VII. APPENDIX

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Glossary of terms and acronyms used in this manual

TERM APPROXIMATE MEANING AS USED IN DESIGN MANUAL

ADE (AutoCAD Data Extension) A program which adds the ability to "link" drawing attributes to information located in external databases.

AutoCAD An expensive, powerful, awkward, hard-to-learn computer program used for drafting and mapping.

Autodesk Publisher of AutoCAD.

Bandwidth Concept of the information-carrying capacity of a medium. Comes from radio-electronics & telephony.

Barcode Means of using computer generated, machine readable icon to encode information. Read by laser scanner. Fast way to perform data entry, or locate item in database.

BOM Bill of Materials. An inclusive list of all parts, pieces, etc. that become part of the product.

C,Y,M,K,G Acronym for color separations in Cyan Yellow Magenta Black Gamma, used in 4 and 5 color printing.

CADD Computer Aided Design and Drafting.

CAE Computer Automated Engineering.

CIM Computer Integrated Manufacture.

CNC Computer Numerical Control.

CPM Critical Path Method.

DFA Design for Assembly.

DFM Design for Manufacture.

DFMA Design for Manufacture and Assembly.

DTP Desktop Publishing.

Deskjet Low cost personal "Inkjet" page printer. Based on technology which revolutionized printer pricing and document generation.

Enabler Software product which provides functionality at a broader scale than previous technologies: i.e. DTP.

Fabs Jargon: High-tech places where things like computer chips are made.

Flakeboard Wood-based product formed from chips bonded with glue and pressed into panels. Substitute for plywood in many industries. Basis of cabinet industry.

FMS Flexible Manufacturing Systems.

HPWTs High Performance Work Teams. Empowered with decision-making. See Workgroups.

Iterative One step, repeated over and over. Iterative processes can often be translated into operations suited to mechanization. Think of the way machines multiply by adding: We multiply 8 X 9 whereas a machine micht add 8+8 nine times. Procedure = Add 8 to 8, Iterate add 9 times.

JIT Just In Time. An inventory reduction methodology based on partnering, production on demand, and rapid delivery.

Kaizen Continuous improvement process introduced in Japanese factories. Based on empowerment, recruiting buy-in of production workers.

Kanban Japanese practice of "partnering" between manufacturers and their suppliers. Kanban acknowledges the inter-related production scheduling needs of both parties. Kanban provides the basis of the JIT model.

Knuth Donald Knuth, Computer Scientist. Author of first encyclopedic reference collection of computer algorithms. Will perhaps as be recognized as being as important as Miriam Webster by future generations.

Linotronic Phototypesetting machine based on Raster Image Processor. "Enabling" technology for DTP.

Mac The personal computer that popularized the Graphical User Interface(GUI).

MasterCAM Powerful software package combining functions of CAD and CNC. Controls NC routers, mills, etc.

MPS Master Production Schedule. Developed from (WBS) Work Breakdown Schedule, resource allocation.

MRP Materials Requirements Planning. Inventory management method based on analysis of intersections of products MPS and BOM.

MRPII Software system which implements refined version of MRP.

MSRP Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. What you do not want to pay for goods.

MTC Manufacturing Technology Center. Regional facility where end-users can learn to apply enabling technology.

OLE2 Standard for implementation of "Object Linking and Embedding". Allows software to pass information and share resources.

OM Operations Manual. While you develop your business plan, develop your OM along with it. It explains the how and why of your business.

OSHA Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Supposed to make sure your operation is not killing your employees faster than the law allows.

PC's Personal Computers. As opposed to mini computers of mainframe computers, which are too big to fit on or under a desk. PC's are further distinguished from workstations, which are more powerful than PC's and require more knowledge to operate .

PDM Product Data Management system. Part-level listing of all activities, materials and resources. Developed from WBS, BOM, MPS, includes cost and history.

Pendaflex Industry standard hanging file system. Rails support file folders with notched metal bars.

Photo-realistic Graphical presentation based on modeling the visual properties edges and lighting. Used for rendering of non-existent product proposal.

PIM Personal Information Manager. A broad class of contact and time management software used primarily by sales people.

