Glossary

This list includes terms that are frequently used in conjunction with the Internet and Telephone Companies. Also check my Networking Glossary.

If you think of terms that you'd like to see added, please send an e-mail to dick@tinley.com

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | XYZ

A

ADSL: ADSL stands for Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. ADSLs provide relatively high-speed Internet access over old-fashioned copper telephone lines. The kind that almost certainly run to your house.; ADSL lines transmit information digitally. You can transmit data at over 6 Mbps per second, when your data is moving in one direction. When data is moving in two directions (to and from your computer), it moves at speeds up to 640 kbps. ADSL is a significant improvement. When most people use regular telephone lines for the Internet right now, they only transmit data at speeds up to 28.8 kbps.
Alias: An alias is like a “fake” name that you use when you're sending and receiving mail. You might want to use an alias if you’re participating in Internet chat discussions and would prefer not to broadcast too much information about yourself.
AltaVista: AltaVista is one of the most popular search engines on the World Wide Web.

Attachment: An attachment is something that you send along with an e-mail. Attachments can be almost anything that's in a separate file. Typical attachments include spreadsheets, graphics, and presentations.

B

Bookmark: Bookmarks allow you to keep a list of your favorite web sites. When you want to revisit a site, you just pull down the Bookmarks menu and click on the desired link.
Broadband: Broadband refers to high-speed methods of accessing the Internet, like ISDN and cable. Narrowband refers to lower speed methods of accessing the Internet, such as an ordinary telephone line and modem.
Browser: A browser is the software that allows you to read HTML (or Web) pages. In fact, you're reading this page right now by using the Netscape browser.
: There are several other popular browsers used to surf the Net. Microsoft has a browser called Explorer. Other popular browsers include Mosaic, from NCSA, the WebSurfer by NetManage, and Attachmate's Emissary.

C

Cable Modem: Cable modems allow you to access the Internet through the same cable that brings you cable TV.; Cable modems provide much faster access to the Internet than normal phone lines. A typical cable modem provides downstream communication (communication from the network to your computer) at up to 10 Mbps, while upstream communication (communication from your computer to the network) takes place at speeds up to 768 kbps.
Chat: See IRC.
Client: The terms "client" and "server" are frequently used in relation to computers. In general, a "server" is a computer that delivers data. A "client" is a computer that receives data.; With the Internet, your Web browser is considered a "client," since it receives information from another computer. The Web site that you are receiving from is considered a Web server.

Compression: Compression is the process used to make computer files smaller. Files on Web sites are often compressed so that they take up less space and can be transmitted to other computers faster.; There are numerous computer programs that are designed to compress files. In order to use a compressed file, you must have a copy of the program that was used for the compression. You'll have to use that program to "decompress" the file before you can use it.
Cyberspace: The term Cyberspace originated in William Gibson's novel Neuromancer. It originally described the whole world of computers and the information they store. The term is now commonly used to refer to the Internet.

D

Domain Name

A Domain Name is the unique "official" name of a network on the Internet. Domain names always have at least two parts: a domain identifier and a domain category.

For BellSouth.net, for example, the domain identifier is "BellSouth." The domain category is "net." Domain categories identify what type of institution a network represents.

The following domain categories are used:

Domain Category	What It Represents
com	A commercial institution
edu	An educational institution
gov	A government institution
mil	A military site
net	A gateway or administrative host for a network
org	Private organizations that don't fit in the other domain categories.

You've probably noticed that the domain name appears in a lot of Internet related addresses. For example, it appears in URLs for Web sites (www.bellsouth.net), as well as the e-mail addresses for individual users at an Internet site or network (fsmith@bellsouth.net).

Downloading

"Downloading" refers to retrieving a file from another computer. For instance, if you've transferred a nice graphic from a Web site to your computer, you've "downloaded" the file.

On the other hand, sending a file from your computer to another computer, such as a Web site, is called "uploading."

E

E-mail: E-mail stands for electronic mail. E-mail enables you to send electronic "letters" to anyone on the Internet.
Emoticons: Emoticons are keyboard symbols commonly used on the Internet, particularly in e-mail. They are intended to convey various emotions that can't otherwise be expressed without body language or voice tones.; For example, one of the most common emoticons is the smiley face. To send a smiley face to someone, you simply type a colon followed by a right parentheses :). If you look at this symbol sideways, it resembles two eyes with a smile underneath.

