Yet Another Internet Dictionary

Sitemap for Web Help

Yes! You can search this file! Or quickly browse the list of words.

This dictionary is aimed at new users. It's a little dated (I haven't updated it much since 1996, other than to correct factual errors). So here's what they mean when they say...

8-bit message
8-bit messages are sent across the Internet using text characters only. See also MIME.
active newgroup
The active newsgroup is the newsgroup whose articles are currently listed in the browser window.
action
An action defines how a helper application handles a file it has been associated with. A file may be viewed in the browser, saved to the local disk, launched with the associated application, or the user may supply an action.
ActiveX
A Java-like Microsoft language that permits Web-originated programs to run on your computer.
address
In Internet Explorer, an address is the location of a Web page.
Addresses can be used to identify Web site, FTP site and gopher site on the Internet, as well as files on an intranet.
Type the following address in the Address box:
 
http://www.dpsinfo.com/help/words.html
 
http means the URL to open is residing on a Web server
www.dpsinfo.com is the domain of the server
help is a subdirectory under the dpsinfo.com domain on the server
words.html identifies the Web page being opened
Internet Explorer gives the user the option of displaying Addresses as simplified addresses ("friendly URLs") or full addresses (URLs as described above). This value is set from the Options menu, on the Appearance tabsheet.
When the term address is typically used on the Internet, it means an E-mail address. The term URL is more often used to represent Web page addresses.
alert
An alert is a message notifying the user that data is being sent to an insecure server. The user may elect the cancel the transmission, or may choose to use a browser with compatible security.
AltaVista
AltaVista is Digital Equipment Corporation's (Comppaq's) search engine. AltaVista has joined with Yahoo to do some cooperative development on search engines and directories.
applet
An applet is a Java program designed to run on the Web.
Archie
Archie is an old Internet system of retrieving indexes of FTP servers. Archie servers are accessible from World Wide Web browsers.
ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network)
The ARPANET was a joint venture between DARPA and various universities to build a network that could survive a nuclear attack and connect various government and educational sites. The ARPANET later evolved into the Internet.
article
An article is a message or posting sent to a newsgroup. An article is not a private message, but can be seen by thousands of people.
audio file
An audio file contains sound that can be played on a computer. When helper applications, such as Real Audio or SoundPlayer, are configured for the browser, different types of sound files can be played, including .au and .wav.
automatic proxy configuration
Automatic proxy configuration permits the user to enter a Configuration Location URL to assign proxy servers. The network administrator defines the set of proxy servers for a group of users and lists them on a Web page called the Configuration Location URL.
Proxy servers are only defined when the user needs to access the Internet from behind a firewall.
background
A background is a default color or image for a page. A Web author may add a Netscape extension to an HTML file to create a background, or a browser may display Web pages using a browser-defined default color and override any background previously defined.
background sound
Background sound is an HTML extension that permits a sound file to be played as soon as a page is accessed. Only Internet Explorer supports the background sound feature.
base font
The base font is the default text font. The user may select the style and size for the Web page base font or it may be selected by the Web page designer.
baud rate
Baud rate is the speed at which data is transmitted over a line. When a modem is referred to as being a 28.8K modem, 28.800 data signals are being transmitted per second. While a 14.4K modem is considered the minimum modem speed for attempting to use a graphical Web browser over a phone line, 28.8K modems were standard for a few years, now 56K modems are more common.
beta version
A beta version is a not-quite-ready-to-be-released software or Web page, but one that the programmer/author would dearly love some user commentary on.
blue ribbon
A blue ribbon found at a Web page indicates the author of the site promotes freedom of speech on the Internet. Many blue ribbons link directly to Free Speech Online Blue Ribbon Campaign at http://www.eff.org/blueribbon.html.
bookmark
A bookmark is a record of a URL saved by the user. Bookmarks are stored in bookmark.html and are accessed by the Bookmarks menu. Bookmarks provide a way to organize your own personal list of the URLs.
In Internet Explorer, bookmarks are called favorites.
bookmark menu folder