Plate making Methods of etching plates to be used on printing press to allow selective pickup and transfer of ink. Based on photograhic process.

Pre-press Process of proofing 4 and 5 color printing projects. Tools and techniques used to approximate and predict the appearance of finished product prior to printing.

Primavera Project management software from mini-computer world, once popular with large firms, now available for the PC. Similar to MS-Project. Makes PERT and GANT Charts.

Producibility A measure of the fit between a design and the technology available.

Prototyping Means of turning a concept into a useable product to allow users to evaluate its weaknesses.

REI Recreational Equipment Inc. The Sears of the Pepsi Generation.

RTA Ready to Assemble (shipped "Knocked Down").

RouterSIM CNC software which operates inside AutoCAD, adding important features which allow MasterCAM-type functionality to be programmed within AutoCAD.

SLL Selective Laser Lithography. Fast prototyping technology based on CNC. Solid object is polymerized directly out of vat of liquid resin by energy from laser.

SLS Selective Laser Sintering. 2^nd generation fast prototyping technology. Similar to SL. Allows wax or plastic model to be built up from powder fused by energy from laser.

Springback Characteristic of materials, applied to interaction between material and cutter in a machining operation. Knowledge of springback provides numerical information which allows finished size and surface characteristics to be predicted, based on cutter geometry, feed rate, etc..

SQL Structured Query Language. Standard for software interoperability. Vocabulary and grammar which provides basis of Client-Server computing.

Silma Virtual Factory enabler software.

Sintering Fusing particles into a solid.

Timeline Jargon: Common usage comes from Critical Path Method (CPM) and Gantt charts. Events are assigned durations, and linked to form a linear, graphic representation of the process. Time was invented to keep everything from happening at once.

TQM Total Quality Management.

Tapserts Bushings which are inserted and expanded into a hole in wood, plastic, sheet materials, etc., to provide metallic internal threads.

VOC's Volatile Organic Compounds. Mostly refers to emissions from materials used as solvents and coatings.

Walkman Platform product created by Aikira Morita (CEO Sony Corp.). Story goes that the enormous success of Walkman resulted in resignation (in shame) of his board of directors, who did not approve product.

WBS Work Breakdown Schedule.

WIP Work In Progress.

Workgroups Teams working on common project or aspect of project, sharing data over computer network.

Glossary of common computer jargon

JARGON TRANSLATION EXPLANATION

DOS The operating system used on Computer. "Disk Operating System". Not all versions are "compatible" with all software.
Pronounced DAW-s
In a MAC system 6, System 7 etc.
In a PC MS-DOS 6.0, 6.2, 6.22, O/S-2, UNIX, etc.

NOS Network Operating System
Pronounced En-Oh-Es
Novell, AppleTalk, LANtastic, Windows for Workgroups, etc.

Protocol Rules of the road for network operation

RAM The accessable, addressable, volatile electronic memory. Programs arrange themselves into memory. The operating system moderates between programs, to prevent conflicts.
3 basic kinds of RAM in your machine:
(Dynamic) DRAM up to 128MB; usually 4MB to 16MB.
(Static) SRAM up to 1MB; usually 256K
(Video) VRAM up to 2MB; usually 1MB

Pronounced like a male sheep.
Random Access Memory
DRAM comes in various formats, capacities and speeds. When upgrading, stick with same speed and same manufacturer. Not all DRAM fits all machines. Modern DRAM comes on small 72 pin cards.
You need a lot of it. Most motherboards have a limited number of RAM slots. This means you must plan original purchase carefully, or you will create limits on future expansion, or have to replace chips.
The speed difference between 8MB and 16MB of RAM ($300) is more than between 75 and 100 MHz CPU clock ($500) w/8MB.

ROM
The memory that you cannot access, but the computer can. ROM is programmed by the manufacturer.
Pronounced RAW-m.
Read Only Memory. Your machine has 2 ROMs. Each may use more than 1 chip.
BIOS (normally electronically reprogrammable CMOS).
VIDEO BIOS (EEPROM).

DISK Nonvolatile mass storage. HDD or FDD.

