Internet Definitions
Following are the most common terms used in describing Internet technologies:
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
ActiveX - A technology developed by Microsoft that provides interactivity on Web pages. See Java.
anchor - A hyperlink that takes you to another location within a Web page.
anonymous FTP - A method for logging on to public servers that allows you to download files without a username or password.
applet - A program that performs a specific task on a Web page. See Java.
article - A message posted to a newsgroup.
attachment - A file that is sent along with an email. Usually a picture file or a text document file.
.avi - A popular video file format on the World Wide Web. .avi files can be viewed with applications like Microsoft MediaPlayer or Apple QuickTime.
bandwidth - Your Internet connection's capacity to transfer data.
baud - A unit of measurement that reveals how fast data passes through your modem.
beta - A prerelease version of a software program, used for inital testing.
bit - Binary Digit. Each "bit" has a value of 1 or 0 that a computer interprets as "on" or "off."
boot - To "boot" is to start a computer.
bookmark - A collection of links to favorite Websites. These are stored in a folder accessible from a Web browser like Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
bps - Bits per second. Standard unit of measurement for determining the speed of data passing to or from a modem over the Internet. See bit.
browser - Software that allows you to view Web pages. The two most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
bug - A programming glitch embedded in a computer application that causes operational malfunctions.
byte - The smallest unit for storing information on your computer. There are usually eight bits in each byte. It takes at least one byte to store and generate a single character like a number or a letter on your computer.
cache - A place to temporarily store frequently used information on your computer.
CGI - Common Gateway Interface. A standard way for Web servers to administer program scripts. A server's ability to process an online form is the most common usage of this technology.
cgi-bin - A directory on a Web server dedicated to CGI scripts and programs.
chat - Real-time discussions with other individuals over the Internet. Similar to a phone conversation but instead of talking, participants use their keyboard to converse.
compression - Reduction of the size of a computer file so that it will travel quickly over the Internet.
content - All the text, pictures and other data found on a website.
cookies - A text document that some websites will send to your computer. Cookies are used to identify users coming into a website. Websites that remember who you are automatically when you return usually use cookies to do so. Some people feel this to be an invasion of their privacy.
cyber - A computer-generated simulation of something you might find in the "real world." Synonym for the word virtual.
cyberspace - Coined by novelist William Gibson, a term that has come to mean the computer-generated "world" of the Internet.
.
dialer - A software program that dials your modem, which in turn, connects you to the Internet.
dial-up connection - A connection at up to 56K bps to the Internet via a telephone line using a modem. This term does not refer to a DSL connection, which also uses a phone line.
domain name - A unique name that identifies a website. (www.domainname.com).
DNS parking - Placement of a domain name on a Web server. This is an intermediate step taken by businesses and individuals between the time that they register their domain name and the time they post their Website onto the Internet. This service is available from Inter.net.
download - The process of copying a file to your computer from another computer on the Internet.
DNS - Domain Name System. The method in which the Internet processes an individual's request to view a website on their computer.
DSL - Digital Subscriber Line. A broadband technology that makes it possible to have a high-speed Internet connection via your phone line.
e-commerce - A term that refers to the growing retail, service and business to business industries on the World Wide Web. E-commerce websites facilitate the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet.
email - Electronic Mail. Email is by far the most popular activity on the Internet. Email technology makes it possible to send and receive electronic "letters" almost instantaneously over the Internet.
encryption - The process of scrambling transmitted data over the Internet. Usually refers to the scrambling of an e-commerce transaction in which credit card information privacy is assured.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions.
favorites - See Bookmarks.
firewall - Software loaded onto an intranet server for security purposes. Firewall software controls access from outside the intranet.
flame - An inflammatory email or newsgroup posting, usually in response to spam.
frames - The simultaneous display of several HTML files on a Web page. A Web page that has frames normally will display a navigational tool bar that remains constant through an entire site in one section of the page and content in another section.
freeware - Software distributed and used for free.
Frequently Asked Questions - List of questions and answers designed to save users time and effort when looking for help. Normally referred to as FAQ.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol. The standard method for exchanging files between computers on the Internet.