In Netscape Navigator, the bookmark menu folder is the container for the saved hyperlinks displayed by the Bookmark menu. The bookmark menu folder is set in the Bookmarks window.
bookmarks folder
In Netscape Navigator, the bookmarks folder is a container for a collection of saved hyperlinks. Typically, the folder has a subject name and it contains hyperlinks to related Web pages.
browse
To browse is to examine pages on the World Wide Web using a software application such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.
browser
A browser is a software application such as Netscape Navigator that permits access to the World Wide Web and its hyperlinked pages. Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer are both graphical browsers. Lynx is a text-based browser.
browser user
A browser user is the software end-user. A user can change certain aspects of the way a page is viewed, such as its default base font, font size, link color and background. Browser users cannot change the content of a Web page; only the Web author of that page can make modifications.
case insensitive
The searcher ignores capitalization when looking for the specified search term. If you're looking for Washington, any capitalization variation will appear as a search result (Washington, WASHINGTON, washington, WashINGtoN, etc.).
case sensitive
The searcher does not ignore capitalization when looking for the specified search term. If you're looking for Washington, only Washington will be returned as a search result.
CDA (Communications Decency Act)
The CDA was passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed into law in early February 1996. Many free speech advocates have been fighting the CDA through the Free Speech Online Blue Ribbon Campaign.
CERN
CERN (European Laboratory for Particle Physics) is a lab based in Switzerland where the World Wide Web was first developed.
certificate
A certificate is an identifier for a secure server. In Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer, both the secure server and the browser use certificates to see if secure transactions may take place.
CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
CGI scripts pass data between Web pages and the computer, WWW servers and underlying applications. CGI code is used to transfer data from a Web form to an application or to the mail system. CGI scripts may be written in a variety of languages, but are most commonly written in Perl.
chat
To chat is to communicate in real time with other Internet users using an IRC channel or a Web-based chat program.
Configuration Location URL
The Configuration Location URL contains the local set of proxy servers and their respective IP addresses. The network administrator determines the set of proxy servers needed and defines this information on the Web page.
configure viewer
To associate the file extension with a specific type of file and with the action the user wants to take when encountering a file of that type.
corporate network
A corporate network is an internal-only Web/groupware site for a corporation or organization. This can also be called an enterprise server or intranet.
cross-post
A cross-post is the act of sending the same message to two or more newsgroups at the same time by adding more newsgroups to the Newsgroups field of the news reader. A legitimate cross-post differs from a spam in that it is generally on-topic and is limited to just a few newsgroups. While cross-posting is sometimes unnecessary, it is less "resource-intensive" than sending the same message separately to separate newsgroups.
DARPA (DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT AGENCY)
DARPA is the government agency that initiated the development of the ARPANET, which marked the beginnings of the Internet.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
DHCP is an enhancement of an existing communications protocol that permits network administrators to more easily configure network resources. It is found on NT networks.
direct connection
A direct connection links a PC to the Internet via a communication cable, such as an Ethernet line.
Many PCs are connected to the Internet over a modem line. A modem connection is not considered a direct connection because a computer user must start an additional process, such as Trumpet Winsock or dial-up networking, before a browser can run.
disk cache
Disk cache is hard disk-based memory used to store accessed Web pages. It enables the browser load the stored pages from the cache rather than from the network.
domain name
A domain name is a unique identifier for an Internet site. An example of a domain name is dpsinfo.com. Domain names can also be expressed as IP addresses, such as 162.144.123. While each Internet site is required to have an IP address, domain names are optional.
DNS (Domain Name Server)
A DNS translates IP addresses into domain names and vice versa. Each Internet server has a DNS.
DTD (Document Type Definition)
DTD defines what level of valid HTML code appears in a file. On the World Wide Web, a DTD sequence for a valid XHTML Web page looks like this:
 
