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Glossary of Terms
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Term
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Definition
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10 /100
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An Ethernet network capable of sending data at either 10 or 100 megabits per second.
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10bT
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Pronounced "10 base T". The RJ-45 connector used on an Ethernet network; capable of transmitting data at 10 megabits per second.
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A4 Paper
(A,B or C-size) Paper
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European (Japanese, etc.) use letter designations (in millimeters) for specific paper sizes. These are different than the US designations (Letter, Legal, Ledger).
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ADF
(see DADF, RADF)
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Automatic Document Feeder. A device used for automatically feeding multiple pages into a printer or scanner.
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analog
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Refers to the process of producing a copy by means of reflecting light off of the original and onto a photoconductive material or drum. Analog machines are characterized by a lack of features and poorer image quality than a digital device.
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bins
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Old-style analog copiers used multiple bins or exit trays to collate (or separate) the output.
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bond
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A standard type of copy or print paper.
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booklet
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The process of imposing or arranging the pages on duplexed documents so they appear in the correct order when folded in half.
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bridge unit
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Some add-on finishers require a bridge unit to connect to the copier itself.
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business color
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A class of color printing that is characterized by lower requirements around color accuracy. Business color usually refers to things like PowerPoint presentations - most any situation where spot color is being used and doesn't have to exactly match a specific printed or Pantone color (or the need for halftone reproduction).
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buy-out
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The amount owed at the end of a lease in order to own the equipment outright (the residual). Sometimes the buy out is rolled in with the remaining stream of payments in order to upgrade a client before the lease is up.
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bypass tray
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An input paper source on a copier, fax or printer that is generally used for feeding specialty paper into a machine. The bypass tray is for occasional use and the ability to feed heavier stocks.
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cabinet
(see stand)
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Most copiers require a specific stand to sit on. On some models, this stand may be substituted for an additional set of paper drawers or cassettes.
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card reader
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Usually a credit card style reading device for controlling access to a copy machine.
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cassette
(see drawer)
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The holding area for the paper in either a copier or printer.
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clicks
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Pages produced on an output device; either copies or prints. 5,000 clicks-per month means 5,000 pages or copies per month.
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CMYK
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Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and black; the process of generating a color image by absorbing light and reflecting what's left. This is a complimentary process to RGB color generation. CMYK is the process for all commercial printing and most color copiers. CMYK images are less vibrant than RGB (smaller color gamut).
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collate
(see sort)
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The means by which original sets are separated from each other for easy identification.
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color calibration
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Usually an electrical process of setting the image quality (and color correctness) to a known standard such as a test sheet.
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color separation
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The process of separating an electronic or hardcopy image into 4 base color components (CMYK) in preparation for printing on a color press.
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coverage
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Describes how much information (toner usage) is on a piece of paper. A standard business document is generally thought to contain between 8% and 14% coverage.
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CPC
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Cost Per Copy; refers to a type of sale where the equipment, service and finance charges are rolled into a single, per impression (click) charge. CPC deals are generally sold with a minimum number of copies referred to as the base.
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CPM
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Copies Per Minute - the maximum speed that an output device is capable of delivering paper to the output. May be affected by job specifics such as stapling or sorting and may be affected by the data stream.
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CRD
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Central Reproduction Department. In a larger company, the room with the "big" copier in it. CRDs are generally responsible for large print and copy jobs, specialty binding, etc.
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creative color
(see Graphic Color)
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Creative Color refers to upper-end requirements for color printing and copying. Creative color generally refers to clients with needs such as matching specific colors (Pantone), matching previously printed output, etc. Creative color clients typically use Macintosh computers.
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DADF
(see RADF)
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Duplexing (or Recirculating) Auto Document Feeder. A document feeder capable of reading both sides of an original in a single pass.
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data stream
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Refers to the electronic signal going to a printer. The data stream carries the PDL (page description language) information.
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densitometer
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A device used to measure the color shade and density from a printed image; used in conjunction with a printed test target and calibration software to set a color machine to a known value.
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desktop
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A copier, printer or fax that can sit directly on a counter or desktop instead of a dedicated stand.
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digital
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The new "breed" of copiers. Digital copiers scan to a digital image and print on the integrated laser printer to produce the copy. Because the image is digital, the quality is better and features such as reduction and enlargement are easier to implement because they are done via software.
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document feeder
(see ADF, DADF, RADF)
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The generic term for an automatic document feeder; a way of feeding a stack of paper into a copier or scanner unattended.
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domain
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A domain can be either or single server or multiple servers acting as on single network.
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domain controller
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The central computer in the domain that is responsible for authenticating or verifying a user's logon name and password.
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dot matrix printer
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A printer that creates characters and graphics by means of a small row of wires on its print head. The wires move forward and strike the paper through an inked ribbon, creating small dots on the page that make up the image. Dot matrix printers are characterized by extremely low quality print and high ribbon costs.
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DPI
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Dots Per Inch. The measure of resolution or the amount of information in a digital file. Also, a printing term used to indicate output quality.
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drawer
(see cassette)
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The holding area for the paper in either a copier or printer.
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duplex
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A document with information on both sides. Usually refers to output or printing, but can also be used to describe the original documents.
