User's Manual

Glossary
TuneUp Utilities 2006 97
Color depth
The amount of information used to describe the color of a pixel. One bit can only
have one of two states, on or off (1 or 0). Expressed in colors, this is either black
or white. An 8-bit color depth allows 256 colors. At least eight bits per color are
required for high-quality images. In 24-bit color, three color channels are used
(for example red, green and blue), meaning 3 x 8 bits or 256 x 256 x 256, for a
total of 16.7 million colors.
Cookies
A cookie is a small file with text information that must be initiated by the author
of a website and that is then copied to the local computer by the Web server
through the browser in regular intervals.
CPU
Short for “central processing unit”.
Cursor/pointer
A special element on the screen, called the cursor when working in text and the
pointer when working with a mouse. This display element can be moved with the
mouse, the arrow keys or a digitizer and is used to enter text or graphical
information at a specific point or location.
Data medium
A medium for the permanent storage of data. These include diskettes, CD/DVD-
ROMs, hard disks, magnetic tape and other devices.
Defragmenter
A program that changes the location of data elements on a disk so that individual
files are saved at a single location for faster processing.
Desktop
A general designation for the area in Windows that is normally seen first after a
user logs on. Icons can be saved here, and this area also includes the Start menu,
the taskbar and the notification area next to the clock.
Device driver
A special program that controls devices and expansion cards, expanding or
adapting the operating system.
Dialog
A set of associated options that are shown on the screen in the form of a window
or box in which settings can be configured.