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Clarify definitions

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@ -12,64 +12,59 @@ title: Glossary
## app qube ## app qube
Any [qube](#qube) that depends on a [template](#template) for its root Any [qube](#qube) that does not have a root filesystem of its own. Every app
qube is based on a [template](#template) from which it borrows the root
filesystem. filesystem.
* Technical note: This is the preferred user-facing term replacing the
deprecated terms "AppVM" and "TemplateBasedVM."
* Historical note: This term originally meant "a qube intended for running user * Historical note: This term originally meant "a qube intended for running user
software applications" (hence the name "app"). software applications" (hence the name "app").
* Historical note: This is the preferred term replacing the deprecated term
"TemplateBasedVM."
## disposable ## disposable
See [How to Use Dispoables](/doc/how-to-use-disposables/). A temporary [app See [How to Use Dispoables](/doc/how-to-use-disposables/). A type of temporary
qube](#app-qube) based on a [disposable template](#disposable-template) that [app qube](#app-qube) that can quickly be created, used, and destroyed. Each
can quickly be created, used, and destroyed. disposable is based on a [disposable template](#disposable-template).
## disposable template ## disposable template
A type of [app qube](#app-qube) on which [disposables](#disposable) are based. A type of [app qube](#app-qube) on which [disposables](#disposable) are based.
(Not to be confused with the concept of a [template](#template) that is itself (Not to be confused with the concept of a regular [template](#template) that is
disposable, which does not exist in Qubes OS.) itself disposable, which does not exist in Qubes OS.)
Disposable templates are not [templates](#template), since (being app qubes) * Disposable templates must be app qubes. They cannot be regular
they do not have root filesystems of their own to provide to other qubes. [templates](#template).
Rather, disposable templates are complementary to templates insofar as
disposable templates provide their own user filesystems to the disposables * Each [disposables](#disposable) is based on a disposable template, which is
based on them. in turn based on a regular [templates](#template).
## dom0 ## dom0
[Domain](#domain) Zero. Also known as the **host** domain, dom0 is the initial [Domain](#domain) zero. Also known as the **host** domain, dom0 is the initial
qube started by the Xen hypervisor on boot. Dom0 runs the Xen management qube started by the Xen hypervisor on boot. Dom0 runs the Xen management
toolstack and has special privileges relative to other domains, such as direct toolstack and has special privileges relative to other domains, such as direct
access to most hardware. access to most hardware.
* The term "dom0" is not a proper noun and should not be capitalized unless * The term "dom0" is not a proper noun. It should follow the capitalization
it's the first word in a sentence. rules of common nouns.
* The use of [domain](#domain) as a synonym for [VM](#vm) is specific to Xen.
Qubes diverges from this practice. See: [domain](#domain).
## domain ## domain
_This term is deprecated in the context of Qubes OS._
In Xen, a synonym for [VM](#vm). See ["domain" on the Xen In Xen, a synonym for [VM](#vm). See ["domain" on the Xen
Wiki](https://wiki.xenproject.org/wiki/Domain). Wiki](https://wiki.xenproject.org/wiki/Domain).
* This term has no official meaning in the context of Qubes OS.
## domU ## domU
Unprivileged [domain](#domain). Also known as **guest** domains, domUs are the Unprivileged [domain](#domain). Also known as **guest** domains, domUs are the
counterparts to dom0. In Xen, all VMs except dom0 are domUs. By default, most counterparts to dom0. In Xen, all VMs except dom0 are domUs. By default, most
domUs lack direct hardware access. domUs lack direct hardware access.
* The term "domU" is not a proper noun and should not be capitalized unless it * The term "domU" is not a proper noun. It should follow the capitalization
is the first word in a sentence. rules of common nouns.
* The use of [domain](#domain) as a synonym for [VM](#vm) is specific to Xen.
Qubes diverges from this practice. See: [domain](#domain).
