Glossary

SAN:
Storage Area Network. Typically a large RAID system with other redundant and fail safe components such as duplicate power supplies, network adapters and system controllers. Attaches to the network infrastructure directly, independent of a computer system.
Service-Level Agreement:
A service-level agreement is a contract that defines the technical support or business parameters that an application service provider or other IT outsourcing firm will provide its clients. The agreement typically spells out measures for performance and consequences for failure.
SQL:
Structured Query Language. A method of searching and retrieving information from database systems. Initially defined by ANSI with the objective of creating a common means of accessing data from different databases and of transferring data between databases.
TCP/IP:
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Widely used set of protocols developed by the US Department of Defence to link different computers across networks. Used in the Internet superhighway. Internet pioneers Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn have been awarded America's highest civilian honour.
Thumbnails:
Small versions of an image used for quick overviews or to get a general idea of what an image looks like.
TIFF:
Tag Image File Format. A tag-based file format that is designed to promote the interchange of digital image data. The tag (or header) would typically hold information such as the size of a document and the resolution at which it was captured.
Twain:
Specialised interface software used for communication between scanners and computers. See also ISIS.
UDO:
Ultra high density magneto optical drives and media using blue lasers. Currently with a capacity of 30gb per platter, but planned to increase to 60gb and 120gb.
Vector graphics:
The technique of manipulating or displaying an image whereby each line, object and shape is described by a formula from which it can be reconstructed. Vector graphics are preferred for Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems.
Version Control:
Procedures to identify the authorship and the sequence of different versions of a document. Workflow The process of organising business processes as a controlled sequence of activities.
WORM disk:
A random access digital mass storage device. Its main characteristics are: high storage capacity, recordable, security of information (data cannot be erased or modified), durability and removable (platters can be stored off-line). At present the most common disk size for WORM is 5.25in. Disks may be single- or double-sided. The current capacity of UDO media is 30gb per platter, soon to increase to 60gb, and planned to got to 120gd ultimately.
WORM:
Write-Once-Read-Many. Characteristic of digital storage medium on which data can be recorded once and read many times. The written data cannot subsequently be modified.
XML:
(eXtensible Markup Language) A restricted form of SGML designed (under the auspices of the World Wide Web Consortium - W3C) to enable generic SGML to be served, received, and processed on the Web in the way that is now possible with HTML. XML has been designed for ease of implementation and for interoperability with both SGML and HTML.