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7/4/2008
A
account
An area partitioned for a user of a particular host computer. To assure validity, account holders cannot gain access without using assigned login and password information.
ACL (Access Control List)
A list of resources and the usernames of people who are permitted access to those resources within a computer system.
active content
Programs that are embedded transparently in Web pages that cause some type of action to occur.
activeX
An object, or control, that contains programs and properties that are put into Web pages to perform particular tasks.
address
An individualized name (or number) identifying a computer user or computer. Used in network communications for the
transmission of messages for a particular person or machine.
ADO (ActiveX Data Objects)
See activeX.
ad view
A page view of a Web page that contains an advertisement.
agent
A program that performs information gathering, information filtering, and/or mediation on behalf of a person or entity.
anonymous electronic cash
Electronic cash that cannot be traced back to the person who spent it.
anonymous FTP
File Transfer Protocol allows you to connect to a site, search through available files, and download any file, document, or program without having to establish a user-id and password on the system where the material resides. By using the special user-id "anonymous", the network user will circumvent local security checks and have access to publicly accessible files on the remote system. Most systems that permit anonymous login require the user's e-mail address as the password.
ANSI
(American National Standards Institute) The coordinating body for electrical, mechanical, and other technical standards in the United States.
API (Application Program Interface)
A set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. Interfaces that extend the capabilities of Web servers; used by programmers to write applications that can interact with other
applications. A server API is a published interface that lets software developers write programs that become part of the Web server itself. Usually these are DLLs (Windows dynamic load libraries) that are loaded into memory and stay resident at all times.
applet
A program that executes within another program; it cannot execute directly on a computer.
application
Software that executes a particular task, such as word processing or spreadsheet analysis.
application service provider
A Web-based site that provides management of applications such as spread sheets, human resources management, or e-mail to companies for a fee.
Archie
A program used to search files at FTP sites; there are currently about 30 Archie servers in the world.
archive site
A mechanism that renders access to a collection of files across the Internet; also, a computer on which
such a collection is stored.
archiving
Saving a log on a storage device.
ARPAnet (Advanced Research Projects Agency)
The experimental network, established in the 1970s, where
the theories and software on which the Internet is based were tested.
ASCII(American Standard Code for Information Exchange)
The standard method for encoding characters as 8-bit
sequences of binary numbers, allowing a maximum of 256 characters. Text files are customarily called "ASCII files".
ASDL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
Internet connections using DSL protocol with bandwidths from 16 to 640 Kbps upstream and 1.5 to 9 Mbps downstream. See bandwidth.
ASP (Active Server Pages)
(1) Applications that generate dynamic
content within Web pages using Jscript code or Visual Basic by Microsoft.
(2) An open, compile-free application environment in which you can combine HTML pages, scripts, and ActiveX server components to create powerful Web-based business solutions. (These pages use the extension .asp)
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)
Internet connections with bandwidths of up to 622 Gbps. See bandwidth.
authentication
The process of identifying users before they are allowed access to computer systems or networks,
typically by user-ids and passwords. Technique that limits Internet or intranet access to those visitors who identify themselves by entering a username or password.
B
backbone
The main network of connections that carry most of the traffic on the Internet.
b2b(Business to Business)
Normally used to describe an e-Business solution that caters to other businesses. See b2c.
b2c (Business to Consumer)
Transactions conducted between shoppers and businesses on the Web. See b2b.
backbone
A high-speed connection within a network that links shorter (usually slower) branch
circuits. An example is the NSFNet, generally considered to be the backbone of the Internet in the United States.
bandwidth
Measure in kilobytes of the traffic transferred via one of the several Internet protocols. The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. Also, the number of simultaneous site visitors that a Web site can accommodate without degrading service.
| 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.
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 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.
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.webfusionpro.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.mydomain.com. You can see the reverse of this in action by typing pingwww.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 with exit page.
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 Website. 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 (Hyper Text 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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Some IRC-unique communication acronyms:
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Excerpts
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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
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 207Description 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.yahoo.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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20 |
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.
More Defenitions To Come!
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