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 glossary
of internet terms
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
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M
N
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Q
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A
Address
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Code by which the Internet identifies you. The format is
username@hostname, where username is your username,
login name, or account number, and hostname is the
name of the computer or Internet provider you use. The hostname
may be a few words strung together with periods.
Anonymous FTP
-
A way to use the FTP program to log on to another computer
to copy files when you don't have an account on the other
computer. When you log on, enter 'anonymous' as the username
and your 'e-mail address' as the password. This gives you
access to publicly available files.
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Applets
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Java's advantage is in that it is composed of many smaller,
re-usable chunks of programming code, called "applets"
(short for "applications"). This allows for quicker
transfer over the internet, meaning many new programs will
now be able to become directly interactive, incorporating
animation, sound, and more. (See also Java,
ShockWave,
and VRML)
Archie
-
A system that helps you find files located anywhere on
the Internet. After Archie locates the file, you can use
FTP to get it. Archie is both a program and a system
of server computers that contain indexes of files.
Asynchronous Communication
-
Communication that occurs at different times, between two
or more individuals, in contrast to Synchronous communication.
For e.g. e-mails, some conferencing systems, bulletin boards.
ATM
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ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) is a networking technology
that provides a guaranteed quality of service. Standard
Internet connections are based on Frame Relay technology.
The throughput of Frame Relay links can be drastically reduced
under certain circumstances, just as a garden hose becomes
less effective when stepped on or kinked. However, ATM links
are like metal pipes-they always provide the same amount
of throughput, regardless of the pressure exerted on them.
Authentication
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Verifying the identity of a person or computer process.
Auto-responder
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Auto-responders allow you to automatically return a pre-set
message whenever a selected mailboxe receives a message.
It will also notify a selected mailbox of the receipt and
response.
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Backbone
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A high-speed line or series of connections that form a
major pathway within a network. The term is relative, since
a backbone in a small network will likely be much smaller
than many non-backbone lines in a large network.
Backgrounds
-
These are images which are designed to to sit in the background
of a web page so that all other information, (e.g.text,
images) is seen to sit on top.
Bandwidth
-
Information theory used to express the amount of information
that can flow through a given point at a given time. Usually
measured in bits per second (bps). Also referred to as data
transfer.
Browse / browser
-
You get access to the WWW through an application called
a 'browser', like Netscape or Mosaic. To 'browse' is to
search the WWW for information.
Bulletin Board System (BBS)
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A computer system that provides its users files for downloading
and areas for electronic discussions.
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Certificates: Secure or Digital
-
Issued by a Certificate Authority (such as Equifax, Thawte
or Verisign) , a Secure Certificate (also known as a Digital
Certificate) is proof that a Web site is linked to a legitimate
business, with a physical address and phone number. It is
the job of the Certificate Authority to verify the identity
of merchants and issue each a digital or authentication
certificate.
Chatting
-
Talking in real time to other network users from any and
all parts of the world.
CGI script
-
Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is a standard for interfacing
external applications with information servers, such as
HTTP or Web servers. A CGI script allows a program to be
run on your server which can output dynamic information.
Some examples of cgi scripts are: hit counters, mail forms,
search pages and guestbooks. While Webworx.ca doesn't offer
technical support for any type of scripting. Although Perl
is the predominant language because of it's worldwide acceptance,
CGI can be written in any number of programming languages
such as, Unix SH, KSH, CSH, and C.
Client
-
A software program that is used to contact and obtain data
from a server software program on another computer, often
across a great distance. Each client program is designed
to work with one or more types of server programs.
Com
-
When these letters appear in lowercase type at the end
of an address, they indicate that the host computer
is run by a company rather than a university or government
agency. It also means that the host computer is most likely
located in the United States.
Control Panel:
-
The Control Panel is an on-line interface, that allows
users to change and update their Web sites.
Cookies
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A mechanism for server-side connections to store and retrieve
information on the client side.
