add-onAn add-on is either a hardware unit that can be added to a computer to increase its capabilities or a program utility that enhances a primary program. Less frequently, some manufacturers and software developers use the term add-in . Examples of add-ons for a computer include card s for sound, graphics acceleration, modem capability, and memory. Software add-ons are common for games, word processors, and accounting programs. The Microsoft Style Guide suggests using add-on for hardware only and add-in for software utilities. Industry-wide, however, this guideline does not seem to be widely followed. A similar term is plug-in , a term originated by Netscape for application programs that can be activated within a Netscape Web browser window.
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| This word suggested by: Keri Akin | | Last updated on:
Apr 05, 2005 |
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Overheard
"In a matter of days, Mr. Spitzer went from potential presidential candidate to — in the tech world, at least — the poster boy for software usually used to snare fraudsters, money launderers and terrorists."
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