Internet Service Provider Bargains
Since 1999
PLUS Free or Cheap Tools
for the Savvy Surfer!
Glossary
Definitions of Internet and computing terms found on ISPbargains pages.
ACH
Automated Check Handling. Your checking account information
is processed so your account can be charged without actually writing and
mailing a check.
Adware
Any software which serves banner ads or pop-up ads to you while
you are online. It is sometimes installed in freeware or shareware
which you download from the Internet. Some adware will track your
files, net usage, and software and report it back to advertisers
to help them channel relevant ads to you. See also Spyware.
Browser
A program that allows a user to find, view, hear, and interact with material
on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer
are examples of popular browsers.
Bulletin Board
A service dedicated to a specific topic where users post messages that are
read by others.
CHAT
Conversational Hypertext Access Technology. A feature offered by many online
services or web sites that allows participants to "chat" by typing messages
which are displayed almost instantly on the screens of other participants
who are using the chat client. It may be a one-on-one dialogue or with multiple
participants, such as in a "chat room".
Chat Room
The name given to a place or page in a Web site or online service where
people can "chat" with each other by typing messages which are displayed
almost instantly on the screens of others who are in the "chat room." Generally
the participants remain anonymous, using nicknames or pseudonyms to identify
themselves online.
Client
In Internet terms, it's an application or program that performs a specific
function, such as e-mail or a browser. It's the front-end to an Internet
process. In more general terms, a client is a computer system or process
that requests a service of another computer system or process.
Content Filter
A software program or online service which gives you the ability to control
Internet access to specific types of Web sites. Content filters can be configured
to prevent access to sites which contain objectionable content, such as
pornography, violence, hate, gambling, etc.
Cookie
A piece of information sent by a Web server to a user's browser. (A Web
server is the computer that "hosts" a Web site, and responds to requests
from a user's browser.) Cookies may include information such as login or
registration identification, user preferences, online "shopping cart" information,
etc. The browser saves the information, and sends it back to the Web server
whenever the browser returns to the Web site. The Web server may use the
cookie to customize the display it sends to the user, or it may keep track
of the different pages within the site that the user accesses. Browsers
may be configured to alert the user when a cookie is being sent, or to refuse
to accept cookies. Some sites, however, cannot be accessed unless the browser
accepts cookies.
Dialup, Dial-up
The most common method of accessing the Internet. A dialup connection uses
regular phone lines to connect one computer to another via modem.
Domain Name
The alphabetic names used to refer to computers on the Internet. A Web site
address, including a suffix such as .com, .org, .gov, or .edu. The suffix
indicates what type of organization is hosting the site. Domain name addresses,
together with IP addresses, are the two forms of Internet addresses in common
use. Domain name addresses all end with a correct top-level domain. Some
of the top-level domains are: com, edu, gov, int, mil, net, org.
Download
To transfer a file from another system to your own computer system via your
Internet connection. The act of transmitting a file from a computer in another
location to your own PC. The opposite of upload.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line - A means of accessing the
Internet at very high speed using standard phone lines. The most attractive
feature of DSL, in addition to it's speed, is the ability to access the
Internet and use the telephone at the same time.
DUN
Dial Up Networking. A utility your computer uses to
set up your dial-up access account so you can connect to your Internet Service
Provider without downloading special (proprietary) software to access the
Internet.
E-mail
Electronic Mail. A method by which computer users can exchange messages
with each other over a network. E-mail is probably the most widely-used
communications tool on the Internet.
E-mail Address
Your e-mail address is made up of several parts. By convention, addresses
use lowercase letters with no spaces. The first part of the address, the
username, identifies a unique user on a server. The @ (pronounced at) separates
the username from the host name. The host name uniquely identifies the server
computer and is the last part of the Internet e-mail address (for example,
our webmaster's e-mail address is webmaster@foxinternet.com. The three-letter
suffix in the host name identifies the kind of organization operating the
server (some locations use a two-letter geographical suffix). The most common
suffixes are: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (government),
.mil (military), .net (networking), and .org (noncommercial).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions. A list of questions and
answers. FAQs are written on a wide variety of topics, and are usually the
most up-to-date source for specialized information. This glossary is an
example of a FAQ.
