Information AboutAdd-on |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ADD-ON | |
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Add-ons are optional computer Hardware or Software modules that supplement or enhance the original unit they are adding on to. Also known as Plugin s, Extension s, snap-ins, or various other vendor-specific names, these modules often have proprietary Interface s that are tightly held by the manufacturer in order to prevent competing companies from producing add-ons. Manufacturers can use add-ons to create Vendor Lock-in by limiting upgrade options to only those available from or endorsed by the original manufacturer. IBM 's Micro Channel Architecture , technically superior to Industry Standard Architecture as a way to add components to IBM PCs, largely failed to gain wide support due to the difficulty in getting certification for third-party devices. HARDWARE Also known as a Peripheral or Mod , a hardware add-on is a device generally sold separately from the main unit, but which connects to the main unit to add significant new functionality. Hardware add-ons are probably most commonly associated with Computer s and Video Game Console s, but there are other uses for the term. A hardware add-on differs from an Accessory in that an accessory may add less significant functionality, or in some cases may only add aesthetic value. It differs from a hardware Component in that it is not required for normal, essential operation of the main unit. For example, a Network Switch may be equipped with an unoccupied but non-standard Port to accommodate various optional Physical Layer connectors. See Also: Video game accessory SOFTWARE Games and productivity applications often use plugin architectures which allow original and third-party publishers to add functionality. The '' Microsoft Flight Simulator '' series is famous for its downloadable aircraft add-ons. Web Browser s use plugins to enable the presentation of new content formats without modifying the underlying web browser. The Mozilla Foundation defines '' Add-on '', in reference to Firefox and related software, as an inclusive term for a category of augmentation modules that are subdivided into plugins, Extensions , themes, and search engines.1 OTHER USES There are two known music groups or artists with "Add-on" in their band names. The Add+Ons,2 from the United States , and The Add-Ons,3 from the United Kingdom . REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS |
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