Online Glossary

A

ADSL
An acronym for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, ADSL is a method of transmitting data over traditional copper telephone lines at speeds higher than were previously possible. Data can be downloaded at speeds of up to 1.544 Megabits per second and uploaded at speeds of 128 Kilobits per second. (That's why it's termed asymmetric.) This technology is well suited to the Web, where much more data is sent from a server to your computer than you send to the server.

Alias
A nickname that refers to a person or group of people on a network. For example, the mailing-list named NETGLOS is an alias for all the e-mail addresses on the NETGLOS subscribers' list at coopnet.org. Whenever an e-mail message is sent to netglos@coopnet.org, it will automatically be forwarded to all the people on the mailing-list. Similarly, the address "webmaster@widgets.com" usually found on WWW sites, is an alias for the person responsible for maintaining that site. All e-mail sent to this address will be routed accordingly.

Anonymous FTP
SeeFTP

Archive
A collection of files stored on a computer network - often retrievable by FTP

ASCII
ASCII is an acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a 7-bit code that represents the most basic letters of the Roman alphabet, numbers, and other characters used in computing. ASCII characters allow us to communicate with computers, which use their own language called binary made up of 0s and 1s. When we type ASCII characters from the keyboard (which looks like words to us), the computer interprets them as binary so they can be read, manipulated, stored and retrieved. ASCII files are called text files.

Authentication
A security measure for checking a network user's identity.

B

Backbone
A backbone is a high-speed line or series of connections that forms a major pathway within a network. The Internet's high speed data highways that serve as major access points to which other networks connect. For example, NSFNET was the backbone of the Internet for many years.

Bandwidth
See Network. Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can travel a communications path in a given time, usually measured in seconds. If you think of the communications path as a pipe, then bandwidth represents the width of the pipe that determines how much data can flow through it all at once. Bandwidth is usually measured in bits-per-second (bps).

BBS
This is the acronym for Bulletin Board System, a system that lets people read each other's messages and post new ones. The Usenet is, in effect, the world's largest distributed BBS. Typically, the term BBS is used to describe private systems run by individuals that often require membership.

Bookmark
A feature of most Web browsers. You can save frequently accessed links in a bookmark file, rather than have to look up the URL each time.

Bps
This is an abbreviation for bits per second and a measurement of how fast data is transmitted. Bps is usually used to describe modem speeds or the speed of a digital connection.
See ISDN, T1 Line and T3 Line.

Browser
A browser is a software program that allows you to view and interact with various kinds of Internet resources available on the World Wide Web. A browser is commonly called a web browser.

Bullet
In HTML, a bullet is a large dot used to separate listed items on a WWW page

C

Cache
When you download a web page, the data is "cached," meaning it is temporarily stored on your computer. The next time you want that page, instead of requesting the file from the web server, your web browser just accesses it from the cache, so the page loads quickly. But if the web page is updated frequently, as are pages with news, sports scores or financial data, you won't see the most current information. Use the Reload button on your browser to download fresh data from the server.

CGI
An acronym for Common Gateway Interface, CGI is an interface program that enables an Internet server to run external programs to perform a specific function. Also referred to as gateways or CGI "scripts," these programs generally consist of a set of instructions written in a programming language like C or PERL that process requests from a browser, execute a program and format the results in HTML so they can be displayed in the browser. Gateway scripts are commonly used to add interactivity to a web page by allowing users to do things like fill out and submit forms for processing (as in an order form for an online catalog); query databases by submitting search requests; and register or gain access to password-protected areas of a site. CGI scripts are also used to implement a variety of tracking and measurement systems on a website.

Checkbox
In HTML, a way to allow the user to interact with the material on a web page by clicking on a box or other input element.

Clickable image map
A map or graphic where certain parts of it are associated with different hyperlinks. For example, users can click on cities on a map of a country and bring up linked pictures and other information about each place. For example, Honolulu Community College has developed an interactive campus map that lets you get information about each building, its hours of services, etc.

Client
A remote computer connected to a host or server computer. Also refers to the software that makes this connection possible.

Cookie
A cookie is a file sent to a web browser by a web server that is used to record one's activities on a website. For instance, when you buy items from a site and place them in a so-called virtual shopping cart, that information is stored in the cookie. When the browser requests additional files, the cookie information is sent back to the server. Cookies can remember other kinds of personal information, such as your password, so you don't have to re-enter it each time you visit the site; and your preferences, so the next time you return to a site, you can be presented with customized information. Some people regard cookies as an invasion of privacy; others think they are a harmless way to make websites more personal.
Most cookies have an expiration date and either reside in your computer's memory until you close your browser or saved to your hard drive. By the way, cookies cannot read information stored in your computer.

