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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 #
I
Image Map
An image with clickable 'hot spots', allowing several hyperlinks
from a single image file. For example, the image could be
of a country, split into different areas, each of which could
be clickable and hyperlink to a larger view of that specific
area.
Internet
The collection of all the interconnected networks in the world,
and is often simply referred to as the 'net'.
IP
(Internet Protocol) the main protocol used on the internet.
IP Address
Unique 4-number code designated to every Domain on the internet.
Each Domain also has a Domain Name as well as an IP address
to make site addresses easier to remember.
IRC
(Internet Relay Chat) real-time world-wide electronic chat
program allowing the user to communicate with other people
across the globe.
ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network) Digital telephone line
allowing faster data transfer rates than existing analogue
lines. Allows simultaneous transfer of voice, data and video
information.
ISP
(Internet Service Provider) A company or organisation, such
as i12, dedicated to providing businesses or home users
access
to the internet, usually for a fee.
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 #
J
Jargon
Like all other specialised subjects, the internet has its
own jargon; a somewhat cryptic language describing technical
details. Some jargon is explained in this glossary.
Java
Developed by Sun Microsystems, Java is a Web programming language
supporting online multimedia effects, such as simple cartoon-like
animation, background music and continuously updated information
in Web pages.
JavaScript
A programming language designed for use in web browsers.
JPEG
(Joint Photographic Experts Group) a standard of image compression
developed especially for use on the internet. Most photographic
images can be highly compressed using this method, without
greatly diminishing image quality.
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 #
K
Kilobyte
A unit of storing digital information. 1024 bytes equals 1
kilobyte.
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 #
L
LAN
(Local Area Network) see below.
Leased Line
A rented, high-speed phone link for private use, available
24 hours a day.
Link
Link puts the hyper in hyperlink. Links are the connections
between hypertext pages. Every time you click on highlighted
text to go to another page you're following a link.
Local Area Network
Usually referred to as a LAN, this describes a group of computers
commonly in the same building, connected by network cables.
Login
When a user tries to gain access to the internet through their
host computer, they must Login with their password and User
ID.
Lurker
A person who reads a newsgroup, but does not contribute to
it. Everyone should be a lurker when they first start reading
a newsgroup.
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 #
M
Mailbox
Where your e-mail goes when it is delivered. A location at
our server which collects your e-mail until you dial in and
connect and download it.
Mail server
The computer (and software running on it) that allows sorting
and retrieval of E-mail messages.
Megabyte (Mb)
The unit of measurement for a thousand Kilobytes; a million
bytes.
MIME
(Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) a format designed
originally to include images, sounds, animations and other
types of documents within internet mail messages.
Mirror site
An FTP site containing exactly the same files as the site
it is mirroring. Sites may be mirrored several times, often
in different countries around the world. They relieve the
load that can be placed on a very popular FTP site, making
it easier for users to gain access and download files faster.
Modem
(MODulator-DEModulator) allows the transmission of digital
information over an analogue phone line.
Modem Wizard
The set-up routine for modems in Windows '95 to allow Windows
to recognise and use your modem.
Mosaic
Web browser written by a group of people at NCSA. Provides
a Graphical User Interface for accessing data on the World
Wide Web.
MPEG
(Motion Picture Experts Group) video compression format used
for movie or animation clips on the World Wide Web.
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 #
N
NCSA
(National Centre for Supercomputing Applications) powerful
organisation that launched the Mosaic Web Browser in 1993
for Windows, x-Windows and Macintosh platforms.
Netiquette
Informal, largely undocumented set of rules designed to make
the Web a polite and civilised 'society'.
Netscape Communications
Creators of Netscape Navigator, one of the most popular Web
browsers. Became notorious after introducing several HTML
'extensions' that were unsupported by other browsers.
Network
Two or more computers linked together and able to share resources
constitutes a network.
Network Time Protocol
Internet protocol ensuring that the correct time is transmitted.
Network time server
Using Network Time Protocol, you access this machine to get
the right time.
Newsgroup
Thousands of Newsgroups exist, distributing information on
different subjects using Usenet.
Newsreader
Program that allows the user to read Newsgroup messages via
Usenet.
NIC
(Network Information Centre) the location where all the data
is organised for a certain network.
NNTP
(Net News Transport Protocol) Usenet news uses this transfer
protocol for shifting files around the network.
Node
Any single computer connected to a network.
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 #
O
Offline
When your computer performs an operation when it is not connected
to any other computers, it is working offline.
Online
Your computer is working online when it performs an operation
and is connected to other computers.
Operating System
The program that, after being initially loaded at boot up,
manages all the other programs in a computer.
Outbox
Where mail is stored until your connected, then it is sent,
and moves to your sent box.
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 #
P
PAP
Password Authentication Protocol - this is one authentication
method that can be used when connecting to an ISP. It allows
you to log in without having to use a terminal window. Using
PAP, passwords are sent over the circuit in text format, which
offers no protection from playback.
Packet
Information moves around the internet in 'packets'; chunks
of data each with their own destination address. Think of
packets as sealed envelopes containing data, with addresses
written on them. They all go through the system, and usually
end up at the correct destination. The more envelopes the
system must handle, the slower the process becomes.
Page
A World Wide Web 'page' is the name given to a basic Web document,
such as the one you are viewing at the moment.
PKZIP or PKUNZIP
Utilities for easily compressing and uncompressing DOS and
Windows files. They use the .zip filename extension.
Plug-In
There are many things that your browser can do such as displaying
images and web pages. Other things are beyond its capabilities
and that's where the plug-ins are introduced. Shockwave and
RealAudio are examples of plug-ins required for audio and
video.
POP
(Post Office Protocol) provides a store-and-forward service,
intended to move E-mail on demand from an intermediate server
to a single destination machine, usually a PC or Macintosh.
PPP
(Point to Point Protocol) PPP is a kind of internet connection
that allows a computer to use internet protocols to become
a part of the internet. Requires a modem, a standard telephone
line and an account from a service provider.
Protocol
Method by which computers communicate to each other over the
internet in order to provide a service.
Public access provider
An organization that provides internet access for individuals
or other organizations, often for a fee.
Public domain
Refers to software that anybody can use or modify without
authorisation.
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