(Actually "///c+") A mythical Apple computer. The name appears to be a mashup of the names of the Apple III or /// and III+ or ///+ (1980) and the Apple IIc or //c and IIc+ or //c+ (1984).

The machine is described as "a cream-colored object about the size and shape of a phone book", having a single motherboard / keyboard body, like the IIc, and also (in this mythical version) a flip-up liquid crystal screen -- turning it for all intents and purposes into an early laptop or transportable. The version the Callahans buy comes with an external monitor as well.

This is the form in which another iteration of the Manual arrives in the Callahan household after Dairine takes the Wizard's Oath. The cloned / copied version of this computer is the one Dairine takes on Ordeal with her and later names Spot, q.v.

The "home" computer itself then undergoes multiple upgrades after Dairine becomes involved in the "beta group" for the machine-friendly versions of the Manual. (HW)

α (alpha) Aquilae, the thirteenth-brightest star visible in Earth's sky, and the brightest star in the constellation Aquila the Eagle. Altair is a dwarf white star (not to be confused with a "white dwarf") of type A, about ten times brighter than Earth's Sun, and about 17 lightyears distant.

There is no canonical information on how many planets circle this star, but it has at least one where life has arisen and wizards are working. While out on her Ordeal and trying to find a way to deal with the Lone Power, Dairine comes across a case study telling how an Altairan wizard appeared to have solved one of its species' most terrible problems -- apparently something to do with the texture of the Altairans' fur -- simply by inviting someone it knew to be overshadowed by the Lone One to dinner. Dairine toys briefly with the idea of buying the Lone Power a hot dog, which seems on the surface to make as much sense as this solution: then, probably very wisely, puts the idea aside and goes back to working with Gigo. (HW)

(Also sometimes called "Gemma") The brightest star (as seen from Earth) in the constellation Corona Borealis: hence the astronomical designation α or alpha Coronae Borealis. Alphecca is a type A0 star about 70 times brighter than Earth's Sun.

Alphecca has at least six planets, as Nita and Dairine find Carl talking to a large, sluglike alien from Alphecca VI when they visit Tom Swale to tell him about their mother's sudden illness. (TWD)