F

FAQ: FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Question(s). FAQs are one of the most common ways of presenting information on the Web.
Firewall: A firewall is special-purpose hardware or software that is designed to restrict access to a computer or network. Firewalls are used with the Internet when companies or individuals want to grant information access only to certain people.
Flaming: Flaming is equivalent to sending a nasty letter over the Internet. One example of flaming is in response to spamming (unsolicited advertisements sent to numerous people all at once).; To use Internet lingo, people who spam will probably get flamed.
Freeware: Freeware is free software. You'll find many programmers on the Net (and some companies) that distribute some of their software without charge. Sometimes it's done out of generosity. At other times, there's is an underlying business reason behind the gift.; Regardless of the incentive, freeware can provide some very useful tools.
FTP: FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It's one of those tools that's been around the Internet for a long time. In fact, before the Web was invented, FTP was the primary way to receive and send files between computers.

G

GIF: GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format. The GIF format is one of the most common ways of storing images on the Internet. GIF files can be viewed by virtually all Web browsers.; GIF images are limited to 256 colors and they aren't compressed as tightly as JPEG images. However, they can be interlaced and have transparent backgrounds. JPEG images can store up to 16 million colors, but they don't work well for black-and-white images, line drawings, or video images.
Gopher: Gopher is a tool that indexes FTP sites where files are stored. It also provides a search engine so that you can find specific files at these sites.

H

Home Page: A Home Page is the focal point for a collection of Web pages devoted to a topic (sort of like a magazine's table of contents or the front page of a newspaper). In most cases, the Home Page is the first page you see when you visit a Web site.
HotBot: HotBot is one of the most popular search engines on the World Wide Web.
HTML: HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. HTML is the underlying computer language that is used to construct Web pages. A Web browser allows your computer to read HTML pages. In fact, your browser is reading this page right now by interpreting HTML.
HTTP: HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. HTTP is the networking standard that allows HTML documents to be shared among computers. A Web server is in reality an HTTP server. This means that it is capable of sending HTML documents when your Web browser requests them. In other words, the Web server functions as an HTTP server, while your Web browser functions as an HTTP client.
Hypertext: Hypertext is computer text (usually enhanced with graphics, multimedia, and so on) that contains links to other text or multimedia. When you click on such a link, your browser reads in Web information from a new place. That place might be another paragraph in the document you're reading, or a completely different document on a computer halfway around the world.

I

Icon: An icon is a graphic that is normally used to represent a program or link.; Common Web page examples include graphics for navigational purposes, such as arrows for moving backward or forward through the site. Another common icon is the magnifying glass, typically used to represent a Search program that allows you to look for things at a Web site.
Internet: The Internet is a global network of computers linked together for the purpose of sharing information.; The Internet has been around for quite some time, but it has only recently become popular with the general public. This popularity is due in large part to the development of the World Wide Web (WWW). However, the Internet provides other useful and fun services like News, FTP, and e-mail.
InterNIC: The InterNIC (Network Information Center) controls the registration of domain names and IP (Internet Protocol) addresses in the U.S. (Similar organizations exist in Europe and Japan.); The InterNIC is a partnership of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Network Solutions, Inc. and AT&T. In addition to management of domain names and IP addresses, the InterNIC also provides Internet research, reports, and public databases.
IP Address: When you're using TCP/IP, your computer is assigned a unique number, which is known as an IP address. (In a way, an IP address is like a phone number. It allows you to have your own "identity" on the Net.) A computer that is assigned an IP address can "talk to" other computers with IP addresses.
IRC: IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. IRC is an Internet service that allows you to carry on two-way conversations with other people on the Net.
ISDN: ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN provides high speed access to the Internet through special digital phone lines.; With regular telephone lines and a V.34 modem, the speed of your connection to the Internet will be a maximum of 28.8 kbps (28,8000 bits per second). With an ISDN line, the speed of your connection could reach a maxim of 128 kbps (128,000 bits per second).; To find out more about the availability of BellSouth's ISDN lines, see the BellSouth ISDN Information page.
ISP: Internet Service Providers sell access to the Internet and other Internet related services such as Home Page creation and Web site management.

