| non-volatile random access memory |
(NVRAM). A kind of static random access memory which maintains its content either by having a battery continuously connected to it or by saving its contents to EEPROM before the power is turned off and reading it back in when the power is restored.
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| non-volatile storage or nonvolatile stor |
Storage that retains its content when the power is shut off, such as floppy disks, hard disks, CD-ROM, and tapes.
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| nonillion |
10^30 (U.S. and Canada); 10^54 (Europe).
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| nonlinear video |
A linear video is viewed or edited in a linear sequence. CD-ROMs and LaserDiscs can display nonlinear video, in which the user can jump from frame to frame or clip to clip in any order.
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| nontrivial |
Not easy, not simple; a word applied to programming problems.
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| NOR |
Not OR. A Boolean function which is true if none of its inputs are true, and false if any one of its inputs is true; in other words, it is true if all inputs are false, and false if any input is true.
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| NOR gate |
A Boolean logic gate used in computer arithmetic. The NOR gate has an output of 0 if either or both of its inputs is 1, and is equivalent to an OR gate followed by a NOT gate. An exclusive NOR has an output of 1 if both of its inputs are the same.
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| normal distribution |
Gaussian distribution; the frequency distribution of many natural phenomena, which can be graphed as a bell-shaped curve.
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| North American Directory Forum |
(NADF). A group of organizations that offer public Directory Services in North America, according to the CCITT X.500 recommendations.
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| Norton SI |
Norton System Information. A Norton utility that measures CPU speed, disk speed, and overall computer performance.
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| Norton Utilities |
A set of utilities programs from Symantec that includes file backup, file recovery, disk diagnosis and repair, optimization, and more. Norton Utilities is available for PC and Macintosh.
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| Norton, Peter |
Developer of Norton Utilities.
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| NOS |
Network Operating System. An operating system which makes it possible for computers to be on a network, and manages the different aspects of the network. Some examples are Novell NetWare, VINES, Windows for Workgroups, AppleTalk, DECnet, and LANtastic.
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| NOT |
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| NOT gate |
A Boolean logic gate which has an output of 1 if the input is 0, and an output of 0 if the input is 1. It is called an inverter.
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| notebook |
A personal computer which weighs around six pounds and is approximately the size of a looseleaf notebook, a little smaller than a laptop computer.
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| Notes Flat File |
(NFF). An interchange format for the Lotus Notes/Domino platform based on Extensible Markup Language (XML).
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| Nova |
A minicomputer introduced in 1969 by Data General, which made some advances in computer technology at the time.
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| NovaNET |
An educational network created by the University of Illinois, which offers lesson materials in many subject areas, from elementary school level to postgraduate work.
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| Novell NetWare |
From Novell, the most widely used software for local area networks, available for DOS, Macintosh, OS/2, VAX, and UNIX. Ethernet, Token Ring, and other configurations can be used with NetWare.
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| Novell, Inc. |
A software company in Provo, Utah, known mainly for Novell NetWare and other networking products.
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| novelty typeface |
An elaborate or dramatic type, such as a script typeface or shaded type. Novelty types are not very good for regular text but are good to use for headlines and special effects.
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| novemdecillion |
10^60 (U.S. and Canada); 10^114 (Europe).
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| NPP |
Network Payment Protocol. A non-proprietary standard governing how BIPS-enabled client software interfaces with bank payment processing systems. NPP messages are in Extensible Markup Language (XML) and begin with a Bank Internet Payment System (BIPS) XML header. They also include transaction numbers, certificates, and other security information.
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| NPTN |
National Public Telecomputing Network. An organization based in Cleveland, Ohio, whose goal is to make computer networking services as freely available as public libraries. NPTN started the first Freenet in 1986.
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