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Welcome to our Glossary.
Here you can find the meaning of words and
expressions commonly used by computer-users.
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Words in our glossary starting with "L" ... |
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L1 cache (Level 1 Cache)
This is a small piece of very fast memory that's on the CPU chip itself, usually meant for holding instructions as they get executed. It sits between the CPU registers and the L2 cache.
L2 cache (Level 2 Cache)
This is piece of fast memory that sits between the L1 cache of the processor and main memory. It is usually larger than L1 cache, and the L1 cache checks the L2 cache before going to main memory for data (unless the L1 and L2 caches are unified). Typically, L2 caches are on the same die as the microprocessor.
L3 Cache (Level 3 Cache)
This type of cache is becoming more prevalent as microprocessor manufacturers ship more processors with L1 and L2 cache built into the processor. L3 cache is then the extra cache that sits on the motherboard between the processor and main memory, since the processor already contains L1 and L2 cache.
LAAS
The Local Area Augmentation System, is an augmentation to GPS that focuses its service on the airport area (approximately a 20-30 mile radius). It broadcasts its correction message via a very high frequency (VHF) radio data link from a ground-based transmitter.
LAB Color
In 1931 (!), the Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) came up with a color model that displays every color perceived by the human eye. In 1976, this model was updated and refined, in order to create the CIE Lab color system. Unlike RGB colors that are screen-dependent and CMYK colors that vary with printer, ink and paper characteristics, CIE Lab colors are device-independent. Therefore, the visual characteristics of these colors remain consistent on monitors, printers and scanners.
Lag
A condition caused by network congestion. When more traffic is flowing than a network or connection can handle, it causes programs waiting to send or receive data over the network to slow down, or lag. This term is often used to describe a slowdown while playing games online.
LAN (Local Area Network)
An isolated local network - for example a network in an office connecting PC's and printers. Commonly this is an Ethernet based network.
Lapping
This is the practice of sanding down the surface of a microprocessor package to make it flatter than it was initially - in order to make better contact with a heatsink. You do not sand down the microprocessor itself, but the metal surface on the top of the microprocessor to improve contact with a heatsink. Lapping can be dangerous, especially with newer processors that are smaller than their older counterparts.
Laptop
A computer small enough to fit completely on your lap.
Laser Pointer
This is typically a pen shaped device that emits a bright red laser light (LED based) that appears as a red dot on any surface it is aimed at. In a smoke filled room or a fog you can see the entire beam, and not just the endpoint of the laser. Laser pointers started out as a means for presenters to easily point to specific areas of their presentations on large presentations. Laser pointing devices are also used to target long-range rifles, as the distance a laser light beam can travel without dispersing is quite impressive, and light travels in a relatively straight line.
Laser Printer
A printer that uses a laser to etch out what is to be printed (not really etching since it's based on a sort of electro magnetism). Toner goes on this etching and then the toner is heated to bond with the print paper. Advantages of laser printers are speed and quality. Downside however is the price.
LaserLock
The Laserlock protection is one of the protections operating with unreadable sectors. These sectors are stored in the file(s) in the hidden "Laserlok" directory. There are different possibilities to copy Laserlock-protected games. See also SafeDisc. Check for a hidden directory called "LASERLOK" on the CD. It contains one or more files (exact name(s) and size(s) differ from game to game) normally named laserlok.*. Here are some examples: laserlok.in, laserlok.o10, laserlok.011. In many cases the "laserlok.in" has an exact size, e.g. 20.000 KB!!
Latency
This is a measure of how long, on the average, it takes to get a response from something. This term usually refers to network response speed, and also to storage devices (hard drives, memory, CD-ROM drives).
Latitude
[Geographic - Global Positioning] The Earth is divided into 90 degrees going both northwards and southwards from the equator (0?) to each pole (90? N and 90? S). See also Longitude.
LBA (Large or Logical Block Addressing)
This is a form of addressing used by Enhanced IDE to recognize hard drives over 528 MB, as specified in the original IDE standard. LBA literally translates the hard drive's parameters into logical parameters that are able to be recognized by the computer BIOS.
LCD (Liquid Chrystal Display)
This is just a slab of specially treated glass which is used to sandwich liquid crystal. You can then send electricity through the treated glass to change the phase of the liquid, which then changes color. This is a low power way of displaying images. It?s not only used in LCD displays for your computer, but also in for example digital watches.
LCD Projector
The same thing as an LCD panel, except it does not have any back so that you can put it on an overhead projector and shine a light through it.
LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)
This is a client/server protocol for accessing a directory service. It is a lightweight version of the X.500 protocol.
LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)
A resistor that decreases it's resistance when more light is put on the LDR and vice versa.
LDS
1. Logical Domain Structure (Windows 2000 server related).
2. Local Digital Switch (typically a Class 5 network switch).
LDT (Lightning Data Transfer Bus)
This is a standard introduced by AMD that allows for fast data transfers between the Northbridge part of a chipset, the PCI bus(es) and the Southbridge part. In a multiprocessing machine, the LDT bus can transfer data between multiple groups of 2 processor sets. AMD now calls their technology HyperTransport.
Leased Line
A phone line that can be purchased from the telephone company that is yours only. With the assurance that you are the only one on the line you can work at faster speeds and stay connected 24 hours a day.
