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Web Glossary Solution and Maintenance!
Here you'll find the most common
Internet web terminology.
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
A
- Applet
A small Java program.
- ASCII
American Standard Code for Information
Interchange: This is the global standard
for code numbers used by computers to
represent all upper and lower-case Latin
letters, numbers, and punctuation.
- Autoresponder
A feature that sends an automated reply to
incoming email. For example, when
customers send email to your sales@yourdomain.com
address, a standard message could be sent
back to them.
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B
- Backbone
A high-speed line (or a series of
connections) that forms a major pathway
within a network.
- Bandwidth
The amount of data you can send
through a connection, usually measured in
bits per second. A full page of English
text is about 16,000 bits. A fast modem
can move about 15,000 bits in one second.
- Banner
An advertisements in the form of
graphics (usually rectangular in shape)
displayed on a Web page. When viewers
click on a banner, they are taken to the
advertiser's Web site.
- Bit
This is the smallest measure of
computerized data, either 1 or 0. Eight
bits equal one byte, or one character.
- Bookmark
The feature of a Web Browser that lets you
save the address (URL) of a web page so
you can go back to the page easily at a
later time.
- Browser
A client program used to view various
kinds of Internet resources. You use a
browser (e.g., Netscape Navigator or
Microsoft Internet Explorer) to view Web
pages from your computer.
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C
- Certificate
Authority
An issuer of Security Certificates
used in SSL connections.
- CGI
Common Gateway Interface: A protocol
that allows a Web page to run a program on
a Web server. Forms, counters, and
guestbooks are common examples of CGI
programs.
- Cookie
A cookie is a piece of information
sent to a browser by a Web Server. The
browser then returns that information to
the Web server. This is how some Web pages
"remember" your previous visits;
for example, an E-Commerce site might use
a cookie to remember which items you've
placed in your online shopping cart.
Cookies can also store user preference
information, log-in data, etc.
- CyberCash
CyberCash is the name of the company
that developed a Web-based payment system.
Their CyberCash software enables online
payment services for credit cards and
Internet check transactions. CyberCash
works with all popular browsers.
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D
- Data
Transfer
In general, any outward-bound traffic from
a Web site (with the exception of email)
is considered to
be data transfer. Each time a Web page,
image, MIDI file, etc. is loaded, data
transfer is generated.
- Database
This is any collection of data: part
numbers, product codes, customer
information, etc. It usually refers to
data stored on a computer.
- DNS
Domain Name System: A
system of servers located throughout the
Internet that handle Internet connections
and the routing of email.
- Domain
Name
A unique name that identifies a Web
site. A domain name acts as a permanent
Web address and provides a professional,
prestigious Web presence.
Compare these
two URLs:
http://www.anywebhost.com/members/yourwebpage
http://www.yourname.com
In the first URL, the domain name "anywebhost.com"
is owned by someone else. If you moved
your business Web site to another Web
host, you'd need a new URL--and you'd
have to notify your customers of your
new address. The second URL contains an
example of a custom domain name that you
own: "yourname.com." If you
ever move your site, your address will
stay the same. See Also: InterNIC.
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F
- FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
A compilation of answers to the most
common questions on a particular subject.
- Firewall
A combination of hardware and
software, used to protect a network from
unwelcome traffic. A firewall can be used
to separate a LAN into two or more parts,
or to control network traffic.
- FrontPage
FrontPage is a WYSIWYG Web page editor
by Microsoft. In order to use FrontPage to
create and maintain your Web site, your
hosting service must install
"extensions" (CGI programs that
provide the server side implementation of
FrontPage) for your account. Link2CITY.com
offers FrontPage extensions.
- FTP
File Transfer Protocol:
A common method of sending and receiving
files on the Internet. You might use FTP
to upload HTML files to your Web host from
your own computer. A user ID and password
are needed to use FTP, unless Anonymous
FTP is allowed.
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G
- GIF
Graphic Interchange Format:
A type of image file. GIF files are
graphics or pictures, often used on Web
pages. Because GIF files contain a maximum
of 256 colors, this file format is ideal
for simple graphics with minimal shading
or color variation. Other types of
graphics are better suited for the JPEG
file format.
- Gigabyte
(GB)
One billion bytes. To be more
accurate, one gigabyte actually contains
1,073,741,824 bytes. Since the prefix
"giga" is associated with one
billion, the term gigabyte is used to
define 1,073,741,824 bytes.
