Glossary of Internet Terminology
AOL
Address
There are two basic types of Internet addresses. One is an email address which is used to send email message to someone. It almost always will contain an @ symbol. The other type of address is the URL which is used for Web page addresses.
Address book
A feature in many email programs that stores email addresses of persons with whom you correspond along with other information for reference to make setting up email messages easier.
AltaVista
Search engine used to find things on the WWW. (URL is www.altavista.com)
Anonymous FTP
A way of using the FTP program to log on to another computer to copy files even though you don’t have an account on that other computer. Usually when you log on, you type anonymous as the username and your email address as the password.
Applet
A small computer program written in the Java programming language. Appletscan be downloaded using a Web browser and they must obey special rules that make it difficult for the program to do damage to your computer.
Archive
A single file containing a group of files that have been compressed and glommed together for efficient storage. You have to use a program such as WinZip, Stuffit, or PKZIP to get the original files back out.
Attachment
A computer file “electronically stapled” or sent with an email message. It could be graphics, text, program, spread sheet, PowerPoint Presentation, or other type of file.
Authoring
The process of writing a Web page.
BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)
A way to send a copy of an email message without letting the other recipient(s) know you are sending a copy.
Backbone
High speed communication links that connect Internet providers and other large Internet sites together.
Baud
The number of electrical symbols per second that a Modem sends down a phone line
Binary File
A file that contains information other than text. A binary file might contain an archive, picture, sounds, spreadsheet, or word processing document that includes formatting codes in addition to the text characters.
BinHex
Amish corn bin and also a file-encoding system used by many Macintosh users.
Bit
What the dog did to your homework. Also, the smallest unit of measure for computer data. Bits can be on or off (symbolized by 1 or 0) and are used in various combinations to represent different types of information.
BitMap
Little dots (file extension .bmp) put together to make a black and white or color picture.
Bookmark/Favorite Place
Method for creating a shortcut back to a Web page the user will want to revisit in the future.
Boolean Operators
Operators designed to put conditions on a search.
The most common are “AND, OR, & NOT.
Bounce
To have a message or file returned as undeliverable or redelivered to the appropriate address. If you mail a message to a bad address, it “bounces” back to your mailbox. If you get e-mail intended for someone else, you can “bounce” it to them.
Browse
To wander around a portion of the Internet, screen by screen, looking for something. Also known as surfing or cruising.\
Browser
An Internet program used to explore the Internet.
Two common browsers are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
BPS (Bits Per Second)
A measure of how fast data is transmitted via modem – also used to describe modem speed.
Byte
A group of eight bits, enough to represent one character. Computer and disk space is usually measured in bytes.
Cable Internet
Use of TV cable to provide very fast Internet service – available in limited areas.
CC (Carbon Copy)
A copy of an email message sent to someone other than the principal recipient of the message.
Cellular Modem
Used most often in portable computers, a mode that communicates without connection to a landline/phone line, just as a cellular phone does. This can be used to access the Internet from places where no phone line is available. (See also: Modem and Wireless Modem)
Certificate
A file used in secure connections to authenticate the server to a client.
Channel
Areas of special interest added to IRC.
Chanop
Channel operator who is in charge of keeping order in a channel. Similar to a teacher trying to keep order in a 9th period study hall. The difference here is that the chanop can throw out unruly participants.
Chat
Internet feature that allows two or more Internet users to participate in a live conversation through typing messages. Sometimes known as an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) or AOL Instant Message(IM).
Chat Client
The program that is required for participating in a Chat.
Client
A computer that uses the services of another computer or server such as Usenet, Gopher, FTP, and the WEB. If you dial in to another system, your computer becomes a “client” of the system into which you dial. A software tool for using a particular type of Internet resource. A client interacts with a server on which the resource is located.
Client/Server Model
A “division of labor” between computers. Computers that provide a service to other computers are known as servers. The users are known as clients.
