A Glossary of Publishing Terms (R-Z)

- R -

rag:

To set copy or align text for a particular configuration, as when paper/image size or margin/header changes necessitate adjustments; also called "re-rag" for realignments; see RIP, copyfit, tweak. Also, a cloth-based pulp used in making high-quality paper, such as bond (qv). Also, a newspaper or magazine regarded with contempt or distaste; see tabloid, zine, pauper press.

ragged:

A column of text or a page of copy set with one or both sides unjustified, leaving one or both print margins irregular or jagged. Compare rag; see alignment, straight composition, flush, justify, feathering. [nb: Text lines that do not start at the same point are more difficult to read, but lines that do not end at the same point are considered more humanistic or personal; indented verse and center justified poetry is a stylistic exception or aesthetic variant considered acceptable for short works. See readability.]

RAM:

The abbreviation for Random Access Memory, as distinguished from ROM in computer data retrieval. Compare flash memory, bento storage.

raster:

The scan pattern on a display, such as the computer screen or television cathode-ray tube, in which the images are formed by a scanning electron beam that moves in horizontal and vertical lines over the area. The images on a raster display are made up of many tiny dots called pixels. Derived from to scratch/scrape, as with a rake, to form a screen network (array). Also known as "raster display" or "raster format". Also, a bitmapped graphical image; see bitmap graphics, compare vector graphics.

raster burn:

Damage to a computer screen caused by leaving it on for long hours without a screen saver. Also, eyestrain from staring at a computer screen for too long; this can happen sooner with a low resolution monitor, or glare from improper backlighting; compare mogigraphia.

raster font:

A bitmapped font. A font in which each character is formed from pixels arranged to make the shape of the character. Such an arrangement of pixels is called a bitmap, and loses definition when scaled. Compare scalable font; see font, type.

raster graphics:

Bitmapped graphics; computer graphics in which the image is made up of tiny dots called pixels. See bitmap graphics; compare vector graphics.

raster image processor:

Hardware, software, or both which prepares images for output in rasterized format (*.RIP) on the computer screen or printer.

RDA:

The abbreviation of Retail Display Allowance; being a sum paid to dealers who agree to display the entire cover or full face of a magazine. See newsstand, kiosk, BBS, banner, distributor. [nb: in a competitive display, each periodical has 2.7 seconds or less to capture the attention of potential buyers]

read:

To apprehend or translate signs and symbols so as to recognize their significance or understand their meaning, especially in written or printed form. Also [in academese], a processing skill of symbolic reasoning, sustained by the interfacilation of an intricate hierarchy of substrata factors, that have been mobilized as a psychological working system, and impressed into service in accordance with the purpose of the reader. See word, prose, prosody, language, semiotics, legibility, readability.

readability:

The characteristics of printed material that contribute to its ease of reading, including factors that reduce fatigue, such as the use of serif type, to direct the eye from one letter to the next throughout the body, and lines of text not longer than 50-53 characters, to reduce eye movement while increasing reading speed. Sans-serif typefaces normally read about 70% slower than serif types, which makes them more tiring for longer text. The optimum line width rule is that a line of text should be no longer than one-and-a-half times (1.5X) the point size of the lowercase alphabet used, regardless of font size. For text comprised of alphabetic letterforms, using a typical serif typeface designed to represent word gestalts and cultural cognates, a font sized approximately 11.25 points is optimal for mental processing of human visual geometry over an extended reading period; however, periodicals often reduce body text size by at least one point due to restricted space. Size and attribute changes should be infrequent to garner maximum style effect. A daunting "wall of text" [v: solid] can be both boring and painful if rests are not interlarded. Reading comfort increases comprehension. See ragged, raster burn, interlaced, MPX, optical center, sequence, legible, type noise, z-path.

reader profile:

Based upon theories of literary criticism that focus on reader response, instead of author intention, which is augmented by the commercialization of publishing, a sociometric or psychographic analysis of probable audiences and potential subscribers of specialized periodicals. Such categorical targeting appeals to advertisers and sponsors. See universe, circulation, CPM, audit, audience, mass market, crossover market, niche market.

reader spread:

Files prepared in two-page layouts, as readers would see the finished pages. See spread, wall walk.

read through:

A setup policy that forces the audience to turn the page in order to continue a story or article. This practice is implemented by a manipulation of art, spacing, and other page elements, such that a sentence in a continuing presentation never ends at the bottom of a page. This practice eliminates any potential confusion about whether a piece is finished; and also eliminates the need for continue lines or page markers (qqv) to signal a continuation. This setup is a joint effort, wherein the art department implements editorial style policy. See pipeline, layout.

real estate:

The available space in a publication which must be allocated for textual copy, illustrative images, and advertising. There is always competition for "prime real estate", and each form wants to increase its "holdings" at the expense of others. See cover positions, center spread, feature well.

ream:

A standard quantity of paper, consisting of 20 quires or of 500 sheets [formerly 480 sheets (ie: 20 X 24 = 480); alternatively 516 sheets]. Derived from "bale". See paper.

ream marked:

Sheets of paper in a carton or on a skid with markers placed every five-hundredth sheet.

rebus:

A representation of a word or phrase by pictures or symbols suggesting that word or phrase, or a pictorial riddle of its syllables; also used in heraldry. Term derives from a Latin phrase "non verbis sed rebus" (not by words but by things); but comic puns and satiric squibs published in Paris during carnival were called "de rebus quae geruntur" (on the things that are happening), which attempted to avoid libel actions for reporting such frolicsome follies by employing pictures instead of words. See glyph, hieroglyphics, pictography, ideogram, logogram, semiotics, alphabet, typology, language.

recall:

The withdrawal or revocation and retrieval of a product due to defect or other liability, as to order back or "callback" for public safety, consumer information, and the like. Retrieval summons for publications usually involve copyright infringement or libel litigation, since errors, omissions, and other misprints are remedied by revisions or reprints. See offprint, run-on, out of print, fair use, license, reprint permission, copyright.

recast:

To remodel or reconstruct a literary work, document, sentence, or the like; see redact, edit, copyedit, proofread, rewrite, recension, pore. Also, to provide a play or role with a new cast or different performer; see drama, play, opus.

recension:

A critical revision of a text, especially one based on examination of its sources; as derived from "revision of the censor's roll". See edit, redact, rewrite, pore.

recto/rectos:

A right-hand or odd-numbered page of an open book or manuscript; the front of a leaf. Title and contents pages are always recto, while frontispiece and acknowledgment pages are usually verso. Compare verso. [cf: dexter]

recycled paper:

New paper made wholly or in part from old or waste paper that's been pulped, blended, and bleached. Of the three types of paper (ie: wood, cotton fiber, recycled), paper made from reclaimed materials is the most expensive, most deficient, and least attractive... being always off-white and frangible. See opacity, paper. [nb: the recycle symbol is intentionally misleading; since in its solid form means "made from recycled materials", but in its hollow form means "made of materials that can be recycled"]

redact:

To put into suitable literary form by editing; derived from "to drive back" or restore. See edit, copyedit, proofread, rewrite, recension, recast, pore.

red ink:

An important annotation or significant demarcation, such as a "red-letter day", as derived from writing in blood; see rubric. Also, indebtedness, unremunerative, or uneconomical, such as literary publications; distinguished from the "black ink" color used in profitable ledgers.

red-pencil:

To alter, edit, or delete with (or as if with) a red colored pencil. See blue-pencil, proofread.

reference marks:

Any of various distinctive symbols or superscript numbers used to direct a reader to further information in a bibliography, annotation, appendix, or other text. See asterisk, dagger, footnote, shoulder note, side note, marginalia, gloss, notation.

reflective copy:

Products, such as illustrations and photographic prints (including fabrics), viewed by light reflected from them. See illustration.

regional book:

A term used in the publishing industry for a book written to appeal to readers who live in, or have an interest in, a specific geographic area. Regional books are usually published by small presses, and are sold in local bookstores and by mail-order. They include local histories, biographies, genealogies, directories, cookbooks, travel guides, field guides, and the like.

regional edition:

A periodical tailored for a select geographical area, usually supplemented with advertising and editorial copy of local interest. Many consumer magazines issue discrete variants containing specialized advertising split into separate market regions, sometimes called "splinter-editions"; and there are more than 190 individual city and regional periodicals in existence. Originating with "Honolulu" (1888) and "Philadelphia" (1908), this mode continues with "Arizona Highways" (1925) and "Vermont Life" (1946). References include: City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA). See magazine, periodical, issue, selective binding.

register:

To place printing properly with regard to the edges of paper and other printing on the same sheet, so as to be "in register". See repeatability, spread, choke, body copy. [nb: coloring text can be an effective stylistic motif, as long as the copy is clear and readable; but coloring individual words and phrases in the body copy (rather than using font attributes) will probably not register properly when printed, so will detract from the design intent]

register marks:

Cross-hairlines on mechanicals and film that help keep flats, plates, and printing in register; also called "crossmarks" and "position marks". See keylines.

registration unit:

The place on any press where paper is accurately and consistently positioned for printing. See guide edge, head stop, gripper edge, press.

reglet:

A flat narrow strip, fillet, or molding used to adjust the fit and brace the tension of type set into a chase (qv); used like a shim. See quoin, furniture, key, tweak.

reissue:

A subsequent impression of an earlier edition, with a redesigned cover, jacket, and/or title page, and changes in the front and/or back matter, but body text that is substantially unchanged. See issue, copy, replica.

relative link:

A hyperlink on the same website, using an abridged URL; a complete internet address linkage is called "absolute". Compare target, see link, pointer, hot link, hot spot.

remainder:

Publications that are discounted from the inventory of the publisher because of overprinting, sluggish sales, or outdated material. An author's contract may entitle them to a "first right of refusal" to salvage remaindered titles; or the books and magazines may simply be pulped into recycled paper to save shipping and storage costs.

remarque:

A distinguishing mark, placed in the margin, indicating a particular stage of an engraved plate, which mark is later removed after proof prints; or a plate itself so marked.

renaissance:

The spirit and activity which typified the period of transition between the Medieval and Modern times, known as the "Revival of Learning". Conventionally characterized as a Catholic phenomenon, the Renaissance was transformed by the Reformation into the Enlightenment, immediately prior to the Industrial Revolution. See athenaeum, literature.

rendition:

To represent or depict something, as a rendered version. Also, to adapt or interpret something, as a translation. See edition.

renewal rate:

The rate of subscribers renewing annually. For example, if you're a quarterly you would look to the ratio of renewing subscribers to your total number of expires over the four issues. If a total of 4000 subscribers were up for renewal in a 12 month period and 3000 renew, your renewal rate would be 75%. When publishers talk about renewal rates, they will often separate first-time renewals (conversions) from long-term renewals because conversion rates are typically much lower. In a year of many marketing campaigns, conversion rates can truly skew renewal rates. See circulation, conversion rate, draw, fulfillment period, expiration date, subscription.

renewal series:

A sequence of solicitation letters, with incremental efforts encouraging paid subscribers to renew. Ideally, each series is comprised of four to seven efforts mailed at regular intervals, which vary depending on frequency. Typically, a renewal series will begin no later than three months prior to expire and will include at least one post-expire effort. Key coded response mechanisms and BREs are also essential components.

repeatability:

Ability of a device, such as an Imagesetter, to produce film or plates which yield images in register.

replica:

A work of art reproduced or supervised by the maker of the original; derived from "reply", repeat. Compare copy, near frame.

reply coupon:

A reply device for direct response promotions. This convenient mechanism provides a summary of the offer ("4 issues for $24"), allows respondent to fill in name and address information, and lists payment options ("check enclosed, credit card order, bill me later"). The publication's return address information should also be clearly listed. See premium, blow-in card, self-mailer, tracking, white mail.

reprint permission:

When reference or citation to a given work exceeds fair use (qv), and does not qualify for any derivative exception, permission for intended use must be obtained from the copyright holder in writing. The request should note the exact portion(s) of the work, and how it will be used. If for non-commercial use, the reprint authorization may request a waiver of any copyright reproduction fees. If more than one citation is held by a single copyright then the several reprint requests should be submitted simultaneously. There is no "blanket permission" for reprints, only specifics. See license, subsidiary rights, volume rights.

reproduction proof:

A high quality photo sample on coated stock of a hot type composition intended for cold type image assembly (eg: camera ready) and production. See hot type, cold type, proof.

reprography:

The reproduction of documents, drawings, and the like, by any process using light or photography, as xerography, diazo, or offset printing; contraction derived from REPROduction + photoGRAPHY. Reprographics is the broad category for all specialized (art, engineering, architecture) and general office copying; and is cost effective for small to medium quantity duplication in competition with commercial pressruns. See duplex, simplex, quick printing, demand printing.

resolution:

The degree of sharpness of a computer-generated image, as measured by the number of dots per linear inch in a hard-copy printout, or the number of grid pixels on a display screen. Also, the ability of a device to record or reproduce a sharp image. The finest images can be obtained on a gravure press, and the most inferior images are produced by silkscreen. See unsharp masking, illustration.

reticulate/reticulation:

Resembling or forming a net or network, as to mark with web-like or interconnected lines. Also, something ornamented with lines that appear, by layering or shading or other effect, to be interlaced. Also, any work composed of diamond shaped elements, squared elements set diagonally, or any other oblique layout on the bias. See mezzotint, tessellate, layout, design.

retouch:

To alter or improve an illustration by the addition or subtraction of content or tone. Reducing the amount of light for certain areas of an image is called "dodge"; and increasing the amount of light for certain areas of an image is called "burn". See airbrush, gamma.

return privilege:

The contractual right of the retail bookseller to send unsold copies of a book back to the publisher for credit, under certain conditions (eg: minimum shelf time, resaleable condition, prepaid freight). Publishers normally establish a "reserve against returns" fund, to avoid paying an author for unsold books, and then attempting to recover any overpayments; which entitles them to manage the royalty account for an extended time. This practice increases administrative costs, reduces royalty payments, and grants an interest-free loan to the publisher from their writers.

reverse:

Type and images reproduced by printing ink around their outline, thus allowing the underlying color of paper to show through, and form the image; also called outline or cameo. Type and color reverses require font sizes larger than normal display faces for an effective appearance. See cutout, knockout; compare silhouette, drop out.

reverse video:

A display mode on the video screen or monitor of a computer in which the colors normally used for characters and background are reversed or transposed. Many programs use reverse video to highlight items, such as selected text or menu options. Some systems allow the user to change the mode for all displays. Sometimes called a "negative image", or "inverse video". See screen.

revolving-door:

Euphemism for the high and rapid turnover of editorial staff and publishing employees, reflecting an exploitative industry that foments stress and disloyalty. See golden hello, golden handcuffs, golden key, golden parachute, headhunting, non-competition agreement, staff.

revue:

A form of theatrical entertainment in which recent events, popular fads, manners and customs are in skits, songs, and dances. See bathos, comedy, interlude, drama.

rewrite:

To write in a different form or manner; revise. Also, to write a news article from facts submitted by a reporter. See space writer, deskman.

RFC:

The abbreviation of Request For Comment, being an invitation to analytic suggestion and constructive criticism. Compare FYI.

RFID:

Radio Frequency IDentification, being an active form of "smart tag" that can respond to electronic inquiry and transmit select data without interruption of other processes. May be used to track movements, trace shipments, coordinate clearances, transfer funds, arrange adjustments, and signal for services; as embedded in products, "smart" credit cards, access licenses or passport cards. The most common application is in transportation through toll or way stations, which facilitates commuter and commercial traffic. A passive form of this "smart tag" is the Electronic Product Code (EPC). Compare bar code, UPC.

RGB:

The abbreviation for Red Green Blue, being the additive primary colors. The category of two-digit hexadecimal representations of color is often abbreviated "RRGGBB", for Red Red Green Green Blue Blue ("COLOR=#RRGGBB") substitutions. See illustration.

rhetorical forms:

The use of stylistic devices and figures of speech, such as a rhetorical question or paradox, to create an effect in written or spoken communication. Rhetorical forms of expression include: abecedarian hymn, ablation, acrostic, agonist/antagonist, allegory, alliteration, allusion, amphigory, anacoluthon, anagram, analogy, anthropomorphism, anticlimax, antinomy, antiphrasis, antithesis, apodosis, assonance, bathos, catachresis, chiasmus, cliche/clich‚, climax, consonance, counterpoint, dissonance, double entendre, dysphemism, echolalia, euphemism, euphuism, figurative, gravamen, hyperbole, hypocorism, idiom, irony, litotes, malapropism, meiosis, metaphor, metathesis, metonymy, notarikon, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, paragoge, parody, paronomasia, pathos, periphrasis, perseveration, personification ("pathetic fallacy"), pleonasm, polysemy, prolepsis, protagonist, protasis, pun, sarcasm, satire, simile, spoonerism, solecism, syllepsis, syncope, synecdoche, synonymy, tautology, thesis, tmesis, trope, truncation, zeugma. See vernacular, elocution, diction, prose, poetry, literature, Parthian shot, OULIPO, language, alphabet, imagery.

rhyme:

Identity in the sound of some parts of verse, especially the terminal words or the end of lines; formerly "rime". Also, verse or poetry having correspondence in the terminal sounds of their lines. See perfect rhyme, meter, foot, scansion, prosody, verse, poetry.

right reading:

Any setup, plate, or image that can be easily prepress inspected, because it appears the same as its printout. Compare wrong reading; see illustration.

rim:

Formerly, the outside of the U-shaped copy desk (qv) where the copyeditors surrounded the editor, and processed work from copywriters and deskmen for submission to the art department to setup the current issue; being the publication's second echelon of operational control in the editorial hierarchy. Compare slot; see fishbowl.

RIP:

The designation for raster image processor (qv); a pre-press stage performed after stripping. Also, the abbreviation for Rest In Proportion, being a layout designation for adjusting text and graphics to fit a given space, often in relation to a fixed object; see copyfit, rag, tweak.

river:

The appearance of white space, "flowing like a river" or "running like a white stream", through the interstices of justified text with poor hyphenation and shorter measures, creating a visual distraction in the page layout. See H&J, hourglass, trapped white space, white space.

