highlight: To select something on the screen to distinguish it from other choices.

high resolution: A graphics mode that can display information using a rectangular array of 280 horizontal by 192 vertical dots.

home computer: A computer, like the Apple IIGS, that is small enough and affordable enough to have in your house. (When you take a "home computer" to the office, it becomes a "productivity tool.")

home control device: A device that can regulate the temperature of your home, turn lamps on and off, or monitor smoke detectors and burglar alarms.

home finance application: An application that helps with budgeting, portfolio management, tax planning, and so on. Like a spreadsheet, only easier to use.

home row: The row of keys on the keyboard where the fingers of touch typists rest when they aren't reaching for other keys. In the standard keyboard layout, the home row contains A, S, D, F, G, and so on. In the Dvorak keyboard layout, the home row contains what August Dvorak determined were the most frequently used keys (A, O, E, U, I, and so on).

icon: A symbol like the one on the back panel of the computer that shows you where to plug in the monitor or a symbol on the screen that represents a disk, a document, or something else you can select.

information service: A large data base that you can subscribe to for news, stock quotes, and other services.

initialize: See format.

input: Information traveling into the computer like keypresses and mouse moves).

input/output: Abbreviated I/O. Refers to the means by which information is sent between the computer and its peripheral devices.

insertion point: The place where your next action will take place.

integrated circuit: An electronic circuit—including components and interconnections—entirely contained in a single piece of semiconducting material, usually silicon. Often referred to as a chip.

Integrated software: A group of application programs, usually on one disk, designed to share data.

Interface: Hardware or software that links the computer to a device.

interface card: A circuit board you plug into one of the slots in the Apple IIGS to link the computer to a peripheral device.

inverse characters: Inverse means opposite. If characters ordinarily show up as light characters on a dark screen, inverse characters would show up as dark characters on a light screen. Inverse is one form of highlighting.

I/O: See input/output.

I/O error message: Stands for input/output. A message you get when there's a problem with the way information is being exchanged with peripheral devices.

jacket: A square of plastic that protects a 5.25- inch disk. You don't remove the jacket (and expect to ever use the disk again).

joystick: A peripheral device that moves creatures and objects in games.

Glossary

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