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A
Address- Code by which the
Internet identifies you. The format is username@hostname, where username is
your username, login name, or account number, and hostname is the name of
the computer or Internet provider you use. The hostname may be a few words
strung together with periods.
Anonymous FTP- A way to use
the FTP program to log on to another computer to copy files when you don't
have an account on the other computer. When you log on, enter 'anonymous' as
the username and your 'e-mail address' as the password. This gives you
access to publicly available files.
Applets- Java's advantage is
in that it is composed of many smaller, re-usable chunks of programming
code, called "applets" (short for "applications"). This allows for quicker
transfer over the Internet, meaning many new programs will now be able to
become directly interactive, incorporating animation, sound, and more. (See
also Java, ShockWave, and VRML)
Archie- A system that helps
you find files located anywhere on the Internet. After Archie locates the
file, you can use FTP to get it. Archie is both a program and a system of
server computers that contain indexes of files.
Asynchronous Communication-
Communication that occurs at different times, between two or more
individuals, in contrast to Synchronous communication. For e.g. e-mails,
some conferencing systems, bulletin boards.
ATM- ATM (Asynchronous
Transfer Mode) is a networking technology that provides a guaranteed quality
of service. Standard Internet connections are based on Frame Relay
technology. The throughput of Frame Relay links can be drastically reduced
under certain circumstances, just as a garden hose becomes less effective
when stepped on or kinked. However, ATM links are like metal pipes-they
always provides the same amount of throughput, regardless of the pressure
exerted on them. Maverick Publishing hosting facility has direct ATM
connections to the major Internet hubs on both the East and West coasts
(MAE-East, and MAE-West).
Authentication- Verifying the
identity of a person or computer process.
Auto-responder-
Auto-responders allow you to automatically return a pre-set message whenever
a selected mailbox receives a message. It will also notify a selected
mailbox of the receipt and response.
B
Backbone- A high-speed line
or series of connections that form a major pathway within a network. The
term is relative, since a backbone in a small network will likely be much
smaller than many non-backbone lines in a large network.
Backgrounds- These are
images, which are designed to sit in the background of a web page so that
all other information, (e.g. text, images) is seen to sit on top.
Bandwidth - Information
theory used to express the amount of information that can flow through a
given point at a given time. Usually measured in bits per second (bps). Also
referred to as data transfer.
Browse / browser- You get
access to the WWW through an application called a 'browser', like Netscape
or Mosaic. To 'browse' is to search the WWW for information.
Bulletin Board System (BBS)-
A computer system that provides its users files for downloading and areas
for electronic discussions.
C
Certificates: Secure or
Digital- Issued by a Certificate Authority (such as Equifax, Thawte or
VeriSign) , a Secure Certificate (also known as a Digital Certificate) is
proof that a website is linked to a legitimate business, with a physical
address and phone number. It is the job of the Certificate Authority to
verify the identity of merchants and issue each a digital or authentication
certificate.
Chatting- Talking in real
time to other network users from any and all parts of the world.
CGI script- Common Gateway
Interface (CGI) is a standard for interfacing external applications with
information servers, such as HTTP or Web servers. A CGI script allows a
program to be run on your server, which can output dynamic information. Some
examples of cgi scripts are: hit counters, mail forms, search pages and
guestbooks. Although Perl is the predominant language because of it's
worldwide acceptance, CGI can be written in any number of programming
languages such as, Unix SH, KSH, CSH, and C.
Client- A software program
that is used to contact and obtain data from a server software program on
another computer, often across a great distance. Each client program is
designed to work with one or more types of server programs.
Com- When these letters
appear in lowercase type at the end of an address, they indicate that a
company rather than a university or government agency runs the host
computer. It also means that the host computer is most likely located in the
United States.
Control Panel:- The Control
Panel is an on-line interface, which allows users to change and update their
websites.
Cookies- A mechanism for
server-side connections to store and retrieve information on the client
side.
Cross Platform- Different
computing systems being able to share data.
Cyberspace- A virtual
universe of computers, programs, and data.
D
Data Transfer:- Data transfer
(bandwidth) is the amount of information downloaded from a website. For
example, let's assume all of the data (pictures, text, buttons) on your
homepage totals 25KB (the size of Yahoo's homepage). If a thousand people
viewed your homepage you'd have 25MB total data transfer for that month
(25KB multiplied by 1000).
Disk Space:- Disk space is
the storage capacity of your website for pictures, HTML, graphics, etc. and
is usually expressed in MB.
Download- To retrieve a file
from another machine, usually a host machine, to your machine.
DNS- The Domain Name System.
A system for translating computer names into numeric Internet addresses.
