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Click on the term you want defined. Some definitions will link to more detailed explanations. Abort Sequence K AppleScript KMA AppleTalk LAN Background LMAO Background Application Mass Storage Device BRB NP BTW Remote Access CD-R/W ROFL CMFIC ROTFL Forced Restart RTFM Freeze TCP/IP FTP TIA HTML WWW ICQ WYSIWYG IPX YMMV IRC ISP

Some definitions will link to more detailed explanations.

Abort Sequence		A series of steps used to abort a task, break free from a frozen program, or restart the system.
AppleScript		A scripting language for the Macintosh that allows one to automate tasks.
AppleTalk		A communications protocol that simplifies communications between Macintosh computers and other devices on a LAN (c.f.) such as printers, and mass storage devices (c.f.)
Background		Usually this word refers to the picture or pattern that is visible from the desktop, that the drive and file icons appear to rest on. May also refer to the same in a window.
Background Application		Any program (such as applications, extensions, and control panels to name a few) that runs without the user having a direct interface to work with. Some examples include taking a program like AppleWorks and hiding it from the applications menu.
BRB		"Be Right Back"
BTW		"By The Way"
CD-R/W		Compact Disk Read/Writeable - A format of compact disk (CD) that allows for writing ("burning" in geekspeak) one's own disks.
CMFIC		"Chief Mother F***er In Charge" - refers to the boss, foreman, et cetera.
Forced Restart		A fairly drastic recourse sometimes necessitated by a frozen system. (c.f., "freeze")
Freeze		When the computer apparently stops working and no longer respondes to user input.
FTP		File Transfer Protocol - This is the telecommunications protocol that allows for files to be transfered over the Internet. Other formats include "HTTP", "HTML".
HTML		Hyper Text Markup Language - Litterally, the programming language of the net, as it is HTML that tells your web browser how to properly diplay the text in this website.
HTTP		Hyper Text Transfer Protocol - the communications protocol that works primarily with HTML to allow information to be transmitted over the web, as well as allow for links to actually "link."
ICQ		ICQ ("I Seek You") is a communications program that allows for short (Å1K in length) text messages to be sent very quickly to others who use ICQ. It has many advantages over email, but does not replace email. Can send files, too.
IMHO		"In My Humble Opinion"
IMO		"In My Opinion"
IPX		IPX is a communications protocol developed by Novell (popular on Wintel systems) which Macs can access by using MacIPX software, available from VersionTracker.com and others.
IRC		Internet Relay Chat - Allows for two or more people to communicate in real or near-real time with each other by typing in messages into a window, which subsequently appear on the other's screens.
ISP		Internet Service Provider - This is who gives you access to the Internet. Examples include Earthlink/Sprint, AOL, and (our host) 2fords.net
K		Abbreviation for "Okay"
KMA		"Kiss My A**"
LAN		Large Area Network -or- Local Access Network, depending on who you ask... Usually run on 10 Base-T ethernet or faster communications wire.
LMAO		"Laughing My A** Off"
LOL		"Laughing Out Loud"
Mass Storage Device		Previously viewed as any data storage device (typically harddisks, tapes, and similar media) that could hold a minimum of 10 GB, but more recently the threshhold has been pushed up to 100 GB or more.
NP		"No Problem"
Remote Access		Remote Access is Apple's simplified interface for connecting Macintosh computers to the internet or from modem to modem. It can be accessed through your Control Panels folder, or through the Remote Access Control Strip Module.
ROFL		"Rolling On Floor, Laughing"
ROTFL		"Rolling On The Floor, Laughing"
RTFM		"Read The F***ing Manual" - Just that... (and don't argue.)
TCP/IP		Tele-Comunications Protocol / Internet Protocol - This is communications format used to send information over the internet, whether the computer is connected to the 'Net by a modem, ISDN, T1, T3, OC3, or other...
TIA		"Thanks In Advance"
WWW		"World Wide Web" - Though often referred to as the "World Wide Wait..." this refers primarily to the structure of the Internet, and not to a specific file format - although HTML does reign supreme as the file format of choice.
WYSIWYG		"What You See Is What You Get" - In otherwords, the image that you see on screen is how the image will look in its final form. Most Word Processors and HTML editors are WYSIWYG.
YMMV		"Your Mileage May Vary" - You may get different results.

Abort Sequence

An abort sequence is the series of steps used by the computer operator in an attempt to either abort a task, break free from a "frozen" (c.f.) program, or restart the system to clear whatever problem the computer may have been experiencing. Should the abort sequence fail to resolve the problem. a Forced Restart may be necessary.

 

First, try pressing the <Escape> key (located in the upper left corner of the keyboard). If this should fail, then try pressing the <Command> Key (the "Apple" key, but referred to in writing by the use of that little cloverleaf-looking thingy...) and the period key at the same time. This is often written as follows: <Command-Period> or <Command-.> If this should fail to abort the activity, then try pressing the <Command> and <Power> keys (upper right keyboard) at the same time. On revision A and B iMacs, press the programmers switch (indicated by a triangle) which is located below the reset button inside the right sidepanel... If this works, then you will be dropped into the programmer's box (a blank white window with a cursor). Here, type "G Finder" (without the quotes) and press <Return>. If all goes well, you will be returned to the Finder - at which point, you should save all unsaved data and restart the computer in order to minimize further complications.