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duty cycle
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Refers to the amount of work that can be expected from a particular device (scanner, copier, printer, fax, etc). Duty Cycle is frequently an arbitrary number and may be hard to compare from one manufacturer to another. Usually calculated on a monthly basis.
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EDM
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Electronic Document Management; the process of storing and retrieving documents, both scanned images and electronic files, in a centrally controlled and secured location.
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engine
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An "engine" (short for Print-Engine) is the portion of a digital device that is responsible for printing.
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enterprise
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Generally refers to larger, more spread out networks. Companies that look at "Enterprise" solutions are looking at larger, more costly systems, usually to cover multiple servers and a large number of end-users.
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Ethernet
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A type of physical network connection. Ethernet uses a specific kind of wire, connector and way of communicating on the network. If the client uses Ethernet, their network connected equipment must use Ethernet.
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Exchange email
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An email server that utilizes Microsoft Exchange rather than SMTP or Lotus Notes. Clients who use Exchange email must use compatible devices.
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fax
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Short for facsimile (a copy). A fax machine sends a digitized copy of a document through a phone line to another fax machine.
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finisher
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An add-on accessory for a copier or printer that provides the finishing options; stapling, collating or sorting, folding, hole punching, etc.
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finishing
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Describes how the printed output is to be completed: stapled, collated, sorted, folded, etc.
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firmware
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A memory chip containing software that can be changed by a technician through a process of "burning" or "flashing" new instructions onto the chip. Firmware is used inside copiers to control internal operations and features.
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FTP
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File Transfer Protocol. A protocol or set of instructions for how a file is transferred on a network from point A to point B. If two different computers or pieces of hardware both support FTP, they can share files back and forth.
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gamut
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The color gamut is a measure of the maximum number of colors reproducible by any given technology. The color gamut for an RGB image displayed on a color monitor will be larger than for one printed on a CMYK printer or press.
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giga (G)
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1,000 million or billion. 1G = 1,000M = 1,000,000,000.
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gigabit Ethernet
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The same RJ-45 connector used for 10bT but on a network capable of transmitting data at 1,000 megabits or 1 gigabit.
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graphic color
(see Creative Color)
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Graphic Color and Creative Color are terms that are used interchangeably.
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GUI
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Graphical User Interface. The interface to a computer program. Windows is a graphical interface while DOS was a text based interface.
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hard drive
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Most Print Controllers have hard drives in them just like computers. The hard drive is used for spooling (or copying) print jobs from the network very quickly and then storing them until the print engine is ready to print that job.
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ICC Profile
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ICC profiles are definition files that allow color mapping between devices with different color gamuts. ICC profiles are a controlled way of moving between devices that are not capable of producing the same range of colors.
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imaging
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Refers to either putting marks on a page (printing or copying) or scanning (digitizing) a document.
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imposition
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The process of rearranging pages in a "booklet" order. If you fold a single piece of paper in half, page 1 and 4 are on side A while pages 2 and 3 are on side B.
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interposer (see post process inserter)
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An accessory for a copier or printer that provides the ability to insert a document after the fuser. Since the fuser is hot and tends to pull off toner from previously printed documents, interposers are used to insert pages into a finished set without sending them through the fuser.
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ISIS
(see TWAIN)
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An ISIS driver is a piece of software that allows an application program to talk to a scanner. If a program is ISIS compatible then you must use an ISIS compatible scanner with that software. Most MFPs that can scan DO NOT have ISIS drivers. Generally you need a standalone scanner when an ISIS scanner is required.
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jog
(jogger)
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The process of offset (physically shifting) stacking a copied (or printed) set in order to separate it from the other sets.
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kilo (k)
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1,000 or add 3 zeros. 50k = 50,000.
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LCT
(see Paper Deck)
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Large Capacity Tray. An add-on accessory for a copier or printer that allows for large amounts of paper to be loaded. Usually in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 sheets.
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LDAP
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Light Directory Access Protocol. A way of maintaining address book information for email addresses in a central server and then pulling that information into the copier or MFP.
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ledger size
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US 11 x 17 paper size.
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legal size
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US 8 ½ x 14 paper size.
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line printer
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Refers to a large, high speed printer for producing output on pin fed or continuous feed paper.
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Lotus Notes
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An email server that utilizes a program called Lotus Notes rather than SMTP or Microsoft Exchange. Clients who use Lotus Notes email have to use compatible email devices.
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mailbox
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A virtual location for storing print or copy jobs; usually on the hard drive of the print controller. Occasionally the term may be used to indicate a physical set of output bins or trays.
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mega (M)
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1,000,000 or add 6 zeros. 1.6M = 1,600,000
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MFP
(sometimes MFD)
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Multi-Function Product (or Device). The term used to describe a digital copier that can be used as a network printer, scanner or fax machine.
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mil
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A thousandth of a dollar or 1 tenth of a cent. $0.001. The most common increment for talking about copy cost. i.e. "the toner portion of the contract was 4 mils or $0.004"
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multi-PDL
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A print controller (or RIP) capable of interpreting more than one PDL (page description language). Most copier multi-PDLs will work with PCL and Postscript.