Freeware
Free software that is available on the Internet! Generally, you can use
it and distribute it but not modify it because of author rights.
Filtered ISP
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) that sets criteria for determining content
which is inappropriate for children, and automatically blocks subscriber
access to that content. Parents and other caregivers who are choosing a
filtered ISP should review the company's criteria for blocking, and make
sure those criteria reflect their own values and judgments.
Forum
An on-line discussion area similar to a newsgroup or bulletin
board.
Firewall
A combination of hardware and software that separates a computer network
from some areas of the Internet. Secures computer files by blocking unauthorized
access.
Hacker
Tends to refer to the more programming intense set of the computing geek
crowd. However the term is overused in the popular media, and therefore
is no longer much used among "real geeks." Hacker also has negative
connotations related to cracking or illegally obtaining access to computers
and accounts.
Hardware
The mechanical devices that comprise a computer system, such as the central
processing unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, as well as other equipment
like printers and speakers.
HTTP
HyperText Transfer Protocol is the standard
language that computers connected to the World Wide Web use to communicate
with each other.
Home Page
Usually the first page of a World Wide Web site.
Host
A server computer on a network that is a repository for services available
to client computers on the network.
Hot Spot
A location that offers Wi-Fi (wireless) Internet access, usually for a fee
but sometimes at no cost to the user. Hot spots can be found at some airports,
coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and various other locations.
Idle Disconnect
The length of time your ISP allows no Internet activity before disconnecting
you from their server. Many ISP's have a 10 minute idle disconnect.
Instant Messaging
The ability to have a real-time ongoing dialogue through written messages
with another person using the same messaging program.
Internet (upper case I)
The vast collection of interconnected networks that all use the TCP/IP protocols
and that evolved from the ARPANET of the late 60’s and early 70’s. An "internet"
(lower case i) is any computers connected to each other (a network), and
are not part of the Internet using TCP/IP protocols. An "intranet" is a
private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds
of software that you would find on the public Internet, but that is only
for internal use. An intranet may be on the Internet or may simply be a
network. Always capitalized, the word Internet can also be referred to colloquially
as the "Net."
IMAP
Internet Message Access Protocol. A method used by e-mail programs to communicate
with e-mail servers.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. An online service offering
the capability to access the Internet via your computer. Using a modem,
you can dial up to a service provider whose computers will connect you to
the Internet, typically for a fee.
Maximum Session Disconnect
The amount of time an ISP allows users to remain online in a single session
before automatically terminating the connection.
MB
Abbreviation for megabyte. A million bytes. A thousand kilobytes.
Modem
A hardware device that allows computers to communicate with each other by
transmitting signals over telephone lines, enabling what is called "dial-up
access." A modem converts digital information from a computer into an analog
signal (modulator) that can be transmitted by phone line, and vice-versa
(demodulator).
Netiquette
A pun on etiquette referring to proper behavior on a network. The combination
of the words Net and etiquette refers to the proper behavior on a network,
and more generally the Internet. The key element in Netiquette is remembering
that actual people are on the other end of a computer connection, and offensive
comments or actions are just as offensive even if you can't see your recipient.
Network
Terminals, switches and connections that communicates information between
users. Any group of computers linked together, and sharing files or information.
The most common types of networks are LAN , Ethernet, Token Ring, ARPAnet,
and Internet.
Newsgroup
A Usenet discussion group that is related to one topic. Internet users can
subscribe to many different newsgroups. Major newsgroup categories include:
alt: "Alternative" discussions on a wide variety of topics. comp:
Computer-related information and discussion. misc: "Miscellaneous"
categories. news: Issues concerning USENET and newsgroups rec:
Recreational activities, such as movies, books, sports, etc. sci:
Science news and information. soc: Topics related to sociology and
psychology. talk: USENET's version of talk radio.
