| A | B | C | D | E-G | H-K | L-M | N-O | P | Q-R | S | T-V | W-Z | Other Resources |

Samba: An SMB (server message block) daemon that emulates SMB services for a Linux box.

sampling frequency: The rate at which measurements of an audio signal are taken during A/D and D/A conversion. A higher sampling rate makes for a higher-fidelity audio signal.

ScanDisk: a DOS and Windows utility that detects various errors on hard disk. It can repair some of them. In DOS, run ScanDisk by entering scandisk at the prompt and pressing the Enter key. In Windows 95 or 98, run ScanDisk by selecting Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->ScanDisk.

scanner: A device that converts paper documents or photos into a format that can be viewed on a computer and manipulated by the user.

SCSI (small computer system interface): Pronounced "scuzzy," SCSI is the standard port for Macintosh computers and is common in PCs and Unix boxes as well. SCSI is really a family of interfaces, ranging from the relatively primitive SCSI-1 to the spiffy new Wide Ultra2 SCSI. It offers some advantages over IDE, a similar port, including a higher data access rate (up to 80 MBps, depending on the type) and the ability to connect a number of devices to one port. SCSI can control seven devices, while IDE can control only two. SCSI hard drives are commonly used for audio applications as they generally can read and write data faster than can an IDE drive.

semiconductor: A substance, usually a solid chemical element or compound, that can conduct electricity under some conditions but not others, making it a good medium for the control of electrical current. Its conductance varies depending on the current or voltage applied to a control electrode, or on the intensity of irradiation by infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, or X rays.

send: See auxiliary send.

sequencer: A device that stores MIDI data.

server: The business end of a client/server setup, a server is usually a computer that provides the information, files, webpages, and other services to the client that logs on to it.

shareware: Shareware is not software. Rather, it's a marketing method. When you buy software at your local computer store, you have to pay for the product before you see it. With shareware, you can try before you buy. That way you know whether it will meet your needs before you pay anything.

shelving EQ: An EQ that is designed to boost or cut a selected frequency and tapers off at a fixed slope.

.SHS files: Windows95/98/NT "scraps" -- usually dragged onto the desktop to be used as shortcuts. Trojan Horses can be hidden within .SHS files. Your computer does not need .SHS files. If you come across .SHS files, delete them.

SIMM (single in-line memory module): A narrow circuit board that holds memory chips. It plugs into a SIMM socket on a motherboard or memory board. Usually, a SIMM holds up to 8 chips on a Macintosh or 9 chips on a PC. Unlike memory chips, SIMMs are measured in bytes rather than bits. SIMMs, which are generally available in configuration from 1MB to 32MB, are easier to install than individual memory chips.

signal to noise ratio (S/N): The difference between the nominal signal level and the residual noise floor, usually expressed in decibels.

SMART (self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology): An open standard within hardware and software that automatically monitors a disk drive's health and reports of potential failure. All major hard-drive manufacturers use SMART to detect imminent disk problems and report the danger to the computer user. The user can then take appropriate action, which typically means backing up critical data stored on the disk -- before the drive becomes unusable.

SMB: A file-sharing protocol that Windows uses to share files and resources, such as printers, across a network.

software: Computer programs that instruct the computer. Some examples are word processors, spreadsheets, and games.

sound card: The card that processes audio data on a PC. It's often a PCI card, but it can also be USB or FireWire based. Or it can be built into the computer's motherboard.

system exclusive: A MIDI message that is used to transmit data to a specific MIDI device that is in a chain. See also bulk dump.

semiconductor: A substance, usually a solid chemical element or compound, that can conduct electricity under some conditions but not others, making it a good medium for the control of electrical current. Its conductance varies depending on the current or voltage applied to a control electrode, or on the intensity of irradiation by infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, or X-rays.

shareware: Shareware is not software. Rather, it's a marketing method. When you buy software at your local computer store, you have to pay for the product before you see it. With shareware, you can try before you buy. That way you know whether it will meet your needs before you pay. There are many high-quality shareware music applications available on the Internet.

SIMM (single in-line memory module): A small circuit board that can hold a group of memory chips. Typically, SIMMs hold up to eight RAM chips (on Macintoshes) or nine RAM chips (on PCs). Unlike memory chips, SIMMs are measured in bytes rather than bits. SIMMs are easier to install than are individual memory chips.

software: Computer programs that instruct the computer. Some examples are word processors, spreadsheets, and games.

spam: Electronic junk mail. Some people define spam as any unsolicited email. A narrower definition is unsolicited advertising, most commonly for credit cards, weight loss methods, and pyramid schemes, sent to a mailing list or newsgroup.

S/PDIF: The Sony/Phillips Digital Interface. Carries up to 24-bit data.

spreadsheet: Software that simulates a paper spreadsheet, or worksheet, in which columns of numbers are summed for budgets and plans. A spreadsheet appears on-screen as a matrix of rows and columns, the intersections of which are identified as cells. Spreadsheets can have thousands of cells and can be scrolled horizontally and vertically in order to view them.

SRAM (static RAM): RAM (random access memory) that retains data bits in its memory as long as power is being supplied. Unlike DRAM (dynamic random access memory), which stores bits in cells consisting of a capacitor and a transistor, SRAM does not have to be periodically refreshed. SRAM provides faster access to data and is more expensive than DRAM. It is used for a computer's cache memory and as part of the digital-to-analog converter on a video card.

streaming: Refers to the continuous transmission of data, typically audio or video, so it can be processed as a steady stream. Streaming technologies are increasingly important as the Internet grows because many users dontt have fast enough Internet connections to download large multimedia files quickly. With streaming, the client browser or plug-in can start displaying the data as sound and pictures before the entire file has been transmitted. If the streaming client receives the data more quickly than required, it must save the excess data in a buffer. If the data arrives too slowly, its display will appear choppy.

suite (also known as an "office suite"): A set of applications designed to work together. A suite typically includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, and database programs. Some of the programs may be available separately, while others come only in the bundle. Microsoft Office, WordPerfect Office and Lotus SmartSuite are the major business application suites for Windows. Sun's StarOffice is a new contender that is expected to become popular. Although Windows provides integration features such as cut-and-paste and compound document creation, the suites provide additional tools to move data from one application more easily into another. In addition, common functions such as spell checking can be installed once and shared among all programs. While no single application suite has the best program in each category, they have become very popular because they come on one CD-ROM, are upgradable as a single unit, and training is available for the entire package.

sustain: The part of the ADSR envelope that determines where the sound will decay while the note or key is depressed.

synching: The process of linking two devices together in order to exchange data or work from the same documents. For example, a DAT can be synched to a PC and be used to store audio data while still being controlled by the PC.

Don't see the word you want? Let us know at techglossary@techtv.com. For links to other resources, go back to the glossary's start page.

| A | B | C | D | E-G | H-K | L-M | N-O | P | Q-R | S | T-V | W-Z | Other Resources |