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