Glossary

G

game controller Device that allows you to play arcade-style games on your computer.

gateway Device or program that connects your LAN to the Internet (or one network to another network), passing messages between the computers on the LAN and computers on the Internet. A gateway usually includes a proxy server or a network address translation (NAT) program.

GIF file File in Graphics Information Format, a popular format for graphics files that is widely used in Web pages. GIF files have the extension .gif.

Gigabit Ethernet 1Gbps Ethernet.

graphical user interface (GUI) Software design that allows you to control your computer by using a mouse, windows, and icons.

graphics mode In a DOS window, the mode that displays any pattern of dots on the screen, including text.

group Category of which user accounts can be members. Different groups have different rights to perform tasks or open folders and files. Groups can be local (stored on your own computer) or domain (stored on a Windows XP server).

guest account User account that does not allow the user to install software; create, edit, or delete other user accounts; or the management tools. Windows comes with one guest account, called Guest.

guest computer Computer that uses shared resources from other computers over a LAN or direct network connection.

Guest group Built-in group to which the Guest account belongs.

GUI See graphical user interface.