ROFF:

Contraction of Run-OFF, being the standard UNIX text formatter using embedded commands, which require associated programs to be invoked to generate the desired output. The programs involved with ROFF are: nroff (to format text for display on a terminal or monitor); troff (to format text for display on a phototypesetter); ptroff (to format text for display on a PostScript device); tbl (to format tables for ROFF); eqn (to format mathematical equations for troff/ptroff); neqn (to format mathematical equations for nroff); checknr (to check ROFF input files for possible errors); checkeq (to check eqn/neqn input files for possible errors); col (to allow display of non-standard nroff output on a terminal). Embedded ROFF commands are prefixed by either a period (.) or a backslash (\), and macros may be invoked for consistency and efficiency. See GROFF, text editor.

rollout/roll-out:

The fanfare coincident with the initial release or general display of a new publication, especially the extensive campaign introducing a production or design, after preliminary test marketing. See testing, advertising. [nb: not to be confused with 'ink roll-out' (qv)]

ROM:

Abbreviation for "set in roman type"; see proofreader's marks. Also, the abbreviation for Read Only Memory, as distinguished from RAM in computer data retrieval; compare flash memory, bento storage.

roman a clef/roman … clef:

A novel that represents historical events and characters under the guise of fiction; derived from "novel with a key". Compare historiography. [v: "epistolary fiction" at journal]

Roman type:

Considered the normal or conventional style of any given typeface; abbreviated ROM. An oblique or "slant Roman" is not a true Italic typeface. See proofreader's marks, typeface.

rotary press:

A printing press in which the type or plates to be printed are fastened upon a rotating cylinder, and impressed on a continuous roll of moving paper (eg: flexography). Compare cylinder press; see press.

rotogravure:

A photomechanical process by which pictures, typeset matter, and especially magazine supplements in newspapers, are printed from an intaglio copper cylinder. On "shell cylinders", used to speed setup for the next publication, a nickel sleeve covers the copper cylinder, then is electroplated with copper for plate etching; thus permitting the sleeve to be stripped for later recovery, instead of refinishing the base cylinder each time. Process invented by Carl Kleitsch (1894); term derived from the name of a Berlin printing firm ("Rotogravur Deutsche Tiefdruck Gesellschaft"), which was formed from the merger of two other firms ("Rotophot" and "Deutsche Photogravur"). Compare photogravure; see gravure, gravure press.

router:

A device that connects multiple computer networks and finds the best path for a data packet to be sent from one network to another. A router stores and forwards electronic messages between networks, first determining all possible paths to the destination address and then picking the most expedient route, based on the traffic load and the number of hops. A router works at the network layer (layer 3 of the OSI model); a bridge works at the data link layer (layer 2). A router does more processing than a bridge, and provide more functionality than bridges. Routers provide network management capabilities such as load balancing, partitioning of the network, use statistics, communication priority, and trouble shooting tools that allow network managers to detect and correct problems even in a complex network of networks. Given these capabilities, routers are often used in building wide area or enterprise wide networks. Some routers are protocol-dependent, and some are protocol-independent. A router can be hardware or a combination of hardware and software. In internet terminology, routers are also called "gateways". See internet, WAN, WWW.

royal:

A size of printing paper, 20 x 25 inches (51 x 64 cm); a size of writing paper, 19 x 24 inches (48 x 61 cm). Compare monarch; see paper.

royalty:

An agreed portion of the proceeds for the use of an artistic work, which is paid to its author or copyright owner, usually based upon a percentage of the retail price of each copy sold; derived from the compensation for a royal prerogative. See advance, escalation, return privilege.

RSA:

A public-key encryption technology developed by RSA Data Security, with the technique's abbreviation based upon the inventor's surnames: Rivest - Shamir - Adleman/Adelman. The RSA algorithm is founded upon the fact that there is no efficient way to factor very large numbers. Deducing an RSA key, therefore, requires an extraordinary amount of computer processing power and time. The RSA algorithm has become the de-facto standard for industrial-strength encryption, especially for data sent over the internet. It is built into many software products, including Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. The technology is so powerful that the USA government has restricted its export to foreign countries. A similar widely used technology is offered by a company called Cylink. See proxy, firewall, password, escrow key, steganography.

RTDM:

Abbreviation for Read The Damn Manual, also known as Read The Funny Manual (RTFM), being an axiom in computer science that the answer is in the book; it's the invariable response to human errors blamed on the machine. See debug, kludge, patch, GIGO, help.

rubric:

A title, heading, or the like, in a manuscript or book, written or printed in red, or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the text; sometimes called an "ornamented" or "illuminated" capital. See initial, swash, drop-cap, small-cap, majuscule.

ruby:

A 5.5 point type; sometimes classified as agate (qv). See font, type.

rule:

A horizontal or vertical line used as a graphic element to separate or organize copy; rule thickness is measured by point or percent, and rule length is measured by pica, percent, inch, or centimeter. See column rule, header, footer, tool line, Oxford rule, black space, ornament, fillet, vignette, master page, illustration.

ruleup:

Map or drawing showing how a printing job must be imposed using a specific press and sheet size.

rums:

A slang term for a miscellaneous assortment of unsaleable books; as used by London booksellers of the 18th century, probably derived from the previous contents of the wooden barrels used to store them. See plug.

rune:

Any of the characters of certain ancient alphabets, as of a script used for writing Germanic languages, especially of Scandinavia and Britain, from about the 3rd to 13th centuries; see diacritic, alphabet. Also, a poem, song, or verse. Also, something secret or mysterious, as an aphorism with mystical meaning; derived from "secret writing"; see steganography.

runner:

A conversational thread, or a bit of subsidiary character business, that recurs during an episode as an amusing or humanizing filler. See dialogue, monologue, byplay, plot, story line.

running foot:

A descriptive word, phrase, title, or the like, usually repeated at the bottom of each page of a book, periodical, or other publication; also known as foot or footer (qqv). Compare running head; see foot and folio line, dateline, website.

running head:

A descriptive word, phrase, title, or the like, usually repeated at the top of each page of a book, periodical, or other publication; also known as "folio line" or header (qv). Compare running foot; see meta tag, dateline, website.

run-on:

Something added or extended, as an appendix, reprint, or reproduction. Also, a continuation, as a definition that extends onto the next column, a story that runs onto the next page, or a verse that flows onto the next line, especially one without a syntactic break.

- S -

saddle-stitch binding:

An overcast or spaced running stitch in heavy thread or cord, often in contrasting color, along the back-edge of a book; also called "side-sewn binding", "cleat-stitch binding", and "side-wire binding". In binding tabloid fold-overs, the retaining staples or stitches at the valley or gutter have likewise acquired this designation; also called "pamphlet binding", "saddle-wire binding", and "stitch binding". Compare side-stitch binding; see binding, sheet, signature.

SAMI:

The acronym for Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange, being a MicroSoft file format that specifies and enables the simultaneous presentation of text and multimedia, such as for closed captioning of audio output. Compare SMIL.

samizdat:

A borrowed Russian word, which was popularly introduced to the American language about 1960 by dissident reformers and disfranchised refuseniks, that means "unauthorized publication", and has become synonymous with "underground press". Such "unofficial literature" is often anti-propagandistic, and is usually pseudonymous or anonymous. See graffiti, imprimatur, disinformation, censorship, freedom of speech.

samizdatchik/samizdatchiki:

From the borrowed Russian word samizdat, the author, agent, or publisher of unauthorized writing; any disseminators of materials from an unofficial or underground press. See allonym, graffitist.

samples:

A small quantity of goods, or a selection from production, intended to show the quality, style, or nature of the whole; specimen, exemplification. Samples are concurrent with the pressrun, and are not proof copies; however, "advance samples" can be produced at additional expense for verification. A better sampling method would be ink roll-out and/or tail-in testing. See hand sample, advance copies, swatchbook.

sandwich:

An insertion or reference insinuated into a proof copy before it goes to press; see insert, AA, change order, proofread, interpolation, interlinear, trope. Also, a short notice placed in the body of text; also called a "reference line".

sans-serif:

A style of type without serifs (qv). See typeface, type family, font. [nb: sans-serif normally reads about 70% slower than serif typefaces, which makes it more tiring for longer text; see readability]

satin finish:

Alternate term for dull finish on coated paper. See paper coating.

scalable:

The development of a product or business into new applications or derivations, as a book into seminars and films, or a play into festivals and scholarships; being diversification more than monopolistic expansion. See entrepreneurship, venture.

scalable font:

A font that can be used to print characters of any size. In a scalable font, the outlines of the characters are stored as vector graphics, rather than having a bitmap of each character. Because the outline can be scaled to any size and then filled in with dots, all sizes will print with the same quality. Examples of scalable fonts are the Adobe Type 1 PostScript fonts, Microsoft TrueType fonts, OpenType, Intellifont typefaces, and Speedo fonts. See font.

scamp:

A rough sketch of a design showing the basic concept. Also, any job done in a hasty or careless manner. See block-in, sketch, line drawing.

scanner:

A device that converts an analog image, such as a photo, into a digital image; furthermore, most text can be imported into ASCII characters, but style and misspellings will require editing in a word-processing program.

scansion:

A system for determining the meter of a piece of poetry; as derived from "climb". Based upon whether a syllable is accented or not, a verse so marked can be analyzed for its rhythmic pattern. See accent, foot, meter, prosody, rhyme, caesura.

scenario:

An outline of the plot, or sometimes the complete script, of a dramatic work, giving particulars of the scenes, characters, story development, and production directions. Also, any imagined or conjectured sequence of events, as from several detailed plans or possibilities; the brainstorming of options. See story line, storyboard.

scent:

A distinctive characteristic that may be introduced into a printing job, usually by flooding (like a varnish) the substance onto uncoated paper, to obtain a particular fragrance or aroma. Although the artistic effect is not unlike foil stamps or die cuts, scent impregnated paper may induce adverse responses in the reader recipient, including allergic reactions and respiratory distress, for which the printer and publisher can be held liable. See paper coating. [nb: "scratch 'n' sniff" is the trademark for a patented scent process]

schwa:

The neutral vowel sound typically occurring in unstressed syllables, as mid-central in English words. Also, the phonetic symbol (inverted e) used to represent this sound. Derived from "no vowel". See vowel, syllabary, diacritic, accent.

score:

A mark, line, or incision as denotation or demarcation. Also, to mark or cut surface ridges, usually in a pattern. Also, to facilitate bending or folding with a crease. Also, any group or set of twenty.

scrap:

Any small amount of data temporarily pasted from the clipboard or scrapbook onto the blank space of a program margin or computer desktop for later transfer into a permanent file. See squib, snippet. [nb: scrap and clipboard data is transitory, but scrapbook (qv) data is retained during shutdown and retrievable after reboot]

scrapbook:

An album or other repository for storing or displaying clips, images, mementos, or collectibles. Also, in the Macintosh computer environments, a desk accessory that enables the storage of multiple objects for future use; see scrap.

scratchboard:

A board prepared with black India ink over a China clay surface; also called "scraperboard". Drawings are produced by scraping away the ink to expose the clay surface, which may then be transferred.

screamer:

A sensational headline printed in very large type. See streamer, banner, heading.

screed:

Any long essay, discourse, or disquisition, especially a tirade, diatribe, philippic, or jeremiad; as derived from "torn fragment". See news, flame, flame-bait, balderdash, sleazy. [v: billingsgate]

screen:

A glass plate on which two sets of intersecting lines have been etched, used to make halftones and color builds. Also, a display component, computer monitor, video display terminal (VDT), or cathode-ray tube (CRT); see EGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, raster, ppi/ppcm, reverse video, soft copy, raster burn; compare console.

screen angles:

Angles at which screens intersect with the horizontal line of the press sheet. The common screen angles for separations are black @45 degrees, magenta @75 degrees, yellow @90 degrees, and cyan @105 degrees.

screen font:

Font generated by font utility (eg: Display PostScript) to display on a computer monitor. Compare printer font; see font.

screen percentage:

Alternate term for dot area (qv). See illustration.

screen printing:

A method of printing by using a squeegee to force ink through an assembly of mesh fabric and a stencil; also called "screen process printing". See silkscreen.

screen ruling:

Number of rows or lines of dots per inch (or centimeter) in a screen tint or halftone, representing a density ratio of fill to background; also called "line count", "screen value", "screen frequency", and "screen size".

screen shot:

The printout of an establishing shot or snapshot of the image displayed on a computer screen, usually taken in context for verification or troubleshooting. Since the screen shot may be documenting a glitch, provision is made in the operating system to execute this instruction by keyboard commands. The screen image may be saved as a file on the hard drive, which can later be opened with a diagnostics or graphics program.

screen tint:

Color created by dots instead of solid ink coverage; also called "fill pattern", "shading", "tint", and "tone". Compare watermark; see screen ruling, illustration.

screw-and-post bind:

To bind materials using a bolt that screws into a matching post, available in lengths ranging from quarter-inch to three inches. This durable assembly can be stylish, and has the advantage of user disassembly for renewable contents. See loose-leaf, side binding, binding.

script:

The cursive letters or characters used in writing by hand; a system of handwriting. Also, a handwritten manuscript or document. Also, text of the scene directions and dialogue of actors in a play, film, or other performance; compare novelization. Also, a plan, as a set of instructions for an application or utility program written in the same language as the program; see macro, batch file, subroutine, CGI script, Jscript, VBscript, language.

script kiddie:

A person, normally technologically unsophisticated, who randomly seeks specific weaknesses over the Internet to gain root access to a system for general exploitation. Because the weakness was discovered by someone else, the script kiddie doesn't understand how to develop the exploitation. Specific data or links cannot be targeted by the script kiddie, who must search for unlocked gateways or other vulnerable victims. See hacker, cracker, phreak, turist, software.

scriptorium:

A cloistered room, where manuscripts are stored, read, or copied; derived from "writing + place". See carrel, book press, bookstand, kiosk, script, incunabula, codex, volume, scroll, protocol, spine.

scroll:

A roll of parchment, papyrus, paper, or other writing material, especially for ancient documents or scriptures. See banderole, volume, protocol, codex, incunabula, artifact. [v: volumen, scrinium]

scum:

An undesirable film of thick ink in non-image areas; also called blush, catch up, haze, and toning. Scumming may appear on portions of a sheet or across the entire sheet, and results from poor ink/water balance. Compare setoff, slur, hickey, picking, mottle, cheater bar; see ghosting, illustration.

search engine:

A program that searches documents for specified keywords and returns a file list of corresponding matches. Although search engine is really a general class of programs, the term is often used to designate specific systems that enable users to search for documents on the World Wide Web and USENET newsgroups; including: All The Web, Alta Vista, Archie, Excite, Google, HotBot, InfoSeek, Jughead, Lycos, Veronica, WebCrawler, Yahoo!. Search engines typically work by sending out a spider (qv) to fetch as many documents as possible. Another program, called an indexer, then reads these documents and creates an index based on the words contained in each document. Each search engine uses a proprietary algorithm to create its indices such that, ideally, only meaningful results are returned for each query. Also called "webot" (contraction of web and robot) for obeying instructions to automatically retrieve internet data. See crawler, spider, meta tag, portal, program, software.

section sign:

The hatch-mark or number sign (#) used to indicate the need to insert space, as divisions between sections. Also, a special symbol, such as the interlaced Ss () mark, used to denote categorical subclassifications, to demarcate textual divisions, or to signify regulatory sections; sometimes abbreviated "sec". Multiple signs indicate additional spaces (###), or plural sections (). See bullet, dingbat, proofreader's marks, hanging.

selective binding:

The practice of placing signatures or inserts into magazines or catalogs according to demographic or geographic guidelines. With the development of online publications, the user (reader or researcher) will be increasingly able to self-select such tailored information. See e-pub, issue, regional edition, binding.

self-cover:

A printing (eg: brochure) or publication (eg: newsletter) that uses the same paper weight throughout the item, for both body and cover/wrapper; so the outside is less durable, and style effects (eg: overhang) are impractical. Compare separate cover; see cover paper, paperback, cut flush, binding.

self-mailer:

A fold-over or reversible reply mechanism, which retains the recipient's vital statistics, and exposes the pre-addressed return destination when completed; see blow-in card, reply coupon. Also, a brochure, booklet, newsletter, or other small publication designed for dissemination by secure folding without a separate envelope. See wafer.

self-publishing:

A book designed, edited, printed, distributed, and paid for entirely by its author. See assisted self-publishing, subsidy publisher, vanity press, publishing house.

sell line:

On newsstand periodicals, cover line (qv).

sell-through rate:

The percentage of magazines actually sold through retail outlets. For example, if your distributor sends various bookstores 100 magazines, and 20 are returned at the end of the selling cycle, your sell-through rate is 80%. See draw.

semantics:

A branch of linguistics dealing with the study of meaning, including the ways meaning is structured in language, and changes in meaning and form over time. Also, the branch of semiotics or logic dealing with the relationship between signs or symbols, and what they denote. Also, the meaning, or an interpretation of the meaning, of a word, sign, sentence, or similar representation. See morpheme, language, semiotics, noise. [cf: orthoepy]

semicolon/semi-colon:

The punctuation mark (;) used to indicate a major division in a sentence, as the division between distinct clauses or list items, when a comma will not suffice. It conventionally separates the two clauses of a compound sentence. Compare colon; see punctuation.

semiotics:

The study and analysis of signs and symbols as elements of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing. Also, a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics. See ideogram, logogram, pictography, hieroglyphics, glyph, rebus, signifier, sign language, vocabulary, language, alphabet, typology. [cf: zoosemiotics, philology] [nb: "Symbols have one characteristic in common with signs; they point beyond themselves to something else. The red sign at the street corner points to the order to stop the movements of cars at certain intervals. A red light and the stopping of cars have essentially no relation to each other, but conventionally they are united as long as the convention lasts. The same is true of letters and numbers and partly even words. They point beyond themselves to sounds and meanings. They are given this special function by convention within a nation or by international conventions, as mathematical signs. Sometimes such signs are called symbols; but this is unfortunate because it makes the distinction between signs and symbols more difficult. Decisive is the fact that signs do not participate in the reality of that to which they point, while symbols do. Therefore, signs can be replaced for reasons of expediency or convention, while symbols cannot." by Paul Tillich, "Symbols of Faith, Dynamics of Faith" (1958)]

sentence:

A structurally independent grammatical unit of one or more words, typically consisting of a subject and a predicate containing a finite verb and expressing a statement, question, request, command, or exclamation, conventionally begun with a capital letter and concluded with end punctuation in writing, and usually separated by pauses in speech. As a connotative gestalt, even a denotative sentence is more than the sum of its parts. See elliptical sentence, phrase, parts of speech, punctuation.

separate cover:

A printing (eg: brochure) or publication (eg: newsletter) that uses a heavier paper stock externally than is used internally, so that the exterior wrapper protects the interior body. This more durable outside can also be styled (eg: die cut, emboss, gatefold, etc). Compare self-cover; see cover paper, paperback, overhang, binding.

sequel:

A literary or filmic work that continues or supplements the narrative of a preceding work, as a subsequence; abbreviated "seq". See series; compare prequel.

sequence:

The design principle that the arrangement of page elements or the layout pattern can direct the reader's attention in a particular direction or to a specific order of items, by using size, color, shape, and placement. See z-path, optical center, leader, readability; compare balance, contrast, jump article.

serialization:

To create or release a work in serial, installment, or episode form, as to publish or broadcast incrementally. If published in series before compilation, then the work is in "first serialization"; and if separated into series after being published whole, then the work is in "second serialization". See installment, fascicle.

series:

A set of successive issues or volumes of a periodical published in like form with similarity of subject or purpose. Also, two or more publications or broadcasts related by theme, format, or the like (eg: trilogy, tetralogy); see sequel, installment, fascicle. Also, a regularly scheduled program with a set format, a regular cast of characters, and a continuing theme or story.

serif:

A smaller line used to finish-off a main stroke of a letter. Categories include: square-serif, slab-serif, bracketed-serif. Compare stem; see ear, stroke, typeface, type family, font, typography.

serigraphy:

The silkscreen (qv) printing process; derived from "silk + draw".

service feature:

A late development in newspapers, recognizing that an audience could be retained with contents other than news and advertising. More than other published material, the service features present a more accurate portrayal of community character and interest. Services include legal notices, public announcements, scheduled events, affairs and activities, meeting reports, assorted listings, employment solicitations, and obituaries. See feature, newspaper, 30.

servicemark:

A proprietary term or symbol (ie: SM) that distinguishes the provider of a distinctive service. Compare trademark.

sesquipedalism:

A word containing many syllables; see syllabary. Also, a person given to using long words; see prolixity, pleonasm, polysemy, writer, mogigraphia.

setoff:

The undesirable transfer of wet ink from the top of one sheet to the underside of another as they lay in the delivery stack of a press; also called "offset". Compare scum, ghosting, slur, hickey, picking, mottle; see illustration.

set size:

The width of the type body of a given point size. Compare body size; see expanded type, baseline, measure, font, typeface.

