Index
Links updated#24/7 Operation The operation of a site or service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 56K line A data transmission line with the capacity to move information at 56,000bps. Compare ISDN, T-1, T-3 lines. 586 The unofficial name given to the Pentium processor. Intel calls its new processor the Pentium because it was a marketable name and easily protected by copyright laws. Many people in the computer industry, however, referred to the Pentium processor as the 586 in reference to its predecessors, which were called the 286, 386, and 486. Also, the name given to Pentium-class processors produced by Intel Corporation competitors. 686 The name given to Pentium Pro-class processors produced by Intel Corporation competitors. |
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| Device | Upstream Speed (Kbps) | Downstream Speed (Kbps) |
| Dial-Up Modem | 56 | 56 |
| ISDN | 128 | 128 |
| Cable Modem | 768 | 10,000 |
| T1 Leased Line | 1,544 | 1,544 |
| ADSL | 640 | 9,000 |
| T3 Leased Line | 44,700 | 44,700 |
| ATM | 622,000 | 620,000 |
baud rate (Same as bps--Bits Per Second). A unit used to measure the number of data bits a modem can transfer in one second. One baud is how many signals a modem can handle in one second. Information is measured in bits, and bits come in the signal. Higher baud modems can send and receive more signals in a second, and the faster speeds also cram more bits into a signal.
BBS (Bulletin Board System) Computers access by remote users via modems for discussion, file downloads, and other BBS services. BBSs are typically stand-alone systems not on the Internet, though many have gateways.
binary file Refers to a file that contains information in a non-text form (graphics, sounds, spreadsheets, etc.). Any file that is not a text file. Any arrangements of bits that is meaningful to a computer, without regard to any correspondence to a human-readable character set.
BITNET An acronym for "Because It's Time Network", a cooperative education and research network.
blog, blogger A blogger is someone who publishes a Web log (or "blog"), an online, very public, theme-specific journal intended for the Web savvy reader. The article My blog, my self explains this trend recently embraced by people from all walks of life to record their daily thoughts and share them with the world. Jennifer Balderama (blogjen@yahoo.com), formerly of CNET's News.com and now with the Washington Post, had this to say about blogs and bloggers:
"Web logs give voice to people whom just a decade ago, you never would have heard from. There are war blogs, peace blogs, food blogs, crude blogs, humor blogs, culture blogs to occupy your day. Geek blogs, freak blogs, teen blogs, mean blogs, fanaticals and radicals who like to rant away. Worker bees and histories, punditry and poetry, diversity, adversity and spicy verbal play. Optimists, pessimists, enthusiasts and hobbyists, journalists and journal-ists with something big to say."
You can create your own blog at blogger.com.
bookmark (or favorite) Most Web browsers give you an option of adding a URL to a "HotList" or by marking it with a "bookmark". By doing this, you can store the linking information (the URL) to any Web pages you plan to revisit. That way, if you decide to go back to a Web site, its URL is already catalogued and at your fingertips for easy reference. (Spry Mosaic uses "hotlists", Netscape Navigator uses "bookmarks" and Microsoft Internet Explorer uses "favorites"). Other Web browsers may use those terms, or may call their URL-saving feature something else.)
Boolean logic A system for searching and retrieving information from computers by using and combining terms such as AND, OR, and NOT to sort data.
bot Synonymous with spider, which is the first part of a search engine. It automatically and frequently searches the Web to find pages and updates its database of information about old Web sites.
bps (Bits Per Second) Refers to the speed at which a particular modem can transmit data. Divide the bits per second by 10 to get an approximate idea of how many characters per second a modem is transmitting data.
browser (see Web browser).
byte A set of eight bits.
C
cable connection One of the fastest growing of available Internet connection types, particularly among cable television subscribers. Cable connections require cable modems to provide a relatively low cost, very high speed download, a reasonably fast upload rate, and an "always on" connection to the Internet.
cache A high-speed area in memory set aside to store Web pages and content that has already been viewed.
cascading style sheets Utilities that allow designers to apply many predefined page display styles to Web pages.
CCITT V series Several international modem standards set by the Consultative Committee for International Telephony and Telegraphy. The standards help buyers make sure modems they buy will communicate with other modems. The standards, formerly used primarily outside the United States, have been accepted almost universally since the advent of the 2400 bits per second (bps) modems. Not all are relevant to computer users. Examples include: V.21, V.22, V.22bis, V.23, V.26, V.26bis, V.27, V.27bis, V.27ter, V.29, V.32, V.32bis, V.34, V.42, V.42bis.
CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) A clearinghouse of information about network security.
certification authority (CA) an agency that issues digital certificates to organizations or individuals.
CFML (Cold Fusion Markup Language) An extension of HTML. A proprietary markup language used by Macromedia's ColdFusion MX to link HTML pages to database servers. CFML goes beyond database management to fill some important gaps in HTML, including session variables, branching logic, loops, and other constructs that programmers are accustomed to using, such as error trapping and debugging tools.
channel A Web page or category of information in a particular area of interest that is automatically delivered to a user's computer.
CGI (Common Gateway Interface) (1) A protocol that allows Web servers to interact dynamically with other software packages to create custom Web pages. (2) A Web server scripting standard; a mechanism used to connect script to Web servers. In the past, most CGI programs were actually script files and were often written in scripting languages like PERL. Today, scripts can also be executable programs. You can write scripts in C and Visual Basic. The CGI specification has gone through several revisions. The best place to fine up-to-date information is the World Wide Web Consortium (W3) Web site (http://www.w3.org).
channel Virtual area where Internet Relay Chat (IRC) users communicate in real time. There are thousands of channels located on the Internet.
CIX (Commercial Internet Exchange) A pact between network providers that allows them to do accounting for commercial traffic.
click (click-through) The loading of an advertiser's Web page that results from a visitor clicking on a banner advertisement on another Web page.
click stream The path a visitor follows through a given Web site (from page to page to page). See also path through site and user session.
click-through count The number of visitors who click on a Web advertisement link and go to the advertiser's Web site.
client Any program you use to access a server; a computer application that requests support from another program (often called a server), which usually runs on a remote computer. For example, Netscape Navigator is a client that accesses programs (and Web pages) from servers on the Internet.
client errors Errors that occur due to an invalid request by the visitor's browser. Client errors are in the 400-range. See return code.
cloaking Also known as stealth forwarding or URL forwarding, this service lets you disguise a Web site that is hosted by a third-party web host provider to look like your own, with its own your-domain-specific URL. For example,
User enters: http://www.yourdomain.com/
User is forwarded to: http://www.somefreehostprovider.com/users/yoursite/
URL in the address bar reads: http://www.yourcomain.com/
User is none the wiser
collocated hosting Self-hosting wherein the server is owned by the online store but is located at the Web host's site. The Web host provides maintenance based on the level of service the online business requires.