Online
A computer is "online" when it is connected to any computer network.
More often referred to as a computer that is connected to the Internet.
Platform
An operating system used by a computer. Such as Windows 98, XP or Mac OS
X, for example.
POP3
Post Office Protocol. A method used by an e-mail client (program) to receive
e-mail from a mail server.
Pop-up
A pop-up window is a small browser window that is activated by a mouseover
or double-click of an image or button in an existing browser window. Pop-ups
can be outfitted with all or none of the the usual browser "chrome" (location
bar, navigations buttons, etc.).
Portal
An Internet portal is a Web site that acts as a gateway or entrance to the
Web with links to many other sites.
Server
A special computer connected to a network that provides (serves up) data.
A Web server transmits Web pages over the Internet when it receives a Web
browser's request for a page. A server can also be called a host or node.
Shareware
Software that is offered for free download in hopes that the user will decide
to keep it and pay a fee for it after trying it out. See freeware.
Site
A host on the Internet which allows remote. A site may consist of a single
page or many pages under a common site name.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. A method used by an e-mail client (program)
to communicate with e-mail servers when you send e-mail messages.
Software
A computer program, which provides the instructions which enable the computer
hardware to work. System software, such as Windows or MacOS, operate the
machine itself, and applications software, such as spreadsheet or word processing
programs, provide specific functionality.
Spam
A common term for unsolicited e-mail. Simply stated, spam is any message
you didn't ask to receive in your mailbox. While spam is usually viewed
as large numbers of messages, to the individual, one unwanted message is
spam. The term was inspired by an old Monty Python sketch about a repetitive
menu with spam, spam, eggs, and spam.
Spyware
Software planted on your computer system to capture and reveal information
to someone outside your system. It can do such things as capture your keystrokes
while typing passwords, read and track your e-mail, record what sites you
visit, pass along credit card numbers and so on. It can be planted by viruses,
installed as part of freeware or shareware programs you download and run,
installed by an employer to track your computer usage, or even planted by
advertising agencies to assist in feeding you targeted ads.
Surf, Surfing
To search for information on the Web in a random, nonlinear way. Simply
stated, to search or wander the Internet without a specific goal.
USENET
One of the Internet's oldest means of sharing information. Thousands of
newsgroups (topics) shared over countless servers across the Internet. It's
the mother (so to speak) of all forums and bulletin boards.
Virus
A program written to incapacitate or interfere with the normal operation
of a computer. Some viruses continually reproduce copies of themselves in
the computers they enter, corrupt data or code in key areas of the computer
such as the operating system.
V.92
An enhancement to V.90 56K modem technology. Allows V.92 modems the ability
to put the modem on hold (without losing the Internet connection) while
the user responds to an incoming phone call.
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol is a standardized, device-independent
protocol that defines the development and operating environment for wireless
telephones, pagers and handheld devices. WAP utilizes a lighter version
of the TCP/IP protocol for transmission between devices.
Webmail
Refers to Web-based (online) access to e-mail where users can access a Web
site and write, send, receive and read e-mail. Webmail can be accessed from
any computer which has access to the Internet. But only if you remember
the password... :o)
Wi-Fi
Wireless Fidelity. A popular term for a form of wireless data communication.
Basically Wi-Fi is "Wireless Ethernet". Simply stated, access to the Internet
without the need of a hard wire connection.
WWW
The World Wide Web is a collection of online documents housed
on Internet servers around the world. The concept of the Web was created
by researchers at CERN in Switzerland. Web documents are written and coded
in HTML. To access these documents, you have to use a Web browser. When
these browsers access a page, the server uses the HyperText Transfer Protocol
(HTTP) to send the document to your computer.
You will find a complete glossary of Internet terms here: http://www.matisse.net/files/glossary.html
[ Back to top ]
