Other Support Topics 
Glossary
A layperson's guide
to the jargon of the Internet
A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R S T U V
W X Y Z
A
Access The
ability to use certain computers on the Internet. Access can be prevented through
passwords, user Ids and other means.
Address The
Uniform Resource Locator of a file contained on a network. This can be the home page of a
website or any of its files. It usually appears as http://www.(name).com. There can also
be addresses that include a /(filename) after the ".com" reference.
Applet A small Java program that can be embedded in an HTML page. Applets
differ from full-fledged Java applications in that they are not allowed to access certain
resources on the local computer, such as files and serial devices (modems, printers,
etc.), and are prohibited from communicating with most other computers across a network.
The current rule is that an applet can only make an Internet connection to the computer
from which the applet was sent
Application Any
software on your computer that allows you to perform specific functions, e.g. word
processing.
ARPAnet The
original experimental network which was the beginning of the Internet. Designed in the
1970's.
ASCII
(American Standard Code for Information Interchage) This is the worldwide
standard for the code numbers used by computers to represent all the upper and lower-case
Latin letters, numbers, punctuation, etc. There are 128 standard ASCII codes each of which
can be represented by a 7 digit binary number: 0000000 through 1111111
Authentication A
way to determine proper user identity prior to accessing a network.
BBS
(Bulletin Board System) - A computerized meeting and announcement system that allows
people to carry on discussions, upload and download files, and make announcements without
the people being connected to the computer at the same time. There are many
thousands (millions?) of BBS's around the world, most are very small, running on a single
IBM clone PC with 1 or 2 phone lines. Some are very large and the line between
a BBS and a system like CompuServe gets crossed at some point, but it is not clearly
drawn.
Backbone The main high speed data lines of the Internet to which computers
connect and transfer data.
Bandwidth
The amount of information your connection to the Internet can carry. On
average typical phone lines can carry 1 kilobyte of information per second. For example a
one page letter is about 15k and would take roughly 15 seconds to transfer from one
computer to another over regular phone lines using a 14.4 kbps modem.
Baud The speed
at which your modem is transferring data. 28.8 baud modems can go faster than 14.4 baud
modems. This term is being replaced by the term (bits per second).
Binhex
(BINary HEXadecimal) - A method for converting non-text files (non-ASCII) into ASCII.
This is needed because Internet e-mail can only handle ASCII
Bit
(Binary digIt) A single digit number which is either a 1 or a zero. It is the smallest
unit of computerized data and bandwidth is usually measured in bits-per-second.
Bits per second (bps)
The actual speed at which your data is cruising on the "Information Super
Highway". The term is interchangeable with the term baud. A 28.8 modem moves 28,800
bits per second.
Browser Software
application that enables you to view, manage, and access websites and files on the
Internet, local networks and on your computer.
Byte A set of
buts that represent a single character such as a letter or a number. Usually there are 8
bits in one byte.
Checkbox Type of
data entry on forms for users to input data.
Client It is any
software on your computer that gets information from another computer on another network
(called the server) for you. Think of it as a postman delivering you the mail from the
post office. (see server)
Clickable Image Map
A graphic that includes links to other files related to the image. For example, a map of
the United States where each state contains a link to sites regarding the respective
state.
Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
This is a special type of programming language that enables you to put surveys or product
order forms on your website. While it requires a higher level of programming, it makes
collecting and analyzing data much more simple for the user.
Compression/Decompression
The shrinking and expanding of a file so it will transport more rapidly.
Cookie A means
for websites to provide users with information that will most likely interest them.
Cookies gather information actively from electronic forms completed by users and passively
by recording the activities of a user, within a website. It is important to note that
Cookies do not read your hard drive.
Database A
compilation of information which can be grouped in a variety of ways. For example, you can
use a database to provide your customers with pictures of products, prices, sizes, colors,
etc. Web users can then access that information based on the criteria they believe to be
most important.
Download Transferring
a file to your computer by either clicking on a hyperlink, or using FTP software.
Dedicated line A
permanent connection to the Internet using a separate phone line.
Dial-up One way
that computers talk to each other. A dial-up connection uses phone lines and a modem. It
is also the way many people access the Internet, particularly when used from home.
Domain Name System (DNS)
It is the database that translates text addresses (mycompany.com) into a numeric Internet
address. This prevents you from having to remember lots of number for Internet addresses
such as 156.46.57.10
Drag and Drop
The act of clicking on an item or section and moving it to another location. You can do
this to move words to a different part of a document or files to another computer.
E Back to Top
Electronic Mail (E-mail)
A means to send messages to individuals or groups on the Internet. It is estimated there
will be more than 550 million e-mail users by the year 2000.
