Peon
Pencil and Paper
/pen(t)-səl ən(d) pā-pər/
n. An archaic information storage and transmission device that works by depositing smears of graphite on bleached wood pulp. More recent developments in paper-based technology include improved 'write-once' update devices which use tiny rolling heads similar to mouse balls to deposit colored pigment. All these devices require an operator skilled at so-called handwriting technique. These technologies are ubiquitous outside hackerdom, but nearly forgotten inside it. Most hackers had terrible handwriting to begin with, and years of keyboarding tend to have encouraged it to degrade further. Perhaps for this reason, hackers deprecate pencil-and-paper technology and often resist using it in any but the most trivial contexts.
Pen
/pɛn/
History of Pens: From Traditional Writing Tools to Digital Styluses
In the realm of computing, "Pens" refer to input devices that allow users to interact with digital devices by writing or drawing on a touch-sensitive surface. The concept of digital pens traces its roots back to traditional writing tools like pens and pencils. As technology advanced, these writing instruments were adapted to serve as input devices for electronic devices, paving the way for the development of digital styluses. Over time, pens evolved into sophisticated, pressure-sensitive tools with diverse capabilities, transforming the way users interact with digital content.
Purpose of Pens: Natural and Precise Input
The primary purpose of pens is to provide users with a natural and precise input method for interacting with digital devices. By emulating the experience of traditional writing, pens offer a more intuitive and comfortable way to annotate, sketch, and navigate on touch-sensitive screens. The pressure sensitivity of modern digital pens allows for varying line thickness and shading, enhancing creativity and artistic expression. Moreover, pens facilitate precise selection and navigation, making them invaluable tools for graphic designers, note-takers, and artists, among others.
Applications of Pens: Versatility Across Devices
Pens find a wide range of applications across various digital devices. They are integral components of modern tablets, smartphones, and graphics tablets, where users can effortlessly write, draw, and annotate with fluidity. Digital pens are widely used in educational settings, enabling students to take notes, draw diagrams, and interact with educational software. In the realm of graphic design, pens offer a hands-on approach for creating intricate illustrations and designs. Additionally, digital pens have found applications in specialized fields such as medical and architectural industries, streamlining tasks like electronic medical records and digital drafting.
In conclusion, pens have significantly enhanced user interaction in the realm of computing. Their evolution from traditional writing tools to advanced digital styluses has revolutionized the way we create, communicate, and navigate in the digital age. With their natural input and versatile applications, pens continue to play a pivotal role in empowering users with precise and expressive interactions on a wide array of digital devices.
Peek
/pēk/
n.,vt. (and poke) The commands in most microcomputer BASICs for directly accessing memory contents at an absolute address; often extended to mean the corresponding constructs in any HLL (peek reads memory, poke modifies it). Much hacking on small, non-MMU micros consists of peeking around memory, more or less at random, to find the location where the system keeps interesting stuff. Long (and variably accurate) lists of such addresses for various computers circulate (see interrupt list, the). The results of pokes at these addresses may be highly useful, mildly amusing, useless but neat, or (most likely) total lossage (see killer poke).
PDP-20
/pē-dē-pē-twen-tē/
n. The most famous computer that never was. PDP-10 computers running the TOPS-10 operating system were labeled 'DECsystem-10' as a way of differentiating them from the PDP-11. Later on, those systems running TOPS-20 were labeled 'DECSYSTEM-20' (the block capitals being the result of a lawsuit brought against DEC by Singer, which once made a computer called 'system-10'), but contrary to popular lore there was never a 'PDP-20'; the only difference between a 10 and a 20 was the operating system and the color of the paint. Most (but not all) machines sold to run TOPS-10 were painted 'Basil Blue', whereas most TOPS-20 machines were painted 'Chinese Red' (often mistakenly called orange).
