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The first step to navigating your way around the internet is to understand the LINGO. The first time I used the internet I was mystified. I thought, “are all these people speaking Greek or gibberish?” I soon learned that the internet is a separate culture with its own language. Listed below are common internet terms and their definitions (a slightly abbreviated alphabet).
A IS FOR...
- ADDRESS -- the location of an Internet resource such as a web site or e-mail; also known as a URL
B IS FOR...
- BANNER -- an image usually created for ADVERTISING displayed on a web site
- BLOG-- short for "weblog"; a web page containing a collection of links mixed in with commentary; similar to an editorial or DIARY
- BOOKMARKS -- a list of internet web sites selected by you in your web browser; also known as FAVORITES
- BROWSER -- a program on your computer, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer, that allows you to VIEW internet pages
C IS FOR...
- CACHE -- a portion of MEMORY either on your computer or your internet provider’s computer where data can be stored for rapid access
- CLIENT -- a program such as a Web browser or e-mail program that CONNECTS to and requests information from a server
- COOKIES -- files stored on your hard drive by your web browser that hold information about your viewing HABITS on the internet (web sites visited, passwords, user names, and newsgroups you visit); Web sites you visit can use this information to tailor the type of information they provide to you
- CYBERSPACE -- a term that is used for the EVERYTHING connected to the internet
-
D IS FOR...
- DIAL-UP -- a basic connection between your computer and internet via phone and MODEM
- DIRECT connection -- fastest internet connection usually through a cable modem or other high-speed service
- DISCUSSION group -- also called a newsgroup; usually accessed via your e-mail program or on a web site server; normally dedicated to discussions in one SUBJECT area
- DOMAIN name -- an alphabetical name for a website that starts with "www" and ends with an extension like .com (business), .gov (government), .edu (educational), etc.
- DOWNLOAD -- copying a file from a REMOTE computer to your local computer
F IS FOR...
- FAQ -- frequently asked questions; a group of commonly asked QUESTIONS and their answers
- FILE -- information STORED and organized by computer software
- FLAME -- sending an email or posting a message in a newsgroup that INSULTS someone; do not do this!
H IS FOR...
- HOME page -- the very first page or entrance to any web site
- HOST -- any computer on a network that functions as a REPOSITORY for services available to other computers on the network
- HTML -- HyperText Markup Language; the main programming LANGUAGE used to design web sites
- HTTP -- HyperText Transfer Protocol; a set of detailed and coded INSTRUCTIONS for communication between a server and a World Wide Web client
- HYPERLINK -- any text on a web site that when CLICKED will take you to another page or another web site
- HYPERTEXT -- the text that contains hyperlinks
I IS FOR...
- INTERNET -- a worldwide NETWORK of computers communicating with each other
- IP address -- the Internet Protocol Address that is assigned to every computer
- ISP -- Internet Service Provider; a company that provides internet and e-mail ACCESS
L IS FOR...
- LINK -- another name for a hyperlink
- LISTSERV -- an electronic mail list usually delivered to individual members by EMAIL that concentrates on one topic
- LOGIN -- the use of an assigned name and PASSWORD to access a web site or web page
- LURKING -- reading discussion group or listserv messages before participating; recommended so that you can fully UNDERSTAND the topic and the people participating before you join in
M IS FOR...
- MAIL server -- a computer that holds and TRANSMITS e-mail messages
- MAILING list -- similar to a listserv or newsgroup; you give permission to JOIN and will be mailed messages from other members typically concentrating on one topic
- META tags -- special code in the programming of a web site that tells search engines how to INDEX a certain web page (includes page name, title, keywords and description)
N IS FOR...
- NETWORK -- a system of CONNECTED computers exchanging information with each other
- NEWBIE -- a new USER of any medium such as the internet, newsgroups, e-mail, etc.
- NEWSGROUP -- similar to a discussion group usually concentrating on one topic
- NEWSREADER -- usually provided with your e-mail program and allows you to VIEW and participate in discussions
O IS FOR...
- ONLINE -- when you are CONNECTED to the internet
P IS FOR...
- PAGE -- a single page on a web site
- POST -- to SEND a message to a mailing list or newsgroup
R IS FOR...
- REFRESH -- used by your browser to check for UPDATES to a web site page that may be stored on your computer; also known as RELOAD
- ROBOT -- a program that automatically searches the World Wide Web for files; also known as a SPIDER
S IS FOR...
- SEARCH engine -- a tool for FINDING information on the internet such as Webcrawler
- SHAREWARE -- free SOFTWARE usually downloaded from the internet
- SIGNATURE -- a file created by you that is added to the END of all your e-mail messages giving information about you and your business
- SITE -- a single or collection of related Web pages
- SPAM -- unwanted and sometimes ILLEGAL messages sent to you usually promoting a get rich quick scheme or pornography
- SUBSCRIBE -- to become a MEMBER of a newsgroup, listserv, internet provider service, etc.
T IS FOR...
- THREAD -- a group of messages on one topic
U IS FOR...
- UPLOAD -- copying a file from your local computer and sending or loading it to a REMOTE computer
- URL -- Uniform Resource Locator; the method by which Internet sites are ADDRESSED
Bonnie Davis is a Virtual Assistant working with small businesses to increase efficiency and profits. Visit her website at www.DavisVirtualAssistance.com or contact her directly at .
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