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
 
E-mail (electronic mail)
E-mail is a way to send private messages to an Internet user or to a group of Internet users at the same time.
E-mail can be restricted to users in the same ISP or company. However, most sites offer the ability to send E-mail anywhere on the Internet.
E-mail address
An E-mail address is an identifier that routes a message to a specific user. An E-mail address typically has the format:
 
user@domain
 
In Internet Explorer, an address refers to the URL for a Web page rather than an E-Mail address.
EFF (Electronic Freedom Foundation)
The EFF is a lobbying group that's been around since the late '80s. Based in Washington DC, the EFF discourages unnecessary government and corporate intervention in the Internet.
encoding
Encoding specifies the default character set that the Web browser uses to display Web pages. In the American version of Netscape, the default is the Latin I character set. Other available encodings include the Latin 2 character set (the default for Europe), Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
enterprise server
An enterprise server is an internal-only Web/groupware site for a corporation or organization. This can also be called an intranet or corporate network.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a "low level" communication protocol used to exchange data across the Internet. It is also a type of cable used to connect networked computers.
executable file
An executable file is a program. On Windows PCs, it typically has a .exe suffix.
expired link
An expired link is a link that was followed more than a defined number of days ago, typically 30. Links and followed links are generally defined to be different colors. When a followed link "expires," its color reverts back to the default link color.
external viewer
An external viewer is an application called by a browser to display types of graphics, video or audio not otherwise supported by the browser.
In Netscape Navigator, viewers are configured using the Helper Applications tabsheet of the General Preferences property sheet on the Options menu.
In Internet Explorer, most standard viewers are pre-configured using File Type registration, which is accessible through the Options property sheet on the View menu.
favorite
In Internet Explorer, a favorite is a collection of Web addresses selected by the user. Favorites are stored in a folder and are accessed by selecting the Favorites menu. Favorites provide an easy way to organize the Web addresses of interesting sites.
In Netscape (and in most other browsers), favorites are called bookmarks.
FAQ (frequently-asked questions)
An FAQ is an information file filled with questions and answers about a subject. These files tend to be developed and maintained by Internet users.
The World Wide Web FAQ is located at http://www.boutell.com/faq/.
file type
A specific sort of file, such as a text file or a graphics file. File types tend to have different file extensions - .txt stands for a text file. As many files are not just text files, they need to be associated with an application which displays them properly.
In Internet Explorer, a file type screen is displayed to associate file extensions with file types and applications. The registered file types are automatically used by Internet Explorer - the user does not need to redefine them.
firewall
A firewall is hardware (such as a router or dedicated PC) that helps to prevent random users from accessing a local network.
fixed font
A fixed font contains monospaced characters - characters that are all the same width. Fixed font characters are used to represent text entered into a computer or output from a computer. A user may reset the default fixed (Courier New) to another fixed font on the computer.
flame
A flame is an incendiary message which generally has nothing to do with the discussion of the current topic. Flaming is considered poor netiquette.
followed link
A followed link has been selected by a user and displayed by the Web browser. Followed links are generally defined to be a different color than unfollowed links and text for easier link tracking.
font
A font is a character set in a certain style. The default proportional font is Times Roman at 8 points. The default fixed font is generally Courier New at 8 points. The user may set the font style and size for the base font.
font size
A font size describes the height of the tallest characters in a font in terms of points. It takes 72.27 points to make an inch. Web browsers tend to use 8 points as the size of their base fonts by default. In HTML files, font size may be modified by the Web author by using HTML tags.
frame
In Netscape, a frame is a window on a Web page that can scroll independently from the rest of the screen. This gives the Web author the ability to display multiple files simultaneously on the same Web page.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
FTP is an old Internet protocol for transferring large files between networks. Files on FTP servers can be accessed using Web browsers. When a URL points to a file that is stored on an FTP server, the URL always begins with ftp://.
gateway server
A gateway server is the link between two networks (such as between a local network site and the Internet). Each Internet site has a gateway server.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
GIF is a graphic file format developed by Unisys and popularized by CompuServe. Web browsers can display GIF files by default, without the installation of plug-ins. Many graphics on the Web are stored in as .gif files.
Gopher
Gopher is an old menu-driven Internet tool used to organize files at a site. Gopher sites can be accessed from Web browsers. When a URL points to a file that's stored on a Gopher server, the URL always begins with gopher://.
graphical browser
A graphical Web browser is a software application such as Netscape that displays text and graphics from Web pages.
graphic
A graphic is a file containing a picture or photograph. A Web browser can display a file in .gif format. When helper applications are configured for the browser, a number of other graphic forms can be displayed.
help
In most Windows applications, the Help option on the menu bar displays searchable online help. In Netscape, the Help option acts as a hotlink to Web pages at the Netscape Web site. Users running Netscape without an Internet connection are unable to access these files.
helper application
A helper application is an application stored on the PC. It may be used to display different types of graphics, play sound, show video, and launch other programs.
Adding a helper application is similar to associating a file extension with an application in Windows. The browser presents a list of MIME types (such as image) and subtypes (such as bitmap). The user must associate an application, such as MSpaint, which will launch automatically when the user selects a .bmp file on a Web page.
In addition to associating applications with predefined MIME types, the user can also create new types. A Web browser can be used to launch applications such as Access or Excel to view databases or spreadsheets.
history
The history automatically records URLs visited during a Web session.
In Netscape, URLs are stored under the Go menu and are not saved across Web sessions. In Internet Explorer, the history records up to 300 addresses recorded across Web sessions.
home page
The first page displayed by a browser when it is started or the main page of a Web site. The home page is sometimes called the start or start with page.
host
A host is the name of a networking computer.
hotlink
A hotlink is a hyperlink documented by a Web author for public distribution on the Web. See also hotlist.
In Netscape, private hotlinks are called bookmarks. In Internet Explorer, private hotlinks are called favorites.
hotlist
A hotlist is a list of hyperlinks built by a Web author for public distribution on the Web.
See also hotlink.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
HTML is a simple formatting language for Web pages. HTML tags provide functionality for the inclusion of hyperlinks, graphics, headings, tables, frames, and some paragraph formats. A typical tag is
 
