The Letter L: A Glossary of Technical Terms for the Home Office

The Letter L: A Glossary of Technical Terms for the Home Office
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The Letter L

Laptop: An all-in-one, streamlined yet fully functional computer has made working at home, on the road, or in any public location much easier. The laptop combines into one smaller, portable unit all the necessary components of a computer: the monitor, processor, hard drive, memory, graphics and sound cards, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Additional components such as CD-ROM and DVD drives are available on many laptop models, as well. The portability of the laptop makes it ideal for anyone who wants the ability to work on the same computer with the same files and software in more than one location. Laptop prices range anywhere from around $400 to upwards of $3000.

Laser printer: A laser printer, very common now, is a printer that uses a light beam to transfer an image (text or graphics) onto a photographic drum or belt; dry toner is then applied to the charged areas of the drum, and then applied to the piece of paper. A laser printer transfers the image onto a whole sheet of paper at a time; it does not “inch” through. Laser printers produce very high-quality print-outs and are usually preferred by businesses and professionals.

Liability: To be liable is to be legally obliged and responsible for something or someone. For the home office worker, liability applies to the guarantee you provide for the products or services you provide to clients. If you work at home in a telecommuting position for a corporation, you might be liable for the care and/or damage of any company equipment which you use at home (computer, telephone, etc.) Many home office workers who are self-employed or who work as freelancers or consultants choose to set up a Limited Liability Company which handles the financial and legal aspects of the business, so that personal assets cannot be seized in the case of a civil suit against the business.

Licenses: A license is a legal document giving permission to do a particular thing; a permit, in other words. Software programs are licensed for use under particular terms. A business license is required to operate a business in U.S. states.

Lighting: The means of illumination of a particular item or space is called lighting. Having adequate lighting in a home office is extremely important. Too little or too harsh of a light can cause eye-strain, headaches, and muscle tension. Where lighting is placed is also important; it should illuminate the work area properly without causing glare on the computer screen or papers.

Live Mesh: Live Mesh is a Windows file exchange client that allows you to access, via the Internet, files on your home computer from another computer in a different location.

Load: Load is a term that refers to the amount of work a computer is doing, i.e., the processes that it is running at a particular time. Average load refers to the average amount of work on a computer system over a given time period.

This post is part of the series: A Glossary of Home Office Tech terms for the Home Office

This glossary will define (and provide links to lengthier articles) the key terms used in home office technology.

  1. A Glossary of Home Office Tech Terms: “L”