Glossary of Terms

ACCESS PROVIDER: Company that provides Internet connections. Also known as an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

ACTIVE X: A Microsoft concept that allows a program to run inside a web page.

ADDRESS: The unique location of an information site on the Internet, a specific file (for example, a Web page), or an email user.

ADSL: Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line. Broadband (fast connection) through a telephone line.

AOL: America Online. Huge Access Provider/ Online Service.

ATTACHMENT: A file that is ‘attached’ or included with an e –mail or other form of message.

BANDWIDTH: Refers to the size of the pipeline that carries data around the Internet. If you increase bandwidth more data can flow around at any one time.

BINARY FILE: Any file that contains more than plain text, such as a program.

BINARY NEWSGROUP: Usenet group that is specifically meant for posting binary files.

BOOKMARK: A saved link to a Web site that has been added to a list of saved links so that you can simply click on it rather than having to retype the address when visiting the site again. Another name for bookmarks is favourites.

BOOT UP: Start a computer.

BOUNCED MAIL: Email returned to the sender.

BPS: Bits per second. The rate at which data is transferred between two modems. A bit is the basic unit of data.

BROADBAND: High-speed Internet access.

BROWSER: Program that allows you to view web pages. The two most popular browsers are Netscape and Internet Explorer (by Microsoft).

BUFFER: Temporary data storage.

CACHE: Temporary storage space. Browsers can store copies of recently visited web pages in the cache. This is called Temporary Internet Files in Internet Explorer.

CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory): A computer disk that can store large amounts of information and is generally used on computers with CD-ROM drives.

CHAT ROOM: A location on an online service that allows users to communicate with each other about an agreed-upon topic in "real time" (or "live"), as opposed to delayed time as with email.

CLIENT: Program that accesses information across a network, such as a Web browser or newsreader.

CRACK: Break a program’s security system or fake a user ID.

CRASH: When a program or operating system fails to respond to commands or causes other programs to malfunction.  

CYBERSPACE: Phrase first used by the science fiction writer William Gibson to describe the virtual world that exists between computers, telecommunications systems and digital media.

DEFAULT: The standard settings.

DNS: Domain Name System. The system that locates and identifies the numerical IP address corresponding to a host name.

DOMAIN: Part of the DNS name that specifies details about the host, such as its location and nature of entity (.com – commercial, .gov.uk – government).

DOWNLOAD: To copy a file from one computer system to another. From the Internet user's point of view, to download a file is to request it from another computer (or from a Web page on another computer) and to receive it.

DRIVER: Small program that acts as a communicator between two devices, or a device and a program.

EMAIL (Electronic Mail): A way of sending messages electronically from one computer to another, generally through a modem and telephone line connected to a computer.

EMAIL ADDRESS: The unique and private Internet address to which your email is sent. The address will take the form of user@host.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions. Document that appears on many web sites that answers the most commonly asked questions regarding a particular topic.

FILE: Anything stored on a computer, such as a program, image or document.

FIREWALL: A network security system used to restrict external and internal traffic.

FREENET: A community network that provides free online access, usually to local residents, and often includes its own forums and news.

FTP: File Transfer Protocol. Standard method of moving files across the Internet.

GIF: Graphic Image File Format. A typical type of image file used in web pages.

GOOGLE: A huge Internet search engine/ directory. This one is the one behind Yahoo. www.google.com

HACKER: Someone who breaks through computer security systems. A cracker is a criminal hacker.

HARDWARE: A term for the nuts, bolts, and wires of computer equipment and the actual computer and related machines.

HOME PAGE: The site that is the starting point on the World Wide Web for a particular group or organization. (The first page you visit when you enter the Internet).

HOST: Computer that offers services to networked users.

HTML: Hypertext Markup Language. The language used to create web documents.

HYPERTEXT LINKS: The ‘clickable’ links that connect between different pages on the Web. Also known as ‘hot-spots’.

HYPERTEXT TRANSFER PROTOCOL: (HTTP) A standard used by World Wide Web servers to provide rules for moving text, images, sound, video, and other multimedia files across the Internet.

ICON: A small picture on a Web page that represents the topic or information category of another Web page. Frequently, the icon is a hypertext link to that page.

IMAGE MAP: A Web image that contains several links. Where you link to is dependent on which part of the image you click on.

IMAP: Internet Message Access Protocol. Standard e mail access program which is superior to POP3.

INSTANT MESSAGING: ‘Real-time’ chat between two computers where messages are sent to each other instantly. Providers include MSN, ICQ and AOL.

INTERNET: A worldwide collection of computer networks that allows people to find and use information and communicate with others.

INTERNET EXPLORER: The Microsoft Web Browser.

IP: Internet Protocol. The most important protocol upon which the Internet is based. Defines how packets of data travel from their source to their destination.

IP ADDRESS: Every computer connected to the Internet has an IP address (written in numerical dotted format), which corresponds to its domain name. Domain name servers convert one to the other.

ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network. International digital communications standard over telephone lines. Can operate at either 64 or 128 kbps.

ISP (Internet Service Provider): A generic term for any company that can connect you directly to the Internet.

JAVA: Programming language.

JPG/ JPEG: Graphic image file format. Web designers prefer to use this format due to its high compression, which reduces the size of the file, and thus the time it takes to transfer the file.

LAN: Local Area Network. Computer network that covers a small area such as an office.

