A set of programs from Adobe: 1) Acrobat Exchange is used for converting documents into PDF (portable document format) files that retain the original "look and feel" with special formatting, graphics, and colour intact; and 2) Acrobat Reader is used for viewing and printing PDF formatted files such as the OIT user documentation; a program distributed via the OIT Software To Go web site. More information can be found at www.adobe.com, free download from www.adob.com/products/acrobat/readstep/2.html

The default native Adobe Illustrator file format. This file format supports layer imports and is the preferred choice of suffix for vector files.

Bitmap file; a common image format on Windows computers. Files of this type usually have the suffix ".bmp" as part of their name.

A type of disk drive that can create CD-ROMs and audio CDs. CD-R drives that feature multisession recording allow you to continue adding data to a compact disk which is very important if you plan on using the drive for backup.

Compact Disk, Read Only Memory; a high-capacity secondary storage medium. Information contained on a CD is read-only. Special CD-ROM mastering equipment available in the OIT Multimedia Lab can be reserved for creating new CDs.

A CD-RW disk allows you to write data onto it multiple times instead of just once (a CD-R disk). With a CD-R drive you can use a CD-RW disk just like a floppy or zip disk for backing up files, as well as for creating CD-ROMs and audio CDs.

Opposite of compressing a file; the process of restoring the file to its original size and format. The most common programs for decompressing files are PKUNZIP for IBM PC and compatible computers (.zip files) and Compact Pro (.cpt files) or Stuffit Expander (.sit files) for Macintosh computers. Certain DOS files with the extension ".exe" are self-extracting and do not require a program for decompressing. All Macintosh files with the extension ".sea" are self-extracting.

Digital video disk; a type of compact disc that holds far more information than the CD-ROMs that are used for storing music files. A DVD can hold a minimum of 4.7 GB, enough for a full-length movie. MPEG-2 is used to compress video data for storage on a DVD. DVD drives are backward-compatible and can play CD-ROMs.

Dots per inch; a measure of a printer's resolution. The higher the number, the better the print quality. A minimum of 600 dpi usually is required for professional-looking results.

Encapsulated PostScript; a graphics format that describes an image in the PostScript language.

A collection of data that has a name (called the filename). Almost all information on a computer is stored in some type of file. Examples: data file (contains data such as a group of records); executable file (contains a program or commands that are executable); text file (contains data that can be read using a standard text editor).

A method of preventing unauthorized access to or from a particular network; firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or both.

A way to connect different pieces of equipment so they can quickly and easily share information. FireWire (also referred to as IEEE1394 High Performance Serial Bus) is very similar to USB. It preceded the development of USB when it was originally created in 1995 by Apple. FireWire devices are hot pluggable, which means they can be connected and disconnected any time, even with the power on. When a new FireWire device is connected to a computer, the operating system automatically detects it and prompts for the driver disk (thus the reference "plug-and play.

A complete assortment of letters, numbers, and symbols of a specific size and design. There are hundreds of different fonts ranging from businesslike type styles to fonts composed only of special characters such as math symbols or miniature graphics.

The default native Adobe InDesign file format. Now becoming the industry standard page layout tool of choice.

The exported format for Adobe InDesign files that can be opened in older versions of the software.

Joint Photographic Experts Group; a graphics format which compresses an image to save space. Most images imbedded in web pages are GIFs, but sometimes the JPEG format is used (especially for detailed graphics or photographs). In some cases, you can click on the image to display a larger version with better resolution.

Headquartered in Carlstadt, NJ, Pantone, Inc. is the world-renowned authority on colour and provider of colour systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of colour across a variety of industries. The PANTONE® Name is known worldwide as the standard language for colour communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer. In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone's founder, created an innovative system of identifying, matching and communicating colours to solve the problems associated with producing accurate colour matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM®, a book of standardized colour in fan format. Over the last 40 years, Pantone has expanded its colour matching system concept to other colour-critical industries, including digital technology, textiles, plastics, architecture and contract interiors. It continues to develop colour communication tools for a variety of industries and aggressively adopts new digital technology to address the colour needs of design and production professionals.

The range of colours a computer or an application is able to display. Most new computers can display as many as 16 million colours, but a given program may use only 256 of them. Also refers to a display box containing a set of related tools within a desktop publishing or graphics design program.

A page description language primarily used for printing documents on laser printers; it is the standard for desktop publishing because it takes advantage of high-resolution output devices. Example: A graphic design saved in PostScript format looks much better when printed on a 600 dpi printer than on a 300 dpi printer.

Portable Document Format; a type of formatting that enables files to be viewed on a variety computers regardless of the program originally used to create them. PDF files retain the "look and feel" of the original document with special formatting, graphics, and colour intact. You use a special program or print driver (Adobe Distiller or PDF Writer) to convert a file into PDF format. The Acrobat Reader program distributed via the OIT Software To Go Web site is required to view a PDF file.

The default native Adobe Photoshop file format. Long established as the market leader in the handling of bitmap files.

A common file compression utility for Macintoshes. Compressed files are referred to as "stuffed" and usually end with a ". sit" file extension. A special kind of stuffed file is self-extracting and ends with a ".sea" extension. Stuffed binary files can be converted to ASCII format for transfer over the Internet; such files have a ".sit.hqx" or ".sea.hqx" extension.

Tag Image File Format; a popular file format for storing bit-mapped graphic images on desktop computers. The graphic can be any resolution and can be black and white, grey-scale, or colour. Files of this type usually have the suffix ".tif" as part of their name.

The process of transferring one or more files from your local computer to a remote computer. The opposite action is download.

A Windows-based file compression utility for IBM PC and compatibles. Compressed files are referred to as "zipped" and usually end with a ".zip" file extension. A special kind of zipped file is self-extracting and ends with a ".exe" extension.

A common file compression format for IBM PC or compatibles; the utility PKZIP is used for compressing files and PKUNZP is used for decompressing. Zipped files usually end with a ".zip" file extension. A special kind of zipped file is self-extracting and ends with a ".exe" extension.

Universal Serial Bus is the industry standard interface for connecting peripherals to a Mac or PC. Replaced the SCSI interface and enables 127 devices to be connected to one computer. USB3 now transfers data at very high speeds.