A
ActiveX-
- A microsoft technology that facilitates information sharing among applications. Its used for developing interactive applications and web content.
Algorithm- A set of instructions and/or procedures to solve a problem.
ANSI- Short for The American National Standard Institute.
Applet- A computer program written in Java. Applets are similar to applications, but they don't run as stand alones, the run within a Java-compatible browser.
ARPAnet-
- The acronym for Advanced Research Project Agency, the U.S. Department of Defence agency that funded the development of the first computers that linked networks across large distances, this was the forerunning for the internet.
Array- A series of data items arranged in a useful way.
Artificial Intelligence- Use of Computers involving 'human like' abilities such as visual perception, speech recognition, and natural language analysis.
Assembler- Program that converts assembly language mnemonics into machine code.
Assembler Language- Programming making use of mnemonics instead of machine code.
Attachment- A file that is sent with an email message
B
Backbone- The central Network infrastructure of the internet. It allows one internet acess provding to send information to another.
Bandwidth- The amount of data that can be sent through a connection before the carrier becomes full, usually measured in bits per second (bps).
BASIC- Programming language which stands for Beginner's All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.
Batch Processing- A system where jobs are usuallu submitted and run as batches, eg few at a time.
Baud- (Pronounced bawd) The speed at which a modem or other transmitting data device, technically measured in number of events, or signals changes, per second.
Beta Testing- Testing a new product on users before its official release.
Binary- A two state system usually expressed using the digits '0' and '1' but any two states can be used.
Binary Tree- A tree data structure where each node is allowed a maximum of two children.
BIOS- Short for Basic Input Output System, part of the operating system usually housed as ROM.
Browser- A software program used to view the world wide web. Also to retrieve and display copies of files in an easy to read format.
Buffer- A temporary store to allow devices to work at different speed to communicate effictively.
Bug- An error in the program or an 'undocuments feature'.
Bus- A parallel group of wires, usually 8, 16, 32 or 64 bits wide.
Bus network- A network topology described by a main spur with computers connected at various points.
C
C- A popular high-level language suitable for complex system processing because low-level support.
C++- A popular object orientated high level language which is a superset of C.
CAD- Short for Computer Aided Design, object orientated graphics package that is ideal for design engineers and architects.
CD- Short for Compact Disc.
CD-R- Short for Compact Disc- Record, allows the user to record information onto special CD's which then can be used in a normal CD drive.
CD-ROM- Short for Compact Disc Read only memory. An optic Disc which can store video, audio and computer data.
CERN- Couseil Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1980 a team of pioneering engineers developed the World Wide Web.
CGI- Short for Common Gateway Interface, software that allows communication between a web server and programs operating outside the server. Eg. Interactive forms or which searches databases on the server for information requested by a user.
Clients- Software Programs that provide access to anetwork resources by working with the information on a server.
Compiler- A program that converts a high level language into machine code.
Cookie- A File stored on your hard deisk and used to identify your comupter or your preferences to a remote computer.
Content- A collective name for the text, pictures, sound, data and other information presented by a web site.
Cyber-- Prefix for anything to do with computers or the internet.
Cyberspace- The virtual Universe of information transmitted by computers, program, audio and video media, telephone and television, wire and satellite. A graphical representation of data abstracted from the banks of every computer in the human system.
D
Decryption- Changing a gobbledygook message back into original text making use of suitable algorithms and a key.
Domain Name- The internet name of a computer or group of computers. The domain name usually defines the name of an organisation, and its geographical position and the type of site
Downloading- The process of requesting and transferring a file from a remote computer to a local computer abd saving the file via the use of a modem or network.
E
E-Mail- A means of sending typed messages from one computer to another over the internet or network.
Encryption- Changing a message into gobbledygook using a key and a suitable algorithm.
F
FAQs- Short for Frequently Asked Questions, a list of questions and answers in response to queries users have relating to a specific topic.
FIFO- Short for First in First Out.
Firewall- Software intended to prevent unauthorised access to a computer network.
Flame- An e-mail or newsgroup posting composed with the intention of causing offence or outrage.
Freeware- Copyrighted software available at no charge from the software author.
FTP- Short for File transfer protocol, an internet protocol that allows users to transfer files to and from other computers.
G
GIF or .gif- Stands for Graphics Interchange Format, a type of graphics file format suitable for use on world wide web documents.
Gigabyte- A measurement of electronic file size equalling a roughly one billion bytes.
GUI- Short for Graphical User Interface.
H
Hacker- A person who illegally breaks into or tampers with computer systems.
HCI- Short for Human Computer Interface.
Home Page- The main page of a web site, generally containnig the links to withing the web site.
HTML- Short for Hypertext MarkUp Language, HTML is the language used to create and layout documents for the world wide web.
HTTP- Short for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, the protocol which is the basis of the world wide web technology. HTTP is the set of rules governing the software that transports HTML documents along the internet.
Hyperlink- A reference or link which, when clicked, will automatically transfer an Internet user to another page or site on the Internet.
HyperText- Electronic Text in a format that provides instant access, via links, to other hypertext within a documents or in another document.
I
Internet- In its most general sense, an internet is a large computer network made up of a number of smaller networks. When capitalized, it refers to the physical network that makes up the web and makes global email possible.