Encryption The
protection of data, such as credit card numbers, as it goes across the Internet.
Increasing use of encryption will lead to greater use of the Internet for commerce.
Ethernet A very common method of networking computers in a LAN.
Ethernet can handle 100 Mbps or more and can be used with virtually any computer.
F Back to Top
Feedback Forms
Part of a website that ask users to input information. These forms are used to collect
interests, demographic data, order products and other information by sharing functions.
Flame Refers to any kind of derogatory comment no matter how witless or
crude.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) Abbreviation for Frequently Asked Questions. A section used on many
websites containing answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about the
business.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Any application that allows you to move files between computers. These are the rules that
the computer will follow to complete the transfer.
Fire wall
A combination of hardware and software that separates a LAN into 2 or more parts for
security purposes
G Back to Top
Gateway Hardware or software setup that translates between 2 dissimilar
protocols.
Gigabyte 1000 Megabytes
Graphics Interchange Format
(GIF) One of two popular file formats for graphics on the Internet. It is
popular because it reduces the file size of the image. The other format is JPEG.
GUI
(Graphical User Interface) - An application that allows a user to navigate through data
quickly and easily. For example Internet Explorer is a GUI for the WWW which allows
the user to see information in a friendly format.
H Back to Top
Hit A unit of
measurement for the number of times a file is viewed on a website.
Home Page or Homepage The
first page you see on a website. On this page there are hyperlinks to other pages.
Host The
computer location where your website resides. If you use Net Propulsion through your local
printer, your host computer is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Hotlist List of
bookmarks.
Hyperlink A
portion of text or image that is linked to another file or section of the same file. This
enables the user to connect to that file just by clicking on the link. Hyperlinks can
usually be identified by underlined text in a different color, or by the cursor changing
to a different shape when moved over an area on the screen. These are also referred to as
links.
Hypertext Markup
Language (HTML) The instructions used to define and format pages that
appear on the World Wide Web and are viewed with a Browser.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP) The rules that allow for files, located on a host computer (server),
to be viewed and transferred to a browser (client).
Hypermedia The
combination of text, graphic, sound & audio files which comprise a website.
I Back to Top
Inline Image
Graphic that is transferred along with the page on a website.
Intranet A
private network that uses and looks the same as the software and protocols used by the
Internet. Intranets are usually used within a corporation to share personnel information,
schedules, and other company sensitive information.
Internet A
global connection of computers which provide e-mail, FTP, and World Wide Web in addition
to other useful applications for business and consumers.
Internet Protocol (IP)
Internet Protocol are rules by which computers on the Internet communicate with each
other. They are the basis for the packets of information to be delivered.
Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) This is a digital phone service that can be installed in a
home or office. Before getting ISDN, you must confirm that you have the correct hardware
and software. Also, check to see if you phone company and Internet Service Provider
support the service.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
This is a company that allows you to access the Internet. Most do this for a monthly fee
based on the number of hours used. These companies can be located in your home town or
across the country. Just confirm the phone number you must dial to gain access. Toll
charges would be in addition to the service fee charged by the ISP. Your phone company
will also collect for the toll charges.
J Back to Top
Java Programming
language invested by Sun Microsystems. This programming allows small applications to be
written and downloaded to your computer for playback or use later. For example, a payment
calculator that interacts with an auto dealer website. Java programs are a good addition
to a website because they can add many sophisticated features.
Joint Photographic Experts
Group (JPEG) This is the most popular format for images used on the
Internet. It, like GIF, compresses the image into a small file size while maintaining a
good quality image.
K Back to Top
Kilobyte: 1024 bytes
L Back to Top
LAN
(Local Area Network) - A computer network limited to the immediate area, usually the same
building or floor.
Leased Line A
dedicated phone line.
Login A means of
identifying users to gain access to specific computers. This includes the user ID name and
password.
M Back to Top
Modem (MOdulator,
DEModulator) modem: - a piece of hardware that allows you to connect your computer to
other computers through the phone system. The hardware required to connect phone lines.
This is essential for any dial-up connection. The most prevalent modem speeds are 14.4 and
28.8 kbps. Modems are to computers as telephones are to Humans.
Mosaic
The first web browser that was available for the mac, windows, and unix all with the same
GUI. It started the popularity of the Web. Mosaic source code was licensed to
several other companies so now there is software that is as good or better than Mosaic;
Internet Explorer and Netscape are just 2 of them
N Back to Top
Navigate Following
links on websites to select new information.
Netiquette The
social rules of the Internet. It's the Dear Abby of cyberspace.