AppleScript

AppleScript is a "scripting language" used to automate tasks on your Macintosh. The difference between a script and a program is that while a script tells a program (like Photoshop, for example) "darken image 25%" - it is up to the program (Photoshop) to know how to do it (multiply the value of every pixel by .25 and store back in same position [or however the actual code looks]). Because AppleScript ("AS") is a scripting language, it can be used to automate tasks that you would normally have to do manually, step-by-step. AppleScript can use multiple programs to perform fairly complex and/or tedious jobs. AppleScript programs - or "scripts" as they are referred to - can be written using a variety of freeware, shareware, and commercially available utilities. Fortunately, Apple includes an AppleScript editting program with each release of its operating system. "Script Editor" can be found in your "Apple Extras" folder on your harddrive, or do a search for it using Sherlock. To enter a script, simply run Script Editor (or equivalent) and type in the program as you have seen it (or copy/paste it if you can). Then save your program as either a Compiled Script, or as a Run-Only Application, and then try running it. If you wish to edit the program in the future, then save as a Compiled Script. If you wish to speed up the launching and execution of a script, then save it as a Run-Only Application, but realize that you will not be able to edit this new file. When saving as a Run-Only Application, always select the "Never Show Startup Screen" button, and make sure that "Stays Open" button remains unchecked.

 

For more on AppleScript: Apple, ScriptWeb, AppleScripter's Website

 

CD-R/W

 

CD-R/W stands for "Compact Disk Read/Writable" which means that it is just like a regular CD-ROM, except that the disk can be written to more than once.

 

Forced Restart

 

One of the most serious measures available to the computer operator in the event of a "freeze" (c.f.). The Forced Restart should be attempted only after the Abort Sequence has been tried.

 

If all these attempts fail, then your last resort is to press the <Command-Option-Power> keys and force a reboot (or on Rev A and B iMacs, this is the little reset hole located in the right side panel, above the one indicated by the triangle.) This will force the Mac to restart - you will lose all data that had not been saved at that time.

 

Freeze

 

A freeze is when the computer has apparently quit working. A freeze can be an indication of many phenomena, including, but not limited to: a program/application merely being in deep-thought and not wanting to be disturbed during its task, to a problem with the operating system or hardware. However, a more common cause of freezing can be when a program that is running encounters a problem that it doesn't know how to deal with - a situation that can possibly be remedied by using the Abort Sequence. An even more serious problem with either programs or software or even hardware will likely require a Forced Restart or even a complete shutdown/power-up sequence. Be aware, however, that there is no set "rule-of-thumb" as to when an abort sequence should be used. On the other hand, if you have been staring at the screen for 5 minutes without any change in the time display, or in disk access, then you might want to consider trying the abort sequence. NOTE: If the abort sequence is used, there is no guarantee that you will be able to regain control of the system without resorting to a forced restart. In either case, you risk losing any data that has not been saved prior to the freeze.

 

HTML

HTML stands for "Hyper Text Markup Language" - in layman's terms, it is the language that the internet uses to describe how to display the text and graphics of webpages. A markup language (such as HTML) is closely related to the instructions that an editor or a typographer would use to control the look of a page of text. A markup language is not the same as a programming language (such as Java, Visual Basic, C++, et cetera). Many colleges and technical institutes offer classes in how to write HTML, but there are plenty of websites that can get a person started in writing HTML code. For faster, easier creation of webpages, I would recommend a "WYSIWYG" editor such as Claris Home Page or Adobe Page Mill, as you can simply type in the text you want to have displayed, drag-and-drop images where you want them, and you will end up with a "What You See Is What You Get" webpage.

ICQ

ICQ ("I seek you") is a program that allows users online to send messages, URLs and files back and forth to each other. Similar to email, ICQ does not have the time delay that most email programs experience, plus it sports features such as Chat, File Transfer, and a host of other capabilities. In addition, ICQ can usually transmit files more quickly than email. A competing product, Instant Messenger by AOL, has similar features, but seems to be less stable and not as fast as ICQ, although possibly more popular due to the popularity of AOL, which Instant Messenger is compatable with, and ICQ is not. The two programs are not compatible with each other. To get ICQ, simply go to http://www.icq.com and download the latest version for your computer. Simply fill out the information and within minutes, you will have ICQ up and running. AOL's Instant Messanger can be found at http://www.versiontracker.com. Both programs are freeware at the time this article is being written. *** NOTE: there is a new product called "FIRE!" that is supposed to be able to handle both AOL IM format and ICQ format - as well as others. However, it is only going to be released on OS X.

IPX

IPX is a networking protocol (like AppleTalk) that was originally developed for Wintel/PC machines, but was brought over to Macintosh computers several years ago. The Macintosh version of IPX is called MacIPX, and comes with numerous games that are played cross-platform, such as MechWarrior 2, Descent, and others. Use MacIPX only when communicating with Wintel/PC computers on a network, otherwise stick with AppleTalk which is not only faster, but more stable than IPX. MacIPX consists of 4 files: MacIPX (control panel), MacIPX AppleTalk, MacIPX Ethernet, MacIPX TokenRing (which are all extensions). If you have these files on your harddrive, but are not planning on communicating with PC's using the IPX networking protocol, then you may remove these four files from their respective system folders and trash them or store them for later use, or simply disable them using the Extensions Manager.

LAN

Large Area Network -or- Local Access Network, depending on who you ask... Usually run on 10 Base-T ethernet or faster communications wire. LANs can run a number of different protocols to control the communications. Such protocols include: AppleTalk, IPX, TCP/IP, and others. With the proper setup, a single LAN can run more than one protocol at a time, but it is better to stick to one in order to reduce the chances of errors and crashes. Of the 3 protocols listed above, AppleTalk is probably the easiest to setup and maintain, where IPX is the most difficult, but each one has their respective advantages and disadvantages.