Glossary of Internet Terms
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- Active Document
- A Web document that is created using an applet. An active document is actually
the user's interface to the applet that is running on the client. Active pages
provide the highest level of interactivity with the user.
- Applet
- A small program that is downloaded to the browser and automatically deleted
from memory after use.
- BPS (Bits Per Second)
- A unit of measure for the rate that information is tranferred over a network.
This may range from 14000 bps for a slower dial-up Internet connection to
over 1 million bps for a local area network that connects computers in an
office. The higher the rate, the better as far as Internet transmissions are
concerned.
- Browser
- Software, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, that
allows a user to navigate the Web and retrieve documents.
- CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
- Refers to program that runs on a Web server which transfers information
to and from a browser program running on a client. CGI programs are used to
provide interactive, dynamic documents on the Web, such as information request
forms and online access to databases.
- Client
- A computer or machine connected to the Web and used to display information
located on a remote computer, but which does not host a site or distribute
files to other computers.
- Dial-Up Connection
- A temporary connection to the Internet, usually established using a computer
modem that connects to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) over a phone line.
Depending on the speed of the modem used, the connection may range from around
14,000 bits per second (bps) up to around 56,000 bps.
- Domain Name System (DNS)
- An Internet addressing system that uses a system of names listed with dots
(.) between them in the order of the most specific to the most general group.
In the United States the most general domains are network categories such
as com (commercial), edu (education), and gov (government). EXAMPLE: webbsite.com
- Download
- To receive on your computer a copy of a file that currently exists on some
remote computer.
- Dynamic Document
- A Web document that is generated by program running on the Web Server each
time the document is requested. A program that produces dynamic documents
is often called a CGI program. A dynamic document may contain different information
each time it is viewed, and it may allow the user to enter information to
be sent to the Web server.
- E-Mail (Electronic Mail)
- Private messages delivered via computer networks to an individual's e-mail
address.
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
- A system designed to transfer copies of files from one computer to another
on the Internet.
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
- A standardized set of syntax rules and commands used for encoding text files
with formatting and document linking information. These documents are encoded
for use on the World Wide Web to be viewed with a Web Browser.
- HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
- A standardized set of rules for transferring and processing HTML documents
on networks. The most commonly used method for transferring Web data.
- Internet
- A digital communications network connecting over 60,000 other smaller networks
from many countries throughout the world.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- And individual or company that provides Internet connections to other individuals
or companies. The connections may be temporary connections such as a dial-up
connection or a permanent connection such as an ISDN line.
- ISDN Connection
- A fully digital phone line which can be used to transfer information at
rates up to 128,000 bits per second. Often used as a full-time Internet connection
to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Java
- A programming language that allows browsers to execute programs. These programs
are transferred to the client computer as an applet and automatically deleted
after the program has been executed.
- Links
- Connections from one information file or site to another.
- Multi-homed
- Refers to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) having more than one full time
connection to the Internet. This provides a backup connection in case one
connection fails providing more reliable service.
- Netiquette (Network + Etiquette)
- Customs and socially accepted practices for Internet users. Practices such
as spamming are considered a breach of Netiquette and are likely to offend
other users in the Internet community.
- Online
- Any activity undertaken while your computer is connected to another computer
or network. Most often used in connection with activities undertaken while
connected to the Internet.
- Provider/Web Presence Provider
- A person or company that establishes web sites for other individuals or
companies. EXAMPLE: WebbSite, Inc.
- Server/Web Server
- A computer that stores Web documents and provides them to client computers
which are running Web browsers. Usually powerful computers with a full time
connection to the Internet are used as web servers. EXAMPLE: WebbSite Inc.
has its own Web Server
- Site/Web Site
- A group of web pages linked so that you may easily follow from one Web page
to the next. Also used to describe the information one individual, company,
or entity puts on the Web.
- Sysop (System Operator)
- The person who is responsible for making sure a computer system, or some
portion of it, is operating correctly.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
- The addressing system that names most files found on the Internet. It may
include a protocol name (such as HTTP), plus a site name (such as www.webbsite.com),
a subdirectory path, and a file name (about.html). EXAMPLE: HTTP://www.webbsite.com/about.html
- Webmaster
- The primary person who is responsible for setting up and maintaining a web
server. This person is often listed as a contact for issues that concern the
operation of a web site.
- WWW (World Wide Web)
- A client/server system designed to use hypertext and hypermedia documents
via the Internet. It uses the HTTP to exchange images and documents. The WWW
is the fastest growing segment of the Internet for business use.