Cross Platform
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Different computing systems being able to share data.
Cyberspace
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A virtual universe of computers, programs, and data.
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Data Transfer:
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Data transfer (bandwidth) is the amount of information
downloaded from a Web site. For example, let's assume all
of the data (pictures, text, buttons) on your homepage totals
25KB (the size of Yahoo's homepage). If a thousand people
viewed your homepage you'd have 25MB total data transfer
for that month (25KB multiplied by 1000).
Disk Space:
-
Disk space is the storage capacity of your Web site for
pictures, HTML, graphics, etc. and is usually expressed
in MB.
Download
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To retrieve a file from another machine, usually a host
machine, to your machine.
DNS
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The Domain Name System. A system for translating computer
names into numeric Internet addresses.
Domain Name
-
The unique name that identifies an Internet site. A given
machine may have more than one domain name, but a given
domain name points to only one machine. It is also possible
for a domain name to exist but not be connected to an actual
machine. This is often done so that a group or business
can have an Internet e-mail address without having
to establish a real Internet site. In these cases, an Internet
service provider's machine must handle the mail on behalf
of the listed domain name.
Domain Name Registration
-
Domain Name Registration is the process of registering
your Web site address (i.e. www.webworx.ca) with an official
Internet registrar.
Domain Transfer
-
When a domain name (Web site) is moved from one Internet
address to another, the new address must be recorded by
the domain registrar to allow Internet Domain Name Servers
to point to the new location
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Edu
-
When these letters appear at the end of an address (info@mit.edu ),
they indicate that the host computer is run by an educational
institution. It also means that the host computer is most
likely located in the United States.
E-mail (Electronic Mail)
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Messages that travel through the electronic networks rather
than being committed to paper.
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Forms
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Forms add extra interactivity to Web sites. Questionaires
can be created, that include text areas, check boxes and
radio buttons which are then sent by the viewer to a specified
mailbox, usually the manager of the Web site.
F.T.P.
-
File Transfer Protocol. A method of transferring one or
more files from one computer to another over a network or
phone line.
Finger
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A program that displays information about someone on the
net. On most UNIX systems, this command tells you who is
logged on right now. On most Internet hosts, it tells you
the name, possibly some other information based on the person's
Internet address, and the last time they logged on.
Firewall
-
A filter for messages. A system that has a firewall lets
only certain kinds of messages in and out from the rest
of the Internet. If an organization wants to exchange mail
with the Internet, but does not want other Internet members
"Telnetting in" and reading those files, its connection
to the Internet can be protected by using a firewall.
Forward (e-mail)
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E-mail forwards redirect e-mail messages to another mailbox
either within its domain or to an outside destination.
G
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Gateway
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A computer that connects one network with another when
the two networks use different protocols. The UUNET computer
connects the UUCP network with the Internet, providing a
way for mail messages to move between the two networks.
GIF
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Graphics Interchange Format. A platform-independent file
format developed by CompuServe, the GIF format is commonly
used to distribute graphics on the Internet.
Gopher
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A system that lets you find information by using menus.
To use Gopher, you usually Telnet to a Gopher server and
begin browsing the menus.
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Helper Application
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This is an application that adds extra functionality to
Web documents. e.g. If you download a movie clip the Web
browser is unable to play the file but it can boot up a
helper application, in this case it may be 'RealPlayer'
(An audio/video player application).
Hits
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This refers to the number of people who have visited a
given Web Site or page.( e.g.10300 hits)
Host
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A computer on the Internet you may be able to log on to.
You can use FTP to get files from a host computer, and use
other programs (such as telnet) to make use of the host
computer.
Hypermedia
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Computer applications that have the ability to link information
to information created by another application, characteristic
of Internet Applications.
HTTP
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Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The method by which World
Wide Web pages are transferred over the network.
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HTML
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Hypertext Markup Language. A system used for writing pages
for the World Wide Web. HTML allows text to include codes
that define fonts, layout, embedded graphics, and hypertext
links.