SGML:

The abbreviation for Standard Generalized Markup Language, being an information-management standard created by Charles F. Goldfarb and adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1986. SGML is widely used in the publishing industry, particularly for multimedia. See tag, DTD, HTML, markup.

shadows:

The darkest areas of an image or photograph; as distinguished from midtones and highlights. See key, illustration.

shareware:

Copyrighted software that is usually distributed free of charge, but includes a request by the owner or developer for a nominal license fee, if the software user finds the product valuable. An enhanced or upgraded version is often forthcoming to those satisfied users who have paid the registration fee. Shareware programs that have been compiled from code or feature contributions may alternatively be called "donationware". See freeware, public domain software, open-source, software.

sheet:

A piece of paper or some similar absorbent material, variously sized, as used for writing or printing. See broadside, blanket sheet, eight sheet, parent sheet, flyleaf, leaf, page, folio, quarto, octavo, duodecimo, sixteenmo, octodecimo, signature, form, quire, recto, verso, backtrack, paper.

sheet-fed press/sheetfed press:

Press that prints on sheets of cut paper, usually sized between 11" X 17" and 54" X 77". Compare web press; see quick printing, press.

sheetwise:

The technique of printing one side of a sheet with one set of plates, then the other side of the sheet with a set of different plates; also called work and back. Front-only or "one-up" jobs require sheetwise printing. Compare perfecting, work and turn, work and tumble; see stripping, imposition, template.

shell:

A separate piece of program software that provides direct communication between the user and the operating system; also called a "command interpreter". The Macintosh Finder is a shell, as is the command interface program (COMMAND.COM) in MS-DOS. Various other shells, including mouse-oriented or visual programs, can interface with UNIX and other command-based systems. Many applications allow the user to "shell-out" by a hot-key sequence to the operating system. See C shell, multitasking, TSR, subroutine, command line, task.

shingling:

The allowance made to compensate for creep (qv); also called "stair stepping" and "progressive margins". The art and text copy must be adjusted so placement and margins will remain consistent when signatures are trimmed. [nb: "push out" or creep is the problem; shingling is the solution]

short run:

A relatively small quantity to be printed in relation to the size and speed of the press used. Compare demand printing, quick printing; see pressrun.

shoulder note:

A note written or printed in the outer corner of the head margin of a page, usually in writing or type that distinguishes it from the text. See gloss, marginalia, reference marks, notation, corner snipe.

shovelware:

A slang reference to content transferred from an old to a new medium without modification or adaptation, such as when using pre-formatted conversion programs. See software.

showcase:

An exhibit, display, or special presentation of some excellent specimen or representative model. Also, a glass cabinet or case [vitrine] for the display and protection of articles; compare easel. Also, the best possible printing quality; rated highest in the ranking of basic, good, premium, showcase.

show-off:

The autographic sign, symbol, or device marked upon or embedded into a designer's or craftsman's product, including electronic media; also called "maker's mark". See signet, logo, brand, indicia; compare digital watermark.

show-through:

A problem that occurs when the printing on one side of a sheet is visible from the other side. See opacity.

shrink wrap:

The process of wrapping products or packages in clear plastic film, then using heat to tighten the film around the item.

sidebar:

A typographically distinct section of a page, as in a book or magazine, that amplifies, supplements, or highlights the main text. Compare call-out, squib, footnote; see box, bite, mortise, feature, byplay, counterfactual, factoid.

side binding:

See side-stitch binding, screw-and-post bind, loose-leaf, fan, mechanical binding, binding.

side note:

A note written or printed on one of the side margins of a page, adjacent to the passage to which it refers, usually in writing or type distinct from the text. A side note, also known as a "marginal note", may be cut-in or set into the text from the margin so that body copy wraps around it on three sides. See gloss, marginalia, notation, reference marks.

side-stitch binding:

To bind by stapling through sheets along one edge; also called "cleat-stitch binding", "side-sewn binding", and "side-wire binding". A very durable and potentially stylish form of this method, known as "Smythe sewn", is top-stitched with thread, often in multiple rows and in coordinated colors. Compare fan, saddle-stitch binding; see binding, sheet, signature.

sign:

See ornament, semiotics, glyph, graphics, signifier, sign language.

signature:

A printed sheet folded to page size (usually in multiples of four pages) for binding together, with other such sheets, to form a book, magazine, or the like. Also, a mark placed on the first page of every sheet to guide the binder in folding and gathering them. See form, lap, sheet, fold lines, insert, tip, inset, nested, binding.

signet:

A distinctive mark or impression, as if made by a seal or cachet. See indicia, imprimatur, logo, autograph, show-off, brand, trademark, hallmark, colophon.

signifier:

A pattern of sense impressions, such as a series of sounds or written symbols, that expresses a meaning. See phoneme, morpheme, semiotics. [nb: the thing or concept denoted by a signifier is "signified"]

sign language:

A communications system, employing symbolic gestures and other formalized hand-signs, as utilized by deaf persons, or speakers without a common language; not to be confused with pantomime or body language (qv). Ritualistic movements employed in communication are conscious acts, hence differ from body language and mannerisms. A related symbology, called fingerspelling, is actually a surrogate alphabet, that substitutes manual letters for printed or cursive glyphs. A signal code combines communication and signs to form language. See specialized format, accessibility, vocabulary. [nb: there is no universal sign language among deaf persons; sign languages are as culturally bound as spoken languages, with the most prominent in America being: American Sign Language (ASL), and American English Sign Language (AMESLAN)]

silhouette:

Eponymous term for an outlined shape or contrasting depiction, usually without depth; also refers to an image from which the background has been removed. See illustration.

silicon:

A nonmetallic element, having amorphous or crystalline forms, as used in alloys and semiconductors, especially for silicon wafers in electronic devices. See chip. [nb: not "silicone" polymer]

silkscreen:

A printmaking technique, in which a mesh cloth is stretched over a heavy wooden frame and the design, painted onto the screen by tusche or affixed by stencil, is printed by having a squeegee force color through the pores of the material in areas not blocked out by a glue sizing; also called "silkscreen process" and "screen print", but formally known as serigraphy (qv) or "mitography".

simile:

A figure of speech which explicitly compares two distinct objects or concepts by the direct use of "like" or "as" (eg: "She is like a rose." and "Now the chimney was all of the house that stood, Like a pistil after the petals go."); derived from "similar", as a likeness. Compare metaphor; see rhetorical forms.

simplex:

To print on one side of a sheet from a dedicated peripheral or a networked device, as in the remote queuing of corporate or institutional documents; compare duplex, see xerography, reprography, demand printing, quick printing. Also, a telecommunications system permitting transfer on only one channel or in only one direction at a time; compare duplex.

sine qua non/sine qua causa non:

An indispensable or essential condition, element, or factor, as a quiddity; derived from Latin "without which (thing) nothing". Compare tour de force; see constant, grid, template, design. [v: raison d'ˆtre/raisons d'ˆtre]

single-copy sales:

Those publications sold through retail outlets, either through a distributor or directly. Can also include bulk single copy sales to conferences and meetings. See sell-through rate, circulation, newsstand, audit.

sinkage/sink:

The amount of space left blank at the top of a page, additional to the normal margin, before the first line of type, usually to set apart the chapters or subdivisions of a publication. See attic, horizon line, headpiece, heading, title page, optical center.

six pack:

Slang for the group of keys clustered together on a computer keyboard, usually functioning as DELete, INSert, End, Home, Page Up, and Page Down; with allusion to adult beverages similarly packaged. See num-pad, keyboard.

sixteenmo:

A book size (about 4 x 6 inches; 10 x 15 cm) determined by printing on sheets folded to form 16 leaves or 32 pages; symbol: 16mo. Also called sextodecimo. See sheet.

sketch:

Any rough draft, plan, or design; see thumbnail, FPO. Also, a simple drawing or hasty painting giving only essential features, often used as a preliminary work; see line drawing, block-in, scamp, illustration. Also, a short piece of descriptive writing; sometimes as an outline for a longer work. Also, a short comic routine, or a brief dramatic scene, as an episode; see vignette.

skid:

A low mobile platform for ease of handling goods. See pallet.

skyline:

A headline, cover line, bulletin, teaser, hook, or story set above the nameplate on the front-page of a publication for maximum visibility. A significant story which is text dominant, such as fact or emotion, will be used in this manner, because it lacks the visual elements that will draw a reader into the account. Compare strap, kicker, attic, corner snipe; see subhead, heading, horizon line, optical center.

slander:

A defamation or calumny; as a malicious and false statement or report by oral utterance rather than by writing, pictures, and so forth (libel); derived from scandal. Speech proposing a transaction or exchange is commercial or contractual, and does not enjoy the Free Speech protections of debate.

slang:

Informal idiom and vocabulary usage that is characteristically more metaphorical, elliptical, and ephemeral than ordinary language; a nonstandard vocabulary composed chiefly of synonyms for standard words and phrases. See dialect, vernacular, colloquialism, catch-phrase, counterword, rhetorical forms, language, sociolinguistics. ["Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands, and goes to work." Carl Sandburg (1959)]

slash:

A short oblique stroke used as a divider or separator, being a diagonal, virgule, solidus; see punctuation. Also, a path (qv) delimiter for filenames and internet addresses (qqv); compare backslash. Also, the closing tag delimiter in an HTML element; see HTML tag, container tag. Also, the punctuation mark used with switches on command arguments; see parameter, subroutine.

sleazy:

A contemptible or disreputable publication characterized by sordid, vulgar, or squalid contents. See muckracker, factoid, counterfactual, screed, yellow journalism, journalism, news, balderdash. [v: billingsgate]

sleepy:

Can connote muted and subdued, as quietly restful, or dull and uninspiring, as blandly soporific; but a publication should not be prosaic, vapid, insipid, or unimaginative.

slick:

A contranym, derived from "sleek"/"smooth", meaning both remarkable and tawdry. 'Slick writing' is deft, but glib. A 'slick magazine' is showy but shallow; being all image without substance... slicks are usually qualitatively juxtaposed to pulps, although there may be little distinguishing their contents. Thus, any book or periodical produced in large quantity on heavily-coated low-quality paper that's printed on a heat-set web press so every page can be dry varnished for maximum reflectivity. Also called "glossy" (which is also a contranym, meaning both lustrous and deceptive). Compare pulp, uncoated paper; see varnish, book paper, coated paper, art paper, gloss paper, paper coating.

slide:

see dialect, idiolect, accent.

SLIP:

The abbreviation for Serial Line Internet Protocol, being a communication standard that allows a computer to be directly connected to the Internet using a graphical user interface (GUI). By a dial-up connection (such as telephone circuits or RS-232 cables), SLIP may use a serial modem to link Local Area Networks (LAN) or to access the internet/WWW. SLIP does not include error detection, data compression, and modem communication elements found in the PPP protocol. See TCP/IP, internet address, URL, web server.

slipcase:

A box for a book, for a set of books, or a periodical series, that's open on one side so the spine is visible. See portfolio, jacket, accordian-fold.

slogan:

A distinctive phrase or motto, identified with a particular product, party, institution, or the like; derived from "army + cry" (sluagh-ghairm), formerly as a Scottish clan gathering call or war cry. See jingle, catchword, catch-phrase, diction, trigger term, advertising.

slot:

Formerly, the middle of the U-shaped copy desk (qv) where the editor was surrounded by copyeditors, who processed work from copywriters and deskmen for submission to the art department to setup the current issue; being the publication's operations and control center, the editorial nexus. Compare rim; see fishbowl.

slug:

A short phrase or title used to indicate the story content of a piece of copy, which label does not display with the copy; see meta tag. Also, the line of type carrying this information. Also, a line of type in one piece, as produced by a Linotype. Also, a strip of type metal, less than type-high, used for spacing; see quad, leading, nonpareil, furniture, feathering. Also, a spacing strip containing a type-high number or other character for temporary use.

slur:

To spot, stain, soil, or blot, as a spread or smear of ink; same derivation ("sloormud") as sully, slight, defile, or disparage. See hickey, picking, mottle, scum, setoff.

slush pile:

A quantity of unsolicited material, sent "over the transom" on speculation by aspiring writers, usually read by staff interns, editorial assistants, or practicum students; derived from the occasional need to patch or fill a publication with slush for "cement" or "lubrication". See filler, squib, bite, snippet, puffery, manuscript.

small-cap:

A small capital letter; a capital letter of a particular font, having the height of a lowercase letter. See OC, CAP, LC, drop-cap, majuscule.

small pica:

A 10.5 point type; see font, type.

small press:

A relatively small publisher of limited resources, and not controlled by an outside institution or entity; also called "little press" or "niche publisher". Most small presses employ fewer than a dozen people, and publish no more than four-dozen new titles each year. The bimonthly trade journal for small publishers is "Small Press", which publishes approximately 100 reviews of small press books in each issue. References include: Literary Market Place (LMP), "Directory of Literary Magazines and Presses" (CLMP), "DustBooks' Guide to Little Magazines and Small Presses", "Writer's Market" (WDS). The Small Press Center is a nonprofit cultural and educational institution dedicated to promoting awareness of small independent publishers and their contribution to society. See backlist, niche publishing, publish.

smart tag:

Slang for EPC or RFID codes (qqv); compare bar code.

SMIL:

The abbreviation for Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language, being a new markup language developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that enables web developers to divide multimedia content into separate files (audio, image/video, and text) that stream as individual components that present themselves seamlessly, as if they were a single multimedia entity. This separation reduces static and complexity, while increasing access and transfer. SMIL is based on the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). Rather than defining the actual formats used to represent multimedia data, it defines the commands that specify whether and when the various multimedia components should be played, setting the parameters for simultaneity and sequence. Compare SAMI.

SMTP:

Abbreviation for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, being the standard TCP/IP protocol governing electronic mail transmission and reception used on the internet and other server networks. Additionally, SMTP is generally used to send messages from a mail client to a mail server. Client e-mail messages can be retrieved from host servers using either POP or IMAP. Related risks include the spreading of viruses in attached files, and distributing spam, the internet's "junk mail". SMTP is defined in RFC 821, with associated message format descriptions in RFC 822; and uses TCP/IP port 25. See e-mail.

smurf:

Causing a security breach in an online network by an overload from ICMP echo (PING) request replies. Internet broadcast addresses distribute all received messages to the hosts connected to the subnet. Each broadcast address can support up to 255 hosts, so a single PING request can be multiplied 255 times. The return address of the request itself is spoofed to the smurf attacker's victim. All the hosts receiving the PING request reply to this victim's spoof address instead of the real sender's address. A single smurf attacker sending hundreds of these PING messages per second can fill the spoof victim's T-1 (or even T-3) line with PING replies, and bring the entire internet service down. Smurfing attempts to deny service by disabling a computer or network, system or security. See virus, worm, sniffer, Trojan Horse, spoofer, deadman, malware.

Snap:

A WYSIWYG guides or rules program feature used for accurately aligning text or graphics. The effect is exercised by various non-printing guidelines, such as column or margin guides, which automatically place the text or graphics in the correct position (ie: flush to the column guide) when activated by the mouse. The feature is optional and can be toggled off. See format, master page, stylesheet. Also, the abbreviation for Specifications for Non-Heat-set Advertising and Printing (SNAP); being an industry guideline specific to #5 groundwood paper. See trade customs, trade associations.

sniffer:

A program and/or device that monitors data traveling over a network. Sniffers can be used both for legitimate network management functions, and for stealing information off a network. Unauthorized sniffers can be extremely dangerous to a network's security because they are virtually impossible to detect, and can be inserted almost anywhere. On TCP/IP networks, where they sniff packets, they're often called "packet sniffers". See cookie, tracking, adware, spyware, smurf, spoofer, virus.

snipe:

To attack a person or a person's work with petulant or snide criticism, especially anonymously or from a safe distance; derived from "position of concealment", as sniper. See critic.

snippet:

A small fragment or short passage taken from a document, book, film, or the like, as a scrap of information; an excerpt or extract. See blurb, squib, paragraph, teaser, trailer, epigraph, call-out, sidebar, filler, bite, scrap, ear.

SNOBOL:

The acronym for String Oriented Symbolic Language (qv).

sociolinguistics:

The study of the interactions between the linguistic and social variables of a dynamic language; the study of language as it functions in society, especially bearing upon cross-cultural, transnational, interracial, and other socioeconomic influences. Examines the process of "language engineering" which resolves problems with standardization and unification. See slang, colloquialism, vernacular, dialect, non-standard, standard, creole, language; compare psycholinguistics. [v: bilingualism]

soft copy:

Type and images viewed on a computer screen or monitor; also called "soft proof". See reader spread, PaperNet; compare hard copy.

soft offer:

A subscription offer that allows new or renewing subscribers to send no money up front. With soft offers, one issue will often be served, or "graced", prior to cancellation for non-payment. Also known as a "bill me" offer. See circulation, differential pricing, subscription. [nb: should be used only if capable of accurate and comprehensive invoicing]

software:

Coded programs for directing the processing of electronic data or the operation of a computer and its peripherals. Also, any material (such as audiovisual media) requiring the use of mechanical or electrical equipment (ie: hardware). Also, the documentation for such programs or materials. See bit, byte, nybble, pixel, analog, debug, bug, glitch, kludge, alpha test, beta test, vaporware, crippled, warez, adware, cookie, command line, shell, multitasking, TSR, subroutine, algorithm, macro, script, batch file, control character, parameter, meta tag, search engine, spider, plug-in, suite, interface, GUI, WYSIWYG, open-source, freeware, shareware, public domain software, shovelware, cobweb-site, feature-shock, hacker, phreak, turist, FAQ, help, trap door, firewall, deadman, honeypot, sniffer, spoofer, smurf, script kitty, cracker, steganography, virus, worm, malware; compare language, markup, program, database, graphics.

SOHO:

Abbreviation for Small Office/Home Office, designating both a production capacity and a contrapositive lifestyle (ie: personal versus bureaucratic, artistic versus industrial).

solecism:

A nonstandard or ungrammatical usage (eg: flammable/inflammable/non-flammable); derived from the name of a city in Cilicia where a corrupt form of Attic Greek was spoken. Also, any error, impropriety, or inconsistency. See rhetorical forms; compare neologism, compound. [nb: nonstandard/substandard words include: ain't, alot, alright, anyways, anywheres, conflicted, complected, enormity, heighth, hern (mine, thine), hisn (his'n), irregardless, mischievious, nohow (not "knowhow"), nowheres, snuck, somewheres, theirn (their'n), thunk, unflammable, you-all (y'all), yourn (your'n), youse, you-uns (you-ens)]

solid:

A color having uniformity of tone. Also, a compound word written without a hyphen; see composition. Also, printing with few open spaces, or type lines not separated by leading, as "set solid"; see minus leading, readability.

solid leading:

Text set with the default leading of the font or typeface used; leading without any additional interline spacing. Compare minus leading; see leading, alignment.

soliloquy:

A speech in a drama in which a character, alone or as if alone, discloses innermost thoughts; in prose, this style of "interior monologue" is often called a 'dialogue', to distinguish it from the verbal exchange between two characters, known as "duologue". See monologue, apostrophe, verse.

sound-bite/sound bite:

A brief but striking remark or statement excerpted from one source for insertion into another source, especially a comment extracted from an interview and broadcast in a news story. See bite, ear, snippet, blurb, squib, filler, paragraph, call-out, box, sidebar, epigraph, contents; compare sound-clip.

sound-clip/sound clip:

A short segment or brief excerpt of speech or music introduced into electronic media as a primary, complementary, or supplementary component, also called "audio-clip"; including voice mail, verbal messages, audible labels, musical cues, narrations, background melodies, instrumental or choral expositions (eg: prelude, interlude, postlude). See MIDI; compare sound-bite.

source code:

Human-readable computer program statements written in a high-level or assembly language; compare object code.

