plug-and-play


Refers to the ability of a computer system to automatically configure expansion boards and other devices. You should be able to plug in a device and play with it, without worrying about setting DIP switches, jumpers, and other configuration elements. Since the introduction of the NuBus, the Apple Macintosh has been a plug-and-play computer.

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  • plug compatible

    Able to replace another product without any alterations. Two devices are said to be plug-compatible if either one can be plugged into the same interface. The term is also sometimes used to describe software modules that interface with an application in the same way.

  • plug-in

    (n.) A hardware or software module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system. The idea is that the new component simply plugs in to the existing system. For example, there are number of plug-ins for the Netscape Navigator browser that enable it to display different types of audio or video messages. […]

  • pluggable authentication module

    A UNIX programming interface that enables third-party security methods to be used. By using PAM, multiple authentication technologies, such as RSA, DCE, Kerberos, smart card and S/Key, can be added without changing any of the login services, thereby preserving existing system environments.

  • podcasting

    Podcasting is similar in nature to RSS, which allows subscribers to subscribe to a set of feeds to view syndicated Web site content. With podcasting however, you have a set of subscriptions that are checked regularly for updates and instead of reading the feeds on your computer screen, you listen to the new content on […]

  • point

    )(v) To move the pointer on a display screen to select an item. Graphical user interfaces, such as the Macintosh interface, are often called point-and-click interfaces because a user typically points to an object on the screen and then clicks a button on the mouse. (n) In typography, a point is about 1/72 of an […]


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