A

active window

The topmost window; the window that is currently receiving mouse and keyboard input. Pre–Mac OS X, that window can be identified by the horizontal lines in its title bar.

ADB Apple Desktop Bus.

See [Apple Desktop Bus]

AGP

Accelerated Graphics Port, the slot for a video card on newer Macs.

AIFF

Audio Interchange File Format, the standard sound format on the Mac.

AirPort

Apple's wireless networking technology. There are AirPort cards, which fit into Macs, and AirPort Base Stations, which communicate with the cards.

alert box

A box that appears when the user is about to do something dangerous or if something has gone wrong.

alias

A file that points to another item, such as a file, folder, or application. When you double-click an alias, the item it points to is opened. In the Mac OS 9 Finder, an alias is distinguished by an italicized name and a small arrow in its icon. In Mac OS X, you just get the arrow. (These are called shortcuts in Windows.)

all-in-one

An adjective describing a desktop computer system in which the monitor and CPU are housed in one unit. All iMacs are all-in-one Macs. Although portable computers such as the PowerBook have the monitor, keyboard, and CPU contained in one unit, they are not considered all-in-one machines. Why? Maybe the same reason that flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.

AltiVec

See [Velocity Engine]

Amelio, Gilbert

Apple CEO, 1996–97. Best known for acquiring NeXT Software and bringing back Steve Jobs, who eventually took his job.

anti-aliasing

The blurring of certain pixels to smooth out an image. Usually used to make screen fonts easier to read.

Apple Desktop Bus

A low-speed serial bus that connects peripherals such as keyboards and mice to the Macintosh. This has been supplanted by USB.

See also [Universal Serial Bus]

Apple Guide

An older version of the internal Macintosh help system. Replaced in Mac OS X by Help Viewer.

Apple menu

In Mac OS 9 and earlier, a menu for accessing utilities, recent items, and aliases. In Mac OS X, a menu for accessing systemwide commands (such as shut down and log out), preferences, and recent documents and applications.

Apple Remote Access

Software that allows your Mac to connect to a nonlocal network.

AppleScript

A simple scripting language you can use to automate your Mac.

AppleShare IP

Apple's commercial server software.

AppleTalk

Apple's local area network (LAN) architecture. Macs can use it to communicate with each other and with network peripherals.

application

A program designed for end users. (Meaning normal, everyday people.) Example: Microsoft Word.

Application menu

The Finder menu on the far right side of the menu bar in Mac OS 9 and earlier. It allows the user to move between running applications. In Mac OS X, it is to the right of the Apple menu and gives users access to preferences for the application the user is currently using.

Aqua

The name of the interface in Mac OS X, so called because of its translucent blue highlights.

ASCII

A code for designating characters in which each letter or symbol is assigned a number. Its long name is American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Thus, ASCII files are text only, with no added styles like bold or italic.