SP:

Encircled abbreviation for "spell out"; see proofreader's marks. Also, conventional abbreviation for "misspelled" or "spelling error", usually with correction interlarded.

space:

Term used to denote advertising linage (qv).

space writer:

A journalist or copywriter paid on the basis of length of copy, usually computed in column inches. See linage, feature-length, writer.

spam:

The mass distribution of unsolicited e-mail messages to large numbers of newsgroups or mailing lists, with little regard for the burden such activity places upon subscribers. Spamming is considered to be one of the worst violations of netiquette, because it forces internet users to waste valuable time scanning and deleting "junk e-mail" messages. This practice is also known as Excessive Cross-Posting (ECP) and Excessive Multi-Posting (EMP). The person sending such messages is known as a "spammer". The term purportedly derives from a song performed on "Monty Python's Flying Circus" where the word was incessantly repeated. Origin is also attributed to the University of Southern California computer lab, which analogized "junk e-mail" to the trademarked Hormel Foods product, consisting of meat that is chopped and compressed into a canned loaf (formally renamed from "Spiced Ham" in 1937). Also ascribed to an advertising editor of the "Dallas Times Herald", who suggested "throwing a can of Spam into an electric fan just to see if it will stick to any unwary passersby"; which notion is similar to "run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes". See flame-bait, flame, adware, pop-up, e-mail.

specialized format:

Any form of published material converted into an alternative medium (eg: braille, audio, digital text, etc) to enable accessible use solely by disabled persons, as authorized by the Vocational-Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The exception phrase in the boilerplate prohibition ("Copying of this material in any manner, except in a specialized format, is strictly prohibited."), listed with the disclaimers and other legal notices on the acknowledgements page, is the publisher's recognition of the civil right to access public matter. As with Fair Use, this "re-publication" may entail permissions and fees. The "Chafee Amendment" (PL 104-197) to the Copyright Act (Title 17 USC, Section 121) improves acquisition time by presuming re-publication permission for recognized access service providers. See DAISY, crawl, MSAA, WAI, validation, accessibility, fair use, copyright, acknowledgements.

specialty printer:

Printer whose equipment, supplies, workflow, and marketing is targeted to a specific category of products.

specifications:

The precise and complete written description of the detailed features for a printing job; abbreviated "specs". See estimate, fixed costs, variable costs, formula pricing, unit cost, quotation, job order.

specular highlight:

Highlight area with no printable dots, thus no detail; also called "catchlight" and "dropout highlight". See illustration.

spider:

A program that automatically fetches webpages; also known as a crawler, so named for their stealthy creep over data. Spiders are used to feed pages to search engines for indexing. Because most webpages contain links to other websites, a spider can start almost anywhere by detecting connections and retrieving the matches. Large search engines have many spiders working in parallel. See crawler, search engine, meta tag.

spine:

The back of a book, either covering or integrated with the binding, usually marked with the title, author, and imprint; also called "backbone". See headband, binding, key title. [nb: Scrolls and volumes were title marked with tags, tickets, or protocols, and were stowed in a variety of containers and pigeonholes; but incunabula and codex volumes were usually title marked on their front cover (because books were shelved flat, as in a bookbinder's press), or upon retaining straps (used because pages would swell with moisture, and damage the binding). When, in the Medieval era, books began to be shelved vertically, they were either placed on their spine (with their title marked on the fore-edge), or on their base with their spine inward against the back wall of the book press (with their title marked on the retaining straps). Spines were first imprinted with identifying marks when publishers subdivided folios into multiple volumes during the 16th Century. Beginning in the 17th Century, a half-title page was printed in abbreviation on one of the flyleaves so it could be cut-out and tipped over the fore-edge or pasted onto the spine for book identification on shelving.]

spiral-bound:

A book bound with a continuous plastic or wire loop that passes through holes in the edge of the material; also called coil or mechanical bind. This inexpensive method of binding is well suited for guides, manuals, and references; and has the advantage of laying flat on a table, so the reader may make "hands free" reference to its contents. Compare comb binding, lay-flat bind; see binding.

split edition:

Simultaneous publication of both hardcover and paperback editions of the same book; also called dual edition (qv). Publishers often do a small run of hardcovers to sell to libraries. See trade edition, volume rights.

spoilage:

Paper which must be recycled due to mistakes or accidents. See pre-consumer waste, broke, post-consumer waste, waste, paper.

spoofer:

A program used by a cracker to trick a computer system into thinking it is being accessed by an authorized user. IP spoofing is a technique used to gain unauthorized access to computers, whereby the intruder sends messages to a computer with an IP address indicating that the message is coming from a trusted port. To engage in IP spoofing, a cracker must first use a variety of techniques to find an IP address of a trusted port, and then modify the packet headers, so that it appears that the packets are coming from that port. See virus, worm, sniffer, Trojan Horse, smurf, deadman, malware.

spot color:

Any color created by printing only one ink; also known as "flat color". See fifth color, illustration.

spread:

The technique of slightly expanding or enlarging the size of an image to accomplish a trap with another image; see choke, register. Also, a two-page arrangement of copy; see reader spread, printer spread, crossover, backup, page spread, double spread, center spread.

spyware:

Any intrusive software that covertly gathers user information through the user's InterNet connection, sometimes as a hidden component of a shareware or freeware application, and transmits that information in the background to a third party. Spyware may extract personal information (eg: passwords, PINs, account designations), business or professional data (ie: medical or financial records), consumer practices or website visitations. Spyware exists as independent executable programs that have the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications (eg: e-mail, spreadsheet, word processor, etc), read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, and install other spyware programs. Licensing agreements that accompany software downloads sometimes warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software, but the licensing agreements may not always be read completely because the notice of a spyware installation is often couched in complex and obtuse legal disclaimers. Because spyware is using memory and system resources, the applications running in the background can lead to system crashes or general system instability. See cookie, tracking, adware, pop-up, sniffer, smurf, spoofer, virus, malware.

SQL:

The abbreviation for Structured Query Language (pronounced 'S Q L' or SeQueL), being a standard ISO and ANSI language used to create, maintain, and query relational databases. SQL uses regular English words for many of its commands, which makes it easy to use. It is often embedded within other programming languages. Facilities of the SQL Access Group include: SQL Link (SQLL), Interactive SQL (ISQL), SQL Server (SQLS), ANSI SQL Standard Scalable And Portable (AS3AP), SQL Module Language, SQL Enterprise Manager (SEM), Call Level Interface (CLI). See XQL, language.

squatting:

The occupation of property without permission or payment, or usurpation without right or title. A company's name or domain name may differ from their trademark, but trademarks are particular to specific products or markets. Registered and notable trademarks are protected against diminishment by blurring or tarnish, from dilution by proliferation, or by conversion to generic form. Filing an "intent to use" registration is evidence of use, but no trademark can be reserved without use, or reserved solely for profiteering resale. Deception and imitation are redressed by unfair competition provisions in the Trademark Act. Blocking web access or internet registration for established trademarks (called "cyber squatting") has been addressed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). See fair use, trademark, copyright. [cf: usufruct]

squeegee:

An implement, usually edged with rubber, used for removing excess water from surfaces, excess developer from photographic prints, or for evenly forcing paint or ink through a screen in serigraphy; also called blade. See screen printing, silkscreen.

squib:

Any short writing, usually witty or sarcastic. Also, a short news story, often used as a filler. Derived from a spluttering firecracker. See snippet, paragraph, call-out, sidebar, bite, ear, scrap, rebus, epigraph, feuilleton, boilerplate. [v: bagatelle]

SSI:

The abbreviation for Server-Side Includes; which is the ability to include files from the server inside an HTML document by placing tags in the HTML file that link to those files. Using Server-Side Includes makes it unnecessary to include multiple copies of the same information in the HTML file, and makes it easier to work with frequently-updated information. Server-Side Includes are available on some HTTP servers. Also, the abbreviation for Small-Scale Integration; being the use of integrated circuits with less than 100 logic gates, as in the early third-generation computers (qv).

SSL:

The abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer, being an online encryption security level that permits commercial transactions on the World Wide Web; implementation changes filename extensions from HTML to SHTML, and works with CGI Script. Compare PGP, RSA; see firewall, proxy, password.

staff:

A group of people, such as employees or subcontractors, who perform specific functions when implementing or executing the work of an establishment. A publishing house staff may include: publisher, manager, editor (and proofreader or copywriter), art director (and photographer), advertising director (and salesmen), distribution director, comptroller (and accountant or bookkeeper), secretary (and clerk or receptionist), assistants, associates, and volunteers. See work for hire, freelance, outsource, revolving-door, headhunting, non-competition agreement.

stamp:

A die or block for impressing or imprinting a design; to impress with a mark or device, as a distinguishing feature or an indication of authenticity or approval. See emboss, deboss, die, foil, foil blocking, foil stamp.

standard:

Usage that conforms in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and the like, to what is considered to be characteristic and acceptable by most educated native speakers of a language. See semantics, semiotics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, word, vocabulary, language; compare non-standard.

standard viewing conditions:

A simulation of the color of daylight on a "normal" or bright day: a background of 60 percent neutral gray, and light that measures 5000 degrees Kelvin. See illustration.

standing head:

A headline that remains the same from one issue of a periodical to another. See constant, heading.

stanza:

An arrangement of a certain number of lines, usually four or more, sometimes having a fixed length, meter, or rhyme scheme, forming a division of a poem. Compare strophe; see foot, stave, verse. [v: rubaiyat]

staple binding:

See saddle-stitch binding, side-stitch binding.

stave:

A verse or stanza of a poem or song, especially the alliterative sound in a line of verse. Also, the set of spaced horizontal lines on which music is written; staff, score.

steganography:

The theory and techniques of hiding information by embedding concealed messages within otherwise innocuous or commonplace materials; also called "stego", as derived from "covered + writing". Unused or useless data bits in regular computer files are replaced with invisible bits of covert information. This hidden information can be plain text, cipher code, or even images, and may be inserted into text, audio, graphic, web, or e-mail files. Unlike encryption, which alters obvious signs by translating something readable into something unreadable, secret writing is not detected because it is not overt and not suspicious. Because encryption provides confidentiality but not secrecy, steganography and cryptography are often combined to augment security. Originally used in ancient Greece, where an inscribed tablet was overlaid with another message in wax, modern practice uses specialized "steganalysis" software to detect or distribute data, by injection or substitution, among the electronic noise of typical files. When data is injected, the host medium often increases noticeably in size; and when data is substituted, the host medium often degrades noticeably in quality. See digital watermark, DAISY, trap door, key, warez, virus, quantum, rune. [v: polyptych, polygraphia]

stem:

The major structural parts of a character, which are mostly straight vertical (or nearly vertical) and horizontal (or nearly horizontal) strokes. See ear, finial, crossbar, kern, serif, type, typeface, font, typography.

stencil:

A sheet, plate, or other material bearing a pierced design or cut-out pattern, as used to transfer or reproduce by paint or ink to another surface; derived from a metathetic conversion of ornamental spangle. See ties, template.

stenograph:

A character written in shorthand; see instant messaging, notation. Also, any of various typewriter-like keyboard instruments used for writing in shorthand.

step and repeat:

Pre-press technique of exposing an image in a precise multiple pattern so as to create a flat or plate. See plate.

stepped head:

A headline forming a staggered or progressive effect. See heading.

stereotype:

A printing plate, made by the process of taking a mold of composed type and casting type metal from the mold. Also, any conventional expression or unoriginal idea, as the simplified image or standardized conception of outsiders. See type. [cf: prototype, archetype]

STET:

Abbreviation for "let it stand", to retain material previously deleted; see proofreader's marks.

stipple/stippling:

A method of drawing, painting, or engraving by dots or "small touches"; and the work so created. Compare pixelated, webpox; see pointillism, mezzotint, tessellate, reticulate, illustration.

stochastic screening:

An algorithm that uses a semi-random arrangement of pixels to create the appearance of grey by varying the placement (not size) of halftone dots; also called "sub weight". Improves on the standard halftone screen by maximizing the number of grey tones that can be represented by a limited output resolution. See dithering, halftone, gray levels, illustration. [nb: stochastic: a process that involves a randomly determined sequence, any sample of which may be an element of a probability distribution]

stone age:

In computer jargon, any outmoded, outdated, or obsolete automated processing system (whether or not it still functions!), that is, everything not currently promoted as the "latest and greatest" machine; but especially refers to the early period or first-generation of computers (qv).

story:

A narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse; as a fictitious tale that's shorter and less elaborate than a novel. See feature story, vignette, lay, squib, 30.

storyboard:

A panel, or series of panels, displaying sketches that graphically depict scheduled scenes, with changes of action or story line, as for a television or motion picture production. The sequence plotted on the storyboard may not follow the script but will later be assembled into the proper order. This piecemeal construction with integral links also applies to website development. Compare art board, flowchart; see cinema verite, film. [cf: tablature: to mark or score on a board]

story line:

The main plot (qv), or the succession of incidents of a novel, poem, or drama; also called "theme" or "motif". See drama, foreshadowing, denouement. [v: leitmotif]

straight composition:

Copy arranged as both flush left and right; bijustified. See alignment, justify, flush, H&J, feathering, column rule, ragged, indent.

strap:

A subheading used above the main headline in a newspaper article; also called kicker or "precede". See deck, subhead, heading; compare skyline.

stratum/strata:

A layer of material, naturally or artificially formed, often formed one upon another; derived from "cover" or "spread".

strawboard:

A thick board made from straw pulp, that's not suitable for printing, but used in bookwork, and in the making of envelopes and cartons. See paper.

stream:

A continuous succession, especially of data input, as contents flowing "on stream" to complete a project or enable operation; such as when text flows into a template around design elements and graphical objects. Compare pipeline; see read through.

streambedding:

A contraction of (main)stream + (em)bedding, as used to describe the flow of graphics data with coding inserted, as in EPS and SVG formats.

stream of consciousness/stream-of-consciousness:

A style of writing that simulates, often with non-standard syntax, the constant flow of thoughts and emotions, ideas and images, in a meld of interior monologue and exterior dialogue by one or more characters, in the juxtaposition of random sequences, inconsistent expressions, and indistinct levels of reality; being a psychodynamic referent applied to literature. Coined by William James, this style represents the same point made by Cratylus, who was the seminal proponent of universal change; believing that everything was not only mutable, but actually changed before it could be expressed or represented. Cratylus is famous for correcting the statement: you cannot step into the same river twice, made popular in America as you can never go home again, into something like a Zen retort: you can't even step into the same river once. This radical metaphysic persuaded him that words were useless, and talking was useless... perhaps worse than useless, since in talking one has the illusion of comprehension. See literature.

streamer:

Alternate term for banner (qv). As a sensational headline, this term should be designated: screamer.

stress variation:

Typefaces with a difference in stroke and stem thicknesses, in simulation of antique (distressed) or calligraphic (brush) styles. See typeface.

strike-through:

The saturation of ink into a sheet so that it penetrates to the other side of the page, also called "soak-through"; compare opacity. Also, to mark through or over-strike copy, showing changes or corrections, as when copyediting text or revising legal documents; see copyedit, proofread.

string:

See character string, SNOBOL.

stringer:

A part-time news correspondent covering a subject or locality for a periodical; probably derived from rank or status, as a "second-stringer". See freelance, deskman, writer, journalism.

String Oriented Symbolic Language:

A programming language from Bell Labs used for string processing, compiler development, and pattern matching; abbreviated "SNOBOL" (snowball). See language.

strip:

To assemble images on film for platemaking.

stripping:

The positioning of all pieces in the layout onto large sheets of paper to construct the templates. Consideration must be given to optimum utility, precise placement, color relations, and efficient pressruns. See imposition, guideline, format.

stroke:

The movement of a pen, pencil, brush, and similar writing instruments, or the resultant mark made by such a movement; see serif, stem, type, typography, alphabet. Also, a distinctive manner or effective touch in a literary composition. Also, a piece of work, a feat; see masterpiece.

strophe:

In modern poetry, any separate section or extended movement in a poem, distinguished from a stanza in that it does not follow a regularly repeated pattern; compare stanza, see monostrophe, apostrophe, prosody, verse. Also, the part of an ancient Greek choral ode sung by the chorus, and the movement (strophe/antistrophe) of the chorus while singing. Also, the first of the three series of lines forming the divisions of each section of a Pindaric ode [an ode consisting of several units, each composed of a strophe and an antistrophe of identical form followed by a contrasting epode].

stylebook:

A reference book containing the rules of usage in punctuation, grammar, typography, and the like, used by writers, editors, proofreaders, and typographers; also known as style guide or style guideline. The standard stylebooks include: "MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing", "The Chicago Manual of Style", "A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations" [Turabian], "The BlueBook" [law], "Am. Psych. Assn. Publication Manual", "The New York Public Library Writer's Guide to Style and Usage", "The Associated Press Stylebook", "The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage", "The Gregg Reference Manual", and "USGPO Style Manual".

stylesheet/style sheet:

The customary rules that a publisher observes regarding syntactic composition and document formatting, which represent particular guidelines for similar projects. By extension from these editing and layout formulations, a computer file which establishes consistent treatment of each similar item or all associated data, as by a uniform template, without coding different features separately. See CSS, XSL, JSS, widow, orphan, Snap, master page, format, punctuation, copyedit, stylebook.

stylish:

Conforming to current fashion; vogue, smart, chic, dernier cri, faddish, trendy, fancy, whimsy, craze, mania, clinquant, kitsch. See art, design, graphic design, designing on press, CRAP, Occam's Razor, slick. [v: de rigueur]

stylus:

A pointed instrument used for inscribing or embossing, including automatic machine transcription. Also, any pen-like instrument used in calligraphy or artwork; as derived from "stilus" (stake) for pointed writing instrument. See pen, writing instrument; compare puck.

subhead:

A title or heading of a subdivision, such as in a chapter, essay, or newspaper article. Also, a subordinate division of a title or heading. See cross head, deck, strap, jump head, heading.

subroutine:

A sequence of instructions inserted into a computer program, or any stipulated section of code that can be invoked; also called "module". See algorithm, macro, script, batch file, parameter, TSR, shell, control character, switch, slash, backslash.

subscript:

A letter, number, or symbol written below or printed low on a line of text; also called "inferior". Compare superscript.

subscription:

A sum of money given or pledged as a contribution, payment, investment, or the like. Also, the right to receive a periodical publication, utilize a service, attend performances, participate in functions, and the like for a prepaid sum of money; see differential pricing, soft offer, fulfillment period, expiration date, renewal rate, audit, agent-sold subscriptions. Also, the act of appending one's signature or mark to a form or document, usually denoting assent, agreement, or approval.

subsidiary rights:

The rights to publish in different formats, or to produce in different media, a derivative or convertible work that's based on an original expression of tangible intellectual property. Compare volume rights; see copyright, non-disclosure agreement, work for hire, fair use, public domain, license, plagiarism, reprint permission, serialization.

subsidy publisher:

A publisher that produces books for a fee. Like the major publishing houses, a subsidy press maintains editorial control, then publishes and distributes the book under its imprint. Authors pay all publishing costs, and usually retain copyright. Depending upon the contract, subsidy publishers may pay royalties, or give the author a fixed quantity of books in lieu of remuneration. See assisted self-publishing, self-publishing, vanity press, publishing house.

substance weight:

An alternate term for basis weight, usually referring to bond paper; also called "sub wt". See paper.

subtractive color:

Color produced by light reflected from a surface. Subtractive color includes hues in color photos, and colors created by inks on paper. See illustration.

subtractive primary colors:

Yellow, magenta and cyan. In the graphic arts, these colors are known as process colors because, along with black, they are the ink colors used in color-process printing. Compare additive colors; see illustration.

suitcase:

Slang for the complete set of printer and screen fonts supplied with a job specification as a guarantee of print accuracy. See COLD, job order.

suite:

A number of connected or related things forming a series or set, as an ensemble of integrated programs (v: Acrobat) or compatible software (v: MIME); derived as a metathetic variation of suit ("siute") meaning "to follow". See program, software.

supercalender:

A roll or set of rolls for giving a smooth high finish to paper.

supercalendered paper:

Groundwood paper calendered using alternating chrome and fiber rollers to produce a smooth, thin sheet for magazines, catalogs, and directories; abbreviated SC paper. See paper.

superscript:

A letter, number, or symbol written above or printed high on a line of text; also called "superior". Compare subscript.

surprint:

To print an image over another image, as text over a graphic, as line drawing over continuous tone; to impose an overlay onto a base depiction in the same illustration area by registered plate sequence. Also called "double print" or overprint (qv). See pre-print, screen tint, ink-trap, watermark, tip-on; compare mortise.

