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ActiveX
Microsoft's programming
language that downloads and runs programs on your computer's harddrive. It's
used with Internet Explorer to make Web pages that look and behave like
programs
Address
A specific site (www, ftp,
gopher) or "mailbox" (e-mail) on the Internet, often the mailbox of a
particular user. If referring to e-mail, an address will usually contain the
"at" sign: @. An address is often rendered in lower case. Example:
smith@saqnet.co.uk. See also E-mail.
ANSI
It stands for American
National Standards Institute. This is the place that sets standards for data
communications, like the Internet.
Analog
Not digital. This is data in the
form of a continuous flow. A record or a tape is analog. Digital on the other
hand is in pieces, or samples.
Anonymous FTP
"Anonymous ftp" sites will
allow anyone to download files from them without knowing a password. See also
FTP.
AppleShare
This is Apple Computer's
network system. It allows many different end users (people on computers) to
attach to one central location and get files.
Applet
A computer program written in
Javaä . Applets are similar to applications,
but they do not run as stand-alone programs. Instead, applets adhere to a set
of conventions that let them run within a Java-compatible browser. See also
Java and Java Script.
Application
1. A piece of software
that performs a useful function. 2. This is a program. It does things when
called upon. The file extension usually is .exe
Archie
1. Search tool used to find
resources stored on Internet-based FTP servers. 2. A database search method
which points the Internet user to specific files and FTP sites. Archie can be
used to search by subject, title, or keyword. See also FTP.
Archive
An archive is simply a
descriptive term for a package of files which appear as one file, often
compressed.
ARPAnet
ARPA is the acronym for Advanced
Research Project Agency, the U.S. Department of Defence agency that funded the
development of the first computers that linked networks across great distances.
The ARPAnet was the forerunner of the Internet.
Article
An article is a message posted to
the subscribers of a Newsgroup. See also Newsgroup.
ASCII
1. It stands for American
Standard Code Information Interchange. Pronounced "askey", it defines how
letters, numbers and special characters are stored in the computer. 2.
World-wide standard for the codes used by computers to represent letters,
numbers, punctuation, etc. This is text. It's all those things you see on your
keyboard. However, it is standardized text so data transfer is allowed between
systems. It works by representing letters and characters through a seven digit
code of one's and zero's. E.g. "Ad Banners" might look like this to the
computer: 0011010,0111100,01010011.
Asynchronous
Transferring data with the
help of start and stop bits that indicate the beginning and end of each
character being sent.
Attachment
This refers to a file
which is included with an e-mail message. An attachment can be anything from
pictures to complete programs.
.au format
UNIX sound file format.
Authentication
An electronic signature;
technology that guarantees that an electronic transmission originated from its
stated source.
AVI
Stands for Audio/Video Interleaved.
Microsoft's format for encoding video & audio for digital transmission.
Backbone
1. Well, all of these
computers have to come together somewhere. Think of the backbone as the next
larger grouping of computers you attach to to get included in the web. 2. The
major pathways used to carry traffic on the Internet.
Bandwidth
1. The amount of data that can be
sent through a connection before the carrier becomes full, usually measured in
bits per second (bps). A fast modem is capable of moving 30 thousand bits per
second before maxing out. 2. The carrying capacity of a wire attached from one
computer to another. A 28.8 modem will allow a bandwidth of 28,800 bits per
second.
Baud
1. The speed at which a modem
or other device is capable of transmitting data, technically measured in number
of events, or signal changes, per second. (Baud rate is commonly, but
incorrectly, assumed to mean the number of bits per second, which is not the
same measurement). 2. This is a measurement of amount of data that can be
transferred in one second. Example: A 28.8 baud modem can transfer 28,800 bits
of information in one second. A 2400 bits per second modem actually runs at 300
baud, but it moves 4 bits per baud (4 x 300=2400 bits per second). See also
Bit.
BBS
Stands for Bulletin Board
Service.
BIOS
Stands for Basic Input/Output
System. These are the programs that let all the different parts of the computer
interface with each other.
Binary
A numbering system which
uses only the numbers "1" and "0" e.g. 11001001.
Bit
1. A unit of measurement
representing a character of data. A bit is the smallest unit of storage. It
stands for binary digit and has a value of either 0 or 1. In PCs bits are
grouped together in sets of eight, called a byte. 2. "Bit" is a grouping of the
words "binary" and "digits." Think of a bit as a number, a 1 or a 0 to be
exact. A grouping of bits help to make up ASCII Code. Data transfer is often
measured in the number of these "bits" that can be moved in a second. 3.
Information represented by the number "1" or the number "0" and transmitted as
a discrete (discontinuous) step rather than as a wave. Digital information is
transmitted as a series of bits, or "1's" and "0's" strung together in various
ways.
BMP
Pronounced "bimp." It's a
bitmap, an image made up of little dots. The paint program that comes standard
with Windows 95 saves in this format.
Bookmark
A computer procedure that
allows a user to save a network site for the purpose of easy return. Accessing
a bookmark links the user directly to the desired site, without the trouble of
normal connection pathways. A collection of bookmarks is termed a book
list.
BPS
Bits Per Second. The
measurement of data which can be sent through a connection.
Buffer
The buffer is a section of
the computer where data is stored before being used. This buffering allows time
for an application to fix differences in bit rates among other
things.
Browser
1. Software for navigating
the World Wide Web and Internet (examples: Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator). 2. A client software program used to search networks and retrieve
and display copies of files in an easy-to-read format. See also Word Wide Web.
2. User's software program for viewing & browsing information on the
Internet or WWW.
Browsing
The act of navigating on
the World Wide Web...
Burst
Most people know this from
"pipeline burst cache." Burst means to send data in a large packet all at once
rather than small packets over a longer time.
Byte
A unit of space. It is also
used to represent a series of seven or eight ASCII code digits representing a
character.
C
A programming language developed
at AT&T.
Cache
This is a form of volatile
storage space that is used to temporarily hold information.
Case sensitivity
Many Internet
addresses are case sensitive.
CD-ROM
Compact Disc - Read Only
Memory. This is a data storage medium that once written to cannot be altered or
over-written. "Read Only," means you cannot change the information stored on
the disc. This is a special type Compact Disc that stores computer data instead
of music. You can however play music on your computer using any normal CD
placed in your computer's CD-ROM drive. See Disk.
CERN
Conseil Européen pour
la Recherche Nucléaire, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in
Geneva, Switzerland, where in the late 1980s a team of pioneering engineers
under the leadership of Timothy Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web
technology.
Certificate
A document that is
used to certify that a user or organisation is who it claims to be. It contains
information about who it belongs to, who it was issued by, expiry date and
information that can be used to check out the contents of the certificate.
CGA
Stands for Colour Graphics
Adapter. It's a piece of hardware that plays with colours.
CGI
1. A Common Gateway Interface
(CGI) is used to run external programs from a World-Wide Web server. Usually
the CGI will generate some HTML which will be returned to the browser. The
returned HTML will frequently be dependant upon the original request, e.g., a
search results list. 2. Software that facilitates communication between a Web
server and programs operating outside the server -–for example, programs
that process interactive forms or programs that search databases on the server
for information requested by a user. See also HTML.
Channel
In Internet Relay Chat
(IRC) a channel is a virtual arena where users meet to talk on a particular
topic. IRC programs such as the BT Internet Chat client will allow you to call
up a list of all active channels. See also Internet Relay Chat or IRC.