Intranet- A private network within an organisation. Intranets frequently use internet protocols to deliver content. Often protected from the internet by firewalls.
IP Address- The Internet Protocol address of a computer connected to the Internet, usually represented in dot/decimal notation.
ISDN- Short for Integrated Services Digital Network, a network thats acts as a digital connection service for the telephone and other communication devices such as a modem.
ISP- Short for Internet Service Provider, a service that provides organisations and home user with access, via the ISP's servers, to the internet.
J
Java- An object orientated programming language developed by Sun Mircosystems. Its is used to create applets or programs which can be attached to web documents. An applets can be included in an html page, the program will run if you have a Java capable browser.
JPG or JPEG- Short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, a type of graphics file format suitable for use in web documents.
K
Keyboard- Device for Entering text manually into the computer system. English Keyboards are usuallu QWERTY type.
Kilobyte- A measurement of electronic files size which is represented as 1024 bytes.
L
LAN- shrot for Local Area Network, a network connecting two or more computers within a relatively small area.
Linked List- A list which is defined by pointers and not physical locations.
Lurking- Listening to (reading) a newsgroup's discussion without participating in the on-going chats.
M
Megabyte- A measurement of electronic file size equalling 1,048,576 bytes (1024*1024).
Modem- Stands for Modulator/Demodulator, a hardware devices that connects one computer to others or to the internet over a standard telephone line.
Multimedia- Term for any content that combines text, sound, graphics, and/or video.
N
Net- An abbreviation for the internet.
Netiquette- The combination of Net and the etiquette, an unwritten code of rules for preserving civility on, and efficient use of, the Internet.
Newbie- Condescending term for an inexperience user, or someone whi is new to the internet.
Newsgroup- Groups or forum on the Usenet in which users can share information, ideas, tips and opinions on a particular subject.
O
Off-Line- A phrase used to describe a computer which is not connected to the Internet.
On-Line- A phrase used to describe a computer which is connected to the Internet.
P
Page- An individual frame of content on the world wide web, reference by a single URL.
Pascal- A high Level language named in the honour of mathematician Blaise Pascal.
Platform- The hardware and system software that are the basis foundations of a computer system.
Plug-In- A software component or module that extends the capability of web browsers. There enable the display of rich content such as audio, video and annimation.
PPP- Abbrevation for Point to Point protocol, a configuration used to connect two computers with either a phone line or network link that acts link a phone line.
Protocol- A system of rules or standard for communication over a network, particularly the Internet. COmputers and networks interact according to protocols that determine the behaviour each side expects from the other in the transfer of information.
Q
Query- Requesting information from a database- usually in the form an SQL.
QWERTY- American and English Keyboard Layouts.
R
RAM- Short for Random Access Memory.
Real Time- A system which can respond in an appriopriate amount of time, usually very quickly but not always.
ROM- Short for Read Only Memory.
S
Script or Script Language- A programming shortcut that gives non-technical users a way to create richer content on their computers and gives programmers a quick way to create simple applications.
Search Engine- A software applicatrion or service used to locate files on an intranet or the web. Generally accessed with browsers.
Server- A computer or its software that serves other computers on a network by adminstering files and network operations.
Shareware- Software that is available for free try out but for which tha author or developer requests payment if you decide to keep the software.
Signature- An email or Usenet feature that indicates who sent a message and/or the where the message originated.
Site- A collection of related web pages, residing on the same server and interconnected by hotlinks.
SLIP- Serial Line interface protocol, this is a type of dial up protocol used to connect a computer to the Internet.
SPAM- Electronic garbage and Junk postings, often of a commercial nature, typically sent to many uninterested recipents.
Streamed Audio- Sound files captures in an audio file or transmitted over the Internetin real time.
String- A set of alpha numeric characters used as input for calculations or searches.
Surf- Slang for to browser the Internet can refer to browsing aimlessly rather than seeking a specific content.
T
TAGS- The formatting codes used to create HTML documents.
TCP/IP- Short for Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol, the two protocols that govern the way computers and networks manage the flow of information over the internet.
Telnet- A terminal emulation program used for loggin on to other computers, especially large, mainfrmae computers.
Threads- Used to organise Newsgroup topics, a thread is like an online conversation made up of linked postings sent to amessage poster or a conference.
U
Uploading- The process of transferring a file from local computer to a remote computer via a modem or network.
URL- short for Uniform Resource Locator, the address that specifies the electronic location of an internet resource.
Usenet- A system of electronic bulletin boards on which readers can share information, ideas, tips and opinions. Often now referred to as Newsgroups.
V
Virtual Reality- Computer generated 3D space which simulates an oerganic physical environment.
Virus- A malicious human created program that searches out other programs and infects them with a copy of itself, when infected programs are run the virus is activated. It may be on a computer system without the knowledge of the user.
VRML- Short for Virtual Reality Modelling Language, a set of codes used for writing the files for three dimensional, virtual reality programs.
W
Web (the)- Short for the World Wide Web
WIMP- Short for Window Icon Menu Pointer, an easy interface for the windows operating system.
Wizard- Computer based help that guides you though the steps necessary to complete a task.
World Wide Web or WWW- A collection of multimedia content, connected by hyperlinks and providing an easy, graphical interface for navigating the Internet.
X
Xerographic Printer- A printer which makes use of Xerox photocopying techniques.
Y
Z
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