Microsoft says it's working on new PC security software, code-named MORRO, which will be available to consumers at no charge. The new security software will be compatible with XP - Vista - and the forthcoming Windows 7 and will be available as a download when it launches in the second half of the year.
Microsoft's current subscription-based security product, Windows Live OneCare, is being gradually phased out and will no longer be available for retail purchase as of June 30, though purchasers will continue to be able to use the product through the life of their subscription.
From a recent release in Smart Computing.
BIOS ‑ Basic Input‑Output System
CD‑ROM ‑ Compact Disk‑Read Only Memory
CPU ‑ Central Processing Unit
CRT ‑ Cathode Ray Tube
DIMM ‑ Dual Inline Memory Module
DOS ‑ Disk Operating System
DRAM‑ Dynamic Random Access Memory
EIDE ‑ Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics
EISA ‑ Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture
FAT ‑ File Allocation Table
FD ‑ Floppy Drive
FDC ‑ Floppy Drive Controller
GB ‑ Gigabyte ‑ Approximately one billion characters
HD/HDD ‑ Hard Disk Drive
HTTP ‑ Hyper Text Terminal Protocol
IDE ‑ Integrated Drive Electronics
1/0‑ Input/Output
IRQ ‑ Interrupt Request
ISA ‑ Industry Standard Architecture
LAN ‑ Local Area Network
LED ‑ Light Emitting Diode
MB ‑ Megabyte ‑ approximately one million characters
OS ‑ Operating System
PnP ‑ Plug N Play
RAM ‑ Random Access Memory
SRAM ‑ Static Random Access Memory
SDRAM ‑ Static Dynamic Random Access Memory
SIMM ‑ Single Inline Memory Module
SVGA ‑ Super Video Graphics Array
TSR ‑ Terminate and Stay Resident
VFAT ‑ Virtual File Allocation Table
VGA ‑ Video Graphics Array
VRAM ‑ Video Random Access Memory
WWW ‑ World Wide Web
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Windows 98 ME 2000 - XP
Accessibility Wizard Helps you configure Windows for your vision, hearing, and mobility needs.
Accessories Built-in programs that come with Windows 95X.
Active Desktop The screen that appears when you first start Windows, providing access to your computers programs and files to the Internet.
Active Desktop Items - Elements you can place on the desktop to access or display information from the Internet.
Active Program The program that is open. The title bar changes from gray to blue.
Adapter A device that connects your computer to the network.
Address Bar Displays the address of the current Web page or the contents of a local or network computer drive
Address Book Stores mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail address, or Web sites, along with contacts title, street address, phone number, and personal Web page addresses.
Applications - Refers to Programs.
Articles Another name for newsgroup messages.
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Back Up - To save files to another location in case you have computer trouble and lose files.
Background The primary surface on which icons and windows appear; you can customize its appearance using the Display Properties dialog box.
Binding A connection that enables communications among the adapters, protocols, and services installed in Windows.
Bitmapped Character A character that consists of small dots organized to form a letter.
Browser A software program used to access and open Web pages.
Bullet Mark An indicator that shows an option is enabled.
Cascading Menu A list of commands from a menu item with an arrow next to it. Pointing to the arrow displays a submenu from which you can choose additional commands.
Center A form of paragraph alignment in which the lines of text are centered between the left and right margins.
Channel A specialized Web page designed to deliver Internet content from a specific channel, such as Disney, MSNBC, or Microsoft Network to your computer.
Check Mark An indicator that shows a feature is enabled.
Clicking The act of pressing a mouse button once and releasing it.
Client/server Networking A network setup that provides all users on network a central location for accessing shared files.
Clients Other computers on the network can access the resources on the server instead of having to store them.
Clipboard A temporary storage space on a hard drive that contains information that has been cut or copied.
Collection Organized clips for use in different movie projects.
Command A directive that provides access to a programs features.
Contact A person or company that with whom you communicate.
Contact Groups A group of contacts that you can organize together.
Contact Lists Displays the contact names in the Address Book.
Context-sensitive Help Help that relates to the task you are currently working on.
Control Panel A central location for changing Windows settings. A window containing various programs that allow you to specify how your computer looks and performs.
Conversation Thread Consists of the original message on a particular topic along with any responses that include the original message.
Copied A copy is placed in the Clipboard to be pasted in another location, but the text also remains in its original place in the document.
Cut To remove information from a file and place it on the Clipboard, usually to be pasted in another location.
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Defragment A feature that allows you to rewrite the files on your disk to contiguous blocks rather than in random blocks.
Delete A file or folder that is removed from the disk.
Dialog Box A window that appears to request information; many dialog boxes have options you must choose before Windows or a program can carry out a command.
Disk Label A name you assign to a hard or floppy disk using the Properties dialog box.
Display Pane The bottom pane of Outlook Express that displays the e-mail message selected in the preview pane.
Document Window Displays the current Web page or the contents of a local or network computer drive or the current document. The work area of the WordPad window.
Document A File created using a word-processing program such as WordPad.