Hypertext
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A system of writing and displaying text that enables the
text to be linked in multiple ways, available at several
levels of detail. Hypertext documents can also contain links
to related documents, such as those referred to in footnotes.
Hypermedia can also contain pictures, sounds, and /or video.
I
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Image Map
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An image map is another way of creating links between web
pages. In image maps, different parts of the image activate
different links. (an
example: this is an external web link)
Internet Access
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Internet access is usually made through a University Network
or a commercial service provider.
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Internet
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The vast collection of interconnected networks that all
use the TCP/IP protocols and that evolved from the ARPANET
of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Internet connects
roughly 60,000 independent networks into a vast, global
Internet.
IP
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Internet Protocol. The transport layer protocol used as
a basis of the Internet. IP enables information to be routed
from one network to another in packets and then reassembled
when they reach their destination.
IP Address
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A four-part number separated by periods (for example, 165.113.245.2)
that uniquely identifies a machine on the Internet. Every
machine on the Internet has a unique IP number; if a machine
does not have an IP number, it is not really on the Internet.
Most machines also have one or more domain names that are
easier for people to remember.
IRC
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Internet Relay Chat. A system that enables Internet users
to talk with each other in real time over the Internet rather
than in person.
ISDN
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Integrated Services Digital Network. A way to move more
data over existing regular phone lines. ISDN is only slowly
becoming available in the USA. ISDN can provide speeds of
64,000 bits per second over a regular phone line at almost
the same cost as a normal phone call.
J
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Java
-
This programming code works in conjunction with HTML
to allow dynamic programs to run and interact with your
computer, where straight HTML is primarily linear information
downloaded to your computer for static display. Java is
a product created by Sun Microsystems. Watch for many new
web sites
to start incorporating limitless graphics, sound, motion,
programs, etc.. (See also applets,
ShockWave,
and VRML)
JPEG
-
Joint Photographic Experts Group. A group that has defined
a compression scheme that reduces the size of image files
by up to 20 times at the cost of slightly reduced image
quality.
K
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L
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LAN
-
Local Area Network. A group of connected computers, usually
located in close proximity (such as the same building or
floor of the building) so data can be passed among them.
Links
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By inserting hypertextual links into web documents it is
possible to connect two documents together. These documents
can be on different computers on opposite sides of the globe.
Listserv
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A family of programs that manages mailing lists by distributing
messages posted to the list, adding and deleting members
automatically.
Locally
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This term refers to information stored and viewed on your
machine(local). As opposed to the information stored and
viewed on other machines on the internet.
Login
-
A noun or a verb. Noun: The account name used to gain access
to a computer system. Unlike a password, the login name
is not a secret. Verb: The act of entering into a computer
system; for example, "Login to the WELL and then go
to the GBN conference."
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Mailbox - E-mail
-
Also called POP accounts, E-mailboxes serve as a convenient
way to manage messages sent to your domain.
Main Mailbox
-
Also known as Default Mailbox, receives all of the e-mail
sent to a domain that is not otherwise forwarded (via a
forward or auto-responder).
Mail To
-
This enables e-mail contact to be written into a Web document.
(e.g. select
this e-mail address test@webworx.ca)
Message
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A piece of e-mail or a posting to a newsgroup.
Mirror
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An FTP server that provides copies of the same files as
another server. Some FTP servers are so popular that other
servers have been set up to mirror them and spread the FTP
load to more than one site.
Modem
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MOdulator, DEModulator. A device that you connect to your
computer and to a phone line to allow the computer to talk
to other computers through the phone system. Modems convert
the computer's digital signals into analog waves that can
be transmitted over standard voice telephone lines. Modem
speeds are measured in bits per second (bps)--also sometimes
expressed as Kilobits (thousands of bits) per second.
