POST : This stands for Power-On Self Test or POST. It's a series of diagnostics that run right after you turn on the computer's power, testing to see that memory chips and other fundamental parts are operating properly.

ZIF : This stands for Zero Insertion Force, a socket for processors. Processor chips typically have little metal legs that stick down and plug into a socket. If any of these bend or break, the processor won't work, which makes replace or upgrading a processor a dangerous act. The ZIF socket has a tiny handle that releases or grips the processor, eliminating any need to push and pull, bend or break.

Check Bits : Bits of information saved or sent can be lost or garbled. That's why many systems add extra bits--check bits-- that can mathematically tell if information has been lost (called Error Detection) or even recreate that information (called Error Correction). The overhead of adding the extra bits does slow maximum transmission rate or lower overall storage capacity, but is often worthwhile for the improved practical transmission or storage efficiency.

Underflow : When a calculation result is so small, so close to zero, that the computer can't represent it properly, you have underflow. The computer can then see this number as an error, or it can be programmed to round the number off so that work can proceed.

Backward Cache : A cache is a small amount of faster, expensive memory used to hold most-recently or most-frequently requested information, which can make all the memory appear to operate faster. Backside Cache is closely attached to the processor but is not inside the processor.

Footprint : The square inches of space on your desk (or dining room table) that a computer sits on and covers up is its "footprint." Smaller computers have smaller footprints.

Object-Oriented : Object-oriented software tries to make each item in a program--button, menu, field, table, icon--a separate, encapsulated world of its own--called an "object"--that interacts with the other items in the program. Each object has its own attributes--such as size, color, data type, format--that can interact with the attributes of other objects. Advantages of object-oriented programming include easier debugging and reuse.

SGML : The Standard Generalized Markup Language is a bunch of rules for tagging the elements of a document to specify fonts, sizes, styles, and so on. It was simplified for use as HTML, the basis of Web pages.

Octothorpe : The # symbol, commonly called the pound sign, was originally called the octothorpe. That's because it was a map-maker shorthand for a village with eight fields or thorpes, all around a central square.

Cybersquatter : Some think a "cybersquatter" is anyone who acquires an Internet domain name without plans to put up a Web site at that domain, especially if that person hopes to sell the domain name.