Glossary of Internet Terms - Learn the Lingo! (A-C D-F G-L M-Q R-T U-Z)
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 messagesback
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.
