K and L of Digital Media - Kilobyte and Lithium Ion
Kai’s Power Tools from Wikipedia
Kai’s Power Tools are a set of API plugins created by Kai Krause that were designed for use with Adobe Photoshop and Corel Photopaint. Kai’s Power Tools were sold to Corel when MetaCreations was closed.
The phrase Kai’s Power Tools is often abbreviated to KPT.
There are various versions of Kai’s Power Tools. KPT 3, 5, 6, and X sets are compilations of different filters. The program interface features a reward-based function in which a bonus function is revealed as the user moves towards more complex aspects of the tool.
Kilobyte
In decimal systems, kilo stands for 1,000, but in binary systems, a kilo is 1,024 (2 to the 10th power). Technically, therefore, a kilobyte is 1,024 bytes, but it is often used loosely as a synonym for 1,000 bytes. For example, a computer that has 256K main memory can store approximately 256,000 bytes (or characters) in memory at one time.
A megabyte is 2 to the 20th power (approximately 1 million) and a gigabyte is 2 to the 30th power (approximately 1 billion).
In computer literature, kilobyte is usually abbreviated as K or KB. To distinguish between a decimal K (1,000) and a binary K (1,024), the IEEE has suggested following the convention of using a small k for a decimal kilo and a capital K for a binary kilo, but this convention is by no means strictly followed.
Kbps – (Kilobits Per Second)
Computer data architecture is based on the binary system of using ones and zeros in a string of eight “bits” to form different characters. Each string of eight bits is called a byte. 8 bits = 1 byte = 1 character as described by the order of the 8 bits of data
For example, the capital letter “K” is expressed in binary bits as “01001011.” Approximately one thousand (actually 1024) bits of data equals a kilobit, while 1024 bytes equals a kilobyte. Kbps always refers to kilobits, while the designation of KB/sec refers to kilobytes.
1024 bits = 1 kilobit
1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte = 8 kilobits
1024 kilobytes = 1 megabyte = 8,192 kilobits
One of the most ubiquitous devices to rate data transfer speeds in terms of kbps is the standard dial-up modem. At 56 kbps it provides the least expensive, albeit the slowest, method of connectivity to the Internet. As an example, DSL modems deliver speeds starting at 144 kbps and ranging upwards of 3,000 kbps, sometimes expressed as 3.0 mbps (megabits per second).
Many high-speed ISPs (Internet Service Providers) continue to describe their services in terms of kilobits, rather than using kilobytes or megabits. This makes it easy for potential customers to compare transfer rates against their existing dial-up modems. When rates are expressed in units other than kbps, it can be confusing to the dial-up shopper.
While a dial-up modem is capable of speeds close to 56 kbps, line noise, network traffic and other interference can cut data transfer speed significantly. Under the best circumstances, a 56 kbps modem will generally operate at about 53 kbps or 6 KB/sec. Here are some conversions that might help when looking at high-speed services:
Kbps KB/sec Mbps MB/sec
56 6 Dial-Up
144 18 (3x faster)
384 48 (8x faster)
768 96 (16x faster)
1,100 137.5 1.0 (20x faster)
1,500 187.5 1.5 (27x faster)
3,000 375 2.9 0.36 (54x faster)
6,000 750 5.8 0.73 (108x faster)
High-speed services might include DSL, cable and satellite. VDSL (Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line) can deliver speeds of up to 100 mbps. Generally, the faster the transfer speed, the higher the monthly charge. Household consumers switching from dial-up modems to high-speed access will likely call upon the services of a company providing speeds in the ranges listed above.
Kerberos thanks again to my good friends at Indiana University Knowledge Base!
Developed by MIT, Kerberos is a system that provides authenticated access for users and services on a network.
With Kerberos, by exchanging time-sensitive tickets, you can make transactions secure without sending passwords in plaintext over the network. For a program to take advantage of Kerberos, it must be Kerberized, which means that it can obtain tickets from the Kerberos server and negotiate with a Kerberos-aware service. Just about any program can be Kerberized, including web browsers, telnet applications, POP email clients, and print utilities. Similarly, services that can be made Kerberos-aware include web sites, printers, file servers, and POP mail servers. Though it’s a fairly complex protocol, following are a few basic characteristics:
- Every user and every service has a password. Only the owner of the password and the Kerberos server know this password. Passwords must remain confidential, as Kerberos provides no inherent protection against those that are stolen.
- When you use a program that makes an initial ticket request to the Kerberos server, it will ask you for your Kerberos username and password. The program will then send a ticket request to the Kerberos server. The server will respond by sending you a ticket-granting ticket that it encrypts by plugging your password into an encryption algorithm. Because only you and the Kerberos server know what your password is, only you will be able to decrypt and use the ticket-granting ticket. This ticket-granting ticket normally expires eight hours after it is issued.