Com
When these
letters appear as the last part of an address, it indicates that the host
comptuer is run by a commercial organization. Most “dot – coms” are located in
the
Communicator
Also known as Netscape. This is a suite of Internet tools from netscape Communications Corporation. It includes a Web browser (Navigator), email and newsreader (Messenger), and Web authoring (Composer) tools.
Composer
The Web authoring component of Netscape Communicator.
Compression
The process of making a computer file smaller so that it can be copied or sent more quickly between computers. Compressed files, sometimes called Zip files, must be decompressed on the receiving computer before they can be used.
Compuserve (CS)
A major commercial internet service provider that provides numerous additional services beyond basic Internet access. Compuserve is now owned by AOL.
Cookie
Delicious tasting baked goods. Favorite cookie of the author is Chocolate Chip. In computer language, a cookie is a collection of information that a Web server can leave on your computer for later access. Cookies can be enabled and disabled by individual computer users.
Country Code
The last part of a geographic address which indicates the country in which the host computer is located. Country codes are always two letters. The country code for The United States of America is US.
Cross-Posting
Method that allows individuals to post a single article to multiple newsgroups.
Cyber
Prefix meaning the use of computers and networks that make up the Internet.
Cyberspace
A wide-ranging term used to describe the culture, activities, communications, and everything that happens on the Internet.
DES (Data Encryption Standard)
A
Dial-up IP Account
An Internet account that is accessed through a modem and telephone line.
Dial-Up Network
The built-in Internet communication program in Windows Operating Systems.
Digest
A compilation of the messages that have been posted to a mailing list.
Direct connection
A permanent 24/7/365 link between a computer and the Internet. A computer with a direct connection can use the Internet at any time.
DNS (Domain Name Server)
A computer on the Internet that translates between Internet domain names and Internet numerical addresses. Sometimes just called a name server.
DNS (Domain Name System)
A method of translating Internet IP addresses into word based addresses (domain names) that are easier to use and remember.
Domain
Part of the official name of a computer on the Internet. See DNS above. To register a domain, go to: www.icann.org/registrars/accredited-list.html and choose a registry.
Download
Transfer a file from a host computer to your own computer.
DSL (Digital Suscriber Line)
A technology that allows you to transmit data over phone lines must faster than regular dialup or ISDN. DSL is not yet universally available but very fast!
EBay
The computer wouldn’t let me put a little e in front of eBay as a heading. This is the original Web-based auction. (URL www.ebay.com)
Edu
When these
letters appear as the last part of an address, it indicates that the host
computer is run by an educational institution, usually a college or university,
in the
E-Commerce
Electronic commerce, the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet. Did you buy stock in UPS or FEDEX yet?
Short for electronic mail. A system that enables a person to compose a message on a computer and transmit that message through a computer network such as the Internet to another computer user at their computer.
Emoticons
Short for emotional icons, character combinations that are used to express emotion in typed messages such as email and newsgroup messages. For example, :-) is a smile.
Error Message
The most common error message is “404 not found” and is caused by either mistyping a URL, woops – your fault - or clicking on a “broken” link – woops, somebody else goofed!
Eudora
A popular email handling program. There are two versions: Eudora lite is freeware and Eudora Pro is commercial. (URL is: wwww.eudora.com)
Extranet
What the fisherman who had a good day wished he would have taken with him. Also an Internet technology used to connect an organization with its clients/customers and/or business or educational partners.
Explorer
See Internet Explorer
FAQ
Pronounced “FAX” is short for Frequently Asked Questions file, a computer file containing answers to frequently asked questions about a particular topic, Web site, or file. You can read the FAQs for all newsgroups by going to the URL: www.faqs.org
Favorite
AOL and Internet Explorer’s method for letting a user create a shortcut back to a particular web page the user may want to revisit.
Filter
A system for automatically organizing and deleting selected email messages.
Firewall
A specially programmed computer that connects a local network to the Internet, and for security reasons lets only certain information and messages in and out. Usually maintained by a computer expert named Barb Wire.
Flame
To post angry, inflammatory, insulting, or generally hostile messages, They are often sent through email or posted in newsgroups, from Internet users. These are usually in reaction to violations of netiquette and should be avoided with appropriate wisdom. Persons who engage in this with others are sometimes considered as waging a “flame war” with each other.