Chat
A networked software program
that enables multiple users to carry on real time "conversations" with each
other by typing messages on their computers and sending them over a local
network or the Internet. Some advanced Chat programs, such as PowWow, support
voice conversation and the exchange of files in different media (for example, a
photo or graphics files).
CHROOT
IA UNIX command to force the
root directory to become something other than its default for the duration of
the current process. This may only be executed by privileged users to provide a
process (usually FTP or HTTP) with access to a restricted section of the file
system. The new root accommodates copies of all the required files and
directories. See also FTP and HTTP.
Client (in relationship to Server)
1. The client is the PC or workstation itself. 2. Architecture in which the
client is the requesting machine (PC or workstation) and the server is the
supplying machine (LAN file server, mini or mainframe). The client provides the
user interface and performs some or most of the application processing. The
server maintains the databases and processes requests from the client to
extract data from or update the database. The server also controls the
application's integrity and security. 2. Request/supply relationship between
programs. Applications can be designed, whether running within the same
computer or in multiple computers, in which one program (the client) requests
data from another program (the server). For example, in X window, the server is
software that manages the display screen, and the client is the application
that asks the server to display something. See also Server, Secure Server and
Commerce Server.
COBOL
Stands for Common Business
Oriented Language.
COM
Stands for Component Object
Module.
Commerce Server
A commerce server
is a computer which runs software that performs some of the main functions of
an online storefront such as product display, online ordering, inventory
management, etc. It normally works in conjunction with online payment systems
to process payments. See also Server and Client.
Compiler
This is an application
that converts a programming language into machine language program.
Compression
Compression "squeezes"
files to save space and transmission time. See also Decompression.
Computer
1."An electronic machine
for making calculations, storing and processing information fed into it, and
controlling machinery automatically". (Oxford American Dictionary) - Feb. 84,
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?). 2. A device, usually electronic, that processes data
according to a set of instructions. The digital computer stores data in
discrete units and performs arithmetical and logical operations at very high
speed.
Content
The sum of the text,
pictures, sound, data, or other information presented by a Web site.
Cookies
Cookies are snippets of
information that are delivered from a web site to the client’s browser and
then stored on the client’s hard drive. Examples of cookies are the time
of the last visit to the web site or the pages that were accessed. The web site
can then read the cookies the next time the person visits the web
site.
CPU
Stands for Central Processing
Unit. This is the brain of your computer. It is made up of two parts: The
Arithmetic Logic Unit (this does all the processing) and the Control Unit (this
makes sure every part of the computer is working together to present the
information).
Crash
This is used to describe
your computer going wrong and freezing up. Could be due to either software or
hardware or a virus. When a PC crashes it may affect only the application you
are currently working with or it may be that the whole machine locks up.
Sometimes the only way to get out of this is to switch your computer off and on
again.
Credit Card Processors
Credit Card
Processors provide shared network systems and online credit processing systems
for individual credit companies. The integrate transactions between merchants,
financial institutions and credit card companies.
Cyber-
Prefix for anything to do
with computers or the Internet. For example, if it boasts a computer in the
corner, your favourite café became a cybercafe.
Cybercash
Cybercash is a company
that developed one of the early payment systems for the Internet. They give
away consumer ‘wallets’ which are stored on the client’s
computer. Online merchants using Cybercash software receive orders from
shoppers with the ‘wallet’ and the wallet is debited when the order
has been sent through the Cybercash server to bank networks for credit card
verification.
Cyberspace
1. A made-up word that
refers to the "computer universe" within which communications take place
between computers. You could also call it the "world of the Internet", as in
the sentence: "Every day huge amounts of new information are exchanged in
Cyberspace." 2. The virtual universe of information transmitted by computers,
programs, audio and video media, telephone and television, wire and satellite.
Science fiction writer William Gibson, who defined it as "a graphical
representation of data abstracted from the banks of every computer in the human
system", first phrased cyberspace. 3. It's a generic term for all of the
Internet, not just the World Wide Web.
Data
Anything that is recorded or
used for processing. The stuff that transfers between computers needed a name -
Data seemed good.
Database
Anything that accepts data is a
database. A pile of newsletters or inventory list is a database. A computer
database has the ability to manipulate that data. It is possible to attach
applications to that database to search the contents.
Data Rate
Speed that information moves
from one item to another. This is usually in the form of bits.
DDS
Stands for Direct Digital
Signal.
Debit Card
A debit card is a cash
substitute for consumers. It looks like credit cards, but does not provide
credit. Instead, the amounts for purchases are debited immediately from the
user’s bank balance.
Decompression
Data decompression is
used to restore compressed data to its original form. See also Compression.
Dedicated Line
This is a phone
line meant specifically for one thing, like being attached to a computer.
Demodulation
This is the process of
changing computer 'bits' into sound which can be carried over a phone
line.
Dial-Up Connection
A term, which describes
connecting your computer to another computer using modems and a telephone
line.
Dial-Up Line
This is a telephone line that
is connected to a server. When it is called, tones are exchanged between the
server and the device calling in order to make a connection.
Digital
Your CD player is digital.
It is a series of small samples of data playing together very quickly (30,000
times a second). Digital recording of information means representing the bits
of data through ones and zeros. Playing the bits back to again create what was
recorded is called digital processing.
Digital Certificates
Digital
certificates are digital IDs that are used to present credentials online.
Digital certificates are issued by companies, which act as ‘trusted third
parties’. In a Secure Electronic Transaction (SET), the buyer, the
merchant and banks for these parties all have digital certificates to identify
themselves.
Digital Coins
Digital coins can be
downloaded to a user’s hard drive from an account at a bank. When the
shopper wants to pay, a ‘wallet’ pops open on their screen. Digital
coins are then transferred from the shopper’s computer to the online
merchant’s server. The merchant then deposit’s the ‘coins’
in their bank.
Digital Wallet
A digital wallet is
a piece of software that stays resident on the hard drive of an online shopper.
When they are ready to make a purchase, the ‘Wallet’ pops open to
reveal payment options. Some ‘Wallets’ hold credit card details in an
encrypted form. Other ‘Wallets’ hold Digital Coins.
Directories
Directories, such as
Yahoo! (www.yahoo.co.uk) and About.com, are Web sites in themselves, but they
are also used to locate other Web sites in predefined areas of
interest.
Disk
A device for storing
information. A computer can be used to store information onto a disk, or to
retrieve information from a disk. A floppy disk is a disk that is made of
flexible material. A hard disk is made of rigid material. Drive: The device
that stores and retrieves information in a computer. A CD-ROM drive is similar
to a CD player, except it is built into or attached to a computer. Floppy disk:
A thin, flexible disk that stores information and is easily portable.
Disk Cache
A disk cache is a
mechanism for improving the time it takes to read from or to a hard disk. The
disk cache holds data that has recently been read and, in some cases, adjacent
data areas that are likely to be accessed next.
DNS
This stands for Domain Name
System. The Internet runs by assigning different sites "Names". They are
actually 4-part strains of numbers associated with names, but names none the
less. Getting a DNS error means that the address you are attempting to reach is
not recognized by the Internet community.
Document Object Model (DOM)
The
Document Object Model is a platform and language neutral interface that will
allow programs and scripts to dynamically access and update the content,
structure and style of documents. The document can be further processed and the
results of that processing can be incorporated back into the presented
page.
