glossary — F
File Extension
A string of characters following the period after the name of a computer document that identifies the file type.
File Format
The specific structure or arrangement of data store in a file used by a specific software program to create, store, and view a file. Each different type of file has a different file format that defines the way it is stored and used and is software- and/or hardware-specific.
Filename
A string of characters, sometimes limited in number, used to identify a document stored in the file system of a computer, often includes a file extension.
File Server
A computer in a network that stores programs and data files that can be accessed by other computers.
Filewall
Computer software designed and intended to prevent unauthorized access to system software or data.
FireWire
FireWire is Apple Inc.'s proprietary name for the IEEE 1394 interface. It is a high-speed serial bus that supports very fast transfer rates. FireWire was developed by Apple and is the IEEE1394 standard for I/O technology that connects multimedia and storage peripherals to a PC. It works well for multimedia peripherals such as DV (Digital Video) cameras and other high-speed devices like the latest hard disk drives, CD/DVD burners and printers.
Flash®
Flash is a vector-based animation technology developed by Macromedia
(now Adobe). Used to develop interactive graphics for Web sites as well
as desktop presentations and games (Windows and Mac). Flash animations
download quickly, are of high quality, are browser independent (look
the same on different browsers), and scale to fit the browser window.
However,
Flash animations present accessibility challenges for screen reader users
and people who use the keyboard to navigate, and may not be accessed or
crawled by search engines.
Flash Drive
USB Flash drives are small, lightweight, removable and rewritable, solid-state storage devices integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface. Flash drives are a popular type of portable storage for small digital devices, such as digital cameras. Read this article to learn more about Flash Drives.
Flash Memory
Inexpensive, solid-state, non-volatile, rewritable memory that functions like a combination of RAM and hard disk used in memory cards such as CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, etc. It is memory that retains information even when the power is off. Because it contains no moving parts, flash memory uses very little power and is also very durable. Used in devices like digital cameras, audio players, handheld computers, cell phones, USB flash drives and printers. Read about Flash Drives.
Focus Group
A small representative group of people who give their opinions on various topics as part of political or market research.
Font
In typography: a full set of printing type or of printed or screen characters
of a single size and style that belong to the same typeface; a specific
size and style of type within a type family. For example, all characters
for 10 point Helvetica Bold is a font, and the 12 point size would be another
font.
It shouldn't be confused with typeface, which
defines the shape of the characters. Typeface represents one aspect of
a font. The font also includes such characteristics as size, weight, italics,
etc. Arial is a typeface; Arial 24-point bold is a font. Typeface also
refers to the raised surface carrying the image of a type character cast
in metal.
Four-Color Process / CMYK
Full color printing technique achieved by the separation of images into screened negatives of four process colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). All four images are printed superimposed to simulate simulate the continuous tones and variety of colors in a color image. The standard color model used in the printing process as opposed to Red/Green/Blue (RGB), which is the standard for images reproduced on a computer. To gain a better understanding, study Wikipeida's entries for color, and additive color and subtractive color.
File Transfer Protocol – FTP
Web pages are transferred between computers using the HTTP protocol. Other types of files are sent using FTP. Users can share files, such as music and videos between themselves and the rest of the world by uploading them to a server and then allowing others to download them to their own computers.
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Sources:
Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary, Third Edition; Microsoft Encarta College
Dictionary; Wikipedia; Wiktionary; Urban Dictionary
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