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Glossary

default

A value or setting that takes effect when the printer is turned on, reset, or initialized.

dpi (dots per inch)

The number of dots per inch is a measure of printer resolution. The higher the number of dots, the higher the resolution.

driver

See printer driver.

drum

The part of the printer mechanism where the image is formed and transferred to paper.

font

A set of characters and symbols that share a common typographic design and style.

halftone

A grayscale image that is composed of small dots. The dots can be close together to create black or more widely spaced to create gray or white areas in the image. Newspaper photographs are common examples of halftones.

imaging cartridge

The imaging cartridge contains a photosensitive print drum and supply of toner.

initialization

The act of returning the printer to its defaults (fixed set of conditions).

interface

The connection between the printer and the computer. A parallel interface transmits data one character or code at a time, while a serial interface transmits data one bit at a time.

landscape

Printing that is oriented sideways on the page. This orientation gives you a page that is wider than it is high and is useful for printing spreadsheets.

memory

The part of the printer's electronic system that is used to store information. Some information is fixed and is used to control how the printer operates. Information that is sent to the printer from the computer (such as downloaded fonts) is stored in memory temporarily. See also RAM and status sheet.

orientation

Refers to the direction in which characters are printed on a page. This direction is either portrait, where the length of the page is longer than its width, or landscape, where the width is longer than its length.

point size

The height of a particular font as measured from the top of the tallest character to the bottom of the lowest. A point is a typographic unit of measure equivalent to 1/72 of an inch.

portrait

Printing that is oriented upright on the page (as opposed to landscape, in which printing is oriented sideways on the page). This is the standard orientation for printing letters or documents.

ppm (pages per minute)

The number of pages can be printed in one minute.

printer driver

Software that sends instructions to the printer to tell it what to do. For example, your printer driver accepts print data from your word processor application and sends instructions to the printer on how to print this data.

RAM

Random Access Memory. The portion of the printer's memory used as a buffer and for storing user-defined characters. All data stored in RAM is lost when the printer is turned off.

reset

To refresh the printer's memory and erase the current print jobs.

resolution

A measure of the fineness and clarity of images produced by the printer or monitor. Printer resolution is measured in dots per inch. Monitor resolution is measured in pixels.

status sheet

A report that lists the printer settings and other printer information.

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