You can use a text editor to view cookie files. For Windows users of Netscape Navigator, the file is called cookies.txt and is located in the the same folder as Netscape. Macintosh users can find it in the Netscape folder in the System/Preferences folder. Internet Explorer creates separate files for each cookie and stores them in folders named Cookies or Temporary Internet Files.

Cross-post
To post a message to several newsgroups simultaneously - an action usually frowned on in Internet culture

Cyberspace
A term coined by author William Gibson in his novel "Neuromancer". Cyberspace is currently used to refer to the digital world constructed by computer networks, in particular the Internet

D

Database front end
In the context of the Internet, this is an interface which integrates WWW applications with sophisticated database programs.

Data traffic
The number of TCP/IP packets traversing a network.

Dial-up account
A basic type of Internet account that allows you to to dial-up a provider'scomputer with a modem. These types of accounts usually have a UNIX or other command-line interface.

Directory
A directory is a system that your computer uses to organize files on the basis of specific information. Directories can be organized hierarchically so that files appear in a number of different ways, such as the order in which they were created, alphabetically by name or by type, and other ways.

Dedicated line
A telecommunications line that lets your computer have a direct, permanent connection to the Internet

Domain name
The address that identifies an Internet site. Domain Names consist of at least 2 parts. The part on the left is the name of the company, institution, or other organization. The part on the right identifies the highest subdomain. This can be a country, such as ca for Canada, fr for France, or the type of organization: com for commercial; edu for educational, etc. The IP address is translated into the domain name by the DNS

DNS
Domain Name System --- A database system that translates an IP address into a domain name. For example, a numeric address like 205.206.106.50 is converted into wwli.com.

Download
To transfer files from one computer to another. The most common way of doing this on the Internet is by FTP

E

E-mail (electronic mail)
A way of sending messages on computers attached to local or global networks.

Electronic mall
A virtual shopping mall where you can browse and buy products and services online. Usually built with a shopping cart likeMiva Merchant.

Electronic storefront
A virtual space in an electronic mall. This consists of space on a server (usually at a web site) where html documents are stored.

Embedded hyperlink
A hyperlink that is incorporated into a line of text.

Emoticon
A symbol to compensate for the absence of nonverbal clues when commicating on the Internet For example signifies a "grin", :} or :-} a "smile", when inserted in the text of an e-mail message and alerts the reader not to take it seriously.

Encryption
A way of making data unreadable to everyone except the receiver. An increasingly common way of sending credit card numbers over the Internet when conducting commercial transactions.

F

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - a list of the most common questions posted on a newsgroup

Feedback form
Sections of html documents that accept user input. You can usually input comments, order products, or search for information with these forms.

File Permissions
When you place files on a UNIX system, you can assign the files various levels of permission, specifying who can access them, and what type of access they can have. The permission levels regarding who can access files are: owner (the person who created the files), group (such as a group of individuals specifically identified, or global (anyone). The type of access can be set to permit the users to read (look at the contents and copy it), write (edit or change the contents, rename and/or move the files), or execute (run a file as a UNIX program).

Finger
An Internet software tool that helps you find people on other sites.

Firewall
The computer file system of a site's inner network that is protected against unauthorized access by Internet users

Flame
An angry remark or message on a newsgroup or mailing list, often aimed at a user who has violated netiquette in some way.

Form support
Not all browsers, nor all servers can handle the use of forms where the reader can give input, for instance his address, or a question. Browsers and servers that allow this, do have form support.

Freenet
An organization committed to making Internet Access available to the general public for free or for a small contribution.

Freeware
Free software available on the Internet that can be redistributed.

FTP
(File Transfer Protocol) -- A way of moving files across networks. With FTP you can login to another Internet site and download or send files. Some sites have public file archives that you can access by using FTP with the account name "anonymous" and your e-mail address as password. This type of access is called anonymous ftp

G

Gateway
A computer system for exchanging information across incompatible networks that use different protocols. For example, many commercial services have e-mail gateways for sending messages to Internet addresses.

H

Hit
In the context of the WWW, it refers to the act of accessing an html document on a server.

Home page
The first page on a Web site that acts as the starting point for navigation.

Host
A computer that acts as a server.

Hotlist
A list of frequently accessed URLs

Hotspot
A place in a document that contains an embedded hyperlink.

HTML
Hypertext Markup Language - the coded format used to create WWW documents. html commands control how a piece of text will appear. Files in html format are viewed with a World Wide Web Client program.

Hyperlink
These are links in HTML documents that you can click on to go to other Web resources.

