Fiber to the home A high-speed, or broadband, connection to
the Internet using fiber-optic cabling all the way to the home; the
fastest way to access the Internet from the home, but available in
only a limited (but growing) geographical area. In the United
States, Verizon Communications is the largest provider of fiber
to the home service, with service available with speeds up to
50 mbps for downloading.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) An Internet application, or tool,
that allows users to send and receive files, including programs,
from one computer system to another over the Internet. The user
logs into the two computer systems at the same time and then
copies files from one system to the other.
Firewall Usually implemented through software operating on a
router, server, or personal computer, a firewall inhibits access to
an organization’s internal network or to an individual’s personal
computer.
Flash drive The newest and smallest portable direct access
storage device for PCs, making use of flash memory rather than a
magnetizable disk. This device, which plugs into the USB port of
a PC, goes by various names, including flash drive, jump drive,
mini USB drive, or keychain drive.
Flash memory A type of memory used in digital cameras
and music players, as well as in flash drives for PCs. See also
Flash drive.
Formal system The way an organization or business process
was designed to work. See alsoInformal system.
Fourth generation language A computer language in which
the user gives a precise statement of what is to be accomplished,
not how to do it. No procedure is necessary; the order of
statements is usually inconsequential. Examples include SAS,
FOCUS, and CA-Ramis.
Free agent A type of telecommuter who independently con-
tracts out his or her services without becoming an employee of
any organization.
FTP SeeFile Transfer Protocol.
Full-duplex transmission A type of data transmission in
which data can travel in both directions at once over the commu-
nication line.
Functional information system An information system,
usually composed of multiple interrelated subsystems, that
provides the information necessary to accomplish various tasks
within a specific functional area of the business, such as pro-
duction, marketing, accounting, personnel, or engineering.
Gateway A hardware device employed in a telecommunica-
tions network to connect two or more local area networks (LANs)
or to connect two different types of networks, such as a backbone
network and the Internet, where the networks may use different
protocols. The gateway, which is really a sophisticated router,
forwards only those messages that need to be forwarded from one
network to another. See alsoRouter.
Genetic programming The branch of artificial intelligence
that divides a problem into multiple segments, and then links
solutions to these segments together in different ways to breed
new “child” solutions; after many generations of breeding,
genetic programming might produce results superior to anything
devised by a human. Genetic programming has been most useful
in the design of innovative products, such as a satellite support
arm and an energy-efficient light bulb.
Geographic information system (GIS) A computer-based
system designed to capture, store, manipulate, display, and
analyze data spatially referenced to the earth; a GIS links data to
maps so that the data’s spatial characteristics can be easily
understood.
Gigabit Ethernet An approach to implementing a very high-
speed local area network or a backbone network, operating at
1 billion bits per second (gbps) and higher; comes in several
versions which run over either Category 5e cable (four twisted
pairs of wires), multimode fiber-optic cabling, or single-mode
fiber-optic cabling. See also1 GbE, 10 GbE, 40 GbE, Backbone
network, Fast Ethernet.
GIS SeeGeographic information system.
Graphical user interface (GUI) An interface between a
computer and a human user based on graphical screen images
such as icons. With a GUI (pronounced gooey), the user selects
an application or makes other choices by using a mouse to click
on an appropriate icon or label appearing on the screen. Apple’s
Mac OS and Microsoft’s Windows employ a GUI.
Group support system (GSS) A variant of a decision support
system (DSS) in which the system is designed to support a group
rather than an individual. The purpose of a GSS is to make
group sessions more productive by supporting such group activi-
ties as brainstorming, issue structuring, voting, and conflict
resolution.
Group technology (GT) A computer-based system that
logically groups parts according to physical characteristics,
machine routings through the factory, and similar machine opera-
tions. Based on these logical groupings, GT is able to identify
existing parts that engineers can use or modify rather than design
new parts.
Groupware Application software designed to support groups;
the functionality varies but may include electronic mail, electronic
bulletin boards, computer conferencing, electronic calendaring,
group scheduling, sharing documents, meeting support systems,
electronic forms, and desktop videoconferencing.
GSS SeeGroup support system.
GT SeeGroup technology.
GUI SeeGraphical user interface.
Hacker A person who breaks into a computer for the challenge
of it without intending to do any harm.
Half-duplex transmission A type of data transmission in
which data can travel in both directions over the communication
line, but not simultaneously.
Handheld PC The smallest type of computing device, which
can easily be held in one hand while using the other hand to enter676 Glossary