We developed this glossary to help demystify the words and terms that are commonly used by those who are involved in the Web development process. We learned to speak English before we learned Geek Speak, and we make every effort to use plain language to communicate with our clients. If we don't, please don't hesitate to ask us to clarify or explain a word or concept!

We would appreciate hearing from you if you have comments about our glossary or would like to suggest additions. Please contact us at info@ewertdotcom.com

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | W | X | Y | Z

A
   
Agent

Agents are search tools that automatically seek out relevant online information based on your specifications. Agents are also called intelligent agents, personal agents, knowbots, or droids.

   
Alias An alternate or abbreviated/altered name used to represent a more complicated one. Used for email addresses and host domain names and to call up files, data fields, and applications.
   
Anchor Synonymous with hyperlinks, anchor refers to non-linear links among documents. Or more simply put, it's the word or phrase that can be selected to connect to another page or resource.
   
Anchor color You guessed it -- anchor color is the color that represents the anchors on the screen. Blue is normal default color, but the color can be changed to any combination of red, green or blue.
   
Applet Refers to an HTML-based program that a browser downloads temporarily to a user's hard disk. It is most often associated with Java.
   
Application Refers to software that includes both executable files and other components.
   
Architecture The interrelationship of the component pieces of hardware and/or software that comprise the structure of a computer, an operating system, an application, or a network. A Web site's architecture is its "roadmap."
   
ASCII (Pronounced "ask-ee") An acronym for American Standard Code for Information Exchange, ASCII is an international standard in which numbers, letters, punctuation marks, symbols and control codes are assigned numbers from 0 to 127. Easily transferred over networks, ASCII is a plain, unadorned text, without style or font specifications.
   
Asynchronous connection The type of connection a modem makes over a phone line. This connection is not synchronized by a mutual timing signal or clock.
   
Authoring software Software that enables the creation of multimedia or hypertext documents and presentations.
 


B
   
Back end An application that takes care of details behind the scenes, performing tasks not directly controlled by the user.
   
Backbone Usually, a large, fast network connecting other networks.
   
Bandwidth The range of transmission frequencies available for a network to transmit data. The greater the bandwidth, the more information that can be transferred over that network at one time. The term bandwidth also broadly includes throughput, meaning the amount of data sent.
   
Baud The rate of signals transmitted per second.
   
BBS An acronym for Bulletin Board System, which is a system of software and telecommunications links that acts as a host for remote computer systems. It is a computerized version of the bulletin boards found in public places, where people can leave messages and advertise. BBSs are often run by local computer user groups and offer downloads of shareware and freeware, plus online information and services.
   
Beta A new or redesigned software product, such as a pre-launch Web site that is accessible to only a select audience for purposes of preview and evaluation.
   
BinHex A file conversion format that converts binary files to ASCII text files.
   
Bit A contraction of binary digit, a bit is the smallest unit of information that a computer can hold. Eight bits is equivalent to a byte. The speed at which bits are transmitted, or bit rate, is usually expressed as bits per second or bps.
   
Bitmap A specific file format for online art.
   
Bitplane One of a set of bitmaps that together make up a color image.
   
Broadband A transmission method in which the network's range of transmission frequencies is divided into separate channels and each channel is used to send a different signal. Broadband is often used to send different types of signals, such as voice, video, and data, simultaneously.
   
Bookmark A saved reference in the form of a URL or a link to a particular location, page, or site, making it quick and easy to return to that same site.
   
Boot Refers to starting or restarting the computer.
   
Bot Short for robot. Refers to a program that performs a repetitive task, particularly posting messages to newsgroups and keeping Internet Relay Channels (IRC) open.
   
Browse To scan Internet sites or other files.
   
Browser A program that interprets HTML files posted on the Web, formats them, and displays them to the user, such as Netscape and Internet Explorer.
   
Bug A term for a hardware or a software error.
   
Button On a Web site, a button is the graphical element that links to another location.
   
Byte The number of bits used to represent a character.
 


C
   
CD-ROM Compact disk read-only memory. An optical disk from which information can be read, but not written.
   
CD-R or compact disk-recordable Computer peripheral disk drives that allow the user to record content onto a blank compact disk.
   
Clickstream Refers to the path users take when browsing the Internet. Each click adds to the stream.
   
Client The computer-in a client/server architecture-that requests files or services. (The computer that provides services is called the "server.") The client may request file transfer, remote logins, printing, or other available services. The client is also the software that makes the connection possible.
   
Client/server architecture An architecture in which one computer can get information from another. The "client" is the computer that asks for access to data, software, or services. The "server," which can be anything from a personal computer to a mainframe, supplies the requested data or services for the client.
   
Code A set of symbols that represent assigned, possibly secret, meanings. "To code" is to put a communication into coded form or to write computer instructions.
   
Configuration A general-purpose computer term that can refer to the way you have your computer set up. It is also used to describe the total combination of hardware components that make up a computer system and the software settings that allow various hardware components of a computer system to communicate with one another.
   
