Support: Technical Support: Glossary

Glossary of Internet Terms

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

Acrobat:
Adobe Acrobat. See PDF.

Applet:
A small Java program. See Also: Java.

ASCII:
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII (pronounced "askee") is the global standard for code numbers used by computers to represent chracters, and includes the basic set of upper and lower-case Latin letters, numbers, and punctuation. Other characters not included in this set are defined by other standards, such as Unicode.

Autoresponder:
A feature that sends an automated reply to incoming email. For example, when customers send email you at you@yourdomain.com address, a standard message could be sent back to them.

Backbone:
A high-speed line (or a series of connections) that forms a major pathway within a network.

Bandwidth:
The amount of data you can send through a connection, usually measured in bits per second. A full page of English text is about 16,000 bits. A fast modem can move about 15,000 bits in one second.

Banner:
An advertisements in the form of graphics (usually rectangular in shape) displayed on a website. When viewers click on a banner, they are taken to the advertiser's website.

Bit:
This is the smallest measure of computerized data, either 1 or 0. Eight bits equal one byte, or one character.

Bookmark:
The feature of a browser that lets you save the address (URL) of a website so you can go back to the page easily at a later time.

Browser:
A client program used to view various kinds of Internet resources. You use a browser (e.g., Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer) to view website from your computer.

Certificate Authority:
An issuer of Security Certificates used in SSL connections.

CGI:
Common Gateway Interface: A protocol that allows a website to run a program on a server. Forms, counters, and guestbooks are common examples of CGI programs.

Cookie:
A cookie is a piece of information sent to a browser by a server. The browser then returns that information to the Web server. This is how some websites "remember" your previous visits; for example, an iCommerce site might use a cookie to remember which items you've placed in your online shopping cart. Cookies can also store user preference information, log-in data, etc.

CyberCash:
CyberCash is the name of the company that developed a web-based payment system. Their CyberCash software enables online payment services for credit cards and Internet check transactions. CyberCash works with all popular browsers.

Data Transfer:
In general, any outward-bound traffic from a website (with the exception of email) is considered to be data transfer. Each time a website, image, MIDI file, etc. is loaded, data transfer is generated.

Database:
A collection of data-- part numbers, product codes, customer information, etc.-- stored in an organized fashion on a computer. Data is retreived and stored using procedures, and can accessed by programs.

DNS:
Domain Name System. A system of servers located throughout the Internet that handle Internet connections and the routing of email.

Domain Name:
A unique name that identifies a website. A domain name acts as a permanent website address and provides a professional, prestigious website presence. In example: imatrix.com

Domain Name Registrar:
See Registrar.

E-mail:
Electronic mail. A text message having a memo-like format, sent from one e-address to another. You can send e-mail in several ways-- across a local area network, via the Internet, or through an online service like America Online-- and you can send it to a single recipient or to many. When you send an e-mail message, it is delivered to virtual mailbox, and the recipient has view or retrieve the message using software, such Outlook or Eudora.

E-mail Forwarding:
Not every e-mail address has its own POP3 or Web-based mailbox. Some merely redirect e-mail traffic to another e-mail address. These P.O. Box-style addresses are called aliases or e-mail forwarding addresses.

FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions. A compilation of answers to the most common questions on a particular subject.

Firewall:
A combination of hardware and software, used to protect a network from unwelcome traffic. A firewall can be used to separate a LAN into two or more parts, or to control network traffic.

FrontPage:
FrontPage is a WYSIWYG website editor by Microsoft. In order to use FrontPage to create and maintain your website, your hosting service must install "extensions" (CGI programs that provide the server side implementation of FrontPage) for your account.

FTP:
File Transfer Protocol. A common method of sending and receiving files on the Internet. You might use FTP to upload HTML files to your web host from your own computer. A user ID and password are needed to use FTP, unless Anonymous FTP is allowed.

GIF:
Graphic Interchange Format. A type of image file. GIF files are graphics or pictures, often used on websites. Because GIF files contain a maximum of 256 colors, this file format is ideal for simple graphics with minimal shading or color variation. Other types of graphics are better suited for the JPEG file format.

Gigabyte:
(GB) One billion bytes. To be more accurate, one gigabyte actually contains 1,073,741,824 bytes. Since the prefix "giga" is associated with one billion, the term gigabyte is used to define 1,073,741,824 bytes.

Graphic: Any picture or image file within a website. Graphics are usually in GIF or JPEG format.

Hit:
A single request from a browser for a single item from a server. When a browser displays a website that contains 2 graphics, 3 hits occur at the server: 1 hit for the HTML page itself, plus a hit for each of the two graphics. See Also: Impressions.

Homepage:
The first page of a website. Some people choose to have only a homepage, with no supporting pages.

