboard
An input device that allows you to communicate with your client program.
LAN
See Local Area Network.
LAT
See Local Area Transport
Local Area Network (LAN)
The linking together of terminals, network computers, and computers via cables and microwave links. This allows you to access more than one computer.
Local Area Transport (LAT)
A client which provides a connection to a host computer that supports LAT.
Local Clients
Programs running on the same host as the server.
Logic Module
A device that gets data from a host, a keyboard, or a peripheral, and processes it for viewing on the display. The logic module runs the X server and local clients. It can be a separate unit, or integrated into the base of the monitor.
Memory
A part of a network computer that stores data.
Menu
A list of commands or functions that you select with a pointer. A menu is normally displayed in a small window.
Menu (mouse button)
The factory default defines this as the middle mouse button.
Move
Change the location of the pointer on the screen by moving the mouse.
Mouse
An input device that, when moved across a flat surface, causes the pointer to move across a screen. The mouse usually has buttons that you press to send signals. These signals, in turn, accomplish certain functions. The representation of the mouse on the screen is called the pointer. See Pointer.
Network
The physical wires connecting two or more computers. These connections allow information to move electronically between computers.
Network Computer
A computer that displays information which usually resides on another computer. A network computer consists of a display, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, a logic module, an X server, and local clients. See Display, Logic Module, Mouse, Pointer, and X Server.
Parameter
A variable that is given a specific value. This value is passed to a program before execution.
Peripheral Device
A device used to input or output data for the network computer. The XPT/A graphics tablet is a supported peripheral device for network computers.
Pixel
The smallest part of a screen surface that can be addressed.
Pointer
The pointer allows you to make selections in menus, to size and position windows and icons, and to select the window where you want to send the input. The window manager determines the shape of the pointer. See Pointing Device.
Pointing Device
Typically a mouse, tablet, or some other device with effective dimensional motion. The core protocol defines only one visible cursor, which tracks whatever pointing device is attached as the pointer. See Pointer.
Port
A physical connection (such as a multi-pin connector or coaxial connector) and its associated firmware, that permits one computing device to communicate data and control information with another computing device or peripheral device.
Protocol
A set of rules that allows computers to transfer information across a network to other computers that speak different computer languages.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Special firmware in the network computer that allows it to boot without being connected to a host computer.
RGB
An additive method of combining percentages of red, green, and blue primary colors to form other colors.
ROM
See Read-Only Memory.
Root Weave
The window that fills the screen during an X session. All windows opened by clients appear on top of the root window. See Stipple Pattern.
RS-232-C
A standard communications interface defined by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) to control data communications using standard voltages, signal lines, and device interactions.
Screen
The monitor. This is where text and graphical information is displayed for viewing. See Window.
Select (mouse button)
The factory default defines this as the left mouse button.
Setup Key
A special key on the keyboard, marked Setup. Pressing this key takes you to the Setup program.
Serial Port
One or more optional physical connectors on your network computer. Attach a serial cable (RS 232) to communicate with a peripheral device such as a modem or printer.
Serial Port Session
A session started through one of the serial ports: either Serial Port 0 or Serial Port 1.
Serial Xpress (SXp)
A serial protocol used for fast serial communications between a host computer and a network computer. Can be used with or without a modem.
Server
The combination of graphics display, hardware, and server software that provides display services for clients. The server also handles keyboard and mouse input. See Client and X Server.
Setup
A local X client program used to configure the network computer.
Software
A set of instructions that tell the computer to perform a certain task in order to obtain a specific result. See Client.
Stipple Pattern
In the X Window System, the underlying pattern displayed (with the X cursor) when there are no other windows on the screen. If a window is created, the window appears on top of the stipple pattern. See Root Window.
SXp
See Serial Xpress.
TCP
See Transmission Control Protocol.
TCP/IP
See Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
Telnet
A user-level protocol which is part of the Internet Protocol set. Telnet provides a Network Virtual Terminal, which allows you to log in to a remote host on the network as if you are using a terminal directly attached to the remote host.
TekHostMenu
See HostMenu.
Terminal
An interactive input/output device used in computer systems or networks.
Text Cursor
The I-shaped pointer which appears in a text input area. Clicking the mouse in a text input area causes the text cursor to appear in that area. Whatever information you type on the keyboard appears in the text input area displaying the text cursor.
TFTP
See Trivial File Transfer Protocol.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
The Internet transport layer protocol which provides a reliable, bi-directional byte stream connection between two cooperating user-level processes.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Using the TCP and IP protocols to obtain a reliable, bi-directional byte stream connection between two cooperating user-level processes. Commonly this refers to the entire Internet Protocol suite, including TCP, IP, UDP, ICMP, and other protocols.
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
A protocol used for downloading server images. It is also used for reading and writing font files, the color definition file, or remote configuration files.
UNIX
A host operating system.
Value
A term describing the lightness or darkness of a color. Value ranges from 0 (black) to 100 (white). See Chroma and Hue.
WinDD
A client that allows you to access and run Windows NT applications from your network computer.
Window
In the X Window System, typically a region on the screen of a display created by an X client for displaying data. (An X client can create more than one window.) For example, the xterm terminal emulator, xfd font displayer, and the bitmap graphics editor all create windows. You can use a window manager to manipulate windows on the screen. See Window Manager.
Window Manager
An X client that allows you to organize and rearrange windows. The window manager controls the size and placement of windows and can also control window attributes such as border size.
Xhost
A host X program that controls access to the server from the host program.
X Server
A program that runs locally on a network computer and lets you use the screen of the network computer. The X server processes a request (for example, a request to create a window), collects input data, and sends information (called an event) to clients. See Event.
Xterm
An X client that emulates an ANSI-style terminal for programs that do not use the capabilities of windows directly.
X Window System
A set of network protocols developed by MIT for workstations; also called X