G

Gateway - A Gateway is an interface between two opposing protocols. By means of software and hardware a gateway that allows connection between networks which would otherwise be incompatible. (think of it as an adaptor)

GIF - (Graphics Interchange Format) developed by Compuserve, GIF is a platform-independent file format, GIF is used extensively throughout the Internet for various graphics files. It compresses files using a 'lossless' method which ensures picture quality is not compromised.

Gigabyte (GB) - A thousand Megabytes

Gopher - An Internet Gopher is a distributed document search and retrieval system. It recieves an electronic request for information and then scans the Internet for it (similar to an office junior.)

H

Header - In E-mail terms, Header is the section of the message which indicates who the sender is and some other brief details, such as the subject of the message.

Hit - used in reference to the World Wide Web, a "hit" means a single request from a web browser for a single item from a web server.

Home Page - This is the main navigation page owned by a company, it is usually the first page you will find when you search for a specific web site, hyperlinks are made to other pages on the site from the home page.

Host - when you use the internet you will usually connect to a host computer.

HotJava - This is a Web browser developed by Sun Microsystems expanding traditional browser capabilities by allowing dynamic functions instead of just static text and images.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - This is the tagging language that is used to format Web pages. It combines pictures and text to create Web documents, and the most important feature - hypertext - making it possible for links to be made between different documents.

HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) - HTTP has been used on the World Wide Web since 1990, this application-level protocol is essential for the distribution of information throughout the Web.

Hyperlink - Hyperlinks are highlighted text or images which, when selected (usually by clicking the mouse button), follow a link to another page or web site. Hyperlinks can also be used to automatically download other files as well as sounds and video clips on the woerld wide web.

I

Image Map - An image with 'hot spots' which are clickable, allowing several hyperlinks from a single image file. For example, an image of a country or map, with clickable hotspots over each city which when activated will show a detailed city map.

Internet - Spelt with a capital I, it represents the collection of all the interconnected networks in the world, usually referred to as the 'net'.

internet - Spelt with a lower case i it represents a group of two or more networks connected together.

IP (Internet Protocol) - The main protocol used on the Internet.

IP Address - IP is a unique 4-number code designated to every Domain on the Internet. Each Domain also has a Domain Name as well as an IP address to make site addresses easier to remember.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) - Real-time world-wide electronic chat program which allows users to communicate with eachother across the globe.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - A digital telephone line which allows faster data transfer rates than older, existing analog lines. Allows simultaneous transfer of voice, data and video information.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) - Usually a Company or Organisation, such as Velnet.co.uk who are dedicated to providing businesses or home users access to the Internet.

J

Java - Java was developed by Sun Microsystems, it is a Web programming language which supports online multimedia effects, such as basic cartoon-like animations, background music and continuously updated information in Web pages.

.jpg or .jpeg - Easily recognisable filename extensions given to JPEG graphics files.

JPEG - (Joint Photographic Experts Group) This is a standard of image compression developed specifically for use on the Internet. Most photographic images can be highly compressed using this method, without greatly affecting image quality.

K

Kilobyte - 1024 bytes, this is often rounded down to a thousand bytes for simplicity.

L

LAN (Local Area Network) - This describes a group or network of computers all in the same building or location. They will be connected by a network of cables.

Leased Line - A rented, high-speed phone link for private use, available 24 hours a day.

Link - Links are the doorways to other sites or hypertext pages. Every time you click on highlighted text to go to another page you're following a link. (Link puts the hyper in hyperlink).

Local Area Network - see LAN (above)

M

Mailserver - A mailserver is the computer and its software that enables retrieval and sorting of E-mail messages.

Megabyte (MB) - The unit of measurement for a thousand Kilobytes (a million bytes.)

MIME - (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) This is a format that was originally designed to include images, sounds, animations and other types of documents within Internet mail messages.

Mirror site - An FTP site which basiacally contains exactly the same files as the site it is mirroring. Sometimes Sites may be mirrored more than once, in different locations around the world. They relieve the load that can be placed on a very popular FTP site, hence making it easier for users to gain access and download files faster.

Modem (MODulator-DEModulator) - Allows the transmission of digital information via an analog phone line.

Mosaic - A mosaic is a Web browser which is written by a team at NCSA. It Provides a Graphical User Interface which allows access to data on the World Wide Web.

.mpg or .mpeg - Filename extension for MPEG movies.

MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) - Commonly used video compression format needed for movie or animation clips on the World Wide Web.

N

NCSA - (National Center for Supercomputing Applications) The NCSA is the most powerful organisation that launched the Mosaic Web Browser in 1993 for Windows, x-Windows and Macintosh platforms.