<title>Yet Another Internet Dictionary</title>
 
which defines the page title and puts the text "Yet Another Internet Dictionary" in the browser title bar.
The official version of the language, Level III, is being developed in conjunction with the IETF. All Web browsers must support the current Level of HTML.
Some of the browsers offer non-standard features for HTML Internet Explorer, for example, offers tags for table colors not supported by standard HTML at this time.
Files written in HTML end in either .htm or .html.
HTML editor
An HTML editor is a software application, such as Netscape Gold, that helps a Web author create a page.
.html/.htm file
An .html or .htm file is a Web page written using HTML. Either extension is permitted at most Web sites, except for sites whose servers are restricted to three character file extensions.
While most Web pages are written in HTML, there is no requirement that they be. Browsers can display plain text files in addition to .html, jpeg, and .gif files.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
HTTP is the software that manages a Web server. When a URL points to a Web page stored on a Web server, the URL always begins with http://
hyperlink
A hyperlink or link is an HTML tag combined with a URL (address) to provide a "virtual connection" between Web pages. When a hyperlink is selected,the browser displays the file named by the URL. A hyperlink may be made from almost any Web page to almost any Web page on the Internet.
Hyperlinks are usually displayed in a different color than the text and the background so they stand out on the page. Followed links and unfollowed links are also displayed in different colors. A link is said to be expired when it has not been followed within a specified number of days.
IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)
The IETF is the organization that develops and publicizes Internet programming standards.
image
An image is an online graphic. Images may be photographs, line drawings or anything that could be scanned in or created online. Images may be part of a Web page (inline image) or they may be attached to a hyperlink on a Web page.
image display
Image display presents methods the browser uses to load graphics on a page.The browser can choose colors for images automatically, by dithering or by substituting colors. For best effect, select automatic color selection.
Images may be displayed while they are being loaded, or the image area may be represented by an icon until the entire image has been loaded.
imagemap
An imagemap is an online graphic with multiple hyperlinks. If a user clicked on an imagemap of the United States in the bottom right corner, the hyperlink attached to that part of the imagemap would probably display information about Florida.
inline image
An inline image is a graphic displayed on a Web page. Web authors are discouraged from adding too many inline images to a Web page as it can substantially increase the time it takes to load a page.
internal file server
An file internal server manages Web pages that can only be accessed by a specific organization or group and is not generally accessible by people on the Internet. See intranet.
internal Web
An internal Web is typically restricted to employees at a specific company and is "protected" from general Internet access by a firewall. See intranet.
Internet
The Internet is the global network of computers, that permits user access to many features, including E-mail, the Web, USENET newsgroups, and FTP sites.
Internet Explorer home page
The Internet Explorer home page contains extensive information about Internet Explorer and the Microsoft Network. The URL to the Internet Explorer home page is http://www.microsoft.com/ie.
intranet
An intranet is an internal-only Web/groupware site for a corporation or organization. This can also be called an enterprise server, corporate network or internal network.
IP (Internet Protocol) address
An IP address is a unique numeric code to used to identify any computer on the Internet. An IP address looks like this:
 