LEASED LINE: A dedicated connection between two points.

LINK: Links appear both in hypertext and on the web. They are really a reference to a further document whereby if you click on the link that document will be displayed.

LINUX: A freely distributed implementation of the UNIX operating system.

LOG ON/ LOG IN: Connect to a computer terminal.

LYCOS: An established web search service/ web site.

MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Used by the electronic music industry to control devices such as sound cards and synthesizers. 

MIME: Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. Used for the transfer of binary e mail attachments.

MIRROR/ MIRROR-SITE: A replica site set up to share traffic.

MODEM: Modulator/ Demodulator. A device that allows computers to communicate with each other over telephone lines or other delivery systems by changing digital signals to telephone signals for transmission and then back to digital signals. Modems come in different speeds: the higher the speed, the faster the data is transmitted.

MOUSE: A small device attached to the computer by a cord, which lets you give commands to the computer. The mouse controls an arrow on the computer screen and allows you to point and click to make selections.

MP3: A compressed music format.

MPEG/MPG: A compressed video file format.

NAME SERVER: Host that translates domain names into IP addresses.

NET (THE): The Internet.

NETIQUETTE: Rules or manners for interacting courteously with others online (such as not typing a message in all capital letters, which is equivalent to shouting).

NETSCAPE: Web browser program. (and name of company).

NEWSGROUPS: Usenet message areas, or discussion groups, organised by subject.

NODE: Any device connected to a network.

ONLINE SERVICE: A company such as America Online (AOL) that provides access to the Internet through its own special user interface as well as additional services such as chat rooms, children's areas, travel planning, and financial management.

PACKET: Unit of data. During data transfer, information is broken down into packets, which then travel independently through the Internet. A packet will typically include the source and destination address, an identifier and a segment of data.

PACKET LOSS: The failure to transfer units of data between nodes on a network. A high percentage of packet loss would make transfers slow or impossible.

PATCH: An upgrade to existing software, typically available over the Internet and free of charge (normally).

PING: An echo trace sent between devices that tests if a connection is working and an host is available.

PLATFORM: A generic term for a computer operating system. Examples are Windows, Mac OS and Linux.

PLUG-IN: A program that fits into another one.

POP 3: Post Office Protocol. An Email protocol that allows you to pick up your mail from anywhere on the Internet.

POPs: Points of Presence. An ISP’s range of local area dial-up points.

PORTAL: a generic term meaning a web site that specialises in leading you to other web sites.

POST: Refers to ‘posting a message’, meaning to send a public message to an USENET group.

PPP: Point-to-Point Protocol. The protocol that allows you to connect to the Internet via a modem. Every time you log on, you are allocated a temporary or static (permanent) IP address.

PROTOCOL: A method by which two network devices communicate with each other.

PROXY SERVER: Typically sits between a real server and a Web browser. Its purpose is to improve performance by delivering previously stored pages. It also acts as a filter against the more ‘undesirable’ material available.

REAL (REALAUDIO): A standard format for streaming compressed audio over the Internet. Necessary software available at www.real.com

SEARCH ENGINE: A program that searches a database for information on the Internet. The search is dependent on the keywords you enter into the program.

SERVER: A computer available on a network that makes services available to other nodes.

SIGNATURE (FILE): A personal footer that can be added to every e-mail you send.

SMTP: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. An Internet protocol for transporting email.

SOFTWARE: A computer program or set of instructions. System software operates on the machine itself and is invisible to you. Application software allows you to carry out certain activities, such as word processing, games, and spreadsheets.

SPAM: The online equivalent of junk mail sent out indiscriminately.

STREAMING: Audio file delivered in real time over the Internet, instead of waiting for the entire file to be delivered before you can access it.

SURF: To surf is to jump from page to page on the Internet by following the links that each page or web site provides.

TCP/ IP: Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol. These protocols drive the Internet.

TELCO: Telephone Company.

TELNET: Internet protocol that allows you to log on to a remote computer and act as a dumb terminal.

TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES: The name given by Internet Explorer to its cache of stored web pages.

TROJAN (HORSE): A program concealed within your computer that is malicious and hides its true intent. A type of virus.

UNIX: Computer Operating system used by most of the ISPs and universities.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The World Wide Web address of a site on the Internet. For example, the URL for Infomat.net is http://www.infomat.net

USENET NEWSGROUPS: A system of thousands of special interest groups to which readers can send or "post" messages; these messages are then distributed to other computers on the network. Usenet registers newsgroups, which are available through Internet Service Providers.

VIRUS: A piece of programming code inserted into other programming to cause some unexpected and usually undesirable event, such as lost or damaged files. Viruses can be transmitted by downloading programming from other sites or be present on a diskette. The source of the file you're downloading or of a diskette you've received is often unaware of the virus. The virus lies dormant until circumstances cause its code to be executed by the computer.

WAP: Wireless Application Protocol. Standard interface between the Internet and mobile phones.

WAREZ: name given to pirated software.

WEB BROWSER: A software program that lets you find, see, and hear material on the World Wide Web, including text, graphics, sound, and video. Popular browsers are Netscape, and Internet Explorer. Most online services have their own browsers.

WORLD WIDE WEB (Web or WWW): A hypertext-based system that allows you to browse through a variety of linked Internet resources organized by colourful, graphics-oriented home pages.

YAHOO: One of the most popular directories on the Internet. www.yahoo.com