Computer and Internet Glossary

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BACKBONE – A high speed network connecting smaller independent networks.

 BANNER – A box or bar often at the top of a home page that frequently contains advertising. Often there is a clickable area linked to a web page or web site containing more information.

 BAUD RATE – The speed at which a modem operates (14.400, 28.800, or 56,000 Baud). 

.BMP – Bitmap – A file extension that is used for graphics files. 

BOOKMARK – A personal list of Internet addresses (URL’s) which allows users to save addresses of sites of interest and to access the sites with mouse clicks instead of re-typing the address. 

BOOLEAAN SEARCH – An Internet search using operators from Booleaan Logic such as: And, Or, Not, Near. 

BROWSER – A program such as Netscape or Internet Explorer that makes surfing the Internet possible by displaying documents written in HTML code. 

CACHE – A temporary storage function performed by a browser that stores data from web sites visited. When a site is re-visited it is loaded from the cache first for faster viewing. 

CASE SENSITIVE – Some Internet operations will not function when upper and lower case are used. 

CHAT ROOMS – Areas on the Internet were people of similar interests gather and interact in real time. 

COMPRESSION – A method of compressing data to occupy less space in a file or on a disk. The process will allow for faster up and download times and allow more data to be stored in the same disk space. 

COOKIE – Software routine that tracks web pages and data already views by a user. 

DNS – Domain Name System – is a method for translating Internet addresses from numbers, which machines recognize, in to letters or words, which humans recognize as user names and their locations on the Internet. The first part of a URL. 

EMAIL – Messages sent between users electronically over the Internet. 

E-COMMERCE – Selling goods and services over the Internet as opposed to selling them in the real world, which is bricks and mortar commerce in the language of the Internet. 

FRAMES – A method of dividing web page displays into separate areas on a computer screen. 

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions – An area on web sites or in Newgroups where the answers to often-asked questions are compiled. 

FREEWARE – Free software that may be used without permission of the author, also referred to as shareware.

FTP – File Transfer Protocol – Both a system which defines how files are transferred between computers and an applications program that moves files. 

.GIF – A file extension used for graphics or photographic files.  

GUI – Graphic User Interface.

HITS – The number of times that users have accessed or requested access to an Internet page. 

HOMEPAGE – The first document in a web site. 

HOT SPOTS – Words or images displayed by your browser that are underlined, highlighted or a different color which are links to other documents containing information related to the topic. By clicking with your mouse you will be connected to the next document. 

HTML – Hyper Text Markup Language – A system of codes used in hypertext documents to define the nature and relationship of components of files. 

HTTP – Hyper Text Transfer Protocol – A system of messages and replies between client and server computers which enable them to communicate and transfer data during a hypertext link.  

HYPERTEXT – A document containing links to other documents. Mouse clicking on highlighted text or graphics will display another related document. 

INTERNET – A world-wide system linking small groups of computers or local area networks. Also known as The Net, The Web or The World Wide Web. 

IP – Internet Protocol – A standard describing the way that data packets are transferred through the Internet. A method for computers to recognize incoming messages as such.

IP ADDRESS – Each computer on the Internet has a unique address to enable other computers to communicate with it. 

IRC – Internet Relay Chat – Software which permits conversations online in real-time via keyboard as in Chat Rooms. 

ISP – Internet Service Provider – A company or individual whose product is access to the Internet. 

.JPG – A file extension used for photos. 

LINK – The connection between hypertext documents. 

META-SEARCH ENGINES – A program on the Internet that looks for stored data by key words. AltaVista, Yahoo!, or Excite are examples of Meta-search engines.    

MODEM – Modulator or Emodulator – An internal or external computer component that digitizes pulses to permit the transfer of data over telephone lines.

 NETSCAPE – An Internet browser. 

NEWBIE – A new user to the Internet , a Bulletin Board, Newsgroup or web site. 

NEWSGROUP – A conference area or forum where users can post messages, usually on a single topic. 

PING – Packet Internet Grouper – This TCP/IP utility can determine if a computer is connected to the Internet by sending packets of information. 

PLUG-IN – Programs that enhance the capacity of browsers. Listening to music and viewing movies are two functions of these programs which can often be downloaded free. 

PORTALS – A sort of reception room to help users find their way on the Internet.    

POSTING – A note sent to a Newsgroup, designated area on a web site or to a Bulletin Board Server. 

PROVIDER – A company offering dial up access to the Internet. Also known as Internet Service Provider (ISP). 

QUERY – A search command in a data base program.  

ROUTER – Software and/ or hardware connected between local computer networks to direct the flow of data. 

SCROLL BAR – A movable bar at one side or the bottom of the screen that can is operated with the mouse to look at other parts of the display. 

SIGNATURE – A way to close an email message. Signature cards can contain the name and title of the person originating the message, the company they work for, phone and fax numbers and an advertisement or motto.  

SLIP – Serial Line Internet Protocol – A convention that permits computers to participate in the Internet through a modem and telephone line. SLIP is common but is being replaced by PPP. 

SMTP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol – This system defines how email is transferred between email servers and users. 

TCP/IP – Transmission control Protocol/ Internet Protocol – A collection of rules that allow computers to speak the same language while on the Internet or communicating with other computer networks. 

URL – Uniform Resource Locator – The address of any document on the Internet. 

USENET – A public network containing Newsgroups. There are thousands of separate groups organized by topic on USENET. 

WAV – A file extension used on audio files. 

WEBSITE – Documents or files usually stored on the same server and containing related information about a company, organization individual. 

WORLDWIDE WEB – WWW – A part of the Internet that allows users to access web sites with graphic based information, audio, video and picture files.