Applet - A small software application added to a computer file or Web page to show special effects such as animation or sound.

Bit - The smallest measurement of digital information read by computers.

Bandwidth - The rate/speed information travels from one place to another either inside a computer or between computers. Bandwidth is usually measured in bits per second, kilobits (thousands of bits) per second or megabits (millions of bits) per second. For instance, a 56K modem allows for a connection of 56 kilobits per second.

Blocking software - A computer program that allows parents, teachers, or guardians to "block" access to certain Internet Web sites and other information available over the Internet. Also known as “filtering” software.

Bookmark - Like a traditional bookmark, this digital version is for marking a place on the Internet that is interesting or frequently visited, so that a user can go back to the site(s) without having to remember or retype the Internet address.

Boot - to start a computer or computer program.

Browser - A software product that lets you find, see, and hear material on the World Wide Web, including text, graphics, sound, and video. There are many different kinds of Web browsers, the most popular being Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Byte - Bytes are a basic measurement of computer memory. A byte is made up of eight bits.

Cache - A cache is the location on a computer’s hard drive where the Web browser stores information (text, graphics, sounds, etc.) from Web pages or other Internet sites that have been visited recently so that returning to those pages or sites is faster and easier.

CD-ROM - "Compact Disk Read Only Memory"- a computer disk that can store large amounts of information. Special CD-ROM drives on computers playback the information although cannot save any new data.

Chat - A feature of Internet online services or Web sites that allows participants to communicate in “real time” by typing messages back and forth. After a user types a message on his/her computer, and sends it, it is instantly displayed on the computer screen(s) of another user or users.

Chat room - (also can be referred to as “chat channel”) A location on the Internet (within a Web site or online service) where people can chat - communicate - with each other by typing messages back and forth. The "real-time" communication can be
seen by all members of the chat room or can be sent privately between two chatters.

Cookie - A piece of personal information that an Internet Web browser saves and sends back to a Web server when the user revisits a Web site. The server recognizes the information from the browser, thus identifying the user. Cookies can contain information such as user preferences, log-in or registration information, e-commerce online shopping patterns, or history of recently visited Web sites. Most Web browsers will allow users to “disable” the cookie feature, if that’s preferred.

Commercial online service - Usually refers to Internet Service Providers with large numbers of subscribers. These services provide access to the Internet, but also may offer lots of other on-line content, games, and chat rooms that are available only to subscribers.

Cyberspace - is the vast area shared by the connected computers and servers of the Internet.  The prefix “cyber-” is synonymous with anything having to do with the Internet.

Discussion group - An area on the Internet focusing on a specific topic or topics where users can read and "post" comments (similar to a traditional bulletin board). Discussion groups cover a wide variety of topics. (also sometimes referred to as “Newsgroups”)

Directories - similar to search engines, this is a software application that distinguishes Internet Web sites by categories for easy search by users. Users enter “keywords” to direct the application to list Web sites containing the desired information.

Domain name - An Internet Web site address reserved by a user, usually followed by .com, .net, .org or .edu.

Download - Copying or transmitting data or other information from a remote computer or server to be stored on the hard drive of a user’s computer.

DSL - Digital Subscriber Line - A new technology that allows high-speed access of the Internet over standard phone lines.

Electronic Mail (E-Mail) - A way of sending messages and information electronically from one computer to another. Users can electronically send letters, and other text-based messages, as well as multimedia documents. New “information appliances” (including hand held devices) other than computers are also capable of sending e-mail.

Ethernet - the most common technology for connecting computers together to form a network.

Emoticons - combinations of type written characters that help a user express emotion or action when composing e-mail, an Instant Message or chatting. One example would be the smiley face :-).

FAQ ("Frequently Asked Questions") – help for users about a specific Web site, mailing list, product, or game. It is always a good idea for parents to find the FAQ of a certain Web site or other area of the Internet to quickly investigate or get informed about that site.

Filtered ISP - An Internet Service Provider (ISP) that automatically blocks access to content that is inappropriate for children, subject to specific guidelines.