HDD The mass storage device. A disk of magnetized metal sealed in a metal box. Fast, compared to a floppy disk or a backup tape, but slow compared to RAM. Hard Disk or Hard Drive.
2 common varieties, requiring different "interfaces":
IDE (cheap for PC's).
SCSI (expensive for PC's).

FDD Removable mass storage. A plastic disk in a plastic sleeve, coated with barium ferrite (like the surface of a cassette tape).
Slow compared to Network.
Slow compared to HDD.
Fast compared to MODEM.
Floppy or Floppy Disk.
Come in 2 common sizes: 3.5" and 5.25"; 6 common formats. 360KB, 1.2MD, 720KB,1.44MB, Old MAC, Newer MAC.
The current standard is 3.5" 1.44MB.

FILE Organized collection of digital data, readable by the program which created it, and if you are lucky, by some others, as well. Linked information magnetically encoded on the surface of a FDD or HDD according to the format of the Disk and the FAT.

Bernoulli
Syquest
ZIP, etc.
High density removable mass storage (fancy, expensive floppy disks). Various formats are not interchangeable. Solution to transfer large files between non-networked machines.
Disks are generally very expensive in terms of $ per MB.
Data Transfer is faster than tape.

TAPE BACKUP Relatively obsolete method of creating archive of data files on inexpensive, portable medium. Allows off-site storage of essential business information. Tape is very slow, capacity of individual tapes is very low. Cost of large HDD is now so low that backup requires multiple tapes.
Modern solution uses Digital Tape (generally look like Hi-8 cam-corder tapes). This allows up to 8GB of data on 1 tape.

CHIP Either:
the Microprocessor (CPU)
or
RAM (SIMM, SIPP, chips).
In a PC, this is the Intel (80) 286, 386, 486, 586 (Pentium).
In a MAC, this is the Motorola (68) 020, 030, 040.
The issue of SX, DX, DX-2, DX-4 relates to how much power the chip has, how fast it runs, and what voltage it requires. Buy DX-2 or DX-4 unless someone gives you a very good reason to buy something else (DX-50 or Pentium).

MATH-CHIP Math Co-processer (MathChip) Very useful upgrade to extend the life of fast 386 machines.

CARD A printed circuit board you install in your PC to provide functions not included in Motherboard. Adds functions not found on the motherboard, or updates functions provided on the motherboard.

UPS Uninterruptable Power Supply.
Available in a range of sizes, with a range of features. If you run a Novell network, the advanced features may be important to you. Otherwise, all that matters is a test button and replaceable batteries.
Basically, a UPS is a set of gel-cells or motorcycle type lead-acid batteries, a trickle charger, a voltage sensitive trigger, an alarm and a small switching power supply in a box a little bigger than a loaf of bread.
Switches within 1/4 cycle if line voltage goes above or below appropriate levels. Puts out clean, sine wave 120vac. Runs the computer for a little while during power outages. Howls when power goes out. You don't need big ones, or fancy ones, but you need one for every computer. ($100 -$200).

MODEM Card or external box that allows computers to connect to one another over conventional phone lines. Allows access to the Internet. Buy 14.4 or 28.8. ($50 - $165) These are slow compared to moving files to and from disk, but much faster than previous modems (2400 - 9600 baud).

BIOS Basic In Out System Semi-programmable Chip-set which controls how the Computer connects to the rest of its components.
Latest versions of BIOS are called "Plug & Play". This means they are semi-automatic.

Mother-board The biggest "card" in your PC. Holds the BUS and SLOTS. Most motherboards hold the CPU, CLOCK, BIOS and main and cache MEMORY.

Bus 16, 32 or 64 bit wide. Electronics jargon. Refers to how "wide" (how many lanes move at once) the data highway inside your PC is.

Slot The connector (on the motherboard) you plug a card into. Gives card access to the BUS.
ISA is pronounced EYE-sa
VESA is pronounced VEE-SA
Cards come in several forms to fit into ISA (EISA) or VESA or PCI slots.