Configure The act of setting up or changing software or hardware actions by establishing, adjusting, or altering the settings.
 


D
   
Database A collection of data organized for rapid search and retrieval, or a program that manages data and can be used to store, retrieve, and sort information.
   
Dial-up connection A connection from your computer to a host computer over standard telephone lines.
   
Digital certificate Binds a client's or server's indentity to a pair of electronic keys that can be used to encrypt and sign digital information. Certificates ensure secure, tamper-proof communication on the Internet. They identify the author and the software publisher.
   
Direct connection A permanent connection between your computer system and the Internet. This is sometimes referred to as a leased-line connection because the line is leased from the telephone company.
   
DNS An acronym for Domain Name Server, DNS refers to a database of Internet names and addresses which translates the names to the official Internet Protocol numbers and vice versa.
   
Document window This is the Web browser's scrollable window in which HTML documents can be viewed.
   
Domain The last part of the URL, following the dot. Current Internet domains are .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .org, and .net. More domains will be added soon.
   
Download To transfer a copy of a file that resides on one computer to another computer or portable disk.
 


F
   
FAQ A commonly used acronym for "frequently asked questions." Sites often have a list of the most frequently asked questions about their subject, along with the answers.
   
Firewall An electronic boundary that prevents unauthorized users from accessing certain files on a network, or, a computer used to maintain such a boundary.
   
Frames On Web pages, a frame is a bordered area that acts as an independent browser window. There can be a number of frames within the same page, and they can be separately scrolled, linked, and viewed. To view a page that has frames, one must use a Web browser that supports them.
   
FTP File Transfer Protocol is a protocol that allows the transfer of files from one computer to another. FTP is also the verb used to describe the act of transferring files from one computer to another.
 


G
   
GIF Graphic Interchange Format, is a commonly used file-compression format developed by CompuServe for transferring graphics files to and from online services.
   
Groupware Software applications that facilitate shared work on documents and information.
   
GUI An acronym for Graphical User Interface -- an interface that is not language dependent. It has graphics in addition to words on the screen, to aid the user in navigating the system. With windows, icons, pull-down menus, and the mouse, the graphical user interface is easier to learn and to use than is any other kind.
 


H
   
High-resolution Refers to a high-quality screen display (generally 640 x 480) or print output (300 dots per inch.)
   
Home page Refers to the main page of any Web site.
   
Hotlinks These are Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) that take the user to another location. See also hyperlinks.
   
Host A computer acting as an information or communications server.
   
HTML An acronym for HyperText Markup Language - the system of coding a document so that it can be published on the World Wide Web, using hyperlinks and markup for text formatting (different heading styles, bold, italic, numbered lists, insertion of images, and so forth). The pages can be linked to anything else on the Internet and then be viewed with a browser.
   
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol, the Internet protocol that delivers information over the Web to browsers. It is the "http://" in a Web address.
   
Hyperlinks The text or graphic that users click to go to a file, a location in a file, an Internet or intranet site, page, or location. Hyperlinks usually appear underlined and in color, but sometimes the only indication is that the pointer changes to a hand.
   
Hypertext This term describes the system that allows documents to be cross-linked in such a way that the reader can explore related documents by clicking on a highlighted word or symbol. See also hyperlinks.
 


I
   
IETF The abbreviation for Internet Engineering Task Force, IETF refers to a subgroup of the Internet Architecture Board that focuses on solving technical problems on the Internet.
   
Inline Images These are the graphics contained within a Web document written in HTML.
   
Internet (Capitalized.) Refers to the worldwide collection of networks that use the TCP/IP protocols to communicate with each other.
   
Intranet (Not capitalized.) Refers to any large network made of up a number of smaller networks. Also refers to a communications network based on the same technology as the World Wide Web that's available only to certain people, such as the employees of a company.
   
Internet service provider Otherwise known as an ISP, this is an organization that provides access to the Internet. ISPs also usually provide services such as email and newsgroups and may contain proprietary content. Connection to an ISP is usually through a phone line, a DSL connection, or a dedicated line such as an ISDN line. Many smaller ISPs serve as hosts for independent Web sites.
   
IP The acronym for Internet Protocol, IP refers to the set of communication standards that controls activity on the Internet.
   
IP address The numeric Internet Protocol address assigned by the Network Information Center (NIC) that uniquely identifies each computer on a network that uses TCP/IP. The IP address is a 32-bit identifier made up of four groups of numbers, each separated by a period, such as 123.432.154.12.
   
ISDN The acronym for Integrated Services Digital Network, ISDN is a telecommunications standard that uses digital transmission technology to support voice, video, and data communications applications over regular telephone lines.
 


J
   
Java Java is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Not to be confused with JavaScript.
   
JavaScript A scripting language that enables Web authors to spice up their sites with dynamic content. Although it shares many of the features and structure of Java, it was developed independenly.
   
