Internet Glossary

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

ActiveX - Microsoft's answer to JAVA. ActiveX (TM) is a technology and set of programming tools from Microsoft for building interactivity with users into Web pages and application programs. ActiveX includes what Microsoft used to call Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) and adds more. There are ActiveX controls and ActiveX documents. Controls are objects that can be imbedded into Web pages (for example, small messages that pop up unexpectedly or images that become active when selected with a mouse) or into application programs off the Web. Controls are roughly similar to Java applets. Documents are objects that are viewable and navigable with a viewer.
Anonymous FTP - A method of logging on to another computer to download files without having an account on the other computer. Typically used for public downloads of software, you would use Anonymous for the login, and your e-mail address for your Password.
Applet - A JAVA applet is a nifty way of producing special effects on a web page. It consists of 2 parts-the instruction code and the program itself. The code is integrated into the HTML source of the web page, while the Applet program is downloaded onto a user's computer. The program is then run using the parameter specified by the code. Applets cannot be used to alter or destroy a user's computer in any way.

Bandwidth - The transmission capacity of the lines that carry the Internet's electronic traffic. The more bandwidth a line has, the faster the download and the more people can be connected at any given moment. Technologies such as ISDN, and Fiber Optic cabling allow for much cleaner and faster transfer of information.
BBS - Bulletin Board System. An electronic message system that allows you to read and post messages.
bps - Bits Per Second. A measurement used to describe how fast data is transmitted. Usually used to describe modem speeds. Typical speeds are 14,400 or 28,800 bps.
Browser - A program that allows you to see, read, and hear information on the World Wide Web. The 2 most popular browsers are Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Chat - A method of communication over the Internet in which information is being relayed in real time like a conversation, only words are being typed, not spoken. This method uses IRC ( Internet Relay Chat ).
Client - A computer that uses the services of another computer, or server. If you dial into another system, your computer becomes a client of the system you dial into.

Dial-Up Connection - This is a standard way of connecting to the Internet temporarily. Using a modem and special dial-in software ( such as Trumpet Winsock ),your computer establishes a connection with a remote server which itself is permanently connected to the Net. You only connect when you dial-in and hang up after use.
Domain - This is a unique name that is assigned to assigned to a specific machine. No two domains can be the same. Domains usually consist of a specific name followed by an extension explaining what zone the site is in. For example, "95net.com" is a business domain ( com stands for commercial ), whereas "OCBAR.org" typically represents non-profit organizations.
Domain Name Server ( DNS ) - A computer that translates between IP addresses that people have difficulty remembering and domain names which are much easier to recall. For example, DNS translates 209.141.100.20 to "www.95net.com"
Download - The process of copying files from a remote computer down to your own system.

E-Mail - While most people tend to think of the Web when they hear about the Internet, electronic mail is easily the most used component of the Internet. This method of communication allows rapid sending and delivery of messages to computers around the world. In addition to messages, files and pictures can be attached and sent along with it.

F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions. Just as it says, this page has answers to the most common questions and can be found just about everywhere on the Web.
Firewall - Security for a local network or Intranet. A combination of hardware and software designed to protect the computers on a network. Only certain information and messages are allowed in or out.
Flame - The term used to describe the posting of angry and insulting messages by e-mail or to a Newsgroup. As is it against good Netiquette, we highly recommend that you never do this.
Freeware - Just like it says, freeware is software that can be downloaded and used without charge. Most freeware is for home use only and redistribution is a no-no without prior approval or a license from the author.
FTP - An acronym for File Transfer Protocol. This is a method by which files from one computer are transferred over to another over a network or phone line. FTP can be achieved through DOS or by using a graphical program such as WS_FTP. FTP is generally faster than other methods of transfer such as e-mail.

Gateway - A computer that connects one network with another, when the 2 networks are using different protocols.
GIF - ( pronounced JIF ) A type of graphics file defined by CompuServe. This is one of 2 main graphics formats used on the World Wide Web. It is a compressed format generally used for simple images with 256 colors or less. The other common format is a JPEG.

HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language. Very simply, this is the programming language used to create all those wonderful web sites. The language uses a system of codes or tags, that identifies the logical parts of a document, without necessarily specifying what it looks like. For more information and examples, check out HTML Help.
HTTP - Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. The protocol computers use to transfer information containing hypertext, mainly web pages.
Hyperlink - A hyperlink or link is simply how pages on a web site are connected. To connect to another page, you would click just once on the link. Links can be either text or graphics. Text links are usually highlighted and underlined while images that change your mouse pointer to a finger can usually be clicked on.

Internet - The Internet as huge as it is, is basically a global network of computers. The various and numerous networks and computers speak to each other using the standard TCP/IP. This standard allows people from all over the world to communicate with each other in a matter of seconds.. The Internet itself is comprised of several components, such as the World Wide Web, E-Mail, FTP, Gopher, Newsgroups, and Internet Relay Chat. Though started over 25 years ago, it has just recently become the phenomenon it is today with the advent of graphical browsers and dynamic content.
InterNIC - The Internet Network Information Center. An association that stores information about the Internet as well as the group that monitors and issues Domain names. They can be found at http://www.internic.net.
Intranet - A private network that uses the same tools and software as the public Internet, but on a much smaller scale. This structure is typically used by corporations to relay and present information to its employees in an efficient and timely manner.

