Glossary - A

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Active Desktop	Active Desktop is an option in WIndows that allows a many different file types to be displayed as the desktop Wallpaper. In some of the older versions of Windows, you could display only bitmap pictures files as Wallpaper, but now using Active Desktop you can use web content, movies, and a range of graphical formats as your wallpaper.
Active Directory	Active Directory, also known as just AD, is an implementation of LDAP directory services from Microsoft which is primarily used in Windows environments. The main purpose of Active Directory is to provide central authentication and access control for Windows based computers. Some of the key points of Active Directory is that it allows administrators to assign policies, deploy software, and apply critical updates to an organization.
ActiveX	ActiveX is a term Microsoft uses to describe many of its COM technologies. ActiveX technologies, most often referred to as controls, are Microsoft's answer to Java applets. These two technologies are very similar in that they are designed to be downloaded and then executed by web browsers. The difference is that athough ActiveX controls can interface with Microsoft Windows better than Java can, unfortunately they offer very little cross-platform support. More Info can be found at the link below: http://www.microsoft.com/com/default.mspx
Adware:	Adware is usually software which is free to use, but require you to watch advertisements as long as the programs are open.. Common types of adware programs are toolbars that work in conjunction with your Web browser. They generally include features like advanced searches of the Web or your localhard drive. Adware can also can also come in the form of more advanced programs such as games, utilities, or applets. Most adware is safe to use, but some can serve as spyware, gathering information about you from your hard drive, the Web sites you visit, or the keystrokes you type. Spyware programs can then send the information over the Internet to another computer. We always recommend you be careful what adware you install on your computer. Make sure it is from a known reputable company and read the entire privacy agreement that comes along with it.
AGP	AGP also known as, Accelerated Graphics Port ports are dedicated to graphic cards. This makes them unique as they are the only expansion slots found in a computer that is used for only one purpose (a grahics card). AGP channels are generally 32 bits wide and runs at 66Mhz. AGP ports give the graphics card direct access to system RAM to speed performance and allows the video card to access/store data directly in system memory.
AJAX:	Also known as Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a tecnique used in web development that creates interactive web applications. One of the main benefits of using AJAX is that it make web pages feel more responsive and smooth by exchanging very small amounts of data with the webserver in the background so that the full web page does not have to be reloaded every time the user requests a change.
Anti-Virus	An anti-virus is a program or utility that scans a hard disk for viruses and malware and removes any that are found. Most anti-virus programs are equipped with a feature to automatiically update themselves so they can detect even the newest of viruses. Many new anti-virus programs also provide support for removing spyware.
APIPA:	Also known as, Automatic Private IP Addressing, Whan a windows based computer is configured to use DHCP it can automatically assign itself an Internet Protocol (IP) address if a DHCP server is not available. For example, this could occur on a network without a DHCP server, or on a network if a DHCP server is temporarily down for maintenance. An APIPA assigned address is in the range of 169.254.x.x.