A Plan for Staff In-Service
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AN INTERNET GLOSSARY OF TERMS
- Archie - A software tool for locating information at VFP sites.
- ARPANet (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network)- Developed by the Defense Department in the late 1970s, it was the precursor to the Internet.
- baud - A standard measure of the speed of data transmission. Commonly, it is taken to mean the number of bits transmitted per second but this is not the technical definition.
- binhex - A method for converting non-text files into text for transmission.
- bits per second (bps) - The rate at which a modem can transfer characters(or bits) to other modems. The most typical speeds currently are 14,400(14.4) and 28,800(28.8) but older modems may be 2400,4800 or 9600. The higher the number, the faster the transmission rate.
- bulletin boards (BBS) - An electronic meeting and announcement system. cyberspace-The nebulous "place" where humans interact over computer networks. distance education-Teaching or learning long distance by way of telecommunications.
- domain name - The 'unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain names airways have two or more parts separated by a period. Ex. nauticom.net1 whitehouse.gov
- download - To transfer information electronically from a remote computer to a local computer.
- FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. A collection of information on the basics of any given subject. FAQs are usually written by people who are tired of answering the same questions repeatedly.
- flame- An insulting or personal attack in an Internet discussion. freeware-Software that doesn't cost anything.
- gateway - Simply, any mechanism that provides access to another system, e.g. American Online provides a gateway to the Internet.
- Gopher - A navigational system developed at the University of Minnesota that allows users to move through a series of information using a menu system.
- host - Any computer on a network that serves as a repository for services available to other computer on the network.
- HTML(Hypertext Markup Language) - The language in which hypertext documents are written.
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer or Transport Protocol) - The protocol used to signify that an Internet site is a World Wide Web site. http:// at the beginning of an address indicates this.
- hypertext - A document that has been constructed to allow a user to select words or pictures within a document, click on them1 and connect to further information. The World Wide Web is hypertext based as are many electronic encyclopedias.
- Internet - The international network that links education, governmental, military, commercial, and non-profit organizations around the world. Any user on the Internet can communicate with any other user.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) - A company that provides direct access to the Internet for its customers, usually for a monthly and/or hourly fee. America Online and Prodigy are not ISPs although you may gain access through their services. Companies such as Nauticom and FYI are ISPs.
- IRC-Internet Relay Chat or just Chat - A real time online discussion group. In other
words participants are at their computers while they are communicating. Similar to a
telephone conversation but requiring typing skill. ;-)
- ISDN (1ntegrated Services Digital Network) - A service which sends digital signals over standard telephone line. Requires special hardware and software at both ends, is much faster than standard transmission and is the wave of the future for telecommunications.
- Java - A new programming language invented by Sun Microsystems that is specifically designed for writing programs which can be safely downloaded into your computer through the Internet and immediately run without fear of viruses or other harm to your files.
- Local Area Network (LAN) - A network of computers and peripherals at one site usually a building or campus but it may be only one room.
- Lynx - A text based web browser which allows slower computers or computers with slower modems to access the Internet. It is more confusing and certainly not as appealing as a browser which allows multimedia access.
- modem (modulator/demodulator) - A device that allows a computer to communicate with another computer over a standard phone line. A modem converts a computer's digital signal to the telephone line's analog signal.
- netiquette - Etiquette on the Internet. Regular users become annoyed with newcomers who don't follow these informally recognized "rules".
- netizen - Someone who uses Internet resources. The term connotes civic responsibility and participation.
- Netscape - Software which allows users to access the Internet graphically using a point and click method.
- network - The hardware connection of two or more computers for the purpose of sharing data or peripherals.
- pages - Individual hypertext documents linked to the World Wide Web accessed through a web browser such as Netscape.
- PPP (Point to Point Protocol) - A telecommunication standard that allows Internet users to dial into an Internet service provider and function as though the user is on a direct connection.
- protocol - A set of agreed upon standards that govern the exchange of information between systems.
- server - A computer that provides a specific type of service to another computer.
- shareware - Software freely given on the Internet. If the software is used on more than a trial basis, an author should be sent the suggested small fee.
- TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - The set of standards that allow users of many different types of computers and opera ting systems communicate on the Internet.
- telnet - A method of accessing a computer remotely on the Internet. Telnet sites are usually some type of database.
- URL (Universal Resource Locator) - The standard way to give the address of a site on the World Wide Web.
- web browser - Software that allows navigation of the World Wide Web. It may be either text only or multimedia. Mosaic, Netscape and Lynx are the most popular.
- Wide Area Network (WAN )- Network of computers and peripherals across a large area, generally it is several smaller networks joined together.
- World Wide Web (WWW or W3) - The system of hypertext documents on the Internet that allows users to move from site to site through links on the document. With the use of a web browser, it allows point and click navigation of the Internet and may feature graphics, sound, and video as well as text.
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