Netscape
A browser and a company. The browser was origianally based on the Mosaic program.
Network A system
of computer that are linked together. Networked computers are the basis of our modern day
economy. They enable information from one specific location to another.
Newsgroups A
part of the Internet that contains thousands of group e-mail files. These are divided by
topics and used as a resource of information and a place to share opinions. The formal
name of this area is called UseNet, short for User Network.
NIC
(Network Information Center) - Any office that handles information for a network, most
notably on the Internet is InterNIC where domains are registered. NIC's can also refer to
a Network Interface Card which allows a computer to be connected to a LAN or WAN.
NNTP
(Network News Transport Protocol)
Node A single
computer connected to a network.
O Back to Top
Online or On-line
The act of using the Internet or other electronic services such as America Online,
Microsoft Network or Compuserve.
P Back to Top
Page A document
that is part of a website. Often resembles the page in a book.
Password Combination
of letters that is necessary to gain access to computer networks.
Plugin
A piece of software that adds features to a larger piece of software. For example
Shockwave is a plugin for a WWW browser that allows the use of sound and graphics that the
browser alone can't handle.
Point of Presence (POP)
A Internet Service providers dial-up connection for modem users. In many cases this is a
local telephone number for access your ISP. For example, if you have a national ISP that
is located on California, they may have a local POP in New York. Residents there can then
access the Internet with a local phone call.
Point-to-Point Protocol
Dial-up connection rules for linking computers.
Port The place
of entry where a peripheral, such as a modem, connects to your computer.
POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) - The term used to describe your
regular phone line.
Q, R Back
to Top
Radio Button
Similar to a checkbox in functionality, as a way to indicate a preference on an electronic
form.
S Back to Top
Script A program
that processes information requested on electronic forms.
Search engine A
means to instruct a program to seek and return specific information. Examples of popular
search engines include yahoo.com, infoseek.com, and altavista.com.
Security
Software and system that prevent unauthorized access and use of information and resources.
Server The
computer that contains information being requested by the client. Think of it as a post
office from which information is retrieved by a client (see client). Net Propulsion has
servers to host websites for its customers.
Shareware
Software that is provided free for a trial period, but must be purchased for continues
use. A major website that distributes shareware is shareware.com.
SLIP
(Serial Line Internet Protocol) - A standard for using a regular telephone line and a
modem to connect a computer to a real Internet site. SLIP is being replaced by PPP.
SMTP
(Simple Mail Transport Protocol) - The main protocol for sending email on the Internet.
Spam
Inappropriate use of mailing lists or USENET or any networked communications as a
broadcast medium by sending the same message to a large number of people who didn't ask
for it.
SSL
(Secure Sockets Layer) - A protocol designed by Netscape Communications to enable
encrypted, authenticated communications across the Internet.
T Back to Top
T1 Leased line
that transfers data at 1,544,000 bits-per-second. You can get a megabyte of information in
about 10 seconds, but not fast enough to deliver full-screen, full motion video.
T3 Leased line
that transfers data at 44,736,000 bits-per-second. This is more than enough to get
full-screen, full motion video.
Telnet
The command and program used to login from one Internet site to another. The telnet
command/program gets you to the login: prompt of another host.
Terminal
A device that allows you to send commands to a computer somewhere else. A minimun would be
a keyboard and display screen and some simple circuitry. On a PC it is software that
emulates a terminal allowing you to type commands to another computer.
Transfer Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) The standard
network protocol used to connect computer systems across the Internet.
U Back to Top
Uniform Resource Locator
(URL) The form of an address that contains the
server name and file which is part of a website.
UNIX:
A computer OS designed to be used by many people at the same time with TCP/IP built in.
It's the most common OS for servers on the Internet.
USENET:
A worldwide system of discussion groups, the contents passed between many machines.
Not all USENET machines are on the Internet. It is completely decentralized with
inumerable discussion areas, called newsgroups.
UUENCODE:
(Unix to Unix Encoding) - A method of converting files from Binary to ASCII so they can be
sent through email.
V Back to Top
Virtual Word
used to describe the activities and places that are conducted and replicated on the
Internet. Virtual environments are often rendered, rather than photographed and give the
illusion of three dimensions (3-D).
W Back to Top
WAN:
(Wide Area Network) - Any internet or network that covers an area larger than a single
building or campus.
Webmaster The
person who maintains the web server and its contents.
What's New A
section on many websites that contains the most recent information such as news releases,
company hires, products, etc.
WAV A type of
audio file.
World Wide Web (WWW)
The part of the Internet which provide easy file viewing, multi-media capabilities, and
hyperlinked documents. |
