Glossary
binary - the base-2 numbering system that
most computers use.
bit - binary digit; smallest possible
unit of information that a computer can process
brightness - amount of white or black in a
colour
byte - common unit of computer storage; a
byte is 8 bits
CCD - charge-coupled device: a
light-sensitive chip-mounted device used in scanners to convert light into an
electrical charge.
CD - compact disc, a standard medium
for storing digital data.
clipboard - area of a computer's memory that
ho0lds what you last cut or copied; paste inserts a copy of the current contents
of the clipboard.
contrast - the relationship between the
lightest and darkest areas in an image.
cursor - Latin word sometimes used to
describe the pointer or the insertion point.
dpi - dots per inch; measurement of the
density of information in an image; also the measurement of the resolution of
printers and image setters. Se ppi
greyscale - depiction of grey tones between
black and white; usually composed of 256 greys.
image - graphic, photograph or
illustration
interpolation - estimation of values between two
known values; assignment of an intermediate colour to pixel based on the colour
of the surrounding pixels.
justification - alignment of text at both sides
of a paragraph through the adjustment of word spacing.
margin - outer area of the page
surrounding the principal text and image areas.
menu - list of
commands.
monochrome - tonal original, in shades of only
one colour, such as black
pixel - picture element: the smallest
distinct unit of a bitmap image
RAM - random access memory: memory that
a computer uses to store information it's processing at any given
moment.
RGB - red, green, blue; the colour
model used by scanners and monitors
scroll bars - bars equipped with a scroll box
and scroll arrows which enable you to scroll vertically or horizontally within
windows.
spine - binding edge of a document; part
of a document's cover which is visible when placed on a
shelf.
style sheets - stored grouping of text formats
used to format paragraphs quickly and accurately.
template - document with special content
that you use repeatedly to form the basis of new
documents.
virtual memory – a means of using storage memory
on a disk to supplement RAM.