TERM	APPROXIMATE MEANING AS USED IN DESIGN MANUAL

ADE	(AutoCAD Data Extension) A program which adds the ability to "link" drawing attributes to information located in external databases.
AutoCAD	An expensive, powerful, awkward, hard-to-learn computer program used for drafting and mapping.
Autodesk	Publisher of AutoCAD.
Bandwidth	Concept of the information-carrying capacity of a medium. Comes from radio-electronics & telephony.
Barcode	Means of using computer generated, machine readable icon to encode information. Read by laser scanner. Fast way to perform data entry, or locate item in database.
BOM	Bill of Materials. An inclusive list of all parts, pieces, etc. that become part of the product.
C,Y,M,K,G	Acronym for color separations in Cyan Yellow Magenta Black Gamma, used in 4 and 5 color printing.
CADD	Computer Aided Design and Drafting.
CAE	Computer Automated Engineering.
CIM	Computer Integrated Manufacture.
CNC	Computer Numerical Control.
CPM	Critical Path Method.
DFA	Design for Assembly.
DFM	Design for Manufacture.
DFMA	Design for Manufacture and Assembly.
DTP	Desktop Publishing.
Deskjet	Low cost personal "Inkjet" page printer. Based on technology which revolutionized printer pricing and document generation.
Enabler	Software product which provides functionality at a broader scale than previous technologies: i.e. DTP.
Fabs	Jargon: High-tech places where things like computer chips are made.
Flakeboard	Wood-based product formed from chips bonded with glue and pressed into panels. Substitute for plywood in many industries. Basis of cabinet industry.
FMS	Flexible Manufacturing Systems.
HPWTs	High Performance Work Teams. Empowered with decision-making. See Workgroups.
Iterative	One step, repeated over and over. Iterative processes can often be translated into operations suited to mechanization. Think of the way machines multiply by adding: We multiply 8 X 9 whereas a machine micht add 8+8 nine times. Procedure = Add 8 to 8, Iterate add 9 times.
JIT	Just In Time. An inventory reduction methodology based on partnering, production on demand, and rapid delivery.
Kaizen	Continuous improvement process introduced in Japanese factories. Based on empowerment, recruiting buy-in of production workers.
Kanban	Japanese practice of "partnering" between manufacturers and their suppliers. Kanban acknowledges the inter-related production scheduling needs of both parties. Kanban provides the basis of the JIT model.
Knuth	Donald Knuth, Computer Scientist. Author of first encyclopedic reference collection of computer algorithms. Will perhaps as be recognized as being as important as Miriam Webster by future generations.
Linotronic	Phototypesetting machine based on Raster Image Processor. "Enabling" technology for DTP.
Mac	The personal computer that popularized the Graphical User Interface(GUI).
MasterCAM	Powerful software package combining functions of CAD and CNC. Controls NC routers, mills, etc.
MPS	Master Production Schedule. Developed from (WBS) Work Breakdown Schedule, resource allocation.
MRP	Materials Requirements Planning. Inventory management method based on analysis of intersections of products MPS and BOM.
MRPII	Software system which implements refined version of MRP.
MSRP	Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. What you do not want to pay for goods.
MTC	Manufacturing Technology Center. Regional facility where end-users can learn to apply enabling technology.
OLE2	Standard for implementation of "Object Linking and Embedding". Allows software to pass information and share resources.
OM	Operations Manual. While you develop your business plan, develop your OM along with it. It explains the how and why of your business.
OSHA	Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Supposed to make sure your operation is not killing your employees faster than the law allows.
PC's	Personal Computers. As opposed to mini computers of mainframe computers, which are too big to fit on or under a desk. PC's are further distinguished from workstations, which are more powerful than PC's and require more knowledge to operate .
PDM	Product Data Management system. Part-level listing of all activities, materials and resources. Developed from WBS, BOM, MPS, includes cost and history.
Pendaflex	Industry standard hanging file system. Rails support file folders with notched metal bars.
Photo-realistic	Graphical presentation based on modeling the visual properties edges and lighting. Used for rendering of non-existent product proposal.
PIM	Personal Information Manager. A broad class of contact and time management software used primarily by sales people.
Plate making	Methods of etching plates to be used on printing press to allow selective pickup and transfer of ink. Based on photograhic process.
Pre-press	Process of proofing 4 and 5 color printing projects. Tools and techniques used to approximate and predict the appearance of finished product prior to printing.
Primavera	Project management software from mini-computer world, once popular with large firms, now available for the PC. Similar to MS-Project. Makes PERT and GANT Charts.
Producibility	A measure of the fit between a design and the technology available.
Prototyping	Means of turning a concept into a useable product to allow users to evaluate its weaknesses.
REI	Recreational Equipment Inc. The Sears of the Pepsi Generation.
RTA	Ready to Assemble (shipped "Knocked Down").
RouterSIM	CNC software which operates inside AutoCAD, adding important features which allow MasterCAM-type functionality to be programmed within AutoCAD.
SLL	Selective Laser Lithography. Fast prototyping technology based on CNC. Solid object is polymerized directly out of vat of liquid resin by energy from laser.
SLS	Selective Laser Sintering. 2^nd generation fast prototyping technology. Similar to SL. Allows wax or plastic model to be built up from powder fused by energy from laser.
Springback	Characteristic of materials, applied to interaction between material and cutter in a machining operation. Knowledge of springback provides numerical information which allows finished size and surface characteristics to be predicted, based on cutter geometry, feed rate, etc..
SQL	Structured Query Language. Standard for software interoperability. Vocabulary and grammar which provides basis of Client-Server computing.
Silma	Virtual Factory enabler software.
Sintering	Fusing particles into a solid.
Timeline	Jargon: Common usage comes from Critical Path Method (CPM) and Gantt charts. Events are assigned durations, and linked to form a linear, graphic representation of the process. Time was invented to keep everything from happening at once.
TQM	Total Quality Management.
Tapserts	Bushings which are inserted and expanded into a hole in wood, plastic, sheet materials, etc., to provide metallic internal threads.
VOC's	Volatile Organic Compounds. Mostly refers to emissions from materials used as solvents and coatings.
Walkman	Platform product created by Aikira Morita (CEO Sony Corp.). Story goes that the enormous success of Walkman resulted in resignation (in shame) of his board of directors, who did not approve product.
WBS	Work Breakdown Schedule.
WIP	Work In Progress.
Workgroups	Teams working on common project or aspect of project, sharing data over computer network.