LED ( Light Emitting Diode)
A small "light" source based on DIODE technology, emitting a lot of light with a very low poer consumption.
Legacy device
This is a type of device or peripheral that is not plug-and-play-compatible.
Legacy System
This is any old computer system that was set up before your time, and now continues to work and need support. Often, legacy systems are problematic to upgrade because the people that put them together aren't around any more. One great example is the year 2000 problem. Legacy systems are driving everyone nuts because no one programs in COBOL anymore, and lots of legacy code is written in COBOL.
Letterbox
This appears when showing a movie with an 16:9 aspect ratio on a TV-set or monitor with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
LFE (Low Frequency Effect)
This audio signal only has the lower frequencies, usually hooked up to the sub-woofer.
LFN (Long File Name)
Since DOS only allows eight characters then a period then three more characters, there is a separate distinction for it. Almost all other file systems allow for longer names. With Windows 95 now so prevalent, long file names have become common place. They can be 255 characters long, containing spaces or even periods. The only real restriction is no back-slashes.
Light Pen
This is a pen-like device that is sensitive to light. More specifically, it is sensitive to the electron gun of a CRT monitor hitting it. Based on when the electron gun hits the light pen, a computer can determine where on a CRT screen the light pen is positioned. Thus, light pens can be used to "draw" on CRT screens or be used just like mice or other pointing devices.
LightScribe
Technique initially used in HP DVD/CD burners to burn images on the frontside of a CD/DVD. So on the backside one burns the data, and on the other side the laser of the CD/DVD burner can burn images. It does not (yet) support color, and it does require a specific burner and specially coated media. For more info see http://www.lightscribe.com. Nero is one of the few applications that does support this technique.
Line in
This is an analog I/O port for a sound device that allows a device to receive a line-level sound signal. A line-level signal is a non-amplified sound signal, meant to be sent to a device that has a line in port.
Line out
This is an analog I/O port for a sound device that allows a device to send a line-level sound signal. This is opposed to an amplified signal on a speaker out port.
Line Printer
The term line printer refers to older printers that worked by printing entire lines of text at a time, thus offering (in those days) a higher printing speed.
Line Printer Daemon (LPD)
Refers to a printer spooler, commonly used in Unix environments. Usually TCP/IP port 515 is being used for other applications to "talk" to the LPD. So when an application wants to print information, this information is being send to port 515 and the LPD receives that information and uses it to print.
Linux
Free and efficient Operating system which looks similar to Unix. (Linux equals Linux Is Not Unix)
Linux
This is an open source UNIX-like operating system originally developed by Linus Torvalds. Linux is short for "Linux Is Not UniX". Linux is freeware by default, but may be sold for the cost of packaging, bundling and technical support. Companies such as SuSe, Red Hat and Caldera sell Linux packages. However, they also allow you to download them for free. Linux was first developed for x86 computers, but now runs on a wide variety of platforms.
LMHosts (LAN Manager Hosts)
This is a file used by Windows to map IP addresses to NetBIOS computer names. This file is included for compatibility with utilities that support the Microsoft LAN Manager 2.x networking first implemented in early versions of Windows NT.
LNB (Low Noise Block converter)
This is the "head" of a dish setup for satellite reception, which sits in front of the dish and converts the high frequency signal (app. 12,5Ghz) to a lower frequency signal (app.900 to 2200 Mhz) so it can be transported over a coax wire to your receiver.
Log
This is a record of events. It is also an abbreviation for logarithm, which is a mathematical operation.
Log File
This is a file that records events. Many programs produce log files. Log files can be usefull to determine the cause of problems. Often, log files will have the extension ".log"
Logical Parity
Fake parity that always agrees. In other words, when something checks to see if the data is in error the logical parity always says that it is not.
LOL
Online speak for "Laughing Out Loud". It's funny to know that the word LOL means "FUN" in the Dutch language.
Longitude
[Geographic - Global Positioning] The Earth is divided into 180 degrees going both eastwards and westwards from the Greenwich meridian (0?) until meeting approximately at the international date line (180? E = 180? W). See also Latitude.
LP (line printer)
This is a UNIX command that allows you to send files to a printer or change jobs already in the print queue. See Line Printer..
LPCM
Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM) is a format that is a popular choice in the Music Production. This uncompressed digital audio is the same format as what is used for Music CDs (samples 44.1 kHz at 16 bits per sample). LPCM has been defined as a part of the DVD standard, but most average DVD players can only support 48KHz/16bit capability.
LPT Port (Line Print Terminal Port)
This refers to the 25-pin parallel port on a PC. DOS and 16-bit Windows used the LPT designation, as did 16-bit NetWare clients.
LPX (Low Profile)
This is a motherboard form factor specification that has now been replaced by the NLX specification. LPX is similar to the AT form factor, but expansion boards are inserted into a riser board that usually only allows for 2 or 3 expansion cards that are inserted parallel to the motherboard instead of perpendicular.
LUN (Logical Unit Number)
This is a term used in the context of devices connected to a SCSI controller. Each device on a SCSI controller has a SCSI ID, but each SCSI ID may have several LUNs that translate to several hard disks, or removable media.
LVD (Low Voltage Differential)
This is the common slang form for "Ultra2 Wide SCSI (LVD)". LVD refers to the Low Voltage Differential interface used in Ultra2 and Ultra3 SCSI.
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