162.144.123.16
 
Each site with an IP address is given a series of numbers to assign to the networked computers on its net. The site IP is 162.144.123 and 16 designates the address of a specific computer on the network.
In addition to an IP address, most sites on the Internet have a domain name, such as dpsinfo.com.
IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
The IRC is a real-time communication application between people on the Internet. Organized by "channels" (topics), Internet users can carry on live, text-based conversations. This has been extended by some Web-based applications to include sound and graphics. See also chat.
IRC channel
An IRC channel is a defined topic area (such as "#boston" or "#nfl") where Internet users congregate to chat about that topic.
ISP (Internet service provider)
An ISP is a company that sells Internet service to individuals or corporations.
Java
Java is an object-oriented language similar to C++ designed for creating applets to be used by Web browsers and CGI applications. Java is not supported by all Web browsers.
link
A link or a hyperlink is an HTML tag combined with a URL (address) to provide a "virtual connection" between Web pages. When a hyperlink is selected, the browser displays the file named by the URL. A hyperlink may be made from almost any Web page to a lmost any Web page on the Internet.
Links are usually displayed in a different color than the text and the background so they stand out on the page. Followed links and unfollowed links are also displayed in different colors. A link is said to be expired when it has not been followed within a specified number of days.
link style
A link style defines the way a hyperlink looks on a Web page. Links may be underlined. The color of the link text may be permanent or may expire after a specified number of days.
location
The place on the Internet where an Internet resource, such as a Web page, is stored. A location is identified by a Universal Resource Locator (URL). The URL box in Netscape is called Location.
lynx
A widely-distributed Web browser that displays only the text of Web files. It's a very useful tool for Internet users unable to run a SLIP or PPP connection who want to access the World Wide Web.
mail directory
The mail directory is the directory on the PC where E-mail is stored. In Netscape, the default value is c:\Program Files\Netscape\Navigator\Mail, but the directory may be specified by the user.
mail server
A mail server is a computer that manages E-mail for the network.
Mail servers are often called SMTP servers. SMTP is the standard Internet protcol for transferring E-mail across the network. The SMTP server manages E-mail transfer between the local network and the Internet.
In order to send E-mail while using Netscape, the IP address or name of the local network's SMTP server must be entered in the Mail and News Preferences Properties Sheet, in the Servers dialog box.
memory cache
Memory cache is RAM-based memory. It enables the browser to store Web pages in RAM for faster loading.
In Netscape Navigator, memory cache is set in the Network Preferences Property Sheet, in the cache dialog box. Memory cache is represented in number of kilobytes (rather than megabytes). If a user's computer has 12 meg of RAM, that corresponds to 12,000 kilobytes. If the computer is running slowly, the user can choose the Clear Memory Cache Now button to free up RAM.
In Internet Explorer, memory cache cannot be readjusted. Disk cache may be readjusted on the Advanced tabsheet of the Options properties sheet on the View menu.
Set the memory cache value conservatively. It should be no higher than half the amount of available RAM, so that other applications can run while the browser is in use. If a user's computer has 12 meg of RAM, the value in the Memory Cache box should be no higher than 6000 Kilobytes.
message
A message is a communication sent via E-mail or news.
E-mail messages are private in nature and may only be read by the people designated as the recipients. E-mail is analogous to a letter.
News messages are more public and can be read by anyone looking at the newsgroup to which the news message was sent. News messages are analogous to posting a notice on a bulletin board. The action of sending a message to a newsgroup is often called a post, and the sender is often called a poster.
meta keyword
A meta keyword is a word used in the head of a Web page. Many robots, spiders, and other automated Web processes use these keywords to identify and catalog the Web page.
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)
MIME describes the format of messages sent across a network. MIME-compliant file types include application (executable files), audio, video, image, and text files. For the application type, MIME subtypes include pdf, octet-stream, x-compress, x-postscript, x-latex, HTML files and graphic files.
modem
A modem is a device that permits a PC to exchange data over phone lines to remote networks such as a corporate network or the Internet. A modem is frequently described in terms of its speed or baud rate: A modem must be able to transmit at least 14.4 K bytes per second to support a graphical Web browser. A 28.8K modem is now considered the standard modem speed. A modem connection is not considered a direct connection to the Internet. A direct connection is a line such as an Ethernet cable which connects the PC directly to a network without using a modem.
Mosaic
Mosaic is the first widely-distributed graphical Web browser. Developed by the NCSA, Mosaic is freeware. A number of software companies have licensed and created enhanced versions of Mosaic, including Quarterdeck.
NCSA (National Center for Supercomputing Applications)
NCSA is a computer lab based at the University of Illinois where Mosaic was created.
netiquette
Netiquette is Internet etiquette, the practice of civilized behavior on the Internet. Netiquette behaviors include:
Being a good net citizen involves having a basic understanding of netiquette, to help avoid having the Internet sink into total anarchy.
Netscape home page