- Once you have a ticket-granting ticket, you may then use Kerberized programs to request services from Kerberos-aware servers. The Kerberized program sends your ticket-granting ticket to a ticket-granting server (usually the Kerberos server itself) with a request to transact with a specific service (e.g., a printer, a POP email server). The server gives you a ticket that lets you conduct a transaction with the service and also insures that both you and the service are who you say you are.
- Kerberos gives you the option to encrypt data sent over the network. This means that the entire transaction between you and a Kerberos-aware service will be in unreadable ciphertext rather than plaintext.
Laptop
Above is the incredibly impressive MacBook Air - so thin it doesn’t have a CD/DVD drive!
A laptop is a portable computer that runs on batteries and mains power. Over the years they have gotten lighter, smaller and much more powerful. You can get laptop PCs as well as Apple Laptops. With wireless technology you can even be connected to the web while out travelling, making the laptop an excellent tool for those on the move!
LOWSRC attribute
A LOWSRC attribute is similar to a Alt Tag that we spoke about earlier in this blog. A LOWSRC attrbute is where a low resolution version of the image in your HTML is loaded first before the high res version. Although the tag remains for legacy support, LOWSRC is generally not used anymore becuase it increases the connections to the remote web server (web browers are designed to only allow two active connections to a web server). If the LOWSRC tag was used on modern broadband connections - it would put unneccesarry strain on the remote web server given the high resolution image can be downloaded in seconds.
Lab Mode
In Photoshop, Lab mode (the asterisks are dropped from the name) has a lightness component (L) that can range from 0 to 100. In the color picker, the a component (green-red axis) and the b component (blue-yellow axis) can range from +128 to -128. In the Color palette, the a component and the b component can range from +120 to -120.
You can use Lab mode to work with Photo CD images, edit the luminance and the color values in an image independently, move images between systems, and print to PostScript Level 2 and Level 3 printers. To print Lab images to other color PostScript devices, convert to CMYK first.
Lab color is the intermediate color model Photoshop uses when converting from one color mode to another.
Lasso Tool
The Lasso Took is one of the tools you can use in Adobe Photoshop. Great Lasso Tool Tutorial and explanation here.
Layer Mask
Layer mask is one of the most used elements in PhotoShop. It is mostly used in more complicated design projects and graphics. It enables us to get rid of a PART of the layer but with the possibility to edit the result. It in fact blocks part of the layer from appearing, as if erased, while still being there.
Great tutorials here - I have saved these tutorials for my future reference!!
LAN – (Local-Area Network) thanks again to www.wisegeek.com - they have taught me a lot!
A local area network (LAN) consists of two or more computers connected together in a building or home using software and hardware. A LAN is contrasted to a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, which covers a large geographic area. In a LAN, there is a main computer or server, and remote computers called clients. By creating a LAN in the home or office, computers on the LAN can share files, resources, and if desired, an Internet connection.
A LAN can be one of two types: wired or wireless. A wired LAN requires Ethernet cable to physically connect all computers on the network to a main device called a switch. A wireless LAN uses radio waves to communicate, eliminating the need for wires. Therefore, the hardware used in a LAN should all be of either the wireless or wired type.
A LAN is fairly easy to setup. All Microsoft operating systems since Windows 98 Special Edition (SE) have included built-in networking software. In terms of hardware, each computer requires a network interface card (NIC). A switch is also required. This is a device that resembles an external modem and directs information on the network. If the LAN will be talking to another network, like the Internet, a router is also required. Luckily, one can purchase an external DSL modem with a built-in switch and router, in wireless or wired configurations.
Desktop computers typically use internal NICs that slip into an available slot on the motherboard, while a laptop might use a portable computer (PC) NIC. This type of NIC resembles a thick credit card that can be inserted into the PC card slot on the laptop.
If the LAN is to be hard-wired, each NIC must have an Ethernet port for connecting an Ethernet cable. In a wireless LAN, each NIC might feature a small radio wave antenna. The server is hard-wired to the DSL modem, switch or router, while the clients can communicate wirelessly, if desired. If there is to be no connection to the Internet or any other LAN or WAN, a switch alone will be fine.
Once the LAN has been set up, an administrator can designate which files and programs can be shared on the LAN. Some areas of the server may be kept behind a firewall to prevent access. All traffic on the LAN, including email, Internet surfing and other activities, can be monitored by the administrator using various tools.
The advantages of a LAN in the office are manifold. By having a central printer, for example, a business can avoid buying individual printers for each workstation. Workflow is enhanced while being easier than ever to control and administer. Flexibility and creativity can also improve. A LAN is a win-win situation for management and employees alike.