Form
Part of a Web page in which users can type entries or make selections.
Frame
A discrete part (pane) in a Web page in which the screen area has been divided into multiple panes, each being independent and containing a separate document.
Freenet
A free online system offering local communities information and limited access to the Internet. Many of these are dropping out of existence with the growth of free ISPs.
Freeware
Software available to anyone, free of charge, unlike shareware which requires payment.
FrontPage Express
A built in Web page editor found in Internet Explorer
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A method of transferring files from one computer to another over the Internet.
FTP Server
A computer on the Internet that stores files for transmission by FTP.
Gateway
Maker of cool cow graphic boxes with computers packed inside. Also a computer that connects one network with another where the two networks are using different protocols.
GIF
Graphic Interface Format, a form of image file (using the file extension .gif) that is commonly used for inline images in Web pages. This type of graphics format was originally defined by Compuserve and is patented. Usually pronounced “jif” like the peanut butter.
Giga
Prefix meaning 1,000,000,000. (That’s one billion for the mathematically challenged.)
A search engine used for finding things on the Internet. (URL: www.google.com)
Gov
When these
letters appear as the last part of an address, it indicates that the host
computer is run by some component of the
Gopher
Small animal living underground. Also a system of menus layered on top of existing resources that enable users to access services and sites more easily. Gopher “sits on top of” FTP and performs Telnet logins. Internet Gophers used to be one of the most useful and seamless tools on the Net. Then came “The Web” and Web browsers can do everything that Gophers could do plus a whole lot more. For that reason, Gopher programs are usually unnecessary.
Header
The beginning of an email message containing TO and FROM addresses, subject, date, and whole bunch of other stuff that is important to the programs used to handle email.
Helper Program
Programs that run or show files that aren’t part of a Web page and don’t necessarily appear as part of the Web browser being used.
Home Page
The entry or main page of a Web site. The home page will usually contain links to other Web pages on the same server as well as links to other locations.
Host
A computer on the Internet that acts as the central point for an organization’s connection to the Internet.
Hostname
The name of a computer on the Internet.
HTML
Hyper Text Markup Language, the language of the Internet. This language lets the text include codes that define fonts, layout, embedded graphics, hypertext links, and other fancy stuff that the average person doesn’t need to know in order to use the net.
HTTP
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, a protocol by which computers transfer information over the Internet.
HTTPS
A variation of HTTP which stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Socket Layer and is used to encrypt messages for security.
Hypermedia
Like hypertext below but including all types of information such as pictures, sound, video and not just text.
Hypertext
A system of writing and displaying text that enables the text to be linked in multiple ways, be available at several levels of detail, and contain links to related documents.
ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. (URL: www.icann.org) ICANN is responsible for issuing of (.com .net and.org) IP addresses and domain names on the Internet.
IM
Instant Message: usually used on AOL for “real time” live “chatting” (See Chat)
Image Map
A single picture in a Web page that contains multiple links, each leading somewhere else.
Inline Image
An image that appears within the layout of a Web page.
Inline Message
A message that appears to its recipient the instant you send it (if the recipient is online at the time.) See chat above.
Internet
WWW, The Net, The Web, etc. A large, loosely organized interconnected network connecting public, private, educational, and other compuster systems all over the world for the purposes of exchanging messages and sharing information.
Internet Explorer
A browser created by Microsoft Corporation for the World Wide Web. (Don’t confuse this with Windows Explorer which is the basic file management system used in the Windows operating system.
Internet service provider
A company from which a user can obtain access to the Internet. The term (ISP) is often used to distinguish many companies that offer Internet access from online services, another kind of Internet provider.
Intranet
An internal corporate network, usually a local area network, that is based on Internet technologies such as the use of Web browsers to display information.
IP Address
The number-based Internet address of a user or computer. It is made up of four sets of numbers separated by periods. (For example, your computer might be 987.654.32.01. In practice, Internet most often use word based addresses which are translated from the numerical IP address by the Domain Name System (see DNS Above).