COM port (Communications Port). A plug-in socket in back of the computer for hooking up devices such as modems.
commerce service provider (CSP) A Web host that also provides commerce hosting services on their computer.
communications software Also referred to as telecommunications software, this software allows one computer to connect with other computers across telephone lines (via modems) and share information. Communications software transmits instructions to your modem that directs it to make connections, transfer files, and carry out other procedures.
computer forensics The field responsible for the collection, preservation, and analysis of computer-related evidence.
connect time The period during which a user is signed on, usually for a fee, to an online service, bulletin board system, host computer, or Internet service provider.
conversion rate Used in advertising to calculate the percentage of recipients that respond to an ad or promotion.
cookie, cookies (1) Small bits of data that a Web server stores on a user's computer. Cookies have become a valuable way to keep track of a visitor's movements on your site, as sell as a convenient method to customize content based on a visitor's past preferences. A Cookie, for instance, allows a Web site to "recognize" and "remember" individual visitors by storing files on their browsers with a record of the last visit. Cookies cannot be used to "see" any other data on the user's computer, nor can they determine the user's e-mail address or identity. (2) Files containing information about visitors to a Web site. This information can include the visitor's username, preferences, and other information. The information is collected by the Web server and delivered to the visitor's computer during their first visit to a Web site. The server records the information in a text file and stores it on the visitor's hard drive. At the beginning of each subsequent visit, the server reads this information and configures itself based on the information provided.
cookie blocker A third-party program the prevents cookie storage selectively.
C shell A user interface for those whose Internet providers offer only character-based, command-line access to a Unix system (hence the term "shell account").
CoSN (Consortium of School Networks) A nonprofit group whose members include K-12 teachers, hardware and software vendors, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
cost per thousand (CPM) An advertising pricing metric that equals the dollar amount paid reach 1000 people in an estimated audience.
countermeasure a physical or logical procedure that recognizes, reduces, or eliminates a threat.
cracker Someone who attempts to thwart computer security systems.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Term used to describe the sophisticated personalization tools some vendors are developing to help define customer groups and target them with the right products and services. Companies use Web-based CRM products to help answer the question, "Who are my most profitable customers on the Web, and how do I target them more effectively?"
CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) An error-checking procedure for data transmission. The sending device performs a complex calculation, generating a number based upon the data being transmitted, and sends that number to the receiving device. The receiving device performs the same calculation after transmission. If the results match, the transmission succeeds. If the numbers don't match, it means the message was received in an altered state, and the data may be incorrect.
cryptography The science that studies encryption, which is the hiding of messages so that only the sender and the receiver can read them.
CSS See cascading style sheets.
cyber vandalism The electronic defacing of an existing Web page.
cybersquatting The practice of registering a domain name that is the trademark of another person or company with the hope that the trademark owner will pay huge amounts of money for the rights to the domain.
cycling Replacing the oldest log file with the newest log file.
D
datagram A formatted set of electronic data used in communication between computer systems. Datagrams consist of two parts: the data proper (which may be part of a longer message), and the header (which indicates the source, the destination, and the type of data).
data mining Looking for hidden patterns in data.
DDN (Defense Data Network) A segment of the Internet that links to US military bases and contractors around the world. Used for unsecured communications.
dead link A Web link that, when clicked, displays an error message instead of a Web page. See return code.
DECnet A set of proprietary networking protocols utilized (instead of TCP/IP) by Digital Equipment Corporation's operating systems. These protocols are not compatible with the Internet.
DES (Data Encryption Standard) An encryption standard adopted by the US government for encrypting sensitive information.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) A communications protocol that gives network administrators a central place to manage and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network.
DHTML See dynamic HTML.
dial-up (compare leased line) A telecommunications medium that links computers using regular telephone lines, generally referring to the kind of connection one makes when using a terminal emulator and a regular modem.
digital certificate (digital ID) An attachment to an e-mail message or data embedded in a Web page that verifies the identity of a sender or Web site.
digital signature An encryption message digest.
digital subscriber (or digital subscriber line or digital subscriber loop) High-grade telephone service offered by some telephone companies.
directory An organized unit for file storage on a computer system. Also a listing of files residing within such a unit.
directory service A service on a network that relays information about sites, computers, resources, or users in the area.
DLL (Dynamic Load Library)
DOD (Department of Defense) The branch of government whose Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPAnet) began the creation of the Internet.
DOM (Document Object Model) A platform and language neutral interface that allows programs and scripts to dynamically access and update the content, structure, and style of documents.
domain name The text name corresponding to the numeric IP address of a computer on the Internet (i.e., www.whaddup.com).
domain name lookup The process of converting a numeric IP address into a text name (for example, 206.113.230.3 converts to www.whaddup.com. You can see the reverse of this in action by typing ping www.whaddup.com (or any other domain name) at the command line. That will return the IP address of the domain name you specify. See ping.
Domain Name System (DNS) The unique name of a collection of computers connected to networks such as the Internet. A general-purpose, replicated, distributed data query service for looking up host IP addresses based on host names. The DNS is hierarchical, consisting of domains, subdomains, sites, and hosts. Unique names are formed from smallest to largest, and are of the form user@host.site.subdomain.domain, where host and site are often optional. On the Internet, domain names typically end with a suffix denoting the type of site:
.com (commercial)
.edu (educational)
.net (network operations)
.gov (US government)
.mil (US military)
.org (organization)
.us (United States)
.ca (Canada)
.uk (United Kingdom)
.au (Australia)
.cz (Czech Republic)
.xx (where xx refers to another country's two-letter abbreviation)
dotted quad The representation of an IP address; it appears as up to four separate numbers delineated by periods (for example 126.204.89.56).
download To receive a file sent from another computer (compare upload).
downstream The connection that occurs when information is sent to a user's computer from an ISP.
DSS (Digital Signature Standard)
dumb terminal A terminal that doesn't contain an internal microprocessor. It responds to simple control codes, and usually displays only characters and numerals.
dutch auction A type of open auction in which bidding starts at a high price and drops until a bidder accepts the price.
dynamic content Non-static information constructed in response to a Web client's request
dynamic HTML (DHTML) Instructions written in HTML that enable Web pages to react to user input and produce content that changes each time it is viewed. With dynamic HTML coding, Web pages are created "on the fly", as the information is delivered to your desktop. There are many technologies for producing dynamic HTML, including CGI scripts, Server-Side Includes (SSI), cookies, Java, JavaScript, Cold Fusion and ActiveX.
dynamic page A Web page whose content is shaped by a program in response to a user request. Web page that respond to users' requests and gather information from them. Oftentimes, they have built-in links to a relational database, from which they extract data based on input from the user (using dynamic SQL). Dynamic Web pages contain very little actual text. Instead, they pull needed information from other applications. Dynamic Web pages communicate with databases to extract employee directory information, spreadsheets to display accounting figures, client-server database management systems to interact with order processing applications, and more.
dynamic SQL (see SQL) This feature modifies queries based on user data, environment variables, and previously returned query results. Dynamic SQL can also increase processing efficiency by executing multiple queries and sending them to multiple databases from a single browser request.
E
e-Business (e-Mail, e-Commerce, e-Zine, e-Solution, e-Market, e-Service, etc.) Oftentimes used without the hyphen, the "e" originally stood for "electronic", as in "online". Today the term is used rather freely to describe any situation or solution that has made the migration from real world to the Internet.
EARN (European Academic and Research Network) The European equivalent to BITNET.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Exchange between businesses of computer-readable data in a standard format.
EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) A nonprofit organization concerned with Internet-related privacy and access issues.
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) Electronic transfer of account exchange information over secure private communications networks.
electronic cash A form of electronic payment which is anonymous and can be spent only once.
electronic mail (e-mail or E-mail) Online communications between computer users. The most frequently used communications tool on the Internet. E-mail allows you to communicate with one or thousands of users in less time and for less money than it takes to communicate with another person via traditional phone or mail services.
electronic wallet A software utility that holds electronic cash, credit card information, owner identification, and provides these data automatically at electronic commerce sites. There are two types: a client-side electronic wallet stores a consumer's information on the consumer's own computer and a server-side electronic wallet stores that information on a remote server that belongs to a particular merchant or to the wallet's publisher.
emoticons (see Unofficial Smiley Dictionary, under IRC)
encryption The process of scrambling a message so that a key, held only by authorized recipients, is needed to unscramble and read the message.
entry page The first page a visitor views when entering a Web site (surprising to many, the entry page is not always the home page). Compare exit page and path through site.
Ethernet Computers on the Internet that use the TCP/IP protocols are frequently connected to the Net over an Ethernet link. Ethernet supports communications at 10 mbps over several types of wiring. A type of network interface card that connects an individual computer to a network. See NIC.
exit page The last page a visitor views before leaving a Web site. Compare entry page and path through site.
extranet (compare Internet and intranet) An extended intranet connecting not only internal personnel, but also select customers, suppliers, and strategic partners.
F
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) A collection of questions and answers about a particular topic.
fiber optics A method of transmitting light beams along optical fibers. A light beam, such as that produced in a laser, can be modulated to carry information.
file compression This makes computer data smaller so less is needed to represent the same information and, consequently, the information takes up less disk or file space and may be transmitted in less time.
file server A file-storage device on a local area network (LAN) that is accessible to all users on the network. It is sophisticated, also serving as a manager of sorts, maintaining order as users request files and make changes to them.
finger A program used to find out if someone is online -- it may also reveal their full name and their plan and project files.
firewall (1) A special computer or software application that is set up on a network to prevent intruders from stealing or destroying confidential files. (2) A computer that provides a defense between one network (inside the firewall) and another network (outside the firewall, such as the Internet) that could pose a threat to the inside network. All traffic to and from the network must pass through the firewall. Only authorized traffic, as defined by the local security policy, is allowed to pass through the firewall, which is itself immune to penetration.
flame To heap written abuse on someone or to excessively criticize them for their ideas, spelling, grammar, etc. Flaming is considered impolite, juvenile behavior, but is not uncommon in some newsgroups.
flat file A single file containing all the data on a particular subject.
float Money deposited in a customer's account that earns interest for the merchant.
follow-up A reply to a Usenet posting.
Free-Net An open-access, community-sponsored and maintained computer network, affiliated with the National Public Telecomputing Network.
freeware Non-copyrighted software made available free for public use by the author (compare "shareware").
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) The principle of FTP is simple. You logon to a site (using your FTP software), then you choose a file to transfer. All FTP activity requires you to log on to the remote computer with a user name and password. To get to files shown on the map, it's important to understand the concept of anonymous FTP. Here, you log on to the machine as a guest rather than as an authorized account holder. In this situation, type "anonymous" as the user name and your full e-mail address as the password. Once you log on, you'll be able to access specified directories as an anonymous user. You can also access FTP sites with your Web browser. In the location or dialog box, type ftp://123.456.789.0 (using the appropriate IP address), or ftp://www.ftp.com (using the appropriate URL), and log on. From that point on, navigate through the site like you would a file directory on your computer.
FYI (For Your Information) A subseries of RFCs that are not technical standards or descriptions of protocols. FYIs convey general information about subjects related to TCP/IP or the Internet.
G
gateway A computer that links two networks, routing IP datagrams and often converting protocols or messages from one network to the other. The term can also refer to a system capability that provides direct access to other remote networks or services.
gateway server A firewall that filters traffic based on applications requested by clients on the trusted network.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) A file format developed by CompuServe Information Service (in 1987) for storing 256 color, raster (as opposed to vector) graphical images.
Gopher A menu-based system that allows a user to access information from a remote computer. Menu items point to a file or directory item, which may be located on the same computer or on a different one. Gophers essentially point to other gophers on remote machines. Through gopher, you can telnet to remote computers and perform searches on searchable databases.
Graphical User Interface A GUI (pronounced "gooey") is a graphics-based interface that lets you access programs by pointing to icons, buttons, and windows rather than by typing a string of commands at a command prompt.
H
hash algorithm A security utility that mathematically combines every character in a message to create a fixed-length number (usually 128 bits in length) that is a condensation, or fingerprint, of the original message.
hash coding The process used to calculate a number from a message.
hash value The number that results when a message is hash encoded.
helper applications Additional software occasionally needed to help a Web browser program deal with an unusual file on the Internet. When an unusual file is downloaded, a helper application takes over for the Web browser to open and run the file. An example of a helper application is Netscape's "naplayer". It opens and plays sound files when they are encountered on the Internet.
hit A much more general term than a page view, a "hit" is any action experienced at a Web site. A "hit" is any content delivered by a Web server. A single Web page may place several dozen demands on the Web server to deliver content: one for the page itself (or the collection of pages that make up a frame set), another for each graphic image displayed, and others for streaming media, sound bites and other content. Each of those demands is considered a "hit". Every file a Web server delivers is a "hit". Each hit is recorded by a Web server's log file.
home page The main page of a Web site. The home page provides visitors with an overview and links to the rest of the site. It often contains or links to a Table of contents for the site.
hops The number of hosts between two Internet connection computers.
host A computer system that is the source of network services; also the site where you can hold an interactive session.
HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) A system of marking up, or tagging, a document so it can be published on the World Wide Web. An author incorporates HTML markup in his or her document to define the function (as distinct from the appearance) of different text elements. The appearance of these text elements is not defined at the authoring stage; instead, formatting is applied when a browser decides how it is going to display the text elements.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) The client-server protocol upon which the World Wide Web is based.
hyperlink A link that connects you to other documents, other places within the same document, pictures or HTML pages. Think of a hyperlink as an invitation to visit another place. A simple click on the link will take you there.
hypermedia A blending of hypertext and multimedia.
hypertext The links within one document that allows it to connect to and display another document. Selecting a hypertext link automatically displays the second document.
HYTELNET A program that provides an easily adaptable and fluid connection to a multitude of networked information resources, including library catalogs.
I
IAB (Internet Architecture Board) The regulatory body that makes decisions about Internet standards and other vital issues.
IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) A voluntary group that investigates and resolves technical problems, as well as making recommendations to the IAB.
IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) An acronym commonly used in IRC, e-mail and newsgroups. See IRC for more acronyms.
impression The loading of a banner ad on a Web page.
index A list containing every Web page found by a spider, crawler, or bot.
integrity The category of computer security that addresses the validity of data; confirmation that data have not been modified.
integrity violation A security violation that occurs whenever a message is altered while in transit between sender and receiver.
interactive message access protocol (IMAP) A newer e-mail protocol with improvements over POP.