Host:
A computer system accessed by a user from a remote location. In the case of two computer systems connected via modem, the "host" is the system containing the data and the "remote" is the computer at which the user is working. Or A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP network, including the Internet. Each host has a unique IP address. Or as a verb, "host" means providing the infrastructure for a computer service. A company that hosts a server may provide the hardware and software needed to run that server, but does not supply all the content on that server. Many hosting companies maintaining the web servers for customers, while allowing their customers to maintain their own website content.

HTML:
HyperText Markup Language. The coding language used to create websites.

HTTP:
HyperText Transfer Protocol. The protocol for moving hypertext files across the World Wide Web. When you enter a URL in your browser to visit a website, an HTTP command is sent to the server. This command tells the server to fetch and transmit the requested website.

Hypertext:
Any text within a document that is linked to another location. The other location could be within the same document, or a different document. Clicking hypertext with your mouse will activate the link. This glossary is made up of hypertext, containing many links.

Image Map:
A graphic used for multiple navigation on a website. Image maps contain HTML code that turn specific areas of graphics into links.

Impressions:
The actual number of people who've seen a specific website. Impressions are much more accurate than hits when discerning how much traffic your website actually receives. Impressions are sometimes called "page views."

Internet:
The vast collection of interconnected networks that use TCP/IP protocols.

Internet Explorer:
A web browser. Internet Explorer comes with Windows, and also available for MacOS. It allows you to view web pages on the Internet and your computer. Also refered to as IE.

InterNIC:
An organization formerly operated by Network Solutions (now Verisign) that controled the registration of new domain names. Now various organizations serve as registrars of domain names, under the authority of international standards bodies. Registrars have the authority to register domain names for you for an annual fee. Registration allows an individual or company to use exclusively a domain name for their website, e-mail, and other Internet-related services.

Intranet:
A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software that you would find on the public Internet, but only for internal use.

IP Number (IP Address): The unique 4-part number assigned to each and every computer linked to the Internet (e.g., 206.141.202.111). When you connect to the Internet, your ISP assigns you an IP number for the duration of your connection. DNS converts domain names into IP addresses.

IRC:
Internet Relay Chat: A method of real time communication, powered by a network of servers.

ISDN:
Integrated Services Digital Network: Technology that allows data to be moved over phone lines at speeds of up to 64,000 BPS per channel.

ISP:
Internet Service Provider: A company that provides access to the Internet.

Java:
Java is a programming language invented by Sun Microsystems. Java programs (or "applets") can be downloaded from the Internet to your computer. They can also be used to enhance websites. Common Java applets used on websites include animation, calculators, and counters.

JavaScript:
A scripting language developed by Netscape that interacts with HTML source code, allowing for interactive Web sites. JavaScript is used for things such as "rollover buttons" (graphics that change color when you run your mouse over them), rotating banners, MIDI jukeboxes, pop-up windows, etc.

JPEG (JPG):
Joint Photographic Experts Group. a type of image file, similar to GIF. Whereas the GIF file format is limited to 256 colors or less, JPEG files use millions of colors and can often be compressed to a smaller kilobyte size, making websites load faster.

Kilobyte (KB):
A thousand bytes. To be more accurate, one kilobyte actually contains 1024 bytes. Since the prefix "kilo" is associated with 1000, the term kilobyte is used to define 1024 bytes.

LAN:
Local Area Network. A computer network limited to the immediate area, usually the same building or floor of a building.

Linux:
A freely distributed alternative to Unix, Linux (pronounced lih-nucks) was developed originally by Linus Torvalds. The operating system is used as an inexpensive, robust substitute for Unix Web servers. Linux is available from a number of vendors for several hardware platforms, including Intel x86, DEC Alpha, Sun Sparc, and Motorola PowerPC.

Log File:
A file that contains a list of actions that have occurred on your web server. The statistics of your site are created by referencing the activity log file. This file is located in your "log" directory and is entitled "access_log".

Mail Forwarding:
When you sign up for an iMatrix hosting plan, you'll receive a domain email account (you@yourname.com). You might also have an email address provided by your local ISP. With mail forwarding, all email addressed to you@yourname.com will be sent to your other email address. Additional mail forwarding options include the ability to forward different yourname.com email to specific addresses on the Internet.

Mailing List:
A group discussion conducted through email messages, specific to a topic or common interest. When a message is sent to a mailing list, each list subscriber receives a copy.

Megabyte (MB):
A million bytes; a thousand kilobytes. To be more accurate, one megabyte actually contains 1,048,576 bytes. Since the prefix "mega" is associated with one million, the term megabyte is used to define 1,048,576 bytes.

Message Board:
A type of bulletin board where users read and respond to other people's posts.