Domain A collection of computers that the person managing the network creates, to group together computers used for the same tasks and to simplify the set-up and maintenance of the network.
Double-Clicking Clicking the mouse button twice.
Download The process by which you access and display a Web page from the Internet.
Dragging Moving items/text to a new location by using the mouse button.
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Edit Changing the contents of a document without recreating it.
Electronic Mail [e-mail] A system used to send and receive messages electronically.
Explorer Bar The pane on the left side of the screen that displays all drives and folders on the computer.
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Favorites Stores and organizes the most frequented Web addresses.
File An electronic collection of information that has a unique name, distinguishing it from other files.
File Hierarchy A logical structure for files and folders that mimics how you would organize files and folders in a filing cabinet.
File Management - The process of organizing and keeping track of files and folders.
File Sharing Allows many people to work on the same files without needing to create or store multiple copies.
Find People Link Opens the Find People dialog box where you can search for people on the Internet or in your Address Book.
First-line Indent Marker The top triangle that controls where the first line of a paragraph begins.
Folder A collection of files and/or other folders that help you organize your disks.
Folders List Displays folders where Outlook Express stores your e-mail messages. You can also use folders to organize your e-mail messages.
Font A tool bar in WordPad that contains formatting buttons.
Format To change the appearance of information but not the actual content.
Frame A separate window within a Web page.
Full Permission Allows the user to edit and save changes to the file and execute programs on server or client computers.
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Hanging Indent Marker A paragraph format in which the first line of a paragraph starts farther to the left than the subsequent lines.
Hard Copy A paper document that you can share with others or review as a work in progress.
Highlight When an item is shaded differently indicating it is selected.
Hits The result of an Internet search that, when clicked, opens a Web page or category.
Home Page The page that opens every time you start Internet Explorer or other browser.
Hub Used to connect multiple computers at a central location.
Hyperlinks [links] Highlighted text or graphics in a Web page that open other Web pages when you click them
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Icons Graphical representations of computer elements e.g.: files and programs.
Insertion Point A blinking vertical line that appears in the work area of the WordPad window indicating where new text will appear when you type.
Internet A communications system that connects computers and computer networks located around the world using telephone lines, cables, satellites and other telecommunication media.
Internet Service Provider [ISP] A company that provides Internet access.
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Keywords A word or phrase you submit to a search engine to find various Web sites on the Internet.
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Left Indent Marker The small square under the bottom triangle that allows you to move the first-line indent market and the left indent marker simultaneously.
Links Bar Displays link buttons to Web pages on the Internet or to documents on a local network drive.
Local Area Network [LAN] A network of computers close together that can share resources using two or more client computers.
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Mapping A direct connection to the network location for quick and easy access.
Margin The extra white space around the edge of a document.
Maximize To enlarge a window so it fills the entire document.
Menu A list of available commands in a program.
Message Flags An icon associated with an e-mail message that helps you determine the status or priority of the message.
Minimize To reduce the size of a window. [Located in the upper-right corner of a window].
Mouse A hand-held input device that you roll across a flat surface [such as a desk or a mouse pad].
Mouse Buttons The two buttons [right and left] on the mouse used to make selection and commands.
Mouse Pointer The arrow-shaped cursors on the screen that follows the movement of the mouse. The shape changes depending on the program and the task being executed.
Multi-tasking Working with more than one Windows program at a time.
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Navigating Repositioning the insertion point in a document.
Network A system of two or more computers connected together to share resources.
Network and Dial-up Connections Enable access to network resources, whether you are physically connected using a direct cable or remotely connected using a modem.
Network Interface Cards [NICs] A type of adapter, cards are inserted in a slot in the back of your computer that connect your computer to the network.
Network Neighborhood An icon on the Windows 98 desktop that lists the computers on the network and helps manage files and folders across the network.
Network Places An icon on the Windows ME desktop that lists the computers on the network and helps manage files and folders across the network.
New Mail Message Link Opens the New Message dialog box where you can compose and send e-mail messages.
News Server A computer located on the Internet, which stores newsgroup messages.
Newsgroups a collection of e-mail messages on related topics posted by individuals to specified Internet locations.
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Open the Address Book Link Opens the address Book where you can enter and edit your contacts list.
Open Type Font Based on a mathematical equation that creates letters with smooth curves and sharp corners.
Operating System A computer program that controls the basic operation of your computer and the programs you run on it. Windows 98 is an example of an operating system.
Outlook Express Start Page Displays tools that you can use to read e-mail, set up a newsgroup account, read newsgroup messages, compose e-mail message, enter and edit Address Book information, and find people on the Internet.
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Pane Part of a window that divides it into two or more sections.
Pattern A design that will display as your desktop background.
Peer-to-Peer Networking - A network setup that enables two or more computers to link together without designating a central server.
Personalized Menus Keeps track of which programs you use and hides the programs you have not used recently.
Point a unit of measurement [1/72nd inch] used to specify the size of text.
Pointing Positioning the mouse pointer over an icon or over any specific item on the screen.