IP Address - This is a unique number which identifies a computer on the Internet. Every computer that is connected to the Internet, permanently or temporarily, is assigned an IP address. IP addresses are usually four sets of numbers separated by 3 dots.
IRC - Internet Relay Chat. A method by which multiple people can engage in discussions on the Internet at the same time. Information is passed along in real time and what one person types, everyone who has access to that channel, can see it and respond to it.
ISDN - Integrated Service Digital Network. A digital connection capable of speeds 4 to 9 times faster than a typical analog connection. ISDN access requires an ISDN line from the phone company and an ISDN terminal adapter or modem.
ISP - Internet Service Provider. That's us! Internet Service Providers provide your basic access to the Internet. They typically provide other services such as web page hosting, ISDN access, HTML programming, and networking.

JAVA - Java is a programming language designed to be able to run on different operating systems requiring only a Java interptreter. Your web browser for example is able to run Java programs regardless of whether your are using Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or a Macintosh. With Java, you can create web sites with better graphic effects as well as provide a much higher level of interactivity then you can with plain HTML.
JavaScript - Java's little brother. Unlike Java programs ( called Applets ), JavaScript is not compiled, meaning to use this you simply need to add the script to existing HTML for the web browser to interpret. There is no applet to download. Although not as powerful as a Java program, JavaScript tends to be more compact, quicker to run, and easier to use.
JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group. The name of the committee that designed the photographic image-compression standard. One of the 2 main image formats used on the Web, this is a compressed format which is optimal for full color photographs or digital images.

kbps - Kilobits per second. A speed rating for computer modems that measures (in units of 1,024 bits) the maximum number of bits the device can transfer in one second under ideal conditions.
kBps - Kilobytes per second. One byte=8 bits.
KKbt - 92.3, The Beat

MIME - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A set of Internet functions that extends normal e-mail capabilities and enables computer files to be attached to e-mail. Files sent by MIME arrive at their destination as exact copies of the original so that you can send fully-formatted word processing files, spreadsheets, graphics images and software applications to other users via simple e-mail.
Modem - Short for Modulator/Demodulator, it's the little piece of hardware that allows your computer to communicate over existing phone lines.

Netscape Navigator - Currently the most popular browser being used on the Internet. This graphical browser allows for smooth and painless web surfing and is available for Windows, Mac, and UNIX.
Network - Computers that are connected to each other. Computers connected close to each other are known as a LAN, or Local Area Network. Those that are far from each other are known as WAN's or Wide Area Network. All these networks connected to each other make up the Internet.
Newsgroup - A newsgroup is a forum in which users discuss a particular subject and post articles and questions relating to this subject. Readers can reply to these queries either in the newsgroup or directly by e-mail. Some groups are moderated and only articles relating to the subject are allowed and spamming is discouraged. A great place to find and trade information.

Ping - A method of testing whether or not you can communicate with another computer. Similar to Sonar, when you ping another computer, a short message is sent. If the computer replies, then you can talk to it. If not, you either cannot talk to it, or the connection between the two computers is not good.
Pong - The grand daddy of all video games. A simple 2 player game that spawned a whole new industry with Nintendo, Sony and Sega currently the market leaders.
POP - Post Office Protocol. The system by which a mail server lets you check your mail and download it to your computer. POP can also stand for Point of Presence, which is the physical location for the system your modem dials into.
PPP - Point to Point Protocol. A way of connecting your computer to the Internet over existing phone lines.

Search Engine - A program which indexes and retrieves web sites based on keywords input by a user. Using Search Engines is a convenient way to look for web sites that you don't know the name of.
Shareware - Computer programs that are easily available to download and try out. Generally, you can try it out for a specific period of time, after which you must send in a payment to register the software. This is strictly based on the Honor system and it is only by voluntary compliance that this system is viable.
Signature file - An ASCII text file, maintained within e-mail programs, that contains a few lines of text for your signature. The programs automatically attach the file to your messages so you don't have to repeatedly type a closing. You can also add a hyperlink to your signature so that people can visit your own personal or business web site.
SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The protocol used to send mail from one computer to another.
Spam - This is the act of posting inappropriate messages to various newsgroups or sending unsolicited mail, usually in large quantities to other users on the Internet. 95Net does not allow this type of advertising as it is against good Netiquette and is a burden to our system and that of other users. Also: a mysterious and irresistably repulsive food product from Hormel.

T1 - An Internet backbone line that carries up to 1.5 Megabits per second (1.536Mbps). Capable of supporting 24 simultaneous 28.8K connections.
T2 - Judgement Day, the sequel to the Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzennager.
T3 - An Internet line that carries up to 45 million bits per second (45Mbps), the equivalent of almost 30 T1's.
TCP/IP - Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. This is the protocol used by networks to communicate with each other over the Internet.
Telnet - An Internet protocol that let you connect your PC as a remote workstation to a host computer anywhere in the world and to use that computer as if you were logged on locally. You often have the ability to use all of the software and capability on the host computer, even if it's a huge mainframe, provided of course that you have the password to get in.

Upload - The opposite of a download, this is sending information from a local system to a remote system via FTP.
URL - Uniform Resource Locator. A standardized way of naming network resources, used for linking pages together on the World Wide Web. URL's tell you what kind of information it is ( whether it's e-mail or a web page ), what computer it is stored on and where it's located. An example of a complete URL would be http://www.95net.com, where http:// shows that it is a web page, www means on the World Wide Web, 95net is the company name and 95net.com is the host computer our business is located at.
Usenet - A system of thousands of Newsgroups which are accessible with a newsreader.

WWW - The World Wide Web. A hypermedia system that lets you browse through just about anything. The Web has grown tremendously since the introduction of a graphical interface. With current web browsers, sound, video, 3D, and other forms of multimedia are becoming commonplace and businesses and organizations can share and present information in ways not thought possible.
WWF - The World Wrestling Federation.
WinSock - Windows Socket. A standard way for Windows programs to work with TCP/IP. It is used when you make a direct connection with your PC and and the Internet.