SVG:

The abbreviation for Scaled Vector Graphics; a text-based vocabulary that interfaces with human-readable XML tags. See graphics, illustration; compare Flash.

SVGA:

The abbreviation for Super Video Graphics Array; being a high resolution video display standard for color monitors, defined by VESA. SVGA monitors display up to 16.7 million colors with resolutions up to 1,280 x 1,024 pixels, and are good for multimedia applications. See screen, illustration.

swash/swash letter:

A capital letter written or printed in Italics with at least one long tail or flourish added for dramatic effect. See initial, rubric, drop-cap, display type, typeface, ITAL, paraph.

swatchbook/swatch book:

A collection of specimen materials, or a manufacturer's set of production samples, showing particular characteristics; as of paper, ink, or the like. See samples.

sweat equity:

Unreimbursed labor, that increases the value of a property, or is invested to establish an enterprise. See budget, marketing plan, appropriation.

switch:

The syntactic parameters used in an argument for controlling the execution of a command or an application, which are typically punctuated with a forward-slash (/), to distinguish qualified instructions from file paths or internet addresses. See slash, subroutine, backslash. Also, a regulatory device for directing or re-directing an electric current, or for making or breaking a circuit.

SWOP:

The abbreviation for Specifications for Web Offset Publications; being an industry guideline. See trade customs, trade associations.

swung dash:

A punctuation mark (~) used in place of a word, or part of a word, previously spelled-out. See apostrophe, elision, dash, tilde, punctuation, notation.

SXGA:

The abbreviation for Super eXtended Graphics Array, being a specification that can display 1280 x 1024 resolution, or approximately 1.3 million pixels. See screen, illustration.

syllabary:

A list or catalog of syllables. Also, a set of written symbols, each representing a syllable, used in writing certain languages (eg: Japanese). See schwa, diacritic, accent, foot, glide, punctuation, orthography, Unicode, sesquipedalism. [v: pyrrhic]

symbol:

See semiotics, glyph, graphics, sign language, prose, verse, rhetorical forms.

syntax:

The patterns for formation of phrases and sentences from words, and the rules for the formation of grammatical sentences in a language. Prescriptive and proscriptive "rules of usage" are not strictly grammar or syntax; but if idiom violates syntactic use, it is better to rephrase or rewrite than to flout either system of effective communication. See alphabet, language, punctuation, orthography, vocabulary, syllabary, morpheme, phoneme, parse, gender, pidgin. [v: inflection, suppletion] [nb: Chomskyan "transformational generative grammar"]

system tray:

A feature introduced with MS-Windows95, the system tray is normally located at the right side of the task bar, next to the clock, and contains miniature icons for ready access to system functions, such as fax, printer, modem, volume, and the like. The options and controls on these system tray icons may be accessed by a mouse right- or double-click.

- T -

tabazine:

Combination of tabloid and magazine for regional or trade distribution, usually arranged in tabloid format. See regional edition, public relations magazine, trade journal, newsletter, magapaper, zine, periodical.

table of contents:

Abbreviated "TOC"; see contents.

tabloid:

An illustrated publication dimensionally about half the size of a regular newspaper, often containing condensed or sensational articles, being a format widely used for newsletters; sometimes called a "scandal sheet". See pauper press, rag, pulp, zine, tabazine, pamphlet, booklet, magazine, chapbook, feuilleton, boilerplate, news book, poster make-up, collateral. [nb: "Whate'er men do, or say, or think, or dream, Our motley paper seizes for its theme." by Juvenal (Decimus Junius Juvenalis) in "Satire 1" as translated and embellished by Alexander Pope, used as the epigraph of the "Prospectus" in the first issue (2 April 1709) of Richard Steele's "Tatler", outlining the general principles for publication. The CounterCultural "Zarzuela" is a modern specimen of classic satire.]

tabular:

Copy set in a table format of columns and rows.

tag:

The Markup Language compliant code that is embedded within the body of a document, which allows information, such as formatting, indexing, and linking, to remain independent of application or platform; and the document is later translated into its final form by a Markup Language compatible application. See alt tag, title tag, container tag, deprecated tag, HTML tag, meta tag, SSI, attribute, markup, TIFF, validation.

tail-in:

To add other work to the end of an existing pressrun, usually as a test of color or paper for a future job. See gang, proof, die strike, samples.

tailpiece/tail-piece:

A decoration, usually a printer's ornament or a small illustration, printed in the blank space at the end of a book chapter or other subdivision; also called "tail ornament". Compare headpiece, frontispiece.

take-off:

A media imitation, derivative, or by-product, based upon a preexisting character, theme, hook, or other commercial idea; as a copy, clone, repro, spin-off, outgrowth, side-effect, counterfeit, faux, knock-off, rip-off. See dummy.

tanka:

A Japanese poem consisting of 31 syllables in five lines, with five syllables in the first and third lines, and seven in the others; derived from "short + song". See haiku, hokku.

target:

Synonymous with destination, being any file location, database, application mode, storage medium, or hardware device to which processing is directed or output; see object code. Also, an attribute of an anchor tag hyperlink on a webpage contained within a frameset, or when enabled by the underline character (_), as a reserved value controlling the display of windowed data. Compare relative link; see link, hot link, hot spot, pointer.

target ink densities:

Densities of the four process inks as recommended for various printing processes and grades of paper. See process colors, illustration.

task:

An operating system concept that refers to the combination of a program being executed, together with its housekeeping or bookkeeping information. Whenever a program is executed, accountability connections enable traces and links to support program functions. Multitasking operating systems (such as UNIX, OS/2, and Windows) are capable of running many tasks at the same time. In most operating systems, there is a direct relationship between the task and the program, but some "multithreading" operating systems allow a program to be subdivided into multiple tasks. The terms 'task' and 'process' are often used interchangeably, although some operating systems distinguish between them. See multitasking, TSR, shell.

tautology:

The needless repetition of an idea in different words, a "word salad" circumlocution (eg: beautiful calligraphy, double spread, widow woman, rooftop, advance planning, advance warning, sand dune, self confessed, pizza pie, free gift), as derived from "same + knowledge"; see rhetorical forms. Also, a logical proposition consisting entirely of valid elements, or a compound proposition containing elements which restate each other; a self-proving circular argument. See puffery, balderdash, pleonasm, prolixity.

TBA:

Abbreviation for "To Be Announced", as a schedule or proposal notation; also represented as "To Be Determined" (TBD).

TCP/IP/TCP-IP/TCPIP:

The abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol, which interfaces with the Internet Protocol; these protocols were developed by DARPA to enable communication between different types of computers and computer networks. The IP is a connectionless protocol which provides packet routing. TCP is connection-oriented and provides reliable communication and multiplexing. See internet address, sniffer, web server.

tear sheet:

A page, containing an advertisement from a current magazine or other publication, that's torn-out and sent to the advertiser as proof of publication. See comps, audit, advertising.

teaser:

A highlight or excerpt used to engage the audience's attention, such as call-outs or film clips; see trailer, snippet, contents. Also, an advertisement that lures customers by offering a promotional gift, premium, or bonus; see hook, blurb, cover lines.

telecon:

Contraction of TELEgraph + CONference, in which principals met at linked stations for long-distance discussion; since applied to any mode of telecommunications conference. [nb: despite similarity, telecon is not telecomm]

telex:

A two-way teletypewriter service channeled through a public telecommunications system for direct communication between subscribers at remote locations; derived from "tel(eprinter) + ex(change)". See e-mail, fax.

TELNET:

The contraction of Terminal Emulation protocoL NETwork, which is abbreviated "TN"; being a virtual terminal protocol that allows users of one host to log into a remote host and interact as normal terminal users of that remote host. TELNET is the main Internet terminal emulation protocol for creating a connection with a remote system, regardless of distance, availing the user of the opportunity to be on one computer and do work on another system. Originally developed for ARPAnet, TELNET runs on top of the TCP/IP protocol. In WWW publishing, TELNET is used to log into the web server, and 'set the permissions' of files and directories. Once a TELNET session has been established, commands specific to the remote host must be used. Assistance on host-specific commands can usually be obtained by typing: help, ?, or menu. TELNET is most likely to be used by program developers and anyone who has a need to use specific applications or data located at a particular host computer. TELNET risks the exposure of passwords over an open network, which may be stolen and misused. See FTP, anonymous FTP, HTTP, protocol, trap door, internet.

template:

A pattern or style arranged for a particular use, subject to modification or transposition; see format, constant, protocol, overprint, stripping, stencil, pipeline, grid, well. Also, a guide or gauge, as a keyboard reference to computer program commands; sometimes called a "cheat sheet".

tessellate:

A design or pattern formed of small blocks or elements, as a dappled or mosaic image, which may be used as a background. Compare mottle, hickey, stipple; see reticulate, wallpaper, illustration. [v: grill, stellular, vairs, miniver]

testing:

The practice of comparing the results of one offer or "creative" against another. For example, in a direct mail effort you might offer your standard half-price subscription rate to a rental list of subscribers, and compare the results of that offer with a slightly different rate offered to another similar rental list of subscribers. It's advisable to also offer your standard rate to a control group. Or, a variety of premiums could be contrasted with different series letters. Testing is a good way to determine your most effective offers, copy, and design; but market research ought to include critical analyses of competitors, and reader surveys. See coding, rollout, audit.

TeX:

Document preparation and processing software that provides complete control over typographical formatting. Devised to reproduce computational equations, it is still the premier system for producing books and articles that require complex typeset mathematical formulae. The plain TeX macro package for general-purpose typeset text processing, written by Donald E. Knuth, and LaTeX, originally written by Leslie Lamport, provide an interface between subject input and output options. After creating the copy, a WYSIWYG preview of the document can be generated in an X-window environment using the "xdvi" (TeX device independent) subroutine. Derived from text editor, with the terminal letter being the Greek letter 'chi' rather than the English letter 'X'. See LaTeX, LyX, text editor.

text:

The main body of matter in a manuscript, book, or the like, as distinguished from notes, appendixes, illustrations, and other supplemental matter; derived from "woven pattern" (textus), to weave a pattern with words. Also, the wording adopted as authentic or authoritative, or any of the various forms in which a writing exists, such as paraphrase, translation, transcription. Also, a unit of connected speech or writing that forms a cohesive whole, especially a passage selected for study. Also, type (qv), especially black letter (qv), as distinguished from margins and illustrations; see gray space.

text box:

Also called "copy block"; see box, call-out, grid box, mortise, sidebar, side note, ear, crawl, zipper sign, caption.

TEXTEDIT:

The standard screen-oriented editor with formatting functions supported by Sun Microsystems in their window environment. This WYSIWYG program is controlled by drop-down boxes (eg: File, View, Edit, etc) located on a menu bar at the top of the screen, and features may be selected by a mouse right-click. A scroll bar is positioned on the left of the screen. See text editor.

text editor:

A program enabling the creation, modification, and formatting of a text document or file on a computer system or workstation. Plain text files are used in programming and messaging, but may be edited for style (eg: color, font, embedded graphics, etc) and layout (eg: proportional spacing, justification, etc). There are three major types of text editor: line editor, showing one line of copy at a time (eg: UNIX "ed" and "ex"); screen-oriented or display-oriented editor (aka: "visual editor"), showing a full screen of copy at a time (eg: UNIX "Vi", "JOVE", "EMACS", "TEXTEDIT"); text formatter, embedding style guides within text files (eg: UNIX "FMT", "PR", "ROFF", "TeX"). See DTP, word processor, e-pub, web publishing.

text paper:

Designation for printing papers with textured surfaces such as laid or linen. Some mills also use text to refer to any paper they consider top-of-the-line, whether its surface has a texture or not. See paper coating.

text type:

In general, any monofont or monospaced font, which is typically displayed in a document without the letter or style formatting performed by word processors and DTP; also known as typewriter-style or teletype-style lettering. All unextended ASCII text is plain; HTML will display a monospace font with the <TT>, <CODE>, and <PRE> tags. See font, monotype, TT, EBCDIC, ASCII, Extended ASCII, Unicode, gray space.

thermography:

A technique for imitating an embossed appearance, as on stationery, by fusing colored wet ink and a colorless adhesive resin powder to the paper by heat; also called "raised printing". Compare engrave, etch; see toner.

thesaurus:

A book containing synonyms and antonyms, arranged by subject or alphabetically; first published in 1852 by Peter Mark Roget as "Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases Classified and Arranged so as to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition" in a thousand categories. Also, any comprehensive reference book, such as a dictionary or encyclopedia; derived from Latin for "treasury" or "storehouse", a repository. See dictionary, gloss, vocabulary.

thesis:

A subject for a composition, or the theme for an essay; compare antithesis, see rhetorical forms. Also, a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus or stress; see foot, verse. Also, the downward stroke, or the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus [cf: arsis]; see strophe. Also, formal writing that incorporates original research on a subject, such as discourse, treatise, exposition, disquisition, tractate, exegesis, dissertation; see monograph, gray literature, DAI, hermeneutics, opus, compare desideratum. Also, a proposition stated for consideration, as one to be discussed and proved, or as one to be maintained against objections [v: Hegelian dialectic]; derived from "the act of setting down".

30:

The end-of-story sign used in telegraphy, teletype, telex, telecom, and internet submission of news to syndicates, agents, or publishers; ostensibly derived from the Roman numeral thirty (XXX) used by telegraphers imitative of the triple asterisk end sign normally used elsewhere in publishing. Alternative derivations include thirty picas per slug on linotype machines, thirty stories per transmission, or thirty features per subscription. See end sign.

thingamajig/thingumajig:

A referent for any unknown object, tool, gadget, device, mechanism, technique, or process, or for any typical or representative specimen; also called thingamabob, thingy, thingamadoodle, whatsis, whatchamacallit/whudyacallit, doohickey, doodad, doojigger, doojiggy, gismo/gizmo, dingus, widget. See balderdash, bunkum @ solecism, euphemism, boilerplate, shovelware, suitcase. [v: artha (materialism)]

think piece:

In Journalism, an article analyzing and giving the background of a news event, often with the author's opinions and forecast for the future; also called "dope story". Compare editorial, Op-Ed, bully pulpit, expose, news.

thread:

A topical sequence of reply messages posted on a BBS or forum, which can be read entire and expanded as long as the subject attracts interest. A single forum or conference typically contains many threads covering different subjects. A new thread series can be initiated by posting a comment or question on a different subject. Archived threads can expose research defects or creative options. Also, a part of a program that can execute independently of other parts, such that multithread program designs enable concurrent execution of threaded parts.

thread sled:

The browser software linking the user to the internet news server for chatroom or newsgroup messaging. See thread, listserve, UseNet.

three-quarter binding:

A book binding in which the material used for the back extends farther over the covers than in half binding (qv). See binding.

three-quarter web:

Press using rolls 22" to 27" wide to print eight-page signatures with a flat trim size typically 17" X 22"; also called an "eight-page web". See press.

thumbnail:

Anything small, brief, or concise, such as a miniature image or biographical sketch.

ticker:

A telegraphic receiving instrument that automatically prints news, stock prices, market reports, and any other subscription information onto a paper tape. See ticker tape.

ticker tape:

The ribbon of narrow paper upon which a ticker prints news or quotations (qv). Compare caption, crawl, zipper sign.

ties:

A structural connection, originally of hair but later of silk thread, joining design elements that span large open areas of a stencil (qv) for pattern stability and consistency.

TIFF:

The abbreviation for Tag Image File Format, a standard file format commonly used for scanning, storage, and interchange of gray scale graphic images. See tag, graphics, illustration.

tilde:

A titulus superscription (~) placed over a consonant to indicate a palatal nasal sound, or over a vowel to indicate nasalization; see diacritic, punctuation. Also, a swung dash; see dash, apostrophe, elision.

tint:

A variety of color, especially delicate, pale, or dilute; see hue, illustration.

tint block:

A faintly colored background or uniform shade upon which an illustration is to be produced. See illustration.

tip/tipping/tip-in/tipping-in:

To insert or inset an additional page or supplemental sheet into a signature before binding, as for illustrations or corrigenda. See half-title page, integral.

tip-on:

A stock wrapper that conceals and protects the art on the cover of a periodical, usually text printed, and may be die-cut. Also, a half wrapper that lists cover lines and decks for the contents, used instead of surprints. See cover paper.

title page:

An unnumbered recto page at the beginning of a book giving the title, subtitle, author's name, place of publication, publisher's name and imprint. Compare half-title page; see heading, sinkage, protocol, spine, acknowledgments, vignette, key title, front matter.

title tag:

An alternative HTML attribute that displays the stipulated data description, which may be nested or sequenced; most often used as a context-sensitive document or object label, appearing as a "tool tip". Also, an element in an HTML heading that labels a document or page, with the description displayed in the browser title bar. Compare alt tag; see tag, markup.

tittle:

A dot or other small mark in writing or printing, used as a diacritic or punctuation. Also, any very small thing or any insignificant amount, as a particle, jot, or whit. See bang. [nb: "It was said of old Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, that she never puts dots over her i's, to save ink." by Horace Walpole]

(TK)/(T.K.):

Authorial notation to proofreader or editor that missing words need to be filled-in to complete the composition, usually being a detail or reference; abbreviation represents "words To Kome". See fill-in, proofreader's marks, notation.

tolerance:

The permissible range of variation or deviation in the characteristics of an object or process. Also, the amount of endurance or the degree of resistance integrated into a variable process or unknown condition.

tombstone:

A boxed advertisement without artwork or illustrations, especially one announcing an issue of a stock or bond; also known as a "tombstone ad" or "boxed card"; compare card, see advertising. Also, equivalent headlines placed side by side to deliberately compete for reader attention; see heading. Also, the inadvertent horizontal alignment of similar elements, such as subheads in different articles in parallel columns appearing to be related, which detracts from their individual impact.

tonal range:

Difference between the darkest and lightest areas of copy. See quarter tones, tone compression, illustration.

tone compression:

Reduction in the tonal range from original scene to printed reproduction.

toner:

A highly concentrated organic pigment (qv); compare dye, ink. Also, either a dry powder, or a powder dispersed in an organic liquid, used in xerography (qv) to produce the final image.

tool line:

An embossed or scored decorative line, sometimes forming a border or frame, used for subtle accent, emphasis, and ornamentation. See rule, fillet, die, panel, blank.

total area coverage:

Total of the dot percentages of the process colors in the final film; also called "maximum density", "total dot density", and "total ink coverage". See illustration.

tour de force:

An exceptional achievement by an artist, author, or other creative person, that is unlikely to be equaled or surpassed by anyone; a quintessential stroke of genius, as derived from "feat of skill or strength". Also, any achievement or resolution that demonstrates unusual strength, great ingenuity, or adroit skill. Compare sine qua non; see masterpiece, argus, dandy roll, oeuvre, aesthetics, ars gratia artis, l'art pour l'art.