- Graphic
Any picture or image file within a Web
page. Graphics are usually in GIF or JPEG
format.
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H
- Hit
A single request from a Web browser for a
single item from a Web server. When a
browser displays a Web page that contains
2 graphics, 3 hits occur at the server: 1
hit for the HTML page itself, plus a hit
for each of the two graphics. See Also:
Impressions
- Homepage
The first page of a Web site. Some
people choose to have only a homepage,
with no supporting pages.
- Host
1.A computer system accessed by a user
from a remote location. In the case of two
computer systems connected via modem, the
"host" is the system containing
the data and the "remote" is the
computer at which the user is working.
2.A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP
network, including the Internet. Each host
has a unique IP address.
3.As a verb, "host" means
providing the infrastructure for a
computer service. A company that hosts a
Web server may provide the hardware and
software needed to run that server, but
does not supply all the content on that
server. Link2CITY.com provides hosting
services by running and maintaining the
server, while allowing customers to
maintain their own Web site content.
- HTML
HyperText Markup Language:
The coding language used to create Web
pages.
- HTTP
HyperText Transfer Protocol:
The protocol for moving hypertext files
across the World Wide Web. When you enter
a URL in your browser to visit a Web page,
an HTTP command is sent to the Web server.
This command tells the server to fetch and
transmit the requested Web page.
- Hypertext
Any text within a document that is
linked to another location. The other
location could be within the same
document, or a different document.
Clicking hypertext with your mouse will
activate the link. This glossary is made
up of hypertext, containing many links.
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I
- Image Map
A graphic used for multiple navigation
on a Web page. Image maps contain HTML
code that turn specific areas of graphics
into links.
- Impressions
The actual number of people who've
seen a specific Web page. Impressions are
much more accurate than hits when
discerning how much traffic your Web page
actually receives. Impressions are
sometimes called "page views."
- Internet
The vast collection of interconnected
networks that use TCP/IP protocols.
- InterNIC
An organization operated by Network
Solutions that controls the registration
of new domain names.
- Intranet
A private network inside a company or
organization that uses the same kinds of
software that you would find on the public
Internet, but only for internal use.
- IP Number
(IP address)
The unique 4-part number assigned to
each and every computer linked to the
Internet (e.g., 65.217.71.140). When you
connect to the Internet, your ISP assigns
you an IP number for the duration of your
connection. DNS converts domain names into
IP addresses.
- IRC
Internet Relay Chat: A
method of real time communication, powered
by a network of servers.
- ISDN
Integrated Services Digital
Network: Technology that allows
data to be moved over phone lines at
speeds of up to 64,000 BPS per channel.
- ISP
Internet Service Provider:
A company that provides access to the
Internet.
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J
- Java
Java is a programming language invented by
Sun Microsystems. Java programs (or
"applets") can be downloaded
from the Internet to your computer. They
can also be used to enhance Web pages.
Common Java applets used on Web pages
include animation, calculators, and
counters.
- JavaScript
A scripting language developed by
Netscape that interacts with HTML source
code, allowing for interactive Web sites.
JavaScript is used for things such as
"rollover buttons" (graphics
that change color when you run your mouse
over them), rotating banners, MIDI
jukeboxes, pop-up windows, etc.
- JPEG (or
JPG)
Joint Photographic Experts
Group: a type of image file,
similar to GIF. Whereas the GIF file
format is limited to 256 colors or less,
JPEG files use millions of colors and can
often be compressed to a smaller kilobyte
size, making Web pages load faster.
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K
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L
- LAN
Local Area Network: A
computer network limited to the immediate
area, usually the same building or floor
of a building.
- Log File
A file that contains a list of actions
that have occurred on your web server. The
statistics of your site are created by
referencing the activity log file. This
file is located in your "log"
directory and is entitled "access_log"
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M
- Mail
Forwarding
When you sign up for an Link2CITY.com
hosting plan, you'll receive a domain
email account (you@yourname.com --
actually you'll get an infinite amount of
these). You might also have an email
address provided by your local ISP. With
mail forwarding, all email addressed to
you@yourname.com will be sent to your
other email address. Additional mail
forwarding options include the ability to
forward different yourname.com email to
specific addresses on the Internet. For
example, email addressed to webmaster@yourname.com
could forward to your "real"
email address (provided by your ISP),
while sales@yourname.com could forward to
a different email address or your
mail box on our system.