MySQL
-
MySQL is a relational database management system. A relational
database stores data in separate tables rather than putting
all the data in one big storeroom. This adds speed and flexibility.
The tables are linked by defined relations making it possible
to combine data from several tables on request. The SQL
part of MySQL stands for "Structured Query Language"
- the most common standardized language used to access databases.
N
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Net
-
Net is an abbreviation for the term Internet which stands
for Interconnected networks. When these letters appear at
the end of an address (info@webworx.ca), they may indicate
that the host computer is run by a network but is more often
used interchangeably with .com. It also means that the host
computer is most likely located in the United States.
Netscape
-
Netscape is a WWW browser. An application that allows you
to search for information on the World Wide Web and now
other services such as Newsgroups and e-mail.
Network
-
Any time you connect two or more computers together so
they can share resources, you have a computer network. Connect
two or more networks together and you have an internet (small
"i").
NNTP
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Network News Transfer Protocol. A protocol defined for
distribution, inquiry, retrieval, and posting of news articles.
Newsgroup
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A distributed bulletin board system about a particular
topic. Usenet News (also know as Netnews) is a system that
distributes thousands of newsgroups to all parts of the
Internet.
O
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ODBC Support:
-
Object Database Connectivity (ODBC) support allows ODBC
compliant applications to connect to an ODBC database and
extract data without requiring that the user have programming
skills. For example, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access,
and mySQL are ODBC compliant applications. Using ODBC and
mySQL a user can import data directly into an Excel spreadsheet
once mySQL ODBC drivers have been installed on the user's
computer.
Off-Line
-
This is working on a computer that is currently not connected
to the Internet.
On-Line
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This is working on a computer that is currently connected
to the Internet.
P
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Packet
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A chunk of information sent over a network. Each packet
contains the destination address, the sender's address,
error-control information, and data.
Page
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A document, or collection of information, available by
way of the World Wide Web. To make information available
over the WWW, it is organized into pages. A page may contain
text, graphics, video, and/or sound files.
Ping
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A network management tool that checks to see whether you
can communicate with another computer on the Internet. It
sends a short message to which the other computer automatically
responds. If the other computer does not respond to the
ping, you usually cannot establish communications.
POP
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Point of Presence. A physical site in a geographic area
where a network access provider, such as UUNET, has equipment
to which users connect. The local phone company's central
office in a particular area is also sometimes referred to
as their POP for that area. (As an example, AT&T's POP
for the Seattle area is in downtown Seattle.)
POP
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Post Office Protocol. A system by which a mail server on
the Internet lets you grab your mail and download it to
your PC or Macintosh. Most people refer to this protocol
with its version number (POP2, POP3, and so on) to avoid
confusing it with Point of Presence.
Pop Account
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Same as an e-mail mailbox. A Pop Account is a mailbox that
is set up to accept e-mail sent to a particular address.
Posting Up
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To send a message to a discussion group or mailing list.
PPP
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Point-to-Point Protocol. A scheme for connecting two computers
over a phone line (or a network link that acts like a phone
line). Similar to SLIP.
Propagation
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The process of disseminiating information throughout a
system.
-
Example 1 - After registration, new Internet domain
name information is propagated across the Internet when
local DNS servers update their databases from a central
file. Note: Not all local DNS databases are updated
with the same frequency (hourly, daily, every other
day, etc.).
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Example 2 - Password changes often must be made on
serveral different servers and will not complete propagation
until all affected servers update their databases. Updating
(rehashing) a given server's database is usually an
automated process that is performed at specific intervals.
Protocol
-
A language Computers use when talking to each other.
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R
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Remote Access
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When you access a computer that you are unable to see.
This is done via a modem or computer network.
S
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Screen Resolution
-
The number of dots per square inch (dpi) displayed on a
screen. The higher the number of dots, the better the resolution.
Search Engine
-
A software application found on-line which allows you to
search for information, by key words, available on the Internet
(e.g. web sites, newsgroups)
Server
-
A computer that provides a service to other computers on
a network. An Archie server, for example, lets people on
the Internet use Archie.