Hypermedia
The multimedia links on the Web that lead to sound, graphics, video, or text resources

Hypertext
A term coined by Ted Nelson to refer to a nonlinear system of information browsing and retrieval that contains associative links to other related documents. Hypertext is the basic organizing principle of the WWW

I

Information packet
A bundle of data sent over a network. The protocol used determines the size and makeup of the packet.

Inline image
A built-in graphic that is displayed by the browser as part of an HTMLdocument and is retrieved along with it.

Internet
A global collection of computer networks that exchange information by theTCP/IP suite of networking protocols

Internet account
An account with an ISP that allows you to access the Internet

IP address
The Internet Protocol address - the numeric address that is translated into a domain name by the DNS

IRC
An acronym for Internet Relay Chat, IRC is a program that allows you to carry on "live" conversations with people all over the world by typing messages back and forth across the Internet. You can talk in groups or in private with only one person. IRC consists of "channels," that are usually devoted to specific topics. Anyone can create a "channel" and any message typed in a given channel is seen by all others in the channel.

ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network -- Digital telecommunications lines with 2 channels that can yield a combined capacity of 128 kbps.

Internet service provider
A company that provides various kinds of Internet accounts to organizations and individuals.

L

Leased line
Refers to a dedicated phone line that is rented for exclusive 24-hour, 7-days-a-week use from your location to another location. The highest speed data connections require a leased line.

Load
On the WWW, HTMLdocuments and graphics are loaded into the browser whenever an URL is accessed.

Log file
A file that keeps track of network connections.

Login
The account name used to access a computer system or, used as a verb, the act of typing your username and password on a terminal.

Logon
The process of connecting to a network or remote system.

Logoff
To disconnect from a network or remote system.

Logout
To type logout, or a similar word (e.g. "exit", "quit". etc.) in order to disconnect from a network.

M

Mail-bomb
The flooding of an e-mail address with (usually angry) messages.

Mailbot
An e-mail server that automatically responds to requests for information.

Mail-filter
A program that allows a user to sort e-mail messages according to information contained in the header.

Mailing-list
A discussion forum where participants subscribe to a list and receive messages by e-mail.

MIME
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions - an extension to the traditional Internet mail protocol that allows binary, or non-text, files, (i.e. graphics, executables, audio files etc.) to be sent as attachments to regular e-mail messages.

Modem
A device for translating the digital data of computers into analog signals. Two or more computers connected together over phone lines are therefore able to exchange files, and generally communicate with each other.

Moderated mailing-list
A mailing-list where messages are first sent to the list owner before they are distributed to all the subscribers.

N

Navigate
To move around on the WWW by following hypertext paths from document to document on different computers.

Netiquette
The rules of etiquette that guide online interaction on the Internet. Brandon University has a netiquette guide for the beginner available from their WWW site.

Netizen
A citizen of the Internet.

Newsfeed
ISPs get their newsgroups from different newsfeeds, or news sources, by transferring them over the Internet, or other networks.

Network
A network is two or more computers connected to each other so they can share resources. The Internet is a "network of networks," whereby anyone -- from an individual at a home with a PC to a large corporate multidepartment system -- can freely and easily exchange information.

Newsgroup
A discussion forum on the Internet similar to that found on local BBSs. There are currently around 15,000 different groups covering a wide range of topics.

Newsreader
Application software for reading and posting articles to newsgroups.

O

Online
When a user is connected to a network, they are described as being online.

P

Password
A secret combinations of letters and other symbols needed to login to a computer system.

Pointer
A link to related resources inserted into a Web page.

PKZIP/PKUNZIP
PKZIP is a software compression utility for the PC. It allows you to compress or "zip" a file or a number of files into one archive file in the Zip file format. PKUNZIP decompresses, or "unzips" the files, and comes as part of the PKZIP package. For Windows users, there is WinZip. Both PKZIP and WinZip are available on many public FTP sites.

Platform
The type of computer or operating system on which a software application runs. For example, some common platforms are PC, Macintosh, Unix, and NeXT.

POP (Post Office Protocol)
Post Office Protocol. This is the protocol used by mail clients to retrieve messages from a mail server.

POP (Point of Presence)
The nearest connection point at which a user may connect to a remote site - usually that of the ISP or telephone company. This is relevant when ordering a dedicated line, since you have to pay for mileage.

Post
Subscribers to newsgroups and mailing lists take part in discussions by sending, or posting their articles or comments online.

Postmaster
An alias on a mail server for administering routing of e-mail.

Preference setting
A set of parameters on software tools, especially WWW browsers, that allows the user to attach a signature file to e-mail or newsgroup messages, change the colour and appearance of text, etc.

Protocol
A specification that describes how computers will talk to each other on a network.