- Mailing
List
A group discussion conducted through email
messages, specific to a topic or common
interest. When a message is sent to a
mailing list, each list subscriber
receives a copy.
- Megabyte
(MB)
A million bytes; a thousand kilobytes.
To be more accurate, one megabyte actually
contains 1,048,576 bytes. Since the prefix
"mega" is associated with one
million, the term megabyte is used to
define 1,048,576 bytes.
- Message
Board
A type of bulletin board where users
read and respond to other people's posts.
- META tag
Hidden HTML code that contains
information about a Web page, such as who
created the page, what the page is about,
and which keywords best describe the
page's content. Some search engines use
this information to list Web pages.
- MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital
Interface: A computerized music
file, often used on Web pages.
- MIME
Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extensions: The standard for
attaching non-text files (such as
graphics, spreadsheets, word processor
documents, sound files, etc.) to email
messages.
- mSQL
Mini SQL: A lightweight database engine
designed to provide fast access to stored
data. See Also: SQL
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N
- Netiquette
The informal rules of Internet etiquette.
- Netizen
Derived from the term citizen, referring
to a citizen of the Internet. The term
implies civic responsibility and
participation.
- Network
Any time you connect 2 or more computers
together for the purpose of sharing
resources, you have a computer network.
- Newbie
Someone who is new to the Internet.
- Newsgroups
An Internet message board system, where
people meet to discuss a variety of
topics. There are thousands of newsgroups
on the Internet covering a wide variety of
interests.
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O
- Operating
System (OS)
This is the software that manages a
computer system. Windows 95 is an OS.
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P
- Page
Views
See impressions.
- Password
A series of characters that enables
someone to access a file, computer or
program. Your Control Panel is password
protected to prevent unauthorized users
from changing your information. The
password should be a combination of
characters that would be difficult to
guess.
- Perl
Practical Extraction and Report
Language. This programming language
was designed mainly for processing text.
It is one of the most popular languages
used for writing CGI Scripts.
- Pixel
A unit of measurement for graphics or
monitor resolution. A pixel is one dot on
a computer screen. Most computer monitors
are set to a resolution of 800 x 600,
meaning 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels
high.
- Plug-ins
Software programs that enhance other
programs or applications on your computer.
There are plug-ins for Internet browsers,
graphics programs, and other applications.
- POP
Post Office Protocol -
or - Point Of Presence:
Post Office Protocol
is a method of retrieving email from a
server.
Point Of Presence is
a telephone number that provides dial-up
Internet access. ISPs usually provide
several POPs so users can gain Internet
access with local phone calls.
- Post
Message
To send a message to a newsgroup or other
type of message board.
- Protocol
A standard for the exchange of
information. There are several different
types of protocols (e.g., FTP, TCP/IP)
used by various computers and software.
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Q
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R
- RealPlayer
A streaming media delivery system for
the Internet. Providers of news,
entertainment, sports, and business content
can create audio and video multimedia content,
and deliver it online to audiences worldwide.
To create your own RealPlayer files and offer
them on your Web site, your hosting service
must install special "extensions" for your
account. Link2CITY.com offers RealPlayer
extensions.
- Resolution
(Screen or Monitor)
The way things appear on your computer
monitor. Resolution is measured in pixels. The
lower the resolution, the larger things appear
on your screen. Most computer monitors are set
at 800 x 600 resolution, meaning 800 pixels
wide by 600 pixels high. Some people's
monitors are set at 1024 x 768 or higher.
Others are set at 640 x 480. When designing a
Web site, keep in mind that your Web pages
will look different to viewers depending on
their monitor resolutions. You can change your
own monitor resolution through your computer's
Control Panel (for Mac, Windows 95 and Windows
98).
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S
- Script
A list of commands that can run without
user interaction.
- Search
Engine
A directory of Internet content. If
you're looking for specific information on
the WWW, a search engine can list Web
sites at which you'll likely find that
information. Popular search engines
include Excite, Snap, Yahoo, and Infoseek.
- Security
Certificate
Information used to establish a secure
connection by SSL protocol. In order for
an SSL connection to be created, both
sides must have a valid Security
Certificate, issued by the Certificate
Authority.
