Toshiba 8000 Tecra 8000 Users Guide - Page 270

246 Glossary H half duplex: A type of data transmission in which data flows between two devices in one direction at a time. See also full duplex. handles: Eight small boxes that appear around a graphical object when you select it. You can use the handles to change the size and shape of the object. Dragging the middle handle on one side of an object stretches or shrinks the object in that direction, changing its shape as well as its size. Dragging a corner handle makes the object larger or smaller while preserving its shape. handshake: The series of signals between a computer and a peripheral device (such as a modem) that sets the parameters required for exchanging data. hard disk: A storage device composed of a rigid platter or platters that can be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold much more information than removable disks and are used for long-term storage of programs and data. Hard disks are usually not userremovable. By default, the hard disk is referred to as drive C. hardware: The physical, electronic and mechanical components of a computer system, including devices such as a screen, disk drive, printer, pointing device and processor. hexadecimal: The base-16 numbering system used by programmers to represent binary numbers. Digits above 9 are represented by letters (the 15 digits are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E and F). Two hexadecimal digits are equivalent to the eight bits in a byte. For example, F1 in hexadecimal is equivalent to 11110001 in binary. See also binary, decimal. high-density disk: A 3.5-inch disk that holds 1.44 MB of data. high memory area: The first 64 KB of extended memory. hot key: 1) A feature in which certain keys in combination with the Fn key can set system options or control system parameters, such as the battery save mode. 2) A key or combination of keys that activates a memory resident program. hot swapping: The ability to replace devices such as PC Cards, optional modules or USB peripherals while the computer is turned on. Hot swapping should not be attempted while the device is in use. Part III: Appendixes