face

A viewable surface of a 3D object, containing a fixed number of points, interconnected by edges, forming the perimeter of the face. Also known as a polygon.

fade

The process of darkening an image until all color registers are set to 0, or to another destination register. One image may be faded to black, another solid color, or another image.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions list, providing questions and answers that are common among computer users.

fast RAM

RAM not accessible by the custom chipset, but from other devices and processors.

fetch cycle

The event of the clock cycle when the CPU receives in memory the next instruction to be performed.

FFS

Fast File System disk file storage system.

field

A portion of a frame as used by television standards. NTSC video displays 2 fields for every frame in a video broadcast, with each of the two fields interlaced to produce one frame of an animation or video recording.

FIFO

First In, First Out management technique, which ensures all the older data is used before the newer data.

file

A finite sequence of data stored on a volume.

fillit

A bevel used to smooth the inner joint of two connecting surfaces.

filter

A type of software driver that modifies or cleans data. 1. An audio effect that removes tones from a certain pitch range. 2. An imaging effect that applies a special algorithm on an image with the intention of providing a particular effect, such as antialiasing or blurring.

firmware

CPU instructions or other information stored in ROM or other read only storage mediums.

flicker

The effect an interlaced screen causes on some monitors while drawing screens.

float

A number that uses fractions in decimal form.

floating point unit

A computer processor designed to operate with decimal numbers. Allows increased precision as well as faster speeds when compared to a CPU of the same series and clock rate.

floppy disk

Any disk that is made out of flexible disks, made out of materials such as kevlar.

floppy drive

Any hardware that accesses floppy disks.

floptical

A removable storage disk capable of storing 20 megabytes of data on one 3.5" disk.

flow Control

The buffering system that is used when two modems connect at a different rate than either connects to a computer.

fog

A type of rendering technique which causes the scene to appear within a cloud or mist. Also simulates the visibility of air, such that objects in the distance appear in differing color qualities than those near the camera or viewpoint.

font

A type of style used to display text to the screen; a set particular set of characters all of the same type style.

format

The layout of a storage device or data structure, or the process of creating a data structure on a medium. This can prepare a disk for storage by the operating system, known as formatting the disk.

FPS

Frames Per Second that an animation or video is displayed.

FPU

Floating Point Unit.

frame

A unit of an animation or video sequence, compromising of one still picture, often interlaced by two fields. Used in television to produce moving images.

frame buffer

An area of RAM used for digitizing images.

Fred Fish disks

A collection of files contained in over 800 disks and distributed freely by Fred Fish.

frequency

The rate of cycles per second.

frequency modulation

Using on channel to modify the period of the waveform of another channel, to produce special effects.

fringing

The side effect of using HAM modes that cause strange discolorations primarily along the edges of pictures.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol for UNIX.

function key

A key of the keyboard that is programmable and may serve many functions. Labelled as F1, F2, F3, ... F10.

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