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G L O S S A R Y
Internet Terms
One of the problems, for those who aren't computer literate is all of the buzz
words that are used in regards to the Internet. We have tried to define some of them
in the simplest terms possible.
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
IRC is an ideal way to stay in touch with people that are far away without running up a
large long distance phone bill. It can also be used to hold meetings with people in different
locations at the same time. IRC forces all messages to be seperated so you don't have the problem of
people talking at the same time. It can also automatically produce transcripts of the meeting.
Extensions of this are Internetphone, Netmeeting, Webphone (which let
people talk to each other using a microphone connected to their computer) and CUSEEME
which allows video conferencing by attaching a microphone and inexpensive video camera
(as low as $100 and are included on many systems today) to their computer.
ISDN - (Integrated Services Digital Network) high speed modem that requires
special equipment. This technology is already outdated, but in some areas it may be
the only reasonable alternative to slow dialup phone lines.
The T1
is an older technology than DSL, but is often available in remote locations where DSL isn't. The
cost of a T1 is usually much more than DSL, but can often be justified when shared with voice to
reduce over all cost. T1 tends to be more reliable than DSL.A
ASCII - Pronounced "AsK e" - This is the most basic type of data
that computers store in their files. ASCII includes the alphabet (both upper and lower
case), numbers and punctuation, but not graphics, sound or video.
B
Browser - (see Web Browser)
Byte - A character, such as a letter or number.
C
Cookie - A file placed on your computer so that companies you visit on the web
can keep track of information about your computing habits. Both Netscape and Internet
Explorer have options that will not allow a website to place a cookie on your computer,
but many of these websites will not work properly if you do not allow cookies.
CUSEEME - Pronounced "see you see me"; - The original inexpensive video conferencing
using your computer, the internet, a microphone and a video device (usually about $100).
Cyberspace - Basically means the Internet.
D
Domain - Your name on the Internet. For example our name is AutoClerk, Inc. Our
domain is autoclerk.com.
Download - Copy a file from the Internet to your computer.
DSL - Digital Subscriber Line. Inexpensive high speed internet access that is
available without special wiring. This technology is competing aggressively with cable
modems for the same market. The advantage is that you do not share the high speed access
as you do with a cable modem, but is limited in how far your location can be from the
phone switch.
E
Ecommerce - The doing of business using the internet. This includes selling of products
and services using the internet, and even processing payment using credit cards, cyber cash and
other forms of payment that can be processed on the internet.
Email - The way you send mail to other people on the Internet.
F
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. This is usually a document that explains
a certain part of the Internet, by listing the questions most frequently asked and
providing their answers.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol. This is a type of application on the Internet
(i.e. Email, World Wide Web ... etc.) that allows you to transfer files, such as
research documents, and programs. FTP used to be separate from the WEB, but more
and more web sites have FTP built in so you can copy files to your computer.
Finger - Allows you to access information about someone on the internet. The
finger information tells the Internet address and any information that the individual
has entered for that purpose.
G
Gigabyte - 1024 megabytes (MB). This is a unit of measurement for computer
files and hard disk storage.
Gopher - A search tool for researching information on the internet.
H
Hacker - A person that breaks into computer systems and accounts.
HTML - (Hyper Text Markup Language) Programming language used to create Web pages.
HTTP - This is the beginning part of an internet address (URL). HTTP (Hyper Text Transport Protocol)
indicates that the address refers to a web page.
I
Internet Explorer - One of the most popular programs used on the World Wide
Web. It comes free with new versions of Windows.
IRC - Internet Relay Chat, sometimes refered to as "Chat Rooms". People talk to each
other by typing messages back and forth. This can be done directly to another person,
or in a group mode using channels (sometimes refered to as rooms). Each channel normally
has a theme and a topic. There is usually one or more channel operators to assist
new people and keep order.
ISP - Internet Service Provider. The company that gives you your Internet
account.
J
JAVA - Programming language that can be used with HTML to bring a lot
of new features to the Web.
K
K - (Kilobyte) a unit of measure for files. A letter or number is one byte.
1024 bytes = 1 Kilobyte.
M
MB - Megabyte 1024 kilobytes (K). This is a unit of measurement for computer
files, memory and storage.
Modem - Equipment that connects your computer to a phone line, which allows
you to access the Internet, assuming you have the software (program)
Mosaic - The ancestor to Netscape and Internet Explorer. This was the first major
program that allowed you to view the World Wide Web with graphics and sound.
N
Netmeeting - Video Conferencing program by Microsoft. (See cuseeme).
Netscape - To many, this program is considered to be the best web browser. It is used to view web pages,
displaying text, graphics, video and sound. Netscape is credited with breaking through barriers to where
the average person with no computer skills could still use and enjoy a computer.
Newsgroups - (see Usenet)
O
Online - Connected to the internet, or a person who has internet access.
P
Plugin - Think of it as an add-on. A program that does not come with your web browser (I.e. Netscape or Internet Explorer)
that is then loaded into the browser giving it capabilities it did not have before. Web pages
that require plugins will not operate the way they were designed without them. If you do not have a
plugin and it is needed, you will usually be prompted to have it loaded. You must follow the instructions
in order for your computer to install the plugin properly. One example of a popular plugin is Quicktime
created by Apple that allows hotels to provide for virtual tours of their rooms.
POP - (Point of Presence) Place where your computer dials in to access the
Internet.
PPP - (Point to Point Protocol) PPP/SLIP is the type of Internet account you want.
Q
Quickcam - The first computer video camera to become popular on the internet. This was
mainly used because it was easy to install, use and it was cheap and reliable.
R
Real Player - is a plugin (see plugin) that allows for streaming audio or video.
The advantage to this technology is that you can watch a broadcast, or listen to a file
that is very large without waiting for the whole file to be loaded into your computer. The real
player plays the file as it is received.
S
Search Engine - A Web Site used to find other Web Sites that are of interest
to you. It helps you find what you're looking for on the World Wide Web.
SLIP - (Serial Line Internet Protocol) SLIP/PPP is probably the type of Internet account
you have.
Software - Computer Programs.
T
T1 - Really fast phone lines used by Internet providers and many hotels. T1's are
not only capable of providing high speed internet access, but they can also be used for voice
to provide trunk lines that can be used by the property. T1's can also provide lower long distance rates.
T3 - Even faster phone lines used by Internet providers.
TCP/IP - (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) The system that
the Internet uses to transfer information.
TELNET - A way to turn your computer into a terminal on another computer system.
U
UPLOAD - Copy a file from your computer to the Internet.
URL - (Uniform Resource Locator) - Web address such as
http://www.AutoClerk.com.
Usenet - The part of the Internet where articles are posted, by category.
Each article posted can be read, and you in turn can post a comment or reply that
others can read. You can also reads the comments posted by others on an article.
V
VIRUS - A program designed to spread itself to other computer systems, to
stay undetected, and to cause problems on the computer systems they are loaded onto.
W
WEB Browser - A program that is used on the World Wide Web to view Web pages
and jump to related Web pages via links. The most popular programs are Netscape and
Internet Explorer.
WEB Cam - (see Quickcam)
WEB Master - The technical person that is responsible for a website.
WEB Page - A page of any length that can be viewed on a computer screen, providing:
text, graphics, video and even sound.
WEB Site - A collection of Web pages
World Wide Web - (WWW, WEB ...etc) Allows for text, graphics, sound and video
to be presented on your computer. It allows you to jump to other related subjects
by placing links on the pages located all over the world, thus creating a huge web. This is where most of the
action on the Internet is taking place. Many think of it as a huge advertisement.