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a
Agent
An agent is a piece of software which is designed to perform an action such as
file extraction on a remote computer.
Alias
Term used to describe a quick and easy substitute to a longer file name or
directory path.
AltaVista
Web and Usenet search engine.
From Digital Electronic Corp. found at
http://www.altavista.com.au
Anonymous FTP
See FTP
Applet
Small software items which add functionality to your computer.
Archie
Generally superseded program used for searching the Internet.
Archive
Stored data, usually in a compressed format.
Attachment
Additional file "attached" to or "inserted" in an email
message.
Authentication
Is the process of entering your username and password to gain access to your
ISP or a remote computer.
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b
Bandwidth
The data carrying capacity of a communications channel, the bigger the faster.
Banner Ad
Strip advertisement seen on many Web pages.
Baud
Baud rate is a measure of the speed of an analogue telephone signal.
Bit
Derived from Binary Digit, a bit is a single unit of data. When transmitted
through the telephone lines groups of bits are called "packets".
Bot
Derived from "robot", this term refers to software agents which
automate certain processes for IRC users.
BPS
Bits Per Second is the measure of the speed of your modem. For example, a
"28.8 modem" can transfer up to 28,800 bits per second. The actual
speed at which you can transfer data may depend on your telecommunications
network and other factors.
Browser
You're probably looking at yours right now; software used to display web pages.
Buffer
Area of memory used to temporarily store data.
BBS
Bulletin Board Service - A computer system that you can connect to using a
modem and a telephone line. Many BBS's are now simply a part of the Internet.
Byte
A group of 8 bits, a byte is the normal unit of storage in the computer. |
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c
Cache
Fast memory area used for temporary storage of data.
CERN
The European Laboratory for Particle Physics, the birthplace of the World Wide
Web.
Checkbox
Small square box often seen on Web pages for the purpose of making a selection.
Client
You are the client, but the term is also used to describe software components
that act on your behalf.
Cows
Large hoofed animals, often seen standing around in fields. For some strange
reason the Internet community is currently obsessed with cows - particularly
black and white ones.
Cyberspace
Your in it! The term "Cyberspace" was originally coined by William
Gibson in his novel "Neuromancer" to describe a more highly developed
form of the Internet. |
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d
Daemons
Server side applications that perform various automated tasks such as bulk mail
handling.
Data
Information in the form of binary code used by the computer.
Data Encryption
Encrypted data is encoded for the purposes of making secure communications or
financial transactions.
Dialup Connection
Term used for the connection of your computer with another using telephone
lines and a modem.
Domain Name System
DNS Online.net.pg is a domain name. The first part is our business name and the
.com stands for company.
Every Internet address must be unique and is assigned a number. Online South
Pacific's is 139.134.2.2, this is called our IP address. When you use our
domain name (www.online.net.pg) you are in fact accessing this IP address, this
is called the Domain Name System.
Download
You "download" when you retrieve data from another networked
computer, it could be text, pictures, a sound file - anything. |
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e
Email
Electronic Mail is the term used for written communications between Internet or
intranet users. You can email virtually anyone with an Internet connection.
Exchange
Microsoft email software, others include Internet Mail and Outlook 97.
Explorer
(Internet Explorer, IE3.x) Microsoft's Internet browsing software. |
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f
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
FAQ's are lists of questions and answers published in various places (like
here) on the Internet to answer common inquiries from new and experienced
users.
File transfer
Term used to describe the moving of data from one computer to another usually
via a cable or modem and telephone lines.
Firewall
Companies providing public access to their LAN use a "Firewall" to
secure their system by dividing it into public and private areas.
Flame
Interesting term originally used to describe a heated debate but now generally
used for abusive email or newsgroup postings.
Flame War
When those abusive email or newsgroup postings fly back and forth and become
deeply personal.
Freeware
Downloadable free-of-charge software.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol.
Common method of moving data or software between Internet sites. Usually a
username and password is required but many sites have public FTP areas which
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g
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
Popular graphic file format developed for use on the Internet. Uses lossless
compression but has a maximum of 256 colours.
Gopher
Older information search tool, generally replaced by search engines such as
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h
Hacker
Previously used to describe users who would break in to "secure"
computers for destructive or attention getting purposes. It's now used to
describe those who just like to poke about and the term "Cracker" is
used for the malignant user.