META tag:
Hidden HTML code that contains information about a website, such as who created the page, what the page is about, and which keywords best describe the page's content. Some search engines use this information to list websites.

MIDI:
Musical Instrument Digital Interface: A computerized music file, often used on websites.

MIME:
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. The standard for attaching non-text files (such as graphics, spreadsheets, word processor documents, sound files, etc.) to email messages.

mSQL:
Mini SQL/ A lightweight database engine designed to provide fast access to stored data. See Also: SQL

MX Record:
A DNS record type that defines the host that handles e-mail for a particular domain.

MySQL:
A robust, database server software that uses an SQL database language. MySQL is available both as a open source program under the GNU General Public License or under a commercial license from MySQL AB. See Also: SQL.

Netiquette:
The informal rules of Internet etiquette.

Netizen:
Derived from the term citizen, referring to a citizen of the Internet. The term implies civic responsibility and participation.

Network:
Any time you connect 2 or more computers together for the purpose of sharing resources, you have a computer network.

Newbie:
Someone who is new to the Internet.

Newsgroups:
An Internet message board system, where people meet to discuss a variety of topics. There are thousands of newsgroups on the Internet covering a wide variety of interests.

Operating System (OS):
This is the software that manages a computer system. Windows XP, UNIX, Linux, and MacOS X are popular operating systems.

Outlook:
A popular e-mail program produced by Microsoft that allows you to read, write, and send e-mail messages. A stripped-down version, Outlook Express, is available on most Windows systems. Outlook can use POP or IMAP protocals for communicating with email servers.

Page Views:
See Impressions.

Password:
A series of characters that enables someone to access a file, computer or program. Your Control Panel is password protected to prevent unauthorized users from changing your information. The password should be a combination of characters that would be difficult to guess.

PDF:
Portable Document Format. This Adobe technology is a popular way of formatting documents in such a way that they can be viewed and printed on multiple platforms using the freely available Adobe Acrobat reader.

Perl:
Practical Extraction and Report Language. This programming language was designed mainly for processing text. It is one of the most popular languages used for writing CGI Scripts.

PHP:
PHP is an HTML-embedded scripting language. The goal of the language is to allow web developers to write dynamically generated pages quickly. It is becoming one of the most popular open-source scripting languages. (PHP is a recursive acronym for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor.")

Ping:
Packet Internet Groper. When submarine crews wanted to test the distance of an object, they would send a sonar "ping" and wait to hear the echo. In the computer world, Ping is a program that "bounces" a request off of another computer over a network to see if the remote computer can be reached and is responding.

Pixel:
A unit of measurement for graphics or monitor resolution. A pixel is one dot on a computer screen. Most computer monitors are set to a resolution of 800 x 600, meaning 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high.

Plug-ins:
Software programs that enhance other programs or applications on your computer. There are plug-ins for Internet browsers, graphics programs, and other applications.

POP:
Post Office Protocol. Post Office Protocol is a method of retrieving email from a server, the current version being POP3.

Post Message:
To send a message to a newsgroup or other type of message board.

Protocol:
A standard for the exchange of information. There are several different types of protocols (e.g., FTP, TCP/IP) used by various computers and software.

Qmail:
Q mail is a secure, reliable, efficient, simple message transfer agent, or SMTP server for handling handling email. It is designed for typical Internet-connected UNIX hosts, and has become common on UNIX and Linux web servers for handling email.

RealPlayer:
A streaming media delivery system for the Internet. Providers of news, entertainment, sports, and business content can create audio and video multimedia content, and deliver it online to audiences worldwide. To create your own RealPlayer files and offer them on your website, your hosting service must install special "extensions" for your account.

Registrar:
Registrars are companies and organizations that have the authority to register domain names for you for an annual fee. Registration allows an organization or individual to use exclusively a domain name for their website, e-mail, and other Internet-related services. Registrars are responsible for entering and maintaining the information in the domain names databases.

Resolution (Screen or Monitor):
The way things appear on your computer monitor. Resolution is measured in pixels. The lower the resolution, the larger things appear on your screen. Most computer monitors are set at 800 x 600 resolution, meaning 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high. Some people's monitors are set at 1024 x 768 or higher. Others are set at 640 x 480. When designing a website, keep in mind that your Web pages will look different to viewers depending on their monitor resolutions. You can change your own monitor resolution through your computer's Control Panel (for Mac, Windows 95 and Windows 98).

Script:
A list of commands that can run without user interaction.

Search Engine:
A directory of Internet content. If you're looking for specific information on the WWW, a search engine can list Web sites at which you'll likely find that information. Popular search engines include Excite, Snap, Yahoo, and Infoseek.