Internet The worldwide network of networks based on the TCP/IP protocol. A non-commercial, self-governing network devoted mostly to communication and research with roughly 20 million users worldwide. The Internet is not an online service and has no real central "hub." Rather, it is a collection of tens of thousands of networks, online services, and single-user components. Also, when not capitalized, any interconnected set of networks.
Internet access providers Otherwise known as Internet service providers (ISP). These organizations allow other computer users to dial-in and connect to their Internet connection for a fee.
Internet commerce Another term for electronic commerce; sometimes used to refer to electronic commerce conducted on the Internet or World Wide Web instead of via private networks.
Internet host A computer that is directly connected to the Internet.
intranet (compare Internet and extranet) Internal systems, based on Internet technology, designed to connect the members of a specific group or single company (a closed-user group). An Intranet is nothing more than a private Internet. In other words, it is a private network, usually a LAN or WAN, that enables the use of Internet based applications in a secure and private environment. As on the public Internet, Intranets can host Web servers, ftp servers, and any other IP-based services.
InterNIC (Internet Network Information Centre) (http://www.internic.net) for the United States, which is made up of three separate commercial organizations, and provides government-contracted services. This agency one of the primary official World Wide Web domain name registration services. InterNIC hosts a WHOIS service that you can use to see who a given domain name is registered to, or if that domain name is still in fact available.
IP (Internet Protocol) Number 1 among the protocols upon which the Internet is based. IP allows a packet to travel through multiple networks on the way to its ultimate destination.
IP address A unique number assigned to every computer directly connected to the Internet (for example 192.35.255.0). See also: DNS. IP address syntax (note that each series of 1-3 numbers is separated, or delineated, by a period):
| 1-3
numbers (0-255) |
. | 1-3
numbers (0-255) |
. | 1-3
numbers (0-255) |
. | 1-3
numbers (0-255) |
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) A mechanism that allows for a number of Internet users to connect to the same network node and chat in real time. To access this feature, you need an IRC server.
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ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) Special connections that use ordinary phone lines to transmit digital instead of analog signals. Briefly, ISDN is a telecommunications network that allows for digital voice, video, and data transmissions. ISDN replaces the slow and inefficient analog telephone system with a fast and efficient digital communications network. ISDN lines contain two channels: a B channel, which has a 64Kbps (kilobits per second) data transmission rate, and a D channel, which has either a 16Kbps or 64Kbps transmission rate. When the two lines are used together, transmitted data can travel at 128Kbps. Compare ISDN and T-1, T-3 lines.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) An association that has defined a different set of network protocols, known as the ISO/OSI protocols, that are in line to replace those currently in use on the Internet. See also OSI.
ISOC (the Internet Society) A group made up of members who support a worldwide information network. It is also the governing body to which the IAB reports.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) An organization that lets users dial into its computers to connect to its Internet link for a fee. ISPs generally provide only an Internet connection, an electronic mail address, and maybe World Wide Web browsing software. You can use an ISP based in your town that offers an access number in your local calling area, or a national ISP that provides local-access numbers across the country (many of them also offer 1-800 dialing access). You can also connect to the Internet through a commercial online service, such as CompuServe or America Online. With this kind of connection, you get Internet access and the proprietary features offered by the online service, such as chat rooms and searchable databases. Internet access through online services may be more expensive than that obtained through an ISP.
J
JANET (Joint Academic Network) The academic and research network in the United Kingdom.
java applet A Java application that runs on a browser.
java sandbox A security model that confines Java applet actions to a security model-defined set of rules.
java servlet An application that runs on a Web server and generates dynamic content.
JDBC (Java Database Connectivity)
JPEG, JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) The standard name of a commonly used compressed, digitized still image file.
Jughead A program, used in conjunction with gopher, that provides the means to search all of the menu selections within a particular gopher server.
K
key a number used to encode or decode messages.
knowbot A registered trademark of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives. Knowbots are robots designed to seek out files on the Internet.
knowledge management The intentional collection, classification, and dissemination of information about a company, its products, and its processes.
L
LAN (Local Area Network) A group of computers located in a relatively limited area (like an office building) and connected by a communications link that allows them to interact with each other. Many LANs are connected to the Internet.
late outsourcing The hiring of an external company to maintain an electronic commerce site that has been designed and developed by an internal information systems team.
LDAP
(Lightweight
Directory Access Protocol) A set of protocols
for accessing information directories. LDAP
resources.
leased line A dedicated (as opposed to a dial-up) telephone line typically used to link a moderate-sized local network to an Internet Service Provider.
limited edition A trial version of a software program; it can be used for free for a limited time period or for a certain number of uses.
Listserv A program that allows users to mass-distribute messages that form conferences, as well as archiving files and messages that can be searched for and retrieved.
log file A file created by a Web or proxy server that contains all of the information regarding visitor access and related activity on that server. Sample entries from an Apache Common Log File, (which just happens to be one of the more abbreviated types of Web log file; others, including Apache Extended Common Log File format, contain much more information):
111.222.333.123 - Jones [01/Feb/1998:01:08:39 -0800] "GET /bannerad/ad.htm HTTP/1.0" 200 198
111.222.333.123 - Jones [01/Feb/1998:01:08:46 -0800] "GET /bannerad/ad.htm HTTP/1.0" 200 28083
111.222.333.123 - Smith [01/Feb/1998:01:08:53 -0800] "GET /bannerad/ad7.gif HTTP/1.0" 200 9332
111.222.333.123 - Adams [01/Feb/1998:01:09:14 - 0800] "GET /bannerad/click.htm HTTP/1.0" 404 207
Description of Fields:
-
Field 1: User Address
IP or domain name of the user accessing the site. -
Field 2: Domain (optional)
This field is used to log the domain for multi-homed web servers. -
Field 3: User Authentication
Username of visitor who access the server -
Field 4: Date/Time
Date and time the user accessed the site. -
Field 5: GMT Offset
Number of hours from GMT (if this is +0000 it is logged in GMT time). -
Field 6: Action
The particular operation of the hit (this must be in quotes). -
Field 7: Return Code
The return code indicates whether or not the action was successful etc. -
Field 8: Size
The size of the file sent.
logical security The protection of assets using nonphysical means.
login, logon The process of identifying yourself to your computer or an online service. The initial identification procedure to gain access to a system as a legitimate user. The usual requirements are a valid user name (or user ID) and password.
logout, logoff The concluding steps for formally ending a session with a system. Physically disconnecting or powering down a terminal does not necessarily result in a logout.
lurking A term used to describe the inactivity of a subscriber who doesn't actively participate in a mailing list or Usenet newsgroup discussions. One who lurks is just listening to the discussion. Lurking is advised for beginners who need to get up to speed on the history, mores, and etiquette of the group.
Lynx A character-based client program for the World Wide Web.
