Glossary - T
Tab (GUI)
Tabbed browsing refers to a graphical interface that facilitates the viewing of multiple documents. With tabbed browsing, individual documents are displayed within a common window, along with associated functions that are displayed in a location proximate to the tabs (i.e., functions to switch between documents, close tabs, etc.). Tabs that are not currently being used can be placed in the background of the window and users can easily switch between tabs to access many documents within one application or window. Tabs are a more recent addition to the graphical user interface (GUI).
Tablet
A tablet is a positioning device consisting of a fixed pad, typically with a rectangular or square-shaped active area and a moveable scanning device. The scanning device usually takes the form of a wireless pen or “puck” with a reticle and buttons. These devices are similar to a mouse and enable the user to interact with the computer in similar a manner. In addition, the pen is often used for drawing by hand and is used mainly in CAD or graphics programs. Modern tablets are sensitive to pressure and it is possible to change the thickness of the line that will be drawn as well as the amount of pressure on the pen tip.
In recent years, an LCD tablet was introduced. With this technology, the user does not look at the monitor to see the results of his/her actions, but rather at the tablet where the pen directly controls the computer.
The A4 size tablet (or larger) is generally considered a tablet for professional use while the A6 size tablet is generally for home or hobby use.
Template
A template is a predefined layout that can be adapted to suit different needs. Template layouts are typically made for a particular purpose. Well-designed templates feature easily changeable layouts with intuitive customization. Many different templates are available for every category in information technology.
For example, templates available for web page programming often include standardized pieces of text that can be inserted onto the page. These can be used to standardize parts of articles and to simplify editing. Templates can be either pre-made or custom designed. CSS and HTML knowledge is useful when creating custom templates. Template authors often provide detailed instructions for template use, including examples, which can be especially helpful for complex templates. The instructions are often placed on the discussion page of the template.
Temporary Internet Files
Internet browsers use temporary Internet files to store data from the websites you visit. These files are placed in a folder on your hard disk drive to facilitate the faster loading of pages that have been visited previously. This is especially useful for multimedia content. Web pages can load faster because the Internet browser doesn’t have to download the data again, instead, it uses information it has stored in the temporary Internet files folder, which is typically located in Documents and Settings.
Thermal paste
Thermal paste (a.k.a. thermal compound, thermal grease) is a viscous substance that increases the thermal conductivity of the contact between two objects. In electronics, it is often used to increase heat dissipation from the heated object through a cooling device. Thermal paste derives its conductivity primarily from the composition of its liquid components. Its main purpose is to eliminate air pockets and gaps between two surfaces to increase conductivity because air is not a highly conductive element. Applied in an appropriate amount, thermal paste fills tiny spaces between the two surfaces, and thus increases the contact area between them. If too much or too little thermal paste is used, or if no thermal paste is used at all, the component that must be cooled could be damaged.
Toolbar
A toolbar is part of a graphical user interface (GUI) which enables the user fast access to application’s functions. Most applications use toolbars to give users another option aside from pull-down menus. The quick access features are presented by icons, buttons or other function elements displayed either in a horizontal row or vertical column around the edges of the GUI. Thus the word “toolbar” signifies the icon or button “tools” are in a row or column “bar”. Typically toolbars are being seen in office suites, graphics editors and web browsers. The main purpose of toolbars is to simplify and quicken the work with the application.
Trojan horse
The Trojan horse, or trojan, is a type of malware that appears to have a normal function but actually conceals malicious functions that it performs without authorized access to the host system. A Trojan can allow the ability to save their files on the user's computer or monitor the user's screen and control his computer.
A trojan is not technically a virus but can be easily and unknowingly downloaded by the computer user. One example might be a computer game, when executed by the computer user, allows a hacker to control the user's computer. In this case the computer game is a trojan.
Twitter®
Established in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter® is a social networking service that allows users to create a text post (known as a TweetSM) and read posts submitted by other users. A TweetSM is a text post that contains up to 140 characters. They are displayed on the user’s profile page as well as on the pages of those who are following the user. The display of a TweetSM can be restricted to specific groups of people, or it can be displayed publically. Twitter® users can access their accounts and use Twitter® services from a computer and mobile devices connected to the Internet, and they can even TweetSM via SMS.