Domain Name- The unique name
that identifies an Internet site. A given machine may have more than one
domain name, but a given domain name points to only one machine. It is also
possible for a domain name to exist but not be connected to an actual
machine. This is often done so that a group or business can have an Internet
e-mail address without having to establish a real Internet site. In these
cases, an Internet service provider's machine must handle the mail on behalf
of the listed domain name.
Domain Name Registration-
Domain Name Registration is the process of registering your website address
(i.e. www.maverickpublishing.net) with an official Internet registrar.
Domain Transfer- When a
domain name (website) is moved from one Internet address to another, the new
address must be recorded by the domain registrar to allow Internet Domain
Name Servers to point to the new location.
E
Edu- When these letters
appear at the end of an address (info@mit.edu), they indicate that an
educational institution runs the host computer. It also means that the host
computer is most likely located in the United States.
E-mail (Electronic Mail)-
Messages that travel through the electronic networks rather than being
committed to paper.
F
Forms- Forms add extra
interactivity to websites. Questionnaires can be created, that include text
areas, check boxes and radio buttons which are then sent by the viewer to a
specified mailbox, usually the manager of the website.
F.T.P.-
File Transfer Protocol. A method of transferring one or more files from one
computer to another over a network or phone line.
Finger- A program that
displays information about someone on the net. On most UNIX systems, this
command tells you who is logged on right now. On most Internet hosts, it
tells you the name, possibly some other information based on the person's
Internet address, and the last time they logged on.
Firewall- A filter for
messages. A system that has a firewall lets only certain kinds of messages
in and out from the rest of the Internet. If an organization wants to
exchange mail with the Internet, but does not want other Internet members "SSHting
in" and reading those files, its connection to the Internet can be protected
by using a firewall.
Forward (e-mail)- E-mail
forwards redirect e-mail messages to another mailbox either within its
domain or to an outside destination.
G
Gateway- A computer that
connects one network with another when the two networks use different
protocols. The UUNET computer connects the UUCP network with the Internet,
providing a way for mail messages to move between the two networks.
GIF- Graphics Interchange
Format. A platform-independent file format developed by CompuServe, the GIF
format is commonly used to distribute graphics on the Internet.
Gopher- A system that let’s
you find information by using menus. To use Gopher, you usually SSH to a
Gopher server and begin browsing the menus.
H
Helper Application- This is
an application that adds extra functionality to Web documents. e.g. If you
download a movie clip the Web browser is unable to play the file but it can
boot up a helper application, in this case it may be 'RealPlayer' (An
audio/video player application).
Hits- This refers to the
number of people who have visited a given website or page.( e.g.10300 hits)
Host- A computer on the
Internet you may be able to log on to. You can use FTP to get files from a
host computer, and use other programs (such as SSH) to make use of the host
computer.
Hypermedia- Computer
applications that have the ability to link information to information
created by another application, characteristic of Internet Applications.
HTTP- Hypertext Transfer
Protocol. The method by which World Wide Web pages are transferred over the
network.
HTML- Hypertext Markup
Language. A system used for writing pages for the World Wide Web. HTML
allows text to include codes that define fonts, layout, embedded graphics,
and hypertext links.
Hypertext- A system of
writing and displaying text that enables the text to be linked in multiple
ways, available at several levels of detail. Hypertext documents can also
contain links to related documents, such as those referred to in footnotes.
Hypermedia can also contain pictures, sounds, and /or video.
I
Image Map- An image map is
another way of creating links between web pages. In image maps, different
parts of the image activate different links. (an example: this is an
external web link)
Internet Access- Internet
access is usually made through a University Network or a commercial service
provider.
Internet- The vast collection
of interconnected networks that all use the TCP/IP protocols and that
evolved from the ARPANET of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Internet
connects roughly 60,000 independent networks into a vast, global Internet.
IP- Internet Protocol. The
transport layer protocol used as a basis of the Internet. IP enables
information to be routed from one network to another in packets and then
reassembled when they reach their destination.
IP Address- A four-part
number separated by periods (for example, 165.113.245.2) that uniquely
identifies a machine on the Internet. Every machine on the Internet has a
unique IP number; if a machine does not have an IP number, it is not really
on the Internet. Most machines also have one or more domain names that are
easier for people to remember.
IRC-
Internet Relay Chat. A system that enables Internet users to talk with each
other in real time over the Internet rather than in person.
ISDN- Integrated Services
Digital Network. A way to move more data over existing regular phone lines.
ISDN is only slowly becoming available in the USA. ISDN can provide speeds
of 64,000 bits per second over a regular phone line at almost the same cost
as a normal phone call.