M
macro virus A virus that is transmitted or contained inside a downloadable file attachment; it can cause damage to a computer and reveal otherwise confidential information.
mail bomb A security attack wherein many people (hundreds or thousands) each send a message to a particular address, exceeding the recipient's allowable mail limit and causing mail systems to malfunction.
mailing list Electronic discussion groups that link a relatively small group of people together by common interests and that are distributed throughout the Internet via its global e-mail system. If you belong to a mailing list, you receive every message that is posted to that list.
mail server Programs and hardware used to manage and store e-mail over the Internet.
mail reflector A specialized address from which e-mail is automatically forwarded to a set of other addresses, commonly used to implement a mail discussion group.
managed hosting A Web hosting service in which the service provider manages the operation and oversight of all servers and assigns a dedicated service manager.
market A real or virtual space in which potential buyers and sellers come into contact with each other and agree on a medium of exchange.
marketspace A market that occurs in the virtual world instead of the real world.
masquerading See spoofing.
META tag A special HTML tag that contains keywords that represent Web page content; these are used by search engines to build indexes.
micropayments Internet payments for items costing very little (usually 1 dollar or less).
minimum bid In an English auction, the price for an item at which the auctioning begins.
minimum bid increment The amount by which one bid must exceed the previous bid.
MILNET A part if the DDN network that makes up the Internet, centered on non-classified military communications.
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) Extensions to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) that allow the transmittal of non-text information (graphics, etc.) via e-mail. A standard Internet format for encoding files that are attached to electronic (e-mail) messages. \
mirror A duplicate of an FTP site.
modem (MOdulator/DEModulator) A device that allows a PC to communicate and exchange information with other modem-equipped computers via telephone lines.
MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) A name for commonly used compressed, full-motion video files used on the Internet.
MP3 The file extension associated with MPEG audio layer 3 (MPEG-3). Layer 3 uses perceptual audio coding and psychoacoustic compression to remove redundant and irrelevant parts of a sound signal (parts the human ear doesn’t hear anyway). The result is that MP3 music signals are compressed to a size 1/12th the size of original with no noticeable loss of quality. (CD quality music is 1411.2 kilobits per one second of stereo music whereas MP3 music averages 112-128 kbps.) Because they are highly compressed, MP3 music files are easily transferred over the Internet, where they are traded regularly.
Mosaic The World Wide Web client program developed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). It was essentially the first graphical WWW browser.
MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) Modeled on the original Dungeons and Dragons game, it is a group of role-playing games that have been used as conferencing tools and educational tools.
multimedia Documents or platforms that combine different kids of data (plain text, video, graphics, audio).
N
name A lexical string that is mapped to an IP address (e.g., cutl.city.unisa.edu.au).
name changing A frowned-upon activity that occurs when someone purposely registers misspelled variations of well-known domain names. These variants sometimes lure consumers who make typographical errors when entering a URL. Compare spoofing.
name stealing Theft of a Web site's name; occurs when someone, posing as a site's administrator, changes the ownership of the domain name assigned to the site to another site and owner.
NCSA ( National Center for Supercomputing Applications) Hosted at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, the NCSA is one of the five original centers in the National Science Foundation's Supercomputer Centers Program. Mosaic, the first Internet browser program and predecessor to the Netscape browser, was invented at NCSA.
net bandwidth The actual speed information travels, taking into account all the traffic that may be on the communication channel at any given time.
netiquette Guidelines to good manners on the Internet -- for example, don't flame other users, don't leave your caps lock key on (that's like yelling), etc.
netizen Citizen of the Internet.
network A group of two or more computers linked together.
network access points (NAPs) The four primary connection points for access to the Internet backbone in the United States.
network access providers The four companies (Pacific Bell, Sprint, Ameritech, MFS Corporaton) that are primary providers of Internet access rights; they sell these rights to smaller Internet service providers.
newsgroup Collection of information and users who get together to communicate about one particular subject.
NFS (Network File System) Internet protocol used to share files among different hosts. A set of protocols that offers users access to other files on other networked computers as if they were local.
nic (Network Interface Card) The hardware that connects an individual computer to a network. See Ethernet.
NIC (Network Information Center) An electronic site where users can hunt down information about specific capabilities of a network. NICs are customarily maintained by regional networks and by institutions. The US national NIC is backed financially by the National Science Foundation, and is called the InterNIC.
NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) The Internet protocol used to transfer news using Usenet.
NOC (Network Operations Center) A site or group that is responsible for the daily care and maintenance of a network.
node One computer (or other peripheral) within a network.
NREN (National Research and Education Network) A US attempt to link networks operated by different federal agencies into a single high-speed network.
NSFNet (National Science Foundation Network) Currently the Internet backbone network of the United States.
NTP (Network Time Protocol) A protocol used to synchronize time between computers on the Internet.
O
octet Alternative term for a set of eight bits (i.e., a byte).
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) A dynamic-link library (DLL) file that Microsoft Query and Microsoft Excel can use to connect to a particular database. Each database program, such as Microsoft Access or dBASE, or database management system, such as SQL Server, requires a different driver. ODBC drivers make Microsoft Query flexible, so that you can connect to new databases, as they become available, by installing new drivers.
OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) A capability introduced with Windows 3.1 that gives all Windows applications a standard way of incorporating objects (i.e., text, graphics, or sound) created in other Windows programs. When you link an object between two documents, changes made to that object in one document automatically will be made in the other.
one-sided tag HTML tags that require only an opening tag (such as <P>, for new paragraph).
online Refers to the successful connection with another computer via telephone lines or through a network.
online community Synonymous with virtual community, which is an electronic gathering place for people with common interests.
open auction An auction in which bids are publicly announced.
open database connectivity (ODBC) A database protocol that makes it possible for a program to access data from an application, regardless of which database management system is dispensing the data.
online service A dial-up service that provides news, information, and discussion forums for users with modem-equipped PCs and the access software provided by the service. (Examples include: America Online, Prodigy, CompuServe, Genie, Delphi, and Global Network Navigator.)
OODB (Object Oriented Database)
open auction An auction in which bids are publicly announced.
opt-in e-mail The practice of sending e-mail messages to people who have requested information on a particular topic or about a specific product.
OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) A conceptual model and set of protocols for networks, promulgated by the ISO.
outsourcing The hiring of another company to perform design, implementation, or operational tasks for an information systems project.
P
packet A unit of data of standardized size, into which information is divided for transmission over a network. Each of the packets that comprise a message travels the internetwork independently; the message is reassembled from its component packets at the destination.
packet filter firewall A firewall that examines all data flowing back and forth between a trusted network and the Internet.
packet switching A message delivery technique in which information is broken down into small units (packets) and then relayed through stations in a computer network along the best route available between the source and the destination.
page view Also called a page impression. Hit to HTML-viewable pages only (.htm, .html, .doc, .txt, .asp, .jsp, and .cfm, for example)
patch A small piece of code designed to correct a software bug.
path through site The page-to-page course (path) a visitor takes through a Web site from the entry page to the exit page. See entry page and exit page.
PCMCIA, PCMCIA card (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) Credit card-sized plug-in boards for laptop and other computers. PCMCIA cards are used to add LAN adapters, modems, memory, storage and more.