JPEG The acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group, JPEG is an image compression format used to transfer color photographs and images over computer networks. Along with GIF, it's one of the most common ways photos are moved over the Web.
 


L
   
Links These are the hypertext connections between Web pages -- a synonym for hotlinks or hyperlinks.
   
Live When used in reference to a Web file, this term designates an object linked to another layer of information.
 


M
   
MIME An acronym for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions, MIME is a messaging standard that allows Internet users to exchange e mail messages enhanced with graphics, video, and voice.
   
Mouse over Usng the mouse to hover over a live button, link, or graphic to see additional information. Also called a rollover.
   
MPEG The acronym for Moving Pictures Expert Group, MPEG is an international standard for video compression and desktop movie presentation. A special viewing application is needed to run MPEG files on your computer.
 


N
   
Navigation Finding one's way around on the Web by following hypertext paths on a Web site or from document to document.
   
NFS The acronym for Network File System, NFS is a protocol suite, developed and licensed by Sun Microsystems, that allows different makes of computers running different operating systems to share files and disk storage.
   
NIC The acronym for Network Information Center, NIC is an organization responsible for supplying information for component networks that comprise the Internet. NIC can also stand for Network Interface Card, which is a network adapter.
   
NOC The acronym for Network Operations Center, NOC is the organization responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Internet's component networks.
   
Node A device attached to a network that uses the network as a means of communication and has an address on the network.
 


O
   
OSI model The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model for describing network protocols was devised by the Internet Standards Organization (ISO). It divides protocols into seven layers to standardize and simplify definitions, allowing computer systems made by different vendors to communicate with each other. The goal of OSI is to create a worldwide open systems networking environment, where all systems can interconnect.
 


P
   
Path The hierarchical structure of an operating system, from root directory through file names.
   
Pixel Short for picture element. One pixel is a measurement representing the smallest unit of visual information that can be used to build an image. Pixels are the little squares that can be seen when a graphics image is enlarged
   
POP An acronym for Point of Presence. Generally, POPs refer to the location where people can dial into the provider's host computer. Most providers have several POPs to allow low-cost access via telephone lines.
   
Pop-up A window that "pops up" with a menu that expands when clicked on with a mouse, a special function key, or other pointer. A list of options appears, from which the user can make a selection by scrolling through with the mouse button held down, and then releasing the button at the desired option.
   
PPP An acronym for Point-to-Point Protocol that is an Internet connection in which phone lines and a modem can be used to connect a computer to the Internet.
   
Protocols A set of rules or standards that define how traffic and communications are handled by a computer or network routers.
 


Q
   
QuickTime A digital video standard developed for Apple Macintosh computers. Special viewing applications are needed to run QuickTime movies.
 


R
   
Router A hardware device that stores and forwards electronic messages between networks, first determining all possible paths to the destination address and then picking the most expedient route,
 


S
   
Scalable The state of being able to be changed in size or configuration to suit changing conditions and needs over time.
   
Search engine A program on the Internet that allows users to search for files and information.
   
Server Specific to the Web, a Web server is the computer program (housed within a computer) that serves requested HTML pages or files. In general, a server is a computer program that provides services to other computer programs in the same or other computers.
   
Shareware This term refers to software that is available on public networks and BBSs. Users are asked to remit a small fee to the software developer, but it's on the honor system.
   
SLIP The acronym for Serial Line Internet Protocol, SLIP refers to a method of Internet connection that enables computers to use phone lines and a modem to connect to the Internet without having to connect to a host.
   
Synchronous connection An analog-to-analog or digital-to-digital connection that is able to perform two or more processes at the same time by means of a mutual timing signal or clock.
 


T
   
T-1 A high-speed data line connection. T-1 operates at 1.45 Mbps.
   
Tags Formatting codes used in HTML documents. Tags indicate how parts of a document will appear when displayed by browsing software.
   
TCP/IP The basic protocols controlling applications on the Internet. The acronym stands for transmission control protocol/Internet protocol.
   
TIFF The acronym for Tagged Image File Format, a graphic file format developed by Aldus and Microsoft. Mosaic supports the viewing of TIFF images.
 


U
   
URL Uniform Resource Locator, the addressing system used in the World Wide Web and other Internet resources. The URL contains information about the method of access, the server to be accessed, and the path of any file to be accessed.
 


W
   
Wizard A program utility that works as an interactive guide, by walking the user step-by-step through an unfamiliar task.
   
Web address Refers to the path to Internet and intranet sites and to email user names and domains. Also the URL for a Web site.
   
Web browser This is the software that allows a user to access and view HTML documents.
   
Webmaster The person in charge of administrating a Web site.
   
Web node Synonymous with Web site or Web server.
   
Web page An HTML document that is accessible on the Web.
   
World Wide Web Also known as WWW or W3, the World Wide Web is a hypertext- based Internet service used for browsing Internet resources.
   
WYSIWYG "What you see is what you get." Used to describe a type of HTML editor that allows you to type in text and place pictures and immediately see how it will look.
 


 

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