J

Java: Java is a computer programming language developed by Sun Microsystems that adds interactivity or animation to Web pages. Java programmers produce small instruction sets called "applets" that can be included in an HTML page, much like an image can be included. When you use a Java-compatible browser to view a page that contains a Java applet, the applet's code is transferred to your system and executed by the browser.; For more information on Java, check with Sun Microsystems at http://java.sun.com/.
JPEG: JPEG is an image format designed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEG and GIF are the common image formats found on the Internet.; GIF images are limited to 256 colors and they aren't compressed as tightly as JPEG images. However, they can be interlaced and have transparent backgrounds. JPEG images can store up to 16 million colors, but they don't work well for black-and-white images, line drawings, or video images.

K

No entries for K.

L

Link: When someone refers to a link on the Web, they're really referring to a hypertext link.; When you click on such a link, your browser reads in Web information from a new place. That place might be another paragraph in the document you're reading, or a completely different document on a computer halfway around the world.
Listserver: A listserver is computer program that manages one or more mailing lists. The listserver (or listserv for short) provides an automatic way to distribute incoming e-mails to all members of the list.; Even though mailing lists are automated, some of them are also moderated. A moderated list has a person filtering the e-mail submissions before they are distributed. The moderator can make sure the subject and tone of the submitted mail are appropriate for the list.
Lycos: Lycos is one of the most popular search engines on the World Wide Web.

M

Mailing List: A mailing list is a like a large discussion group devoted to a specific topic. Only in this kind of discussion group, the conversations are carried out through e-mails. To get on a mailing list,; you have to subscribe to it by sending an e-mail to a central clearing house for the discussions. (The software program that runs these "clearing houses" is known as a listserver.); If you're interested in finding out about the mailing lists that are out there, visit the E-Mail Discussion Groups page at Nova Southeastern University. It contains a great reference for various mailing lists around the Net, plus it describes how mailing lists work.
MBONE: MBONE stands for Multicast Backbone. MBONE is actually a network that is already in use by researchers. The technology embodied in MBONE provides breakthroughs in broadcast communication to multiple Internet hosts.; MBONE technology is expected to significantly enhance the way the Internet is used to transmit audio and video.; You can find a good list of technical materials related to MBONE at the MICE National Support Centre.
Modem: A device that allows computers to send and receive information to each other usually over telephone lines. The term Modem is actually an acronym for MOdulation/DEModulation. Early computer modems transmitted data at about 1200 bits per second. Today, much faster transmission speeds are common and improved networks allow ISDN modems and cable modems.
MPEG: MPEG stands for Motion Pictures Experts Group, the group which invented the MPEG standard. MPEG is one of the most popular formats for video files on the Internet.
MUD: MUD stands for Multi-User Dungeon (or Multi-User Dimension). A MUD is a computer program that multiple people can enter. Once a person has entered, he or she can take a role in the program, thereby contributing to its overall evolution and growth.; Computer games are one of the most common examples of a MUD. With a computer game, a user can enter and take over the role of one of the characters. The user could manipulate the character, perhaps getting it into trouble or having it create a new twist to the game. After the user exits, another user might come in and take up the character where the first user left off.; Games are not the only application for MUDs. They are also used for education and even software engineering! To find out more about MUDs, see Yahoo's MUDs, MUSHes, and MOOs page.

N

Narrowband

Narrowband refers to relatively low-speed methods of accessing the Internet, such as a ordinary telephone line and modem. Broadband refers to high-speed methods of accessing the Internet, like ISDN and cable modems.

Netiquette

Netiquette is simply displaying good manners on the Internet. However, that's not as straightforward as it might seem. The Internet has a culture of its own, and veteran Internet users have a fairly well defined protocol.

Netscape

Netscape is one of the most popular Web browsers on the market. In fact, it's the first browser to be customized for BellSouth.net.

Visit Netscape for more information on their browser and upcoming enhancements to all of their Internet products.

Newbie

A "newbie" is someone who is new to the Internet. If you're a newbie, don't worry. There are a lot of good resources that will help you learn about the Internet.

Newsgroups

Internet newsgroups provide a huge collection of messages and articles that are grouped according to subject.

O

Open Text: Open Text is one of the most popular search engines on the World Wide Web.