Domain
This is a higher level
section of the Internet, usually given its own DNS. The domain is the section
of an address before the directory slashes start. Our domain is
'dynamicwebs.co.uk' .
Domain Name
1. A domain name is
another way of referring to the Internet address of a computer or group of
computers on the Internet. Whereas an Internet address is made up of numbers
(e.g. 144.2.45.6) and therefore difficult to remember, a domain name (e.g.
dynamic-webs.co.uk) is made up of meaningful words. 2. On the Internet, the
name of a computer or group of computers, used for identifying the electronic
(and sometimes geographical) location of the computer for data transmission.
The domain name frequently contains the name of an organisation and always
includes a suffix that designates either the type of organisation and/or the
country of the domain. For example, in the domain name microsoft.com, Microsoft
is the name of the organisation and .com, short for commercial, indicates a
commercial organisation. Other suffixes used include gov (government), edu
(educational institution), org (organisation, usually a non-profit
institution), and net (general, sometimes commercial, sometimes not). Outside
the United States, two-letter suffixes denote the country of the domain, for
example uk (United Kingdom), de (Deutschland, or Germany) and jp
(Japan).
DOS
Stands for Disc Operating
System. It is a generic term for the many programs that accept commands to
activate applications to run. The most popular is MS-DOS (MS stands for
Microsoft).
Download
1. To download a file is
to move it from one computer to another, usually from a central host machine to
a local machine. 2. The process of requesting and transferring a file from a
remote computer to a local computer and saving the file on the local computer,
usually via a modem or network, is called downloading. See also
Upload.
DPI
Stands for Dots Per
Inch.
Driver
A software program that
tells an operating system how to use a hardware device.
Dumb Terminal
This is a form of
thin network client, that is used to connect to a mainframe or central network.
It is called a dumb terminal because the operating system (apart from a very
basic instruction set) is held on the node that is being connected to.
Dynamic HTML
Dynamic HTML is a
term used to describe HTML pages with dynamic content. CSS is one of three
components in Dynamic HTML. The other two are HTML itself and JavaScript. The
three components are glued together with DOM, the component object model.
Dynamic HTML is still in its infancy and current implementations are
experimental.
EBCDIC
Extended Binary Coded
Decimal Interchange Code. It is also called the Extended ASCII Code, as it adds
an eighth digit to the normally seven digit code.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Electronic Data Interchange provides electronic formats which allow for an
exchange of business data between companies across a computer network.
Electronic Commerce or E-Commerce
Basically, this is the action of conducting business online. This includes the
buying and selling of products with digital cash via Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI), or purchasing goods with a credit card (online) for
example.
E-mail
Stands for Electronic Mail.
E-mail is actual a method of transferring files among computers, rather than
the the actual file, but that's what the name has come to mean. Electronic
messages (e-mail) is sent from one computer to another (via a provider such as
AOL or SAQ). The messages are received at the user's e-mail address and stored
in their mailbox. See also Address.
Encryption
1. The process of
scrambling transmitted information. Encryption handily screens data from the
eyes of undesired parties, and is available in two forms: software encryption,
which is widely used and simple to install, and microchip encryption, which is
more difficult to install but is faster and more difficult to decode. 2. This
is any one of many methods to transfer a file into a hard to crack code. It is
often done by scrambling or by letter to letter replacement. When a web address
starts with https instead of http, it means that page has been encrypted for
private transfer. See also RSA Encryption, S-Mime Encryption and
SSL.
Engine
As in "Search Engine." This
is the working part of a data base or application.
Ethernet
This is a method of file
transfer that uses dedicated cables rather than dial up phone lines. Ethernet
are usually set up attaching end users to a central system like an
Intranet.
Ethernet cable
A wire similar to
telephone cable that carries the signals between Ethernet devices. The Ethernet
cables included in the Network-to-Go kit are Category 5 Unshielded Twisted-Pair
(UTP) cables with straight-through wiring.
FAT
Stands for File Allocation
Table. This is a system file that resides on most PC's disks and catalogues the
files and directories so that they can easily be found by the Disk Operating
System or File System.
FAQ
Stands for Frequently Asked
Questions. An FAQ is a file or document where a moderator or administrator will
post commonly asked questions and their answers. Many newsgroups, mailing lists
and some WWW sites have an FAQ list which is posted regularly. FAQs prevent
newsgroup members or companies on the net from having to individually answer
common questions. It’s a good idea to read the FAQ list before calling or
sending an e-mail message for technical support, because a question might be
answered right there on your computer. See also Newsgroups.
Favourite
Used to describe a page
or address a user wishes to return to on a regular basis. Microsoft Internet
Explorer contains a feature called Find Favourites for organising and saving
frequently accessed Web sites The equivalent feature in Netscape is
Bookmark.
Fibre-Optic
This is a new style of cable
being used for very high speed data transmission. It works by pushing
(modulating) a light wave across cable. The data is carried along with the
light.
File Sharing
This is the most
important feature of the Internet. This is a method of allowing one server to
give the same file to many different end users.
Firewall
Software intended to
prevent unauthorised access to a computer network. See also Intranet.
Flame
The Internet equivalent of
verbal abuse.
Follow-up
A reply to a USENET
newsgroup article (post). See also Newsgroup and Post.
Font
A font is a set of type
characters of a particular design and size. A font family is a set of fonts of
the same typeface in assorted sizes, including the italics and bold variations
for each size. Currently, there is no widely applicable way to download fonts
for HTML on the Web. Font usage in current browsers depends on customised user
preference settings and cannot safely be altered by document authors. As a
result, if they want to ensure a specific font is displayed, authors must often
resort to laying out their display type in another application before
generating a picture of the text and placing the picture in the HTML
page.
FORTRAN
Stands for Formula
Translation.
Frame
A frame includes: the data
packet, the destination devices's address, source device's address, the length
of the data packet, and error checking information.
Freeware
This a shortened version
of Free Software. Some programmers offer their work without wanting pay in
return. Freeware is software for which the author makes no charge. Because the
author of the software is making no money, freeware is usually unsupported. See
also Shareware.
FTP
Stands for
File Transfer Protocol. This is a method of transferring files from one
computer to another through the Internet, a phone line or network. A widely
accepted protocol which allow computers of different types to exchange files.
There are many Internet sites that have established publicly accessible
repositories of material that can be obtained using FTP, by logging in using
the account name "anonymous", thus these sites are called "anonymous FTP
servers". These "anonymous ftp" sites will allow anyone to download files from
them without knowing a password.
Fuzzy Logic
A technique for
matching items that are similar. Fuzzy logic is useful in manipulating
information that is incomplete, imprecise or unreliable.
Gateway
As in Common Gateway
Interface (CGI). It is a piece of software that allows two items to communicate
with each other. They are used to make connections between computers and
systems inside that computer.
GIF
Stands for Graphical
Interchange Format. It is one of the most popularly used image formats on the
Internet. A graphics file format created by the CompuServe online information
service. GIFs work across platforms (Mac, PC and UNIX). Most Web browsers can
display images saved in the GIF format. Some banners images such as those used
in the LinkExchange system must be in GIF format.
Gigabyte
(GB) It's about a billion bytes.
Actually it's 1,073,741,824 bytes.