Pop-up Menu Right-clicking an item on the desktop displays this menu.
Power Scheme A predefined collection of power usage settings.
Preview Pane Displays the message in your Inbox.
Print Preview A layout and formatting of a document you can view before printing.
Printout A paper document that you can share or review with others as a work in progress.
Program Button Located on the taskbar, represents any window that is minimized but still running.
Programs Task-oriented software you use to accomplish specific tasks, such as word processing, managing files on your computer, and performing calculations.
Properties The characteristics of a specific element [such as a mouse, keyboard, or desktop] that you can customize.
Protocol A language that the computer uses to communicate with other computers on the network.
Proxy Server An Internet connection option that provides a secure barrier between your network and the Internet and prevents other people from seeing confidential information on your network.
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Random Access Memory [RAM] A temporary storage space whose contents are erased when you turn off the computer.
Read Mail Link Jumps to the Inbox where you can read and reply to incoming e-mail messages.
Read News Link Connects to news groups that you can view and subscribe to.
Read Permission Allows the user to open and view the file but not to make changes that can be saved to that file.
Recycle Bin A temporary storage area for deleted files that is located on your desktop.
Restore Button Returns a window to its previous size.
Right Indent Marker The triangle on the right side of the ruler that controls where the right edge of the paragraph ends.
Right Clicking Clicking the right mouse button.
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Scheme A predefined combination of settings that assures visual coordination of all items.
Screen Font A font that consists of bitmapped characters.
Screen Saver A moving pattern that fills your screen after your computer has not been used for a specific amount of time.
Screen Tip A description of a toolbar button that appears on your screen when you position the mouse pointer over the button.
Scroll Bar A bar that appears at the bottom and/or right edge of a Window whose contents are not entirely visible; Each scroll bar contains a scroll box and two scroll arrows. You click the arrows or drag the box in the scrollbar in the direction you want the window to move.
Search Engine A program to access through a Web site and use to search through a collection of information found on the Internet.
Select The act of clicking an item, such as an icon, indicates that you have it perform some future operation on it.
Server - A single computer designated to store and share resources, such as programs, files, and folders, with other users on a network.
Service Allows sharing your computer resources, such as files and printers, with other networked computes.
Set up a Newsgroups Account Link - Creates a newsgroup account.
Shortcut - A link that you can place in any location that gives you instant access to a particular file, folder, or program on your hard disk or on a network.
Shut Down - The action you perform when you are finished working with Windows. After you perform this action, it is safe to turn off your computer.
Skin The Media players appearance.
Start Button - Located on the taskbar used to start programs, find and open files, access Windows Help and more.
Status Bar - A bar at the bottom of the Word window that indicates the current page number and section number, the total number of pages in the document, and the vertical position [in inches] of the insertion point.
Streaming Media - The Windows Media Player delivers continuous video, live broadcasts, sound, and music playback.
Stretch - A Display properties option that displays the wallpaper picture or pattern enlarged across the desktop screen.
Submenu - An arrow next to a menu item indicating a list of commands for that menu.
Synchronize - Latest online version of your Web page on your hard disk drive for off line viewing.
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Tabs - Located at the top of the dialog box separate options into related categories.
Task Scheduler - A tool that enables you to schedule tasks to run regularly, at a time convenient for you.
Taskbar A strip at the bottom of the screen that contains the Start button, Quick Launch toolbar, and shows programs that are running.
Thumbnails - Miniature views or large icons.
Tile Displays the wallpaper picture or pattern consecutively across the screen.
Tip of the Day Displays an Outlook Express tip.
Title Bar - Located at the top of the window and displays the name of the program and contains the name of the file.
Toggle - A button that acts as an on/of switch.
Toolbar Provides button s for easy access to the most commonly used commands.
TrueType Font - Based on a mathematical equation that creates letters with smooth curves and sharp corners.
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Uniform Resource Locator [URL] - A Web pages address.
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Vertical Scroll Bar - Allows you to move up or down the current page
Virtual Private Network - A secure connection to a network over the Internet.
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Wallpaper - A picture that serves as your desktops background.
Web Address - A unique address on the Internet where you can locate a Web page.
Web Browsers - Software programs that you use to browse the Web, or access and display
Web Pages - Documents that contain highlighted words, phrases, and graphics that open other Web pages when you click them.
Web Site - Contains Web pages linked together to make looking for information on the Internet easier.
Windows Media Player - A built-in accessory that allows you to play video, sound, and mixed media files.
Windows Movie Maker - Allows you to create your own movies from a variety of sources.
Windows Program - Software designed to run on computers using the Windows operating system.
Window - Rectangular frame on your screen that can contain several icons, the contents of a file, or other usable data.
Wizard A series of dialog boxes that walk you through the steps of customizing a folder.
WordPad - A Windows word-processing program.
Workgroup - A group of computers that performs common tasks or belong to users who share common duties and interests.
Workstations - Other computers on the network that can access the resources on the server instead of having to store them.
World Wide Web [Web or WWW] - Part of the Internet that consists of Web sites located on different computers around the world.
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