Tech
Terms
Active-X: A computer programming language that
allows Web programmers to provide animation and interaction
between you and the Web site you are visiting. Developed
by Microsoft and currently only runs on Windows 95 and Windows
NT.
ASCII: "Text" format. A standard text format which
works with all PC's regardless of operating system. The most
basic method of displaying text. Does not allow for such
formatting techniques as bold, italics, varying font faces
or font sizes. Most transmissions on the Internet are in
ASCII text because of its comprehensive compatibility.
Boot: To "boot" the computer is to start it up. "Rebooting" refers
to restarting it, often by pressing either a "reset" button
or by pressing <ctrl><alt><delete> on the
keyboard.
Browser: A program for viewing documents on the World Wide
Web. May be either graphical or text-based. Examples: Lynx,
Netscape, Internet Explorer, Mosaic, etc.
Bug: An error in a program. Bugs usually cause programs,
and often the computer, to stop functioning properly.
Byte: How information is measured for storage on the computer.
One character usually equals one byte. 1Kb (kilobyte) = 1000
bytes. 1Mb (megabyte) = 1,000,000 bytes. 1Gb (gigabyte) =
1,000,000,000 bytes. 1Tb (terabyte) = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
CD-ROM: Compact Disc - Read Only Memory. A method of storing
several hundred megabytes on a compact disc. Most compact
discs are ROM, which means your computer can only read the
information on the disc. It cannot add any additional information,
or change any of the information on the disc. Recordable
CD's are available for PC's, however, they are currently
very expensive.
CGI: Common Gateway Interface. A method of writing programs
for the Internet so that they may be activated and various
actions performed by any type of PC.
Chat
Room: A method of participating in a live time, group
discussion on the Internet. This term is generally associated
with online services. See also IRC.
CPU: Central Processing Unit. The "brains" of
the computer. The CPU is one of the determinants of how fast
the computer works. This usually is referred to as the "clock" speed,
and is measured in megahertz (MHz).
Crash: When a program or the computer stops working or responding.
Desktop: The "work area" of the computer screen.
Directory: Disks are usually arranged into directory structures
for ease of locating files. It is often easier to think of
your drive as a filing cabinet. The directories represent
folders within the cabinet, and the individual files are
similar to the files stored within the file folders.
Download: Copying a file from one computer or disk to another.
Dumb
Terminal: A terminal used in a master/slave relationship.
The end user enters commands and receives information through
a local terminal, while all operations are performed on a
remote master machine. The dumb terminal is usually unable
to perform any actions of its own, although the end user
is often unaware that the operations are not being performed
locally. See also: Master/Slave.
E-Mail: Allows for the electronic transfer of messages.
Messages are often transferred around the world at a rate
that appears to the sender/receiver to be nearly instantaneous.
Popular programs for sending/receiving e-mail include: Netscape,
Microsoft Mail, Eudora, and Pegasus. E-Mail is the most popular/common
activity on the Internet today.
Floppy
Disk: A removable device for storing files. Most "floppy" disks
are made of plastic and are 3.5 inches in size.
Hacker: Someone who gains unauthorized access to a computer
or network.
Hard
Disk: The disk inside the computer. Usually provides
more storage space and faster access times than a floppy
disk. Most applications are stored on the hard disk.
Home
Page: The "beginning" document in a Web site.
HTML: Hypertext Mark-up Language. The codes and symbols which
tell your Web browser how a Web page is supposed to be displayed
on your screen.
HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The method computers
use to transfer Web pages back and forth.
Intranet: An intranet is a computer network, similar to
the larger Internet, but access is limited to individuals
within a single organization.
Internet: The term Internet refers to a global network of
computers and computer networks connected to each other through.
Most computers are connected through phone lines.
IRC: Internet Relay Chat. A method of experiencing live time
group discussions on the Internet. Most are harmless,
however, these are generally unregulated and unmoderated
which makes them prey to less desirable individuals. This
term is generally associated with "true" Internet
access as opposed to the online services. See also: Chat
Room.
ISP: Internet Service Provider. A company or service which
provides access to the Internet. Examples include: HiWAAY,
Odyssey, Shoals Net, and Traveller.
Java: A computer programming language that allows Web programmers
to provide animation and interaction between you and the
Web site you are visiting. Developed by Sun Microsystems
to run on any computer operating system.
Master/Slave: Two machines connected to each other, where
one machine controls the actions of another. The most extreme
example is a dumb terminal situation, where the master computer
performs all of the requested operations, while the terminal
is used as an intermediary allowing the operator convenient
access to the master machine. This is common in mainframe
settings, where several terminals may be scattered at convenient
locations, while all of the operations are performed on the
mainframe computer. See also: Dumb Terminal.
Menu
Bar: The bar at the top of a Windows screen which contains
the pull down menu options. (File, Edit, View, Windows, Help,
etc.)
News: A section of Internet bulletin boards, called "newsgroups".
It is generally very easy to create and post to Internet
newsgroups. This makes them easy prey for spammers, and those
posting illegal activities.
Newsgroup: An Internet bulletin board.
OCR: Optical Character Recognition. A computer program which
is used with a scanner to turn printed text into a digital
file.
Online
Service: Generally provide a gateway to the Internet
as well as access to proprietary content. Set-up and navigation
is generally very simple. Examples include: America Online
(AOL), CompuServe (CIS), Microsoft Network (MSN), Prodigy,
etc.
PC: Personal Computer. A desktop or mini-tower computer designed
for use by one individual at a time. The term "PC" usually
refers to an IBM-compatible type of personal computer, while "Mac" is
usually used when referring to personal computers running
the Apple-Macintosh system.z
PPP: Point-to-Point protocol. A type of connection to the
Internet that is required for the transmission of pictures,
sound, interaction, etc. Provided by nearly all ISP's.
RAM: Random Access Memory. The memory the computer uses to "run" applications. While applications are "stored" on
the hard drive, they are activated and run using the computer's
RAM.
Spam: Unsolicited advertisement. Commonly found on newsgroups
and in e-mail.
TCP/IP: Software which allows your computer to establish
a PPP connection with your ISP. This is built into the operating
system. Other examples include MacTCP, Trumpet Winsock and
Chameleon.
Title
Bar: The bar at the top of a Windows screen which
contains the title, or name, of the application and file
being used.
Tool
Bar: A bar present in many Windows applications which contains
commonly used options. The options are usually represented
with a variety of icons. These usually include a floppy disk
for "save", a pair of scissors for "cut",
a printer for "print", a blank sheet of paper for
a "new document" and an open file folder to open
an existing file.
Virus/Anti-Virus: A virus is a malicious program designed
to inflict damage on your applications and files. The term
is often used to apply to a variety of malicious program
types, including Trojan horses and worms. Anti-virus programs
are applications are designed to detect and eliminate viruses
from the computer's system. It is estimated that several
hundred new viruses are written each month. UNA Computer
Services recommends that all end-users keep an up-to-date
anti-virus program on all PC's.
Web
Page: A document which has been placed on the Internet.
Usually contains both text and pictures.
Web
Site: A collection of documents on the World Wide Web
maintained by one individual/group pertaining to the mission,
interests, or goals of that individual/group.
World
Wide Web: One section of the Internet. Often referred
to as WWW, or just the Web