GIGO
IAn acronym that stands for
Garbage In, Garbage Out.
Gopher
1. Part of the Internet
which can ‘go for’ textual information from large public databases,
such as those run by NASA or the British Library. 2. A Gopher site has a
hierarchically organized collection of documents, usually readable text files.
3. One of the first commonly used interfaces for the Internet with a format
structure and resource for providing information.
Graphics
Graphics are the most
visible part of the modern Web and arguably one of the primary reasons for its
popularity and explosive growth. Successful use of graphics on the Web depends
on interoperability across platforms, output resolutions, colour spaces and
software products. In October 1996, W3C issued a recommendation for Portable
Network Graphics (PNG), a format for bitmapped images. Interoperable methods of
integrating vector graphics such as CGM are being developed. Work in the area
of improved colour rendition would improve not only bitmapped images but also
vector images and text.
GUI
Pronounced "gooey". It stands
for Graphical User Interface. It's the graphical representations you see on the
screen.
Hacker
Once used to describe a
computer enthusiast who was interested in the inner workings computer software
and tried alterations to make things run differently or faster. Nowadays the
term is used to describe someone who tries (whether he or she succeeds or not)
to find their way into secure computer systems, the computer equivalent of
breaking into and entering someone else’s property (although Cracker may
be a better term for this).
Hard Disk
The part of your
computer that permanently stores programs and files. It can be read from and
written to. The capacity of a drive is measured in Megabytes (Mb) or Gigabytes
(9Gb)
Hardware
These are the physical
items including your computer and floppy discs.
Helper
This an application your
browser uses to manipulate a downloaded program.
Hit
A hit counter is used as a
measure of the popularity of a Web page. One is added to the hit counter every
time anyone visits the page.
Homepage
The main page of an
Internet site. When one goes to an Internet site on the computer, the home page
is the first page one sees.
Host
A computer on a network,
sometimes referring to computers that offer services to other computers, such
as running a Web service or database.
Hotlist
List of URLs saved.
(Favourites in Microsoft Internet Explorer.)
HTML
HyperText Markup Language.
HTML is the common language format used to construct pages on the World Wide
Web. Browsers interpret HTML and display the pages appropriately. HTML is a
subset of SGML (Standard Generalised Markup Language). The browser, a software
program that is used to display the content of web pages on the local computer,
interprets this language and allows the international community to make
information public on the Web.
HTTP
Stands for HyperText
Transport Protocol. the protocol that’s the basis of World Wide Web
technology. HTTP is the set of rules governing the software that transports
HTML documents along the Internet. Common protocol used to communicate between
World Wide Web Servers. HTTPS is the common protocol used to send and receive
encrypted information in a similar manner (usually for secure online
transaction processing). This protocol tells a server what to send a client, so
that the client can view Web pages, FTP sites, or other areas on the Internet.
Hub
A hub is a device which
allows you to connect computers and other devices together to form a LAN. When
a hub receives packets from a computer or other device, it repeats the packets
to all of the devices connected to its ports. Hubs transmit "frames." All
workstations receive the frames from hubs, but only the devices that correspond
to the destination devices' address respond--all other devices simply ignore
the packets. The process of examining, responding to, and ignoring packets is
handled automatically by software running on the computers connected to the
hub. In practice, when several computers are connected to the same hub, they
can communicate with each other, sharing files and printers.
Hyperlink
A reference or link, in
the form of specially coded text or a graphic image, from some point in an HTML
document to another point in the same document, or to another document
somewhere on the World Wide Web, or to a specific point in another document on
the Web. Clicking a hyperlink will jump you to the other linked point or
document. See also Hypertext and Link.
Hypertext
Electronic text in a
format that provides instant access, via links, to other hypertext within a
document or in another document. 1. This is a mark-up language that allows for
non-linear transfers of data. The method allows your computer to provide the
computational power rather than attaching to a mainframe and waiting for it to
do the work for you. 2. Documents which contain embedded links (often
underlined or otherwise differentiated from the rest of the text) which allow
the user to easily move among different parts of the same document, or between
documents. The "Back to Top" link below this paragraph is an example of this. A
reference or link, in the form of specially coded text or a graphic image, from
some point in an HTML document to another point in the same document, or to
another document somewhere on the World Wide Web, or to a specific point in
another document on the Web. Clicking a hyperlink will jump you to the other
linked point or document.
Icon
A small video display that
acts as an activation link when clicked on, an icon is in fact a graphic symbol
used in a computer program to represent an object or process. A good example of
this in Windows 95 and 98 is the "My computer" icon usually in the top left
hand corner of the screen.
Information Superhighway
A buzz
phrase referring to an American proposal to deregulate communication services
allowing for the integration of all aspects of the Internet, CATV, telephone,
business, entertainment, information providers, education, etc.
Intelligent Agent
A software
routine that uses artificial computer 'intelligence' to perform any number of
assigned tasks. For example, searching the Web for pages that match your
personal tastes.
Interface
This is any type of
point where two different things come together. Most often, the term is used to
describe the programs between you and your computer like Windows, OS/2 and
others. What you see on the screen is the interface between you and what your
computer is doing.
Internalisation / Localisation
The
Web was originally developed to enable people throughout the world to
communicate with one another. Having a single system that can deal with all
languages and cultures has many advantages. For example, when the same
protocols are used everywhere, the same software can likewise be used. Of
course, the software still needs to be localised to ensure that the local user
understands the user interface. An internationalised system also ensures the
same document can be viewed by everybody, overcoming regional variations such
as character sets and typography.
Internet (International Network)
1.
A world wide computer network that connects millions of individuals around the
world so they can share information via computer. Users on the Internet can
send each other electronic mail, copy files from one another and browse through
pages of information. With the Internet, you can send written messages from one
computer to another, as well as pictures and even sounds. 2. A global network
of computers and computer systems which communicate using the Internet
protocol. Often also called World Wide Web. See ISP (Internet Service
Provider).
Intranet
An internal Internet site
that links users from one company with one another and allows them to share and
access company specific information. Often protected from the Internet by
firewalls. See also Firewall and LAN.
IP Address
Every computer connected
to the Internet has a unique IP (Internet Protocol) address which is its
Internet address. Example: 147.150.30.32
IRC
Internet Relay Chat. Basically
a huge multi-user live chat facility. Anyone can create a "channel" and
anything that anyone types in a given channel is seen by everyone else in the
channel. The live chat area of the Internet in which real time conversations
between two or more people take place in virtual "rooms" or channels. See also
Channel.
IS
Stands for Information System.
ISDN
Stands for Integrated
Services Digital Network, a network that acts as a digital-connection service
for telephones and other communication devices. An ISDN connection can provide
relatively high-speed access (up to 128,000 bits per second) to the Internet,
and dispenses with the need for a modem.
ISO
Stands for the International
Standards Organization.
ISP
Internet Service Provider, a
service that provides organisations and home users with access, via the
ISP’s servers, to the Internet. Examples are SAQ, AOL, Compuserve and
Freeserve. You connect to the Internet by dialling into the service
providers’ server via a telephone link and modem.
ISPA
Internet Service Provider's
Association.
Issuing Bank
An issuing bank issues
the credit to a credit card holder. When sale authorisation is requested, the
merchant’s bank requests the funds to be transferred from the credit card
company. The credit card company in turn receives the funds from the issuing
bank.