IRC
See Chat above.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
A faster digital phone line service that operates at speeds as high as 128 KB per second.
ISP
See Internet Service Provider above.
Java/Java Script
Two programming languages used to enable specific advanced capabilities on Web pages. Java was invented by engineers at Sun Microsystems.
JPEG
Joint Photographics Experts Group, a form of still-image graphic file (using the file extension .jpg) that is commonly used for images in Web pages. (Pronounced “Jay-Peg)
Kbyte
1,024 bytes. Is also written KB or just plain old fashioned K. Usually used a measure of a computer’s memory, or hard disk storage space, or as a measure of file size.
Kilo
Prefix meaning 1,000 (One-Thousand) – Sometimes as 1,024.
Link
A hypertext connection that can take you to another document or another part of the same document. A graphic or block of text in a web page that the user can activate by clicking to make something happen. Links appear as texts or pictures that are highlighted and show a hand when the cursor is placed over them. For example, clicking on links can move the user to a different part of the server, send them to another Web page, start a program, or download a file.
Linux
Snoopy character and freeware version of UNIX operating system.
List Server
Relative of Listserv. Email mailing program that maintains subscriber list and distributes list posting to those subscribers.
ListProc
Like Listserv, a list server program that handles mailing lists.
Listserv
A program that automatically manages a mailing list.
Log on
The act of accessing a computer system by typing a required ID or username and password. Can also be described by other terms such as log in , sign on, or sign in.
Lurking
Looking without declaring your presence. Reading a newsgroup without posting to it. Lurking is OK – but flaming is NOT.
Lynx
Character-based Internet browser. Fast but no pictures or graphics.
MacBinary
A file encoding system used by Macintosh users.
MacTCP
TCP/IP for the Macintosh. Requires newer Open Transport for access to Internet.
Mailbombing
Sending someone vast amounts of unwanted email. Remote mail-bombing is subscribing people to lots of mailing lists against their will so that their e-mail boxes fill up with unwanted list posting and Spam type emails.
Mailbot
A program that automatically answers email.
Mailing List
An online discussion group in which members share news and information about a particular topic of interest through the use of broadcasted email messages.
Mail Server
A computer on the Internet that provides mail services for mail clients.
Majordomo
Like Listserv, a list server program that handles mailing lists.
Mega
Prefix meaning 1,000,000 (one million)
Mil
When these
letters appear as the last part of an Internet address or domain name, it
indicates that the host computer is run by some part of the
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)
A standard for designating how various types of files are to be treated online. Used mostly to send pictures, word processing files, and other non text information through email.
Mirror
Mirror mirror on the wall, an FTP or Web server that provides copies of the same files as another server. Mirrors spread out the load for some of the more popular FTP and Web sites such as Yahoo which gets over 1,000,000 “hits” per day.
MLM
Mailing List Manger (See list server)
Modem
Modulator - Demodulator. A devide that allows a computer to talk to other computers using a phone line.
Moderated Mailing List
Mailing list run by a moderator or person “in charge” of the list.
Moderator
Person who looks at the messages posted to a mailing list or newsgroup before releasing them to the public. The moderator is able to eliminate or not post inappropriate messages.
MP3
One type of computer file that contains CD quality music that you can download from the Internet and then play offline.
MPEG
Moving Picture Experts Group, a type of video file format found on Internet.
MultiMedia
Description of systems capable of displaying or playing text, pictures, sound, video, and animation.
Navigator
Also known as Netscape, this is the name given to Netscape Communications Corporation’s browser.
Net
A network (except when capitalized at which time it refers to the entire Internet) of computers connected together.
Netiquette
Abbreviated combination of two words, Network and Etiquette. This term describes the code of proper conduct on the internet.
NetMeeting
A voice and video conferencing client included in the Internet Explorer package or suite.
Netscape
Also known as Netscape Navigator. See Navigator above.
Network
A set of computers interconnected so that they can communicate with each other and share information. Connected networks together form an internetwork.