JARGON	TRANSLATION	EXPLANATION
DOS	The operating system used on Computer. "Disk Operating System". Not all versions are "compatible" with all software. Pronounced DAW-s	In a MAC system 6, System 7 etc. In a PC MS-DOS 6.0, 6.2, 6.22, O/S-2, UNIX, etc.
NOS	Network Operating System Pronounced En-Oh-Es	Novell, AppleTalk, LANtastic, Windows for Workgroups, etc.
Protocol	Rules of the road for network operation
RAM	The accessable, addressable, volatile electronic memory. Programs arrange themselves into memory. The operating system moderates between programs, to prevent conflicts. 3 basic kinds of RAM in your machine: (Dynamic) DRAM up to 128MB; usually 4MB to 16MB. (Static) SRAM up to 1MB; usually 256K (Video) VRAM up to 2MB; usually 1MB Pronounced like a male sheep.	Random Access Memory DRAM comes in various formats, capacities and speeds. When upgrading, stick with same speed and same manufacturer. Not all DRAM fits all machines. Modern DRAM comes on small 72 pin cards. You need a lot of it. Most motherboards have a limited number of RAM slots. This means you must plan original purchase carefully, or you will create limits on future expansion, or have to replace chips. The speed difference between 8MB and 16MB of RAM ($300) is more than between 75 and 100 MHz CPU clock ($500) w/8MB.
ROM	The memory that you cannot access, but the computer can. ROM is programmed by the manufacturer. Pronounced RAW-m.	Read Only Memory. Your machine has 2 ROMs. Each may use more than 1 chip. BIOS (normally electronically reprogrammable CMOS). VIDEO BIOS (EEPROM).
DISK	Nonvolatile mass storage.	HDD or FDD.
HDD	The mass storage device. A disk of magnetized metal sealed in a metal box. Fast, compared to a floppy disk or a backup tape, but slow compared to RAM.	Hard Disk or Hard Drive. 2 common varieties, requiring different "interfaces": IDE (cheap for PC's). SCSI (expensive for PC's).