IWF
Internet Watch Foundation. A
charitable organisation which seeks to rid the Internet of illegal material
such as child pornography. The IWF encourages the Internet community to report
the finding of any such material.
Java
Java is a programming
language that was originally developed by Sun Microsystems to create software
for consumer electronic products. Java creates platform independent
applications, which means the programs can run on almost any type of computer
and operating system. This makes it ideal for the Internet and the many
different types of computer that connect to it. Java is delivered over the
Internet in the form of little applications or "applets" that do tricks when
they download and are read by the browser.
Java Script
JavaScript is an
object-based programming language that allows for the embedding of Java objects
directly in an HTML page. This is a language very close to Java that allows for
more interaction with the viewer. It is much more forgiving than Java as
doesn't require its own window in which to work.
JPEG
Pronounced "J-Peg." Stands
for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It's an image format that allows for
compression when stored.
Jughead
Search browser like
"Archie".
Kbps
Kilobits per second. This
represents the speed at which your modem can download data- higher is better,
with 56k modems now commonplace.
Keyword
1. When looking for
information using a search engine such as Alta Vista or Lycos, a user will
enter one or several keywords (words that epitomize a subject or item). 2. By
extension, these keywords are of paramount importance to work out or identify
when building a website - and to include in the HTML language of the page so
that they will be picked up by search engines when submitted.
Kilobyte (KB)
A unit of computer
measurement. Kb is an abbreviation for kilobyte (1024 bytes). In reality, it's
two to the 10th power or 1,024 bytes. See also Bit.
Kbit(s)
Stands for thousands of
bits per second.
LAN
Acronym for Local Area
Network, a network connecting two or more computers within a relatively small
area, often the premises of an organisation, for the purpose of communicating
and file-sharing. An Intranet would be one of these. It's a smaller network
covering a set area. See also Intranet.
Leased line
A permanently open
telecom connection between two points on the Internet. They're usually of high
bandwidth.
Link
1. Short for hyperlink, a
link refers to a hot spot in a Web document and is usually highlighted with a
different colour than the surrounding text. Links can be clicked to open an
object in the same or another database, a different document, or an HTML page
on the Web or a local intranet. 2. An area of a hypertext document which, when
selected, will take the user to another document or resource. On the World Wide
Web, a text link (most often underlined) is usually a URL pointing to a file,
document, site, image, or another page. See also URL, Hyperlink and
Hypertext.
List
See Mailing List.
Listserv
1. A group of programs
used to manage mailing lists by automatically distributing, adding, and
deleting messages posted to the list. 2. Software that automatically manages a
mailing list, receiving posts and follow-ups and sending groups of them out to
all subscribers of the list. See also Post, E-mail, Newsgroup, Mailing List and
Follow-Up.
Live Script
This is the former
name of Java Script. There are few updates between the two.
Login
Can be used as either a noun
or a verb. As a noun: a login – the account name used to gain access to a
computer system. Not a secret (contrast with Password). It has also come to
represent your User name or Log-in ID command. As a verb: to log in – the
act of entering into a computer system (accessing or attaching oneself to a
computer).
Mac (Macintosh)
A type of personal
computer manufactured by Apple Computer. These use different software than
personal computers, commonly referred to as PCs.
Mail
Generic term for information
transported on the Internet using one of the various mail protocols. Often used
to distinguish mail from news. See also E-mail and Newsgroup.
Mailing List
1. A (usually
automated) system that allows people to send electronic mail to one address
which refers to a group of users, whereupon their message is copied and sent to
all of the recipients in the mail list. In this way, people who have many
different kinds of e-mail access can participate in discussions together. 2. A
topic-oriented conference like a USENET newsgroup except that the messages are
distributed by private e-mail. Typically, the Internet user would subscribe to
a list by sending e-mail to the Listserv. Messages in the group arrive in the
users' mailbox, and posts and follow-ups are sent to the Listserv to be
forwarded on to other members of the group. See also Listserv and
Newsgroup.
Mainframe
Mostly a mainframe is
only a mainframe when compared to a desktop computer. It's bigger and much more
powerful. Sometimes it's called a server or CPU.
Math
Communicating mathematical
and other technical notation is a challenging and important task. At present,
HTML has limited capability for the transmission of scientific material over
the Web. At the same time, the demand is high for effective means of electronic
scientific communication. To address the needs of the scientific community, W3C
has developed a core specification for embedding mathematical expressions in
HTML documents. After more than a year of study, discussion and
experimentation, a recommendation entitled Mathematical Markup Language is
available. The Mathematical Markup Language, or MathML as it is being called,
provides a way of encoding both mathematical content and visual presentation
for mathematics at all levels, from elementary school to scientific
research.
Megabyte (MB)
1. A measurement of
electronic file size equalling one million bytes. 2. A measure of computer
memory equal to 1,048,576 bytes, each of which in turn is equal to eight bits,
which is the smallest unit of data in the digital system and is symbolized by
the number 1 or the number 0. Actually it's 2 raised to the 20th power or
1,048,576 bytes of space. See also Bit.
Memory
A volatile storage device
used to temporarily store data, commonly during processing. The speed benefits
of chip memory are far greater than mass storage devices such as drives.
However, when data has been processed, it is written to a mass storage device,
which is non-volatile and will not erase when powered off.
Merchant Bank
When a credit card
authorisation is processed, the first stop is the bank where the online store
has a merchant account. This bank is the merchant’s bank.
Micropayment
E-commerce began with
purchases paid by credit card of a value of £10 or higher. New
Micropayment systems allow the purchase of items ranging anywhere from a
fraction of a penny to £5.
MHz
Megahertz. The speed at which
your computer's processor works. For example, 166 MHz or 450MHz. This doesn't
affect Net connection speed, alas.
MIDI
Stands for Music Instrument
Digital Interface. It allows a computer to store and replay a musical
instrument's output.
Millennium Problem
See Year 2000
or Y2K.
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extension)
A specification for transmitting binary data
across the Internet. It is also available for all multimedia applications
including images, audio and movies. An extension that lets you transmit
non-text data (like graphics, audio, video) via e-mail. See also
E-mail.
Mirror sites
A mirror site of a
web site is an exact copy of it. They are commonly used for Web and FTP sites
when the original site cannot cope with the load being put on it.
Modem
This is a word created out of two
other words: MODulation and DEModulation. The words mean the changing of data
from digital (computer language) to analogue (phone line language) and then
back again. It represents the purpose of your computer's modem.
Mosaic
The first Web browser to
have a consistent interface for the Macintosh, Windows, and Unix environments.
It was created at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
The success of this browser is really responsible for the expansion of the Web.
MPEG
Stands for Motion Picture
Experts Group. A format to make, view, and transfer both digital audio and
digital video files.
Multimedia
Use of text, image,
sound, video and animation within an application.
NACS
Stands for NetWare
Asynchronous Communication Services.
Net
Abbreviation of "Internet",
meaning network. Example: Surf the Net. See Internet.
Netcheque
A Netcheque works on the
same principle as a regular cheque, but it can be sent via email. When the
cheque is deposited, just as a paper cheque, funds are moved from the account
of the cheque writer to the account of the receiver. The Netcheque uses a
digital signature mechanism to securely verify the email. This prevents abuse
of the Netcheque system.
Netfind
A service that helps find
email addresses for people on the Internet.