P

Password: A password is a special code that is required to gain access to a program, Web site, or other computer resource. It is designed to restrict information to certain people.; With BellSouth.net, for instance, you have a password that you must enter to log on to the service or retrieve your e-mail. This password prohibits people from accessing resources or information that are not open to them.; When you assign passwords, remember to use a combination of letters and numbers for the greatest protection. One rule of thumb is to never use a simple English word that can be found in the dictionary.
POP: POP stands for Point of Presence. A Point of Presence refers to a physical location or site containing the telecommunication equipment that connects you to the Internet. POP sites are usually operated by an Internet Service Provider or the telephone company. BellSouth.net provides POPs throughout its nine-state Southeastern region.

PPP: PPP stands for Point-to-Point Protocol. PPP is a protocol that allows you to use a regular telephone line and a modem to make a TCP/IP connection. A TCP/IP connection is required to get on the Internet.
Protocol: A protocol is a standard or specification that describes how computers communicate or share information under certain conditions. There are several protocols used on the Internet. Some examples include FTP, HTTP, and PPP.

Q

No entries for Q.

R

Router: A router is computer hardware or software that is used to connect two or more networks. Check the Networking Glossary.

S

Search Engine: Search engines allow you to search the Internet for specific information.
Server: See the definition for Client.


Service Provider: A Service Provider is an organization that provides connections to the Internet. These organizations are commonly known as Internet Service Providers (or ISPs).
Shareware: Shareware is software that you can try before purchasing. Typically, you're asked to try the software for a certain length of time, then voluntarily send in a nominal fee.; There's a lot of shareware out on the Internet, and much of it is quite useful. Just remember that shareware is not the same as freeware. (You don't have to pay anything for freeware, not even a nominal charge.)
SLIP: SLIP stands for Serial Line Internet Protocol. SLIP is a protocol that allows you to use a regular telephone line and a modem to make a TCP/IP connection. A TCP/IP connection is required to get on the Internet.; SLIP is an older protocol than PPP. BellSouth.net provides PPP connections rather than SLIP because PPP is regarded as a better protocol.
SurfWatch: SurfWatch is software that blocks offensive material on the Internet. This software allows you to block World Wide Web (WWW) sites, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) sites, News, Gopher, and Chat. For more information on SurfWatch, visit their Web site (http://www.surfwatch.com)
Smileys: See Emoticons.
Spamming: Spamming is the unsolicited broadcast of an e-mail to a large number of people. The most common occurrence of spamming is unsolicited e-mails that are really advertisements.; Spamming is definitely a violation of Netiquette.
Sysop: Sysop is short for System Administrator. A Sysop is someone who is responsible for the overall operations of a computer system or network.

T

TCP/IP: TCP/IP is the protocol that allows different types of computers to communicate over the Internet.; When you're using TCP/IP, your computer is assigned a unique number, which is known as an IP address. (In a way, an IP address is like a phone number. It allows you to have your own "identity" on the Net.) A computer that is assigned an IP address can "talk to" other computers with IP addresses.
Telnet: Telnet is an Internet protocol that allows you to log in directly to another computer. In other words, when you use telnet, you actually see and interact with the command line of the remote system. Telnet is not used as much on the Internet now as it was before the Web was introduced.

U

Upload: Uploading is when you copy a file from your computer to another computer, such as a Web site. Downloading, on the other hand, refers to retrieving a file from another computer.
URL: URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. In simple terms, a URL is simply the address of a web page. For example, the address (or URL) of the BellSouth.net Web page is www.bellsouth.net.
USENET: USENET is the system for distributing discussion group news articles that can be accessed from a news reader (like the one provided with Netscape). For more information on USENET news, see newsgroups.

V

VRML: VRML stands for Virtual Reality Modeling Language. VRML is a computer language that will allow you to create three-dimensional Web sites.

W

Web Crawler: Web Crawler is one of the most popular search engines on the World Wide Web.

World Wide Web (WWW)

The Web is the graphical part of the Internet. Web pages, also known as home pages, are what you see when you explore the Internet. Some pages are plain, others incorporate color, sound, photographs, and even animation. Most include links to other Web pages that you can access by clicking on a picture or text.

XYZ

Yahoo!: Yahoo! is one of the most popular search engines on the World Wide Web.

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