TR:

Abbreviation for "transpose"; see proofreader's marks.

trackball:

A type of pointing device; essentially being an upside down mouse of the mechanical or optomechanical type, complete with buttons. The unit is stationary (may even be keyboard mounted), does not need maneuver space, and the roller is directly manipulated by the user. Unlike a mouse, the trackball unit may be handheld during operation, similar to a joystick. The "Turbo Mouse", made available by Kensington Microware, is a Macintosh trackball. See pointer.

tracking:

The practice of assigning codes to all marketing materials and determining the success of your efforts by looking at net responses and rates of return; see coding, testing, white mail, audit, cookie, sniffer. Also, adjusting space between all letters to make them fit the line; see copyfit, kern, rag, RIP, tweak; compare leading.

trade associations:

Professional membership groups that promulgate informal guidelines, similar to guilds or gesellschafts; including: Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), National Association of Printers and Lithographers (NAPL), Printing Industries of America (PIA), Graphics Communications Association (GCA), Committee for Graphics Arts Technology Standards (CGATS), American Association of Publishers (AAP). See GRACOL, SWOP, SNAP, trade customs.

trade customs:

Business terms and policies codified by trade association to provide guidelines for contracts. The Printing Industry Trade Customs describe the common business practices of the printing industry. Graphic Communications Trade Customs and Business Practices have been in general use in the industry throughout the United States and Canada for more than seventy years. These trade customs and business practices were formally promulgated at an annual convention of the United Typotheise of America in 1922. They were revised and updated in 1945 and 1974, and were updated and adopted by the Graphic Arts Council of North America in 1985. A consortium of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), National Association of Printers and Lithographers (NAPL), and Printing Industries of America (PIA) revised them in 1994. The use of any Trade Customs must always be an independent, individual business decision. As each company drafts its own contractual provisions, it will also want to consider customers' wishes, relationships with potential customers, and other competitive issues. See GRACOL, SWOP, SNAP, trade associations.

trade edition:

An edition of a book, usually the optimal compromise between quality and cost, for distribution through general bookstores; also known as "trade binding" and "commercial edition". A well designed and manufactured softcover book is more durable than a poorly designed and cheaply made hardback book. Since printers were originally prohibited from selling directly to the public, licensed stationers would commission a few books to be bound "for the trade", but kept most works unbound until purchased... with the binding matching previous purchases for their customer's library. There are numerous examples of historic personages reading unbound manuscripts, magazine fashion, because they did not want to wait for binding of a new book. With mass-production and the mechanization of bookbinding, publishers began offering standard and deluxe editions; which devolved into split editions, and imprints solely representing production quality. See paperback, treasure binding, volume rights.

trade journal:

A periodical devoted to disseminating news and information of interest to a specific industry or trade. Trade journals are usually published by trade associations, and may be available for reference, including: "Publishers Weekly", "Folio, the Magazine for Magazine Management", "Circulation Management Editor and Publisher", "Magazine Design and Production", "Newspapers and Technology", "Publishing and Production Executive". See gazette, organ, periodical; compare public relations magazine.

trademark:

Any symbol or term adopted for use by a manufacturer or merchant to distinguish a product or commercial line from its competitors, and registered with the patent office to assure its exclusivity; including "trade name" and "trade dress", and equivalent to branding. The registered trademark symbol is ®, and the common law symbol is ®/TM. Compare servicemark; see product mark, collective mark, imprint, brand, logo, copyright, fair use. [nb: specimens of former trademarks include: automat, carborundum, dictaphone, dumpster, escalator, fiberglas, laundromat, loafer, mailgram, nicad, pablum, peg-board, photostat, plexiglas, popsicle, realtor, scuba, sheetrock, spackle, spoof, tarmac, telegram, teletype, windbreaker; and specimens of trademarks liable to become generic include: Adrenalin, Aqua-lung, Astroturf, Band-Aid, Breathalyzer, Brillo, Formica, Frisbee/Frisbie, Fuzzbuster, Google, Gore-Tex, Hula-Hoop, Jeep, Jell-O, Kleenex, Magic Marker, Masonite, Naugahyde, Ping-Pong, Post-it, Q-Tip, Scotch tape, Social Register, Styrofoam, Technicolor, Thermopane, Ultrasuede, Vaseline, Velcro, Xerox, ZIP code]

trade secret:

A secret method, technique, process, formula, pattern, compilation, or device used to competitive advantage in a business, which exclusivity is secured by financial inducements and non-disclosure agreements. Trade secrets cannot be protected against encroachment by copyright, which eventually expires, or by patent, which is publicly disclosed during registration. Piracy of trade secrets includes deconstruction, decompiling, and other reverse engineering. See intellectual property, forbearance agreement, golden handcuffs, autograph, steganography. [v: Uniform Trade Secrets Act]

tragedy/tragedia:

A literary form, chiefly dramatic, which evokes strong emotions in the audience by presenting an often superior and noble being who demonstrates great courage and perseverance while facing and struggling against certain defeat. Aristotle defined this form as a dramatic presentation that arouses pity and fear in the audience, thus stimulating a catharsis of these emotions. The forms of tragedy have changed to reflect the beliefs, values, and conventions of the age in which they are produced. However, the fundamental tragic vision remains the same: the spectacle of an idealistic, courageous, or noble human being in conflict either with private motives, personal frailty, or individual destiny, set in a hostile milieu or indifferent universe. Derived from "goat song" (tragoidia). See pathos, conflict, drama, literature, muse.

trailer:

A short promotional film (qv) showing highlights of a forthcoming movie; see teaser, snippet. Also, the blank film at the end of a reel or strip of film, for winding off the film in a camera, projector, or motion-picture editing device; equivalent to a "leader".

tramp printer:

An itinerant pressman or traveling artificer; also called a "vagabond printer". An alternative lifestyle for a skilled union worker of the 19th Century, who traverses or voyages without destination, in the same sense as an unscheduled "tramp steamer" without a fixed route. [v: "A Race of Men:" by Robert Service]

transition:

The passage or change from one state or stage, one subject or concept to another; as a passage in writing that links one scene or topic to another.

translucent paper:

A category of paper that permits the passage of diffuse light, such as glassine, onionskin, or the like. See flyleaf, paper.

transparent palette:

By setting a clear base on a normally rectilinear graphic, the image will display as if directly placed onto the webpage background, with an irregular, eccentric, or inconsistent shape. Additionally, the border can be hidden (or made invisible by setting the parameter to zero) so a hollow box will not display on non-graphical browsers. See GIF, PNG, bitmap, palette, illustration.

trap:

See ink-trap, image-trap, dry-trap, wet-trap, knockout, spread, keyline.

trap door:

A method of bypassing a system's security, notably for repair or inspection, by utilizing some hardware or software mechanism, also called a "backdoor", which was previously integrated and intentionally concealed for this purpose by the designers. Such a service entry by a super-user [eg: UNIX access by "tech", TELNET access by "guest"] is usually undocumented, and is therefore a potential security risk. See password, escrow key, Clipper, firewall, deadman.

trapped white space:

An isolated and unused or unusable area of a layout which implies a need for shifted images, more text, or point adjustments in type or leading. Instead of bringing light or air into a layout, such trapped white space acts like a hole that needs to be filled. See white space, river, hourglass.

treasure binding:

Among codex volumes, the elaborately decorated front cover of a book, intended to represent the "wealth of knowledge" it contained. Tradecraft ornamentation on case-bound books persisted after the mechanization of the printing press, but has deteriorated from gem or jewel adornment into clinquant ostentation since industrialized mass-production has substituted intrinsic value with extrinsic commodity. See trade edition, cameo binding, binding, volume rights.

trigger term:

A word or phrase that initiates a reaction or precipitates a series of reactions, evocative language; inflammatory expressions may also be known as "hate speech" or "fighting words" [v: casus belli]. See catchword, catch-phrase, slogan, puffery, slander, libel, euphemism, expurgate, censorship, freedom of speech.

trim:

The removal of something superfluous or dispensable by, or as if by cutting, as something that is (or is intended to be) cut off or eliminated; especially the outer edges of a page of a book, magazine, or the like, before folding or binding. The permissible variations set by ISO for trim tolerance is 1.5mm for dimensions up to 150mm, 2mm for dimensions above 150mm up to 600mm, and 3mm for dimensions above 600mm; and DIN trim variations are 1mm, 1.5mm, and 2mm respectively for the same range of dimensions. The ISO standards for slightly larger formats of untrimmed raw paper are defined by the series "RA" and "SRA". See choke, creep, crop, crop marks, deckle edge, cutoff, cut flush, cast off, hairline, draw, finish, post-press, guillotine cutter.

Trojan Horse:

A nonreplicating computer subroutine planted illegally in another program to do local damage when the software is activated; most frequently concealed in anti-virus applications. This masquerading algorithm mimics the Greek sabotage in the Trojan War by concealing its destructiveness behind a benign cover. Compare virus, worm, sniffer, smurf, spoofer, deadman, malware.

trope:

Any literary or rhetorical device, as metonymy, synecdoche, irony, or other figure of speech, that consists in the use of words in other than their literal sense; see metaphor, simile, euphemism, oxymoron, rhetorical forms, word. Also, a verse or phrase formerly interpolated into a liturgical text as amplification or embellishment; see interpolation, interlinear, insert, sandwich.

truncation:

The omission of one or more unaccented syllables at the beginning or the end of a line of verse (qv); compare expletive, see foot, rhetorical forms. Also, to trim or abridge a work, as to shorten, crop, cut, abbreviate, excise, expunge, excerpt, amputate, condense; see compilation, digest, analects, crunch, expurgate, euphemism, censorship.

TSR:

The abbreviation for Terminate and Stay Resident, being a subordinate computer program, with any of several ancillary functions, usually loaded (held resident) in RAM for instant activation by a hotkey combination, while another program is used. In this "context switching" form of multitasking (qv), the central processor's "attention" is turned from one programmatic task to another; rather than sequentially or alternately allocating increments of time to each task. TSRs typically include: notepad, dictionary, calculator, phone dialer, search engine, or terminal emulator. These pop-up interrupts are also known as "memory-resident programs". See hot-key, shell, multitasking, pop-up utility, subroutine, task.

TT:

An HTML container tag indicating the use of a typewriter-style font; see text type. Also, the abbreviation for TrueType, a class of Microsoft font typography, also designated "TTF", which was principally invented by Sampo Kaasila as an original design by Apple called "Royal" to compensate for Adobe Type 1 format limitations; see scalable font.

turist:

Computer slang for a net visitor or web surfer, with the implication of being a gawker, rubbernecker, or non-resident alien; alternate spelling of 'tourist'. See hacker, cracker, phreak, script kitty, software.

tusche:

A greaselike liquid used in lithography, as a medium receptive to lithographic ink; and in etching and silkscreen, as a dye resist. Derived from "to lay on color", to touch.

tweak/tweaking:

To make small, fine, or minute adjustments to something, as when personalizing program or system variables. Changing the values of software or hardware settings can retard or interfere with efficient operations. See frobnicate, debug, Alpha test, Beta test, unsharp masking, color contrast, hint, kern, leading, reglet, tracking, copyfit, rag, RIP, designing on press; compare twiddle.

twiddle/twiddling:

To make gross or large adjustments to something, or to idly play or trifle with something; as to haphazardly fiddle an outcome. Also known as "bum", "mess with", "mess around", "mess about", "fudge factor", "shotgun debugging". Compare tweak, frobnicate, debug.

two-line beaver/2-line beaver:

Approximately a fifteen-point type; see font, type.

two-line English/2-line English:

Approximately a twenty-five point type; see font, type.

two-line pica/2-line pica:

Approximately a 24.4 point type; see font, type.

tympan:

A heavy treated paper or padlike device interposed in a hinged frame between the platen of a printing press and the sheet to be printed, in order to soften and equalize the pressure. See frisket, letterpress.

type:

A clay, wood, or metal block with a raised character on its surface that, when fixed into a press and coated with ink, prints an impression of the character on paper or some similar absorbent surface. Also, such pieces or blocks of typeface collectively. See font, scalable font, typeface, intaglio, gravure, foundry type, ascender, descender, baseline, x-height, aspect ratio, body size, set size, point, measure, pitch, minikin, brilliant, gem, diamond, agate, pearl, ruby, nonpareil, minion, brevier, bourgeois, long primer, elite, small pica, pica, English, two-line beaver, great primer, paragon, double pica, two-line pica, two-line English, Gothic, Roman type, black letter, text type, display type, expanded type, condensed type, expert set, cursive, minuscule, uncial, majuscule, swash, rubric, drop-cap, serif, crossbar, finial, ear, sans-serif, bowl, apex, stem, kern, Italics, digraph, ligature, notation, stereotype, cliche, matrix, logo, bullet, guillemet, dingbat, gray space, galley, chase, alphabet.

type case:

General term for a compartmented box, often portable, used for storing typefaces in a manner ready for picking, usually arranged in order by frequency of letter use, including special symbols and dingbats; also called "font box", "printer's case", and "news case". A Chinese magistrate named Wang Chen is credited with originating (ca1313) the segmented type case to separately hold 60,000 different characters. See California job case, demon letters, printer's pi. [nb: designating small letters as "lower-case" and capitals as "upper-case" derives from the original arrangement of font boxes, with majuscule situated above minuscule]

typeface:

Any design of type, including a full range of characters, as letters, numbers, and marks of punctuation, in all sizes. The general style or appearance of type: as large, broad, or narrow. Type order classifications include: sans-serif; Roman (old style, transitional, modern); Egyptian (aka: square-serif, slab-serif); text; script/cursive; occasional (aka: novelty, decorative, miscellany). See font, scalable font, type, intaglio, gravure, foundry type, ascender, descender, baseline, x-height, aspect ratio, body size, set size, point, measure, pitch, minikin, brilliant, gem, diamond, agate, pearl, ruby, nonpareil, minion, brevier, bourgeois, long primer, elite, small pica, pica, English, two-line beaver, great primer, paragon, double pica, two-line pica, two-line English, Gothic, Roman type, black letter, text type, display type, expanded type, condensed type, expert set, cursive, minuscule, uncial, majuscule, swash, rubric, drop-cap, serif, crossbar, finial, ear, sans-serif, bowl, apex, stem, kern, Italics, digraph, ligature, notation, stereotype, cliche, matrix, logo, bullet, guillemet, dingbat, gray space, galley, chase, alphabet.

type family:

The collection of typefaces that were designed together, and intended to be used together; also called "typeface family" or "family". Each of the style and weight combinations, such as regular and attributed, is called a face or typeface. See hint, font, type, legibility, readability. [nb: type form suppliers include: ZipaTone, ChartPak, Formatt, PressType]

type metal:

An alloy for making printing type, consisting chiefly of lead and antimony, and sometimes containing small quantities of tin, copper, zinc, and/or bismuth. See foundry type, hot type, hellbox, typeface, type. [cf: ley, terne, pewter, britannia]

type noise:

The incongruity or discord created by inappropriate or excessive type contrasts. The "rule of mono-typographic harmony" promotes consistency, legibility, and readability by limiting print to one type family, or to contrasts of size and attribution between no more than two type families. Scale or weight juxtapositions can energize a layout, but the style must be consistent throughout the publication. See typography.

typesetter:

A person who sets or composes type; compositor or typographer. Also, a typesetting machine. Compare phototypesetter, Imagesetter; see linotype, text editor.

typewriter:

A machine for writing in monospaced characters by manually pressing the letters of a keyboard. Invented in 1808, these "strike-on" devices originally functioned by keystrokes at the back of the sheet pressing against carbon in front of the page to create an image. Electric typewriters with film ribbons would later become 'cold type' copy producers, before displacement by DTP computers (nb: 400 double-spaced typewritten pages approximately equal 1KB). See text type, mimeograph, writing instruments. Also, former term for a typist.

typographer:

A person who sets types, and arranges the process of printing from them. See compositor.

typographical error:

An error in printed or typewritten matter, resulting from a mistake in typing, or from mechanical failure or the like; also called "typo". Derived from using the "wrong hand". See PE.

typography:

The art or process of printing with arranged type. Also, the general character or appearance of printed matter. The function of typographic style is that the visual structure must accurately represent the logical structure, so the reader will understand the author's ideas. No less than any other syntax, a logical argument or mathematical formula is a coherent grammatical unit in typographical style. See bowl, ear, finial, stem, kern, serif, crossbar, stroke, apex, aspect ratio, hint, font, typeface, type noise, legibility, readability.

typology:

The systematic study and classification of prefigurative symbols or types in literature. Also, the study and classification of languages according to structural features, without reference to their histories. See notation, alphabet. [cf: philology]

- U -

U&LC:

Notation for setting in Uppercase and LowerCase type. See down style, heading, C&IC, CAP, LC, proofreader's marks.

umbrella:

A department or section in a periodical that gathers a number of elements or encompasses a diverse assemblage. See editorial well, compilation.

uncial:

Designating, written in, or pertaining to a form of majuscule writing, having a curved or rounded shape, and used chiefly in Greek and Latin manuscripts from ca3rd - 9th century AD. See minuscule, cursive, font, typeface.

uncoated paper:

Paper that has not been coated with clay; also called "offset paper". Compare coated paper; see book paper, paper coating.

undercolor removal:

Technique of making color separations such that the amount of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink is reduced in midtone and shadow areas, while the amount of black is increased; abbreviated UCR. See process colors, illustration.

underline:

To demarcate or emphasize something with a line beneath; to underscore. In e-mail and ASCII text, this is indicated by placing an underline immediately before and after the affected word or phrase (eg: _Paradise_Lost_). Also, a caption beneath an illustration; see credit line, cover credit, byline. Also, the crucial character eliciting the reserved value of the target attribute in an anchor tag hyperlink; see target.

underrun:

A pressrun or production run below the quantity ordered; to receive fewer copies than requested, due to printing spoilage or printer's error, which permissible variant should be factored into the purchase order agreement. Also, an instance of costing less than anticipated, which estimate contingency should be factored into the contract.

Unicode:

A character set that uses 16-bits (two bytes) for each character, and therefore is able to include more characters than either EBCDIC or ASCII schemes. Unicode can have 65,536 characters, and therefore can be used to encode almost all the languages of the world. This expansion makes Unicode more suitable for foreign language character sets containing accented letters and other special marks. Unicode includes the ASCII character set within it. See ASCII, EBCDIC, ANSI, ISO.

UniPress:

The commercial version of "Gosling Emacs", a screen editor, manufactured by UniPress Software, which produces UNIX applications and development tools. See EMACS, text editor.

unit cost:

The cost of any single item in a print run, computed by dividing the total cost of the printing job by the quantity of products delivered. See estimate, fixed costs, variable costs, formula pricing, quotation, specifications.

universe:

The sum total of a magazine's potential audience -- usually devised by combining the paid circulations of similar magazines. The assumed universe for literary magazines is in the 750,000 - 1,000,000 range. This said, by marketing to this universe through traditional methods, a decent rate of return would be anything greater than 1%. Therefore, if you sent a subscription offer to the entire universe of 750,000 and your rate of return was 1%, then you would theoretically acquire 7500 subscribers. So while a "potential readership" of 750,000 to 1,000,000 sounds impressive, the true potential gains from this hypothetical universe are far more modest. See audience, reader profile, CPM, audit, list broker, circulation, mass market, crossover market, niche market.