- Server
A computer or device that manages
network resources. The term can refer to a
piece of software, or to the machine on
which the software is running. A single
server machine could be running several
different server software packages, thus
providing many different services to users
on the network.
- Shopping
Cart
Software used to create an online
"storefront," or E-Commerce Web
site.It acts as a virtual shopping cart,
keeping track of the items visitors have
ordered and allowing them to add or remove
items. When a visitor decides to
"check out" (purchase the items
online) the software sends all order
information to the merchant.
- SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol:
A protocol used to transfer email between
servers.
- Snailmail
The term used to define the method of a
letter being physically delivered to a
person using the Post Office or some other
letter carrier.
- Spam (or
Spamming)
Junk email or junk newsgroup posts.
Spam is usually some sort of advertising,
inappropriately sent to a mailing list or
newsgroup. Spam not only wastes the
recipient's time, but also misuses network
bandwidth. We do not support spam.
- Spider
An Internet robot (used by a search
engine) that explores the Web at large.
Spiders collect Web page addresses based
on content found at those pages.
- SQL
Structured Query Language:
A specialized programming language for
sending queries to databases. Many
database applications can be addressed
using SQL. Each specific application will
have its own version of SQL implementing
features unique to that application, but
all SQL-capable databases support a common
subset of SQL.
- SSL
Secure Sockets Layer: A
protocol designed by Netscape to enable
encrypted communications across the
Internet. It provides privacy,
authentication, and message integrity. SSL
is often used in communications between
browsers and servers. A URL that begins
with "https" is a clue that an
SSL connection will be used on the Web
site. During an SSL connection, each side
sends a Security Certificate to the other.
Both sides then encrypt what they send,
ensuring that only the intended recipient
can decode it.
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T
- T-1
A connection capable of carrying data at
1,544,000 bits per second. T-1 is most
commonly used to connect networks to the
Internet.
- T-3
A connection capable of carrying data
at 44,736,000 bits per second. Equivalent
to 29 T-1 connections.
- TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol: This is the suite of
protocols that defines the Internet.
Originally designed for the UNIX operating
system, TCP/IP software is now available
for every major computer operating system.
Your computer must have TCP/IP software to
be connected to the Internet.
- TrueSpeech
Software that compresses speech down
to as little as 1/40th its original size.
Regular speech files are normally large,
causing Web pages to load slowly;
TrueSpeech compression allows faster,
easier transfer.
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U
- UNIX
A computer operating system. UNIX is
designed to be used by many people at the
same time and has TCP/IP built-in. It is
the most common operating system for
servers on the Internet.
- Upload
Sending a file from your system to a
server or to someone else's computer.
- URL
Uniform Resource Locator:
The standard way to display an address on
the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL is
accessed through a Web browser and looks
like this:
http://www.Link2CITY.com
- User Name
This is the account reference name sent to
you in the Account Activation Letter. When
you need to log on to your site, you will
use this item.
- UUENCODE
UNIX to UNIX Encoding: A method for
converting files from Binary to ASCII so
that they can be sent across the Internet
via email. See Also: MIME
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V
- Virus
A virus is a malicious program whose sole
intent is to cause problems on a computer.
There are Anti-Virus programs, such as
McAfee and Norton Utilities, created to
combat viruses.
- Virus
Hoax
Occasionally, rumors are started about
viruses that do not exist. These are
merely hoaxes.
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W
- Web or
WWW
World Wide Web: This
commonly refers to the massive, global
collection of hypertext (HTTP) servers
that allow concurrent viewing of Internet
data. The term "dub,dub,dub" is
a shortened, spoken version of
"WWW."
- Webmaster
The person who creates and maintains a web
site.
- Wizard
A utility in a program that outlines a
series of sequential tasks to set up a
portion of the program. For example, an
email program may use a wizard to gather
the necessary information to set up an
email account.
- WYSIWYG
What You See Is What
You Get (pronounced "wizzy-wig"):
A program that displays a document on your
screen exactly as it would appear when
printed or published online. The term
usually applies to HTML editors, such as
Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia
Dreamweaver. These WYSIWYG editors can
show you how your Web page will appear
online, as you're editing the document.
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X
Top
Y
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Z
- Zip
Zone Information Protocol:
This is a method of compressing computer
data or files into a small size, so they
can be transferred quickly over the
Internet. There are programs built
specifically to zip files, such as WinZip.
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