Network computer
Computer that lacks a hard disk and gets all of its information over a computer network such as the Internet
Newbie
A newcomer to the Internet. Also known as clueless newbie.
Newsgroup
Internet resource through which people post and read messages related to a specific topic of interest. Topic area in the Usenet news system. For a description of Usenet newsgroups, go to the following URL: net.gurus.com/usenet
Newsreader
A client program for reading and posting messages on newsgroups, allowing you to read and respond to messages in Usenet newsgroups.
News Server
A computer on the Internet that receives Usenet newsgroups and holds them so you can read them.
Nicknames
In IRC, the name by which you identify yourself when your chatting. Synonymous with screen name and/or handle.
Offline
Not connected to a network.
Online
Connected to a network.
Online Service
A company such as America Online or Compuserve that offers subscribers unique content available only on their servers in addition to normal Internet access.
Org
When these
letters appear as the last part of an email address or URL, it indicates that
the host computer is probably run by a non- commercial organization, usually in
the
Outbox
A term used in some email programs to describe a folder where outgoing messages are stored temporarily until a user is ready to mail or send them to the designated recipient.
Packet
A chunk of information sent over a network. Each packet contains the address from which it originates and to which it is going.
Page
A document or hunk of information available by way of the Internet. A page may contain text, graphics, sounds, videos, etc.
Pane
(See Frame)
Password
A secret code, known only to the user. A password is often used to allow the user access to a computer that is protected by some type of security system. Picking a password is important and never sharing it is even more important.
PDF File
A method for distributing formatted documents over the Internet. You may obtain a free copy of a reader program called Acrobat from: www.adobe.com/acrobat
Pine
A popular UNIX based mail program.
Sending a short message to which another computer automatically responds.
Plug-in
A program that increases or enhances the capabilities of a Web browser.
Portal
Doorway. Also a Web page that is designed to serve as a popular starting point for Web surfing.
POP
Port Number
An identifying number assigned to each program that is chatting on the Net. You probably won’t have to do anything about these as the Internet programs work this stuff out amongst themselves.
Posting
An article published on or submitted to a mailing list ore Usenet newsgroup.
Protocol
The “rules of the road” for computers. These are the rules that computers rely on to communicate amongst themselves.
PPP (Point to Point Protocol)
One type of communications protocol that enables a dialup IP connection. This is the way most Internet accounts let computers communicate with the Internet over a phone line. The way most Internet accounts let your computer communicate with the Internet over a phone line is called PPP.
Public Key Cryptography
A method for sending secret messages whereby you get two keys: A public key you give out freely so people can send you coded messages and your own private key (or decoder ring) that decodes them for you.
QuickTime
A video and multimedia file format widely used on the Net: invented by Apple Computer.
RealAudio
A popular streaming audio file format that lets you listen to programs over the Net. You can get a free player plug-in at www.real.com
Router
A computer that connects two or more networks.
Search engine
A program that is used to search for things on the Internet.
Search Tool
Seek and ye shall find. A Web page that provides tools for finding specific information or sites on the Internet.
The place on the back of your computer where you plug in your modem, also called a communications port or comm port.
Server
Takes your order in a restaurant. Also, a networked computer that provides a particular type of information to users or performs a particular function.
Shareware
Software programs that users are permitted to acquire and evaluate for free. Shareware is different from freeware in that if you plan to use it, you are expected to send a fee to the programmer who spent hundreds of sleepless nights developing it.
Shockwave
A program for viewing interactive multimedia on the Web. This plug-in is available from the following URL: www.shockwave.com
Shortcut
See favorite and/or bookmark
Shorthand
A system of letter abbreviations used to efficiently express certain ideas in email messages, newsgroup posting, Internet Relaty Chat sessions, etc. For example, IMO means “in my opinion” and BTW means “by the way.”
S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension)
An extension to MIME that includes encryption to keep mail confidential and authentication to prove who sent a message.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
The method by which most Internet mail is delivered from one computer to another. An SMTP server is the computer that receives incoming email.
