A Applet
A small Java program. ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange:
This is the global standard for code numbers used by
computers to represent all upper and lower case Latin
letters, numbers, and punctuation. Autoresponder
A feature that sends an automated reply to incoming
email. For example, when customers send email to your
sales@yourdomain.com address, a standard message could
be sent back to them.
B 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 advertisement in the form of graphics (usually rectangular
in shape) displayed on a Web page. 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 Web browser that lets you save the
address (URL) of a Web page 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 Web pages from
your computer.
C Certificate Authority
An issuer of Security Certificates used in SSL connections.
CGI
Common Gateway Interface: A protocol that allows a Web
page to run a program on a Web server. Forms, counters,
and guestbooks are common examples of CGI programs. Control Panel
All users have access to a Web-based Control Panel that
allows you to set mail forwarding options, setup FrontPage
extensions, view your statistics, change your password
and more. It's very convenient--take a look Control
panel Cookie
A cookie is a piece of information sent to a browser
by a Web Server. The browser then returns that information
to the Web server. This is how some Web pages "remember"
your previous visits; for example, an E-Commerce site
might use a cookie to remember. 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.
D 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 Web page, image, MIDI file, etc.
is loaded, data transfer is generated. Database
This is any collection of data: part numbers, product
codes, customer information, etc. It usually refers
to data stored on a computer. 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 Web address and provides a professional,
prestigious Web presence. Compare these two URLs:
1. http://www.anywebhost.com/members/yourwebpage
2. http://www.yourname.com In the first URL, the domain
name "anywebhost.com" is owned by someone
else. If you moved your business Website to another
Web Host, you'd need a new URL--and you'd have to notify
your customers of your new address. The second URL contains
an example of a custom domain name that you own: "yourname.com."
If you ever move your site, your address will stay the
same. See Also: InterNIC.
F 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 Web page 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. ADDR.com offers FrontPage
extensions. 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.
G GIF
Graphic Interchange Format: A type of image file. GIF
files are graphics or pictures, often used on Web pages.
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 Web page. Graphics
are usually in GIF or JPEG format.
H Hit
A single request from a Web browser for a single item
from a Web server. When a browser displays a Web page
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
1. 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.
2. A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP network,
including the Internet. Each host has a unique IP address.
3. As a verb, "host" means providing the infrastructure
for a computer service. A company that hosts a Web server
may provide the hardware and software needed to run
that server, but does not supply all the content on
that server. ADDR.com provides hosting services by running
and maintaining the server, while allowing customers
to maintain their own Website content. HTML
HyperText Markup Language: The coding language used
to create Web pages. 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 Web page, an
HTTP command is sent to the Web server. This command
tells the server to fetch and transmit the requested
Web page. 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.
I Image Map
A graphic used for multiple navigation on a Web page.
Image maps contain HTML code that turn specific areas
of graphics into links. Impressions
The actual number of people who've seen a specific Web
page. Impressions are much more accurate than hits when
discerning how much traffic your Web page actually receives.
Impressions are sometimes called "page views." Internet
The vast collection of interconnected networks that
use TCP/IP protocols. InterNIC
An organization operated by Network Solutions that controls
the registration of new domain names. When you purchase
a domain name, the InterNIC will bill you $35/year for
ownership. 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.
J 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 Web pages. Common Java applets used
on Web pages include animation, calculators, and counters. JavaScript
A scripting language developed by Netscape that interacts
with HTML source code, allowing for interactive Websites.
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 (or 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 Web pages load faster.
K 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.
L LAN
Local Area Network: A computer network limited to the
immediate area, usually the same building or floor of
a building. 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"
M Mail Forwarding
When you sign up for an ADDR.com hosting plan, you'll
receive a domain email account (you@yourname.com --
actually you'll get an infinite amount of these). 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. For example, email addressed to webmaster@yourname.com
could forward to your "real" email address
(provided by your ISP), while sales@yourname.com could
forward to a different email address or your mail box
on our system. 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 Web
page, 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 Web
pages. MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface: A computerized
music file, often used on Web pages. 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
N 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.
P 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. 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. 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 - or - Point Of Presence: Post
Office Protocol is a method of retrieving email from
a server.
Point Of Presence is a telephone number that provides
dial-up Internet access. ISPs usually provide several
POPs so users can gain Internet access with local phone
calls. 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.
R 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. ADDR.com offers RealPlayer extensions. 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).
S 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 Websites 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 E-Commerce Website. It acts as a virtual shopping
cart, keeping track of the items visitors have ordered
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 Web page 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 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 Web pages to load slowly; TrueSpeech
compression allows faster, easier transfer.
U 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.addr.com Username
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. See Also: MIME
V 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.
W 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." 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 Web page will appear online,
as you're editing the document.
Z 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.