UNIX:

A multi-user, multitasking, programmatic operating system, developed by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, et al, and originally licensed by AT&T's Bell Laboratories. It was originally designed for minicomputers, then revised for use on mainframes and personal computers. There are now many versions of UNIX which can be used on many different platforms. UNIX is written in the C/C++ programming language, which was also developed at AT&T; and has TCP/IP built-in. Because it allows multiple programs to run simultaneously and multiple users to access a single computer, it has been widely used by universities and businesses where many people use the same data base. It is the most commonly used operating system for Internet nodes. UNIX is available in several related forms, including: AIX (Advanced Interactive Executive by IBM); A/UX (Apple Macintosh graphical version); BSD-UNIX (Berkeley Software Distribution); MACH (Carnegie Mellon Univ version using "NeXT"); POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface); System V (AT&T version); XENIX (MS version); X-Window System (MIT developed GUI for UNIX); and UseNet (UNIX www via UNIX to UNIX Copy [uucp]). An open computing environment, based on UNIX System V, was promoted by UNIX International (UI) until all proprietary rights were purchased by Novell in 1993. Since its development in 1984, the Free Software Foundation has freely distributed a replacement for UNIX called "GNU's Not UNIX!" (GNU), a recursive acronym. Variants of the GNU OS, using the command-line Linux kernel, are now widely distributed with GNU/Linux system applications. See C shell, filename, POSIX, internet.

unsharp masking:

The technique of adjusting dot size to make a halftone or separation appear in better focus; also called "peaking" and "edge enhancement". See resolution, tweak, illustration.

up:

A term indicating that multiple copies of the identical image should be printed in one impression on a single sheet (eg: "two up" = print same image twice on each sheet). See illustration.

UPC:

Universal Product Code; a bar code that allows your publication to be identified and processed in the retail marketplace. No magazine or book should be without a UPC. Most distributors and retail managers won't even consider taking on a magazine without a UPC on the front cover; and bulk mail will not be processed without a bar code on the address label. To order a UPC, call the UPC authorizing agent at (212) 996-6000 or the Uniform Code Council. Fees for the codes vary, but should be no more than $50. UPCs can be printed directly onto a magazine cover, or preprinted labels can be purchased and applied separately. See bar code, EAN Bookland bar code, EPC, RFID, ISBN, ISSN, LCN, Dewey decimal system, book categorization.

URL:

The abbreviation for Uniform/Universal Resource Locator, being the object specific address of an external webpage, or the internal location of a relative link. Protocol indicators include: http:, ftp:, gopher:, news:, mailto:. See domain name, anchor tag, link, homepage, internet address, TCP/IP, SLIP, website.

USB:

Universal Standard Bus; see bus, computer, hardware.

usegroup/user group:

See UseNet, newsgroup, forum, chatroom, instant messaging, listserve, BBS, blog, zine.

UseNet:

A worldwide Bulletin Board System (BBS) that can be accessed through the Internet or other online services for the exchange of current information. Messages and news articles are posted, and users respond by e-mail. The UseNet entails thousands of forums, called newsgroups, covering every interest group, including: comp (computers), sci (science), news (current events), misc (miscellaneous), rec (sports/hobbies), soc (social), alt (alternative), and talk (discussions). Graduate students at Duke University and the University of North Carolina started the UseNet in 1979 using the UUCP communications protocol. The term "UseNet" was coined by Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis in 1982 from the extant "General Access UNIX Network" at Duke University. Sometimes called the "User's Network"; UseNet news employs the NNTP protocol. See thread, listserve, UNIX [uucp], forum, blog; compare PaperNet.

UV coating:

Liquid applied to a printed sheet, then bonded and cured with ultraviolet light. See paper coating.

UXGA:

The abbreviation for Ultra eXtended Graphics Array, being a specification that can display 1600 x 1200 resolution, or approximately 1.9 million pixels. See screen, illustration.

- V -

validation:

A document or website survey that checks for code accuracy and conformity with HTML/CSS standards for access by different browsers. A validation survey will generate a report or markup of errors and irregularities; or a "no problems" certification (sometimes an accreditation icon that can be posted). Most validators now prompt for the inclusion of disability access features, such as ALT tags or NOFRAMES alternatives. See tag, markup, WAI.

valley:

The depression formed by folding sheets for sizing or binding. See gutter, signature.

value:

The shade (darkness) or tint (lightness) of a color; also called brightness, lightness, shade, and tone. Compare hue, chroma; see solid, illustration.

vanity press:

A subsidy publisher that produces books with the author paying all costs, including advertising, distribution, and shipping. As with other publishers, vanity presses normally do not permit author discretion, other than paper color and binding style. The author retains copyright. The royalty portion of sales disbursed by other publishers is non-existent, but the author retains all income (less expenses) from all book sales. The phrase "lemon squeezer" was coined by H.L. Mencken to describe this vanity "press" that extorts money for printing bad books. See self-publishing, assisted self-publishing, subsidy publisher, publishing house.

vaporware:

A computer software product that is announced and promoted while it is still being developed, but may never be marketed.

variable costs:

Costs that change depending on how many pieces are produced. Compare fixed costs; see unit cost, estimate, quotation, specifications.

varnish:

Liquid coating applied to stock for protection and appearance; applied "in-line" (wet) in same pass with ink, or "dry" in separate pass over printed matter. See laminate, lacquer, ink, trap, paper coating.

VAX:

The abbreviation for Virtual Address eXtension, being a family of 32-bit computers from Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) which use the VMS operating system. The first VAX models were released in 1977, including mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers. See VMS.

VAX MIPS:

The abbreviation for VAX Million Instructions Per Second, being a unit of measurement of computer performance; also called VAX Unit of Performance (VUP). One VUP equals the performance of a Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX 11/780. This is also equivalent to one SPECmark.

VBscript/VBScript:

Short for Visual Basic Scripting Edition, a scripting language developed by Microsoft, and supported by the Internet Explorer (IE) web browser. Similar to JavaScript, VBscript is based on the Visual Basic programming language, but is much simpler. It enables Web authors to include interactive controls, such as buttons and scrollbars, on their webpages. See language.

vector graphics:

Graphic images represented in the computer as instructions to draw lines, Bezier curves, or objects, rather than as rasters or bitmaps; also called "object-oriented graphics" and "geometric graphics". See graphics, illustration.

vellum:

A textured off-white paper that has been treated to resemble the original animal skins (ie: calfskin, lambskin, kidskin, etc) prepared for writing, and used for manuscripts and other documents. See parchment, paper.

vellum finish:

An imitative effect, being a somewhat rough or toothy finish of paper. See paper coating.

venture:

A small company, usually new or renewed, that recognizes an unmet or inadequately met market need, and provides a distinctive solution in a competitive manner, which is sufficiently compelling to clients or customers to return a profit on the investment of creativity, energy, time, and resources. See venture capital, entrepreneurship, scalable.

venture capital:

Funds available for investment in a new enterprise or for a profit-making business; also called "equity capital", "risk capital", or "seed money". See business angel, benefactor, entrepreneurship, budget, marketing plan.

verbal:

Of, consisting of, or pertaining to words, usually spoken instead of written, usually literal or verbatim instead of figurative or proximate; see orality. Also, pertaining to, derived from, or functioning as a verb, such as gerund, infinitive, participle, or adjective; see parts of speech.

vernacular:

Expression or writing in the common or conventional language indigenous to a population; being the plain language, native patois, mother tongue, or regional dialect of ordinary people. This holistic form of communication is "vulgar" in the sense of being prosaic, colloquial, customary, or unsophisticated. Standard regional references include: "Dictionary of American Regional English" (DARE); "Word Geography"; "Linguistic Atlas of New England"; and "Linguistic Atlas of the Upper Mid-West". Also, any distinctive language that identifies a class, profession, or other group, such as parlance, jargon, idiom, argot, lingo, cant, slang, or the like; as contrasted with multilingual diversity. See polyglot, lingua franca, pidgin, pig Latin, creole, mannerism, counterword, euphemism, ad diction, balderdash, language, sociolinguistics, orality, literature. [v: demotic, catachresis, haplograph; cf: hieratic, calque, proclitic, enclitic]

verse:

A poem or a piece of poetry, as a line or stanza, of a particular type of metrical composition (eg: poesy, stave, stich, hemistich, monostich, distich, tristich, tetrastich, pentastich, hexastich, heptastich, telestich, epithalamion, prothalamion, soliloquy, apostrophe, couplet, rondel/-et, iambic/-s, rondeau, sestina/sextain, sirvente/-s, virelay/virelai, quatrain, allegory, sonnet, romaunt, epic {invocation, canto, rhapsody}, epos, ode, palinode, elegy, monody, threnody, dirge, lyric/-s, madrigal, epode, lay, ballad, rune, triolet, villanelle, ballade, envoy, haiku, tanka, hokku, idyll, georgic, eclogue, cento, acrostic, limerick, doggerel, jingle). See foot, meter, scansion, stave, strophe, blank verse, free verse, accent, forced line, prosody, poetry, caesura, orality.

verso/versos:

A left-hand or even-numbered page of an open book or manuscript; the reverse of a leaf. Title and contents pages are always recto, while frontispiece and acknowledgment pages are usually verso. Compare recto. [cf: sinister]

VESA:

The abbreviation for Video Electronics Standards Association; being an organization which sets standards for video and multimedia in PCs. VESA established the Super VGA (SVGA) standard and the VESA Local Bus. The membership of VESA is comprised of PC vendors. See illustration.

Vi:

Contraction of Visual, being a UNIX screen-oriented editor that was written by Bill Joy, who later became a founder of Sun Microsystems. Vi is related to the "ex" UNIX line editor, and they share many commands. The program may be invoked by either "vi" or "vedit" at the UNIX prompt, which operates in either command or insert mode. A text formatter, such as "FMT" or "PR", can be run within this program. See text editor.

videation:

The visualization of unseen objects or scenes; a "mind picture" or "mind's eye view". A neologism for a mental construct of unmanifested images, which may be abstract, interpretive, representational, distorted, or exaggerated. Compare imagery. [cf: fantasy, phantasm, mirage, haptic, limen/liminal]

videotex:

A telecommunications information transmission and retrieval system that provides interactive access to databases and electronic commerce; derived from "see + terms".

vignette:

A decorative design or small illustration, as used on the title page to introduce a book, or to separate sections and chapters; derived "little vine", from decorative designs depicting branches, leaves, grapes, or other naturalistic motifs. Also, an engraving, drawing, photograph, or the like that is shaded off gradually at the edges, leaving no definite line at the border; see ornament, rule, tool line, dingbat. Also, a gracefully short literary sketch, or a brief appealing scene or quietly touching episode in a play, movie, or other dramatization; see story, sketch.

violin piece:

A leading story that sets the tone, mood, flavor, or color in a thematic issue of a periodical. See feature story, anchor.

virtual:

Anything temporarily simulated or apparently extended by computer software, such as a virtual disk in RAM, virtual image, virtual memory, virtual host/administrator; as distinguished from something actual or real. Among computer scientists, it distinguishes something that is merely conceptual from something that has physical substance; an imaginary set of memory area locations is not the same as the real physical memory composed of transistors. In the same sense, the insubstantial mind is a virtual brain; and the incorporeal spirit is a virtual body.

virtual server:

A server, such as a VLAN, that shares computer resources with other similar servers. A virtual server is distinguished from a dedicated server, which runs only server software. Virtual web servers are a very popular way of providing low-cost web hosting services. Instead of requiring a separate computer for each server, dozens of virtual servers can co-reside on the same computer. In most cases, performance is not affected and each web site behaves as if it is being served by a dedicated server. However, if too many virtual servers reside on the same computer, or if one virtual server monopolizes resources, web pages will be delivered more slowly. See bandwidth, web server.

virus:

A segment of self-replicating code that's been illegally planted into a computer program, most often to damage a system, to corrupt a database, or to shut down a network. Countermeasures began in 1987 when a virus infected ARPANET. Anti-virus ("virucide") software attempts to inoculate applications, and firewalls attempt to immunize computers, but the only viable protection against epidemic infection is quarantine; and multiple backups are the only viable precaution against plague. See worm, sniffer, Trojan Horse, smurf, spoofer, deadman, malware, steganography.

Visual BASIC:

A visual programming environment from Microsoft, used for developing Windows applications. Visual BASIC makes it possible to develop practical programs very quickly. The programmer designs windows graphically, then drags program elements, represented by icons, from the Visual BASIC Toolbox, and writes BASIC code for each element. Visual BASIC is event-driven; procedures are called automatically when the end user chooses menu items, clicks the mouse, moves objects on the screen, or interacts in other approved ways. See GUI, language, program, software.

VMS:

The abbreviation for Virtual Memory System, being the Digital Equipment Corporation's multi-user, multitasking operating system for the VAX series of computers. See virtual memory, VAX, program, software.

VOC:

The abbreviation for Volatile Organic Compounds, being the base petroleum substance vehicles used for many printing inks and commercial dyes.

vocabulary:

The words and phrases of a language, especially when arranged in a list, glossary, or lexis; see dictionary, thesaurus, syntax. Also, any collection of signs or symbols constituting a means or system of nonverbal communication; see sign language, semiotics. Also, the set of forms, techniques, or other means of expression available to an artist or characteristic of an art form; see gloss, writing system. [v: acronym, agnomen, anatonym, anomia, antonomasia, antonym, back formation, blend, calque, clip, cognomen, compound, contraction, contranym, cryptonym, double entendre, echolalia, eponym, haplograph, heteronym, homonym, hypocorism, hyponym, innominate, metonym, misnomer, mot juste, neologism, nomenclature, onomastics, oronym, paronym, perseveration, pluralia pantum, polysemy, retronym, suppletion, synonym, taxonomy, toponym] [nb: "dyslexicon" as compound neologism from dys(functional) + lexicon for an impaired vocabulary (not from 'dyslexia')]

VoiceXML:

A markup language standard based on XML and developed by the VoiceXML Forum (formed by AT&T, IBM, Lucent Technologies, and Motorola). VoiceXML was developed to provide voice access to websites over the telephone. See VoxML, markup.

volume:

A book, especially as a separately bound portion of a larger work, or as one of a series of works. Also, a set of issues of a periodical, often covering one year. Also, a roll of papyrus, parchment, or paper, as a scroll; derived from a "roll of sheets". Compare protocol, spine; see incunabula, codex.

volume number:

Books, such as multi-volume reference works, are normally numbered on their spine and title page. All the issues of a periodical published during a specific calendar year, or during a publishing cycle, are usually bound together in a single volume; which volumes are numbered sequentially from the first year that the title appeared. See back issue, periodical, book, contents, masthead.

volume rights:

The rights, usually negotiated with a publisher by an author or the author's agent, to publish a work in volume form, including hardcover, paperback, book club, and textbook editions. Volume rights also include publication of the work in its entirety in a single issue of a periodical, and any full or partial reprint in an anthology. Compare subsidiary rights; see copyright, non-disclosure agreement, work for hire, fair use, license, public domain, plagiarism, reprint permission, serialization.

vowel:

A speech sound produced without occluding, diverting, or obstructing the flow of air from the lungs, and usually constituting the sound of greatest sonority in a syllable; derived from "vocal". Also, a letter or other symbol representing a vowel sound. Compare schwa, consonant; see breve, macron, alphabet. [nb: vowels were introduced to the ancient Greek alphabet (ca750BC), transforming ideographs into a phonetic language]

VoxML:

A Voice [Latin "vox"] Markup Language developed by Motorola with technical contributions by AT&T, IBM, and Lucent Technologies, as a voice-based interface to websites, and for enabling users to request data by speaking over the telephone. Requested data is delivered as common synthesized speech. Compatible with and similar in syntax to HTML, it can also be integrated into a website, so that an internet link could talk. See VoiceXML, markup.

VRML:

The abbreviation for Virtual Reality Modeling Language, being a three-dimensional graphics language that produces a hyperspace "world" (*.wrl) on the Internet. After downloading a VRML webpage, its content can be viewed, rotated, and manipulated with simulations launched from within a VRML enabled browser. The first VRML viewer was WebSpace from SGI, whose Open Inventor graphics library was the basis for developing VRML. WebFX, WorldView, and Fountain are other Windows viewers, and Whurlwind and Voyager are Mac viewers. VRML, pronounced "ver-mal", is also known as "Virtual Reality Markup Language". See language, graphics.

VSAT:

The abbreviation for Very Small Aperture Terminal, being an earthbound station used in satellite communications of data, voice and video signals, excluding broadcast television (v: DSS). A VSAT consists of two parts, a transceiver that is placed outdoors in direct line of sight to the satellite and a device that is placed indoors to interface the transceiver with the end user's communications device, such as a PC. The transceiver receives or sends a signal to a satellite transponder in the sky. The satellite sends and receives signals from a ground station computer that acts as a hub for the system. Each end user is interconnected with the hub station via the satellite, forming a star topology. The hub controls the entire operation of the network. For one end user to communicate with another, each transmission has to first go to the hub station that then retransmits it via the satellite to the other end-user's terminal. VSAT can handle up to 56 Kbps. See WAN, GEO, LEO, MEO, DSS, broadcast, webcast.

vulgate:

Any commonly used version of a work; the accepted text, as the Latin translation of the Bible. See edition, polyglot.

- W -

wafer:

A thin adhesive disk, sometimes decorated or ornamented, as used for sealing self-mailer replies or publications.

WAI:

The abbreviation for the Web Accessibility Initiative, being the set of coding guidelines and programming protocols that have been promulgated by W3C and NISO since 1997 for developing and publishing web content that enables disability access. The WAI promotes development of: tools, technology, guidelines, education, research and development. See specialized format, validation, MSAA, accessibility.

wallpaper:

A picture or pattern displayed as a background on a webpage or desktop GUI arrangements, as selected by the user from stock art integral to programs or systems, or created by a developer from original designs. Characters and graphics display on this screen or canvas. Some programs and devices allow users to control the color or shading of this background. Wallpaper for a webpage is set as background at the <BODY> tag. See tessellate, template, cartoon, background, illustration.

wall walk:

The final layout of proofs, arranged as reader spreads on an office wall, so a complete issue can be examined as the staff "walks the wall" for any last minute adjustments. This form of presentation not only offers unusual continuity, but also shows how some designs "carry" beyond reading range, and how others display distracting patterns (eg: white rivers, bijustified uniformity, etc). See proof, imposition, layout, reader spread.

WAN:

The abbreviation for Wide Area Network, being a network in which computers are connected to each other over a long distance, using telephone common carrier lines and satellite communications. The jump between a Local Area Network and a WAN is made through a device called a bridge or a router. See LAN, MAN, PAN, intranet, Ethernet, internet, VSAT, website, WATTS.

warez:

Unlicensed or pirated software, with the copy protection or registration deactivated, that's illegally distributed via BBS or UseNet newsgroups. See software, steganography, sniffer, Trojan Horse, worm, smurf, spoofer, deadman, virus, malware.

wash up:

To clean ink and fountain solutions from rollers, fountains, screens, and other press components.

waste:

Paper which must be recycled as a result of normal preparation, printing, or bindery operations; see pre-consumer waste, broke, post-consumer waste, spoilage. Also, anything ruined by use, inadequately used, unproductively used, or unused, also called "trash" or "junk"; see bitbucket, boneyard.

wasteland:

An historic period or locality that is intellectually barren or spiritually bankrupt, with particular reference to broadcast media of the modern era; derived from an unproductive or devastated area. See broadcast, webcast, infomercial, advertorial, medium, intelligentsia, literati, litterateur, immortals.

watermark:

A translucent logo in bond paper created during manufacture. Compare screen tint, show-off, digital watermark; see dandy roll, illustration.

