Complete & Explained
Practical Internet takes the techno-babble and turns it into plain English
Those Internet terms explained
ActiveX
Microsoft’s
programming language that downloads and runs programs on your computer’s
own hard drive. ActiveX technology is used with Microsoft Internet Explorer
to make interactive Web pages that look and behave like computer programs,
rather than static pages. With ActiveX, users can ask or answer questions,
use push buttons, and interact in other ways with the Web page.
Attachment
A file, which
is included along with an email message.
Bandwidth
This refers
to the amount of data that can be sent through a given communications
circuit in a given amount of time. In general, greater bandwidth means
faster transfer of data from one point to another on the Internet.
Bookmarks
The name given
to Web sites which are ‘marked’ for future reference in Netscape Navigator.
Also known as ‘Favorites’ in Internet Explorer.
Cookie
Data that a
Web server gives to a browser the first time the user visits the site.
This is then updated with each return visit. The server saves the information
the cookie contains about the user. The user’s browser does the same
as a text file stored in the Netscape or Explorer system folder. Cookie
store information such as username and password and what parts of the
site were visited. This information can be updated with each visit.
DNS
Domain Name
Server/Domain Name System. This converts an address such as http://www.paragon.co.uk into an IP (Internet
Protocol) number, as 194.72.242.3.
Flame
Abusive messages
which are sent by email or posted to a newsgroup in response to daft
comments or elementary questions.
FTP
File Transfer
Protocol. The method, which is usually used for transferring files across
the Internet. There are separate FTP programs available, although much
of it is now done over the Web.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format. A format for saving images so they can be ‘seen’ by a Web browser.
GIF was developed in 1987 by giant US service provider CompuServe.
HTML
HyperText Markup
Language. The universal language of the Web in which all pages are written.
Official versions of HTML are defined by the W3 Consortium, which is
at http://www.w3.org.
HTTP
HyperText Transfer
Protocol. This is the protocol that is used to carry traffic between
a Web browser’s computer and the Web site.
Intelligent Agent
A software routine
that uses ‘intelligent’ to do an Assigned task. For example, searching
through the Web for pages that match your personal tastes.
Intranet
A (usually)
private network which is only accessible by authorised users. For example,
a company could connect its Bristol, London and Birmingham offices with
its own private intranet.
IRC
Internet Relay
Chat. A multi-user chat system. This is a feature of the Net, which
allows you to hold ‘live’ text conversations with other people on the
same ‘channel’.
ISDN
Integrated Services
Digital Network. This is a digital alternative to current analogue phone
lines, ISN modems are already available, enabling its users to achieve
much faster connection speeds.
ISP
Internet services
provider. A company which sells connections to the Net. Compare with
online service providers (OSPs) which provide an Internet connection
in addition to their own exclusive members-only services such as chat
forums, news services, and other information.
JAVA
A programming
language developed by Sun Microsystems that enables a programmer to
include multimedia effects and increased interactivity within Web pages.
JPEG
Joint Photographic
Experts Group. JPEG is another file format that can be viewed on the
Web. The image is compressed, thus reducing the file size, for faster
loading.
KBPS
Kilobits per
second. This represents your modem speed- high is better.
Leased Line
A link, or hyperlink,
acts as a bridge between separate Web pages. By clicking on a link you
are taken to another Web page.
MMX
Multimedia extensions.
An improvement to Intel’s Pentium processor which processes graphics,
sound and other data at high speeds.
Modem
Modulator/demodulator.
A piece of equipment that connects computers to each other for sending
communications via telephone lines. The modem converts the digital data
of computers into analogue signals to send over the telephone lines,
then changes it back into digital signals to be read by the computer
on the other end. Modems are used for sending and receiving electronic
mail, and also for surfing the Net.
MUD
Multi-user Dimension. An adventure game where many people around the world can play simultaneously
and communicate within the confines of the game.
Newsgroups
Discussion groups
which are held over the Net. Also known as Usenet.
Newsreader
The software
that enables you to read messages (or’postings’) that people has sent
to newsgroups. Built into the popular Web browsers.
News (NNTP) Server
The hardware
that holds all the newsgroups you can access, usually based at your
Internet service provider. If you’ve used DejaNews or HotBot to find
the name of a newsgroups but can’t find it when you look through your
news server’s list of available groups, you may be able to find it on
a ‘public access’ server.
Offline
When your computer
is not connected to the Internet.
Offline Browser
Software, which
downloads the content of Web pages into your hard drive, so whole sites,
can then be viewed ‘offline’ at your convenience.
Online Service Provider
A company which
offers Internet access combined with its own interface and ‘members-only’
services, such as live chat rooms, message boards, online shopping malls
and news feeds.
PLUG-INS
In the context
of the Web, these are ‘ extensions’ to your browser, which enhance its
functionality. Plug-ins enables you to play sound files or animations,
for example.
POP3
Post Office
Protocol 3. The most recent version of a standard protocol for receiving
email. POP3 is a client-server protocol in which email is received and
held for you by your Internet server. Periodically, you check your mailbox
on the server and download any new mail.
PPP
Point to Point
Protocol. The protocol that lets your computer connects to the Internet
via a modem.
Search Engine
Web sites, which
contain powerful search facilities, which let users, find other pages
on a specific subject.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. A common protocol for sending email across the Internet, gradually being replaced by POP3.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The common language that all computers connected to the Internet use in order to communicate with each other. No TCP/IP, no Internet!
Telnet
The Telnet protocol allows you to use the Internet to type to another user’s computer much as if you were sitting in front of it. This is known as ‘terminal emulation’. Examples of Telnet services include searchable databases, bulletin boards and real-time chatlines.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. A sequence of characters that specify the address of a resource on the Web, e.g. a Web page (in the form http://) or an FTP site (in the form ftp://).
VRML
Virtual Reality Modeling Language. A programming language which is used to create the illusion of 3D objects for on-screen virtual reality environment. The computer shows an apparently three-dimensional object from a certain position, and then creates the illusion of movement by gradually changing the viewpoint.
Web
Browser
A program installed
in your computer’s memory that reads, or ‘browses’ Web pages. A full
Internet connection is needed for them to browse the Web. Internet Explorer
and Netscape Navigator are the most popular Web Browsers, now available
in ‘suites’ along with many other essential Internet Programs.