Handshaking
A series of signals sent between two linked computers to establish
communication.
Hayes compatible
Modems that are compatible with the AT command set developed by Hayes.
History
Log of actions carried out by software applications. An example of your
browser's "history" can be accessed when you use the GO menu.
Home Page
Usually the first accessed page of a Web Site containing identity information
and an index system for navigation to the site contents.
Host
Server machine that allows public access for the purposes of sharing data.
Hotspot
Area of image on a multimedia or Web page that contains a link elsewhere.
HTML
Hyper Text Markup Language is the high level code used to create Web pages
using special characters to define text styles and graphic components.
HTTP
Hyper Text Transport Protocol is the commonly used protocol for the transfer of
hypertext documents across the Internet.
Hypertext
Any text in a World Wide Web document that contains a link to another part of
the document, another part of the site or anywhere at all on the Internet.
Hyperlink
Area of text which, if clicked on with the mouse will connect you to another
page of information. |
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i
Icon
A small graphical file usually indicating the presence of or representing a
larger file or program.
Information Superhighway
Term sometimes used to describe the Internet in general.
Internet
Huge global network of computers which is actually a network of networks. |
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InterNIC
The Internet Information Center is the body responsible for a number of
internet services including Domain Name Registration.
Intranet
Private network of computers within a company which generally uses Internet
software and allows access to the Internet but with the use of a
"firewall" excludes access from the outside.
IP
Internet Protocol is the general standard used to enable a diverse range of
computers and networks to communicate all over the world.
IP Address
Unique address of an Internet location. It's like the location's telephone
number but is usually substituted with a Domain Name.
IRC
Internet Relay Chat is a multi-user live chat facility accessible using special
"chat" software and consisting of a large number of
"channels" dealing with different topics.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network, a way of shifting digital information over
existing telephone networks.
ISP
Internet Service Provider An organisation or business which provides access to
the Internet, usually for a fee. |
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j
JPEG or .JPG
Stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group and is a popular method of image
file compression for Internet graphics. |
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k
Kilobyte
1024 bytes |
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l
LAN
Local Area Network - A network of computers which serves a local or
geographically limited area such as a University or office building.
Link
See Hyperlink
Listserv
Listserv is an automated email subscription service.
Login
The act of entering a remote system or network or the account name used to
access a computer system or network.
Lurk
To lurk is to hang around in the background of an IRC channel just listening to
what others are saying. A good idea for beginners. |
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m
Mail
See Email
Man
Metropolitan Area Network. A Network, usually fibre optic, which extends over a
city or metropolitan area.
Mime
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions is a standard used to encode and decode
binary files into text format for the purpose of emailing it.
Mirror Site
Mirror sites are duplicates of existing sites. They have usually been put in
place to relieve pressure on a busy server or to gain a regional advantage.
Modem
Modulate/Demodulate - Device that connects to, or is built in to, a computer
and converts digital data to analogue then sends it through the telephone
lines. It also works the other way around, receiving the analogue signal
converting it to digital before feeding it to the computer.
Mosaic
Developed by the NCSA, Mosaic was the first World Wide Web browser and helped
trigger the popularity of the Internet.
MPEG
Moving Pictures Experts Group - Compressed format for animation and video
files. |
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n
NCSA
National Centre for Supercomputing Applications - US educational institution
responsible for many early Internet applications including Mosaic.
Net
Term generally used for the Internet.
Netfind
Email address search facility.
Netizen
Buzzword for an "internet citizen", if you are reading this then you
are one and like any other citizen you have rights but there are rules to
follow.
Net Surfer
Person who wanders or "surfs" around the Internet looking for
interesting web sites, people to chat to or files to download.
Netiquette
The etiquette of the Internet, a few examples being - Do not spam, do not
flame, do not plagiarise etc.
Netscape
(Navigator) World Wide Web Browser and the name of the company that developed
it.
Network
Two or more computers connected together to enable them to send and receive
data and share resources.
Newsgroup
Term used for a discussion group on Usenet.