PEM (Privacy Enhanced Mail) A encryption standard generally used to secure Internet mail.
permission marketing A marketing strategy that sends specific information only to persons who have indicated an interest in receiving information about the product or service being promoted.
persistent cookie A cookie that exists indefinitely (most cookies have built-in expiration dates).
personal information number (PIN) A random assemblage of digits, chosen by the customer, that serves as a password for monetary transactions.
ping A diagnostic utility that determines whether a remote computer is active and where it can be contacted. See domain name lookup.
plain old telephone service (POTS) The network connecting telephones; it provides a reliable data transmission bandwidth of about 56Kbps.
plug-in An application that helps a browser to experience information (such as video or animation or sound) but that is not part of the browser itself.
POP (Post Office Protocol) Makes available client-server e-mail messaging.
POP (Point of Presence) Used in the context of telecommunications between companies and ISPs.
PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) One way computers can communicate with each other over the Internet (compare "SLIP"). PPP connections let you communicate directly with other computers on the network using TCP/IP connections.
port A point of I/O access to a computer or system. Also, to convert a program from one platform to run on another (e.g., from Unix to MS-DOS or MacOS).
portal A Web site that serves as a customizable home base from which users do their searching, navigating, and other Web-based activity (such as www.msn.com).
port number (or port address) To ensure that each server application responds only to requests and communications from appropriate clients, each server is assigned a port address. If IP addresses are like street addresses, then ports can be thought of as apartment or suite numbers.
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Common IP Port Addresses |
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol) |
private key A single key that is used to encrypt and decrypt messages. Synonymous with symmetric key. Compare public key.
private network A private, leased-line connection between two companies that physically links their individual computers or intranets.
protocol An established method of exchanging data over the Internet. The "must follow" regulations that govern the transmission and receipt of information across a data communications link. Languages that computers use to talk to each other. A set of standards that assures that different network products can work together. Any product using a given protocol should work with any other product using the same protocol. Examples of Internet protocols include: telnet, email, news and world wide Web.
proxy server A firewall that communicates with the Internet on behalf of the trusted network.
public key One of a pair of mathematically related numeric keys, it is used to encrypt messages and is freely distributed to the public. Compare private key.
Q
Query Synonymous with search expression, which is the key word on which search engines perform searches.
QuickTime A type of video and sound playback format for computers. Developed by Apple Computer, the use of QuickTime has become so widespread that it has become a video standard.
R
rational branding An advertising strategy that substitutes an offer to help Web users in some way in exchange for their viewing an ad. Rational branding relies on the cognitive appeal of the specific help offered, not on a broad emotional appeal. For example, Web e-mail services such as Excite Mail, HotMail, or Yahoo! Mail give users a valuable service (an e-mail account and storage space for messages) in exchange for advertising on e-mail received and viewed by the user.
Real Audio A software application that lets you hear sound (as it occurs) over the Web.
registrar An official Web domain name registration service.
referrer (or referring page) URL of an HTML page that refers visitors to another Web site.
relevance feedback Documents retrieved in a search that are used to further refine the search.
response time The amount of time a server requires to process one request.
return code (success code, fail code) A Web log file records whether a request to the Web server for delivery of data was successful or not, and why.
Possible "Success" codes are:
200 = Success: OK
201 = Success: Created
202 = Success: Accepted
203 = Success: Partial Information
204 = Success: No Response
300 = Success: Redirected
301 = Success: Moved
302 = Success: Found
303 = Success: New Method
304 = Success: Not ModifiedPossible "Failed" codes are:
400 = Failed: Bad Request
401 = Failed: Unauthorized
402 = Failed: Payment Required
403 = Failed: Forbidden
404 = Failed: Not Found
500 = Failed: Internal Error
501 = Failed: Not Implemented
502 = Failed: Overloaded Temporarily
503 = Failed: Gateway Timeout
ripper Software that stores music in digital format on a computer.
ripping The act of extracting a track from a music CD and storing it in digital format on a computer.
RFC (Request for Comments) The documents that contain the standards and other information for the TCP/IP protocols and the Internet in general. They can be found at several sites through anonymous FTP.
router A computer that determines the best way for data packets to move forward to their destination.
routing The process of locating the most efficient or effective pathway through a network to a destination computer. Routing is commonly handled by the network or communication software.
routing algorithm he program used by a router to determine the best path for data packets to travel.
RSA (Rivest, Shamir, Adleman Public Key Encryption) A patented public key (also called dual-key or asymmetric) data encryption scheme that can provide both encryption and authentication.
S
save area The location on a computer where programs store critical information before control of that information is passed to another program.
scalablity A system's ability to be adapted to meet changing requirements.
scrip Digital cash minted by a small number of third-party organizations.
script A record of keystrokes and commands that can be played back in order to automate routing tasks, such as logging on to an online service.
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) A method of linking up to 8 disk drives or other devices to a single PC, MAC or other computer workstation.
search engine A WWW utility site that serves as an index to other sites on the Web. Some of the more popular search engines are "Starting Point", "Yahoo", and "Lycos". Search engines are relatively easy to use. Normally, they contain references to common subject areas that you can point-and-click to connect to other links, that connect to other links, and so on. They also give you the opportunity to type in key words (by themselves, or in combination) to begin a search. Click here for an example of how a search works.
search expression The key word on which search engines perform searches, which can include instructions telling the search engine how to perform its search.
secure electronic transaction (SET) A secure protocol that provides security for card payments as the traverse the Internet between merchant sites and processing banks.
secure envelope A security utility that encapsulates a message and provides secrecy, integrity, and client/server authentication.
secure sockets layer See SSL.
self hosting A system of Web hosting in which the online business owns and maintains the server and all its software.
server (1) A computer that hosts and delivers information to those accessing the Internet or an internal intranet. (2) A computer or computer application that delivers or routes information to other computers on a network (mail servers, Web servers, and database servers for example). (3) A computer or device on a network that manages network resources (file server, print server, etc.).
server error An error occurring on the server. See return code.
server side include (SSI) A type of HTML comment that directs the Web server to dynamically generate data for a Web page when it is requested.
service provider (or Internet Service Provider, ISP) A business that provides connections to a part of the Internet.
session cookie A cookie that exists only until you shut down your browser.
session key A key used by an encryption algorithm to create cipher text from plain text during a single secure session.
shared hosting A Web hosting arrangement in which a corporate Web site is on a server that hosts other Web sites simultaneously and is controlled by a third-party service provider.
shareware Software that is sold by individuals or companies for a nominal fee (compare "freeware"). Typically the software is downloaded and tried out before buying and registering it.
shell account An entry-level Internet access account. Instead of linking your computer directly to the Internet, you use your modem to dial in to an Internet-connect host computer operated by an Internet service provider (ISP).
shopping cart An electronic commerce utility that keeps track of selected items for purchase and automates the purchasing process.
signature A 3- or 4-line message, used to identify the sender of an e-mail message or Usenet article, that appears at the end of either communication. (Signatures longer than 5 lines are generally frowned upon, and should be avoided).
signed java applet A java applet that contains an embedded digital signature from a trusted third party; it is proof of the identity of the applet's source.
signed message or code A message or Web page that contains an attached digital certificate.
skin, skins A "skin" is a digital, interchangeable cover (or face plate) used to alter the appearance of those MP3 and other multimedia players you open up and run on the computer screen. You can find all the "skins" you want at the following and other locations on the Web:
SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) One way computers can communicate with each other over the Internet (compare "PPP"). SLIP connections let you communicate directly with other computers on the network using TCP/IP connections.
sniffer program A program that taps into the Internet and records information that passes through a router from the data's source to its destination.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) Set of explicit steps that must be used by one Internet computer to connect to another computer to transmit a message to its next stop. The standard protocol on the Internet for transferring electronic mail messages.
spam Term used to describe the process of flooding the Internet with unsolicited e-Mail. Not considered good etiquette.
spider An automated program which searches the internet. See bot.
spoofing The fraudulent practice of masquerading as someone else, usually with malicious intent, and usually for profit or gain. To send email disguised as someone else, or as an established business when in fact you do not legally represent that business. To misrepresent a Web site as original when it is not. Compare name changing.