Netiquette - Informal, mostly undocumented set of rules which are designed to make the Web a polite and civilised 'society'.

Netscape Communications - These are the inovators of Netscape Navigator, one of the most popular Web browsers today. They became notorious after introducing several HTML 'extensions' that were unsupported by other browsers.

Network - A network is two or more computers that are linked together and that are able to share resources.

Network Time Protocol - An Internet protocol which ensures that the correct time is transmitted.

Network time server - Using Network Time Protocol, users can access this machine to get the correct time.

Newsgroup - Thousands of Newsgroups exist, they distribute information on different subjects by utilising Usenet.

Newsreader - The newsreader is a program that permits the user to read a Newsgroup message via Usenet.

NIC (Network Information Center) - Usually the location where all data is organised for a particular network.

NNTP (Net News Transport Protocol) - Usenet news makes use of this transfer protocol by moving files around the network.

Node - Any one computer that is connected to a network.

O

Offline - Working offline is When your computer carries out an operation or task and it is not connected to the internet (or any other computers).

Online - Your computer is working online when it performs a task or operation and is connected to the internet (or other computers).

P

Packet - Packets are simply chunks of data with their own individual destination addresses. Imagine packets as sealed envelopes containing data, with addresses written on them. They travell through the system, untill they reach the correct destination. (Information which is shifted around the Internet in 'packets')

Page - In the context of the World Wide Web, a 'page' is the name given to a basic Web document, such as the one you are viewing on Velnet at the moment.

Password - A group of characters required to be given correctly when demanded by a computer or web site before it will allow access by the user

Peripheral - Any device that is connected to, and controlled by, a computer but external of the Central Proccessing Unit (CPU). (A printer for example).

Pixel - These are the tiy areas (dots) that make up a computer graphic picture that appears on your screen

Plug-In - Your browser is limited to certain capabilities such as displaying images and web pages. More complicated things such as audio and video may require plug-ins like Shockwave and RealAudio to enable them to work.

POP (Post Office Protocol) - This provides a store-and-forward service, to enable movement of E-mail on demand from an intermediate server to a single destination machine, usually a PC or Macintosh.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) - A protocol that provides a simple, standardized way for users to access mailboxes and download messages to their computers

PPP (Point to Point Protocol) - PPP is a type of Internet connection that enables a computer to use Internet protocols to exist as part of the Internet. It requires a modem, a standard telephone line and an account from a service provider.

Program - The set of instructions which the computer carries out. In whatever language the program is written the machine follws the instructions one at a time in order.

Programming Language - The language that allows the computer user to tell the computer what to do. There are many different languages

Protocol - The method by which computers communicate to each other over the Internet in order to provide a service

Public access provider - An organization or company that supplies Internet access for individuals or other organizations

Public domain - This refers to software that anybody can use or modify without the need for authorisation. (it`s free)

Pull Down Menu - A facility which is available as a list of options with software packages. With a mouse clicking on an icon at the top of the screen and moving downwards results in the menu (of options) being 'pulled down' to reveal more options.

Q

Qwerty - A computer keyboard of the normal two handed type, (probably what is infront of you right now). The word comes from the first six keys on the second or third row down on the keyboard.

R

R.A.M. (Random Access Memory) - A set of storage locations any of which can be accessed directly without having to work through from the first one. These can be written to and read from. (to core store)

R.O.M. (Read Only Memory) - A memory that holds data or instructions permanently and cannot be altered by the computer or programmer.

Re-Boot - A term instructing the user to load the system again. Often used when the program has gone wrong or is on an endless loop from which it cannot leave.

Read Write Memory - This type of memory can be written into, as well as read, as opposed to ROM.

Refresh Rate - The number of times per second that the data held in a dynamic RAM chip or on screen display must receive a 'booster' signal to maintain its accuracy or visability.

Router - Routers concentrate examining the destination addresses of the packets that pass through them and then decide which route to send them on. A router is classed as a special-purpose computer (or software package) that will handle the connection between 2 or more networks.

S

Scripting language - A series of commands that are programmed to help designate how one computer communicates with another computer.

Server - In a network, a server makes files available to client programs located on other computers when requested.

Service Provider - The role of a Service Provider is to supply a gateway to the Internet for subscribers.

Shareware - Software that is distributed freely on the internet, usually with certain conditions attached. Either the software is released on a trial basis only, and must be registered after a certain period of time, or in other cases no support can be offered with the software without registering it. In some instances direct payment to the author is required.

Signature - This could be your name, position in company and contact details that will sit at the bottom of any messages that are sent from your e-mail address (to let the recipient know who you are.)

SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) - Similar to PPP, SLIP lets you use a modem and phone line to connect to the Internet without the need to connect to a host computer.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol) - Commonly referred to as sendmail, SMTP is designed to allow the delivery of mail messages to Internet users.

Smileys - Small characters that are often used in email and forum messages, they provide some degree of character or emotion. Example :-) or (",)

T

T-1 - T-1 is a Network link utilised on the Internet allowing speeds of up to 1.54 megabits/second.

T-3 - A Higher speed (45 megabits/second) Network link that is used on the Internet.

Tag - In terms of HTML, a 'tag' is used for the marking-up of text in different ways thus enbling it to be formatted in a Web document. Often called 'Markup Tags'.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - This works hand-in-hand with IP to ensure that packets reach their intended destinations.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) - TCP & IP are the two fundamental protocols which form the basis of the Internet.

Telnet - Terminal emulation program enabling an authorised user to access another computer that is connected to the Internet as if it were in the same room. (when in reality it could be several thousand miles away).

Terabyte - 1000 gigabytes

Terminal - Piece of hardware like a keyboard or V.D.U.(visual disply unit) that allows commands to be sent to a computers CPU(central processing unit).

Terminal emulator - Enables a PC to emulate(mirror) several terminal types.

Thread - In a Usenet group scenario, it is a list of messages and replies usually on a chat room forum(textual) working within a database.

Timeout - This function allows the connection to be dropped after a certain period of inactivity.

U

Unix - Operating System that is typically written in C, and constructed for multi-user environments. It has TCP/IP incorporated, and is therefore one of the most popular operating systems for servers on the Internet.

Upload - This is where the user transfers (uploads) files from a local or home computer to a specified remote computer (as opposed to download where files are pulled off a remote machine and located ontp local p.c.).

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - A URL is classed as a resource addressing scheme of the World Wide Web. It assists in locating and identification of multimedia resources or multiple copies of resources (it acts a bit like an address for websites, images etc that are accesible on the internet).

Usenet - A specialised network that links thousands of newsgroups covering every subject imaginable.

W

WAIS (Wide Area Information Servers) - This is an architecture used by a distributed information retrieval system. WAIS is based on the client-server model of computation, it allows users of computers to share information using a common computer-to-computer protocol.

Wide Area Network (WAN) - WAN`s are Group of computers located geographically apart, they will usually belong to a single company or organisation, WAN`s are connected together using dedicated lines or by satellite,s to simulate a local network.

WinSock (WINdows SOCKets) - A Windows utility program which allows users that are connected by SLIP, PPP or other direct connection to communicate with other computers on the Internet by TCP/IP.

World Wide Web ('WWW' or 'Web') - The World Wide Web is a Specialised Internet Service which allows users (you) to connect to remote sites (like Velntet), with information presented as text with hypertext links. Gaphics can be embedded into Web pages, but they can only be viewed using a graphical Web browser. Other applications supported are sound files and movie files.

Worm - A search function or utility on the World Wide Web that can locate resources following user-determined guidelines.

Z

ZIP - Filenames that have the .ZIP extension will have been compressed using the PKZIP program. They can be decompressed using the PKUNZIP utility.

No need to create 3 separate threads for this! I have merged your posts together.

Biotronik ,well done, nice and informative.

When I've created it, it allowed me only 10000 letters per thread.

Originally Posted by Biotronik

When I've created it, it allowed me only 10000 letters per thread.

Its ok no problem, you can just reply to the previous post instead of creating another thread. Its a great list & is more beneficial as one long post rather then in 3 separate locations

That's a great little pocket guide there! Well done.

But you missed a few

DOS - Defunct Operating System

PCMCIA - People can't memorise computer industry acronyms

SCSI - still can't see it

Originally Posted by TnT

SCSI - still can't see it

I never quite got the hang of how to pronounce SCSI when I was a hardware technician..... some pronounce it "Scasi" other pronounce it "Scusi" anyway, its does not matter any more

Definitely scusi My main gripe was modem and how it was pronounced - everyone seemed to get that one wrong and not many understood modulator - demodulator - which is where 'modem' derived from in the first place.

Folk might show their age by this one, but remember what a Wimp computer was?

Windows, icons, mouse, pointers!

Then there is mouse! The classic - movement operated utility selection equipment.

Then there were the days when worm stood for write once read many.

Remember when we had Mugs? Multi-user gamer, not quite sure gamers call themselves that these days.

Another 'm' classing was Mud - the multi user dungeons and dragons, since then they're now called RPG - not rocket propelled grenades, roll playing games.

Showing my age here now, so I shall sit and reminisce about the good 'ol days!