Socket
On a UNIX or Windows operating system, a logical “port” a program uses to connect to another program running on another computer on the Internet.
Spam
Canned meat. Also mass email material which generally isn’t worth the Internet time it takes to delete it. Also known as “junque mail” and other not so pretty terms.
Spider
Inspirational
character for “
SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
A Web-based technology that lets one computer verify another’s identity and allow secure connections, used by secure Web servers.
Streaming audio/video
The capability of multimedia to begin playback as the file is being downloaded. For example, you can listen to sports events or talk shows live, in “real time.” RealAudio can be obtained from the following URL: www.real.com
Stuffit
A file compression program that runs on Macintosh computers. Stuffit creates a SIT file that contains compressed versions of one or more files. To restore these files to their former size and shape, you use UnStuffit.
Surfing
Wandering around the Web looking for interesting stuff.
T1 Line
A telecommunications standard that carries 24 voice calls or data at 1.544 million BPS over a pair of telephone lines. (Read “tee-one” line)
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
The fundamental Internet-working protocol that makes the Internet work.
Telnet
A program for accessing other computers on the Internet
and for using the resources that are contained there. Telnet is a way of
logging into remote computers, usually via the Internet. This is similar to
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and a “menu-oriented” way of surfing the net.
Think of it as a “virtual terminal”
Text File
A file that contains only textual characters with no special formatting, graphics, clips, video, or anything else. Just text! Sometimes known as ASCII or ASCII Text or Rich Text Format.
Thread
A series of newsgroup articles all dealing with the same topic. Someone replies to an article and then someone else replies to that reply and so on.
Top Level Domain (TLD)
See zone below.
UNIX
Operating system (Windows and Macintosh OS are also Operating Systems) which is used on many computers on the Net.
Upload
Transferring a file to a host computer from your own computer. The opposite of download. Not to be confused with overload which is a mode in which many computer users often find themselves.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. A method of standardizing the addresses of different types of Internet resources so they can all be easily accessed from a Web browser.
USB
Universal Serial Bus – A port for connecting peripherals to the CPU.
“Plug and Play” Drive the size of an automobile remote that is used to save data. Size ranges from 32 MB to 1 Gig.
Usenet
A system of thousands of newsgroups. (See net.gurus.come/usenet for descriptions.)
Username
“Handle” or name used by computer users. Used with a password to gain access to a computer. Each user in a network has a username and password for accessing the provider’s Internet service.
Viewer
A program to show you files that contain “stuff” other than text.
Virtual Reality
A 3-D visual computer simulation that responds to your input so realistically that you feel you are inside another world
VRML
A language used for building virtual reality pages on the Web.
Wave File
A popular windows format for sound files found on the net. ( extension: .wav)
Web
See World Wide Web
Web Page
A document available on the Internet.
WebTV
An online Internet service that includes hardware you connect to your TV.
Web Email
A method of sending and receiving email that is used through a browser riather than an email client program.
Web Page
A document stored on a Web server, typically in the file format HTML (.htm or.html). Web pages are retrieved from servers and displayed by Web browsers.
Web Site
A collection of WWW documents, usually consisting of a home or top page and several or many related pages.
Winsock
A standard way for Windows programs to work with TCP/IP.
Wireless Modem
Most often used in portable computers and are used to connect to the Internet without using a phone line. A wireless modem is used in the same way as a cellular modem but uses radio communications or another medium instead of cellular telephone networks for communications.
WWW (World Wide Web)
A hypermedia system that lets you browse through lots of interesting from around the world.
WinZip
A file-compression system that runs under Windows.
Yahoo
A Web site that provides a subject oriented guide to the Internet. (www.yahoo.com)
Zip file
See Compression above.
Zone
The latter part of an Internet host name. A zone that contains no dots is also called a Top Level Domain. If the zone is two letters long, it is the country code in which the organization that owns the computer is located. If the zone is three letters long, it is a code indicating the type of organization that owns the computer.
WYSIWYG
Refers to what is seen on the computer monitor. Short for “What you see is what you get.”