Netiquette
The combination of net
and etiquette, an unwritten code of rules for preserving civility on, and
efficient use of, the Internet.
Netscape
A WWW browser and the name
of a company. The Netscapeä browser was
originally based on the Mosaic program developed at the National Center for
Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
Net Surfer
Someone who "surfs" the
Internet, wandering around looking for interesting sites to visit, interesting
files to grab, and interesting people to talk to.
Network
1. A system of hardware
(computers) and software that is connected so as to be accessed by individual
users who share the same information and resources, and who may be
geographically distant from each other. 2. A method of connecting two or more
computers together to enable them to send information to each other, or to work
together on a single project. If they are situated in one building or campus it
is a Local Area Network (LAN). LANs can be connected together using modem links
to form a Wide Area Network (WAN). You can log on to one in particular with the
use of a modem, called the Internet, a network of communications now reaching
indescribable size, with huge amounts of data, based on many computers
world-wide.
Network Adapter
This is the
hardware that allows the computers that are part of a network to communicate
with each other.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
A
Network Interface Card (NIC) contains the electronic circuitry to act as an
intermediary between the network and your PC. A NIC installs into an expansion
slot in a PC and lets the PC share files, printers, and other services such as
Internet access.
Newbie
Term meaning a person who
is new to the Internet and its ways.
News
Generic term for information
transported on the Internet using the nntp (Network News Transport Protocol).
Often used to distinguish news from mail. See also E-mail and Newsgroup.
Newsgroup
A USENET newsgroup is a
discussion forum where participants read and post comments on an agreed topic.
Newsreader
Software for reading
and posting articles (posts) and follow-ups to a USENET newsgroup. See also
Newsgroup and Post.
News (NNTP) server
The hardware
that holds all the messages on the Usenet newsgroups you can access, usually
based at your Internet service provider. The address of a typical newsgroup
server is 'news.freeserve.net'
Node
1. A computer that is
connected to a network is termed a node on the network. 2. Any device connected
to a computer network as well as the point at which the devices are connected.
See also Network.
Object
Something that contains both the
data and the application that operates on that data.
Offline
Not connected to the
Internet.
Offline Browser
Software such as
Teleport Pro or Web buddy that downloads the content of whole web sites onto
your hard drive. The pages can then be viewed off-line, saving you money on
your phone bill
OLE
Object Linking and Embedding
technology from Microsoft. (The ability to call one program from another is
called Linking, and the ability to put a piece of data – an object –
into a foreign program is called embedding).
Online
Often refers to being connected, or
on the Internet. If one’s web page is "On-line", it means that it is
available on the Internet.
Online Services
Companies that one can
subscribe to which not only provide Internet access, but have news,
entertainment and other information for their members only.
OOP
Stands for Object Oriented
Program. A larger program made up of smaller objects.
Operating System
Often written
just as OS. This is the software that manages the computer system. It controls
all functions and direction. The operating system comprises of several computer
programs, which each performs specific functions for processing other computer
programs and data. Examples include DOS, UNIX, VMS, Windows and Windows
95.
OSP
Online service provider- a
company that offers Internet access combined with its own interface and members
only interface.
Packet
A collection of data that
contains, among other things, the address of the computer that should respond
to it. A typical computer transmission can consist of hundreds or even
thousands of packets. When a computer sends information across a network, it
divides that information into packets. These packets are re-assembled into the
original transmission by the computer that receives them.
Page
A page is a single screen of
available information and can include any combination of words, pictures,
sounds, video, etc. One or more pages of information maintained by an
individual or organisation form what is called a "site". See Web
page.
PC (Personal Computer)
Refers to
any computer suited for the use of a single person. The term PC also commonly
refers to an IBM compatible computer as opposed to a Macintosh.
PICT
Pronounced "Pick,t." It is
another image format.
Ping
An Internet program, such as
WS- PingPro, that enables you to verify that a particular Internet address
exists and can accept requests.
Platform
The hardware and system
software that are the basic foundation of a computer system.
Plug-In
A software component or
module that extends the capability of an application, usually to enable it to
read or display files of a specific type. In the case of Web browsers, plug-ins
enable the display of rich content such as audio, video and animation. This is
a program that your browser uses to manipulate a downloaded file. It differs
from a Helper Application in that the plug-in works inside the browser window.
POP
A POP (Point of Presence) is
the modem which the Internet user dials from their computer to gain access to
the Internet.
POP3
Post Office Protocol 3. The
most recent version of a standard protocol for receiving email. POP 3 is a
client/server protocol.
Port
This is the connecting
component or hardware that allows two computers or devices to attach to one
another.
Portal
Web site offering editorial
channels and Net services, such as search facilities, free e-mail addresses,
on-line chat and other value-added extras.
Post
The term for an original
USENET or mailing list article. Used as a verb, to "post" means to submit an
article for publication on USENET in one or more newsgroups or to one or more
mailing list. If sent to more than one newsgroup or list the post is said to be
"cross-posted". If the newsgroup is moderated, the moderator decides if the
post will appear; otherwise the post appears automatically. See also Mailing
List and Newsgroup.
PPP
Stands for Point to Point
Protocol. It's a software application that allows an attachment to a server. A
configuration used to connect two computers with either a phone line or a
network link that acts like a phone line.
Protocol
1. This is a series of
set rules that allow data communication to take place. 2. A system of rules or
standards for communicating over a network, particularly the Internet.
Computers and networks interact according to protocols that determine the
behaviour each side expects from the other in the transfer of
information.
Push technology
A mechanism for
sending information to your Web browser from a Web site at pre-arranged
intervals. You state what information you are interested in and how often you
want it updated and the web site transmits its contents accordingly. You do not
have to go back and request the latest information. The same technology is
referred to as 'netcasting' by Netscape and 'channels' by Microsoft.
Query
This is to make a computer
request of a database.
RAM
Stands for Random Access
Memory. It's the memory of the computer.
RealAudio
This is a method of
playing sounds invented by Rob Glasser that creates a buffer between the
supplying server and your computer. The file is played without downloading it
completely.
Real Time
1. The actual time it
takes to do something. Real-time interaction takes place without delays or lag
time due to processing. 2. This is a method of processing data the moment it is
received. Batch node is a term used for a mainframe computer dealing with data
when it has the time.
Rendering
The process of
displaying a Web page in the Browse in the correct size, font and colour,
displaying images etc.
Robot
A piece of Software that
performs a function in the place of a human being. In particular, the search
engine tools that surf the Internet looking for pages to add to the search
index are called robots. The abbreviations 'bot' or 'web bot' are also used, as
are the more colourful terms 'worm' and 'crawler'.
ROM
Stands for Read-Only Memory.
This is memory and information that cannot be changed.
Router
A computer at a junction on
the Internet that directs data towards the correct destination. They decide
which link of the network to send the data to based on the IP number of the
destination computer.
RSA Encryption
This is a form of
encryption that is based on a public key system. Every user has 2 digital keys,
one to encrypt information and the other to decrypt. Authentication of both
sender and recipient is provided with this method. See Encryption.
Scalability
This is the ability to
grow incrementally. If an online commerce system is scaleable, it can grow in
capacity as the demand requires (if more products are added to the catalogue
for example).
Search
To look for information or
data (usually using keywords). See Search engine.
