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Glossary Terms: S
- Sag
- Also called a brownout. A short–term decrease in voltage levels that accounts for 87% of all power disturbances and is usually caused by extraordinary power demands (during a heat wave, for instance) on an electrical grid. Sags can deprive computers of the power they need to function, resulting in frozen keyboard and system crashes – both of which can corrupt data.
- Scalable processor support
- Up to two–way multi–processor support.
- Scanner and camera wizard
- Provides you with the ability to:
- Scan a single image from a flatbed scanner
- Scan images from a scanner based on a scanner event
- Scan a collection of images
- Scan multi–page documents or images from a scanner into a single image file
- Scan multi–page documents or images from a scanner into separate image files
- SCSI port
- Pronounced "scuzzy," this port is where some computers (including many Macintosh models) attach peripheral devices such as a disk drive or printer. A SCSI port provides faster transmission rates than a serial or parallel port.
- SD card
- Secure Digital card. A removable memory card that is about the size of a stamp and weighs a mere two grams. Often used to expand memory in SD–compatible handhelds, digital cameras, digital video camcorders, smart phones, car navigation systems, and electronic books.
- SDRAM
- Sychronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. A type of computer memory (RAM) that sychronizes with the computer processor for faster, improved performance. Still used, though it is being eclipsed by the better–performing DDR SDRAM and RDRAM. Its board is typically uses a DIMM or SODIMM construction.
- Search companion
- A search companion identifies what kind of help you need and retrieves search information relevant to your task at hand.
- Seat and back angle adjustment
- Allows the chair back to tilt forward or back. Helps prevent backaches by equally distributing body weight.
- Security level
- The narrower the strip, the better the security. Look for a unit that's capable of shredding paper into strips at least 1/4" wide. Crosscut shredders offer the best security for documents. Paper is cut length and widthwise, creating between 500 and 800 pieces of confetti per page.
- Serial port
- A port on some computers where peripherals such as printers or multifunction machines attach. Serial data is transmitted one bit at a time, rather than in several bits at once, which is the case for parallel (IEEE) ports. Data transfer is therefore not as fast over a serial connection as it is over a parallel port connection. A USB port connection is faster than both serial and parallel port connections.
- Service contracts (fax machines)
- If you expect to receive more than 50 faxed pages per day, a service contract may make sense.
- Sheet capacity
- The maximum number of 20–lb. sheets of paper that a particular stapler can staple together at one time.
- Sheet protectors
- Clear, thin plastic casings. Slip important documents into these casings to protect the papers from everyday use.
- Sheet-fed scanners
- Similar in design to fax machines in that a single piece of paper is fed through the unit to create a digital image. For this reason, it can only scan photographs or loose papers, not bound documents such as books.
- Shoulder rests
- Prevent neck strain caused by holding the phone with your shoulder and ear. Shoulder rests have adhesive bases that attach easily and securely and are available in various colors to match your telephone receiver.
- Shredder services
- Offers on–site (a shredding truck comes to your office) or off–site (at the service's facility) destruction of your sensitive documents. Documents are fed through high–speed, high–capacity secure shredders. Many services offer a certificate of destruction and then recycle the confetti–like shreds.
- Shredder speed
- Measured in feet per minute. Personal, straight–cut models shred at rates between 10 and 20 feet of material per minute; personal, cross–cut models shred at 10 to 30 feet of material per minute; office (straight–cut or crosscut) models shred at rates of between 22 and 40 feet of material per minute.
- Shutter priority
- Allows for shutter speed to be controlled and varied. Slowing the shutter at night (or during other low–light situations) allows for greater light exposure and makes the resulting image brighter. Speeding up the shutter in bright settings decreases light exposure. Rapid shutter speeds are also better for taking pictures of fast–moving subjects.
- Side-by-side DLLs
- These provide you with a mechanism for multiple versions of individual Windows components to run "side–by–side." Now you won't have to worry that your applications will conflict with each other and cause application instability.