A LAN at home is extremely convenient. Share programs, images, music and digital projects, and enjoy gaming. Share a high-end color printer, scanner or other equipment. If concerned about your children’s Internet use, a LAN is one way to supervise online activity.
A hard-wired LAN is more trouble to install, as it requires running a physical Ethernet cable from each client to the DSL, switch or router. However, a wired LAN is reliable and secure. A wireless LAN is easier to install and less expensive, but requires a few more steps in the software setup to ensure it is secure. It may also be slower than a wired LAN, but this depends on the wireless standard used, as newer standards effectively compete with Ethernet speeds.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
An LCD or Liquid Crystal Display is a flat, thin display device consisting of any number of pixels aligned in front of a reflector or source of light. The LCD has been widely hailed as a prized invention as it is relatively cheap and it consumes less power to function than competing techologies, making it almost indispensable in battery powered electronic devices.
LED (Light-emitting Diode)
Abbreviation of light emitting diode, an electronic device that lights up when electricity is passed through it. LEDs are usually red. They are good for displaying images because they can be relatively small, and they do not burn out. However, they require more power than LCDs.
LMS – (Learning Management System)
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a set of software tools designed to manage user learning interventions. LMSs go far beyond conventional training records management and reporting. The value-add for LMSs is the extensive range of complementary functionality they offer. Learner self-service (e.g. self-registration on instructor-led training), training workflow (e.g. user notification, manager approval, waitlist management), the provision of on-line learning (e.g. Computer-Based Training, read & understand), on-line assessment, management of continuous professional education (CPE), collaborative learning (e.g. application sharing, discussion threads), and training resource management (e.g. instructors, facilities, equipment), are some of the additional dimensions to leading Learning Management Systems.
Most LMSs are web-based to facilitate “anytime, any place, any pace” access to learning content and administration. LMSs are favoured by regulated industries (e.g. financial services and biopharma) where compliance training is essential.
Leading LMS providers seek to include integrated “performance management systems,” which encompass such functionality as performance management (i.e. period-based appraisals), competency management, skills-gap analysis, succession planning, and multi-rater assessments (360 degree reviews).
For the commercial market, the development path for Learning and Performance Management Systems (LPMS) appears to be towards the inclusion of recruitment and reward functionality. With these enhancements in place, the complete lifecycle of learner development, from recruitment to retirement, will be covered.
LMSs are based on a variety of development platforms, from Java EE based architectures to Microsoft .NET, and usually employ the use of a robust database back-end. While most systems are commercially developed and frequently have non-free software licences or restrict access to their source code, free and open-source models do exist. Other than the most simple, basic functionality, LMSs cater to, and focus on, different educational, administrative, and deployment requirements. Open source and web-based LMS software solutions are increasingly important.
At TAFE (relating to the Human and Personal Services Faculty) we use Janison Toolbox and Moodle - however there are other LMS systems being used by TAFE NSW.
Lithium Ion
Lithium-ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a type of rechargeable battery in which a lithium ion moves between the anode and cathode. The lithium ion moves from the anode to the cathode during discharge and from the cathode to the anode when charging.
Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in consumer electronics. They are currently one of the most popular types of battery for portable electronics, with one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect, and a slow loss of charge when not in use. Certain kinds of mistreatment may cause Li-ion batteries to explode. In addition to uses for consumer electronics, lithium-ion batteries are growing in popularity for defense, automotive, and aerospace applications due to their high energy density.
The three primary functional components of a lithium ion battery are the anode, cathode, and electrolyte, for which a variety of materials may be used. Commercially, the most popular material for the anode is graphite, although materials such as TiS2 were originally used.[3] However, the cathode is generally one of three materials: a layered oxide, such as cobalt oxide, a polyanion, such as lithium iron phosphate, or a spinel, such as manganese oxide. Depending on the choice of material for the anode, cathode, and electrolyte the voltage, capacity, life, and safety of a lithium ion battery can change dramatically. Lithium ion batteries are not to be confused with lithium batteries, the key difference being that lithium batteries are primary batteries containing metallic lithium while lithium-ion batteries are secondary batteries containing an intercalation anode material.
Lossy Compression
A lossy compression method is one where compressing data and then decompressing it retrieves data that may well be different from the original, but is close enough to be useful in some way. Lossy compression is most commonly used to compress multimedia data (audio, video, still images), especially in applications such as streaming media and internet telephony. On the other hand lossless compression is required for text and data files, such as bank records, text articles, etc.
Lossy compression formats suffer from generation loss: repeatedly compressing and decompressing the file will cause it to progressively lose quality. This is in contrast with lossless data compression.
Information-theoretical foundations for lossy data compression are provided by rate-distortion theory. Much like the use of probability in optimal coding theory, rate-distortion theory heavily draws on Bayesian estimation and decision theory in order to model perceptual distortion and even aesthetic judgment.