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network
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A group of 2 or more computers connected by a network cable for the purpose of sharing files, programs or devices.
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network drop
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Refers to a RJ45 connection. “In order to connect the copier, you'll need a network drop here”.
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NIB
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Network Interface Board. Same as a NIC
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NIC
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Network Interface Card. A piece of hardware that connects a device (copier, printer, computer) to the actual network cable.
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paper deck
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See Large Capacity Tray
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parallel
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A type of printer (or data) cable that transfers data 8 bits at a time. Basically, equipment with a parallel connection needs a parallel cable to connect to it. A network connection IS NOT a parallel connection.
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PCL
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Page Control Language. Developed by HP for Windows printing, PCL has traditionally been thought of as a lower end printing solution used primarily for office documents. Today, the gap between PCL and Postscript is nearly non-existent, but PS still has an edge in graphics applications (and is required for MAC printing).
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PDF
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Portable Document Format. A proprietary document file format created by Adobe Systems. PDF has become a de facto standard for sharing of documents because of its ability to lock down the format, share files cross-platform and the availability of the free viewer.
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PDL
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Page Description Language; describes any software language designed to tell printers how to draw marks on a piece of paper. Postscript and PCL are the two most popular PDLs, but there are others, especially in the data center (IPDS, DJDE).
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platen
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The glass on the top of a copier where a document is placed for copying.
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POP/ POP3
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A protocol used for receiving email across the internet.
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post process inserter
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see Interposer
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Postscript
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A PDL (page description language) developed by Adobe Systems. Macintosh systems only print using Postscript. Postscript is generally characterized as being an upper end, higher quality language than PCL. Most high end color printers use Postscript.
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print controller
(see RIP)
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Refers to the RIP (raster image processor) and the NIC (network interface card). The Print Controller is responsible for making a copier into a printer.
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pull scan
(see push scan)
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The process of scanning by using a host application such as Adobe Acrobat or Photoshop. The image is "pulled" into the software application at the workstation or PC.
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push scan
(see pull scan)
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The process of scanning to file (or to email) from a MFP. The transaction or scan is completed from the device and therefore "pushed" out to a network share, folder or email address.
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RADF
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Recirculating Automatic Document Feeder. A document feeder that sends the paper through twice, flipping it over to read the other side.
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ream
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A package of paper that is 500 sheets. (10 reams=1 case of paper)
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resolution
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Refers to how much information is in a digital file or scanned image. Usually expressed in DPI (dots per inch) or LPI (lines per inch).
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RFP
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Request For Proposal. A request from a client to "bid" on a system or group of equipment based on a set of specifications.
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RGB
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Red, Green, Blue; the process of generating color by projecting light rather than absorbing it (CMYK). RGB combines the projected light from the primary colors to produce a color image. RGB is how a computer monitor generates color. RGB images are characterized as brighter and more vibrant (wider color gamut) than CMYK images.
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RIP
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Raster Image Processor. A device responsible for taking the output of the print driver and turning it into raster (dot) information so that the laser can draw the image to be printed. Sometimes used interchangeably with Print Controller.
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RJ-11
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Either a 2 or 4 pin phone line connector.
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RJ-45
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An 8 pin, phone-style connector used on Ethernet networks.
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saddle stitch
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The process of stapling a document on the fold as in booklet printing.
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scan to email
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The process of utilizing a copier as a scanner with the express purpose of sending the hardcopy document to an email address.
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scan to file
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Refers to the process of utilizing a copier as a scanner.
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scanner
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A device used for digitizing hardcopy documents.
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scanning
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Refers to the process of turning hard copy paper documents into electronic files (digitizing).
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Segment 1
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Low Volume
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Copiers from 11 to 20 pages per minute.
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Segment 2
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Copiers from 21 to 30 pages per minute.
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Segment 3
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Mid Volume
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Copiers from 31 to 45 pages per minute.
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Segment 4
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Copiers from 46 to 69 pages per minute.
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Segment 5
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High Volume
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Copiers from 70 to 90 pages per minute.
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Segment 6
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Copiers from 91 (and up) pages per minute.
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server
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A centrally located computer dedicated to a specific, shared task such as sharing files and/or printers.
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SMTP
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Simple Mail Transport Protocol. A common internet email protocol frequently found on MFPs.
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software
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The written instructions or code that a computer uses to do something useful. Microsoft Word is an example of a software package or application.
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sort
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see Collate
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token ring
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A type of network layout (or topology) that requires a specific kind of NIC. If the client has a token ring network, they must use token ring NIC Interface cards. Very rare today, but still in use.
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tray
(see bin)
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Refers to an exit location for paper but some manufacturers use the term "input trays" interchangeably with cassettes or drawers.
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TWAIN
(see ISIS)
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Technology Without An Interesting Name; a TWAIN driver is a piece of software that allows an application program to talk to a scanner. If a program is TWAIN compatible then you must use a TWAIN compatible scanner with that software. Most MFPs that can scan have TWAIN drivers.
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workgroup
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Refers to a small group of computers or computer users.
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workstation
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A computer at someone’s desk is referred to as a workstation computer or sometimes a desktop computer.
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