- SIMM
- Single In–Line Memory Module. A type of RAM module used by EDO DRAM that uses 30, 66, or 72 pins to connect to a compatible computer's motherboard. SIMM RAM cards have to be installed two at a time, and they cannot be mixed on the same motherboard with RAM cards using a DIMM design.
- Single worldwide binary
- Enter text in any language and run any language version of Win32 applications on any language version of Windows XP.
- Single-wall construction
- A storage box/drawer that has walls made of one layer of corrugated fiberboard.
- Slot perforation
- Generally found in pads made of recycled fibers. Provides the most stable sheet attachment, while still allowing clean, easy removal.
- SmartMedia card
- A removable, flash card memory device. These cards are smaller and less expensive then CompactFlash, but they also hold less memory (usually topping out at 64MB). They can also be removed from a camera and inserted into a floppy disk adapter so they can be read on a floppy drive.
- SODIMM
- Small Outline DIMM. A smaller version of a DIMM RAM card. Because they're small, RAM cards with SODIMM connectors are commonly used in notebook computers.
- Software installation and maintenance
- Automatically install, configure, repair, or remove software applications.
- Sound card
- An expansion board that enables computers to emit sound through speakers, to record sound input from a microphone connected to the computer, and to manipulate sound stored on a disk. Sound cards are standard in most computers and are useful for multimedia applications, playing music, and gaming.
- Speakerphone
- Also called "hands–free," this feature allows the user to talk and listen without the receiver. Useful when you can't sit at your desk during a call or when more than one person has to be on a call.
- Speakers
- Can be used to provide a heightened multi–media, gaming and music experience on computers. Some systems provide surround sound and can be used to make a PC function as a stereo. Certain models are made to attach to specific monitors and PCs.
- Speed dial
- A feature that allows you to dial frequently used numbers at the touch of a button.
- Spike
- A quick, dramatic increase in voltage that can enter equipment through power cords or phone lines. Spikes are usually caused by nearby lightning strikes. They can also result when power comes back on after it has been knocked out.
- Stainless-steel blades
- Stainless–steel blades are typically lightweight, rust–proof, and never need sharpening.
- Stands
- Give you more desk area by providing storage space beneath the phone. Some come with phone indexes, drawers, wire file holders, and whiteboards. Most stands are angled, but some are adjustable.
- Start menu
- Organizes your programs. It is the primary way to access files, folders, and programs on your computer. NEW – Windows XP Home Edition offers an enhanced Start Menu. Access to important and frequently used tasks and applications is made easier with a Frequently Used Programs list and prominent positioning of your most critical folders.
- Station-to-station caller ID
- A feature used on Multi–Station Phone Systems that displays the phone numbers of incoming calls. This feature works even if the call was transferred from another extension.
- Strip surge protector
- The most common type of surge protector. It easily fits beneath a desk or behind appliances and comes with four, six, eight, or nine power connections, depending on the model.
- Stylus
- Pen–like device used to enter information into a handheld. A stylus can be used to point at icons on a handheld's touchscreen and to press function buttons, as well as to write information into the handheld.
- Surge
- A brief increase in voltage that lasts at least 1/120 of a second and is caused by high–powered electrical motors, such as those contained in air conditioners. Unless connected to a surge protector, sensitive electronic devices in the vicinity can be permanently damaged by a surge.
- Switch
- A switch (or a hub) is required in an Ethernet network configuration when three or more computers are being networked. When all of the computer outlets on a switch have been filled, the switch can be connected to another switch to create room for more computer connections.
- Synchronize
- The communication between a handheld and a computer, or between two handhelds. In synchronization, the latest address or task updates on a handheld are automatically reflected on the computer’s schedule, and vice versa. The synching link usually occurs through a serial or USB port, sometimes directly (through a cable) or through a docking cradle.
- System monitor
- Analyzes hundreds of different system metrics for you including memory, disk, and network throughput.
- System restore
- The system restore feature of Windows XP Home Edition enables you to restore a PC, in the event of a problem, to a previous state without losing personal data files. System Restore actively monitors system file changes to record or store previous versions before the changes occurred. With system restore, you never have to think about taking system snapshots as it automatically creates easily identifiable restore points which allow you to restore the system to a previous point in time.