PDP-10
/pē-dē-pē-ten/
[Programmed Data Processor model 10]
n. The machine that made timesharing real. It looms large in hacker folklore because of its adoption in the mid-1970s by many university computing facilities and research labs, including the MIT AI Lab, Stanford, and CMU. Some aspects of the instruction set (most notably the bit-field instructions) are still considered unsurpassed. The 10 was eventually eclipsed by the VAX machines (descendants of the PDP-11) when DEC recognized that the 10 and VAX product lines were competing with each other and decided to concentrate its software development effort on the more profitable VAX. The machine was finally dropped from DEC's line in 1983, following the failure of the Jupiter Project at DEC to build a viable new model. (Some attempts by other companies to market clones came to nothing; see Foonly) This event spelled the doom of ITS and the technical cultures that had spawned the original Jargon File, but by mid-1991 it had become something of a badge of honorable old-timerhood among hackers to have cut one's teeth on a PDP-10.
See TOPS-10, ITS, ITS, BLT, DDT, DPB, EXCH, HAKMEM, JFCL, LDB, pop, push.
PDL
/pē-dē-el/
[acronym for 'Push Down List']
1. In ITS days, the preferred MITism for stack.
2. Dave Lebling, one of the co-authors of Zork; (his network address on the ITS machines was at one time pdl@dms).
3. 'Program Design Language'. Any of a large class of formal and profoundly useless pseudo-languages in which flowchart forces one to design programs. Management often expects it to be maintained in parallel with the code.
See also flowchart.
4. To design using a program design language.
"I've been pdling so long my eyes won't focus beyond 2 feet."
PD
/pē-dē/
adj. Common abbreviation for public domain, applied to software distributed over USENET and from Internet archive sites. Much of this software is not in fact public domain in the legal sense but travels under various copyrights granting reproduction and use rights to anyone who can snarf a copy.
See copyleft.
PC-ism
/P-C-i-zəm/
n. A piece of code or coding technique that takes advantage of the unprotected single-tasking environment in IBM PCs and the like, e.g., by busy-waiting on a hardware register, direct diddling of screen memory, or using hard timing loops.
Compare ill-behaved, vaxism, unixism. Also, 'PC-ware' n., a program full of PC-isms on a machine with a more capable operating system. Pejorative.
PC
/ˌpiːˈsiː/
History of PC: From Home Computers to Ubiquitous Devices
PC, short for "Personal Computer," is a ubiquitous term in the world of computing. The history of PC dates back to the 1970s when the concept of a personal computer was born. These early PCs were often DIY kits, empowering enthusiasts and hobbyists to build and program their computers. In the 1980s, the introduction of iconic models like the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh brought personal computing to homes and businesses, revolutionizing the way people interacted with technology.
Purpose of PC: Empowering Individual Computing
The primary purpose of a PC is to provide individuals with computing power and versatility in their personal and professional lives. As a standalone device, a PC enables users to perform a wide range of tasks, from word processing and data analysis to multimedia editing and web browsing. PCs serve as powerful tools for communication, entertainment, and productivity, empowering individuals to create, connect, and collaborate with ease.
Applications of PC: A Multifaceted Workhorse
The applications of PCs are diverse and encompass various domains. In business settings, PCs serve as essential workstations, facilitating tasks like accounting, project management, and data processing. In education, PCs are instrumental in research, learning, and interactive teaching methods. Creatives rely on PCs for graphic design, video editing, and music production, unleashing artistic expression. Home users enjoy PCs for entertainment, gaming, and staying connected with loved ones through social media and communication platforms.
Moreover, PCs play a crucial role in scientific research, engineering simulations, and data analysis, driving innovation across industries. Cloud computing leverages PC power to provide on-demand services and storage. With advancements in technology, PCs have evolved into sleek laptops, convertible tablets, and powerful desktops, catering to a wide array of user preferences and needs.
In conclusion, the PC stands as the personal computing powerhouse, shaping the way individuals interact with technology and harness its capabilities. From its humble beginnings to becoming an integral part of modern life, the PC empowers users across the globe to explore, create, and achieve their goals with the limitless potential of personal computing.