Service Provider
-
A service provider is a company who supplies Internet services
to personal users or business. Among other things they provide
access to the Internet or somewhere to place Web Pages making
them available to the WWW. You pay the service provider
a set fee.
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ShockWave
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Similar to Java, bringing enhanced multimedia to the Internet.
ShockWave is a development tool created by the company Macromedia.
Shopping Cart Software
-
Software that permits users to set up an on-line store
to sell merchandise via the Internet.
Site
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A site is the term given to a place where information can
be found on the World Wide Web. (i.e. A Web site)
SLIP
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Serial Line Interface Protocol. A software scheme for connecting
a computer to the Internet.
Socket
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When your computer is on the Internet via a SLIP connection,
a socket is a conversation your computer is having with
a computer elsewhere on the net. You may have one socket
for an FTP session, another socket for a Telnet session,
and another socket taking care of getting your mail.
SMTP
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Simple Mail Transfer Protocol A protocol used to transfer
e-mail between computers.
SQL
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Structured Query Language - a standardized language used
to access databases. See MySQL.
Synchronous Communication
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Communication that occurs at the same time, between two
or more individuals, for e.g. telephone conversations, Internet
Relay Chat, face-to-face communication.
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TCP/IP
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Simple Mail Transfer Protocol A protocol used to transfer
e-mail between Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
The system that networks use to communicate with each other
on the Internet.
Telnet
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The command and program used to login from one Internet
site to another. The Telnet command/program gets you to
the "login" prompt of another host.
Terminal
-
A device that allows you to send commands to a computer
somewhere else. At a minimum, this usually means a keyboard
and a display screen and some simple circuitry. Usually
you will use terminal software in a personal computer--the
software pretends to be ("emulates") a physical
terminal and allows you to type commands to a computer somewhere
else.
U
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UNIX
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A computer operating system (the basic software running
on a computer, underneath things such as word processors
and spreadsheets). UNIX is designed to be used by many people
at the same time (it is "multiuser") and has TCP/IP
built in. It is the most common operating system for servers
on the Internet.
URL
-
Uniform Resource Locator. The standard way to give the
address of any resource on the Internet that is part of
the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL looks like this: http://www.matisse.net/seminars.htm.
The most common way to use a URL is to enter into a Web
browser program, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or
Netscape Navigator.
USENET
-
An informal group of systems that exchange "news."
USENET predates the Internet, but today, the Internet is
used to transfer much of USENET's traffic.
V
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Viewer
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A program used by Gopher, WAIS, or WWW client programs
to show files with contents other than text. You would use
a viewer to display graphics or video files, or to play
sound files.
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VRML
-
Virtual Reality Markup Language. A standard by which the
internet uses for delivering 3-dimensional virtual reality
over the the Web.
W
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WAN
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Wide Area Network. Any internet or network that covers
an area larger than a single building or campus. (See also:
Internet, LAN, network)
World Wide Web
-
The newest and most ambitious of the special Internet services.
The World Wide Web provides full text and graphical access
to documents created using Hypertext Markup Language(HTML).
It is the first Internet service that incorporates many
of the most popular platforms (e-mail, Gopher, FTP, Wais,
Newsgroups). Attributed to the world wide success of the
Internet. Often abbreviated 'WWW'.
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Web
-
An abbreviated term for the World Wide Web.
Web Document
-
Is a collection of information stored on the World Wide
Web (WWW) which has the benefit of using hypertext links
to link to other documents on the (WWW).
Web Site
-
A collection of html files, graphic files and any other
file types that are supported by the World Wide Web that
can be viewed by using a World Wide Web browser.
Windows Socket
-
(WinSock). Windows Sockets is a standard way for Windows-based
programs to work with TCP/IP. You can use WinSock if you
use SLIP to connect to the Internet.
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