.
GIF - Graphics Interchange Format. GIF is a compressed image file format that displays quickly on a Web page.
home page - The main page of a website.
host - A computer containing data or programs that is accessible to other computers over a network, usually the Internet
HTML - HyperText Markup Language. The language used to create Web pages.
HTTP - HyperText Transfer Protocol. The standard method for transferring Web pages over the Internet.
hyperlink - A link that takes you to other places on the World Wide Web. Hyperlinks can appear as text or graphics on a Web page.
HyperText Markup Language - See HTML.
IE - (Microsoft) Internet Explorer. Along with Netscape Navigator, one of the most popular Web browsers.
Internet - The global electronic information network.
intranet - A network set up using Internet technology that is not accessible via the Internet. Usually refers to a private network set up for a business or company.
Internet Protocol (IP) number - Also known as Internet Address. Every computer on the Internet has a distinct number (i.e., 10.0.0.128) that uniquely identifies that computer.
IRC - Internet Relay Chat. A software technology that enables real-time chatting on the Internet.
ISP - Internet Service Provider. www.empire.net and www.easyhost.adgrafix.com are ISP's. They provide our customers access to the Internet as well as a number of other services, such as web hosting and electronic mail.
Java - A programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java is used to create small applications for Web pages referred to as applets. Applets are sent over the Internet, run on your computer and make Web pages more dynamic and interactive. See ActiveX.
JavaScript - JavaScript is an Internet language that allows you to view pop-up boxes, forms and other interactive additions to Web pages using scripts.
JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group (Also goes by the shorter extension "JPG"). A compressed image file format (see GIF).
Kilobyte - A thousands bytes.
Kbps - Kilobits per second. The rate at which data is transferred over the Internet.
LAN - Local Area Network. Computers that are connected to each other for purposes of sharing information or peripherals, such as a printer.
listserv - A program that allows users to establish mailing lists for people who wish to communicate about a specific topic.
login / logon - Accessing a computer system. You log in (or log on) to Inter.net when your modem dials in and verifies your username and password.
lurk - Reading the offerings of newsgroups without contributing posts of your own.
mailing list - An email system that sends and receives messages to and from a list of subscribers sharing a particular interest.
MB - Megabyte. Approximately 1 million bytes. (Actually 1,048,576 bytes.) See bytes.
Microsoft - The software company that is famous for developing the Windows operating system. Also developed Internet Explorer.
MIME - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension. MIME gives email programs the ability to send non-text files as attachments.
mirror site - A duplicate website. Mirror websites "live" on other Web servers to help ease Internet congestion.
modem - A device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers via a telephone line.
moderated discussion - A newsgroup or listserv that has a designated editor who ferrets out off-topic or inappropriate postings.
MPEG - Motion Picture Experts Group. A video and sound compression standard. One of the more popular video and sound file formats on the Internet.
MP3 - A file format used for transferring long sound files, such as music, over the Internet. Short for MPEG Level 3, this is the most common sound file format in use today.
Net - The abbreviated version of the word "Internet."
netiquette - Rules for good manners on the Internet. Click here for a guide to netiquette.
Netscape - The company that developed Netscape Navigator.
Netscape Communicator - Netscape's suite of Web-related programs, including the Navigator browser, Messenger email program and Composer Web-page creation software.
network - Multiple computers connected together.
newsgroup - A group that communicates with each other about shared interests via the Internet. These groups' messages are referred to as posts and are administered from a news server.
.
online - The status of your computer when it is connected to the Internet.
OS - Operating system. An operating system allows your computer to negotiate all the data that flows through it. Some of the more popular operating systems are Windows, MacOS and Linux.
Page - A Web page. An HTML document that is transmitted over the Internet and is displayed in a Web browser window.
password - A word or series of characters that allows users access to restricted files, programs or a computer. You need a password to log on to Inter.net.
PDF - Portable Document Format. A proprietary file format created by Adobe Systems that enables complex documents to be viewed on almost any computer. Tax forms downloaded from the IRS are examples of PDF files. Adobe Acrobat is the application that allows you to view these files.
plug-in - A "helper" program that browsers will utilize to play or execute downloaded files. Some of the more popular plug-ins are RealAudio, QuickTime, Media Player and Adobe Acrobat.