J
Java- This programming code
works in conjunction with HTML to allow dynamic programs to run and interact
with your computer, where straight HTML is primarily linear information
downloaded to your computer for static display. Java is a product created by
Sun Microsystems. Watch for many new websites to start incorporating
limitless graphics, sound, motion, programs, etc.. (See also applets,
ShockWave, and VRML)
JPEG- Joint Photographic
Experts Group. A group that has defined a compression scheme that reduces
the size of image files by up to 20 times at the cost of slightly reduced
image quality.
K
L
LAN- Local Area Network. A
group of connected computers, usually located in close proximity (such as
the same building or floor of the building) so data can be passed among
them.
Links- By inserting
hypertextual links into web documents it is possible to connect two
documents together. These documents can be on different computers on
opposite sides of the globe.
Listserv- A family of
programs that manages mailing lists by distributing messages posted to the
list, adding and deleting members automatically.
Locally- This term refers to
information stored and viewed on your machine (local). As opposed to the
information stored and viewed on other machines on the Internet.
Login- A noun or a verb.
Noun: The account name used to gain access to a computer system. Unlike a
password, the login name is not a secret. Verb: The act of entering into a
computer system; for example, "Login to the WELL and then go to the GBN
conference."
M
Mailbox - E-mail- Also called
POP accounts, E-mailboxes serve as a convenient way to manage messages sent
to your domain.
Main Mailbox- Also known as
Default Mailbox, receives all of the e-mail sent to a domain that is not
otherwise forwarded (via a forward or auto-responder).
Mail To- This enables e-mail
contact to be written into a Web document. (e.g. select this e-mail address
test@maverickpublishing.net
Message- A piece of e-mail or
a posting to a newsgroup.
Mirror- An FTP server that
provides copies of the same files as another server. Some FTP servers are so
popular that other servers have been set up to mirror them and spread the
FTP load to more than one site.
Modem- MOdulator, DEModulator.
A device that you connect to your computer and to a phone line to allow the
computer to talk to other computers through the phone system. Modems convert
the computer's digital signals into analog waves that can be transmitted
over standard voice telephone lines. Modem speeds are measured in bits per
second (bps)--also sometimes expressed as Kilobits (thousands of bits) per
second.
MySQL-
MySQL is a relational database management system. A relational database
stores data in separate tables rather than putting all the data in one big
storeroom. This adds speed and flexibility. The tables are linked by defined
relations making it possible to combine data from several tables on request.
The SQL part of MySQL stands for "Structured Query Language" - the most
common standardized language used to access databases.
N
Net- Net is an abbreviation
for the term Internet which stands for Interconnected networks. When these
letters appear at the end of an address (info@maverickpublishing.net), they
may indicate that the host computer is run by a network but is more often
used interchangeably with .com. It also means that the host computer is most
likely located in the United States.
Netscape- Netscape is a WWW
browser. An application that allows you to search for information on the
World Wide Web and now other services such as Newsgroups and e-mail.
Network- Any time you connect
two or more computers together so they can share resources, you have a
computer network. Connect two or more networks together and you have an
internet (small "i").
NNTP- Network News Transfer
Protocol. A protocol defined for distribution, inquiry, retrieval, and
posting of news articles.
Newsgroup- A distributed
bulletin board system about a particular topic. Usenet News (also know as
Netnews) is a system that distributes thousands of newsgroups to all parts
of the Internet.
O
ODBC Support:- Object
Database Connectivity (ODBC) support allows ODBC compliant applications to
connect to an ODBC database and extract data without requiring that the user
have programming skills. For example, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and
mySQL are ODBC compliant applications. Using ODBC and mySQL a user can
import data directly into an Excel spreadsheet once mySQL ODBC drivers have
been installed on the user's computer.
Off-Line- This is working on
a computer that is currently not connected to the Internet.
On-Line- This is working on a
computer that is currently connected to the Internet.
P
Packet-A chunk of information
sent over a network. Each packet contains the destination address, the
sender's address, error-control information, and data.
Page- A document, or
collection of information, available by way of the World Wide Web. To make
information available over the WWW, it is organized into pages. A page may
contain text, graphics, video, and/or sound files.
Ping- A network management
tool that checks to see whether you can communicate with another computer on
the Internet. It sends a short message to which the other computer
automatically responds. If the other computer does not respond to the ping,
you usually cannot establish communications.
POP- Point of Presence. A
physical site in a geographic area where a network access provider, such as
UUNET, has equipment to which users connect. The local phone company's
central office in a particular area is also sometimes referred to as their
POP for that area. (As an example, AT&T's POP for the Seattle area is in
downtown Seattle.)
POP- Post Office Protocol. A
system by which a mail server on the Internet lets you grab your mail and
download it to your PC or Macintosh. Most people refer to this protocol with
its version number (POP2, POP3, and so on) to avoid confusing it with Point
of Presence.
Pop Account- Same as an
e-mail mailbox. A Pop Account is a mailbox that is set up to accept e-mail
sent to a particular address.