Search engine
1. Software which
scans the World Wide Web, collecting titles and words from Web pages which are
stored in a database. The user enters key words to search for; these are
compared against the contents of the database with the results of the search
(e.g. relevant Web pages containing the key words) returned to the user. There
are also search engines on a smaller scale with which a user can look for
specific items within a site. 2. A software application or service used to
locate files on an intranet or the Web. Generally accessed with browsers such
as Microsoft Internet Explorer, a few of the most common Web search engines
include AltaVista, Yahoo!, WebCrawler, Infoseek, and Lycos, but new search
engines are added constantly. See also World Wide Web.
Secure Server
A Web server that
supports any of the major security protocols, like SSL, that encrypt and
decrypt messages to protect them against third party tampering. Making
purchases from a secure Web server ensures that a user’s payment or
personal information can be translated into a secret code that’s difficult
to crack. Major security protocols include SSL, SHTTP, PCT and IPSec.
Security
This refers to techniques
for ensuring that data stored in a computer cannot be read or compromised. Most
security measures involve data encryption and passwords. Data encryption is the
translation of data into a form that is unintelligible without a deciphering
mechanism. A password is a secret word or phrase that gives a user access to a
particular program, system or data when entered.
Serial
This is a consecutive
occurrence of two items in the same channel.
Server
Computer in a network
shared by multiple users. One possible application would be to provide files as
shared resources to a computer network. See also Client, Secure Server and
Commerce Server. An Internet Service Provider or ISP is a company that can
connect ones computer to the Internet in exchange for a fee. You connect to the
Internet by dialling into the service providers’ server via a telephone
link and modem.
Service Provider
An Internet
Service Provider or ISP is a company that can connect ones computer to the
Internet in exchange for a fee. You connect to the Internet by dialling into
the service providers’ server via a telephone link and modem.
SET
An acronym for the Secure
Electronic Transaction protocol. This is a means for authenticating credit card
purchases on the Internet. All parties use digital signatures, so that
transaction information can be encrypted using 1-24 bit RSA
encryption.
Shareware
1. This is an
application that a programmer makes available to users for a set amount of time
and then asks for a donation. In return for the donation, a registration number
is often returned that can be used to "turn on" the features of the program. 2.
Copyrighted software that is sold on a trust basis. Users are expected to pay
the author if they like or use the software. Frequently, shareware is developed
by small companies or individual programmers who set out to solve a specific
computing problem or develop a novel application.
Shell
This is a program that sets
parameters and acts as a series of boundaries in which an application can run.
Shopping Cart
A shopping cart is a
piece of software that operates on an online storefront. The "shopping cart"
keeps track of all the items that a buyer wants to purchase, allowing the
shopper to pay for the whole order at once.
Site
A particular "spot" on the
Internet or World Wide Web. Sometimes a single computer, but may be a network
of computers. Examples include: Gopher site, WWW site, FTP site. See also FTP,
Gopher and Web page.
SLIP
Stands for Serial Line
Interface Protocol. This is another application that allows for a connection to
another computer. See also SLIP/PPP.
SLIP / PPP
SLIP is short for Serial
Line Interface Protocol, this is a type of dial-up protocol used to connect a
computer to the Internet. PPP stands for Point to Point Protocol. It's a
software application that allows an attachment to a server (configuration used
to connect two computers with either a phone line or a network link that acts
like a phone line). Together these are two protocols which allows a computer to
connect to the Internet through a dial-up connection, using a modem.
Smart Card
A Smart Card is a
credit card sized plastic card with an embedded microchip. The chip can be
"recharged" with funds. The store of value on the card is debited as a
transaction is made. The card can also store ID information, health care
details and security information.
S- Mime Encryption
This is a method
of protecting the privacy of email. If the sender and receiver both have email
software that supports the S-Mime protocol, they can communicate with email
that is secure and unreadable by anyone else.
SMTP
Stands for Simple Mail
Transfer Protocol.
Software
1. This is a program, the
actual code the computer reads. 2. A set of electronic instructions that tell a
computer what to do.
Spam
A term used to describe the
sending or transmitting of unwanted messages, usually via email, to a great
many people.
Spider
Also known as a
'Webcrawler' or a 'bot', a spider is a program that visits Web sites and reads
their pages and other information in order to create entries for a search
program index. Spiders are typically programmed to visit sites that have been
submitted by their owners as new or updated.
SSL
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is
an open protocol for securing data communications across networks. This was
developed by Netscape to provide data encryption and the authentication of
servers or clients. Secure Web sites (where you can confidently enter credit
card details, personal details, etc.) are indicated by the key at the bottom of
your browser (normally broken) being joined together. This was developed by
Netscape to provide data encryption and the authentication of servers or
clients.
Streamed Audio
Sound files
captured in real time in an audio file or transmitted over the Internet in real
time. A plug-in to a Web browser decompresses and plays the data as it is
transferred to your computer over the Web. Streaming audio or video eliminates
the delay that results when you download an entire file and then play it with a
helper application.
String
A set of alphanumeric
characters used as input to calculations or searches.
Style Sheet
A style sheet language
offers a powerful and manageable way for authors, artists and typographers to
handle their special presentation needs by creating the visual effects that
they want. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is actively working with its
Members to ensure that style sheets that can work on all platforms become a
part of the Web. CSS1 (Cascading Style Sheets level 1) became a recommendation
in December 1996. The CSS1 style sheet language provides authors, webmasters
and content providers with a clean mechanism to precisely and consistently
indicate how their documents should be presented, while preserving HTML’s
structural approach to document representation. The W3C is continuing to work
on extensions to CSS for printing, positioning, aural presentation and improved
typographics control, including downloadable fonts. This work is incorporated
into CSS2, the latest version of CSS.
Subnet Mask
A model IP address
that tells a computer which parts of the IP address are common to all of the
machines on the network.
Surfing
"Jumping" or navigating
from site to site on the Internet. Can refer to browsing aimlessly, rather than
seeking out specific content. See also Browsing.
SVGA
Stands for Super Video
Graphics Adapter. It's a high level monitor.
TCP / IP
Stands for Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A set of standard commands and protocols
used in networks and the Internet to allow computers to exchange information
with one another. 1. This is a large grouping of programs and standards that
govern how information moves around the Internet. The protocols were
established between 1970-1980 to allow computers to communicate with one
another. 2. A set of protocols which make Internet services possible among
computers that do not belong to the same network.
TELNET
Telnet lets Internet users
log in to computers around the world that are connected to the Internet, and to
use them as if they were their own. A terminal emulation program used for
logging on to another computer, especially a large, mainframe computer such as
those containing the online catalogues of libraries. When you use Telnet to log
on to a library’s computerised catalogue, you are gaining access to the
files that constitute the library’s records.
Terabyte (TB)
It's about a
trillion bytes. Actually it's 2 to the 40th power or 1,009,511,627,776 bytes. A
thread is a collection of articles within a Newsgroup that follow the same
subject. See also
Thread
IA thread is a collection
of articles which have been posted within a Newsgroup that follow the same
subject. See also Post and Newsgroup.
Terminal
A terminal is a screen
(looks like a small television) that is connected to a computer. A person uses
a terminal to put information into a computer or to retrieve information from
the computer.
Terminal Emulation
This is an
application that allows your terminal to act as a dumb terminal.
Transparent
Something that occurs
without being known to the user.
TWAIN
Stands for Technology
Without An Interesting Name.