NIC
Network Information Centre - see InterNIC
NNTP
Network News Transfer Protocol - the protocol used for the sending and
receiving of Newsgroups. |
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o
Off-line
Means that your computer is not currently connected to an Internet server.
On-line
Means that your computer is currently connected to an Internet server.
Optical Fibre
Long glass fibre capable of carrying vast amounts of data, used in
communications cables. |
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p
Packet
When data is transmitted through the telephone lines the bits are arranged into
groups called packets. Like normal mail each packet includes an address.
Parity Bit
Additional bit added to a unit of data for the purposes of error checking.
Password
Code word used to gain access to a locked system ideally consisting of both
letters and numbers.
PING
Packet Internet Gopher is a method of testing an internet connection. Like
sonar, a "Ping" is sent to a certain address and a reply received if
there is a presence at the other end.
POP
A Point Of Presence is any dial in location of your ISP. For a list of Online
South Pacific POPs follow this link.
PPP
Point to Point Protocol is the software protocol which allows a computer to
make a connection to a modem and on to the Internet.
Protocol
Defined procedures and rules which determine the way computers communicate with
each other.
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network - is the currently used analogue telephone
network, the largest electronic network ever. |
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r
Real Time
The processing of data as it happens rather than its storage for later
retrieval and processing.
Router
A router is a computer with the task of intercepting data packets and sending
them along to the correct addresses. |
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s
Sampling
Sampling is the process of converting an analogue signal into digital data,
generally carried out by a modem.
Sampling Rate
The frequency at which sound files are sampled, the higher the rate the better
the quality.
Scrolling
The moving of window contents either vertically or horizontally using the
"scroll bars" or cursor keys.
Search Engine
A device that enables you to search either a database or the Internet for a
specific file.
Server
A computer or software that allows other computers to use its facilities for
connection to the internet or other service.
Service Provider
See ISP
Shareware
Software which is available for a free trial and is normally downloaded from
the Internet or retrieved from a CD-ROM.
Site
Individual servers or individuals with a "Web presence" that you can
visit on the Internet.
SLIP
Serial Line Internet Protocol - A standard for connecting a computer to a modem
for Internet connection. SLIP has largely been replaced by PPP.
Sound File
Term that refers to any file that contains audio information. These files
generally carry .wav, .mid, .voc, or .cmf suffixes.
Spam
Term used for unwelcome junk email often sent to multiple addresses.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is the protocol used by servers for the
transmission of email.
Sysop
System Operator - The person responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a
network or computer system, generally a BBS. |
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t
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol - is the standard
communications protocol used to connect computers across the Internet.
Teleworking
Term used when one works from home with a computer connected to the office.
Telnet
Internet protocol that allows you to log on and use other computers on a
network.
Thread
Newsgroup term used to describe a connected flow of postings relating to a
single topic.
Transfer Rate
Rate at which data is transferred from one device to another. |
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u
Under Construction
Term used to describe Web sites which have been uploaded to the Net before they
are finished.
Upload
The process of sending data from your computer to another on the network; the
opposite of download.
URL
Uniform Resource Locater. The standard address of any World Wide Web site, eg
http://www.online.net.pg
Usenet
Usenet is a world wide discussion group represented on the Internet by
Newsgroups. |
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v
VAN
Value Added Network - Network service offering more services than simple
connectivity, shopping and banking for example. |
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w
WAIS
Wide Area Information Servers - a system used for searching large amounts of
information across the Internet.
WAN
Wide Area Network - is a network of modem linked computers covering a large or
even global area.
WAV (.WAV)
File extension given to sound files saved in the Microsoft wave format.
Webcrawler
Another search engine, term is also used for software "robots" which
roam the Internet seeking uncatalogued URLs.
Web
See WWW.
Webmaster
Person responsible for the administration of a website.
Whois
Program designed to find the email address of someone from a given name.
WWW
World Wide Web - is a major part of the Internet consisting of interconnected
communications networks. |
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x
Xmodem
Data communications package enabling communications between modems and
computers of different types. |
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y
Yahoo!
Internet search engine and catalogue from the Yahoo corporation.
Ymodem
Development of Xmodem which allows mutiple files to be transmitted
simultaneously. |
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z
Zmodem
Further development of X-Ymodem providing increases in speed and flexibility. |
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