Filtering software – Computer software installed by a user that sorts information on the Internet and classifies it according to content. Some filtering software allows the user to block certain kinds of information on the Internet from being viewed on the user’s computer.

Firewall - a security program that places an electronic "wall" around a computer or network of computers, keeping it from being accessible to the general public.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) - a software application that allows users to transfer ("download" or "upload") files from one computer to another.

Flaming - Sending a nasty message through e-mail or Instant Message, or posting a nasty comment in a newsgroup or discussion group, usually in response to a breach of netiquette.

Gateway - access from one computer to another or one area of the Internet to another.

GIF - popular format for files used to display pictures or graphics on a Web site or other section of the Internet.

Hacker - A person who tries to break into a computer system.

Hardware - The tangible parts of a computer and its peripherals (printer, modem, etc.)

Home Page - The first page of a Web site. This page usually contains most of the links to the content areas of the site.

Hyperlink (“link”) - Instant transfer from one Internet Web page to another. A hyperlink may be text based or in the form of an image or portion of an image. The user may be linked to another page within the same Web site or to another site altogether.  A user may configure his/her Web browser to identify hyperlinks by change of color (blue for instance) or change of font style (underlined or in italics). When a user’s computer mouse cursor “hovers” over the hyperlink, the cursor changes shape to indicate the transfer option. By clicking the computer mouse, the user is transferred to the linked Web page.

HTML - Hypertext Markup Language - The standard language used for creating Web pages and other documents on the World Wide Web.

HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol - The standard language used by computers connected to the Internet to communicate with each other.

Icon - a small picture that represents either text based information or a "link" to another Web page.

Information Superhighway - refers to the Internet, the large and vast group of computers all connected via a series of workstations, networks, servers and personal computers.

Instant Message (IM) – computer software that allows users to communicate simultaneously with each other one-on-one in “real time.”

Internet - A collection of thousands of computers and computer networks connected to each other.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) - Computer software that allows users to "chat" online in a live forum. May feature collective “chat rooms.”

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) - A process that connects users to the Internet over standard phone lines at speeds higher than a 56k modem allows, but not as fast as DSL.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) - A company that provides access to the Internet, most often through a local phone number. ISP’s can be small companies with only a handful of subscribers or large companies with millions of subscribers.

Internet Protocol (IP) - The computer language that allows software programs to communicate with each other over the Internet.

Intranet - A private network that works like the Internet, except that it can only be accessed by a select group of people, such as the employees of a company.

Java - A computer programming language that allows Internet Web pages to contain animation and other special effects. Java also allows users to view the different effects in a consistent way regardless of what kind of Internet Web browser is being used.

JPEG - a popular format for files used to display images on a Web page or other section of the Internet. These files are more compact than "GIF" files.

Keyword(s) – The word(s) used when using search engines or directories to find information on the Web. A user types the keyword(s) into a search "window," to allow criteria for the search. The search engine or directory will then list Web pages containing those words.

Local Area Network (LAN) - A network of connected computers and/or servers that are physically located near each other.

Link  (or “hyperlink”) - Instant transfer from one Internet Web page to another. A hyperlink may be text based or in the form of an image or portion of an image. The user may be linked to another page within the same Web site or to another site altogether.  A user may configure his/her Web browser to identify hyperlinks by change of color (blue for instance) or change of font style (underlined or in italics). When a user’s computer mouse cursor “hovers” over the hyperlink, the cursor changes shape to indicate the transfer option. By clicking the computer mouse, the user is transferred to the linked Web page.

ListServ - a "discussion group" using e-mail to send messages to each of its members.  Once a user signs up for a listserv, he/she will receive all messages sent through that listserv e-mail address.

Log-off - to disconnect from the Internet or other on-line connection or to shutdown a computer.

Mailing List - similar to listserv, this is an e-mailing list users can subscribe to. Most mailing lists focus on a certain subject or common trait among its members (parents, for example).

Modem - A hardware device installed inside a computer that allows it to communicate with other computers over telephone lines. A modem enables “dial-up” access to the Internet. Modems are defined by the speed in which data may travel through it.