FDD	Removable mass storage. A plastic disk in a plastic sleeve, coated with barium ferrite (like the surface of a cassette tape). Slow compared to Network. Slow compared to HDD. Fast compared to MODEM.	Floppy or Floppy Disk. Come in 2 common sizes: 3.5" and 5.25"; 6 common formats. 360KB, 1.2MD, 720KB,1.44MB, Old MAC, Newer MAC. The current standard is 3.5" 1.44MB.
FILE	Organized collection of digital data, readable by the program which created it, and if you are lucky, by some others, as well.	Linked information magnetically encoded on the surface of a FDD or HDD according to the format of the Disk and the FAT.
Bernoulli Syquest ZIP, etc.	High density removable mass storage (fancy, expensive floppy disks). Various formats are not interchangeable.	Solution to transfer large files between non-networked machines. Disks are generally very expensive in terms of $ per MB. Data Transfer is faster than tape.
TAPE BACKUP	Relatively obsolete method of creating archive of data files on inexpensive, portable medium. Allows off-site storage of essential business information.	Tape is very slow, capacity of individual tapes is very low. Cost of large HDD is now so low that backup requires multiple tapes. Modern solution uses Digital Tape (generally look like Hi-8 cam-corder tapes). This allows up to 8GB of data on 1 tape.
CHIP	Either: the Microprocessor (CPU) or RAM (SIMM, SIPP, chips).	In a PC, this is the Intel (80) 286, 386, 486, 586 (Pentium). In a MAC, this is the Motorola (68) 020, 030, 040. The issue of SX, DX, DX-2, DX-4 relates to how much power the chip has, how fast it runs, and what voltage it requires. Buy DX-2 or DX-4 unless someone gives you a very good reason to buy something else (DX-50 or Pentium).
MATH-CHIP	Math Co-processer (MathChip)	Very useful upgrade to extend the life of fast 386 machines.
CARD	A printed circuit board you install in your PC to provide functions not included in Motherboard.	Adds functions not found on the motherboard, or updates functions provided on the motherboard.

UPS	Uninterruptable Power Supply. Available in a range of sizes, with a range of features. If you run a Novell network, the advanced features may be important to you. Otherwise, all that matters is a test button and replaceable batteries.	Basically, a UPS is a set of gel-cells or motorcycle type lead-acid batteries, a trickle charger, a voltage sensitive trigger, an alarm and a small switching power supply in a box a little bigger than a loaf of bread. Switches within 1/4 cycle if line voltage goes above or below appropriate levels. Puts out clean, sine wave 120vac. Runs the computer for a little while during power outages. Howls when power goes out. You don't need big ones, or fancy ones, but you need one for every computer. ($100 -$200).
MODEM	Card or external box that allows computers to connect to one another over conventional phone lines. Allows access to the Internet.	Buy 14.4 or 28.8. ($50 - $165) These are slow compared to moving files to and from disk, but much faster than previous modems (2400 - 9600 baud).
BIOS	Basic In Out System	Semi-programmable Chip-set which controls how the Computer connects to the rest of its components. Latest versions of BIOS are called "Plug & Play". This means they are semi-automatic.
Mother-board	The biggest "card" in your PC.	Holds the BUS and SLOTS. Most motherboards hold the CPU, CLOCK, BIOS and main and cache MEMORY.
Bus	16, 32 or 64 bit wide.	Electronics jargon. Refers to how "wide" (how many lanes move at once) the data highway inside your PC is.
Slot	The connector (on the motherboard) you plug a card into. Gives card access to the BUS. ISA is pronounced EYE-sa VESA is pronounced VEE-SA	Cards come in several forms to fit into ISA (EISA) or VESA or PCI slots.

VII. APPENDIX

PREVIOUS | TOP |CONTENTS | HOME

Glossary of terms and acronyms used in this manual

Glossary of common computer jargon

PREVIOUS | TOP | CONTENTS | HOME