The Netscape home page contains extensive information about the World Wide Web and Netscape-related products. The URL to the Netscape home page is http://www.netscape.com. The Help menu and the Directory buttons will also display pages from the Netscape Web site.
Netscape Navigator
A graphical Web browser with extensive Internet tools (including a news reader) built-in. Netscape Navigator offers significant extensions to the Web page formatting language HTML. Since its release in late 1994, Netscape has captured upwards of 80% of the Web browser market.
network buffer
The network buffer size determines the amount of data that can be received in a network data transmissin. Larger buffers mean more data, but can also saturate the computer.
news
News is a system for exchanging related public messages across the Internet. News is organized into topic-related newsgroups. When a URL points to a location that starts with news://, the URL is pointing to a newsgroup. Note that not all br owsers support a news interface.
news server
A news server manages USENET newsgroup messages. News servers are also called NNTP servers. NNTP manages USENET newsgroup message flow across the Internet. In order to view news using Netscape, the IP address or name of the local NNTP server must be entered in the Mail and News Preferences Properties Sheet, in the Servers dialog box.
newsgroup
A newsgroup provides a hierarchical organization for Internet news messages. During the '80s, there were seven major USENET newsgroup hierarchies: comp (computers), misc (miscellaneous), news, rec (recreational), sci (science), soc (social), and tal k. Adding a new newsgroup required some time and discussion, so a new hierarchy, alt (alternative) emerged as a way to start a group immediately without any discussion. Many more hierarchies, particularly geographically-based hierarchies, have been created over the last few years. Anyone can read a message on a newsgroup. Newsgoups can be configured to exist on a local network only.
news RC directory
The News RC directory is the directory on the PC where news-related files are stored. It is typically c:\Program Files\Netscape\Navigator\News, but the directory may be specified by the user.
NNTP (Network News Transer Protocol)
NNTP manages USENET newsgroup message flow across the Internet. In order to view news using Netscape, the IP address or name of the local NNTP server must be entered in the Mail and News Preferences Properties Sheet, in the Servers dialog box.
Perl (practical extraction and report language)
Perl is an interpreted language that was written for scanning files and extracting text from them. Perl code is frequently used with CGI scripts to collect and manipulate data collected from Web forms.
plug-in
A plug-in is an application designed to run with a browser. Plug-ins for Netscape include a VRML manager such as WebFX.
POP (Post Office Protocol)
POP manages client-server communications between the mail server and the user mailboxes. A POP server transfers E-mail between the SMTP server and the users' mailboxes.
To receive E-mail on a PC via Netscape, the name of the POP server needs to be defined in Mail and News Preferences Property Sheet, in the Servers dialog box. The POP user name is usually the same as the user name.
port
A port is a location on a computer for transferring data. Some URLs include port IDs (such as :80).
post
To post is to send an article or an article response to a newsgroup. To post means the message will be seen publicly by thousands of people.
posting
A posting is an article or message sent to a newsgroup. A posting is not a private message, but can be seen by thousands of people.
PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)
PPP is a communication protocol that permits phone line users to establish network connections. A PPP or SLIP connection is required to run a graphical browser from a computer using a modem line.
proportional font
A proportional font's characters have different widths. Proportional fonts tend to be easier to read than fixed-width fonts. The user may select which proportional font to use as a base font.
proxy server
A proxy server permits access between machines behind a firewall and external networks collecting and relaying communications between the two. The proxy server gives the illusion that the communication is direct.
quoted text
Quoted text is material from a prior message that is being quoted in the current message. Quoted messages on the Internet are denoted by a series of > (greater-than signs). The more greater-than signs, the more previous messages are being quoted in the current message.
robot
A robot is a process that travels over the Web performing automated tasks like data collection.
script
A script is a simple program written in an interpreted language such as PERL or CGI.
In the Netscape base font window, script refers to the type of characters found in a font. The most common script types for Windows fonts are Western, Turkish and symbol.
search directory
A search directory consists of categorized sets of hotlists with thousands of entries. Popular Web directories include Yahoo and Excite.
search engine
A search engine is a massive Web database such as Northern Light, Google. Typically, these databases or catalogs are built by automated processes called robots or spiders that search the Web, gathering information about Web pages. Since they are build automatically, search engines often have catalogs of tens of millions of Web pages, and are very complete.
secure server
A secure server prevents network transactions from being decoded, thus preserving the privacy of credit card numbers and other sensative information. When a URL points to a Web page stored on a secure Web server, the URL always begins with https ://. In Netscape, the broken key at the bottom of the screen becomes whole, a blue rule appears at the top of the screen and the Location box becomes a Website box when a secure server is contacted.
secure transaction
A secure transaction is a transaction between a browser and a server that both support the same security protocol. When a URL points to a Web page stored on a secure Web server, the URL always begins with https://.