Under Construction
You will
sometimes see this on a Web page, it means that the site is still being
developed or modified in some way.
UNIX
This is an operating system
developed by AT&T.
UNZIP
Stands for "undo" the Zone
Information Protocol. This is an application that allows for the decompression
of application files which have been "zipped" or compressed with using
ZIP.
Upload
To move (send) a file from
one computer to another, usually from a local machine to a host. See also
Download.
URL
Stands for Uniform (sometimes
Universal) Resource Locator, the address that specifies the electronic location
of an Internet resource (file). It is also a way of saying Internet Address,
but they are also Links. URLs are links to network resources like files,
programs, web sites, web pages, etc. URLs are usually found as links on web
pages, but are turning up more often in posts on USENET and in e-mail messages.
Upper and lower case are often important in URLs. A URL usually consists of
four parts: protocol, server (or domain), path, and file name – although
sometimes there will not be a path or file name. Here's an example of a URL on
the World Wide Web: http://www.microsoft.com./magazine/tips/default.htm.
The http is the protocol, www.microsoft.com, is the server/domain,
magazine/tips is the path, and default.htm is the file name. These four parts
specify the type of the resource (e.g. gopher, http, ftp), the hostname,
followed by the path at the host site and the name of the document or other
resource.
USENET
A system of electronic
bulletin boards on which readers can share information, ideas, tips and
opinions. See also Newsgroup.
User
Someone attached to a server
or host.
VDD
Stands for Virtual Device
Driver.
Veronica
Stands for Very Easy
Rodent Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized Archives. A database of menu
names from a large number of Gopher servers. A quick and easy way to search
Gopher resources for information by keyword. See also Gopher.
VGA
Stands for Video Graphics
Adapter. This is a lower level colour monitor than SVGA.
VIRUS
Stands for Very Important
Resource Under Siege (or...Vicious Internal Rabbit/Rodent Uprooting Stuff).
Actually, it's a small program written specifically to cause problems in your
computer. With reference to computers, a malicious, human-created program that
searches out other programs and "infects" them by embedding a copy of itself.
When an infected program runs, the virus is activated. A virus may passively
reside for a while within a computer, unknown to the user, sometimes spreading
to other locations, or it may run immediately. When it runs, it can have any
number of effects, ranging from the appearance of annoying but harmless
messages on the computer screen to destroying files on the computer’s hard
disk. Computer viruses are spread by the introduction of files into a computer
from another computer, via disk or over a network (including the Internet). A
wise computer user will make use of an up-to-date anti-virus program, available
commercially by downloading from numerous Internet sites. A virus may be
destructive, and should never be ignored.
Virtual Reality
Computer-generated
3-D space which simulates an organic physical environment.
VMS
Stands for Video Memory System
VRML
Stands for Virtual Reality
Modelling Language. It's a form of application that gives a 3-D effect to
pictures sometimes allowing you to "move" through them.
WWW
Short for World Wide Web.
WAIS
Stands for Wide Area
Information Servers. Searches large indexes of information on the Internet.
WAN
Stands for Wide Area Network,
like the Internet. A data network that serves a wide geographical area, which
could be global, by the use of modems to link smaller local networks
together.
WAV
Stands for Waveform sound
format. Microsoft's format for encoding sound files.
WAV
Stands for Waveform sound
format. Microsoft's format for encoding sound files in Windows.
Web
Short for World Wide Web. Like
a spider's web, the web that links our computer to other computers is a large
network.
Web Browser
A program installed in
your computer's memory that reads, or 'browses' Web pages. Internet Explorer
and Netscape Communicator, or Navigator are the most popular Web
browsers.
Web Hosting
This is the term
applied when an organisation such as an Internet Service Provider makes your
web site available globally on the Internet by placing a copy of the site on
one of their computers.
Web Page
A WWW document designed
to be displayed by a browser. Written in a tagging language called HTML, a web
page often contains text, pictures, as well as links to other web pages or
Internet resources. A web page is a single screen of available information and
can include any combination of words, pictures, sounds, video, etc. One or more
pages of information maintained by an individual or organisation form what is
called a "site".
Web Portal
A web site or service
that offers a broad array of resources and services, such as e-mail, forums,
search engines and online shopping malls. The first web portals were online
services such as AOL that provided access to the Web. However, most of the
traditional search engines have transformed themselves into Web Portals in
order to attract and keep a larger audience.
Web Ring
A way of interlinking Web
sites of the same subject, so that you can visit one after the other, finally
returning to the first site.
Web Site
One or more pages of
information maintained by an individual or organisation form what is called a
"site". Can also be described as a collection of web pages within a specific
domain (though some sites only contain one page).
Wireless
Any of a class of remote
communications that doesn’t use wires; including infrared, cellular, and
satellite.
World Wide Web
A subset of the
Internet which supports hypertext-based documents. This is a network of
Internet Servers that support specially formatted documents. The documents are
formatted in a language called HyperText Markup Language (HTML). This language
supports links to other documents as well as text, graphics, audio and video.
This means that you can jump from one document to another simply by clicking on
hyperlinks. Not all Internet Servers are part of the World Wide Web. Web
browsers such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are used to browse
documents on the World Wide Web. See Web Page and Internet.
Workgroup
Persons sharing files
and data between themselves.
Workstation
A position for an
operator that is equipped with all of the facilities required to perform a
particular type of task. It is often a powerful computer system that has
excellent graphics and a very fast processor, is highly interactive, and is
usually part of a network. Such systems are much used in engineering,
electronics, energy, and aerospace industries, and in universities.
Applications include CAD, desktop publishing, and AI research. In data
processing and office systems the basic electronic equipment would normally be
a visual display and keyboard; however there may also be ancillary electronic
equipment such as magnetic storage devices, printer, OCR or bar code
scanner.
WPG
Stands for Word Perfect
Graphics.
W3 / W3 Consortium
1. This is just
another term for World Wide Web (referring to the 3 Ws). 2. An industry
consortium headed by the Laboratory for Computer Science at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (W3 refers to the World
Wide Web). The consortium promotes standards and encourages interoperability
among World Wide Web products. Originally based at the European Laboratory for
Particle Physics (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, where the World Wide Web
technology was developed, the Consortium has had modest success in fostering
cooperation on Web technologies among a number of private corporations that are
often reluctant to share their secrets.
ZIP
Stands for Zone Information
Protocol. This is an application that allows for the compression of application
files. There is also UNZIP which is used to decompress files.
32-bit/16-bit
This denotes the
number of "pieces" (or bits) of information required by an operating system to
run a certain application. It also deals with the construction of the the
computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit). The Pentium CPU easily runs 32 bit
applications because the wires that hold all the pieces together (known as
"busses") are big enough to flow through 32 bits at a time. 486s, 386s and
below aren't big enough. They work with 16 bits at a time. Windows95 is a
32-bit application. Yes, it will run on a 486, but very slowly while using a
great deal of memory and virtual memory (hard drive space) to do it.
8-N-1
The most common modem format.
"8N1" describes the way that your computer and the remote are connected. The
first digit is normally 7 or 8, the number of data bits. The second character
is a letter describing the parity (N for None, M for Mark, S for Space, O for
Odd, and E for Even). The last number is the number of stop bits. Data is sent
as follows: Start bit (0) 7 or 8 bits of data (parity bit, if used) stop bit
(1) (gap bits, if used).
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