SQL (Structured Query Language) Pronounce it "see-quell" (not "S - Q - L") if you want to get any respect at all from programmers. A standardized language that is used to define and manipulate data in a database server. SQL is a standardized query language for requesting information from a database. The original version called SEQUEL (structured English query language) was designed by an IBM research center in 1974 and 1975. Oracle Corporation first introduced SQL as a commercial database system in 1979. SQL is used to extract specified data from a relational database.
SRI A research institute, based in California, that runs the Network Information Systems Center.
SSI (Server-Side Includes)
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) An open protocol for securing data communications across computer networks. The broad support for this protocol will promote interoperability between products from many organizations and will speed the growth of electronic commerce on the Internet and private TCP/IP networks.
standard general markup language (SGML) A computer language used to mark up documents independent of any software application; it contains an international standard that defines methods for representing electronic documents. SGML is the basis for HTML.
static page A Web page that displays unchanging information. Compare dynamic HTML.
stickiness The ability of a Web site to keep visitors at its site and to attract repeat visitors.
streaming media Streaming media is a continuous broadcast of audio or video files over the Internet made possible through the use of three software packages: the encoder, the server and the player. The encoder digitizes and compresses the media and converts it into a streaming format, the server makes the content available over the Internet, and the player retrieves and plays the content as it is received. Because the content is continually streamed to the user, there is no delay for download and no file to take up space on the hard drive. Examples of streaming media content are: MP3, WMA, Real Media, QuickTime and Clipstream.
subscription The delivery of specific information to a user's computer. Users provide information about what information to deliver, amount of information, and schedule for updates. More specific than a channel.
suffix The three character end of a domain name (i.e. .com) used to identify the type of organization. See DNS and top-level domain.
switched access A network connection that can be created and eliminated as necessary.
systems administrator A member of an electronic commerce team who understands the server hardware and software and is responsible for the system's reliable and secure operation.
T
T-1 leased line High-speed digital lines that provide data communication speeds of 1.544 megabits (T-1) and 45 megabits (T-3) per second. Compare 56K and ISDN lines. A T-1 line actually consists of 24 individual channels, each of which supports 64Kbits per second. Each 64Kbit/second channel can be configured to carry voice or data traffic. Most telephone companies allow you to buy just some of these individual channels, known as fractional T-1 access. See bandwidth.
T-3 leased line An incredibly fast digital connection that operates at 44.736 Mbps. See bandwidth.
tags HTML codes inserted into documents that specify formatting and arrangement of page elements.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) A set of protocols used on the Internet. This includes SLIP and PPP. A language governing communication between all computers on the Internet. TCP/IP is a set of instructions that dictates how packets of information are sent across multiple networks. Also included is a built-in error-checking capability.
Telnet A program that lets you log onto a remote computer. Also, the name of the program implementing the protocol.
terminal emulation A technique in which one computer imitates a terminal while communicating with another computer, such as a mainframe, by using special software.
thin client The relatively low workload of a Web client, compared with that of a server.
thrash or thrashing To move wildly or violently, without accomplishing anything useful. Paging or swapping systems that are overloaded waste most of their time moving data into and out of core (rather than performing useful computation) and are therefore said to "thrash". Thrashing can also occur in a cache due to cache conflict or in a multiprocessor. Someone who keeps changing his mind (especially about what to work on next) is said to be thrashing. A person frantically trying to execute too many tasks at once (and not spending enough time on any single task) may also be described as thrashing.
thread A message and its responses in a newsgroup. Together, threads form a conversation of sorts as people add responses, or they may start a new message, which, in turn, will have its own "thread" of responses.
threat An act of object that poses a danger to assets.
throughput The number of HTTP requests that a particular hardware and software combination can process in a unit of time.
timeout What occurs when one computer fails to respond to another within a predetermined interval during a conversation.
tn3270 A version of Telnet software that allows connection to IBM mainframes by emulating the widely used IBM 3270 family of terminals.
token ring One of several combinations of electrical, packet-format, and procedural specifications used for transmitting information over a medium.
top-level domain The suffix of a domain name is the top-level domain. A top-level domain is generic (.com, .edu, .net, .museum, .name, etc.) or a country code (.us, .uk, .de, .jp, etc.).
trojan horse A program hidden inside another program or Web page that masks its true purpose (usually destructive).
trusted network A network that is within a firewall.
trusted applet A java applet that has full access to system resources on a client computer.
two-sided tags HTML tags that require both an opening and a closing tag (<BODY> for example).
U
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) Another of the protocols on which the Internet is based.
Unix A computer operating system, originally developed at AT&T Bell Laboratories, that is compatible with a wide range of computer systems. Ultrix, Solaris, AIX, HP/UX, BSD, Linux, and SystemV are among its numerous descendants.
unmanaged hosting A system of server hosting in which the customer is responsible for maintaining and staffing all servers.
untrusted network A network that is outside a firewall.
untrusted applet A java applet that is not known to be secure.
upload To send or transmit a file from one computer to another (compare download).
upstream The transfer of information from a client computer to another computer.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) A Web site's address. Examples are: http://www.msn.com and http://www.whaddup.com.
URL broker A business that sells or auctions domain names that it believes others will find valuable.
URL forwarding See cloaking.
usability testing The testing and evaluation of a company's Web site for ease of use by visitors.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) A daisy-chain serial bus used connect up to 63 peripherals to a single PC. USB is used to connect such devices as: backup tape drives, CD-ROM drives, digital telephones, joysticks, keyboards, mouses, printers, and digitized audio devices, memory card readers, i-Books and more.
Usenet Refers mostly to the newsgroups, but also to e-mail. Usenet travels on the Internet, but also over modems and satellites.
username or user-ID An address that designates a personal account on a large computer. For example, in the email address mrbill@oh-no.com, mrbill is the user-ID and oh-no.com is the domain name.
user session Commonly called a visit. All time spent on a Web site (and all activity performed) by an individual user. By industry standard, a user session is terminated when a user is inactive on the site for more than 30 minutes.
UUCP (Unix-to-Unix Copy) Originally, a program that ran under the Unix operating system and allowed one Unix system to send files to another via dial-up phone lines. At present, the term generally is applied to the large international network that uses the UUCP protocol to pass news and electronic mail.
Uuencoding A common Internet formatting standard for encoding files attached to electronic mail messages. See also MIME, Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.
