Active Side
The last side that yo u clicked in, shown with a white background. For mouse users, ignore it. For keyboard users, the Active/white side is the file list that any keystrokes will work in, including Del, PageUp/Down, and so on. Use Tab to change Active Sides.
Archive Bit
Every file has an archive bit. Windows sets the bit, or turns it on, whenever a file is changed or copied. Backup software normally turns the archive bit off when the file is backed up. If you have not previously backed up your files, all your files have the archive bit turned on.
Attributes
The characteristics that apply to a file, including whether it has been marked as a system file, hidden, archiveable, or read-only. Windows NT also has a compressed attribute.
Bit
Short for "binary unit." A bit is the smallest unit of memory, and is enough to hold only a zero or a one, or on/off. Eight bits grouped together make one Byte, which is enough memory to store one character, such as a letter of the alphabet.
Byte
Storage space used to save one character of information. Consists of 8 bits.
Directory
A location on a drive that holds files. In 32-bit operating systems, directories are called folders.
Exabyte
1024 Petabytes, or 2^60 bytes.
Far Side
File list on the side of the main screen farther away from the button pushed. The far side is the destination side for copying or moving operations.
FAT
Abbreviation for File Allocation Table. This system file holds the table of contents for your hard drive. DOS uses FAT, and Windows 95 and Windows 98 may use either FAT or FAT32 to store file information.
FAT is limited to 2 Gigabytes per drive letter. FileTiger identifies the type of allocation table on the Attributes screen.
FAT32
Abbreviation for File Allocation Table, 32-bit. This system file holds the table of contents for your hard drive. Windows 95 and Windows 98 may use either FAT or FAT32 to store file information.
FAT32 does not have the 2 Gigabytes limitation for each drive letter. The limit is 8 terabytes under Windows XP, but software from the drive manufacturer must generally be used to format partitions or drives larger than 32 gigabytes. FileTiger identifies the type of allocation table on the Attributes screen.
Folder
A location on a drive that holds files. In 16-bit operating systems, folders are called directories.
Gigabyte
1,024 MegaBytes, or 1,048,576 Kilobytes or 2 ^ 30 bytes, abbreviated as Gb.
Hidden
Files are hidden by some installation programs, and a few operating system files are hidden. Hidden files become visible in Pro Mode.
Kilobyte
1,024 bytes, abbreviated as Kb.
Megabyte
1,024 Kilobytes, or 2 ^ 20 (1,048,576) bytes, abbreviated as Mb.
Near Side
File list on the side of the main screen closest to the button pushed. The near side is the source side for copying and moving operations.
Novice Mode
The mode in use determines which files are visible and which move or delete options trigger a confirmation message. Novice Mode shows normal files only, and does not show read-only, system files or hidden files. and uses confirmation messages for all file copy and deletion operations.
Partition
A section of a hard drive with its own drive letter, very much like a drawer in file cabinet. Partitions are usually created when the drive is first installed, but can be created later with special software. Partitions are an excellent approach to sorting files for easy project management and backup.
Petabyte
1,024 Terabytes, or 2 ^ 50 bytes.
Pro Mode
The mode in use determines which files are visible and which move or delete options trigger a confirmation message. Pro Mode shows all files, including hidden, system, and read-only files, and uses confirmation messages only when the total size of the files to be worked upon is more than the limits set in the Options screen.
Standard Mode
The mode in use determines which files are visible and which move or delete options trigger a confirmation message. Standard Mode shows normal and read-only files, but does not show system files or hidden files. and uses confirmation messages for all file deletions, and for file copy operations of more than the limits set in the Options screen.
Terabyte
1,024 Gigabytes, or 1,048,576 Megabytes, or 2 ^ 40 bytes, abbreviated as Tb.
Tree Copy
Copy all files and subfolders and their contents.
UNC
Abbreviation for Universal Naming Convention. Refers to drive names on a network. For example: //server1/drive-c/workfolder/project2.
ZIP
A compressed file that holds other files. These files, also known as archives, serve two purposes. First, they bundle together related files so that you can download one item from the Internet or receive one file as an email attachment, and second, they compress the contents of those files so that the download will take less time. ZIP refers to the type of compression used. Other compressed file types for Windows include LZH and ARJ.
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