Posting Up- To send a message
to a discussion group or mailing list.
PPP- Point-to-Point Protocol.
A scheme for connecting two computers over a phone line (or a network link
that acts like a phone line). Similar to SLIP.
Propagation- The process of
disseminating information throughout a system.
Example 1 - After
registration, new Internet domain name information is propagated across the
Internet when local DNS servers update their databases from a central file.
Note: Not all local DNS databases are updated with the same frequency
(hourly, daily, every other day, etc.).
Example 2 - Password changes
often must be made on several different servers and will not complete
propagation until all affected servers update their databases. Updating
(rehashing) a given server's database is usually an automated process that
is performed at specific intervals.
Protocol- A language
Computers use when talking to each other.
Q
R
Remote Access- When you
access a computer that you are unable to see. This is done via a modem or
computer network.
S
Screen Resolution- The number
of dots per square inch (dpi) displayed on a screen. The higher the number
of dots, the better the resolution.
Search Engine- A software
application found on-line which allows you to search for information, by key
words, available on the Internet (e.g. Websites, newsgroups)
Server- A computer that
provides a service to other computers on a network. An Archie server, for
example, lets people on the Internet use Archie.
Service Provider- A service
provider is a company who supplies Internet services to personal users or
business. Among other things they provide access to the Internet or
somewhere to place Web Pages making them available to the WWW. You pay the
service provider a set fee.
ShockWave-
Similar to Java, bringing enhanced multimedia to the Internet. ShockWave is
a development tool created by the company Macromedia.
Shopping Cart Software-
Software that permits users to set up an on-line store to sell merchandise
via the Internet.
Site- A site is the term
given to a place where information can be found on the World Wide Web. (i.e.
A website)
SLIP- Serial Line Interface
Protocol. A software scheme for connecting a computer to the Internet.
Socket- When your computer is
on the Internet via a SLIP connection, a socket is a conversation your
computer is having with a computer elsewhere on the net. You may have one
socket for an FTP session, another socket for a SSH session, and another
socket taking care of getting your mail.
SMTP-
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol A protocol used to transfer e-mail between
computers.
SQL- Structured Query
Language - a standardized language used to access databases. See MySQL.
Synchronous Communication-
Communication that occurs at the same time, between two or more individuals,
for e.g. telephone conversations, Internet Relay Chat, face-to-face
communication
T
TCP/IP- Transfer Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol. The system that networks use to communicate with
each other on the Internet.
SSH-
The command and program used to login from one Internet site to another. The
SSH command/program gets you to the "login" prompt of another host.
Terminal- A device that
allows you to send commands to a computer somewhere else. At a minimum, this
usually means a keyboard and a display screen and some simple circuitry.
Usually you will use terminal software in a personal computer--the software
pretends to be ("emulates") a physical terminal and allows you to type
commands to a computer somewhere else.
U
UNIX- A computer operating
system (the basic software running on a computer, underneath things such as
word processors and spreadsheets). UNIX is designed to be used by many
people at the same time (it is "multiuser") and has TCP/IP built in. It is
the most common operating system for servers on the Internet.
URL- Uniform Resource
Locator. The standard way to give the address of any resource on the
Internet that is part of the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL looks like this:
http://www.matisse.net/seminars.htm. The most common way to use a URL is to
enter into a Web browser program, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or
Netscape Navigator.
USENET- An informal group of
systems that exchange "news." USENET predates the Internet, but today, the
Internet is used to transfer much of USENET's traffic.
V
Viewer- A program used by
Gopher, WAIS, or WWW client programs to show files with contents other than
text. You would use a viewer to display graphics or video files, or to play
sound files.
VRML-
Virtual Reality Markup Language. A standard by which the internet uses for
delivering 3-dimensional virtual reality over the Web.
W
WAN- Wide Area Network. Any
internet or network that covers an area larger than a single building or
campus. (See also: Internet, LAN, network)
World Wide Web- The newest
and most ambitious of the special Internet services. The World Wide Web
provides full text and graphical access to documents created using Hypertext
Markup Language(HTML). It is the first Internet service that incorporates
many of the most popular platforms (e-mail, Gopher, FTP, Wais, Newsgroups).
Attributed to the world wide success of the Internet. Often abbreviated
'WWW'.
Web- An abbreviated term for
the World Wide Web.
Web Document- Is a collection
of information stored on the World Wide Web (WWW) which has the benefit of
using hypertext links to link to other documents on the (WWW).
Website- A collection of html
files, graphic files and any other file types that are supported by the
World Wide Web that can be viewed by using a World Wide Web browser.
Windows Socket- (WinSock).
Windows Sockets is a standard way for Windows-based programs to work with
TCP/IP. You can use WinSock if you use SLIP to connect to the Internet.
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