| The Internet, has a language of its own.
On this page, we will help you understand some of the more common terms. More in-depth
explanations may found in the Frequently Asked Questions. Acceptable
Use Policy (AUP)
A set of rules outlining what users can and cannot do with their ISP account and what the
consequences may be if the break the rules.
Account
A users Internet connection.
ASCII
American Standard Code For Information Interchange. The coding standard used by computers
to ensure everyone sees the same letter.
Attachment
One or more binaries which are attached to an Email or a newsgroup item.
Backbone
An extremely fast connection on the Internet acting as a trunk route between two major
computer centres.
Bookmark
Most web browsers allow you to mark a webpage to allow direct access to it in the future.
Bot
A computer that does something 'intelligent' such as generating search engine entries.
Browse
The act of looking through pages on the web.
Browser
The software required to browse the web.
Cache
A place on your hard drive or ISP servers where your browser stores copies of webpages
visited.
Deja News
An archive of newsgroup postings.
DNS
See Name Server.
Domain
Also called domain name, this is the part of an Internet address that identifies one
particular computer or Internet service.
Dynamic HTML
The latest version of the HTML standard.
Email (Electronic Mail)
The name given to messages in electronic form that are sent from computer to computer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Question List. A document that answers the most commonly asked questions
on a particular subject.
Finger
An Internet tool used to get information about a remote computer system or a distant Email
account.
Firewall
An Internet security system that protects an internal network.
Flame
A nasty or aggressive message sent to someone.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol used to copy information from one computer to another.
Gateway
A computer on the Internet that links one part of the network to another.
HTML
Hyper Text Mark-up Language is the computer language used to create web pages.
http://
The letters added at the beginning of a web address or URL that let the browser know that
it is accessed via the web server.
Internet Explorer
Widely used web browser that works closely with MS Windows 95/98/NT etc.
Intranet
An internal computer network used within an organisation. This can contain an internal
website.
IRC
Internet Relay Chat connects thousands of people around the world. IRC is realtime.
Java
Programming language for enhancing web pages.
Leased Line
A permanent Internet connection that does not require a telephone link.
Link
A word, phrase or address that appears on a webpage underlined, or in a different colour
and links to another page, site or Email address.
Login
Connect to a computer or service.
Microsoft
The largest software company in the world. Creators of Internet Explorer.
MIME
Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions. An almost standard system used to send binaries
within Emails.
Modem
A computer accessory that connects a computer to the Internet via a phone line.
Name Server
Some times called DNS. A Name Server is a computer that converts an Internet address into
its native IP address (nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn)
Netscape
The company responsible for Navigator and Communicator. Two very popular web browsers.
Newsgroup
International discussion areas. The number grows daily, covering almost every topic
imaginable.
News Server
A special computer that keeps up to date copies of the daily postings made to Usenet.
Offline
Not connected to the Internet.
On-line
Connected to the Internet.
Packet
Basic unit of information on the Internet.
POP3
Post Office Protocol is the latest system used to copy Email between a computer and the
Internet.
Portal
A search engine offering additional content and services.
PPP
Point to Point Protocol is the system used to connect modems to the Internet.
Proxy
A webserver that keeps copies of popular webpages.
Search Engine
Used for tracking down the information you are looking for.
Server
An Internet computer providing a service.
SHOUTING
Writing something in an Email in capitals is considered SHOUTING and very rude.
Site
Place on the Internet offering information.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol used to copy waiting Email between computers. See also POP3.
Snail Mail
Mail sent the old fashioned way using stamps etc.
SPAM
Flooding news groups and or Email addresses with multiple copies of an Email (usually
advertising something)
Surf
The act of looking though pages on the WWW.
T1
A type of leased line providing a 1.5 Mb/s permanent connection to the Internet. Approx.
45 times quicker than a typical modem link.
T3
A faster type of leased line providing a 45 Mb/s permanent Internet connection used by
larger ISPs for their permanent Internet link.
TCP/IP
The system used on the Internet to move information between computers.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a webpage.
Usenet
The network of newsgroups.
Webmaster
The person responsible for maintaining a website.
Webpage
A simple page of information on the web.
Web Server
A computer that stores web pages and passes them over the Internet whenever the site is
visited.
Website
A collection of webpages with a common theme.
Winsock
A piece of software used by PCs using MS Windows for TCP/IP.
WWW
The World Wide Web. |