## HVM ## HVM
@ -86,10 +81,13 @@ A secure compartment in Qubes OS. Currently, qubes are implemented as Xen
technology. VMs could be replaced with a different technology, and qubes would technology. VMs could be replaced with a different technology, and qubes would
still be called "qubes." still be called "qubes."
* **Important:** The term "qube" should be lowercase unless it is the first * **Important:** The term "qube" is not a proper noun. It should follow the
word in a sentence. Note that starting a sentence with the plural of "qube" capitalization rules of common nouns. For example, "I have three qubes" is
(i.e., "Qubes...") can be ambiguous, since it may not be clear whether the correct," while "I have three Qubes" is incorrect.
referent is a collection of qubes or [Qubes OS](#qubes-os).
* Note that starting a sentence with the plural of "qube" (i.e., "Qubes...")
can be ambiguous, since it may not be clear whether the referent is a
plurality of qubes or [Qubes OS](#qubes-os).
* Example usage: "In Qubes OS, you do your banking in your 'banking' qube and * Example usage: "In Qubes OS, you do your banking in your 'banking' qube and
your web surfing in your 'untrusted' qube. That way, if your 'untrusted' qube your web surfing in your 'untrusted' qube. That way, if your 'untrusted' qube
@ -106,9 +104,9 @@ security by compartmentalization (or isolation), in which activities are
compartmentalized (or isolated) in separate [qubes](#qube). compartmentalized (or isolated) in separate [qubes](#qube).
* **Important:** The official name is "Qubes OS" (note the capitalization and * **Important:** The official name is "Qubes OS" (note the capitalization and
the space between "Qubes" and "OS"). However, in casual conversation this is the space between "Qubes" and "OS"). In casual conversation, this is often
often shortened to "Qubes." Only in technical contexts where spaces are not shortened to "Qubes." Only in technical contexts where spaces are not
permitted (e.g., usernames) may the space be omitted, as in `@QubesOS`. permitted (e.g., in usernames) may the space be omitted, as in `@QubesOS`.
## Qubes Windows Tools ## Qubes Windows Tools
@ -118,29 +116,32 @@ system. Also see [Windows](/doc/windows/).
## service qube ## service qube
A [qube](#qube) the primary purpose of which is to provide a service or A type of [qube](#qube) the primary purpose of which is to provide a service or
services to other qubes. `sys-net` and `sys-firewall` are examples of service services to other qubes. `sys-net` and `sys-firewall` are examples of service
qubes. qubes.
## standalone ## standalone
See [Standalones and HVMs](/doc/standalones-and-hvm/). A type of [qube](#qube) See [Standalones and HVMs](/doc/standalones-and-hvm/). Any [qube](#qube) that
that does not depend on any other qube for its root filesystem. The opposite of has its own root filesystem and does not share it with another qube.
an app qube. A standalone is created by cloning a template. Unlike templates, Standalones are distinct from both templates and app qubes. A standalone is
however, standalones do not supply their root filesystems to other qubes. created by cloning a template while selecting the option to make the clone
standalone.
## template ## template
See [Templates](/doc/templates/). Any [qube](#qube) that supplies its root See [Templates](/doc/templates/). Any [qube](#qube) that shares its root
filesystem to another qube. Templates are intended for installing and updating filesystem with another qube. A qube that is borrowing a template's root
software applications, but not for running them. filesystem is known as an [app qube](#app-qube) and is said to be "based on"
the template. Templates are intended for installing and updating software
applications, but not for running them.
* Since every template supplies its *own* root filesystem to at least one other * No template is an [app qube](#app-qube).
qube, no template can be based on another template. In other words, no
template is an [app qube](#app-qube).
* Since every template supplies its *root* filesystem to at least one other * A template cannot be based on another template.
qube, no [disposable template](#disposable-template) is a template.
* Regular templates cannot function as [disposable
templates](#disposable-template). (Disposable templates must be app qubes.)
## VM ## VM