Glossary
Auto
Update: Feature by which software is updated while a handheld computer is connected to the Internet.
Beam: Term coined by Palm, Incorporated to describe the way data (business cards, programs, phone numbers, etc)
is transmitted from one handheld computer to another via infrared ports. Based
on Star Trek Classic's, "Beam me up, Scotty!"
Bit: Smallest unit of information that a computer uses.
Bluetooth: Short range wireless
connection protocol for cellular phones and other portable devices.
Byte: Set of bits (normally 8, but sometimes more) that represent data, such as a single text character.
Central Processing Unit (CPU): Processor that controls the operation of a handheld computer. It is also called a chip or brain.
Charityware: Software that one may use and distribute unaltered. The author
requests that if one finds the program useful a contribution be made to a charity.
Connectivity: Ability to connect your handheld computer or computer electronically with other computers, printers, or
fax machines. The connection can be achieved through an internal computer network,
EDI, the Internet, or a combination of these methods. The transmission carrier
can be electrical wires, phone lines, cable lines, infrared waves, or radio waves.
Cradle: Stand into which a handheld computer may be inserted in order to synchronize data and upload programs from
a computer. Some cradles double as battery chargers. It is also called
a Docking Cradle.
Demoware: Commercial software that one may use for free use
for a limited time or it may be software with limited functionality.
eBook: Electronic version of a book that can be read by using a personal computer, an eBook reader, or a handheld
computer.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Direct computer-to-computer file exchange. EDI
messages usually travel over private networks using dedicated phone lines, but they can also be transmitted via the Internet
on virtual private networks.
Expansion Slot: Slot on some handheld computers that accommodates the addition of memory and peripherals.
Freeware: Copyrighted computer programs that are available without charge for public use. Freeware programs may not be sold for profit.
Graffiti: Method of writing
characters (letters or numbers) to input data into a handheld computer.
Graffiti Software: Handwriting recognition software that recognizes symbols that aren't necessarily letters.
Graffiti Writing Area: Area on a handheld computer screen on which Graffiti is written with a stylus.
Handheld Computer (HC): Device about the size of half a sandwich that combines computing, personal organizing, telephone/faxing,
and networking features. Some HCs also react to voice input by using voice recognition technologies. HCs are also
called handhelds or personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Hotspot: Wireless local area network node that provides Internet connection and virtual private
network access from a given location. An individual with a handheld computer
equipped for wifi can get connected to the Internet via a hotspot’s network to reach the Internet. Increasingly, public places, such as airports, hotels, and coffee shops are providing free wireless access
for customers.
Infrared-Light-Wave Transmission: Capability that allows handheld computers to wirelessly beam information to each other
or to properly equipped desktop PCs or printers. All handheld computers have
infrared communication capability.
Keyboard Entry: Entry of data into a personal digital assistant accomplished by tapping on the liquid crystal display (LCD)
screen's virtual keyboard with a stylus or touch-typing on an accompanying portable keyboard.
Kilobyte (K): Approximately 1,000 printed or non-printed characters.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screen: Screen common in handheld computers and notebook computers that has a transistor for
each pixel.
Load: To start a computer program. Load time may affect the assessment
of software usefulness. Some handheld computer software loads almost instantly. Software that takes 10 to 15 seconds to load is considered slow.
Megabyte (M): Unit for measuring computer memory or file size, 1,000 Kilobytes, 1,000,000 Bytes.
Memory: Working space used by a handheld computer to hold and run a program and the data it needs, and to process
the data. The amount of memory available determines the size of the programs
one can run, and whether one can run more than one program at once. Memory is
also the means by which one stores things on a handheld computer, whether it's information, images, or software.
Modem: Modulator/demodulator device on some handheld computers that allows direct access to the Internet.
Operating System (OS): Master control program for a computer that controls and manages its internal functions. The OS facilitates
communication between hardware and software. Palm, Incorporated and Microsoft produce the most popular handheld computer OSs.
PD-Aide: Handheld computer software for school nurses that allows the recording of information immediately
at the point of care. A component of Nurse's Aide School Health Software.
Personal Lifestyle Device (PLD): Multipurpose device-cell phone, handheld computer, camera, etc. See Personal Lifestyle Devices.
Pick List: Scrollable list of tasks presented by handheld computer software-tap a choice with the stylus and the program
automatically performs that task.
Platform: Combination of hardware and operating system.
Port: Handheld computer socket
into which one inserts a cable to connect the handheld computer to other devices.
Radio-Wave Transmission: Means of using electromagnetic waves to transmit wireless signals.
Rechargeable Battery:
Battery type found in handheld computers with a color display.
Scroll: To move through a document either up and down or sideways as if the document were being rolled like a scroll. On many handheld computer programs, arrows and bars at the right and bottom edges
of the display enable scrolling.
Serial Port: Entry/exit boundary mechanism that sends information from a desktop computer to a handheld computer, printer,
camera, etc.
Shareware: Copyrighted computer programs made available on a trial basis. If
one likes and decides to use the program, payment to the author is expected.
SNAP Satellite: Handheld computer software for school nurses that allows the recording of information immediately at the
point of care. A component of SNAP Health Center Software.
STARS Traveler: Handheld computer software for school nurses that allows the recording of information immediately at the
point of care. A component of Student Tracking and Record Solution (STARS) Software.
Stylus: Pen-like writing instrument used to write on a handheld computer to input information.
Stylus or Pen Entry of Data: Most common mode of entering data into a handheld computer. It includes choosing commands by tapping out letters on the keypad or Graffiti Writing Area.
Synchronization: Method by which a handheld computer communicates with a computer to exchange, share, and backup data via
a serial port, USB connection, wireless connection, or infrared. Old data on
one device is replaced with new data from the other. It is also called HotSync or Sync.
Thin Film Transistor (TFT): Liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, common in handheld computers, which has a transistor
for each pixel. It is also known as Active Matrix.
Touchscreen: Touch-sensitive display on all handheld computers. Tap a stylus to an appropriate spot on the handheld
computer's screen, determined by the software you use, and a task is performed automatically.
Universal Serial Bus (USB): Connection that sends information from a computer to a handheld computer, printer,
camera, etc. It compresses information so it sends it faster than a Serial Port.
Virtual Private Network (VPN): Network that is constructed by using public wires to connect
nodes. VPNs use encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only
authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted.