Under Netscape, secure transactions can be configured with the Security Preferences... item on the Options menu. When Netscape accesses a page on a secure server, the broken key on the bottom left of the screen becomes whole, a blue rule appears at the to p of the screen and the Location box becomes a Website box.
Under Explorer, secure transactions are represented by a lock in the status bar.
server
A server is either software that manages Web sites or the hardware on which server software is run. A server may be linked to the World Wide Web or it may be an internal only server, meaning only certain individuals may have access to it.
shortcut
In Internet Explorer, a shortcut is a hyperlink or a link to another Web page.
Internet Explorer also permits multiple shortcut icons to be created on the desktop as shortcuts to frequently-visited Web pages.
signature
A signature is a short file that can be automatically appended to an E-mail message or news posting. A signature file can contain the user's name, preferred E-mail address, home page URL and a short saying.
site
A site is a network local to a particular company, university, organization or ISP. A site may have an Internet connection, or may be a completely independent network.
SLIP (Serial Line Interface Protocol)
SLIP is a communication protocol that permits phone line users to establish network connections. A SLIP or PPP connection is required to run a graphical browser from a computer using a modem line.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transer Protocol)
SMTP is the standard Internet protcol for transferring E-mail across the network. The SMTP server manages E-mail transfer between the local network and the Internet.
In order to send E-mail while using Netscape, the IP address or name of the local network's SMTP server must be entered in the Mail and News Preferences Properties Sheet, in the Servers dialog box.
spam
A spam is the act of sending the same message to many newsgroups. Spamming is generally done by commercial operations who view the Internet purely as a way to sell products and services. This use of the word spam in this context was inspired by a Monty Python sketch.
At some computer companies, the word spam has a host of other meanings typically not used by other computer companies. It can also mean "to send E-mail", "to yell at forcefully", "to waste time", etc. This use of the word "spam" was probably inspired by the use of the word "Smurf" in the old Smurf cartoons.
spammage
Repeated words on Web pages, using meta keywords inappropriately and other forms of data manipulation done in Web pages with an eye towards getting better search results position for that Web page. The better search engines count spammage on a Web page as a bug and reduces the likelihood of such a page being returned first.
socks
SOCKS is an Internet toolkit that permits TCP-based applications to run on proxy servers.
spider
A spider is a process that travels over the Web performing tasks like data collection and building indexes to data.
start page
The start page is the first Web page displayed by Netscape and Explorer when they are started.
startup
In Netscape, Startup defines the Netscape tools that will be launched, and the location of the home page. By default, the Netscape home page is displayed when Netscape is launched.
status bar
The status bar is the lower left corner of a browser window where messages are displayed.
supporting application
A supporting application is a program stored on the PC. In Netscape, supporting applications can be defined for Telnet (a Unix communication program), TN3270 (a standard IBM terminal type) and for viewing the HTML source of a Web page. The temporary directory on the PC is also defined in the supporting applications dialog box.
surf
"Surf the Web" is slang for using hyperlinks to jump from Web page to Web page.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
TCP/IP is a set of related communications software over which Internet data is sent.
Telnet
Telnet is a UNIX tool that permits users to log in on remote systems. When a URL points to a file accessed via Telnet, the URL always begins with telnet://.
text browser
A software application that displays the text and hyperlinks only of Web pages, such as lynx.
threaded message
A threaded message is a message that follows one another rather in subject matter, rather than appear in chronological order. Messages can be sorted by date (chronological order), subject (threading by topic) or sender (threading by author).
title bar
A title bar is at the top of a browser window and contains the name of the active browser and the name of the active Web page.
tool bar
A tool bar is a set of icons and/or menu names that appear at the top of a browser window. Tool bars may be visable or hidden.
TT (True Type) font
A True Type font is a brand name of font family. Most font names listed in a font selection window have a "TT" beside them, designating that they are True Type fonts. Font names without a symbol beside them are often labelled "OEM/DOS" in the scrip t window, meaning the fonts predated the development of True Type fonts.
UIDL (Unique ID Listing)
UIDL is a method of assigning unique identifiers to messages. Mail servers and browsers do not always support UIDL in the same manner. For example, a user can establish a PC-based mailbox when using Netscape. Whenever the user requests to get new ma il using Netscape, all the messages in the user's mailbox on the server are automatically downloaded to the mailbox on the PC.
Unix
Unix is a multiuser operating system over which most of the Internet runs. Reknown for its cryptic command language, Unix is an industry standard for minicomputers and workstations. Most of the Internet runs on Unix computers.
URI (Universal Resource Identifier)
URI is a scheme for naming Internet resources. A URL is a type of URI.
URL (Universal Resource Location)
A URL is a location on the Internet. URLs can be used to identify Web, FTP and gopher sites on the Internet, as well as files on an intranet.
Type the following address in the Location box:
 