R

Radio button
Used in forms to indicate a list of items. Only one button can be selected at one time.

Real-time chat
This is one use of the Internet that allows live conversation between by typing on a computer terminal. The most common tools are Talk and IRC (International Relay Chat).

Remote login
It is possible to login to a remote computer by using an application program based on TELNET - a terminal emulation protocol made for this purpose. The user can therefore enter commands on a keyboard attached to their local computer and access files etc. on a remote computer that may be located anywhere in the world.

Router
Hardware (or software) that can connects a local network to the Internet. Routers spend all their time looking at the destination addresses of the packets passing through them and deciding which route to send them on.

S

Script
In the context of the WWW, a (gateway) script is a program that runs on a Web server and processes requests based on input from the browser.

Search engine
Programs on the Internet that allow users to search through massive databases of information.

Server
A host computer on a network that answers requests for information from it. The term server is also used to refer to the software that makes the process of serving information possible.

Server-side include
A file, or value of an environmental variable, that is included in an HTML document, so that information such as last date modified, file size, author etc. can be automatically included.

Shareware
Software available for downloading on the Internet that you can try before you buy. Users who want to continue to use the program are expected to pay a registration fee (rarely more than U.S. $100). In return they get documentation, technical support, and any updated versions.

Shell account
A UNIX-based account that allows an indirect, command-line connection to the Internet.

Signature file
A file automatically attached to outgoing e-mail messages and postings to newsgroups.

SLIP/PPP
To connect to the Internet via Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) or Point to Point Protocol (PPP), you need to have TCP/IP software on your computer. When connected by SLIP/PPP , your computer actually becomes another node on the Internet. You can then run popular client software directly. This has an advantage over a shell account where you will have to double download in order to transfer a file by FTP because the data first goes to network and then to a local machine. A paper explaining this process is available from Harry Kriz, called Windows and TCP/IP for Internet Access

SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol - standard protocol on the Internet for delivering e-mail.

Sound player
A browser helper application for playing sound files.

Spamming
To cross-post to newsgroups with no regard for whether or not the subject matter is relevant to that being discussed on the group. Often, these sorts of postings are blatant advertisements with titles such as Make money fast!. The topic is treated in greater detail in this online resource from Brandon University

Subnet mask
A number used to identify a subnetwork so that an IP address can be shared on a LAN (Local Area Network).

Surf
To search for information in the cyberspace reality of the WWW by navigating in a nonlinear way.

T

Tag
Tags are the codes used to format HTML documents for the WWW. There are both single and compound tags. For example, the single code for a line break is <br>, whereas for bold text, there are compound tags that require both an initial and a closing code: <b> </b>

TCP/IP
The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol(IP) are protocols that let different types of computers communicate with each other. The Internet is based on this suite of protocols.

Text-based browser
A browser that cannot handle hypermedia files.

U

Under construction
A term used to describe a WWW site that is still being developed. A small graphic like is often affixed to the pages or parts still being created or modified.

URL
Universal Resource Locator --- An address you use to tell your browser where to find a particular Internet resource. For example, the URL for the WorldWide Language Institute is http://wwli.com.

UNIX
UNIX is the trademarked name of the multiuser, multitasking, time-sharing operating system developed at AT&T's Bell Labs in 1969. Many websites are maintained on UNIX systems. While technically the name UNIX refers to only a few trademark-licensed versions, it is often used to refer to the many versions currently available on the market. The differences to the user are slight.

Username
The name assigned to users of a computer network. By convention, default usernames usually consist of a person's initial(s) plus their family name. For example, if your name is Ricardo Garcia, your username would be rgarcia. Typing your username on the computer screen is part of the login procedure and identifies you to the computer system.

V

Viewer
Most browsers use helper applications, sometimes called "viewers," to display full-size graphics and play sound and video clips. These are separate applications that the browser initiates after it has downloaded the image or clip. These applications generally need to be acquired separately. The most complete collection of these applications is at ftp:// ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu in the /Web/Mosaic/Mac/Helpers, /Web/Mosaic/Unix/viewers and /Web/Mosaic/Windows/viewers directories.

Virtual
An adjective that refers to objects, activities, etc that exist or are carried on in cyberspace. For example, on the WWW you can find virtual or electronic malls and storefronts.

W

What's new
The space on a home page where the latest changes and updates are announced.

Webmaster
The person responsible for administering a Web site.

WinZip
A WinZip is a compression program for Windows that allows you to "zip" and "unzip" Zip files, as well as other standard types of archive files.

WWW
World Wide Web --- A hypermedia-based system for accessing Internet sites by clicking on hyperlinks

 

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