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Icon: A graphical user interface (GUI), used to represent programs and other items. When clicked, the icon opens it's corresponding application. Icons are normally designed to resemble, in appearance, an image of something that reminds you which program it belongs to.
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics): An IDE interface, is a drive interface controlled from the drive itself. The IDE interface supports data transfer rates of approximately 3.3 MBs per second, and is limited to 538 MBs per drive.


IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers): The IEEE organization is responsible for determining the standards for much of the computer and electronic industry.

 

 
 

INI (Information Necessary for Initialization): INI files, are text files which contain information necessary for initializing a corresponding program.

Internet: Refers to a public usage, audience, or accessibility or posting.

I/O (Input/Output): I/O refers to the process of entering and extracting data, to and from a computer. Scanners, keyboards, cameras, and mice are examples of items used for input. Monitors, printers, and speakers, are examples of output devices. Floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD-RW drives, and memory are capable of both inputting and outputting information.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address): An IP Address is used to identify a specific computer using the Internet. An IP Address consists of 4 numeric parts. The first part denotes the geographic region where the computer is located. The second part identifies the company or organization the computer is linked to. The third part reveals the computer group network. The fourth and final part identifies the specific computer the user is connected to.
IPX/SPX (Internet Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange): IPX/SPX is a data transport protocol used by Novell Net ware networks.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat): IRC is an internet activity which enables people to send and receive messages using an IRC chat program.
IRDA Port (Infrared Data Association Port): An IrDA port allows a user to send information from one device or computer, to another, without any physical connection. Information is sent using infrared light waves. The data transfer rate is about the same as with parallel ports.
IRQ (Interrupt Request Line): A computer contains many components which must communicate directly with the central processor. Components must request an interruption when they wish to send information to the processor. If several components try to send their information at the same time, the processor will not be able to handle it, and may cause the computer to make an error or crash. IRQ settings must be made so that no two devices send data at the same time.

 

 
 

ISA (Industry Standard Architecture): ISA slots connect ISA cards to the motherboard. ISA is a 16 bit interface which operates at speeds up to 8.33 MHz. Although the faster 32 bit PCI technology is beginning to replace the slower ISA interface, many sound cards, modems, and other expansion cards are still manufactured using the older ISA technology.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network): A communication standard which uses special digital telephone lines to transfer data at speeds of 64,000 bits per second.

Interface: An interface is an item which connects two or more individual items. A User Interface connects the computer user to the computer. Keyboards, mice, icons, and menus, are examples of user interface items. A Device Interface connects a device to the computer.