V
V.32 A CCITT V series standard used by fax modems for half- or full-duplex transmission at speeds up to 9600bps over point-to-point leased circuits. This standard is worldwide.
V.32bis A CCITT V series standard for modems transmitting at speeds up to 14,400 bps over leased or dial-up lines. This standard is worldwide.
V.34 A CCITT V series standard for full-duplex transmission at speeds up to 28,800bps. Modems adhering to this standard automatically adjust their speed to compensate for the quality of the phone line. This standard is worldwide.
V.42 A CCITT V series standard for regulating error-detection for high-speed modems. Modems conforming to this standard can be used over digital telephone networks, as opposed to the standard analog telephone networks. This standard is worldwide.
V.42bis A CCITT V series standard for data compression that lets modems reach data transfer speeds of up to 34,000bps. This standard is worldwide.
value-added network (VAN) An independent company that provides connection and EDI transaction forwarding services to businesses engaged in EDI.
vanilla wafer A cookie created by a browser that contains little or no personal information.
VBScript A programming language that can create dynamic pages within HTML documents.
Veronica (Very Easy Rodent-Oriented Netwide Index to Computer Archives) A program that lets users search "Gopherspace" by keyword.
virtual host Multiple servers that coexist on a single computer.
virtual private network (VPN) A network that uses public networks and their protocols to transmit sensitive data using a system called "tunneling" or "encapsulation".
virus Malicious software that attaches itself to another program and can cause damage when the host program is activated.
visit All the activity of a single visitor as she cuts a path through a Web site.
VMS The native operating system of Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX computers.
vortal Portals for vertical industries that are part of a value chain beginning with raw materials and ending with finished products.
VR (Virtual Reality)
VRM (Visitor Relationship Management) Compare CRM.
VT100 The DEC terminal (actually, the terminal's operating parameters and command set) generally used to define the option of "standard computer terminal". Countless other terminals, as well as PC telecommunications programs, can emulate the VT100.
W
W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) (http://www.w3.org)
WAIS (Wide Area Information Servers) An Internet multimedia search-and-retrieve tool offering more than 500 databases. WAIS (pronounced "ways") lets users look through the full text of the document.
web analytics Also known as Web traffic analysis, it is a process that involves the parsing of a Web log file and the study of its contents to learn: how many and what pages were viewed, who visited the site, where they came from, when they entered, how long they stayed, what paths they took, and a whole lot more. WebTrends makes software that does just that AND produces detailed reports to help you learn more about your site and how it attracts customers. If you do business online, Web analytics is a fast and easy way to capture information, study your demographics, and make sound business decisions based on solid facts.
Web browser A software application (either text-based or graphical) that lets you browse the world wide Web (WWW). Examples are: Spry Mosaic, Netscape Navigator, and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Web catalog model A business model of selling goods and services on the Web wherein the seller establishes a brand image that conveys quality and uses the strength of that image to sell through catalogs mailed to prospective buyers. Buyers place orders by mail or by calling the seller's toll-free telephone number.
Web client A computer that is connected to the Internet and used to download Web pages.
Web hosting A business relationship that provides the Internet access services of an ISP along with electronic commerce software, store space, and commerce experts.
Web mall A type of Web hosting that groups commerce sites in a portal-style directory.
Web portal A location on the Web that acts as a launching point for searching, navigating, and other Web-based activities.
Web server A computer that is connected to the Internet that stores files written in HTML that are publicly available through an Internet connection.
WHOIS See InterNIC.
Winsock application Any program designed for use with Windows sockets.
wire transfer Synonymous with electronic funds transfer, which is the electronic transfer of account exchange information over secure private communications networks.
worm A virus that replicates itself on other computers.
WWW (World Wide Web) One of several different protocols on the Internet. The WWW is the place that people are raving about. It contains colorful graphics, video, sound bites, real audio, and much, much more. The World Wide Web (also known as WWW, W3, or the Web) is fast becoming the predominant tool for accessing and storing information on the Internet. Like gopher, it is a menu-based system. Unlike gopher, menu items are actually hypertext links which allow the user to jump among menu pages, directories, files, and documents, and other Internet (FTP, gopher, and Telnet) sites.
X
x2 technology or x2™ A transmission scheme developed by U.S. Robotics that is capable of achieving line speeds of up to 56 Kbps. This technology can take advantage of compression schemes such as V.42 bis, to further increase throughput.
Xenix Microsoft Corporation's version of the Unix operating system.
XML (Extensible Markup Language) A language that describes the semantics of a page's contents and defines data records on a page.
Xmodem A popular file-transfer protocol developed in 1977 by Ward Christiansen. The protocol works by sending blocks of data in 128-byte blocks from PC to PC. Included with this data is an error-detection system called a checksum. When the data is received, the error detection system ensures that the entire message reached its destination. If not, the receiving computer sends a request for retransmission of the data. Compare with Ymodem, Zmodem.
Y
Ymodem A file-transfer protocol similar to the enhanced 1K version of Xmodem. Ymodem also allows multiple file transmission, performs cyclical redundancy checks (CRC), and can reduce the file transfer size to compensate for a poor connection. Compare to Xmodem, Zmodem.
Z
Z39.50 A US-based protocol (with international OSI counterparts) that allows stress-free information exchange (i.e., full-text or catalog requests) between dissimilar computer systems.
Zmodem A file-transfer protocol that uses cyclical redundancy check (CRC) to detect errors. It is designed to transfer large files. Compare to Xmodem, Ymodem.
zombie A program that secretly takes over another computer for the purpose of launching attacks on other computers. Zombie attacks cannot be traced back to their creators.
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Webopedia
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LINKS
e-Commerce Resources
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internet.com eCommerce/Marketing Channel
The portal to online eCommerce solutions. The only resource you'll every need.
Dictionaries
For other, perhaps more inclusive glossaries of Internet and World Wide Web terms, visit any of the following online resources:
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Français-Anglais / English-French Dictionary of Internet Terms
French - English / English - French Dictionary of Internet Terms. Dictionnaire Français - Anglais / Anglais - Français des Termes Internets. -
How Stuff Works
Have you ever wondered how the engine in your car works or what makes the inside of your refrigerator cold? Then How Stuff Works is the place for you! Click on the categories below to see hundreds of cool articles! -
One-Look Dictionary
2,440,427 words in 626 dictionaries now indexed. -
Search Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications Terms
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TECHtionary
The world's first animated dictionary on telecommunications, data networking and Internet technology. -
Wikipedia
The free encyclopedia.
Other Internet Resources new
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about.com
What you need to know About. -
Download.com
All the latest and greatest Internet tools at one location. -
eHow.com
Step-by-step instructions on how to do just about anything, and buy the stuff you need to do it. -
ipaddressguide.com
Web-based IP and domain name tools - Ping, Traceroute, NSLookup, CIDR, geolocation and HTML Validator. -
Smiley Central
Over 10,000 FREE smileys. -
Speed Test
Test your broadband Internet connection speed at any of several dozen test sites. -
whaddup.com
Other work by the author of this dictionary.
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the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary the Internet Dictionary Bill Earles |
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