Point of Presence - See POP.
POP - Two meanings: Point of Presence and Post Office Protocol. Point of Presence is the phone number provided by your Internet service provider that allows you to connect to the Internet. Post Office Protocol is the standard email program protocol for individuals connected to the Internet via a modem.
port - An entry or exit point for information to pass in or out of your computer.
Portable Document Format - See PDF.
portal - A website that makes available various resources for Internet users and provides personalized information. Portals are intended to be the first site accessed during a user's Internet session and serve as a gateway for the rest of their time online.
post - A message sent to a newsgroup. Also known as an "article."
PPP - Point to Point Protocol. A protocol which allows computers to communicate via a dial-up connection over a telephone line.
protocol - Standards that were created to allow computers to communicate with each other. Some examples of protocols include FTP, HTTP and PPP.
push - A technology that "pushes" information to your computer over the Internet. Requires specialized software that, once configured, can continually bring you personalized information.
QuickTime - Apple's software program that displays digital video. Also may function as a plug-in.
RAM - Random Access Memory. RAM is the component of your computer that provides space for your applications to run and temporarily store data. An example of RAM utilization is running a word processing program and writing a letter.
The letter is stored in RAM until you save it to your hard drive or a floppy disk.
RealAudio - A software program that plays streaming audio or sound files transmitted over the Web. Functions as a plug-in.
RealPlayer - A software program that plays streaming video and audio. Also functions as a plug-in.
ROM - Read Only Memory. ROM is a memory chip in which permanent instructions and data are stored.
search engine - A website that allows you to search through a database of websites that are on the Internet. Some of the more popular search engines are Alta Vista , Infoseek, HotBot, Excite and Lycos.
Secure Socket Layer - Also known as SSL, Secure Socket Layer provides for encrypted transmission of credit card and other proprietary transactions over the Internet.
server - Also called a host, a server stores data and makes it available over a network.
shareware - Software you are allowed to try before you buy. A registration process is required to keep running the software after the trial period ends.
Shockwave - A plug-in that allows browsers to display interactive animation on Web pages. site - See Website.
source code - Program functions in their original form. You can view the source code for a Web page by selecting "(view) source" under the "view" category of your Web browser.
spam - Junk mail. Unsolicited email or newsgroup postings that advertise products and services.
spider - A program utilized by search engines to roam the Internet, gather information and help index Websites for their database.
streaming audio/streaming video - A technology that makes it possible to view digital video or hear music while it's being downloaded from the Internet.
surf - Also called "browsing." To surf is to spend time on the Internet looking for information.
TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is the communication protocol that is the foundation of the Internet. It allows users of different operating systems and connectivity methods to interact over a network.
telnet - Telnet is the Internet standard protocol for remote terminal connection service. Allows you to connect to another computer via a network.
thread - A series of related postings in a newsgroup.
Uniform Resource Locator - URL for short. A URL is the address of a location on the Internet. Also known as a Web address.
UNIX - An operating system (OS) used on most servers on the Internet.
upload - The action of transferring a file from your computer to another computer over a network.
URL - See Uniform Resource Locator.
user - A person who uses the Internet.
username - The designated name that a network server requires for you to log on.
virus - A program which replicates itself on computer systems by embedding itself into other programs which are shared among computer systems. Viruses cause applications and operating systems to malfunction.
wav files - A popular sound file format.
Web - Short for the World Wide Web.
Web browser - See browser.
webcast - A live event broadcast over the World Wide Web using streaming audio and/or video.
webmaster - Individual who is in charge of maintaining a website.
Web page - A document on the World Wide Web that can be viewed with a Web browser.
website - A series of interrelated Web pages on the World Wide Web.
webspace - Space provided on a Web server that makes it possible for your website to show up on the World Wide Web. Inter.net provides 5 MB of webspace for basic dial-up customers.
World Wide Web - Term used to describe the global collection of Web pages available via the Internet.