http://www.dpsinfo.com/help/words.html
 
http means the URL to open is residing on a Web server
www.dpsinfo.com is the domain of the server
help is a subdirectory on the server
words.html identifies the Web page being opened
See also URI (Universal Resource Identifier).
USENET
USENET is the part of the Internet that contains newsgroups.
variable-width font
A variable width font's characters have proportional widths on a computer screen or on a printed page. Variable-width fonts tend to be easier to read than fixed-width fonts. Variable-width fonts are the same as proportional fonts.
video file
A video file is a brief piece of video that can be displayed from the Web. A file with an .mpeg or .avi suffix is a video file.
viewer
An external viewer is an application called by a browser to display types of graphics, video or audio not otherwise supported by the browser.
In Netscape Navigator, viewers are configured using the Helper Applications tabsheet of the General Preferences property sheet on the Options menu.
In Internet Exporer, most standard viewers are pre-configured using File Type registration, which is accessible through the Options property sheet on the View menu.
VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language)
VRML is a format-tagging language for Web files. It is similar to HTML but permits interactive use of graphics, maps and other objects.
WAIS (Wide Area Information Service)
A WAIS is an old Internet search system. WAIS servers may be accessed by Web browsers.
Web
See WWW
Web address
A Web address in Internet Explorer is the location of a Web page or other Internet resource.
See also URL.
Web author
A Web author creates Web pages in HTML. A Web author selects the content, format, contents and links for Web pages.
A browser user cannot alter the content of pages, and may only change certain aspects of the way a page is viewed. The browser user may select the base font, font size, link color and background that Web pages are displayed with.
Web client
A Web client is a software application such as Netscape Navigator that permits access to the World Wide Web and its hyperlinked pages. Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer are both graphical browsers. Lynx is a text-based brow ser.
Web page
A Web page is a file made accessible to Web browsers. They may contain HTML formatting, graphics and hyperlinks.
While most Web pages are written in HTML, there is no requirement that they be. Browsers can display plain text files in addition to .html files and many kinds of graphic files.
Web server
A Web server is either software that manages Web sites or the hardware on which server software is run. A server may be linked to the World Wide Web or it may be an "internal only" server, meaning only certain individuals may have access to it.
Web session
A Web session is the time from when a Web browser is opened until it is closed. Bookmarks and preferences are saved between Web sessions but Netscape history lists are not.
Web site
A Web site is a collection of Web pages related to a topic, company, organization or individual.
Webmaster
A Webmaster is responsible for the maintenance of a Web site. This often includes answering site-related E-mail, creating CGI scripts, and formatting pages in HTML.
WINS (Windows Internet Name Server)
A WINS is Microsoft's version of the NetBIOS Name Service standard. Typically, a Windows NT 3.5 server is a WINS for a local network.
Winsock
Winsock is an Internet specification that describes how Windows-based PCs communicate with the TCP/IP protocol. In Windows 3.1, a version of Winsock must be acquired to permit a Web browser to run on the PC.
WWW (World Wide Web)
The WWW (or Web) provides an easy user interface to many resources on the Internet. Most files on the Web are formatted in HTML and contain graphics, sound files and video files in addition to text.
Yahoo home page
The Yahoo home page is a structured index of the World Wide Web. The URL to Yahoo is http://www.yahoo.com. Organized by catagories, Yahoo collects and organizes URLs/Web addresses submitted by Web users. Yahoo is increasingly-better-organized and easier to use than many other Web directories. It also features a range of other features, includeing stock information, news delivery, and message boards.

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