Monitoring software - A type of software product that allows a parent or other monitor to track the Internet Web sites or e-mail messages that a user visits or reads, without necessarily blocking access.

Mouse - A hand-held peripheral hardware device attached to your computer, which allows users to give commands to the computer by clicking a button on the device.

Multimedia - A combination of two or more types of information such as text, images, graphics, audio, and video.

Netiquette - defined as proper behavior while using the Internet. It is an unwritten set of on-line guidelines for manners and appropriate behavior when communicating on-line.

Newsgroups - are discussion groups on the Internet focusing on a specific topic or topics where users can read and "post" comments (similar to a traditional bulletin board). Newsgroups, which have no connection to news organizations or current events, cover a wide variety of topics.

Online Service Provider - a commercial service that provides dial-up access to online content, the Internet and other areas. For example, America OnLine, Prodigy and others have online content that only members of the service may access as well as direct access to the Internet.

Parental controls - software and/or online features that enable parents to monitor, track and filter the content to which their children have access.

Password - a secret word or other alphanumeric combination to control user access to a computer program, Web site or other area of the Internet. Parents may find using passwords vital in their efforts to monitor access their children have to online content.

Peripherals – other pieces of hardware connected to your computer, such as the keyboard, modem, etc.

Plug-in - a software program that works with Internet Web browsers to play audio and video.

Posting – The “uploading” of a message from the user’s computer screen to a discussion group or other public message area on the Internet. The message itself is called a "post."

Search directory – similar to search engines, this is a software application that groups Internet Web sites by categories for easy search by users. Users enter “keywords” to direct the application to list Web sites containing the desired information.

Search engine - a software application that allows users of the Internet to “search” or locate information available among the millions of Internet Web pages. By typing in “keywords,” users can search for Web sites that contain the information desired.

Server - a large capacity computer or group of computers that stores information and/or software programs and makes them available to users through the Internet.

Server-based filter - filtering software at the server level which blocks out certain Web sites programmed by the server operator.

Software - A computer program that gives your computer operating system directions to perform a certain task or group of tasks. Computer programmers write computer code into the software programs to perform these tasks.

Spam - inappropriately unsolicited "junk" e-mail or other messages (and postings) from hackers, commercial advertisers, or adult Web site operators. Many times spam is sent to large blocks of e-mail addresses or through other online message systems.

Spider - A software program that "crawls" through the Internet, searching through millions of Internet Web pages and Web sites and indexing information in a database. Most search engines and search directories would use a “spider” to help users track down information on the Internet.

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - A computer "language" that allows for transmission of information across the Internet.

Upload - Copying or transmitting data and other information from your computer to another computer or server.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) - The Internet’s designated address of a Web site. Each Internet Web site is assigned a URL in order for a user to access the site.  The URL may contain a domain name or other alphanumeric combinations.

UseNet - "newsgroups" - a collection of thousands of discussion groups focusing on various special interests.  Users "post" their messages, which are then sent to a public "bulletin board," which can be accessed by anyone visiting the discussion.

Virus - programming code that can be attached to computer files that will damage or destroy other vital computer files and information.  Many viruses are transferred during downloads of application files from the Internet that may be "infected" with the virus code.

Web (World Wide Web) - a part of the Internet that features information delivered publicly through text and graphical design. Web servers host the different Web pages and Web sites, which may feature not only text, but pictures, graphics, animation and sound. Users must have a Web browser to access the graphical information.

Web-based chat - different than IRC, this live chat originates from a specific Internet Web site.

Web-based e-mail and Instant Messaging - e-mail and Instant Messaging services offered by a Web site and not directly from the Internet Service Provider, or independent software. This type of e-mail and Instant Messaging can be accessed from any computer using a Web browser.

Webmaster - the designer and administrator responsible for the creation, management and updates of an Internet Web site.

Copyright © 1999-2000 Marty W. Stewart All rights reserved. No part of this information may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, distributing, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Inquiries should be addressed to: Marty W. Stewart P O Box 1083 Blue Bell, PA  19422 Marty@ResponsibleKids.net

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