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Term
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Description
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GIF
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Graphics Interchange Format. A data compression
format used to compress and transfer graphic images into digital information
that can be displayed on the computer screen. Because of their smaller size,
this format is used widely on the Internet for the transfer of graphic files.
The files have a .GIF extension.
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Gigabyte
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A gigabyte is 1,073,741,824 bytes (typically
rounded off to a billion bytes). Often used to describe the capacity of
storage devices such as hard drives. 1024 Mb = 1 GB.
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GPF Error
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A General Protection Fault is an error that
occurs in Windows 3.x when a software program tries to access or use an area
in memory (an address) that is not available or already allocated to another
program. This error often ends in a frozen application that forces the user
to reboot the computer.
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Graphics Accelerator
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A type of video adapter that can boost video
speed and performance through the use of an on-board processor.
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Graphics
File Format |
Standardized file formats that describe methods
of representing an image. See Bitmapped Image and Vector Image.
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Graphics Interchange Format
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See GIF.
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Gray-Scale
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Animage produced by using varying shades of gray,
ranging from black to white.
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Green Standards
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Standards that are meant to be environmentally
friendly. A computer or peripheral can go into "doze mode" or
"sleep mode" after a certain period of non-use to help conserve
energy.
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Grounding Mat
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An antistatic mat that helps prevent
electrostatic discharge from damaging your computer when your working inside
the case. These mats often have a cord that attaches to an electric outlet
making contact only with the ground receptacle.
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Grounding Strap
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An antistatic wrist strap that attaches to the
computer case or an antistatic mat while you're working on a computer. This
safely discharges static buildup and helps prevent damage to the computer
through electrostatic discharge (ESD).
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GUI
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Graphical User Interface. An operating system
(such as Windows) with an interface or working environment that uses graphics
and icons on the screen for running programs or entering information.
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