Security Certificate:
Information used to establish a secure connection by SSL protocol. In order for an SSL connection to be created, both sides must have a valid Security Certificate, issued by the Certificate Authority.

Server:
A computer or device that manages network resources. The term can refer to a piece of software, or to the machine on which the software is running. A single server machine could be running several different server software packages, thus providing many different services to users on the network.

Shopping Cart:
Software used to create an online "storefront," or iCommerce website.It acts as a virtual shopping cart, keeping track of the items visitors haveordered and allowing them to add or remove items. When a visitor decides to "check out" (purchase the items online) the software sends all order information to the merchant.

SMTP:
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. A protocol used to transfer email between servers.

Snailmail:
The term used to define the method of a letter being physically delivered to a person using the Post Office or some other letter carrier.

Spam (or Spamming):
Junk email or junk newsgroup posts. Spam is usually some sort of advertising, inappropriately sent to a mailing list or newsgroup. Spam not only wastes the recipient's time, but also misuses network bandwidth. We do not support spam--take a look at our policy.

Spider:
An Internet robot (used by a search engine) that explores the web at large. Spiders collect website addresses based on content found at those pages.

SQL:
Structured Query Language: A specialized programming language for sending queries to databases. Many database applications can be addressed using SQL. Each specific application will have its own version of SQL implementing features unique to that application, but all SQL-capable databases support a common subset of SQL.

SSL:
Secure Sockets Layer. A protocol designed by Netscape to enable encrypted communications across the Internet. It provides privacy, authentication, and message integrity. SSL is often used in communications between browsers and servers. A URL that begins with "https" is a clue that an SSL connection will be used on the website. During an SSL connection, each side sends a Security Certificate to the other. Both sides then encrypt what they send, ensuring that only the intended recipient can decode it.

T-1:
A connection capable of carrying data at 1,544,000 bits per second. T-1 is most commonly used to connect networks to the Internet.

T-3:
A connection capable of carrying data at 44,736,000 bits per second. Equivalent to 29 T-1 connections.

TCP/IP:
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol: This is the suite of protocols that defines the Internet. Originally designed for the UNIX operating system, TCP/IP software is now available for every major computer operating system. Your computer must have TCP/IP software to be connected to the Internet.

TrueSpeech:
Software that compresses speech down to as little as 1/40th its original size. Regular speech files are normally large, causing websites to load slowly; TrueSpeech compression allows faster, easier transfer.

UNIX:
A computer operating system. UNIX is designed to be used by many people at the same time and has TCP/IP built-in. It is the most common operating system for servers on the Internet.

Upload:
Sending a file from your system to a server or to someone else's computer.

URL:
Uniform Resource Locator: The standard way to display an address on the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL is accessed through a web browser and looks like this: http://www.imatrix.com/

User Name:
This is the account reference name sent to you in the Account Activation Letter. When you need to log on to your site, you will use this item.

UUENCODE:
UNIX to UNIX Encoding:.A method for converting files from Binary to ASCII so that they can be sent across the Internet via email.

Virus:
A virus is a malicious program whose sole intent is to cause problems on a computer. There are Anti-Virus programs, such as McAfee and Norton Utilities, created to combat viruses.

Virus Hoax:
Occasionally, rumors are started about viruses that do not exist. These are merely hoaxes.

Web or WWW:
World Wide Web. This commonly refers to the massive, global collection of hypertext (HTTP) servers that allow concurrent viewing of Internet data. The term "dub,dub,dub" is a shortened, spoken version of "WWW."

Web Browser:
A program that allows the viewing of web pages, and other files available through the Internet. Popular web browser programs included Internet Explorer, Netscape/Mozilla, Mosaic, and Lynx.

Webmaster:
The person who creates and maintains a website.

Wizard:
A utility in a program that outlines a series of sequential tasks to set up a portion of the program. For example, an email program may use a wizard to gather the necessary information to set up an email account.

WYSIWYG:
What You See Is What You Get (pronounced "wizzy-wig"). A program that displays a document on your screen exactly as it would appear when printed or published online. The term usually applies to HTML editors, such as Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver. These WYSIWYG editors can show you how your website will appear online, as you're editing the document.

XML:
XML is the Extensible Markup Language, a system for defining specialized markup languages that are used to transmit formatted data. XML is conceptually related to HTML, but XML is not itself a markup language. XML has become a standard for data exchange between business applications on the web.

YMMV:
"Your mileage may vary." An acronym often used in email and postings, this disclaimer removes any sense of endorsement from a claim the writer has made.

ZIP:
Zone Information Protocol. This is a method of compressing computer data or files into a small size, so they can be transferred quickly over the Internet. There are programs built specifically to zip files, such as WinZip. Zip files usually end in with an extension of .zip