WATTS:

The abbreviation for Wide Area Telephone and Telegraph System; see WAN.

webcast:

To disseminate productions or presentations by means of the internet; coinage derived from "world wide web" joined with "broadcast"(qv), as related to 'telecast' ("far + throw"), 'narrowcast', and 'newscast'. See medium, multicast backbone, VSAT, web publishing, e-pub, blog, zine, DTP, bully pulpit, wasteland.

webmaster:

The person who manages or hosts a website, usually the site developer or designer, usually contacted through an anonymous e-mail address linked to the homepage; also known as "steward", "administrator", "majordomo" or "chatelaine".

webpage:

An electronic text file in HTML, which may also contain JavaScript code or other commands, forming a document for the World Wide Web. Accessing a Web document requires typing the address or URL of the homepage into your Web browser. The homepage is the default HTML document for a website which contains hypertext links to other HTML documents that can be stored on any server in the world. See page, markup.

web pox:

Derisive slang for the techno-pointillism created by systematic dithering on a restricted palette, when low-yield graphics output attempts to emulate high-yield graphics input. Good website design is contingent upon adequate reception. See color balance, color correct, color build, color gamut, color map.

web press:

A printing press into which paper is continuously and automatically fed from rolls, with the output cut into sheets after printing. Also called "reel-fed press"; derived from 'web' as a large roll of paper. Compare sheet-fed press; see press.

web publishing:

See webcast, e-pub, DTP, multicast backbone, website, webpage, selective binding, text editor, word processor.

web ring:

A cooperative interactive listing of related links by non-competitive or service-oriented websites for the benefit of the user seeking information or resources; also called "web loop". Differs from simple referrals in that the links are reciprocal, and a central or hub directory is maintained by the host or sponsor.

web server:

A computer that hosts two or more websites on the internet, with access protocols for multiple user interface. Server programs that enable interpretation and response to browser inquiries include: Apache (all platforms); iPlanet [formerly Netscape] (Windows and UNIX); Microsoft Internet Information Server (Windows). See Internet Access Provider, Internet Service Provider, browser, IP, TCP/IP, SLIP, bandwidth, LAN, MAN, WAN, ASP, Cold Fusion, cookie, honeypot; compare virtual server.

website/web-site:

A location on the Internet containing HTML documents that can be viewed by using a browser. This web location, identified on a server by a discrete host name, and managed by a company or organization, contains a group of similar webpages connected by hyperlinks. A website may include text, graphics, audio, video, and hyperlinks to other webpages. See www, portal, homepage, URL, GII, TCP/IP, bandwidth, internet address, frames, bitload, mirror, feature-shock, cobweb-site. [nb: the internet address of every print publication should appear on the front or back cover, in the masthead, in the acknowledgements, on the table of contents, and in the running foot or running head]

weight:

The relative darkness of the characters in the various typefaces within a type family. Weight is indicated by relative terms such as thin, light, bold, extra-bold, and black. See font.

well:

Any container or receptacle, as a layout area framed to receive a stream of copy or other input. See editorial well, feature well, double pyramid, poster make-up; compare frame.

wet-trap:

To print all colors and laminates in a single pressrun, as contrasted with multiple pressruns (dry-trap); also known as "in-line printing". See trap, illustration.

WF:

Abbreviation for "wrong font", to be set in proper type; see proofreader's marks.

white knight:

A hero who comes to the rescue of a beleaguered entity or cause, as a benefactor (qv) or company that intercedes for another concern. See business angel.

white mail:

Orders for subscriptions with no known origin or source (ie: a letter or email requesting a subscription from an individual who has not previously subscribed and doesn't mention why s/he is interested in subscribing now). Considered to be a good indicator of a magazine's word-of-mouth popularity (or, in its absence, a lack thereof). See reply coupon, tracking.

white point:

Reference point, defining the lightest area in an image. See illustration; compare black point.

white space:

The designation for the unprinted area of a printed piece or graphical display, regardless of stock or coat color; being the necessary background for contrast with the foreground text or images, but also used stylistically. Term includes marginal allocations and sectional divisions (v: column rule), as white space should constitute at least half of the area of a published page in a book, and at least a third of the area of a published page in a magazine that's not wholly pictorial or advertising. Compare gray space, black space; see air, apron, gutter, river, hourglass, trapped white space, attic, sinkage.

wholesaler:

A company that sells or resells large quantities of new publications to bookstores, libraries, and other types of retail outlets. Wholesalers do not actively create a demand for publications. Since distributors work on behalf of publishers, the distributors will probably be selling to the major wholesalers, such as Ingram and Baker and Taylor. All independent literary publishers should be carried by Small Press Distribution, the only not-for-profit book wholesaler, which specializes in literary titles. See distributor.

widow:

The short last line of a paragraph, especially an abbreviated or brief one, or one consisting of only a single word. Also, in written composition or word processing, the last line of a paragraph when it is carried over to the top of the following page. Compare orphan; see copyedit, stylesheet, stylebook, word processor, DTP, text editor.

wildcard/wild card:

Anything having unknown or unpredictable qualities, but with the potential of decisive application; especially a symbol that can substitute for any variable character or string. In DOS and UNIX, the question mark (?) can be used to represent any single character, and the asterisk (*) can represent any group of characters. Many operating systems support the use of wildcards in search parameters and filename requests.

Winchester disk:

A hard disk permanently mounted into a hermetically sealed unit (called a "disk cartridge") that is housed within either a computer's central processing unit (CPU) or in an external disk drive case; derived from the IBM prototype featuring 30 millisecond access to 30 megabytes of data, which "30/30" feature was similar to a.30-30 caliber rifle. Removable harddrives ("disk caddy") have evolved into alternative environments, data security mode, and supplemental storage devices, such as Castlewood "Orb" and Iomega "JAZ". See disc, hardware. [v: Bernoulli box]

window:

In applications and graphical interfaces, a specially delineated portion of the screen environment that can contain its own document or message. Each window can act independently, as if it were a virtual display device. In window-based programs, the screen may be divided into several windows or panes, each of which has its own boundaries and can contain a different document, or another view into the same document. Each window might also contain its own menu or other controls, and the user might be able to resize individual windows at will. Some programs allow windows to be opened side-by-side (tile) on the screen; and others allow open windows to overlap (cascade) one another. The Macintosh Finder, Microsoft Windows (c1985), and the OS/2 Presentation Manager are all examples of windowing environments. See GUI, box, program.

wingding:

See dingbat, Pi fonts, ornament, glyph.

wire:

The woven wire mesh over which the wet pulp (furnish) is spread in a papermaking machine (fourdrinier). See text paper, deckle.

wire side:

The side of the paper that rests against the fourdrinier wire during papermaking; usually considered to be the "bottom side" or "back side". Compare felt side; see deckle, paper.

with the grain:

Parallel to the grain direction of the paper being used. See grain direction, grain long/short paper, cross grain, cracking, paper.

WMF:

The abbreviation for Windows Metafile Format, being a file format (*.WMF) used to exchange graphics information, as both vector and bitmap images, between Microsoft Windows applications. The Enhanced Windows Metafile (*.EMF) format is an enhancement. See graphics, metafile, illustration.

word:

A single unit of language that functions as a principal carrier of meaning; being a discrete element of verbal or textual expression. Consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, a word is typically the smallest linguistic unit capable of independent use. A word is separated from other words by spaces (in writing) or pauses (in speaking), and is often distinguished by pronunciation (as verb from noun, declaration from query). See alphabet, language, morpheme, phoneme, syntax, diction, clip, blend, contraction, compound word, oronym, keyword, headword, headless-word, etymology, vocabulary, semiotics, syllabary, rhetorical forms, trope, orality, lexigram, neologism, mot juste, misnomer, ghost word, counterword, polysemy, sesquipedalism.

word class:

A group of words, all of which are members of the same form class or part of speech (qqv).

word of mouth/word-of-mouth:

Direct oral communication, especially personal endorsement of a product, as the recommendation of a book or magazine... the most potent form of sales catalyst. See echo effect, advertising, marketing plan.

word processor/wp:

A computer program designed for text management, including editing and printing; the most common application of computer software. A "dedicated word processor" is a single function computer, entirely devoted to a text program. See exception dictionary, widow, orphan, punctuation, preview, text editor, DTP, e-pub, web publishing.

work and back/work 'n' back:

Alternative name for sheetwise (qv) printing.

work and tumble/work 'n' tumble:

To print a sheet on both front and back so that a different combination of images is printed using a different set of plates by employing opposite gripper edges (qv). Compare perfecting, sheetwise.

work and turn/work 'n' turn:

To print a sheet on both front and back so that the same combination of images is printed using the same set of plates by employing the same gripper edges (qv). Compare perfecting, sheetwise.

work for hire:

Creative work purchased by an employer or contracted by a client for which the creator has been fully compensated, and for which the creator agrees to assign or transfer all copyrights and subsidiary rights with the finished or released product. See copyright, non-disclosure agreement, subsidiary rights, volume rights, fair use, public domain, plagiarism, kill fee, outsource, freelance.

working film:

Intermediate film that will be copied to make final film after all corrections are made; also called "buildups". See plate-ready film, illustration.

working the corners:

Slang reference to the detailed attention given to every aspect of promoting and developing market resources for a publication.

workstation/work station:

An office area assigned to one person, accommodating a computer terminal connected to a mainframe, a micro- or minicomputer connected to a data-processing network, or other electronic equipment. Also, a powerful microcomputer, often with a high-resolution display, used for computer-aided design, electronic publishing, or other graphics-intensive processing. See e-pub, DTP, web publishing, webcast.

worm:

Something that penetrates, consumes slowly, or injures insidiously; especially a self-replicating computer code or algorithm planted illegally into a software program, usually an internet download, so as to destroy data, reformat allocations, or disorganize systems. A worm is an expansive virus that cannot attach itself to other programs. See virus, sniffer, Trojan Horse, smurf, spoofer, deadman, malware. Also, an abbreviation for "write once, read many" designating optical disc or CD-R technology; see CD, COLD.

wove finish:

A somewhat smooth or slightly patterned finish on bond paper. See paper coating.

wrap-fold:

To nest or contain the panels of a brochure or leaflet so that interior copy will only be exposed when completely opened; also called "barrel-fold" and "e-fold". See French fold, foldout, accordian-fold, concertina-fold, parallel-fold.

wrapper:

Slang for cover, especially self-cover.

wright:

A skilled or constructive worker, such as a 'playwright'; being a metathetic derivation of "work". See dramaturgy, writer.

writer:

A person who composes thoughts into literary forms, such as prose or poetry, especially as an occupation or profession; including: author, litterateur, inditer, novelist, essayist, correspondent, columnist, journalist, reporter, newswriter, newspaperman, gazetteer, scandalmonger, stringer, sportswriter, deskman, copywriter, rewriter, space writer, reviewer, critic, wright, scriptwriter, screenwriter, playwright, dramatist, librettist, bard, poet, troubadour, trouvŠre, lyricist, songwriter, wordsmith, word merchant, glossator, glossographer, ghostwriter, scribbler, scrawler, hack, Grub Street writer, penny-a-liner, epigone, plagiarist, graffitist, scribe, scrivener, amanuensis, copyist, transcriber/transcriptionist, penman, calligrapher. See allonym, poet laureate, muse, intelligentsia, literati, immortals, mogigraphia, sesquipedalism.

writing instrument:

Any tool or implement used to depict letterforms or glyphs as a means of expression or communication; especially pen, pencil, chalk, charcoal, crayon, brush, stylus, typewriter, stenograph, printer.

writing paper:

Paper that is especially suitable for writing on in ink; also called "communication paper" or "stationery". See body stock, bank, flimsy, monarch, letter-size, offset, legal-size, foolscap, paper; compare bond paper.

writing system:

The collection of scripts and orthography required to represent any given human language in visual media; compartmentalized into alphabetic, syllabic, and logographic. See glyph, alphabet, vocabulary, gloss, syllabary, language; compare orality.

wrong reading:

An image that is backwards when compared to the original; also called "flopped" and "reverse reading". Compare right reading; see illustration.

WWW:

The abbreviation for the World Wide Web, being an Internet client-server hypertext-distributed information-retrieval system which originated from the CERN High-Energy Physics Laboratories in Geneva, Switzerland, and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (DARPANet). See internet address, internet, website.

WYSIWYG/WUCIWUG:

The acronym for What You See Is What You Get; which refers to the ability of a computer program to present a page image in graphical layout, so it appears during composition on the screen the way it will actually printout later. Before advanced computer technology made WYSIWYG possible, a typesetter formatting a page would see only unformatted lines of coding with generic type on the screen, so numerous proof prints were required to test the setup. With the introduction of WYSIWYG by Aldus, the encoding process was concealed, with the result that machine markup concealed technical method from the result-oriented designer. Compare preview; see GUI, Snap, WYSIWYM, WYSIWYN, xdvi @ LaTeX/TeX, X-Window @ UNIX.

WYSIWYM/WUCIWUM:

The acronym for What You See Is What You Mean; which is the output generated for a document by a style-enhanced program that automatically sets display and arrangement particulars based upon established guidelines, so the document author only needs to compose the contents of the work. See LyX, Interleaf, CSS.

WYSIWYN/WUCIWUN:

The acronym for What You See Is What You Need; which is the output generated for a document or other object by an authoring tool prompting for pertinent markup or proffering valid options that the designer may select. See WYSIWYM, WYSIWYG, GUI.

- X -

xerography:

A copying process in which areas on a sheet of paper, corresponding to those on the original, are sensitized by static electricity, and then sprinkled with black or colored resin that adheres and is fused to the paper; derived from "dry + draw". Also called "electrostatic copy". See reprography, photocopy, quick printing, demand printing.

XGA:

The abbreviation for eXtended Graphics Array, being a specification that can display from 640 x 480 to 1024 x 768 pixels in a non-interlaced resolution of 65,536 simultaneous colors. XGA is a high-resolution graphics standard introduced by IBM in 1990 to replace the 8514/A video standard, which only generated 256 colors at the same resolutions. See screen, illustration.

x-height:

The standard height of the main body of a letter, excluding the ascenders and descenders. See baseline, x-line, body size, font, typeface.

XHTML:

The abbreviation for eXtensible HyperText Markup Language, which combines HTML 4.0 and XML 1.0 into a single format for the Internet. See markup.

x-line:

An imaginary line at x-height running parallel with the baseline (qv); also called mean line. Compare cap line.

XML:

The abbreviation for eXtensible Markup Language, being an open standard for describing data from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). XML is used for defining data elements on a webpage and business exchange documents. It uses a tag structure similar to HTML; however, whereas HTML defines how elements are displayed, XML defines what those elements contain. HTML uses predefined tags, but XML allows tags to be defined by the developer of the webpage. Thus, virtually any data items can be identified, allowing webpages to function like database records. By providing a common method for identifying data, XML supports business transactions, and is expected to become the dominant format for electronic data interchange. Since its introduction, XML has been hyped tremendously as the panacea to e-commerce, but it's only the first step. The human-readable XML attributes and tags (ie: XLink, XPointer, XPath) provide a simple data format, but the intelligent defining of these tags and common adherance to their usage will determine their value. For example, Commercial XML (or CXML) from Ariba and Common Business Library (or CBL) from Commerce One are among the earliest XML vocabularies for business data. DSML is a set of XML tags that defines the items in a directory. XML tags are defined in an XML schema, which defines content type as well as name. XML tags can also be described in the original SGML DTD format, since XML is a subject of SGML language. There are several websites that provide repositories for publishing and reviewing XML schemas. Unlike HTML, which uses a rather loose coding style and which is tolerant of coding errors, XML pages have to be well formed, which means they must comply with rigid rules. See markup, CSS, XSL, SVG, videotex.

XQL:

The abbreviation for eXtensible Query Language; being a search protocol and query language that uses XML as a data model, and is very similar to XSL Patterns. XQL expressions are easily parsed, easily typed, and can be used in a variety of software environments - as part of an URL, in XML or HTML attributes, in programming language strings, and so forth. XQL has already been implemented in web browsers, document repositories, XML middleware, Perl libraries, and command-line utilities. See SQL, XSL, XML, language.

XSD:

The abbreviation for XML Schema Definition; which is an XML-based language for describing grammar or a class of documents. Schemas specify the structure of XML documents and the data type of each element or attribute of the XML document. A schema is similar to a DTD, but much more flexible; it can define structured types, constraints on legal values, legal formats of messages, type inheritance, and so on.

XSL:

The abbreviation for eXtensible Style Language (or eXtensible Stylesheet Language). A language used to create stylesheets for XML, similar to CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) that are used for HTML. In XML, content and presentation are separate. XML tags do not indicate how they should be displayed. An XML document has to be formatted before it can be read, and the formatting is usually accomplished with stylesheets. Stylesheets consist of formatting rules for how particular XML tags affect the display of a document on a computer screen or a printed page. In XML, different stylesheets can be applied to the same data to hide or display different parts of a document for different users. XSL is more robust and involved than CSS. XSL has had a long and tumultuous development process, so it is still a working draft. Because it is complex and not yet fully useful, XSL isn't currently the best alternative for formatting your XML documents, but it may be in the future.

xylography:

The art of engraving on wood, or printing from such engravings; also called "woodcut" or "woodblock". See block print, chiaroscuro, scratchboard, foundry type, hot type, letterpress.

- Y -

YANK:

The world's first international news and entertainment magazine, subtitled "the voice of the enlisted man"; being staffed by and published for U.S. Army enlisted men and non-commissioned officers, as endorsed by Chief of Staff George C. Marshall. Printed (1942-46) rotogravure 24-page 11" X 14" saddlestitch format that sold for five-cents a copy; featuring articles, letters, stories, poems, cartoons, photos, and a full-page pin-up picture. Although edited and censored for wartime distribution, it was considered a necessary "safety valve" against combat tensions and the "party line" of officialdom; hence some images and expressions from "Yank" were used by the enemy to demonstrate American decadence. YANK often shared resources with "Stars and Stripes" newspaper (17 April 1942 as weekly, 2 November 1942 as daily), but they weren't in competition... YANK published more features and less news in 21 theater editions. The most popular feature in YANK was the "Sad Sack" comic strip by George Baker; just as "GI Joe" (featuring the Willie and Joe characters) cartoon by Bill Mauldin was the most popular item in "Stars and Stripes". See magazine, periodical, cartoon.

yellow journalism:

Published reporting that emphasizes sensational or lurid details, often by distorting the facts; directly derived from the Hearst and Pulitzer press's "Yellow Kid" competition, but indicative of prior manipulations. See expose, muckraker, sleazy, screed, news book, news. [v: billingsgate] [nb: During an internecine editorial dispute, the "New York Evening Post" characterized the competing "New York World" as a 'yellow dog', and received the retort: in the accusation of yellow journalism, our response is the same as any dog to a Post.]

YODL:

The abbreviation for Yet One-other Document Language, which is a tools package that implements a pre-document language conversion into several output formats, chiefly LaTeX and HTML. It resembles SGML but is designed to be more transparent, easier to use, and extensible with respect to new commands or output formats. YODL supports conditional parsing of the input, makes logical or component document-splitting easier, defines counters for chapters and sections, and file searches similar to C programs. YODL may be FTP downloaded, either as source code or as a Linux binary. See language.

- Z -

zeroing:

To calibrate the base value scale, as of a densitometer.

(00)/(#00):

Authorial notation to proofreader or editor that missing numerals need to be filled-in to complete the composition, usually being a detail or reference; abbreviation represents any number set or numeric arrangement without words. See fill-in, proofreader's marks, notation.

zincography:

The art or process of producing a printing surface in relief on a zinc plate by acid etching. See etch, engrave.

zine:

An extension of the low-budget specialty pulp magazines of the Depression era, the "fanzine" (fan + [maga]zine) first appeared during the 1940's as an amateur publication supporting popular topics, such as sports, music, and science fiction. With the development of DTP and e-publishing, these newsletters have expanded their range and developed sophistication. Small partisan groups of adepts and aficionados are inexpensively served by exchange forums, sometimes in multimedia "webzine" formats. See pauper press, pulp, rag, tabloid, tabazine, magapaper, newsletter, e-mag, periodical, webcast, blog.

zipper sign:

The illuminated text stream of continuously moving headlines shown scrolling on the sides of the Times Tower on Times Square in New York City, operated from 1928 through 1963, and intermittently since; see caption, crawl, ticker tape, text box.

z-path:

The logical scanning progression, and the most common viewing direction used by readers, beginning at the optical center (qv) and descending across the body to the foot of the page. See sequence, readability.

zygomorphy:

Bilateral symmetry; also "zygomorphism". See art.